thanks for all those who reviewed last chapter. I know it was really confusing, and sadly i didnt manage to keep my promise - i havnt explained what happens to him.

but please read anyway.

hope you like it

She glanced at the caller ID, then checked again. Her heart nearly stopped in surprise.

Her hands shaking, she pressed the green button, cautious of the suspicious eyes on her back. "Hello?" she asked warily, unsure what to expect.

"Hey Bones!"

She dropped the phone in surprise, metal clunking on metal.

She screamed in terror, and jumped back in horror, then turned and ran off the platform.

*

Angela found Brennan curled in a ball in the corner of her office, whimpering, rocking slowly back and forth. Angela walked softly closer to hear what she was saying, and was shocked to hear how meagre and desperate she sounded, as if waking from a bad dream that seemed just that little bit too real.

"It's not rational. It's not rational. How could this happen? He's dead! It's not rational...."

Angela strained to hear these words, and then stepped back in shock, gasping as she caught the grasp of Brennan's words. She know understood why Brennan had screamed. She too, felt the sound tearing through her throat, but she forced it down. She had to calm Brennan.

She crouched down next to her. Brennan was still whimpering, talking to herself then to anyone, her subconciousness taking over her miraculous mind. Angela had never seen her best friend like this, and truthfully, it kind of scared her. Brennan was normally the most rational person in the room, and now she had been reduced to this, a whimpering ball of skin and bones, just by a simple phone call.

Angela touched Brennan's arm. Brennan looked up at the contact, her eyes brimming with tears. Angela wrapped her wrist around Brennan's arm, keeping a firm grasp. She looked into her eyes.

"Brennan," she asked quietly. "What happened?"

Brennan tried to get a sound out, but the air was empty between her lips, replaced with a sob. Angela hushed her.

"I've never seen you so scared before in your life. Who was on the phone?" she had a feeling she knew that answer but she wanted to get it straight. She tried to play it up a little. "Was it the Gravedigger?" Angela knew that the Gravedigger could scare her easily, if she thought he was after her again.

But Brennan determinedly shook her head. She might not have been able to get a word out, but she would try and communicate somehow."

Angela prompted her. "Who was it, then?"

Brennan swallowed, trying to clear the tears out of her throat. "Booth," she whispered hoarsely.

Though Angela was expecting the answer, it was still shocking to hear it out of Brennan's mouth. She leaned closer.

"Are you sure?"

Brennan nodded. "He...he said..." she was struggling to get the words out of her mouth. She didn't want to believe the words, couldn't believe them. "He said....'Hey Bones'... He sounded....so.....happy."

She looked up forcefully, and Angela saw the intensity in her eyes. "I'm going insane, aren't I? It's just not logical! The doctor's told me he was dead! I heard his heart stop!" Her voice was cut off, her tears betraying her. She quickly wiped them away, though they continued to fall, a waterfall on an ever-ending trek. "Unless it was false....." Angela knew that Brennan was trying to kid herself, "but he would have told me, after seeing what happened to me last time. I just can't-" She pushed her head through her hands, her fingers rubbing her temples, trying to make sense of the matter. Her mind was spinning, thoughts of different colours whizzing around her head. She felt like she was about to faint.

Angela tried another angle. She knew it would take a while before Brennan would calm down. "Maybe it wasn't Booth. Maybe it just sounded like him because you were so desperate to hear his voice again..." she trailed off.

"I saw the caller ID" Brennan defined. Her voice was becoming stronger, though constantly stopped by tears.

"Maybe someone at the hospital was using his phone. You would have been on his speed dial – the first person to call."

"But who else would call me Bones?!" she said in exasperation. Nothing was adding up. She was used to working with evidence, and she had nothing.

Except....

Brennan jumped up. Angela was surprised, and flew back, landing on her hands from the fall in her crouched position. Brennan was already out the door, too determined on her idea to notice her friend on the floor. Angela quickly jumped up and hurried to catch up.

Brennan was already up on the platform by the time Angela was in league with her. She had slapped on the paper thin disposable gloves, and bent down. Angela leaned over to see what she was retrieving, and then saw the phone dangling in Brennan's hand. She straightened up, then thumbed through some of the programs. She finally reached the recent calls, and there it was. His name, flashing on the screen like some luminescent neon sign signifying a pub. He had called her a 10:43 am, with a call time of 10 seconds. He must have hung up shortly after she dropped the phone.

This was evidence, yes, but it proved nothing. The only thing she could prove was that someone had called her on Booth's phone, though whether it was actually Booth she was still to determine.

There was only one way to find out.

Brennan unbuttoned her lab coat, and replaced it with her cotton one. Angela gaped at her, then ran to grab her own jacket. She didn't want to miss this.

"Wait up!" she called to Brennan, then turned to the guys.

"I'm just gonna....yeah," she said with no explanation. She knew the guys would be wanting answers, but for now they were satisfied that no more hectic decisions would be made in the space of a few minutes.

Angela ran out to the parking lot, where she heard the low grumble of a car, and saw Brennan's in a few spaces away, the headlights flashing, the engine whining, impatient. Angela hurried over to the car and threw herself in.

"Where are we going?" Angela asked, out of breath. She realised she had no clue of their destination.

Brennan looked over at her. "I want answers. We're going to the hospital."

*

They arrived in the space of 15 minutes. Brennan circled the parking lot for a space, getting aggravated every minute that passed. She was grateful Angela didn't comment on her flaring temper.

She was out of the door as soon as the engine stopped. She slammed the door shut, waiting impatiently for Angela to unbuckle her seat belt. Every fleeing moment was frustrating, and she glanced at her watch, though knowing it wouldn't do anything.

As soon as Angela was out, she started across the parking lot, heading towards the brightly lit doors. She slammed them opened with her palms, making everyone in the quiet waiting room look up at the sudden loud noise. Once they met her fierce gaze, they quickly looked back down at their magazines. Brennan sauntered up quickly to the information desk.

"Excuse-" She stopped as the receptionist held up a finger, implying for her to wait. Brennan resisted the urge to flash her FBI badge in importance, but she knew it would get her nowhere.

After seemingly endless minutes, the receptionist stopped typing and looked up. She was an old lady, her face weathered and care-worn. She looked as though this hospital with all its falseness was her home. Brennan hurried to explain.

"I'm looking for Seeley Booth."

"May I have your name?"

"Temperance Brennan."

"And how do you know Mr Booth?"

"I'm his partner. I work with him in the FBI."

She saw the eyes flicker slightly as she heard this, knowing it was no nonsense. If the FBI was coming to the hospital, it was serious.

"One moment please." Her voice was high, false. Brennan's eyes flickered around the room, her mind not focusing on anything. She heard the gentle tap of the keyboard typing, and then a sigh. She looked down to see the receptionist gazing concernedly at the computer. She seemed deep in thought. She looked as though she were trying to say something though couldn't find the right words.

The receptionist looked up with false sympathetic eyes. "I'm sorry, dear." Her high pitched voice cracked the quiet. "But we don't have anyone by that name here."

Brennan's heart nearly stopped. "What about past records. I heard he died a few days ago." She knew the receptionist wanted to ask why she was here then, but something about Brennan's eyes told her it was not the time nor place to ask.

"I'll check again." The receptionist glanced nervously at the computer, the clicking of the mouse loud in the waiting room. Brennan turned around, and saw Angela standing a few metres away. She raised her eyebrows. Brennan shook her head, hoping Angela took that as a 'don't know' rather then a 'he's dead.'

A few minutes later the receptionist spoke again. "I'm sorry, but there's been no Booth of any sorts in here in the past 2 months. There's a Mister Bootse, but I don't think that's who you're after."

Brennan shook her head, utterly confused. It was one thing to be hearing ghosts, but then to be told that no one by the name of Booth had been in here recently? That was just...unsettling. She could feel the stares of the other visitors on her back, and she imagined their faces, forged sympathy etched on their skin.

"Thankyou so much for your help," Brennan said, trying to keep her voice even. She turned slowly, and Angela walked over to her.

"What happened?" she asked. She could see the pain overtaking her friend's eyes.

Brennan glanced up, her lashed obscuring her eyes. "No-one with the name of Booth has been in the hospital in the last 2 months."

She saw Angela's reaction. She was as shocked as she herself had been. Then Angela raised the most obvious question, but which neither of them had wanted to voice.

"So what do we do now?" Angela asked bravely.

Brennan tried to think, her mind blocked with images of Booth. "What can we do? We have no idea where he is!"

Angela sighed. "Look, sweetie. You really need some rest. Go home."

"But Booth-"

"We'll start questioning tomorrow. Go and have some rest." Brennan knew that she needed the sleep, and was grateful for the excuse. But she was still worried about Booth.

Angela reeled her to the car, helping her dazed form into the passenger seat. She drove her home, opening the door for her and letting her in. Brennan didn't even seem to be aware that she was walking. She sat down absentmindedly on the couch.

"Are you going to be alright?" Angela asked, worried.

"No. But some beer should help." Angela chuckled, and went to the fridge to fetch the alcohol, grabbing some Tyrenol on the way. She handed the to Brennan, who took them gratefully.

"Thanks," she said after swallowing a big mouthful. Angela hugged her and kissed her cheek.

"I'll see you tomorrow. I'll help you, sweetie. I want to find him too."

Brennan nodded, her silence her only communiation. Angela quietly slipped out of the apartment.

Soon Brennan lay down on her bed, thinking of Booth.

Where was he?

How come there was no record of him in the hospital?

Was that really him on the phone? But how could it be?

Brennan had been hoping to find answers today. But all that had been unearthed was more questions.

That night, she dreamed of Seeley Booth.

yea, so that was a boring chapter and raised even more quesitons - hence the name of the chapter. I'll try to explain in the near future of the story. Please review