Chapter 8

Temperance bypassed the elevators, instead opting for the stairs. She had no desire to deal with any FBI Agents or cops at all right now, she was so angry. From behind her she heard Booth calling her name, sounding upset. She ignored him and kept on moving.

Her breathing was fast, and she could hear her heartbeat thundering in her ears. She quickly exited the dim corridor, which led to the parking garage where her car was parked. She let the door slam shut behind her, and leaned against it briefly. The garage was deserted. She closed her eyes and took a moment to allow her breathing to return to normal, along with her heart rate.

She couldn't believe he didn't keep her in the loop on this! It was HER apartment, and it was involving her, not some random case or person. Besides those facts, he also KNEW how she felt when he did things like that. Fuming, she opened her eyes and ran her hand through her tousled hair; she stood up straight, and briskly walked towards her car, the heels of her shoes echoing in the empty garage.

Since it was mid afternoon, the garage was mostly empty, but since it was underground, below the building, it was dark, and the orange lights cast an eerie glow on the remaining vehicles parked here and there.

Absently, she rummaged around her jacket pocket for her keys, as she walked, and stopped a moment beside her car.

Where am I going anyway? She wasn't going to the lab while she was on a much deserved vacation, obviously home was out. The most logical place to go of course was Booths place….but she was upset with him right now.

Frustrated she slid a hand in her pocket and realized she forgot one of the main reasons she'd come home, to get her laptop. Great. Well, she was in no mood to see him again right now, she thought irritably. Frowning, she unlocked her car, and started the engine.

I guess I'll go the diner, and head back to Booths. It would be ridiculous to hold a grudge at him for trying to protect me, he is probably going through a lot reliving the case from last year, she decided. But as soon as he caught this person who was doing this, they were defiantly having a talk about his alpha male tendencies, even if what he was doing, he was doing out of love, she thought with a small smile.

Several hours later…..

Exhausted, Seeley Booth unlocked his apartment door and let it slide shut on its own. He'd been at the crime scene all day, and then back to the office to write up more reports and update Cullen on what was going on. His boss was not happy, he wanted this wrapped up quickly before the press got wind of a potential copy cat of last years "Iceman" case.

He removed his coat and hung it in the closet beside the door, and reached out and absently locked the deadbolt before proceeding into his apartment. Frowning, he heard the television on in the other room, he knew Bones wouldn't have left that on after she left, she wouldn't have come here after storming out, would she? He wondered, heading in the direction of the sound.

Booth was hopeful he'd find his partner waiting for him. He'd been worried sick all day, calling her cell phone, which was obviously turned off, and her home number, after the FBI techs left. He had also tried his own home number in vain. No answer. He managed to stifle his anger, being sick with worried had replaced it, yet he couldn't very well chain her in his home, although it was a fun thought, he mused.

He tossed his holster on the chair by the door, and turned to the small family room to see Bones sleeping on the couch. Her legs were crossed at the ankles, her head tilted to the side, her cheek resting on her shoulder. She looks so calm, so peaceful. Her cheeks flushed pink, her hair loose and and framing her face. He didn't want to wake her, because he knew she'd be mad. He wanted to just sit and observe her here, peacefully sleeping, and safe.

He slowly lowered himself next to her, leaned close and whispered in her ear "Bones….."

Her eyes popped open with a start, and her brows knit together momentarily, no doubt disoriented. Her eyes quickly slid to him and the frown disappeared "Booth…..hi" she said quickly, her gaze falling to her lap.

"Bones, I am surprised to see you here. Thought you'd probably be avoiding me because of earlier" he said, reaching out and grasping her hand in his own. She allowed him to hold it and didn't pull away as he thought she might. This was a good sign he thought hopefully. So far no argument

"I know. But it would have been irrational for me to go out and be alone as long as this person is out there. I figured I was safe here….at least for now. You didn't by chance bring my laptop did you?" she asked him hopefully, her eyes looking behind him for it – as if it were following him in like a stray puppy

"Yeah. It's in the SUV. I figured you needed it. You hungry?" he smiled at her, glad she wasn't too upset and that she was here with him

"Starving, want some Pizza or something?" she offered, reaching for the phone that was resting on the coffee table before them.

"Yeah, I'll call. Want me to go get your laptop?" he asked, snatching the phone from her hand and dialing the pizza delivery without looking up at where she had stood beside him

"No, I'll just run and get it and we'll talk about what you found at my place…okay?" she said, her eyes meeting his evenly

"Yeah….your place…." He gulped guiltily. Thankfully, he was saved and the person on the other end of the phone who wanted to know what he wanted to order.

When he looked up again, Bones had already disappeared and he heard the door shut

Temperance made her way down the long hall of Booth's apartment building to the elevators. She jabbed the button, calling the elevator to where she waited. After a few moments, the light lit up above the doors, and a quiet ding echoed down the halls. The doors slid open and she was greeted with an empty elevator. She entered and pushed the button for the garage level.

As the small car fell, her gaze held the floor indicator. The elevator suddenly stopped at the 12th floor. The doors opened and a good looking, well dressed man about her age looked up and met her eyes. He offered her a quick smile and entered the elevator.

She met his eyes briefly and glanced back up at the floor indicator, impatient to get her laptop and get some food.

The man was standing behind her in the car, and his spicy cologne assaulted her senses, making her dizzy for a moment. She didn't want to let him know she was aware of him, so she kept her eyes trained on lit up numbers. Normally, situations like this did not maker her uncomfortable at all, but for some reason, today it did. I must be jumpy because of this person out there after me, she thought irritably, frowning.

All of a sudden, a strong arm circled her waist, and a foul chemical soaked rag was shoved in her face. Her first thought was to hold her breath, not to breathe in what could only be chloroform, and as she thought this, she inhaled deeply, and within seconds, was unconscious.

The man smiled and lifted the doctor into his arms, before she could collapse onto the floor of the elevator. From out of his pocket, he withdrew a folded sheet of paper, and carelessly tossed it behind him.

He exited the elevator on the 2nd floor, thereby preventing the security cameras on the garage level from detecting his presence. He'd already sprayed the 2nd floor stairwell cameras with black paint.

Gazing down at the doctor, he whispered "Soon. Soon your partner will feel the same pain I did when I learned Jenny was gone"

End this chapter