Congratulations to myralee8 for guessing correctly! I'm glad I'm not the only one who needs a life! lol!
Thanks so much for the reviews, they make my day!
Booth sat in the SUV, eyes heavy, muscles aching, watching the sun come up. He hadn't heard from Epps since he had given him his demands, and he was frantic with worry. He wanted to charge in there and rescue her, but he knew he couldn't. He just had to keep praying that she could take care of herself until he could get her out. He had called Hodgins after he had talked to Epps. As soon as he could get to the bank, Jack would get the money, and bring it here. Not that Booth intended to let him get farther than the parking lot.
His mind kept going back to what she had done. She had traded her life for his sons', as if her life meant nothing to him. No hesitation, no discussion, she had made a choice, and he didn't know why. He did, however, know why she hadn't told him. She knew he would never have let her do it.
He glanced at his watch. 6:10 AM. Only 5 minutes had passed since the last time he had checked. He leaned forward and laid his head on the steering wheel. In the army, he had sometimes waited motionless for hours, waiting for his target, but this... This had been the longest night of his life.
BBB
Brennan's wrist was raw and swollen from the handcuff. With every movement, pain shot through her arm. She was sitting on the floor, her back propped against the oven Epps had cuffed her to. Sunlight was beginning to creep in through the boards on the windows.
Epps had taunted her for a while, then had pretty much left her alone. She could barely see him in the shadows on the other side of the room. He hadn't tried to touch her again. Threatening her had seemed to be enough for him, at least so far. Hurting Booth was the most important thing to him. Or maybe he believed Booth's threat. Either way, she was grateful.
She didn't know how long she sat there, dozing off and on, always jerked awake by some sound or movement, or by the pain in her wrist.
Booth. She hated hurting him. She had seen the pain and fear in his eyes, but she had had to do it. Parker was so little, he didn't know what was happening. And he couldn't fight back. She could, and she would, as soon as she got the opportunity. Epps might think he won a victory, getting her in here, but he was in for a big shock. She'd lost enough in her life. She wasn't losing this time.
BBB
Angela hopped out of the car almost before it stopped moving. "Booth!" She ran over to him, noticing the fear and exhaustion etched in his features.
"Hey, Angela."
"Oh my God! Booth, what was she thinking? I told her not to let YOU do anything stupid! I guess I should have been more worried about her!" She suddenly stopped, realizing what she was saying. "I'm sorry, Booth. I didn't mean..." She reached up and hugged him.
Booth knew what she meant. "It's okay, Angela."
"Parker's okay though, right?" She looked at him, tears shining in her eyes.
"Yeah, he's okay." He smiled slightly. "He didn't want to leave without 'Dr. Bones' though. He looked over her shoulder at Hodgins, who was walking towards them, a briefcase in his hand.
He let go of Angela. "Jack, thanks. I..."
"Hey, don't worry about it. Anything for Dr. Brennan." He handed Booth the briefcase.
"Don't worry. He's not getting away. Not this time. I guarantee it."
Cullen walked over to them. "Okay, Booth. The car's here, and you have the money. When he comes out, you're not going to do anything. We'll take care of it."
Booth shook his head. "You don't get it. Bones is not going to let him use her. We have to be ready for..."
"There's no 'we', Booth. I told you, let us handle it!"
"Look, she's not going down without a fight!"
"Dr. Brennan's not stupid enough to..." Booth gave Cullen a look. "Yeah, okay. I get your point." Cullen sighed. "What do you think she's going to do?"
Angela stepped over to them. "She's going to kick his ass."
There you go! Next chapter will be up later! Now, you know what to do!