A/N: Much thanks to each of you who took the time to review my story, I appreciate it! –R-

Chapter 5

Adam sank down into the deep plush maroon sofa in his living room, held his head in his hands and let out a deep, ragged sigh.

Temperance wasn't awake when he'd brought her lunch this afternoon. He glanced at his mother's old grandfather clock. It was just after 5pm now. He'd try again in a while. He heard no sound indicating she was awake now. He sat up, and looked around. Plants were scattered throughout the living room and kitchen. Large Ferns, Schefferela, several African violets, a few potted palms. His mother loved her plants.

His hardwood floors were cool beneath is bare feet. Light filtered through the sheer window treatments, giving the room a warm glow as the evening sun streamed in. The window was open slightly, lifting the sheers as the breeze filtered through them.

Adam considered what Temperance had revealed earlier. He hadn't been able to think of anything else all day. He tried, but his mind kept returning to it.

This changed everything.

She knew. She KNEW about Agent Booth and Dr. Saroyan

She's known all along.

She wasn't supposed to have known.

He was supposed to break the news to her gently, and she would be everlastingly grateful to him. Then they were to begin their lives together. How could he, in good conscious keep her here? It was wrong. He knew it was wrong, and yet…

She didn't seem as into him as he was into her. Not that he could make an honest judgment in the short time they'd spent together, and her under the influence of the drugs he'd slipped into her water. He certainly couldn't go on drugging her. As it was, she'd have little to no memory of her entire time her because of that drug. Sure, she'd recall him driving her and then subduing her, but not much after that. Maybe he could talk to her, ease her off of the drugs, and let her go home. Explain things. Make her see; make her understand his intentions, what his plan had been.

Would she understand? Would she press charges? He wondered silently to himself, raising his head, and gazing out the window into the woods, mulling the situation over

Of course she would, he thought bitterly. Agent Booth would see to that.

In fact….he shuddered; he wasn't relishing the fact of dealing with HIM at all.

Now Adam began to panic, his heart rate elevated, his breathing came out rapidly. Maybe he didn't think this through as well as he'd thought. He'd obviously taken his fantasy's too far. Kidnapping was a federal offense. He'd go to jail.

Adam stood and surveyed his small home, his surroundings. He regretted what he knew he had to do, but saw no other way. He wasn't going to jail. Not when his intensions had been honorable. Booth would never ever believe him or let anyone else believe him either.

He went to his bedroom closet and pulled out his suitcase, and took his time packing his belongings with care. He used all of the suitcases he owned, filing it with as much as he could. He packed his sports car with as much as the car would hold, but Camaro's were not meant to be used in this manner.

Hesitating a moment beside his car, his gaze swept his mothers property, her carefully manicured floral gardens, and her vegetable garden he'd learned to care for. He'd miss this place. He'd even miss working at the Jeffersonian. While it was true, he was a loner, he did make a few friends.

Adam was grateful that he has his mother's sizeable inheritance he received upon her death to use as money until he reached his destination. He was also grateful that he had the bulk of that money in cash. Mostly because of his hours, it was easier to have on hand than to go to the bank during his sleep time. Plus it would be harder to find him when he was using cash.

His car fully packed, he hurried into the house, and quickly made a peanut butter sandwich, and sprinkled a handful of chips on the plate. He snagged a Diet Pepsi from the refrigerator, and poured it into a glass.

Adam glanced at the clock on the wall. Nearly 7pm. He sprinkled the drug into the glass of Diet Pepsi, just in case. That way she wouldn't awake until he was long gone. No one would know to look for him by the time she got to the authorities. He worried a moment about her making it through the woods to find a telephone to contact someone. Then he recalled she'd spend a good deal of time out in the field with her partner, Agent Booth. She'd be fine. Plus, he was certain Booth would have half of DC looking for her too.

Adam sighed again, and brought the plate of food down to the one who he thought would bring him only happiness. He was so sorry things had gone as wrong as they had. She was sleeping. She looked somewhat pale, and unless he missed his mark, maybe slightly dehydrated. Hopefully she'd drink when she awoke.

He carefully set the plate beside her on the small table, and stood there a moment, memorizing her features. With a heavy heart, he took the stairs up one last time, closing, but no locking the door.

He walked around the back of the house to where the main phone line was connected, and cut it.

Adam got in his Camaro, and drove down the gravel road, and did not look back.

End this chapter