The Perfect Shot – Chapter Six
WARNING: Spoilers for Season 6
Disclaimer: I don't own Bones or any of the characters. They are all owned by Fox and Hart Hanson.
Booth returned to his office to find Hannah sitting behind his desk. A look of surprise and slight annoyance crossed his face before he quickly hid it.
"Hannah, what are you doing here and why are you sitting behind my desk?"
Hannah's head snapped up and she spoke guiltily, "I thought I would see if you wanted to grab a bite to eat before we headed home" she smiled trying to hide the displeasure at being interrupted in her search of information regarding the Heather Taffet shooting.
"That explains why you're here but not why you're behind my desk."
"I guess after being in warzones for so long I have a fear of sitting with my back to the door. Worried that someone might sneak up on me I suppose. That's irrational I know but…" she shrugged.
Booth responded, "No, I know exactly what you're talking about, let's go eat".
Hannah smiled as Booth led her from the office. "So, how's the case going?" she asked as she climbed into his SUV.
"It's going fine but you know I can't talk about it" he closed her door a little more soundly than was required.
As he climbed in on the drive side she said, "I know. I wasn't really expecting you to. Just, you seem even more stressed than you have been lately."
"I'm fine Hannah, really" he gave what he hoped was a convincing smile; not wanting to get into a discussion about his mood of late.
Walking into the Founding Fathers Booth noticed Bones sitting at a table with Hodgins, Angela, Cam, and Vincent Nigel-Murray. When the bell over the door dinged Brennan looked up to see who entered. Blue eyes locked with brown as Brennan gave an imperceptible nod of her head.
Hannah spotted the team at the table just as Booth was about to steer her toward a corner table at the other side of the bar. "Oh look, there's Temperance and her team. Let's go join them"
Dragging Booth behind her she didn't see the slight look of panic in his dark chocolate eyes.
"Hello Temperance. Hello everyone. Care if we join you?"
Brennan smiled at Hannah and being sure not to look at Booth said, "Hello Hannah, of course you can join us. How are you?"
Everyone greeted the new comers and made room for them at the table. Booth felt a slight discomfort when Hannah chose the seat beside Cam, leaving the only other empty chair for him next to Bones. He looked at Brennan and smiled as he sat down. They all talked about inconsequential things making sure to never mention the case in Hannah's presence.
Hannah chatted amicably with the team slightly irritated that no one spoke of the case. She turned to Brennan, "So Temperance, are you working on this Taffet case with Booth?"
Brennan's eyes darted to Booth before she spoke, "Yes Hannah, of course I'm working on the case."
"Well, I wasn't sure. I assumed you wouldn't be required to assist since identification and cause of death were pretty obvious. I mean everyone knew that Heather Taffet, the alleged Gravedigger, was arriving in the van."
"Not alleged" everyone spoke at once but Hannah could clearly hear the hatred in Brennan, Booth and Hodgins' voices.
"You all seem so sure Heather Taffet was the Gravedigger" Hannah looked to Brennan and Booth.
"We are 100% sure of that fact Hannah" Brennan responded with a look of defiance.
"But how are you 100% sure?"
"Hannah, Bones and I with the rest of the Jeffersonian team worked the Gravedigger case. In fact, Bones and Hodgins were taken and buried alive by Taffet."
"Booth, she took you too" Brennan interjected.
"Oh my God! I had no idea! I'm so sorry" Hannah cried as she placed her hand on Booth's arm.
"It's ok but you're right, you have no idea the hell that woman put so many people through" Booth said as he looked at Hannah before turning sad eyes to Bones' equally sad ones. The memory of their ordeal caused Bones' body to shudder and did not go unnoticed by anyone at the table.
Hannah could see the sorrow in Brennan's eyes as she watched the partners' gaze hold. She imagined she would see the same reflected in Booth's eyes if she were able to see them. She didn't know that the Gravedigger had taken someone she knew, someone she loved. She realized there was a lot she didn't know about Seeley and she knew instinctively that most of it would somehow include Temperance Brennan.
As the group finished their drinks Angela said, "Well, it's been fun but I'm ready to get home. Let's go Hodgy".
"Sure honey. Dr. B, can we drop you and Vincent back at the lab for your cars?"
"That would be very nice Dr. Hodgins. Good night everyone" Brennan replied not looking at anyone as she left the table.
"Excellent" Vincent Nigel-Murray chimed in.
Getting from her seat, Cam said, "I need to get home to Michelle. Hannah it was good to see you. Booth we'll talk to you tomorrow".
"It was good to see you again too Dr. Saroyan, you too Temperance and everyone" Hannah responded.
"See ya Cam" Booth said as his eyes followed Bones departing figure.
It didn't go unnoticed by the journalist that Booth and Temperance didn't exchange goodbyes.