1Title: Six Bodies in the Pasture
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter Nine: The Woman and the Man in the Window
Getting themselves situated, the ten pairs of eyes fell onto the forensic anthropologist. "We heard you got some sort of lead." Spoke Cam who was sitting in between Parker and Angela.
"I do." Answered Brennan, leaned in and started to explain.
Joseph pulled away from the house as Brennan began to speak. "We were talking about Boo . . . uh Tony taking the baby to the doctor, when we got talking about her daughter. I had asked if she wanted to have more children and she started saying that the country is overpopulated." She explained, about Garret Harden and the Environmental One party.
Immediately after she finished her account of what had happened in the salon, Booth pulled out his cell phone. "Hey Will, it's me." He said into the phone and listened for the man on the other line. "Yes, I need to know everything about one Garret Harden and the Environmental One party. Thanks." With that he hung up, turning his attention back to Brennan. "She didn't say anything else?"
"Nope, but she was rather snippy by the time she finished doing my hair." Said Brennan pulling out the bottle from the small diaper bag and gave it to the fussing baby. Her attention going to the infant.
"Did you get anything Angela?" Asked Booth, placing his hand on Brennan's thigh.
"Kyle was having a rough time in his relationship. His partner and him want to adopt a child, but you know how the times are." Said Angela. "The agency that they were going through wasn't . . . " She stopped suddenly, her mouth hung open as if the light turned on.
The ten pairs of eyes fell onto the artist as she placed the pieces together. "What if they kidnap the children and give them to childless couples." She pondered out loud.
"Then why did they kill them?" Asked Zack, who wasn't really paying attention to what they were saying, he had spent the last couple of minutes talking with the five-year old.
"Maybe they started crying and so they tried to quiet them." Said Brennan, shaking her head in surprise. "It can take five seconds for an infant to die of Shaken Baby Syndrom, the veins that attach the brain to the scull detatch, the blood pools . . . "
"Bones." Booth whispered in a low voice and motioned to Parker, who chose that moment to take interest in their conversation. She almost shivered at the sound of her given name. She wouldn't let anyone know that she missed it.
"It's conjecture." Spoke Hodgins, being the rational one, who was seated next to the car seat and the wall, who showed minute interest in the conversation and was watching the tiny girl. "It makes sense, but we have nothing to go on."
The car stopped and Joseph came to the door and opened it for the group. "Welcome to Casa Davinci." He said formally.
Everyone climbed out of the limousine one by one, Brennan handed Booth the car seat before climbing out herself. Planting both feet on the concrete and she stood to full height, causing Angela to gasp.
Hodgins and Cam shot her a glance before she spoke. "That's the dress from the clipping." She said, circling her like a vulture. "God, you look gorgeous."
Brennan blushed, as Booth glowed with pride at the compliment. "Thanks, Angela." Said Brennan, taking Booth's hand as they wandered inside the restaurant.
Dinner was spent enjoying the atmosphere of what the Washington Post called 'a Six Star' restaurant. It was genuinely something else, the high ceilings with glass chandeliers hanging every hundred feet and complimented with mahogany and spiral stair cases at the side. A chamber orchestra filled the air.
"Caprice Number 9 et Do Major." Said Brennan, easily recognizing the song. "By Pietro Antonio Locatelli. An amazing rendition of a . . ."
"I got it." Said Booth with a smile, they watched Angela dance with Hodgins in the center floor. Pretty rich boy took some dancing courses. Cam chuckled before dragging Zack onto the dance floor, leaving the 'family' at the table.
Booth leaned over to his son, who was fidgeting in his seat and whispered into his ear. The boy's charm smile began to brighten up the dim room. He stood up and walked over the forensic anthropologist and held out his hand. "Mommy, would you like to dance?"
She stood up and took his tiny hand in hers. "I would love too."
The five-year old lead her to the dance floor and they began to dance to the chamber orchestra. Catching the attention of the entomologist.
"Angela, look." He pointed at the doctor. It took everything she had to not squeal. They turned around to take a look at his father. He sat with the bundle of red in his arms, watching his partner and son laughing softly as they danced across the floor.
"I'll take Parker. You take Maddy." Whispered Angela, who gained a nod from Hodgins. He walked over to Booth and easily took the infant from him. Booth took the hint and walked over to his son and partner.
Tapping the small boy on shoulder, who turned to look at his father. "May I cut in?" Booth asked.
The miniature charm smile flashed as he let go of her hand and handed it to his father. "Here, daddy." He said before scampering over to the artist, who picked him up and started to dance with the boy.
"He's going to be a problem when he gets older." Commented the father, wrapping his arms securely around his waist.
Her arms snaked around his neck. "And he isn't now?" She asked with a smile. "That smile gets him whatever he wants, its almost as bad as his fathers."
"Do I know this man? He must be amazing to make you weak in the knees." He said with a smile, innocently playing with the fabric of her dress.
"He is actually. He's about six foot one with brown hair and eyes. He is the softest, kindest, strong-willed man I know, along with one of the most stubborn pain in my ass. This man is amazing at his job, a fast learner and an amazing father, any woman would be lucky to be with him. I think you would like him." She said slowly, looking at his lips by the time she finished her speech.
"I think I would." He said, leaning closer to capture her lips with his. Her eyes flutter closed and eagerly awaited for him. But it didn't happen. "Bones, isn't that your hairstylists?"
Her eyes opened, slightly frustrated by the reality of why they were in that situation. Sure enough, MacAdrian, Kyle and some of the other women she recognized from the salon was sitting at a table next to the dance floor. "What are the chances that they chose to come to the fanciest restaurant in Washington on the same night as we are?" She asked, stepping closer to him.
"I don't know, but are you feeling like we should set them up?" He asked playfully as the brunette hairstylist scanned the floor, her eyes contacting with the couple and she leaned over to tell the whole table.
Brennan nodded and took his hand to lead him back to the table and took the baby from the entomologist. The baby was awake and cooing as she held the her close to her chest. She stood up, grabbing the diaper bag and left to change her, walking passed the stylists, pretending not to notice them.
As she neared the bathroom, a man in a dark suit with graying hair turned around bumping into the forensic anthropologist and infant. "Oh, I'm so sorry." He said, his voice sporting a very posh accent.
"It's alright, no harm done." She said, bringing the baby from her shoulder to cradle her in her arms.
"She's absolutely adorable." He commented, placing his finger in the tiny hands belonging to Maddy. "How old is she?"
"Thank you. Madison will be eight weeks on Saturday." Said Brennan, glowing with pride. The girl cooed again and waved her arms excitedly.
"She is just adorable." He said with a nod, before rejoining his party.
Brennan rushed back to the table, the entire squint squad was sitting at the table eating dessert. "Tony." She said in a whisper. "That's Garret Harden." The twelve pairs of eyes moved to the table where the salon staff was sitting, even though only Angela and Brennan knew who they were.
They took it as their cue to leave. Unfortunately for them, they had to walk past that exact table. And their twelve pairs of eyes followed the exiting party.
"Daddy, can I go to Dr. Jack's house and play his video games?" Asked Parker, from his dad's arms.
Brennan and Booth made eye contact and silently thought it was the best, if they were going to try to take Maddy, Parker was best not being there. "If it's alright with him."
It was as if he was a mind reader. "Yeah, we'll have a ton of fun." Said Hodgins, ruffling the blond hair. "And you can try to beat Zack at Dirt Racing."
The boy cheered excitedly as they exited La Casa Davinci.
The white limousine took the freeway home, and the ride was accompanied by small chatter about random things. Brennan stared aimlessly out the window, taking a notice of a blue sedan in the lane behind them which had followed them from the restaurant.
"That sedan has been following us." She said, the first time she had said anything since the restaurant.
"Are you sure?" Asked Angela, worriedly.
"There is one way to find out." Said Hodgins, picking up the compartment phone. "Joseph, please get off the freeway and take the longest way possible to get to the Scallion's home." And hung up the phone.
Immediately the limousine exited the freeway and took the first right turn and began to take the scenic route through suburban Georgetown.
Sure enough the blue sedan began to follow at a discreet distance.
They made it home just after nine and they sat in the limousine for a moment longer than normal, preparing themselves mentally for what might happen that night. "Thanks for looking after Parker." Booth said, stepping out first before helping his partner out second.
Brennan dug through the diaper bag and pulled out a pair of boy's pyjamas and handed them to Hodgins. "Please call us, if something happens." Said Hodgins, seriously. Ever since being stuck underground in a car together, they shared a deeper understanding and care for each other.
"We will." She whispered, before the three of them walked into the house. "So now what?"
"I guess we get her ready for bed." He shrugged, as he locked the door behind Brennan and followed her up the stairs.
She went into their room and laid the baby on the bed. Booth came up behind her and pulled the zipper down off the dress, she smiled her thanks before walking into the bathroom to change. Booth took the liberty to get the baby ready for bed, changing her clothing into her pink one piece. Brennan came out of the bathroom in pink pyjama bottoms and a white shirt with thin straps that formed to her in the right places.
As Booth returned from putting the baby into her room, his mouth opened slightly as he took sight of her. She was hanging up the dress in 'her' closet. She turned around and had a smile on her face. "All set?"
"Yes, ready to go." He answered, walking into the bathroom to change out of his tux.
He came out, wearing blue bottoms and a white T-shirt and hung up his tux in her closet. He sat next to her on the bed and began to help her pull out the pins from her hair.
"Thank you." She said, bringing her hands down from her hair and collected the pins from Booth. "There has to be at least four hundred in there."
He smiled as he pulled more of them out, the curls cascading down being freed from the pins. "I wouldn't say four hundred, maybe forty." He said, taking another pin and setting it into her hand. He pulled out the last pin, and ran his fingers through the dark ringlets.
Standing up, she placed the pins on the vanity and returned to sitting next to him on the bed. "What do we do now?" She asked, entwining her fingers at her lap and looking at the floor. They had been sharing the bed for almost a week and she had never been more nervous.
"I can think of some things." He said pulling his lips to hers. She was slow to respond, and eagerly allowed him access.
He started to deepen the kiss and pulled away from him. "What are we doing?" She asked breathlessly.
He chuckled slightly. "I think that is quite obvious." His hand found its way to her face, and moved to kiss her again.
She pulled back and placed her hand on his chest. "No, wait." She said, wrapping her arms around herself.
"What's wrong?" He asked, bringing his hands to her arms.
She stood up, and tears began to fall down her face. "What is this?" She cried, walking over to the windows.
"I don't know what your talking about." He said, still sitting on the bed. He didn't want to scare her away.
"Is it just because emotions are running high? A one night thing because we've been at so close of quarters for a little more than a week?" She cried in a whisper.
He watched her, she had been so happy the entire time they had been 'playing' house, he didn't stop the think of the consequences once they gave the baby back, Parker went back to Rebecca and both went back to their own apartments.
He stood up and went next to her. "Temperance." He whispered, "That's not how it goes, I've had these feelings for you for a very long time." Booth was always very charismatic, knew exactly what to say to make her feel better, but it wasn't to make her feel better only to make her realize that he was serious.
Her eyes found its way to her feet, embarrassed that she had jumped to conclusions like that. "It's just that . . . "She was about to explain
"I know," He said, his hands finding their way back to her waist. "But this is different. I won't abandon you or hurt you, Temperance. And I sure as hell don't want this to end when this is over, this you and me thing."
He opened his arms to allow her into his embrace, which she eagerly accepted, burying her face into his chest. "I'm sorry." She said, muffled by his chest.
"For what?" Booth asked, kissing the top of her forehead.
"For making this difficult, I've never been good at relationships."She cried softly, Booth had to strain his ears to hear what she said. "Just men in the past haven't been the best. . ."
Pulling back slightly, his brown eyes met her icy blue ones. "I'm different, Bones. You should know that." His hands cupped her cheeks and kissed her one more time, this time without fear.
She took the liberty of deepening the kiss, running her hands through his short hair and his hands found their way up from underneath his shirt. Brennan stopped the kiss.
Breathing heavily he made eye contact again. "What?"
"We are being watched." She whispered, pressing her lips to his again.
He backed them away from the window and fell onto the bed. He broke the kiss. "We'll continue this when this is all over." He whispered, brushing a curl from her forehead. "Go check on the baby."
She nodded and walked out of the bedroom and into the nursery.
Brennan picked up the infant and brought it to she shoulder as if to calm her from crying. She sat down on the rocking chair and held her close.
She returned ten minutes later and again climbed into bed next to him. He was watching the TV, a show she didn't recognize, not even if she tried. A red headed woman was chasing after a tall dark haired man.
"That thing is creepy." She whispered, laying her head onto his chest.
"The baby?" He asked, his eyes moving from the TV to her. "Those people who specialize in those lifelike infants are amazing."
"Yeah, but it was awake and not moving. It doesn't have any internal structure, its like jelly." She shook the feeling from her.
"The great Temperance Brennan grossed out by a jelly baby?" He teased, rubbing his thumb over the exposed skin at her waist line.
She shook her head and dropped her voice. "Did you check on Maddy?"
He nodded as a soft thud could be heard on the baby monitor, both shot out of the bed and Booth grabbed his gun, tossing one at her. "Come on, Bones. Lets catch these sick bastards."