A/N: Much thanks to all those who took the time to review – it is very much appreciated! – R-

Chapter 2 –

It had been a very long day. Temperance Brennan had worked on two set of remains, one for Booth, and one from Bone Storage. Zach would be completing the preliminary findings on both, after she'd begun the cursory examination, and directed him where to begin.

She sighed, and gazed at the sheaf of completed reports in front of her, satisfied they were all finally done. All they needed was Booth's signature, and they'd be off her desk. She set them in a stack off to the side, for the next time he stopped over; he could take them back and sign everything. She took one last long drink of the herbal tea she'd made herself hours ago, and grimaced slightly at its cold temperature.

The lab was quiet. Everyone had gone home hours ago. Angela had put forth an honest effort to get her to leave with her, but she refused, wanting to finish up. It's not like she had any plans anyway, other than starting a new chapter in the novel she had recently started. She did promise to call her on Saturday though, to maybe go out for drinks later.

Leaning back in her chair, she glanced at the clock on her computer, it was nearly midnight. She reached back and released the elastic from her hair, letting her locks swirl around her face. She shook her head, and ran her fingers through her hair, and lightly rubbed her scalp. It was nearly midnight on a Friday night, and where was she? At work, at the lab, this said volumes about her social life. She was about to gather her belongings and get ready to leave, when Adam, the maintenance guy came whistling into her office. He stopped short, surprised to see her there, and smiled.

"Hello Dr. Brennan, I am surprised to see you here so late on a Friday night, how've you been?" Adam questioned, leaning on the cart he'd been pushing with his cleaning supplies on it, and crossed one leg in front of the other. A grin tugged at the corner of his lips, his greenish hazel eyes twinkling merrily.

Temperance was surprised a man like him, young, very handsome, energetic was working as a maintenance man at a museum. Typically, those types of positions were given to the older generation as a supplemental income. Unable to resist her curious nature, she smiled, and asked "Adam, why are you doing this for a living? You seem bright, did you go to college?"

Adam took a step into her office, and slid his hand into his pocket, and ran his other hand through his dark blonde tousled hair. "I went to college for photo journalism, and have had my resume and portfolio out there for nearly a year, with no hits. I am not really the waiter or food industry type, and while I have been offered modeling jobs, that isn't really me either. I am sort of a loner I guess. I don't mind being alone, so I am just biding my time until something in my field opens up. Besides, there is a lot of interesting things to see here" he said casually, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "I suppose I could relocate to New York, or another big city, but I really like the DC area" he added, and asked "excuse me, let me just grab your waste basket" he said, and walked to the side of her desk. She scooted back in her chair to allow his access to her wastebasket. As he leaned over to pick it up, she caught the scent of his cologne, sort of musky spicy scent. As he took a step back and away, his eyes caught hers, and he winked at her.

"So you have any exciting plans for the weekend then Dr. Brennan?" he asked easily, as he emptied her wastebasket. He strode back to her desk, where she was still sitting in the same position, and quickly replaced it. This time no wink.

"I am going to work on my novel. Nothing exciting though, no" she told him, and stood.

Adam looked as if he were about to say something, he stood there, gazing at her. After a moment, he finally said "Well….have a good weekend then. Maybe I'll see you around again sometime"

She smiled, and replied "Night". Adam pushed his cart out her sight, and she could hear him whistling some tune she wasn't familiar with, the wheels of his cart squeaking as he pushed it away.

He seemed very nice. The only time she ever saw him was when she worked very late, and then they only had small talk, casual conversations. It was interesting that he had gone to college.

She spent some time putting her files away, and shutting down her computer. Finally, she gathered her coat, bag, and keys. She shut the lights off as she left her office, and shut the door.

Her footsteps echoed as she strode down the corridors of the Jeffersonian. She nodded at Charlie, the security guard on duty at the desk near the entrance to the parking garage.

The garage was also deserted. One or two cars parked here and there, but for the most part, it was empty. She approached her car, and frowned. Her car was sitting at an odd angle. She walked more quickly to the side of her car, to discover all 4 of her tires were flat. They didn't appear to be slashed, more than likely, someone let out all the air.

"Great…" she muttered to herself, as she began searching her bag for her cell phone.

"Dr. Brennan?" she heard a voice say behind her

Startled, she jumped, and dropped the rogue cell phone she'd just located. It broke into two pieces, and the face cracked on the display.

"Adam! You surprised me, I didn't hear you approach…" she said, as she stooped to retrieve the pieces of her phone. She just got this new phone too, after hers had been fried when the whole Gravedigger situation happened.

"Is there a problem Dr. Brennan?" Adam asked her, concern evident in his voice. He took a step beside her, and crouched next to her car. He ran his hands over the surface of the rear driver's side tire. He stood and took a visual inventory of the remaining tires, saying nothing.

"Someone seems to have let the air out of my tires. I was just going to call a cab" she grumbled, holding out the remains of her cell phone.

"I'm sorry. This is my fault. If I wouldn't have surprised you, you wouldn't have dropped your phone. Let me make it up to you. I'll give you a ride home. It's the least I can do" he said, and offered her an apologetic smile. His hands thrust in the pockets of his leather jacket, he shrugged.

In spite of herself and the situation, she smiled. "Sure. I appreciate it Adam, I'll just call for service tomorrow" she unlocked her car long enough to toss the remains of her cell phone on the drivers seat. She relocked her car, and turned to face him.

"My car is just over here" he gestured, and she followed him across the parking structure. They approached a flashy red Camaro. Using a key fob, he clicked a button and the car let out a bleep, indicating it was unlocked, and the alarm was disengaged.

"Nice car" she commented, opening the passenger door, and slipping into the sports car.

Adam shut the driver's door, and turned to her. "Thanks. You live far?" he asked, starting the car, the powerful engine roaring to life. He put the car into drive and pulled out of the lot, squealing the tires.

"No, it's not far. I have a condo over off of K Street" she replied, and gave him directions.

After a few moments of driving in silence, she said "Adam….you missed the turn back there. I said to go right…" she looked at him and frowned. She was tired and wanted to go home

He said nothing. He reached in his pocket, and withdrew a handkerchief. Thinking he was going to blow his nose, she said nothing and waited, irritated.

Suddenly, without warning, he slammed on the brakes; one hand pushing her shoulders back into the seat, the other hand thrust the handkerchief into her face. She knew the substance on the cloth would more than likely render her unconscious, and she should not inhale or breathe, but she instinctively took a deep breath to shout as darkness crept in at the edges of her vision, she lifted her hands to push him away, to struggle, but her limbs felt weak and leaden. What felt like minutes was only seconds, and she found she was unable to fight it anymore, she passed out, her chin resting on her chest, her arms fell limply into her lap.

Adam released the brake, and began to drive again. Using the power window button, he lowered the driver's side window and tossed the handkerchief out. He glanced over at Dr. Brennan, long lashed rested on her pale cheeks. Her breathing was even and deep.

Once Agent Booth discovered how much he cared for her, now that she was out of the picture, maybe he'd think twice about taking someone so special for granted.

Adam knew that only he could make sure that she never felt alone, or taken for granted again. Once she saw how much he valued her intelligence, her beauty, and her personality, she would realize how little she needed Agent Booth, or anyone at the Jeffersonian, for that matter.

He smiled and drove into the night.

End this chapter

A/N: (yikes! Another long one! Sorry about that!)