Thank you all for your reviews. 554Laura, RobinAngelena, GalaxieGurl (thank you for your kind words, and yes, one can never have too much ice cream in the freezer!), Vmf447 (I'm a big fan of Aubrey), Lauwy (thanks, that is what I try hard to do since I miss the show so much, so it means a lot you feel that it does), FaithinBones (yes it is), ZinaR (not the last chapter yet), mendenbar (no don't think there'll be more surprises), aadams00.

Thank you for sticking with the story. It's not the end yet, but we're almost there.

"You sure this is the place?" Booth asked as he stepped out of his SUV. Opening the trunk, he retrieved a bullet-proof vest, tossed it to Aubrey before pulling his own over his head. Tugging on the straps of the vest round his chest to tighten it, he winced slightly at the pressure round his bruised ribs. He stared up to the apartment block ahead.

"Yeah." Aubrey who was adjusting his own gear, replied. "You sure you should be here?"

"I'm sure." Booth reached into the trunk to grab his assault rifle, then hand Aubrey his.

"And Dr Brennan's okay with this?"

"Not really, but I convinced her I had to. Plus, I don't intend to get hurt today."

"You and me both."

Booth checked his rifle, making sure the safety was still on. "HRT set up the perimeter?"

"Yup. Just like you wanted it."

"Jake can't escape."

"He won't. The roof, all stairwells and any other possible exit routes are covered."

Booth hated doing this in broad daylight in an apartment that was likely filled with other occupants. He knew he didn't have a choice and he had planned the entire operation trying to ensure no one would be caught in the crossfire. He also knew he had to get Jake's girlfriend out of the apartment first, least Jake used her as a hostage.

"And we've evacuated the apartments closest to Jake's girlfriend's, just like you wanted." Aubrey added. He bit his lower lip before deciding to continue. "I know you're gonna yell at me, but I think you should sit this one out. You sure you're cleared for field work? I don't recall you going back to your doctor."

"I'm not gonna yell at you, but I'm gonna see this through."

Aubrey sighed, recognizing the determination in Booth's voice. He knew it would be useless to argue. "Let's do this then."

Booth nodded. Together both Agents entered the building, swiftly passing HRT members and other FBI Agents in the lift lobby. The apartment was on the fifth floor. In order to avoid attracting attention, the other Agents were fanned out, leaving only Booth, Aubrey and HRT member Agent Choi to approach the apartment.

As planned, Agent Choi knocked on the door, while Booth and Aubrey flanked him on either side, hidden from sight.

"Who is it?" A female voice answered.

"There was a report of a gas leak. I'm here to make sure it's safe in your apartment Ma'am." Agent Choi who was disguised as a city worker replied.

The door opened a fraction, just enough for the apartment's occupant to peek out.

"Nobody told me there was a gas leak." The woman whom they assumed was Jake's girlfriend, Cheryl replied.

"We didn't want to cause panic. We think it's from one of the apartments on this floor. If you could just step outside while I check? It'll only take a minute. I just need to check the kitchen."

There was a pause.

"It's for your safety and that of your neighbours. I've already checked the apartment next to yours." Agent Choi continued.

Cheryl opened the door wider, stepping out into the hallway to allow Agent Choi in. Booth immediately wrapped his arms round her, closing his hand round her mouth, stopping her from crying out.

As planned, Booth immediately handed her to Agent Choi and another two Agents who had been waiting down the hall. The three Agents whisked her away so quickly and silently she didn't have a chance to react. Booth ignored the dull ache in his chest as he nodded to Aubrey. They entered the apartment in one well-rehearsed movement, both moving in sync as if part of one organism.

They swept the living room and kitchen quickly and silently, ascertaining that Jake wasn't here. Booth pointed with two fingers towards the hallway leading to the bedrooms. He led the way with Aubrey close behind. As they entered the narrow hallway, Jake emerged from the bedroom furthest from them. There was a split second where Jake had a look of surprise on his face as if wondering why there were two men in the apartment.

"FBI!" Aubrey shouted.

Jake dived back into the room, slamming the door shut. Booth and Aubrey ran forward after him. Just as Booth was about to kick the door down, bullets started flying through the wooden door.

Both Agents dived to the ground in time.

"You okay?" Booth asked.

"I'll be once you get off me." Aubrey grunted as they crawled towards the living room as a hail of bullets continued to fly over their heads. Both Agents sat up, their backs against the wall.

"He'll be out of ammo soon."

"You hope." Aubrey said. "Thought you said he only had a pistol."

"That's what I thought."

"So what now?"

"Cover me." Booth crouched down slinking along the wall towards the room as Aubrey fired back at the door, providing the cover his partner needed. Booth was about to reach the door when gunfire stopped. He turned as Aubrey scurried towards him and both Agents burst through the bullet-ridden door their rifles at the ready. The room was empty and the open window gave them a clue as to where Jake might had gone.

Booth rushed to the window, sticking his head out to check the fire escape. Glancing down then up he yelled, "He's headed up!"

Without second thought, Booth climbed out the window, giving chase. Aubrey ran out the apartment intending to head to the stairs leading up to the roof in hopes of cornering Jake. Two members of the HRT accompanied Aubrey up. He knew there were also Agents on the roof and was comforted by the knowledge that Booth would not be alone should he get to Jake first.

Booth with his rifle slung over his shoulder climbed up the steps of the fire escape after Jake. Jake who was now aware that he was being chased, attempted to climb faster. Booth picked up the pace as well. He was normally very fit and didn't usually tire when chasing down a suspect but this time, he found that he was out of breath faster than he usually would be. A gunshot rang out, causing him to duck. Cursing under his breath, Booth knew he had to return fire. He aimed his rifle at Jake who was continuing his climb upwards. Booth aimed not to kill, simply to wound and hopefully stop Jake's attempted escape. Being out of breath and slightly shaky on his feet, Booth took some time to take aim and pull the trigger. He saw Jake stumble but couldn't be sure if he had hit him. Jake disappeared from view as he reached the rooftop and Booth scrambled to keep up.

When Booth got to the rooftop Jake was standing near the ledge, as if contemplating a way down. Booth raised his rifle, pointing it in Jake's direction.

"You sure that's a good idea? It's a long way down."

Jake whipped round to face Booth, one hand clutching his side and the other still holding his gun that was pointed to the ground. Blood oozed out between Jake's fingers that was pressed to his side. It was then that Booth realised he had hit Jake when he shot at him moments ago. He knew that if Jake raised his arm that was holding the gun, he would have no choice but to kill him. Out of the corner of his eye, Booth spotted two other Agents approaching.

"Stand down guys." Booth commanded. The two Agents moved backwards slowly, still providing Booth with cover. He returned his attention to Jake.

"Don't. There's always another way." Booth kept an eye on Jake's hand, and a finger on the trigger of his rifle.

"I'm not going back to prison." Jake's voice trembled with desperation and anger.

Booth spied Aubrey and the other two HRT members, slowly coming up to the other side of Jake. He worried that Jake, feeling cornered would act rashly.

"Dr Brennan's positively identified Becky's remains." He wanted to keep Jake's attention on him. "You found her Jake."

"So that was really Becky, out there in the woods?"

"Yeah. You and Logan did it. You found your little sister."

"But you'll still think I did it."

"No, I don't. And the lab, they've already proved that you didn't kill Becky."

"You're lying."

"I'm not."

There was a moment's pause, and Booth watched as Jake's hand that was holding the gun seemed to slowly move.

"Don't. Don't go out like this."

Regardless of how Jake had treated him when he was held captive, Booth hoped he would not have to end Jake's life.

"If you chose to let me end your life, your old man wins."

Jake blinked at the mention of his father.

"Logan told me everything. About how he treated you guys. It was him, and Dr Brennan will prove that he did it. Then I'll go find your Dad and arrest him. You and Logan would have helped find justice for Becky. That's what you wanted right?"

Jake froze as if considering Booth's words. But before he could reach a decision, Aubrey was already there, tackling Jake to the ground. The gun in Jake's hand clattered to the ground as Jake fell and one of the HRT Agents kicked the gun away while the other helped to handcuff Jake.

Booth released a breath, grateful that he did not have to take a life that day. He lowered his rifle, suddenly exhausted, he took a step back.

"You okay Booth?" Aubrey asked as he approached.

"Yeah." Booth breathed. "I'm fine. A little winded, that's all."

"You sure you didn't hurt your ribs doing all that climbing?"

"Oh so you're Bones now huh?" Booth asked annoyed.

"You know she'll ask."

Booth nodded at Jake being led away. "He needs the doctor more than me."

"Bullet grazed him. He'll live."

"Not a bad day's work. Nobody got hurt."

"Yup. Nobody got hurt, just like you wanted."

Booth reached into his pants pocket for the keys to the SUV. He tossed them to Aubrey. "You're driving. I gotta call Bones."

Would definitely appreciate a review on your way out.