A new update! Thanks for the reviews for the previous chapter!!! They really keep our spirits up.
What can we say? Suspense, suspense and some more of it. Let us know if you think Brennan's thoughts are in-character, and who do you think the caller in the previous chapter was? We know this is going to end in a very cruel way so if you want to know what'll happen next you'll have to be kind and review!!!

Chapter six: Surprise!
Loud cheering sounded from the lobby. When he didn't see the desk lady sitting behind the desk, Booth fought himself forward through the cowd of people speaking excitedly. Apparently the rescue services had arrived and were digging them out right now, right this moment. What was he to do? Think rationally was what Brennan would advise him.

Okay, so the killer must have taken Brennan and hid in the hotel. He also wouldn't be among this crowd unless he had left Brennan somewhere to be found. But why would he do that? Go to the trouble of abducting her and then leaving her?

A couple of images shot through Booth's head as he thought of what the killer could have done to her by now. He tried to ignore them. Booth knew from his former job as a sniper that blocking out these horrible images was impossible but he had learned to ignore them.

This made no sense. If he would have come here to kill a guy, Booth would disappear in the crowd now waiting to be freed and remain unnoticed. Not grab some scientist who would have nothing on him anyway.

Before him the first beams of sunlight penetrated the decreasing density of the snow and were welcomed with cheers by the other guests. Booth would have liked to join in with the smiling and happiness but only with his Bones right next to him.

Mostly, the simplest explanation for a problem was the right one. Why would the killer abduct Brennan? Because he intended to. It was his plan.

The killer had possibly killed to draw Brennan's attention, to get her where he wanted her. A quiet hallway close to the cellar. That did not explain why the victim had written 'Joy Keenan', or 'J.K.' on the form though. There must have been more to it.

All these connections were starting to form an uncontrolled mass in Booth's head. The main point is, he thought, that Bones is being held in this hotel right now and there is something she did that really pissed someone off. What is the simplest explanation? Revenge.

But who wanted it and what did Brennan do? How could he save her this time?

In the meantime, down in the cellar, Slectovencto had gotten impatient and was pacing up and down the forgotten storage room. Brennan remained gagged and tied to the chair, her head bowed and her eyes closed. All she was interested in sensing was the sound of Slectovencto's footsteps continuing. It was reassuring. As long as he was pacing he wouldn't hurt her. Her injuries, she noted, had been superficial thus far but had her scared nonetheless. The fact that she had low social skills and one of the highest IQs in the country didn't mean that she couldn't feel, that she was never afraid. She could get hurt, she could be vulnerable, she could be scared like everybody else. Whether she liked it or not; she was only human.

Obviously this Slectovencto guy wasn't very smart but he wasn't that stupid either. Plus he was very strong. She could tell from the way he walked as he was pacing back and forth that he was a runner.

Always observing. Always noticing. Always focusing. Thinking rationally and logically, not jumping to conclusions. Either under the name of Temperance Brennan or Joy Keenan, this was how she was, this was how she worked. But there was more to her than just that. She was caring, involved, passionate and in need of people around her who loved her. In need of a family, no matter what type.

Brennan's family was at the Jeffersonian. It consisted of a small group of scientists and an FBI agent. If only she wouldn't have let Booth leave, if only she would have fought back harder she could be with her family right now.

The sudden stab of sadness made tears spring to her eyes and Brennan felt hurt and vulnerable and scared. She didn't care what was going to happen as long as it wouldn't take too long. As long as Ortez wouldn't kill her. As long as she would be back with her family soon.

Slectovencto stopped pacing and Brennan's shoulders shocked slightly as she was holding back her sobs.

"All right," he said in a calm voice. "It's been long enough. Let's go."

He squatted in front of Brennan and grabbed a pocket knife from his pocket. Brennan arched her back and Slectovencto cut the duct tape around her ankles. Next he moved to her back and untied her from the chair. He had her stand up and tied her wrists tightly behind her back after which he pushed her towards the door.

Brennan flinched at the rope cutting into her flesh but didn't flex a muscle in her face. She had surrendered.

On the outside of the hotel the son had been waiting patiently for the rescue services to free the entrance of the hotel. Had it been two years ago he wouldn't be so relaxed. Not visibly, at least. His father would never have sent him if it wasn't for his highly developed skills. Yes, he was proud to serve his father, he was proud to be his student. But most of all, he was proud to be his son.

His father had taught him that there is nothing more important than family. In order to keep your family save you had to do what you had to do. He could see that now. Hell, he could feel it.

The faint sound of cheers reached his ears as the rescuers came closer to the entrance.

On the inside he was infuriated. Whoever it was that had dared to touch his little sister, they would not get away with it. Never.

"But that door is locked." Booth had finally found the desk lady and explained which door he'd found.

"Yeah, that's why I need the key," he answered. He was getting agitated. This was taking too long.

"I'm sorry, sir, I cannot just let you in without permission from-"

"All right I'll let myself in. Just- tell me where the key is and you can accuse me of stealing it for all I care. I need that key- now!" Booth threatened.

The desk lady looked at him intently and narrowed her eyes.

"Oh for heaven's sake it's under the desk in the bottom drawer. Help yourself," she replied and turned away from him to join in with the cheering as the rescuers were scraping the final layer of snow off the door.

Booth fought his way back out of the crowd and jumped over the desk and jerked open the bottom drawer. There were five keys lying on top of some forms. He snatched all five of them and as he got up noticed that the door was being opened.

The guests cheered and the rescuers came in and asked if everyone was okay. Just as Booth wanted to get back to the cellar he saw something that made him stop dead. Or rather, he saw someone.

"Russ?" he called and waved.

Russ glanced around to see who called him and finally saw Booth waving his arms.

"Booth!" he called back and quickly made his way to him.

"Russ, what are you doing here, man?"

"It's Temperance, she's in danger," Russ replied and started in the direction of the hallway.

"Wait a minute," Booth said as he caught up with Russ and put a hand on his shoulder to slow him down.

"Russ, there's something you need to know. Bon- Temperance is missing."

Russ stopped dead in his tracks and locked gazes with Booth.

"Who? When? Where is she?" he whispered as his eyes shot fire.

"Two kids found a body yesterday night. We went to check it out and... and I left her alone. When I came back she was gone. I've been looking for her for the past few hours. I have no idea who took her. I'm sorry," Booth looked at Russ sympathetically. Russ clenched his jaw.

"The body," he spoke as a scenario formed in his mind, "Who was it?"

"Well, that's kind of a weird situation. The victim matches the description of a man who filled out 'J.K. Brennan' on a check-in form and claimed to be Bones's brother. You happen to know anything about that?" Booth asked as they continued down the hall and Russ cursed.

"Yeah... Yeah he was supposed to keep an eye on her. He works for my father," he answered and sighed.

"Russ... I believe I know where she is," Booth said and showed him the keys.

"Which way?" Russ asked and the two men ran towards the cellar.

Brennan's breath stopped for a moment when she heard fast approaching footsteps. Slectovencto had heard them, too, and trained the gun at her face.

"Make a sound..." he threatened.

"It's right down here!" she heard Booth call out. Who was he talking to?

Booth, please come and get me, Brennan thought.

"Almost..." Slectovencto whispered in her ear.

"Bones? Bones!" she heard him call out to her.

Booth, don't... Just leave. If there is a God let him leave, Brennan prayed as she suddenly remembered that Slectovencto had to 'take care' of Booth, too. When a criminal would 'take care' of you it wasn't pleasant, this much she could tell.

"Tempe!"

Russ! Brennan's eyes shot up as she realized that Booth hadn't come alone. Russ was here. She wanted to scream and fight but her mouth was still gagged and the barrel of the gun still pressed against her waist.

"Who is that?" Slectovencto hissed.

Brennan locked his gaze and her eyes were saying, "He's the man who will ruin your plan."

"Who is it?" Slectovencto repeated angrily and roughly pulled the gag out of her mouth.

"He's my brother," Brennan answered triumphantly.

"Bad luck for him," Slectovencto replied and pushed open the door of the hall closet he was hiding them in. He pressed the gun hard against Brennan's spine as he pushed her toward the door behind which lay the stairs to the cellar.

"You know what you have to do."

Yes, Brennan thought, but that's not going to happen.

Slectovencto opened the door and placed Brennan at the top of the stairs.

"I'm sorry, I forgot to mention a just a small part," he said and smiled maliciously as he grabbed her chin and slapped her across the cheek.

Brennan yelped in pain and realized her mistake when Slectovencto hid behind the wall and she heard footsteps coming from the room she had been held in earlier. Two seconds later she watched Booth and Russ emerging from the storage room and look up at her.

"Stop! Stop!" she screamed, "It's a trap, go back!"

Russ did as his little sister said and pulled back. Booth continued and had almost reached the stairs.

"Booth, I think you should come back. Come back here, Booth!" Russ called. But it was too late. Slectovencto jumped in front of Brennan and trained his gun at Booth's heart.

"Duck!"

Booth reacted quickly but the bullet crashed into his leg as he mounted the first steps.

"Booth!" Brennan squealed and started to run down the stairs but Slectovencto hoisted her up by her wrists and dragged her back to the door.

"Russ! Russ, help Booth! Apply pressure! I'm okay, help Booth!"

"Tempe!"

Brennan cast a last look at her brother.

"Marco," he said sincerely.

"Polo," Brennan answered.

"Fuck!" Slectovencto cursed and decided to draw back. He grabbed Brennan by her waist and pulled her into the hall.

Russ kneeled down next to Booth who clasped his upper leg and applied pressure to the wound.

"Go. Go save her," Booth begged.

"No. She told me to stay with you so that's what I'll do."

Booth bowed his head in desperation. She had been right there. He had almost been able to touch her. He had been this close to saving her. God, she'd looked so terrified.

Russ kept repeating it in his head. Marco... Polo. Marco... Polo. Marco...