Okay y'all, seeing that the amount of reviews dropped dramatically last chapter I understand that it was crap and I tend to agree. Hopefully this chapter will make up for it though, I think I did okay! Please let me know what y'all think and if I did redeem myself or not!!

Disclaimer: On no I di'int!! Still not mine!!

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They made great time down the trail and still made it in decent time for dinner. Cathy had been so gobsmacked by the news that she let Booth drive back to the campsite and hadn't said much during their ride. When they arrived, Cathy agreed to come by their RV after supper to continue their conversation seeing as that would probably be the most private place for them all to talk. Booth and Brennan decided on BBQ for dinner that night to keep things easy and the clean up light. The sun was just beginning to set when Cathy made her way to their site.

"Hey, Carters, how are things this evening?" She kept it light and relaxed.

"Oh hey Cathy, going for a stroll are ya?" Booth replied.

"Well I just thought I would come and chat with the newlyweds before it got too dark." She looked at Booth for reassurance that she wasn't being followed or watched but he couldn't confirm or deny her silent request. Booth continued the charade.

"Hey, pull up a chair, I was just going to get a beer, would you like one?"

She nodded in response. Bones then figured that this was a conversation best done indoors.

"Actually Mikey, I was thinking the bugs were pretty bad tonight. Why don't we pull out the cards inside? Would you like to join us in a rousing game of crazy eights, Cathy?"

"As long as you two don't think I am intruding, then I would love too. I also have another few suggestions for some more great hikes in the area if you want."

Booth helped Cathy into the RV all the while scanning the area for their shadows. He knew they were out there somewhere and he knew that they were just the 'watchers'. He needed to be prepared for what was coming and he had to get the information somehow. Maybe tonight would be the night he would take things into his own hands. Brennan deserved these answers and he promised to help her get them.

Once they were all settled around the small table inside, they pulled out the cards and dealt them making sure it looked believable from the outside. They all sat silently and started to play the game, everyone unsure of where to start.

"I know that your father and mother were a great pair from the start." Cathy stated bluntly. "He followed her around like a puppy dog for months and she wouldn't give him the time of day." She continued to lay down cards when her turn arrived. "When she finally did agree to go out on a date with him, that was it. She was completely head over heels in love with him. They were inseparable. They were married in less than a year. He worked as a teacher. He was a smart man. He provided for her and he helped out Mom and Dad when they hit a bit of a rough patch. I can't believe that they would ever become wanted felons. That wasn't my sister. She was always the smartest and prettiest of us girls. She never ever broke the law. She always drove the speed limit, she helped out at the hospital as a candy striper, she was a girl scout. I just can't fathom her as a criminal, I just..." Cathy choked on her words and Brennan's eyes watered. "This isn't right, that wasn't Ruth. That wasn't Max. I just, I am so confused. I don't know what else to say. I have no words. The night she called and told me to run, I didn't understand. I was only nineteen and I didn't understand. She wouldn't go into detail. She just told me to tell Mom and Dad that she would explain it as soon as possible but if they could go and stay with Mom's sister for a little while, she would tell us what was wrong. But she never phoned Mom and Dad again. Charlie was completely heartbroken. Ruth was everything to us, but especially to Charlie. They just had this bond. Ruth was seven when Charlie was born and Charlie was her own, real live doll. She doted on her. Ruth was my best friend, I was just so lost without her. Mom and Dad never got over their heartache. I swear that is why they died so young. Dad's heart gave out on him one night in his sleep and Mom never recovered. Mom died of a broken heart. Not only from losing Dad, but also Ruth. She never knew what happened, she never knew why. She couldn't go on."

Cathy started to cry and Booth closed the curtains of the RV. They could no longer pretend to play cards, Cathy was in too much of a state. Bones sat there completely dumbfounded. These were the things she wanted to hear, wanted to know. She needed to hear what her mother had been. She wanted these stories of her childhood, but she also knew this was going to be one very emotional rollercoaster ride, and she thanked the one thing she didn't believe in, that Booth was sitting beside her, holding her hand.

"Cathy." Brennan started, trying to stifle her tears. "I know this is hard, and I don't even know if I want to hear this, I only know that I have missed an entire lifetime with you and I just need a family. I need my roots. I am so sorry. I don't know if I should have come, but when Dad told me I had two aunts I couldn't stay away. I am sorry that I lied and I am sorry that I just sprung it on you today, but I couldn't keep up with the lies. We have all been lied to. You missed out on your sister and I was robbed of my mother. I just want family." She looked at Booth with her beautiful blue eyes and saw the hurt of her last statement. "No, let me restate that, I want to know where I come from. I have family, no matter how unconventional, I do-" She paused and gazed at Booth reassuringly. "I do, have family." She gave him the slightest of smiles, and he knew she was telling the truth.

"We don't have to go into this all tonight, and I know that this is such a stunning series of events, but we're staying for another two nights. We're going to see Charlie next. Do you think that is a wise idea?"

"Charlie is another story all together. She kind of lost her way a little bit. After the loss of our parents and Ruth, she got into a lot of trouble. She started drinking and did some drugs. Nothing too heavy but enough to get her a small rap sheet. She went to a rehab center in Colorado when she was twenty-two and turned her life around. She is very much a loner and she found a job in Wyoming on a Dude ranch. At first she was just a barn hand but she worked hard and went to school and took a few vet courses, she is a vet tech. They hired her on full time and she hasn't looked back since. We don't talk much, just on our birthdays and Christmas. I always get a call on October fourteenth though. That is the day your mom dissapeared. She never says anything, but I know it's her, I can hear her crying. It breaks my heart, but I always listen. It is never a long call a few minutes at most, but I know she is okay, she just misses her sisters, that is just her way."

Booth and Bones nodded silently, not wanting to interupt Cathy. She drained her beer and stared at the bottle.

"These guys that are following us, do they have to do with your parents?"

Booth spoke first. "I think so. I don't know why they would go after you guys seeing as you are Ruth's family, but Max made a lot of people mad, they will try to get back at him anyway they can. I am trying to figure out a plan and from what I have heard, you don't know anything, so I may just pay tweedle-dum and dummer a visit tonight. I think they are just following orders and I think that order is to watch us. Otherwise something would have happened already. I will get answers for you, for the both of you, that I promise."

"Okay, well I think I am going to turn in for the night, my mind is still reeling from all of this, but can I come back tomorrow? I would love to talk to you some more, Joy."

Timidly Brennan responed. "Yes, I would like that, but please call me Temperance. That is the only name I remember."

"Of course, Temperance."

Booth got up out of his seat to let Brennan out. Cathy stood and Brennan pulled her into an awkward hug. "Thank you Cathy, thank you."

Cathy could only nod and quickly excited the RV.

"Booth, are you really going to go after those guys tonight?"

"These guys are the worst watchers I have ever seen. Where did they get them? Idiot's -R- Us. They have been hiding behind that poolhouse since we sat down and they are wearing red hats. It isn't even sundown yet. Obviously not special ops. I don't think this is a dangerous mission. I will visit them in a little bit and see what they know."

"Just be careful, Booth. Please."

"Don't worry Bones I always am."

"I know it isn't quite bedtime yet, but I am drained. Would you mind laying down with me? I just need to know you are there when I fall asleep. When you go could you just let me know, so I don't worry and at least I am there for backup when you need it."

"Of course I will, Doll. Go change, I will turn down the bed."

Brennan went and changed quickly and Booth cleaned up the cards and beer bottles. He turned down the bed and turned out the lights. He figured he would catch a few winks before visiting the two worst stake out guys ever.

Brennan came out of the bathroom dressed in shorts and a tank top. Her hair was held in a low pony tail and her face was freshly washed. Booth had never seen anyone so beautiful.

"You get in first and I will sleep on the outside tonight. I will wake you before I go though, but I want you to stay put. Okay?"

Brennan nodded her reponse and crawled in silently. Booth could see her mind turning. He pulled off his shirt and crawled in beside her and took her into his arms. She curled on her side and rested her head on his chest. They didn't say anything to each other but Brennan knew there was no place safer than where she was in that moment. Booth kissed the top of her head, and she kissed his chest. No words were needed but they were in for the ride of their lives. Booth waited until it was dark and Brennan was asleep before he started making his plan. He slowly rolled Brennan off his chest and changed into darker clothing and pulled a ball cap out of the cupboard.

"Bones, Bones." He shook her lightly.

"Hmmmm." She responded sleepily.

"I am going to go and see what I can find out. If I am not back in ten minutes call Agent Nicolle in Boise and the locals, 'cause I'm in trouble."

With the mention of police and trouble, Brennan shot upright. "Maybe I should go with you." She stated.

"Bones, it's okay just wait here. I tell ya what, go into the top bunk and watch the poolhouse. If you see any trouble, my other gun is in my duffel bag- side pocket. Okay?"

"Okay."

Booth left the RV covered by the darkness of the mountain night. There was very little moonlight and he was able to make it to the poolhouse undetected. He sat and waited for the right moment to surprise the two buffoons. Booth counted to five and turned the corner silently.

"Hey Boys, having fun?"

The suddeness of his statement paralyzed the pair just long enough for Booth to get the upper hand. He punched the bigger one in the nose making his eyes water and all but incompasitating him. He followed it with a kick to the other ones sternum, knocking the wind out of him. He quickly cuffed the pair and got ready for his interogation.

"So who wants to talk first?"

The bigger one decided to be the speaker. "Well Agent Booth, you definitely just made your first mistake."

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So was that a better one? I think it was! Please let me know. Thanks again, I love hearing from ya!