The laaaaaaast chapter. Tear Tear...

'I've become so numb...'

-Linkin Park, Numb

"Seeley…Booth…Seeley!"

Seeley Booth's eyes shot open, his eyes darting, then looked up at Temperance Brennan's face. Cold sweat drenched his face and he was shaking all over.

Brennan gave him a concerned look. "Are you okay?"

Booth took a shaky breath and sat up. He looked at her. "I—dream…I…" he took her hand to find his engagement ring on her finger. Shakily, he laughed, almost nervously, and yet almost as if he were enjoying the spectacle.

Brennan was confused and concerned now. "Seeley? Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine," Booth nodded and took a deep breath.

"That must have been some dream. You were tossing, turning, mumbling, you kicked…"

Booth nodded. "Believe me, Bones, it was a nightmare at most."

"What happened?"

"Kenton—"

"Kenton?" Brennan was surprised. "Booth, is there something going on I don't know or that you—care to tell me?"

Booth shook his head, still shaky. "No. I haven't seen Kenton since the time I saved you."

Temperance looked at him with concern. "What happened in your dream?"

"I—I shot Agent Ryan Jones. Then—" he paused and closed his eyes. It had all seemed so real. Him, Parker, Bren…the whole thing. "It was so real," Booth blinked and opened the drawer of his nightstand. His gun was there. Just like always.

"It was just a nightmare," Brennan hugged him from behind. "Dreams don't come reality that often."

Booth nodded. He kissed her cheek warmly, still trying to gain control of his tremors. "Go back to sleep. I'm going to step into the kitchen for a minute."

"Okay," Temperance returned the kiss, then laid back down as Booth got up and strode into the kitchen.

He'd had nightmares before, but never like that had been. So real, he could almost feel it. Literally feel the fear and pain.

Shaking still, he leaned on the counter and closed his eyes. The dream was still so very vivid. But it was just a dream, after all. Just like Bones had said. No need to worry about it.

His head snapped over to his left when the phone rang. He looked up at the clock.

2 AM. It had to be Angela. She was just the type of person who knew when something was wrong with somebody and would call to make sure everything was okay.

With a shaky hand still, Booth picked it up. "Hello?"

"Agent Seeley Booth."

Booth froze. That—no. "What….who…I, wait, wait, no."

"I am undoubtedly not sorry to say that you have…waited too long. You're done, it's over."

Booth looked into the bedroom at Brennan. "Kenton, I swear to God if this is you, I will make your life hell, do you understand me?"

A laugh presided on the other end. "You are very defiant, Booth. Have a big temper. However, I will not let this go easily. But you have a choice. Risk your life…or theirs."

Click.

Booth shook and just stared ahead. He dropped the phone, shaking all over again. The dial tone rang loud and Brennan walked into the kitchen, worry etched all over her face.

"Seeley?" She looked at him, putting a hand on his cheek. "Booth, what's wrong? Who was that?"

With a trembling voice, Booth held her shoulders. "Bones, I need you to listen to me. Whatever happens, I need you to trust and just listen to me."

Brennan was confused. "Booth, what's going on?"

"Just do it! I'm begging you, Bones, please!" He stroked his thumb on her cheek. "I can't afford to lose you. Not like what happened last time, not like what happened in my dream, and not like what happened with Sully and his partner. I won't let it happen."

As silent as silence could come, Booth felt the sinking feeling in his heart and stomach. She'd been wrong. His nightmare was fast becoming a reality.

Staring at her, he forced the tears down. "Please, Temperance. I will not and cannot lose you, do you hear me!"

Brennan shook her head. "I—don't understand. I don't know what's going on and you're not telling me!"

"You will if you listen to me." He paused. "I'm asking you to trust me and listen to exactly as I saw. We don't have much time."

Brennan nodded numbly. "Okay…"

As if all snapped in his mind, Booth hugged her tightly, allowing his fear to show. He had to think of a plan and think of it quickly. If this was going to be anything like his dream, he needed to act. "I love you, Bones," he kissed her head. "I love you so much." He took a shaky breath, and then ran into the bedroom, Brennan fast in two. He grabbed her workbag and duffel bag. "Pack, Bones. Take anything you need. Anything and everything."

Not understanding yet fully, Brennan did so, Booth helping, then coming up behind her and throwing on a T-shirt of his over her. He tossed her a pair of jeans after. "Put hose on and take my SUV. I don't care, just take it."

Brennan pulled on the jeans and grabbed her bags. Booth handed her the keys. She started out the door before he grabbed her elbow and kissed her lovingly. "I love you, Bones. Take Parker with you. Get him from Becca's place and I'll explain everything to her when I can. Just take him with you."

Brennan nodded. "Does this have anything to do with—"

"Yes! Everything and anything! Now what you're going to do it drive yourself and Parker through North Carolina, Tennessee, and do not stop in Illinois and do not stop for unnecessary times." He paused. "I will find you both."

"I know," Brennan kissed him. "I trust you," she put on a weak smile.

Booth snapped out of his daze. "Go, Bones, go," he gently pushed her and shut the door as soon as she left. Incidentally as he shut the door, his cell rang. Running into the bedroom, he grabbed it and flipped it open. "Yes?"

"Well done. Unfortunately this is just the beginning. Welcome to the game, Booth."

Click.

The End?

I told you guys had better be prepared! -grins-

JayJay