Thanks so much, everyone! All your comments are much appreciated!

Just a little Buffy/Angel trivia: I want to see if anyone can spot a quote by Angel in this chapter. I didn't start out to write one, but when I was trying to come up with this particular line, it popped into my head, and I thought it worked, so I went with it. Bonus points if you can tell me the episode he said it in! I'll even give you a hint, it was from BtVS, not Angel. (Really, I just want to see how many people out there need to get a life besides me!)

"So nice of you to join me, Dr. Brennan."

"As if I had a choice."

"Of course you had a choice." Epps paused. "You chose to come to me." He walked toward her, and she took a step back, as far as the handcuffs would let her. "I am curious about something, though. Did your partner help you with your choice, or did you choose on your own?"

Brennan looked down at the floor, not saying anything.

Epps smiled. "You didn't confide in Agent Booth, did you? Tell me, were you afraid that he wouldn't let you sacrifice yourself? Or were you more afraid that he would?"

Her eyes flashed with anger. "You don't know anything about him, or me! These sick little games you play? You're not going to win this time!"

"Oh, but Dr. Brennan, I always win." He reached out to touch her face, and she jerked away. "We're going to have so much fun."

He turned around and walked a few steps away. "Well, I guess since you found me, I'm going to have to change the game somewhat." He turned back to face her. "But first, I think I'll let him squirm just a little bit longer."

BBB

"Look, sir, it's got to be me! I'm the only one he's going to talk to!"

Cullen shook his head. "Booth, nothing's changed. You're too close to this. It's personal for you."

"Of course it's personal! That's the point! He made it personal. He's not after a clean escape. It's about revenge. It's a game to him." He took a deep breath. "And I'm the only one that can play it."

Cullen knew he was right, but he wasn't sure he could trust him to stay focused. "Booth..."

"Look, you've got his cell number, but he won't answer when you call, right? I'm telling you, I'm the only one he's going to talk to!"

"All right. But you've got to play this straight. I can't let you make this a personal vendetta against him. Save Dr. Brennan, and CAPTURE Epps. That's it. No revenge."

Booth looked away.

"Booth?!"

"Yeah, okay. Your way. I got it."

Cullen was afraid that this was a mistake, but Booth was right. Epps wasn't going to talk to anyone else. "Agent Richards?"

An agent stepped away from the group. "Yes sir?"

"I need Epps' phone number for Agent Booth."

Richards handed the paper to Booth. He pulled out his cell phone, and dialed.

BBB

"You know, Dr. Brennan, it seems like every time we meet, something goes wrong for me. You break my wrist, you killed my friend. I figure you owe me. And I intend to collect." He reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her roughly toward him. The action jerked her right wrist painfully against the handcuff, causing her to cry out. "Hurts, doesn't it? If you struggle enough, you just might break it. Then you'd know just how it feels."

Brennan pulled her arm from his grasp. "Do you really think that Booth is going to let you go, after what you did to his son?"

"What about what I do to you, Dr. Brennan?" He ran the barrel of the gun slowly down her cheek. "Aren't you afraid of that?"

Brennan pulled away from him. "You don't scare me. I..." She was interuppted by the ringing of the phone.

Epps sighed, picking it up and looking at the display. "Well, I see they finally got the message." He opened the phone. "Agent Booth. Just the person I wanted to talk to."

"Look, Epps..."

"I was just telling Dr. Brennan that you two seem to cause me problems at every turn. Did you know that my wife left me since the last time I saw you?"

"Hadn't made plans to weep over that one."

"Now, Agent Booth..."

"Two things, Howie. One, I want to know exactly what you want, and I want to know now. Two, if you hurt her, I'll kill you." His voice was dead calm. "Don't think for one second that I'm joking."

"Oh, I don't doubt your sincerity, Agent Booth. But you're not going to get close enough to do anything. I'm calling the shots here. What I want is a car, and, well, I don't know. I guess we're going to need some money." He turned to her. "How about it, Dr. Brennan? Or maybe I should say, Temperance. Will two million cover it?"

Booth gripped the phone. "You..."

"I suggest you find a way to make it happen. I know it's the middle of the night, so I'll give you some time." He paused, an evil grin spreading across his face. "Temperance and I have a lot to catch up on." He closed the phone, and looked over at her. "Any ideas on how to pass the time?"

BBB

Booth snapped his phone shut. He felt like he had traded one nightmare for another. He couldn't stand that bastard speaking her name, and if he touched her... Epps was going to pay.

"Seeley."

Booth turned and saw Rebecca. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she looked exhausted. "Parker...is he okay?"

"He's okay. He's sleeping. We're taking him home. I just wanted to.." Rebecca paused. "What Dr. Brennan did..."

"I know." Booth rubbed his hand across the back of his neck.

"Well.. I know you'll get her back. I just.." She took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. As much as she was relieved that Parker was okay, her heart ached for Seeley, and what he was still going through. "Call me, okay?"

"Yeah, I will. And thanks, Rebecca."

She smiled, then turned and walked back to her car.