Isie: I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Here is the next chapter you wanted. I hope you like it. :)

Chapter 17

On the flight to Washington D.C., Thursday at 11:00 a.m. MST (1:00 pm EST)

FBI Agent Seeley Booth sat on the plane watching the plains pass underneath him, a passing cloud blocked his view momentarily but he really wasn't paying attention. His mind was too busy trying to figure out how he was going to explain what happened to his superiors. Cullen would certainly be upset and bring up the fact that he knew that squints didn't belong in the field. When he had first met Bones, he had agreed that squints shouldn't be in the field but after all the adventures they'd been through, he had changed his mind. Bones was more than capable of handling herself and he had found that there was no one he'd rather have by his side in an emergency situation. The G-man closed his eyes and brought the images from Tuesday night back.

He had burst into the room his weapon drawn. The smell of gunpowder filled his nostrils as he moved toward the body on the floor. Mentally he was praying that it wasn't Temperance. He would never forgive himself if she were hurt or worse, dead. He shook the thought from his head and refused to let himself believe it. Bones had her own weapon and she knew how to use it.

It seemed as though an hour had passed from the time he burst in until he reached the body on the floor. His mind was racing a mile a minute. He reached down and felt for a pulse.

A hand on his shoulder snapped Booth from his reverie. A slight smile crossed his lips as the person sat down next to him.

"Are you feeling ok?" He asked. It seemed like a dumb question as his companion had gone to the bathroom for the third time since the plane had taken off.

"Better now. I think it must have been that breakfast we had before we left." A silence fell between the two and Booth wondered what he could say. Deciding to take it easy, he opened his mouth.

"You…"

"I…" the two words came out at the same time and two people smiled.

"Seeley, I don't know what to do. I feel so confused."

"Temperance, you had no choice you had to shoot Luciano. He was going to kill you. You just protected yourself." Booth tried to make her feel better.

"He heard you at the door and turned his head. I took the opportunity to grab my weapon properly. Luciano turned back to me and grabbed the barrel of the gun. I didn't hesitate; I just pulled the trigger. I knew that you would be walking into a trap and I just reacted." Brennan told him.

"You did what you had to do. You were protecting yourself and your partner. Sheriff Dippert cleared you of any wrongdoing." Her partner said.

"I'm no better than those murderers we track down." She couldn't understand how relaxed Booth was being about this. The FBI Agent took a deep breath and with one hand he took her hand. The other hand turned her face so he could see her eyes. They were usually bright and happy but now they remained dark and fear hid behind them.

"You had no choice. I shouldn't have left you alone, I'm sorry for that but all I can do know is try to help you. I know the pain you feel won't go away but somehow we'll get through this. I'm not going to let you deal by yourself but you have to promise me that you'll tell me when you need me. Don't hold back anything. I understand where you're coming from and I want to help you." He smiled and Brennan gave him a tight smile in return.

Cullen's Office, Friday at 9:00a.m. EST

"I received the report from Idaho Springs and I have read through the Sheriff's paperwork." Cullen had a grim look on his face.

"Yes, Sir." Booth said.

"I also received a call from the Director of the U.S. Marshals." This statement made Booth squirm.

"Am I to believe that Dr. Brennan killed one of the most wanted men in America all by herself?" Cullen continued.

"Sir, I left her alone in the morgue to work with Marshals Gillette and Ryder on how to capture Luciano. I should not have done that. The police station was right next door and I figured…" Booth didn't get a chance to finish as he superior cut him off.

"You figured? You left a squint, who carries a loaded gun with her, and thought she'd be all right?" Cullen's voice was growing louder.

"Sir, I made a mistake. One that I can assure you will never happen again." The subordinate told him.

"Oh you bet it won't." Cullen told him.

"Sir, she did…" Again Booth was cut off.

"Luckily for you the Bureau and Marshals have agreed to the findings in Sheriff Dippert's report. You keep her on a tighter leash, do you understand me?" The Deputy Director asked.

"Yes, sir." Booth answered.

"That'll be all." Cullen dismissed the agent and Booth headed for the door. His next stop was to be the Jeffersonian.

To Be Continued…

One more chapter to go, which should be up next weekend. I hope you're enjoying it.