AN: Yes, I know that this is slightly off of what happened in the season finale, but since the first chapter was written before the finale aired then I'm sure that you all will be gracious enough to not point out how it deviates. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this update and I would appreciate knowing what you think of it when you're done reading. Remember, reviews are love.

Temperance was startled awake by the ringing of her phone. She grumbled as she sat up, the odd dreams she'd been having didn't help matters and she was truly exhausted. Glancing at the clock, she ran a hand down her face to try and remove the remnants of sleep. Who was calling her at two in the morning?

"Brennan," she yawned into the phone and sat up on her cot. It had to be Booth calling again, although why he would make such an expensive call again so soon was beyond her.

"Dr. Brennan, it's Padme, Jared's fiancee." Temperance frowned and sat up straighter on the uncomfortable cot.

"Padme, why are you calling me? Has something happened to Booth?"

"Didn't he tell you when he called last night? Jared mentioned that Seeley spoke to you."

"Booth was drunk last night when we spoke, but he didn't mention anything to me before I terminated the call." Brennan's heart began to pound as a small seed of dread built up in her stomach. Something had happened to Booth and she cut him off before he could tell her. He was calling her in need and she'd just shunned him again. "Why, what's the matter?"

"Seeley's been having headaches for the last month, ever since he left for Afghanistan, but about a week ago, he collapsed during a training session. The doctors on the base examined him and because of his past history with a brain tumor, they checked for that again. Dr. Brennan, his tumor is back and larger than the last time. He was insistent on calling you, sure that you'd come out here to be with him."

"I'll... when does he go in for surgery?"

"They just took him in. He really wants you here with him."

"Let me call you back. I have some flight arrangements to make and I'll head back as soon as possible. If Booth wakes up before I get there, please let him know that I'm on my way."

"I will. Just let me know when you'll be here and I'll meet you at the airport. Jared's waiting for him, so he won't be alone when he comes out of surgery."

"I understand. Thank you for calling me Padme."

"Anytime Dr. Brennan. I'll see you when you get here." The call ended and Brennan dropped back onto her cot, stunned. If the tumor was back and larger than before then this time it wasn't benign. Her eyes welled with tears, but she fought them back. Now was not the time to start crying. There was too much to do, too many arrangements to make before she could head out from the dig site, but there was absolutely nothing that would keep her from heading to Washington to be there for Booth. Once she was safely on the airliner and on her way home, then she'd take the time to cry.

XxXxX

"Bren, honey are you here?" Booth stepped into the silent apartment and looked around. There were boxes scattered everywhere and it looked to be deserted. He'd been gone a while, but surely his wife decided to stay here and wait for him. She had to know that he was coming back, right?

"I'm in the bedroom Booth." With a smile, he set his keys down next to the apartment door and headed back to their bedroom. Bren was on the bed, reading a book as he stepped inside. She set the book down and smiled at him, her hand resting on her rounded abdomen. He took in the sight of her as he approached before sitting on the edge of the bed and placing his hands over hers.

"Look at you, you're so beautiful." He leaned down to kiss her, his hand rubbing across her belly. When he pulled back, he smiled at her.

"I waited for you. I didn't think you'd be gone so long and was beginning to worry."

"You don't need to worry. I'll always be here for you." She 'hmmmed' as she looked at him and pulled herself up to a sitting position.

"Normally I wouldn't worry, but I find that the hormones coursing through my system have made me rather susceptible to unusual reactions. I don't like it when you take trips away by yourself."

"Yeah, and what are you worried about?"

"I worry that you'll be hurt because despite being out of the military, you still have to try and be the hero."

"Come on baby, you know I'd never leave you alone, and I certainly wouldn't take any risks that would keep me from being with you." He watched as her eyes narrowed just a little bit.

"Oh? So you didn't go see her while you were away?" Booth looked at her, confused.

"Who didn't I go see?"

"That other woman, Bones." Booth's heart began to race and he became short of breath. How could his Bren know about Bones? It just didn't make any sense. Only he knew about her in this world, didn't he? Seeley looked back at his wife even as his breathing became more erratic and his heart felt as if it was going to burst out of his chest. It was a long and panicked moment before stars blurred his vision and he slipped off the edge of the bed unconscious.

XxXxX

Jared paced the length of the waiting room for word on his brother. The last time Seeley was in surgery, he'd been in India and hadn't heard about the incident until after he returned to the states. After everything that his brother had done for him over the years, he felt incredibly guilty that he wasn't around when Seeley actually needed the help himself. The man stoically dealt with the recovery by himself, not wanting to burden anyone with his problems.

He jumped a bit as he felt the soft hand of his fiancee set down on his shoulder, startling him from his thoughts. He glanced at her and gave her a weak smile as she laced her fingers with his.

"I talked with Dr. Brennan and she'll be here on the first available flight out from Indonesia. Has there been any word yet on your brother?"

"No, not yet. I don't know how people do this, the waiting thing." Both turned to the door at the sound of a soft knock. The doctor stepped into the room, approaching the young couple as they eyed the blood on his scrubs warily.

"Jared Booth?" Jared nodded at the doctor's inquiry. "I thought you deserved an update on your brother. Seeley's had a reaction to the anesthesia, but we have him stabilized and expect him to be able to get through the remainder of the surgery."

"So, what do you mean you have him stabilized? What happened? What's going on?"

"Seeley's heart rate and breathing increased to the point of stopping." The doctor paused a moment to give Padme and Jared a little time to absorb his words. "As I said, we were able to get him stabilized again and his vitals are holding, but I'm confident we can finish the surgery with no other problems."

Jared sat heavily into a chair with Padme by his side as he looked up at the doctor. The only other time he'd been this scared was after Temperance informed him that his brother was abducted. He couldn't lose his brother, especially now that their often strained relationship was healing.

"I'll be back once we're done to inform you of his condition. I'll be able to answer any questions you have at that time." Jared simply nodded as the doctor left the room. Padme wrapped her arms around Jared and leaned her head on his shoulder, offering her complete support.

"I can't lose my brother, Padme, I just can't. He's too young to go like this."

"He's a fighter Jared, you know that. He'll come through the surgery fine I'm sure." Jared glanced down at the top of Padme's head and squeezed her hand just a little harder. Maybe it was time to head to the chapel for some prayers. Right now, Seeley could use all the help he could get.