"Temperance, wait." Booth commanded as he continued to hold her shoulders as she tried to escape for the door.
"No Booth. Just let me go." Tears were beginning to fall down her cheeks. And yet she didn't feel vulnerable. Not around Booth.
"No, come here." Booth guided her over to the couch were together they sat down. He removed his hands from her arms and placed them delicately in hers. "How did this happen?"
Temperance let out a long sigh. "When I went to see Russ." She said simply.
"Who's the father, Temperance?" He asked looking into her eyes. When she didn't answer he asked again. "Who?"
"He was an federal agent." She continued to avoid his gaze. Booth felt a pang of hurt in his gut that he couldn't account for. "He saw me in a bar one night and said her recognized me. We slept together a couple of times. It was a purely physical relationship. Before I left he told me that we could have been more if my heart wasn't with someone else. I don't know what that means."
Booth felt the pain in his stomach turn into a flutter. "Temperance do you want me to try and locate him for you?"
She looked into his eyes thankfully. "Just a number I can reach him so when I decide to tell him I can. He should know."
The agent wrapped his arm around his friend and kissed her temple. "You're a good woman Temperance Brennan. And you'll get through this. What's his name?"
"Justin Cross." She said as she leaned into his embrace.
"Alright. I'll get right on it and have something for you by the end of the day." Booth got off the couch and stood in front of her, regretting the loss of her touch. "I want you to be out of this lab by six though alright? I'll bring the information to you're place." She nodded in response. "I'll see you later tonight Bones."
As Booth left the office and the Jeffersonian his heart ached. He knew where Justin Cross was. Now how was he going to tell his best friend?
Tempe's Apartment
"I'm coming!" She shouted from the kitchen as her partner continued to knock on the door. "Booth!" As she swung the door open she saw the agent leaning against her doorframe.
"Nice outfit Bones." Booth commented as he noticed that she wore a t-shirt that came down to mid-calf over her undergarments. "Can I come in?"
"Oh, of course." She stepped aside and allowed him to enter. "Do you want anything?"
Booth laughed to himself. "No thanks. I don't think I'll ever be able to drink anything at your place again. Can we sit?"
"Sure." She said as she walked to the couch and sat down, Booth sat opposite her on a chair. "What did you find out?"
Booth sighed. "Tempe," he paused "Justin Cross died in the field last week. He was shot." Booth watched as his partner's breath became hurried and her face looked panicked. "Temperance." Booth moved quickly to the couch where he took her hands in his. "Breathe." He ran his hand over her hair, placing a few strands behind her ear. "Everything will be okay."
As she spoke she gasped for air. "What will I… do? Booth… I'm all alone."
"No. Temperance look at me." He cupped her face in his hands, forcing her to look into his eyes. "You are never alone. I'll be here for you the entire way."
"Promise me, Seeley." She whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself into his arms.
She had used his name, which Booth knew meant that she was scared beyond belief. "I promise." As Booth held her close and soothed her with his hands on her back and in her hair, he slowly felt her body calm and her harsh breathing cease.