Chapter 4

Temperance Brennan struggled up from unconsciousness. Her limbs felt heavy, leaden, and her mouth felt as though she'd spent several hours chewing on cotton balls. She felt herself lying down, no noise to be heard at all, she was engulfed in complete silence.

Her eyelids didn't seem to want to open, but after a moment of struggling, she managed to get them open. Frowning, as the room came into focus, she searched her memory on where she was and what had happened. She wasn't at home, and she wasn't at the lab….where was she? This wasn't Booths place, nor was it Angela's. How did she get here?

Blinking, she turned her gaze to her surroundings. She was lying on a daybed with a black metal frame, and a dark purple cover, several pillows on the bed. Her jacket was draped over the end of the bed, her shoes on the floor beside her. A small round table was next to the bed, with a simple lamp and a glass of water. She snatched up the glass, and greedily gulped the water, slacking her thirst. She set the glass down, and swung her legs over the side of the bed.

Then it all came rushing back. Adam, the cleaning guy. He'd been driving her home, and slammed on the brakes, and thrust a cloth covered with some substance to render her unconscious. She glanced at her watch. It was nearly 5am Saturday.

Why had he done this? She wondered to herself silently, mulling the situation over. He seemed nice, intelligent. She couldn't imagine why he'd want to kidnap her. Perhaps if she tried reasoning with him, they could clear this up. Booth would be furious at him, as would Angela; she grimaced at the thought of Booth loosing it with Adam.

She stood, and the room swam in front of her eyes. She swayed for a moment, and took a deep breath. She closed them briefly, and opened them again, her vision focused on a lavender print wallpaper. Glancing around the room, she took a visual inventory of the room. She seemed to be in the lower level of a home, no windows, and a computer in the corner, a bookshelf with an array of fiction novels, the bed, night stand, and a room off to the side with a bathroom. The floor had a grey shag carpet. Off to the left, she spotted the stairs.

She quickly walked up the stairs, and tried the knob. The door was locked. She shook the knob and knocked, and called out "Hello? Is anyone there? Adam?" she was greeted with silence. She knocked again, and called out louder "Hello?"

She sank down on the step and considered her options. She was locked in here. No one knew she was missing, and likely wouldn't until at least Monday.

Suddenly, she felt very tired again. She rose slowly and went back down the stairs. She sank back down on the bed, and leaned her head up against the wall, and closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, Adam was standing before her, his face expressionless. "Dr. Brennan, how are you feeling?" he queried, concern evident in his voice

She sat back up with a start, causing the room to spin again; she was surprised to see him. She didn't hear him come down the steps at all…how long had she had her eyes closed? Did she drift off to sleep…did she?

Temperance frowned, and looked down at her hands, and back up at him again. She was so tired, felt so weak. He must have drugged her, but how?

She licked her lips, and opened mouth to speak, and found no words. Adam smiled compassionately, and said "I know. You must be tired, and confused as to where you are and why you are here, right?" he asked her, crouching down so he was eye level with her.

She managed to croak out "Adam…I don't understand…why…?" she was thirsty again, she glanced over to the empty glass, but it was full of water again. Adam noticed her line of vision, and handed her the glass. "Here….have a sip" he encouraged gently

She drank the entire glass, and he took it from her. The water was cool and delicious; she finished the entire glass again.

Her arms seemed so heavy…"did you…did you give me something to make me tired? A sedative?" she managed with a frown

"Dr. Brennan, we need to talk. I need to explain to you why I did what I did. I never meant to scare or hurt you. Please…please understand that I am actually doing you a favor, and protecting you" he pleaded, watching her for some sort of reaction.

He stood, and began pacing, she longed to stand, to fight, to escape, but she was so tired, so weak…what could be wrong with me? She wondered to herself, thinking of any possible ailments that would case this reaction

"Let me begin by telling you that I admire your work, your intelligence, everything. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to meet you, and get to know you. I've recently discovered some disturbing information, and I wanted to protect you as much as I could from the person responsible. You may wonder why would I care, why am I even bothering to get involved?" he stopped and looked at her.

Her eyes were so heavy, but she was curious, so she managed to stay awake. "I don't need to be protected Adam" she mumbled, thinking he sounded like Booth

His eyes softened, and he shook his head and smiled "Everyone needs to be protected Temperance…I may call you Temperance?" he glanced at her quickly, then went on pacing without waiting for her response.

"Temperance….its your partner" he stated, and looked to make sure she was still listening

Her eyebrows rose, "Booth? What about him?"

Adam signed heavily, as if the news he was to deliver was devastating.

"Temperance…your partner, Agent Booth is sleeping with your boss, Dr. Saroyan" he said in a defeated tone.

Temperance said nothing, then said after a pause, "Adam…I know that"

Adam looked stunned. "You….you know? How do you know? Did he tell you?" he sputtered, his eyes wide "Are you okay…?"

"No. However I have seen the looks between them, their body language, as have Angela and Hodgins. He is obviously not ready for everyone to know, so he is keeping it a secret. He'll tell me when he is ready. Adam, was this what you brought me here to tell me? To protect me from?" she asked quietly, fighting sleep "You don't need to protect me from Booth"

Adam stared at her for a long moment. He turned his back to her and put one foot on the stair that led to the upper level.

Finally, he said to her in a low tone "I guess you don't really need my protection, do you? You don't seem hurt at your partner's actions. I can't let you go though. I have plans for us Temperance. They don't give you the respect you deserve, the dignity you deserve. I can give you that. We can start a life together here. You'll come to understand in time. You rest now. You work so hard, you deserve the rest. We'll talk later, I'll bring your lunch this afternoon." he said and took the stairs two at a time, and was gone.

Temperance finally let herself slip into unconsciousness, wondering how anyone would find her.

End chapter 4

Well? What do you think so far? Let me know. –R-