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Chapter 12
Booth was startled awake. At first, he thought it was Brennan. When they had just moved into this house, he'd become very sensitive to her and how she reacted to nightmares. He'd honed his comforting and soothing skills and so the first thing he did, was check on his sleeping partner. When Booth noticed she was still asleep, he lay back down.
Just a few minutes later, he could hear a door opening. From the sounds that she made on the staircase, Booth knew it was his daughter. Concerned, he sat up and checked the clock. 2.30 AM. His poor girl should have been fast asleep after the rigorous workout she'd put herself through.
Booth quietly got out of bed and grabbed his robe. He went downstairs and when he entered the living room and turned on the light, he wasn't surprised to find his daughter on the couch. He sat down next to her and invited her into his arms.
Elena immediately leaned into her father, but even his protective embrace didn't stop her worries.
"Talk to me, baby girl," Booth murmured soothingly.
"I'm really worried about Alex," Elena spoke in an unsteady voice. "I want to help him so badly. He didn't do anything wrong and he needs help."
"Did you see him today, Elena?" Booth asked her as he lovingly lifted her chin, so he could look into her eyes.
Elena nodded, giving up the fight to keep everything a secret. Not telling her dad meant hurting Alex.
"I thought so, do you know where he is?"
"If he didn't go someplace else, yes," Elena told her dad, relieved that she was sharing her burden, as he'd put it.
"What did you two talk about?" Booth asked his daughter, for now not reacting to the fact that his little girl knew where his murder suspect was. His first priority right now, was Elena.
"I asked him where he'd been sleeping, and what had happened to him. He also told me he's addicted to those pills because they're the only thing that calms him down when he has a panic attack." Elena looked at her father. "I asked him if he murdered his foster father. He didn't do it, Dad. I know he didn't. He was forced to take drugs and deal them. Can you please, please be nice to him? He's been through some horrible things. I'm the only person who knows about what happened to him and it's so terrible I can't even sleep. So please help him and don't scare him. Please, Dad," Elena begged her father.
"Hey, hey, shh, it's okay. What you just said, validates the conclusions I've come to. Where is he, honey?" Booth was more convinced than ever that Alexander was just a victim in this whole mess and Booth had to find him, to help the boy and to solve this murder case.
Elena wrapped her arms around her father. "I promised not to tell you," she said quietly.
"Okay, here's the deal. If you tell me where he is, I will go and pick him up, provided that he isn't high. He can spend the night here, in the guest bedroom, with the door locked." Elena was about to protest, but Booth motioned that she shouldn't speak up. "I won't write any of this down and I won't report it, so we can just claim that he showed up here in the morning, that way he doesn't have to spend the night in jail. In return, you tell me where he is and I want you to tell your mom what he told you. Sharing the burden, remember?" Plus, if she didn't tell him, Booth had plausible deniability, which he would need badly. He was flirting with the edges enough as it was. "Deal, Elena?"
"On the condition that you won't treat him like a criminal, deal. He might hate me for this, though," she agreed hesitantly.
"No, he won't. He may not like it, but he won't hate you for it. I'm going to write a note for your mom and get dressed. I suggest you do the same."
Elena felt her body tremble. "I'm really scared I made a mistake, Dad," she told him. "I betrayed a friend who trusts me."
"No, sweetheart," Booth pulled her into his embrace and realised it was up to him to make Alexander understand that what his daughter had done, had been done out of care and concern, friendship and a desire to help. He kept his arm around his daughter as they went upstairs and whispered, "You did the right thing. On second thought, I think you should stay home with Mom and Thomas. You're tired and the fact that you're trembling is worrying me, princess." Booth pressed a kiss to her cheek and led her to the room where Brennan was still asleep in bed. "Will you promise me to talk to your mother?"
Elena nodded, but then, she wanted to go with him. "Dad, I have to come with you so Alex doesn't get frightened. I'm trembling because I'm scared, but I think I should go. I could help him feel safe."
Booth crouched down next to the bed. "Are you sure? Because you can come. I want you to stay close to me, but you can come if you'd like."
Elena nodded her head. She was sure it was the right thing to do. "Can I tell Mom what we're up to?"
"Sure, she'll just get worried if she wakes up and finds that we're gone. I'm going to the bathroom and get dressed, okay?" Booth turned the lights on and left for the bathroom when his partner stirred.
Brennan groggily opened her eyes. "Is something wrong?" she mumbled.
Elena lay down next to her mother, snuggling up to her. "I couldn't sleep because of what happened to Alex," she whispered, "I'm sorry for not telling you, but I accidentally met him today. He told me about unspeakable things that happened to him. I told Dad I'd take him to Alex, because I know where he is. We're going to get him now and he can stay with us tonight. I'm really, really worried about him," Elena summarised for her mother.
Brennan caressed her daughter's cheek. "You're a good person, Elena. Whatever you think is right, is probably the best thing to do. I'll have some tea ready for when you get back, okay?"
Elena smiled and kissed her mother's cheek. "You're the best. Also, I know he didn't kill his foster father, so don't worry. He was forced to take those drugs, so he can't help being addicted to them. I feel really relieved that we're going to get him, because I'd blame myself if something bad happened to him."
Brennan nodded. "You did good, sweetheart. You should get dressed. I'll call you in sick for school tomorrow."
Elena thanked her mother again and hopped off the bed despite her protesting muscles, tip-toeing into her room so as to not wake up her brother. She put on comfortable, warm clothes and went downstairs, where she waited for her father.
Elena had told her father how to get to the shelter, then asked him to stay in the car so Ripley wouldn't get scared and Alexander wouldn't panic. She felt nervous but relieved, because she could offer her friend a safe place to stay.
Alex couldn't sleep. He'd got a few dog blankets and had wrapped them around himself. He had scooted close to Ripley, but it didn't really help. He was still cold. Still alone, and now that he had spoken to Elena about what had happened to him, the flashbacks had only increased. He looked up when he heard something. Ripley's ears went up, and he sniffed, but to Alexander's relief, Ripley simply closed his eyes again. The dog had determined that whoever the visitor was, he or she was welcome. "Who -" Alex called, trying not to be nervous, "Who's there?"
"It's Elena," she called softly and squatted down next to Ripley's area. "Alex? Are you okay?"
"Elena?" He couldn't believe it. "Why are you here? It's the middle of the night! Please don't tell me you snuck out at this hour, that's dangerous!"
"I couldn't sleep knowing you were here alone. Will you please come and stay in my house?"
Alex snorted, "Your dad will throw me in jail. Look, you can stay here until dawn, I don't want you to go home alone in the middle of the night."
"What if my dad's okay with it and he promised not to throw you in jail?" Elena asked him carefully.
Alex gasped. "You told him? What did you tell him?" he asked worriedly as he sat upright.
"You don't have to panic, I didn't give him details about what happened to you. I - I did tell him that you were forced to take and deal the drugs, but only so he knows that you're innocent. Please come with me."
"You broke your promise," Alex murmured, "Your dad's here, isn't he?"
"I'm really sorry, but isn't it more important that you're safe? I was literally worried sick. Either we stay here and freeze to death together, or you can come with us and sleep in a clean, warm bed. You'll have to talk to my dad eventually, but he knows you're innocent. He's convinced of it. He'll have to talk to you but he doesn't believe you had anything to do with the murder."
"He doesn't?" Alex hesitated. He was really cold and hungry. "Can you promise me that I won't have to go to jail tonight? Because if that's the case, I might as well stay here."
"I can really honestly promise you that. But if you can't trust me, we can go to my dad and you can ask him yourself."
Alexander hesitated, but eventually stood. "I just want to hear what he has to say," he told Elena. Then, she took his hand and together they walked towards the black car.
Elena felt protective of her friend and wished that her dad wouldn't say the wrong thing that would make Alex run again. She knocked on the window. "Dad? Alex wants to talk to you."
Booth nodded. "Why don't you get into the car, honey? It's cold," he told her as he exited the car. His daughter – for once – did as she was told and got into the car. Booth looked at Alexander. "You can come home with us. You'll sleep in our guest bedroom. Of course, I expect you to stay in the guest room until morning and I don't want my son to see you. He won't be able to keep this silent and as you can understand, I don't want this to be known any more than you do. Tomorrow, I want you to come with me to the Hoover. If you tell me everything you know, I will do whatever I can to get you help with your addiction."
Alex let out a shaky breath. He was shaking from the cold. This was an offer he simply couldn't resist if he wanted to have a future. "All right," he agreed quietly, hoping he was making the right decision. Elena was kind to want to help him like this. He shouldn't disappoint her.
Booth opened the door of his SUV. "Get in then, it's the middle of the night and we all need to sleep."
"Thank you, sir," Alexander mumbled and got into the car. It was heavenly warm, and it was just such a relief to at least be safe for now. When Elena turned her head around to look at him, he gave her a nod that it was okay.
Booth started the car and drove them home. He told both teenagers to be quiet when they entered the house. "Elena, will you show Alexander to his room?" Booth studied the young man. This boy wasn't a murderer. He looked lost and troubled. That kid was as much as a victim as James Doug was. "When was the last time you ate?"
Alex shrugged his shoulders. "A while ago," he answered vaguely, because he honestly couldn't remember.
"I'm going to make you a PB&J sandwich. Elena, there are pyjamas in the guest bedroom."
"Come on," Elena smiled at Alex and took him to the guestroom. She was surprised to already see the stuff he'd need laid out on the bed. "Mom," Elena smiled, "She must have known you were going to come with us. See? You're welcome here."
Alex wasn't about to argue, even though he knew that this was just a solution for one night. "Is there some place I can change?"
"I'll show you where the bathroom is," Elena said and showed him. Then, she took her friend into the living room, giving him a small tour of the first floor of their home. They ended in the kitchen, where they found Booth and Brennan making Alex something to eat and something warm to drink.
Brennan walked up to the boy, immediately feeling sympathy for him. He looked absolutely miserable and very much in need of some care. Brennan shook the boy's hand. "I'm Temperance Brennan, Elena's mother. I'm glad you're here."
"Thank you, Ma'am, for inviting me into your home." Alex looked over at Booth, "And you too, Sir. I promise I will do my best to answer any questions you may have."
Booth nodded, then turned to his daughter. "You should go upstairs with your mom and go to bed." He walked over to Elena and hugged her. "Remember your promise, sweetheart," he told her so quietly that only she was able to hear it.
Elena nodded. "Be nice!" she told her father before kissing his cheek and giving Alex a hug. "I hope you'll sleep well, here."
"Me too," Alex told her quietly as he hugged her. "Goodnight. Thank you, Elena."
Elena gave her father a stern look before going upstairs with her mother, warning him to really be nice to her friend.
"Goodnight, Alexander," Brennan said and wrapped an arm around her daughter's shoulders. Together, they walked upstairs.
When his girls had gone upstairs, Booth addressed their unusual guest. "A few rules for the remainder of the night. I would appreciate it if you stay inside the guest room. If you need to use the toilet, you can, of course, but I don't think there is any other reason to leave the guest room." Booth gave the boy a plate with sandwiches. "Tomorrow, I want you to come to the Hoover with me. Don't mention that you were here tonight." He stood and handed the young man a cup of hot cocoa. "Other than that, there is one clear rule for tonight." Booth's brown eyes pierced Alex's darker ones. "You do not go near Elena's room. Or Tommy's. Do I make myself clear?"
Alex felt intimidated and nodded obediently. "I get it," he said as he couldn't help but grab one of the sandwiches and take a big bite. A sandwich had never tasted so good before.
"Good. Did you take any pills tonight?" Booth cut to the chase.
Alexander shook his head. "I don't have any. You've got them."
"When was the last time you took one? Those are hard drugs, you can't just quit."
"The day Elena took me here for my book report," Alexander told him honestly, able to look into the older man's eyes when he gave his answer.
"After we've talked, I'm taking you to the hospital, so you can do this in a controlled manner. If you try your very hardest, I will make sure you don't need to worry about the money."
"Thank you, Sir," Alex replied gratefully. He was afraid of rehab, but he knew it was his only chance. "If you don't mind, I'd like to go to sleep. I'm very tired."
"I don't mind at all. I would appreciate it if you could wait until Tommy left for school, he won't know what he can and can't tell at school and that just might cost me my job. I'll come and get you when Tommy leaves tomorrow. You get to sleep in. Come on, I'll show you to your room." Booth and Alex walked to the guest room. Booth closed the door after the boy had entered. "Goodnight, Alexander."
"Goodnight, Sir. And thanks... for this. I appreciate it." Alex put on the pyjamas and crawled between the clean sheets. Heaven...
Once upstairs, Elena wrapped her arms around her mother. "I feel so relieved, Mom. I think I did the right thing."
Brennan hugged her daughter, soothingly caressing her hair. "You did the right thing. I'm proud of you, I know that it couldn't have been easy." She leaned back and smiled at her daughter. "You should change back into your nightgown," she suggested softly.
"Yeah, I know. I should sleep because I know I'll feel more dead than alive tomorrow. Look at my wrists. My grips chafed them even though I put on tape and everything." Elena showed her mother her chafed and bruised wrists. "At least now I know I won't go Elite," she grinned.
"And neither are you going to school tomorrow," Brennan told her softly as she got back into bed. "So, what does your dad wanted you to talk to me about?" Brennan smiled lovingly. "You know, for someone who is so adapt at reading people - especially me -, your dad sure has a tendency to forget that I've known him as long as he's known me. And that I can read his actions just as well." Her voice became a bit more serious, a bit more concerned. "And when your father agrees to take you out in the middle of the night, that leads me to conclude that something serious is going on."
Elena nodded after quickly pulling her nightgown over her head and sitting up against the headboard of her bed. "Yeah," she said quietly, "I've never heard something so terrible in my life."
Brennan turned, so she was facing her daughter. She wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head as Elena settled against her. "Whatever it is, you can tell me."
"Yeah, except I promised not to," Elena sighed.
"Would you say it is a secret that protects or that hurts you and him?" Brennan asked, continuing to comb her fingers through her daughter's curls.
"That's a good question. Well, it hurts me because it gives me nightmares, and it hurts him because he's not getting any help to deal with it."
"It's not good to keep those things a secret, then, Elena. You can tell me."
Elena nodded as she breathed in her mother's reassuring scent. "First of all, Alex was treated really badly by his foster dad. His foster dad's a drug dealer and he wanted Alex to deal for him so he got Alex addicted to drugs. In return for pills, Alex would deal for him. Then one night, and Alex assumes this is the night when his foster dad was murdered, Alex stepped into an alley. There was a man, and he -" Elena felt a lump in her throat as she thought about it again, "That man tried to rape Alex. Alex got away, but there was no one there to help him and nobody cared about him. He was all alone with it, and he's been having panic attacks ever since, and nobody helps him with those, either."
"So he takes the drugs," Brennan stated softly. "I can't say I blame him. Oh, sweetheart, that is awful. Now I understand why you trained as hard as you did and had a nightmare. Do you think he will be able to tell your dad?"
Elena shook her head. "No. He cried and almost had another panic attack when he told me. It was very hard for him."
"I can only imagine." After all, she'd had nightmares for weeks at the mere thought of being assaulted sexually, she couldn't fathom what it would actually feel like. Furthermore, Alex was a boy. Society had a lot less compassion and understanding for male victims of sexual assault.
"He feels really ashamed, but he shouldn't, because nothing's his fault. I would have done the same thing in his situation, if I had no one." Elena wrapped her arms around her mother tightly. "I'm really lucky to have all of you."
"And we're all lucky to have you, honey." Brennan hugged her daughter and they enjoyed a comforting silence. Brennan felt a bit torn. She'd never knowingly kept secrets from Booth on purpose and one part of her wanted to tell him, but the other part wanted to honour Alexander's wishes. "Do you think we can convince him to tell your dad?"
"I could try," Elena said, "Maybe he'll let me tell Dad. If Dad gives me a chance, I can talk to Alex tomorrow."
"I don't think that will be a problem," Brennan said. "Alexander's really lucky to have a friend like you. How did he react when you two arrived there?"
Elena told her mother what had happened. "I went to see Alex alone and convinced him to come with us. He told me I broke my promise, which is the truth, but he decided to come when I assured him he wouldn't go to jail."
"In time he will realise how much you helped him, I promise," Brennan reassured her daughter. "Do you feel better now?"
Elena nodded. "At least now I know he's safe and you were both nice to him, so I hope he feels a little bit welcome as well."
"I hope he does," Brennan kissed her daughter's temple. "Do you want to sleep here? With me and dad?"
"Can I really?" Elena asked, chuckling. "Don't tell anyone, okay?" Secretly, Elena still loved to fall asleep in her mother's arms, her dad right next to them, keeping them safe. They'd slept like this a lot when they'd first moved here and didn't feel safe yet. There wasn't a safer place on earth, or a place that held more love.
"Of course not. And you and Tommy will always have a place here when you need us. Let's lay down. I'm sure your dad won't mind."
"If he does mind, he can take my bed or the couch, so he can guard Alex which I'm sure he means to do. Anyway, this bed's taken." Elena laid down with her mother and crawled up against her.
Brennan chuckled. "You'd better be ready to share, because I won't let him sleep on the couch and he won't sleep in your bed."
Booth walked in to find both of his girls cuddling in bed. They both had a soft smile on their face and he sat down next to them. "Feeling better, honey?"
"Yes, a lot," Elena told her father. "Dad, you were nice to Alex after I went upstairs, right? You really can't stay anything harsh to him. He'll get another panic attack and he'll need drugs to deal with it." Though Elena was well aware her dad meant well, she also knew that he could get intimidating when he thought he needed to protect his family.
"I just told him he has to wait in his room until after Tommy leaves tomorrow and that he's not supposed to leave his room until then." Wisely, Booth didn't mention the fact that he had specifically forbidden the boy to look out Elena in her room.
"Well, I just hope you at least tried to be nice," Elena told him. Then, her voice softened. "Thanks for helping him, Dad."
"It's my job to help those that are in need of help, sweetheart." When she didn't make any move to get up, Booth went into the en-suite bathroom and changed into his pyjamas again. He lay down next to his girls and got settled under the covers. "This has been a while," he chuckled.
Elena turned and gave her father a kiss. "Don't tell anyone. Good night, Dad. I love you." She turned back into her mother's arms and finally closed her eyes. "I love you, as well, Mom. A lot."
"I love you, too, honey." Brennan kissed her daughter's cheek and then reached over Elena to take Booth's hand in hers.
Booth brought his wife's hand up to his lips and tucked both of his girls in, their joined hands resting on Elena's back as they fell asleep together.
We'd love to hear how you liked this chapter. Do you think Alex and Elena might be falling for one another? Or maybe Alex for Elena or the other way around? For next chapter, you can expect some serious drama... we hope you look forward to it!