Groping for the phone, Booth wondered who was calling him at... 3:30am. Brennan grumbled beside him and turned away from the faint glow of the TV. He and Bones must have fallen asleep during the movie after Parker has been put to bed.
"Hello?" His voice was husky with sleep.
The distinctive sound of shattering glass reached his ears. Sitting up, he tried again. "Hello?"
"Oomph." Brennan sat up from her new position on the floor and glared at him.
"Where are you?" Brennan's expression changed to a frown. Who was calling Booth at this hour? "Hold on, I'll be there as soon as I can." Hanging up, Booth stood and headed for his bedroom to change.
"What's going on Booth?"
"Trouble at Hollie's house. Some crazy friend of the victim's boyfriend." Seemingly ignoring her presence in his bedroom, Booth shucked his shorts and pulled on a pair of sweats and a tee-shirt.
Had he been shirtless the entire time? Brennan couldn't remember. "Parker!"
"What?" she asked, thankful for the distraction. She did not need to be daydreaming about her partner. It would make going on 'vacation' harder.
"I need someone to watch him. This could take all night." Moving to the kitchen, he holstered his gun, grabbed his keys, and slipped a pair of running shoes on.
"I'll watch him Booth. I can take him to the lab with me tomorrow... or today when I head out."
"Thanks Bones. I'll call around 8 and let you know what's going on."
"Ok. Aren't you forgetting something?" She raised an eyebrow.
"I don't think so. I've got my gun, my keys, a wonderful partner to look after my son and... my badge."
She held it up. "You mean this badge?"
"Thanks Bones." Taking the badge from her, he, impulsively, kissed her on the cheek and turned down the hall. "8 o'clock."
Then he walked down the hall, still oblivious to his partner's red face and his very domestic goodbye.
Closing the door, Brennan fled to the couch and pressed a pillow to her face. Why did he keep kissing her? Did he even realize he'd done it that time? She didn't fully understand Seeley Booth and she highly doubted she ever would.
The streets of DC were well lit and vacant of any traffic whatsoever. Not bothering to turn the sirens on, Booth maneuvered the SUV towards the address given to him. Was this guy the killer? Booth didn't know, but if he was, Booth wasn't about to let him kill again. Murder wasn't something to take lightly.
It was dead silent when he pulled up at the given address. Shutting the engine off, Booth unholstered his gun. Moving carefully, he approached the house, listening carefully for any movement inside. The door was open slightly, a window pane missing, and jagged pieces of glass littered the ground.
The hinges let out an eerie groan as Booth slowly nudged it open with his gun. Peering inside, he lowered his gun and pulled his phone out. "This is Special Agent Seeley Booth, FBI. I need an ambulance now.
Pushing the blanket down from over her head, Brennan let out a sigh. It was almost 6 now. No point in trying, and failing, to fall back asleep. Booth would be calling her around 8 and she had to get to the lab and tie up loose ends before her mid-day flight.
Moving slowly, she followed the dim glow of a nightlight to Parker's bedroom. Gently shaking the boy, she knelt down. "Parker, it's Dr. Bones. Your dad had to go for work. I need to go to my apartment to get ready. You can sleep on the way and there ok buddy?"
He nodded sleepily. Brennan quickly grabbed him a change of cloths and took his hand. "You can sleep at the lab too."
Like a zombie, Parker followed her down to her far and got inside. He was asleep again by the time she buckled his seat-belt.
The sun was just starting to rise. The roads were beginning to fill with cars. Upon arriving at her apartment complex, she opted to leave her purse in the trunk of her car. Parker appeared to keep sleeping as she led him up to her apartment and her couch. A small smile escaped her lips as he crawled onto the couch still asleep.
Packing quickly, she maneuvered her suitcase and carry on to her car. A quick shower and a cup of coffee later, she gently shook Parker awake. "Come on Parker. I need to know what you want for breakfast. We can grab it to go at the Diner."
Groggily, he sat up rubbing his eyes. "Ok Dr. Bones. Can I get pancakes?"
"Sure."
"And bacon?"
"If that's what you want."
Abruptly standing, Parker grabbed her hand and tugged her towards the door. "Let's go Dr. Bones. We have to get there before they run out."
"They're not going to run out Parker. Just let me lock the door." His hand never left her as she locked her apartment and walked to her car.
Despite the early hour, the Jeffersonian was full of light. Her office was dark except for a lamplight to allow Parker to continue to sleep if he chose to. Reviewing her notes, Brennan began typing her report on the body. Keep it impersonal.
She worked undisturbed until her phone rang, jolting her out of her trance of sorts. "Brennan."
"Hey Bones, it's me."
"Booth are you all right? I hear sirens in the background."
"I'm fine Bones. Hollie just has some scratches, but Saffie has a knife wound to her stomach among other things." Booth grimaced remembering the scene.
"What happened?"
"We won't know exactly until Saffie gets patched up, but according to Hollie it was one of the boyfriends' friends. We have men out looking for him. He could be the killer. Listen, I just wanted to give you a rundown. I've got to go to the hospital to talk to Saffie when she wakes up."
"Ok."
"I'll call you when I know more. Bye."
"Bye."
The knowledge that two more people had been hurt, possibly by the killer, motivated Brennan enough that by 8:30 her report was finished, printed, and awaiting her signature. As the last n was formed, Cam knocked on the doorframe and entered. "Dr. Brennan…" She trailed off when Brennan put her finger to her lips.
"Parker is still sleeping Dr. Saroyan."
She brought her voice down to a whisper. "Sorry. I just wanted to confirm that you're leaving today."
"Yes."
"When should we expect you back?"
"In approximately 4 weeks."
Cam sighed. "That long?"
Brennan nodded. "I have some things that need to be taken care of. I will be in contact after the second week if you need me, but I am sure the interns can handle anything that comes during my absence."
"Of course. Have you informed everyone?"
"Everyone who needs to be informed has been told except Director Cullen. I plan to see him in person later this afternoon before I leave."
"Well then, I wish you well on your trip and will leave you to finish up." Her heels clacked on the floor as she returned to her own office.
It was early, Booth would most likely still be at the hospital, but if she went to see Cullen now there would be time for Booth to somehow find out. Her flight was at 2pm. Hopefully, Booth would come by at some point to take Parker to lunch. She would see Cullen then. Turning back to her computer, she settled down to another order of business: a letter for Booth.
"Agent Booth?" At the sound of his name, he looked expecting to find Saffi's doctor, but instead found a tall, blond haired man in a suit.
"Yes."
"I am Saffi and Sirree's father." His voice was heavily accented. English was very clearly not his first language."
Standing, he shook the other man's hand. "Special Agent Seeley Booth, FBI. The doctor should be out any minute with your daughter's condition."
"Thank you. It takes a great burden off my shoulders to know when my work takes me away that my daughters have someone to call in an emergency like this."
"It's my job, Sir."
"At 3 in the morning you are off duty."
"An agent is never off duty."
"Family of Saffi Yusi?"
Her father turned to the doctor. "Here. How is she?"
"She's doing fine. The wound on her stomach is long, but shallow. She has a couple grazes on her arms, a few bruises and…" He briefly referred to her chart. "A slight fracture of her jaw from when she hit the ground. There's no reason she can't be discharged later today, but depending on how the day progresses we might decide to keep her overnight just to be safe."
"Can I see her?"
"Mr. Yusi, Agent Booth has requested to collect her statement first due to a connection with a case he is currently working."
"I have no problem with Mr. Yusi seeing his daughter. However, it is her choice if she wished him to be present during her statement."
"Very well. She is in room 162. Go down that hallway and take the second left."
"Thank you."
They found Saffi in her room looking very cross. Hollie sat in the chair by her bed looking very annoyed.
"… but I've read that magazine already."
"Well tough luck Spy because you've read every science magazine in this place."
"Perhaps this would help." From his briefcase, Mr. Yusi pulled a purple wrapped package and presented it to his daughter.
"You're home!" The package remained unopened in her lap. "I thought you would be in Angers(1) for another week!"
"I managed to finish business early. Go ahead an open it. Hollie, it's good to see you again."
"Likewise Mr. Yusi."
In one swift movement, the wrapping was gone and a book revealed. "Le Seigneur des Anneaux: La Communauté de l'Anneau. Merci beaucoup Dad."
"De rien. Now, before you nose is buried in that book so deep we can't get you out, Agent Booth needs your statement."
"Ok. OH! Dad, Sirree needs to be picked up from Annie's house at 10." He nodded.
Pulling out his notepad, Booth moved to stand by the side of the bed. "What happened last night Saffi?"
She took a breath. "Well, Hollie and I were watching a movie. It's a crazy tradition we do over week long vacations. We watch movies all night and prank each other if we fall asleep. Anyways, it was about 3:15. I remember because I had just gone to the kitchen to get some water and saw the clock on the stove. Then, I heard something outside, like someone knocked over our trash can. We have a lot of stray cats, so I thought it was one of them. So, I went back into the living room and sat back down on the couch. Hollie was sitting on the floor.
All of the sudden, the door was like kicked open and Rufus, Nikie's friend, came bursting through the door. I think he was high or something. He sees Hollie, runs over and slaps her. Now, I'm still wondering what the hell is going on, but I'm not going to let him slap my best friend around, so I kick him, he grabs my arm and yanks me up and throws me down behind him, out of his way.
I landed on some of the stuff Hollie and I had out which is how I got the bruises. He hit Hollie a few more times so I grabbed the nearest thing which was a book, and I throw it at his head. This like pissed him off so he pulls out a knife and turns to be. Hollie whacks him and he kicks her. I'm not really sure what happened next…" She looked at Hollie.
"The idiot slammed her head down on the floor, stabbed her, seemed to realize what he did, and bolted. I took Spy's cell and called Booth. I know I should have called 911, but Spy was bleeding so much and I panicked and held my hands over the wound. Agent Booth showed up 10 minutes later and called for one."
"Ok. I just have a few questions and then I'll let you get rest. What are your relationships with Rufus?"
"I didn't know him at all."
"I slightly knew him. Rufus is one of Nickie's friends. I saw him a few times when I was with Nickie. I know he does drugs though. Nickie complained about it a few times."
Jotting down the fact about drugs, Booth continued. "Did he have a connection with Liz?"
"I wouldn't know." Saffie stifled a yawn. Whatever painkillers they gave her were starting to make her head feel fuzzy.
"He liked Liz," Hollie said. "In a more than friend kind of way, but not like you and that doctor. He was kind of a creep. I heard Liz say once he was always like staring at her."
"Thank you both, you've been helpful. I'll come by with Parker to see you later if that's ok."
"Sure. You could bring us some real food," Hollie put in.
"I'll see what I can do. See you around 12."
"Bring fries!" Hollie shouted after him.
It was almost 12 by the time they apprehended Rufus. He was high and in a broken down part of the city.
Booth, however, had some fries to get.
By some small miracle, Brennan didn't run into Booth on her way to Cullen's office. She did, however, arrive 10 minutes early and was forced to spend them fidgeting in the waiting area and hoping no one saw her. Well, no one who would tell Booth.
She felt no pleasure in doing this to him, but she needed to gain some perspective on her life. She would relax, think, visit places she'd always wanted to see, and catch up with an old friend, someone she owed her life to.
"Dr. Brennan, the Deputy Director will see you now."
"Thank you." Her heart beat slowly relaxed as she made her way inside and closed the door behind her. The waiting was done. Waiting, she'd found, was always the hardest part.
"Dr. Brennan, please sit down. What can I do for you today?"
She stood. "Actually, Director Cullen, I won't be staying long. I am merely here to tell you in person that I will be unavailable for consults of any variety for the next month, if not longer. My interns will handle any cases in which the FBI requires assistance."
"May I ask why?"
"I'm taking a vacation. There are some things I need to work out and some old friends I need to see."
"I see. Well, Dr. Brennan. Enjoy your vacation."
"Thank you Sir."
Thankfully, in her mind, she made is out without being spotted by anyone of consequence.
"Hey Parker, did you have fun with Angela?" Brennan surveyed the small mess in her office. Little bits of construction paper covered the floor. Nothing a quick vacuuming couldn't solve.
"Yeah!"
She chuckled. "Parker, can you do me a favor? It's very important and you're the only one I trust to get it done right."
"Sure!" His eyes shown at the praise.
Taking an envelope out of her pocket, she handed it to him. "I need you to give this to your father."
"Why can't you give it to him Dr. Bones?"
"Because it has to be given to him tonight after dinner. It's important he doesn't get it before then Okay?"
"You could have dinner with us Dr. Bones!"
She shook her head gently. "I have to go somewhere. I have an old friend I haven't seen for a long time. I have to go see them."
"Ok, Dr. Bones. I'll give it to him after dinner tonight."
"Thank you Parker." She kissed his cheek. "Now, I have to go to meet my friend. He lives far away. Be good for Angela ok?"
"Yup."
"I'll see you when I get back."
"Ok. Dr. Bones?"
"Yes?"
"I love you. I'm going to miss you."
"I'll miss you too Parker." She knelt down to hug the boy. "I love you too." Kissing the boy on his forehead, she stood and left Angela's office.
"You sure you want to do this Bren?"
"I have to my friend Ange. It's the only way I'll be able to tell Booth." She pulled out a slip of paper. "This is my international phone. It's for emergencies only."
"Ok." The two friends shared a hug. One hoped for the best and the other was still unsure of what the best was.
Later that Evening:
Brennan sat in an airport much like the one she'd left a few hours ago waiting for her next flight. Her first had been just under an hour. Her second would over six and take her across the ocean. A flight attendant called over the speaker for all pre-boarding passengers. That was her.
She would have to pay Jenny back in more than monetary value for the trust she'd placed in her and her understanding.
Seated on the place awaiting takeoff, her mind drifted to Booth.
"So Buddy, what did you do today?"
"I did some art with Angela and Dr. Bones took me to see Grampa Max and I got to help him with some experiments. It was really awesome!"
"Bud, stop waving your fork around before you get pasta on the walls."
"Kay." Parker took another huge bite of spaghetti. When he finished chewing his last bite, he looked up at Booth. "Daddy?"
"Yeah?"
"Who is Dr. Bones going to see?"
"What do you mean buddy?"
"Is dinner over?"
"Yup. We just have to wash our dishes." Parker carried his to the dishwasher and ran off to his room.
What was that all about? Booth wondered. He didn't have to wait long because seconds later Parker came running back with a letter in his hand.
"Dr. Bones said she couldn't give this too you because she had to go visit a friend so she asked me to give it to you because I'm the only one she trusted to."
Booth ruffled his son's hair affectionately. "Well, I can see why she trusts you so much." Taking the letter, Booth sat down on the couch to read it.
The sounds of the TV toned out as he read. His heart thudded in his chest. She was gone. What could he do? She left. She didn't trust him enough to tell him without going to see an 'old friend' first. Where was she going? He could call the airlines, but he had a feeling going after her would only make things worse.
Deep breaths. Deep breaths. She needs time to think. Let her have it. When she's ready, she'll come and talk to you. She promised, right here, in the letter. She'd talk to him when she was ready. Bones doesn't break her promises. She doesn't.
1. Angers – it's pronounced (On-jhay). It's located in France and about 3 hours South-West of Paris (by train). It's an absolutely beautiful town and I wish I was still there xD
The Book: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Thank you people who've stayed with this so long! Because I've failed at updating recently!
Secondly. I apologize for any spelling mistakes. I didn't have a beta look at this.
Thirdly, I'm making a sequel. Things in school are slightly less hectic right now. I'll post something here when i get the first chapter up.
Thanks again, -DHUnleashed