"Welcome to first news at four, I'm Theodore Beck. We have breaking news from the the I475/US23 interchange just south of Mt. Morris exit 125 on the northern part of Genesee County. We'll go to our correspondent on the scene, Tricia Hirosuna. Tricia?"
"Thank you Theodore. I'm here at the interchange of the I475 and US23 where a major collision has occurred. A big rig lost control due to icy conditions on the road and collided with several vehicles, knocking one of them off the roadside. Police are on the scene now and the freeway is shut down to allow several people to be airlifted off scene."
"Any word on how many people are injured?"
"Not as of yet, though there are rumors that the driver of a Prius was killed when the big rig's trailer jack knifed across all lanes of traffic."
"Thank you Tricia. We'll be back with you as more information becomes available."
XxXxX
"Good evening, and welcome to the ABC12 news at six o'clock. Our top story tonight involves a major collision outside of Flint. We have reports from Hurley Medical Center that world renowned forensic anthropologist and best-selling author; Dr. Temperance Brennan was involved in the crash and is in critical condition. We're going live to the hospital to a press conference already taking place…"
"…initial reports stated that she had multiple injuries, but that isn't so. Dr. Brennan received a closed head injury when the vehicle she was driving was hit by the semi and knocked off the interstate. She's currently in critical condition as doctors monitor her progress, though we have high hopes of her recovery."
"What was she doing here in Flint?"
"Dr. Brennan was visiting family here for the holidays with a friend. Her passenger was severely injured in the collision and is currently in critical but stable condition. Their name will be released once family has been contacted. We also ask that any well wishes for her be directed to the eight hundred number we're providing. Due to her condition, only next of kin will be allowed entry to see her."
XxXxX
Russ sat in front of the television set watching in shock as the news about his sister played. Amy sat next to him and squeezed his hand in support as the eleven o'clock broadcast continued. He looked up as the front door opened and Max entered the room.
"Dad, how is she?"
"She was still unconscious while I was there. The doctors are getting worried that if she doesn't wake soon, she won't."
"God, it's like we just can't be a family. Something always happens to us."
"I pray that everything is okay. I don't want to lose her the same way I did your mother."
"What about Booth? Did you find out how he was doing?"
"No, I couldn't get any information from the nurses. They're all being very close-lipped at the hospital over all of this. I'm glad in a way though. It keeps the nut jobs away." Max sat wearily down into a chair and ran a hand over his eyes. This day was taking too long to be over, and he needed to get some sleep so he could be back at the hospital in the morning. Amy seemed to sense this and patted him gently on the shoulder.
"Go home and get some rest Max."
"I can't. It's just not the same without her there."
"Well, she'll be back soon enough, but if you're that uncomfortable, then you could always stay here tonight."
"I wouldn't want to impose…"
"You know it's no imposition at all. I'll go get the guest room ready and Russ can drive you in the morning."
"I don't know…"
"Come on dad, it'll make us all feel better." Max looked at his son and sighed before nodding his head in assent. Russ clapped his dad on the shoulder and stood to ready the guest bedroom leaving Amy and Max alone.
"She'll be okay, you know that don't you?" Amy looked at Max, concern in her eyes over his tired appearance.
"I've had her back such a short time. I don't want to lose her again."
"You won't. She'll get better and she'll be back."
"God, I wish that were true…" He sighed and closed his eyes, sending up a silent prayer for his daughter.
XxXxX
Angela hurried around her bedroom trying to get ready for work. As she hopped on one foot to put on a shoe, she flicked the television on to watch the morning news. A glance at the clock told her she was going to be late, but it would be a few minutes before she was finished dressing.
"We have an update on a news story that developed yesterday out of Flint, Michigan. Forensic anthropologist and author Dr. Temperance Brennan was seriously injured in a car accident yesterday." Angela dropped the shoe as she listened to news anchor Diane Sawyer. "We have a special guest with us today to discuss her condition. Please welcome Deputy Director of the FBI, Sam Cullen. Director Cullen, thank you for being here today."
"Jack! Get in here now!" Angela felt her knees give out and sat on the floor, not taking her eyes from the television screen.
"What is it…why is Cullen on TV?" Jack spat out toothpaste and rinsed his mouth quickly to watch the interview with the artist.
"Thank you Diane, it's good to be here. First, we at the Federal Bureau of Investigations would like to extend thanks to everyone for their show of support for Dr. Brennan. The concern is appreciated by her family."
"How is Dr. Brennan doing?"
"She's currently in critical but stable condition. She has yet to regain consciousness though her doctors are optimistic."
"How is it that you know Dr. Brennan?"
"The FBI is teamed with the Jeffersonian Institute to solve crimes."
"And she works as a consultant on these cases?"
"Yes, she and her team consult on a number of cases. They have a very impressive success rate in catching criminals."
"Is there any word yet on who her passenger was?"
"Yes. The passenger in the car is in stable condition and is being transferred to a hospital in Washington DC to undergo a series of reparative surgeries."
"Why are they being transferred to DC?"
"Actually, only the passenger, Special Agent Seeley Booth is being transferred at the request of his family. Dr. Brennan's brother lives in the Flint area and has requested that she remain there for the time being."
"This Agent Booth, he worked with her?"
"Yes, Agent Booth is the liaison officer for the Jeffersonian." Angela looked at Jack, her face having lost its color as the interview went on.
"Oh god, and Booth was in the car too?"
"Weird that she was driving. He never lets her drive." Hodgins shook his head in disbelief as both turned back to the television
"What was Agent Booth doing out in Flint?"
"He was out giving testimony on another case and called on Dr. Brennan to wish her and her family a happy holiday season."
"Is it odd that he has such a seemingly close relationship to her if she only consults on cases?"
"She and Agent Booth have been partnered for almost four years, and it's not uncommon for friendships to develop outside of the work environment."
"If any of our viewers wish to learn more about Dr. Brennan's condition, who should they contact?"
"We've set up an eight hundred number, and ask that anyone interested in her well-being call this number." A number flashed at the bottom of the screen. "If anyone calls and inquires at either hospital, they'll automatically be forwarded to the number."
"Thank you for your time today Director Cullen. We wish Dr. Brennan and her partner a speedy recovery."
"Thank you Diane. We too wish Agent Booth and Dr. Brennan a speedy recovery."
"Oh god," Angela murmured as she clutched at Jack's arm. "Call Cam. I'm going to the hospital to see what I can find out about Booth."
"You heard what they said. They won't give us any information."
"Excuse me Mr. Conspiracy, but this is us we're talking about. Do you honestly think they won't tell us anything?"
XxXxX
"Angela, have you heard anything yet?" Cam approached the artist carefully. In the two days since the Good Morning America report, the artist hardly spoke to the team. She looked up at her boss, surprised to see someone in her office.
"No. Washington Memorial won't let me see Booth, and the FBI hotline won't give me any information on Brennan other than to say she's stable."
"I'll see if I can get anything out of Cullen. Let me know if you hear anything, okay?" Angela nodded and turned back to her sketchbook as Cam left the office. She was just picking up a charcoal pencil when her phone rang. With a sigh, she set down her art supplies and answered the call.
"Angela Montenegro, how can I help you?"
"Hey Ange."
"Sweetie! Oh my gosh, how are you? Are you all right?" It was a good thing that she'd been sitting or she would have ended up on the floor of her office. As it was, the word 'sweetie' had come out as a high pitched squeal and was drawing the attention of the scientists on the examination platform.
"I'm okay, but my head hurts a lot."
"They said you were in a coma…"
"I was, for about two days. How is everyone at the lab?"
"We're worried sick about you and you're asking us how we are? Bren, we're all fine."
"Have you heard anything about Booth? The only thing that I was told was that he was transferred to Washington Memorial."
"No word. I went to the hospital, but only immediate family is able to see him."
"Will you let me know how he is if you see him?"
"Of course, but I'm sure you'll be able to find out yourself."
"I'm sure you're right Ange. Just, take care, okay?"
"Sure. Sweetie?"
"Yeah?"
"Why were you driving? Booth never lets you drive anywhere."
"Call it a Christmas gift for getting him in touch with Parker. Listen, Ange, I have to go, but I'll call again when I can, I promise."
"You'd better Sweetie."
"I love you all, and I'll… just let the boys know, okay?"
"Of course Bren. I'll talk to you later."
"Bye Angela."
"Bye." As the line went dead, the artist looked at her phone. She couldn't help the feeling of foreboding that swept over her as she stood to let the rest of the team know what she heard. It was good news, so why did she feel it would be the last time she'd speak to her friend?
XxXxX
Two weeks passed from the day of the car accident and Booth was ready to head home. His body itched under the protective casts on his right arm, leg and hip, and he was just generally uncomfortable. Annie sat by his bedside holding his free left hand and caressing it gently.
"Rebecca said she'd bring Parker by this afternoon once we get home. He's been dying to see you."
"I'll bet. I've missed him too." Booth was cursing the hospital policy that disallowed anyone younger than sixteen onto his floor of the hospital unless they were a patient. He'd missed his son for Christmas, and now he couldn't even play with his son at all.
"I'm going to go talk to the doctor and see what's holding them up with the paperwork." Booth just nodded and watched as she left. His stomach turned knowing that she had to have some small role in his current situation. He certainly wasn't blaming his being in the hospital on her, just the events leading up to his meeting with Cullen. He wished his Bones was here so she could tell him if Annie was really pregnant or not. Was the pregnancy a rouse that she and her fiancé Michael Randall came up with in order to take suspicion off of her involvement in trying to get him killed?
With a sigh, Booth tried to reach an itch and turned his attention to the afternoon news. Television had been his one saving grace while cooped up. As a picture of Temperance flashed onto the screen, he watched and waited. He'd had no news of her since Annie had him shipped back to DC.
"We're sad to report the death of forensic anthropologist and author, Dr. Temperance Brennan. She's been in the hospital the last two weeks after a car accident. Doctors initially reported her condition as stable after she received a head injury in the collision. She woke from a coma two days into her hospital stay, but went back under the next day. Hospital spokesmen stated that they were confident she would recover, but instead she passed earlier today from a stroke caused by the head injury. No word yet on when services will be held, but we'll report it to you as soon as the information is available."
Booth looked at the television in shocked silence. He let out a strangled cry and pounded his good arm into the bed in pain and frustration. She was gone and he didn't get to say goodbye. Tears prickled to the surface as his eyes remained locked on the television, hoping that they would somehow take back the news.
"Seeley," Annie said, reappearing in the doorway, "the nurse will be here in a minute to help wheel you out to the car." Booth turned his gaze onto her, a dead expression in them. Annie looked back at him, concerned. "What is it baby? You look like someone's just died."
AN: (ducks the flying projectiles) Dang it! Quit throwing things at me…Gayle and 18lzytowner, put down those slushies. Mendenbar you'd better not send the furbies after me. (grabs Bella-Mi-Amore and uses her as a human shield) If anyone is thinking of causing me bodily harm just realize that Bella here has a gun and she knows how to use it. If you all hate me, fine, but you'd better keep reading or you'll just wonder what's going to happen.