A Pain That I'm Used To—Chapter 26
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters associated with BONES. I do, however, own quite a few blank DVDs on which to record the new episodes!
Warning: The rating of this story has been changed to M.
Author's notes: As always I appreciate everyone taking the time to read this story and a special thank you to those who have continued to review and encourage me.
To BonesDBchippie—Yes, I saw the second season premiere last night. (jumps up and down) I'm not going to spoil it for those people who haven't seen it but…(squeals) David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel were just magnificent last night. I enjoyed David on "Angel" and "Buffy" for years and I've become a very big fan of Emily's work.
And to elliot02uk (my bud Jean B.)—I feel that I owe you, as well as everyone else who has read this story, an apology for the last chapter. After I took the time to read over it (after posting), I personally felt that it was horribly written and I never should have posted it. I struggled with each word and rewrote sentences over and over again. I should have left it alone, gotten some sleep and then tried again…but I've been told many a time that you cannot tell a stubborn 'Taurus' what to do. (LOL) Anyway, I did finally take the time to rest on my first day off, watched the season premiere of BONES and listened to Lifehouse's song "Everything" for inspiration. Hopefully the sleep has served me well. (wink) Oh and 'trifecta' basically means 'triple'. I simply meant that Brennan's parents' left her and Russ with the three things I mentioned as their legacy.
It's that time again. Read, enjoy and review. I'm not sure how much is left of this particular story but hopefully this chapter will make up for all of the angst I've put the characters (especially poor Brennan) and all of you through.
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It was after 10 p.m. on a Thursday night and traffic was still heavy on the streets of DC. Booth squeezed his tired eyes shut for a moment as he sat in his SUV waiting for the longest red light in history to become green. His gaze strayed from the light to the café on his right full of men and women mingling together inside the business as well as outside at the small tables. One particular couple, seated close together, caught his attention. The petite blonde woman was staring at the man seated next to her with obvious adoration in her eyes as her hand skimmed over the top of his.
Booth immediately thought of Brennan. While he sometimes wished that she would display her affections more, he knew that Brennan gave what she could in the moment. He knew that when Brennan touched his arm or even when she had kissed him, she did it to convey an intense feeling that perhaps she couldn't rationally put into words. She wasn't like Tessa or Rebecca had been with him. Both women from his past had used their feminine wiles as a means to get something from him. Tessa's 'something' was usually a black tie affair in a room full of lawyers where she paraded him like a piece of eye candy. Rebecca's 'something' always pertained to his son.
No, when Brennan wanted something from him she would just ask…or demand. He smiled at the memory of her phone call from New Mexico telling him what connecting flights he would have to make in order for him to fulfill her request of "getting federal" on the sheriff's ass. Only Brennan would book the necessary flights without consulting with him first and then ask if he would do her a favor. He chuckled at her reverse sense of logic.
The sound of a car horn honking behind him broke his reverie and Booth realized the light was now green. As he drove through the busy downtown area to get to the Jeffersonian, Booth's mood grew somber as he recalled his conversation with Cullen about the death of Agent Andrews.
Placing the photographic stills from the surveillance video that Hodgins had provided him on the Cullen's desk, Booth took a seat across from his boss.
"What's this?" Cullen asked as he looked at the photos.
"That's the man who put the bomb in Dr. Brennan's car," he replied as his jaw clenched. "One of the people on her team watched the surveillance video and was able to pull that man's image."
"Good work. We'll run this through…"
"There's no need, sir. The news identified him as Mason Short…an informant." Booth ran his right hand through his hair.
"What the hell was this guy doing on the news Booth?" Cullen allowed the photographs to fall from his hand onto the desk as he leaned back.
"He was found murdered…along with Special Agent Charles Andrews, in Andrews' home."
"The same Agent Andrews that you spoke with about Dr. Brennan's parents?" Cullen stared at him. "Booth, you know I don't believe in coincidences."
He nodded. "I know sir, neither do I. I came to you to see if you could make a request for Agent Andrews' financial records and accounts."
"You think he was part of the plot to kill McVicar and Dr. Brennan? Booth, that is a serious charge to make…especially when it concerns a fallen fellow agent." He watched as the young agent's hard gaze met his.
"I wouldn't make such a charge unless I really felt there was something to it. Besides, sir, the man who tried to kill Temperance was found in his home…there's obviously some sort of connection." Booth leaned forward. "I think Andrews took payoffs from the syndicate that Brennan's parents were part of…a sort of 'hey look the other way on this and you'll be rewarded'. I think that when the syndicate became more violent, Max Keenan and Patrick Kava, who were old friends, decided to leave. They skimmed five million dollars of the syndicate's money and put it somewhere."
"Where?"
"I have no idea. Kava's accounts under the name 'Jacob Curry' came back clean. Max Keenan may have it. The point is I believe that Andrews found out Max and Kava's plans to leave and decided to make a little more money on the side. Russ Brennan told me that Max went on fishing trips once a month with a friend named 'Pat'. I think Max and Kava continued to make small scores so that Andrews wouldn't tell anyone their locations."
Cullen chewed thoughtfully on the end of a pen as he listened to Booth's theory. "But McVicar shows up in Chicago and spooks Matt and Christine Brennan…"
"Causing them to run and ruining Andrews' extra honey pot. Max obviously sent Kava back to ensure that Temperance was taken care of and that Andrews wouldn't find her."
After several moments of tense silence, Cullen picked up his phone. "I'll make a few calls and see what we can do about obtaining his financial information."
"Thank you sir," Booth said as he stood.
"But Booth," Cullen said as he narrowed his eyes at the agent, "this theory of yours is not to leave this office. Understood? I don't want wild accusations about a fallen agent thrown around until we have all of the evidence. That includes telling Dr. Brennan."
"But sir…"
"No 'buts' Seeley. You tell her and I'll pull you off this case. I've been lenient thus far allowing her to be part of the investigation."
The thought of keeping part of her parents' case from Brennan made his stomach churn but he knew that Cullen's threat was serious. "I understand sir."
Booth felt that slamming the deputy director's door as he left the office made it quite clear to his superior that no, he didn't really understand or agree.
As he pulled the SUV into the parking deck, Booth was amazed at how quickly the debris had been cleaned up with the exception of a few scorch marks. He parked in Brennan's new assigned space and quickly made his way into the lab. He approached her office, anticipating seeing her face after a few hours away from her but he found the office empty. He glanced at her desk and noticed a piece of paper that was propped against a stack of books with his name on it.
Don't freak.
We're upstairs in the common area.
B
He grinned at the word 'freak'—Angela had obviously told her what to write. Rolling his shoulders to release some of his tension, Booth prepared himself to face Brennan. She had become very adept at reading him and he hoped that she wouldn't pick up that there was something wrong.
Slowly climbing the stairs to the common area, he heard Angela and Brennan talking.
"That one is gorgeous Ange," she said as she turned the page of a large portfolio book. "You should definitely display that one."
"Really? I don't know…I was thinking of," Angela paused as she flipped a few pages back, "those two. I think the colors and the subject matters are more eye-catching."
Brennan nodded. "I like those as well but the other one…I don't know. There's just something about it. It propels and repels at the same time—it's so intriguing."
Angela laughed. "Yeah, I was a little moody when I painted that one."
"So now you're an art reviewer Bones?" Booth teased as he made his presence known. "And I thought your interests stopped at music." To Brennan's amusement, he played a little air guitar to a song that only they heard at that moment.
"I don't think Tibetan throat singers play guitar," Angela joked.
"No but Foreigner does," Brennan offered as she skimmed through the remainder of the portfolio.
"You like Foreigner?" the artist asked with a raised eyebrow. She glanced over at Booth for confirmation to her question.
"And jazz….Bones is a big jazz fan." He grinned at Angela's expression.
"So I've been dragging her to the wrong type of clubs huh?"
"I enjoyed that last club you took me to and the hip hop music," Brennan said, "you know before the whole finding mummified remains and inhaling meth thing."
Angela slowly nodded her head. "Thanks for reminding me why I've not dragged you out of the lab lately," she joked.
"Whatcha two doing up here?" Booth asked. "Trying for yet another new hangout?"
"No, a friend of mine has an art gallery and asked me to display a few of my paintings." Angela handed him one of the portfolio books as he sat down. "It's this weekend and you're invited to come…of course, since Bren is going I just assumed you would be too." She winked at him.
He turned toward Brennan, an inquisitive look on his face. "Why didn't you mention Angela's show?"
"She just gave me all of the details today." She shrugged as she looked over at him. "Besides I thought you might have plans with your son this weekend."
"Bones, your life is in danger…I'm not taking the weekend off and leaving you alone," he replied a little more curtly than he intended. "What the hell is wrong with you that you would even think that?"
Brennan misinterpreted her partner's curtness as anger. "You know if we're going to have an argument, we should leave now." She placed Angela's portfolio on the table and stood. "This way we can start in the car and should be finished by the time we get home."
She quickly walked down the stairs to her office to retrieve her bag and jacket. Booth stared at Angela who was shaking her head at the scene.
"You know, just when I think you two have finally got it together, one of you has to mess it up." She stacked her books, picked them up and stood. "I'm sure it's been a rough day Booth, but you need to dial it back on the 'tude."
He sighed as he placed his head in his hands. So much for the idea of not alerting her that something is wrong, he thought.
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The pair walked to the parking garage in silence, both lost in their own thoughts. He followed her around to the passenger's side and opened the door for her. As she moved past him to enter the vehicle, Booth touched her arm.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I…it's been a long day…I shouldn't have taken it out on you."
Her features relaxed as she studied him. "It's okay. I reacted to your tone instead of questioning why you even had a tone." Brennan watched as his gaze dropped to the pavement. "Is everything okay?"
"Let's go home and get some rest Bones. Remember? Long day." He ushered her into her seat and closed the door. As he walked around the back of the vehicle, he wondered how long he would be able to keep the information about Andrews to himself.
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Booth sighed as he followed Brennan into the apartment and switched on the light. He removed his jacket and tie, tossing both on the back of the chair at her desk. He unbuttoned the top two buttons of his dress shirt as he watched her walk into the kitchen. With a smile on her face, Brennan approached him with two beers in her hand.
"Long day…remember?" she replied at his confused expression.
"Should you be…?"
"I've not taken any medication today for any affliction…well other than an ibuprofen for a headache a few hours ago."
Taking the beer from her hand, Booth smiled. "Cheers then," he said as he clinked their bottles together. He took a few sips and then placed the bottle on the counter. "I think I'll get changed for bed."
She watched as he sauntered down the hall. Sipping her beer, Brennan contemplated Booth's mood. She surmised that he was still smarting over her request to drop the line of questioning about El Salvador. That man wants all of you, Angela's words echoed in her head.
Biting her lower lip, Brennan put her beer on the counter next to Booth's and made her way down the hall. She found him standing in front of her dresser with the drawer she had assigned to him open. He had removed his gun and holster along with his badge and placed the items on her nightstand. His shoes and socks were sitting on the floor at the end of the bed.
Booth glanced up as he removed a well worn FBI academy tee shirt from the drawer. He noticed her apprehensive stance and the way she was biting her bottom lip. "Bones, what's wrong?"
"I…" She stopped, unsure how to approach the subject of her captivity. She had only told Angela part of what happened. Brennan had never intended to tell anyone—she had made it through the incident, alive and intact. Why bother people with worrisome anecdotes when the ultimate outcome was positive?
But now, staring at Booth, she felt a sudden need for him to know—if he did indeed want all of her, then this was another significant part he needed to know. It was yet another incident in her life that had shaped her opinions, her belief system and her identity. She suddenly realized that it wasn't a worrisome anecdote—it was a significant fact of her existence.
He tossed the shirt on the plush chair behind Brennan and moved toward her, placing his hands on her arms. "Temperance?"
"El Salvador," she said softly. "A few years ago on my last trip I was identifying a set of remains…"
"You don't have to do this," he said. She raised her hand and placed a finger to his lips.
"A soldier ordered me to stop my examination and I refused. He and a few other soldiers put a bag over my head and dragged me away. They put me in a cell of sorts—there were no windows; no one else was with me. For three days the soldier who ordered me to stop would come in and tell me how he had no problem with the idea of killing me and throwing my body in that well with all of those unidentified people. When the mental torture was no longer enough…" she stopped, shuddering at the memory of the beating she had incurred.
"When that wasn't enough of a thrill for him anymore," she continued, "he decided that a good beating would put me in my place. Those are the injuries that Dr. Seats was referring to on my x-rays."
She removed her finger from his lips and watched a maelstrom of emotions cloud his eyes. Brennan could see the anger for what had happened to her; the sadness that she had endured pain; and the relief that she had survived. "I only told Angela part of that story…after she confronted me about beating up Ortez. She convinced me that I should tell you…since you asked."
Booth leaned in close to her face. "Thank you for telling me," he said softly before he gently placed his lips on her.
As he started to lean back, he felt her tug on his shirt bringing his lips back to hers. She moved her lips over his, softly at first. She parted her lips and lightly ran her tongue across his lips. He took the opportunity to deepen the kiss and was pleasantly surprised by her reciprocating the action.
Brennan's hands moved over the fabric of his shirt and she began to undo each button as they continued their kiss. After reaching the last button, she parted the shirt and placed her hands on his bare skin, running her fingers up his toned abdomen before placing her palms on his chest. She smiled against his mouth as he placed a small kiss to her lips.
"What?" he whispered.
"No undershirt today?" she questioned softly as she chuckled.
"What're you complaining about? It's just one less piece of clothing you have to rip off of me," he teased.
She captured his lips with hers again as she slid her hands from his chest to his shoulders and pushed the shirt from his torso. She moved her mouth from his and placed a small kiss on his chin before traveling to his neck and then down to his chest.
Booth took a deep breath at the feel of Brennan's lips on his body. His dreams of this moment were no match for the real thing. She slowly worked her way back up his torso to his neck as she began unbuckling his belt. He placed his hands on hers and moved them back to his chest. "Not yet," he whispered.
Leaning in, he took control the next kiss, his tongue darting in and out of her mouth, leaving her breathless. He moved his mouth from hers and began placing small kisses on her cheek, working his way to her neck. He heard her moan slightly as he kissed one area of her neck and he filed away that tidbit of information. Booth pulled away from her slightly and stared into her eyes as he began to slowly unbutton her blouse. He searched her eyes and her features for any signs that she wanted him to stop. He proceeded with his quest upon seeing the desire in her eyes.
He slipped the blouse off of her form and leaned in, placing a kiss on her collarbone. Using his tongue and lips, he made his way to her breasts, covered by a white lacy bra. His tongue traced the top of the exposed mound of flesh, teasing her. Brennan ran her hands through his thick hair, attempting to direct his actions.
Pulling away from her, Booth took her by her hand and led her to the bed, gently pushing her backward. As he climbed onto the bed to lie beside her, he placed a trail of kisses on her taut stomach. He stopped when he spied the nasty black and blue marks on her right side.
"Are you sure you're…"
She reached out to him, cupping the side of his face in her hand. "Yes," she whispered.
He leaned in, shifting his weight to his right side, and kissed her again. Brennan's left hand trailed up and down his back as his left hand caressed her stomach. His hand slowly inched upward, his touch burning her skin in the most pleasurable way. His hand came to rest on her breast, kneading the flesh through the fabric that was still covering it. His fingers nimbly followed a path up her shoulder and tugged the strap away from her flesh. Rolling her body on her left side toward his, Booth unclasped her bra and removed the article of clothing in one fell swoop.
Pushing her back on the bed, he once again took control of the kiss as his hand traveled to her now bare breast. She gasped slightly at his touch as he flicked a thumb over her nipple. Her hips began to move against him as a subconscious response to his ministrations. Now it was his turn to smile. Shifting his attention from her mouth, his lips traveled down her body once again until he reached her breasts. He teased her by lightly running his tongue around each mound of flesh before taking the nipple into his mouth. She groaned at his actions, running her hands through his hair and down his neck while writhing beneath him.
He reached for button at the top of her blue jeans, undoing it and then slowly lowered the zipper. She wriggled beneath his touch, attempting to help him remove the offending material. She ran her hand down his chest to the top of his pants, slipping it under the material. He gasped as he felt her hand on him and then groaned, moving against the silky feel of her hand.
Unbuckling his belt, Booth undid his pants allowing his desire for her to be exposed. Moving off the bed for a moment, he removed his pants and boxers and then finished the task of removing Brennan's blue jeans and shoes. He quickly reclaimed his spot next to her, taking in her now naked form. He watched as her eyes traveled down his naked body with an appreciative expression on her face.
"You're beautiful," he whispered before kissing her.
He repositioned himself over the top of her and Brennan moved her legs to accommodate him. He continued to kiss her and caress her body as she continued to writhe beneath him. Booth had waited for this moment with her for so long, he didn't want it to end just yet.
"Booth, please," she pleaded breathlessly as she brought her hips up toward his body again.
Shifting his weight slightly, he brought his face close to hers and kissed her as he slowly entered her. She moaned into his mouth at the sensation of him inside her.
"Oh god, Temperance," he whispered at the feel of her heat surrounding him. He began to slowly thrust, his hips gyrating against hers and he felt her move her hips in rhythm to his as her legs encircled his body.
They stared into each others eyes as their bodies became one. Brennan used her legs to push him further inside her and Booth closed his eyes at the sensation. His pace became faster and her hips matched his rhythm. They moved in unison for several minutes, their breathing becoming erratic and their hearts racing.
"Seeley," she breathed into his ear as she began to reach her climax.
The sound of his name and the feel of her constricting around him pushed Booth over the edge as he pressed himself deep into her, thrusting furiously. "Temperance," he called out before collapsing on top of her.
They laid motionless for a moment, each trying to catch their breath. She ran her fingers up his back, leaving a trail of goose bumps on his skin as she placed a kiss to his temple. "I love you Seeley," she said softly.
He smiled as he raised his head and brought his lips to hers. "I love you too Temperance." Who knew the second time that she said it would be as sweet as the first?
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Booth watched as she slept, snuggled as close as she could get to his chest. He gently ran his fingers along the line of her jaw and then through her thick long hair. Their relationship had changed so drastically in the past year. Initially he thought she was just a cold, scientific, albeit beautiful, squint. Even after their first meeting, where she had coolly informed him that she would not be at the FBI's beck and call, Booth had thought about her—thought about what she looked like naked; thought about what would melt the icy exterior of one Dr. Temperance Brennan.
Then they had really begun to work together as partners. He came to respect what she did at the lab and how she did it. Then somewhere along the way they had become friends. He shared things with her…even when she didn't reciprocate fully. At one point, Booth realized that he had become smitten with the anthropologist but he knew that she was oblivious to the change in his demeanor. Angela, on the other hand, had not been.
As he stared at his new lover, Booth never would have imagined the depth of emotion he felt for this one woman. She was as maddening as she was lovable. In every way she was the opposite of who he was. Hell, she was the opposite of the type of woman he was used to dating. Vapid, leggy blondes that he could, most times, charm with just a smile or a touch—that was they type he usually fell for. And while he had loved Rebecca and enjoyed Tessa, Booth felt something much deeper for the woman lying in his arms. She was the only other person on the planet, besides his little boy, that he would die for.
He felt her stir beside him and he pulled the sheet further up her body to cover her naked form. He smiled as he began to drift off to sleep—she looked as beautiful naked as he had imagined.
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The sound of the door to the apartment closing startled Booth from his slumber. He looked over and saw that Brennan was still beside of him although she had shifted during the night and now had her back to him. He quickly moved off the bed and found his pants, pulling them on. He reached over and removed his gun from its holster. Turning back to the bed, he shook Brennan. She slapped his hand away and nestled herself further under the sheets.
"Bones," he said in a hushed tone as he shook her again. "There's someone in the apartment."
Brennan's eyes flew open as his words registered with her. Booth threw his FBI tee shirt that had been forgotten in the midst of their lovemaking to her. She pulled the shirt over her head and quickly located her blue jeans, pulling them on as well.
Booth trained his gun at the bedroom door and motioned for her to stay behind him. Brennan reached out and grabbed the baseball bat she kept beside the dresser, bringing it up to her shoulder. He stared at her for a moment before he put his hand on the door knob. "Just stay away from the television with that thing," he ordered.
She rolled her eyes as he slowly opened the door. The apartment was still dark and Booth couldn't make out anyone standing around the dining room table. He gradually moved forward with Brennan close behind, his gun aimed and ready to take out any potential threat.
As they neared the end of the hallway, Booth saw a dark figure in the living room. He motioned for Brennan to stay where she was as he took another step.
"Don't move," Booth ordered. "I'm a federal agent and I have a gun trained on you—you so much as flinch and your brains will be splattered on the walls. Now slowly put your hands up, then place your hands behind your head and lace your fingers together." He watched as the figure stood and did as he ordered.
"Bones, hit the lights." Light flooded through the living room area of the apartment, momentarily blinding Brennan and Booth. "Now slowly turn around…remember, brains on wall otherwise."
The man before them turned around and smiled.
"Russ?" They said in unison.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Brennan demanded as Booth lowered his gun.
"I don't know sis…I heard about an explosion at the Jeffersonian and I thought I would do that big brother thing of checking up on you." He glanced over at Booth. "Can I put my hands down now?"
Running a hand over his tired face, Booth sighed. "Of course you can Russ."
"What time is it?" Brennan asked, stifling a yawn.
"It's three in the morning…and a little early for baseball season," he joked.
"I'm going back to bed before I try to hit a touchdown using your head," she said as she glared at her brother.
"Home run," Booth and Russ corrected her.
"Whatever," she mumbled.
Booth turned back to Russ after watching her walk down the hall and found the other man smirking at him. "I'm guessing that was your shirt….and that I interrupted something…"
He held his gun up for Russ to see. "I'm not in the mood right now Russ."
Russ put his hands back up in the air. "Sorry."
He watched as Booth started toward the hallway. "Yeah, like the two of you ending up in bed together is a big surprise," he muttered.
Author's notes: Okay, that was the first time I've ever written a scene like that…I'm not sure if it was any good or not, so leave a review and let me know.