Booth surveyed the terrain, squinting into the distance. Trees over there – she'd take cover whenever possible. Shouldering his bags, he trekked across the open fields, checking and re-checking that he hadn't been spotted. His fatigues blended with the surroundings, but it paid to be vigilant. In the two weeks since he'd arrived, he'd met his contact, gathered the necessary tools, and set out for the location Hodgins had pinpointed. He'd fallen easily back into the routine of the soldier, using all his Ranger skills to track Bones. His 'other' skills, along with those of the Ranger, had come in handy a couple of times – the few unfriendlies he'd encountered had been quickly neutralized. He'd had to leave the truck a few miles back – it was camouflaged, the weapons hidden a short distance away, and the coordinates marked. We may need to leave fast. He wasn't even going to consider that he wouldn't find her – he'd already seen signs that she'd headed that way. He understood how her mind worked, and that helped. Moving at night, using a walking stick on the trickier terrain – she's being smart. Just stay smart, Bones. Stay smart. He'd come across the remains in the woods, and that had given him a bad moment – sick rage had flooded through him. The fight had been violent – very violent, but she'd won. Good girl. She might be injured, though – the trail had been much easier to follow after that. Come on, Bones, hang on – hang on until I can get to you.
The sun beat down on him, and he was fleetingly glad that the pouring rains plaguing much of the area had taken a break. Too much mud would make everything harder. He finally reached the edge of the forest, and headed under the canopy. The trees had disguised numerous outcroppings, and these he scanned carefully, gun drawn, as there were many places to hide. Bones – or someone else – could be in any of the crevices. He picked up the trail again, and walked for another mile, then stopped to check some more rocky areas. He carefully rounded a boulder and saw an overhang on the other side of a small clearing. Okay, that looks promising. Stay sharp now. Moving soundlessly, he crept up to the side of the opening and peered in – and his stomach dropped. She lay on the damp ground, body slightly curled. In one glance he saw her hand, limp in the mud. Saw the matted blood and dirt, and how thin she looked, how small. In the next instant he was crouching beside her. "Bones. Can you hear me? Bones!" Her pulse was weak, but she was alive. He quickly checked her, noting the bruises and cuts, the blood and dirt. Her clothes were tattered and stained. He moved to assess her lower body, then stopped, stunned. Goddammit. That's a stab wound. Shit. Shit. This is not good. He forced himself to finish, noting the makeshift brace on her leg. Probably broken. Well, that's not a priority right now. He moved back to her head, and gently stroked her cheek. "Bones. C'mon, Bones, wake up for me now."
She drifted, comforted, hearing a voice she knew. Is it time for work? I'm late – no, wait…She woke up completely, and immediately felt that someone was kneeling over her. Without opening her eyes, she went for the element of surprise and struck out, but her wrist was firmly caught. She tried to move, but was gently held down. It's over. I can't fight anymore. Then she heard her name, and her eyes flew open. I'm delirious, or dead. She stared up at him, and felt his cool hand on her brow. Is this real? She parted cracked lips, and breathed his name. "Booth." He smiled through his camouflage paint, and she felt like she was dreaming. "Booth."
"It's me, Bones, I'm here. You're gonna be okay." He bundled up his light jacket and slid it under her head. "Just take it easy – I'll get you out of here." He rummaged around in his bags, pulling out water and some food. She needs to eat – and soon. "Eat this." He slid his hand under her head, and she slowly ate the food. "Not too much right away, I'll give you a little more soon. I don't want you to get sick. Here, have some water."
After taking a couple swallows, she looked at him again, as if she couldn't believe her eyes. "Why are you here? How did you find me?"
"I came to find you, dummy." He joked, hoping to coax a smile from her. When her lips curved, he continued. "I tracked you about ten miles due east from your starting point - you made good progress. I need to treat some of your wounds, so just relax for a minute." As he pulled open his bag, she tried to sit up, but was overwhelmed by a white-hot wave of pain. He swung around, grabbing her hand as she cried out. Putting a hand on her shoulder, he held her still. "Bones – Bones, stay with me. C'mon, I need you to stay awake. Just take it easy, I'm gonna help you."
The pain was a living thing, gleefully tearing at her control. His voice was floating toward her, and she reached for it, fighting to get to him. Gradually her vision cleared, and she could see him again. A tear ran down her cheek, carving a wet trail in the dirt on her face. "Booth…"
"I know, darlin'. I know. Don't get upset now, you're gonna make it." He lifted her head again, and placed two pills in her mouth. "A little more water, that's it - c'mon, swallow."
She complied, then lay still, gazing trustingly up at him. "What did you give me?"
"A painkiller, and some antibiotics. You should be feeling better soon. Now, stay still, and let me do a little first aid." He cleaned the worst of the cuts, and then paused at the puncture on her hip. "This is gonna hurt, Bones, but I have to do it. Okay? I need you to hold still for me."
She gritted her teeth at the pressure of his fingers as they gingerly probed the wound – she didn't want to scream, she wanted to be strong. He began to disinfect the area, and a few whimpers escaped her, despite her best efforts. Gradually, the worst of the pain receded. Must be the pills….mmmm, getting kinda floaty now. She opened her eyes to see Booth applying a bandage, his jaw set, his eyes stormy. "Don't be upset, Booth, 's not as bad as it looks. Doesn't hurt much now …and you're very gentle."
Booth relaxed a fraction as he saw that the painkiller was kicking in. "There, all done now…I hate to tell you this, Bones, but we need to get moving. There's still a lot of activity in the area. Let me help you up." He assisted her to her feet, feeling every gasp she uttered. But when he bent to lift her, she resisted. "Bones - "
"I can walk, just help me. You can't carry me the whole way, 's too far. You have all the other stuff to carry, you can't carry me too." She pushed as she saw him hesitate. "'S okay, Booth, the pain isn't so bad now. I wanna walk…"
He pointed at her. "You let me know the minute you're tired, you hear? And if you slow me down, you're done." He draped her arm over his shoulders and wrapped his arm around her waist, careful to avoid the bandages. "Okay, Bones, one foot in front of the other, thatta girl." They started off through the dappled light, moving as one.
They travelled fairly quickly, the pain pills having a bolstering effect on her. He fed her several times, small amounts, and that helped as well. Even so, after an hour he noticed her flagging strength, and took more of her weight on him. "I don't know, Bones, I think it's time for a ride." She didn't answer him, and he glanced at her sharply, concerned that she'd lost consciousness, acutely aware of her weakened state. She was still awake – but her exhaustion was evident. Her head gently bumped against his shoulder with every step, and her footsteps were lagging. "That's it, up you go." He swung her lightly up into his arms, tucking her head under his chin.
She settled easily in the cradle of his arms, sighing wearily. "Okay." Booth set out without delay, and after a minute, her voice came again, sounding very small. "Thank you." He swallowed hard, and clasped her tighter to him, staring straight ahead.