I'm going to post the last four chaps one right after another because it's taken me so long just to get this fic up. Plus I'm afriad if I don't do it right now, while I'm concious (pnemonia has this weird way of making you fall asleep when you don't intend to...) it won't get done. So anyway, thanks to all the reviewers and everyone who took the time to read this, it means a lot.

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He held us for like five minutes each when he got off the phone and he smiled the way he always does…like it makes him happy to be happy.

But even I can see that it's been a long time since he smiled that way, or slept even. And I recognize that look in his eyes. The look my dad always wore.

---

Booth leaned against the counter with a beer, watching Brennan because she'd insisted on doing the dishes by herself, citing his 'need to rest' as a valid reason.

April had disappeared to her room for a few minutes and he seized the moment of privacy. Setting aside his beer, he took a step closer to Brennan and lowered his voice.

"Joey used to send me letters." He began, immediately catching Brennan's attention. She stopped washing the dishes and turned toward him, all blue-eyed concentration. "Usually on his own letterhead with the Army emblem, but once it came on letterhead from a bank in Maryland. You mentioned your father and it got me thinking…"

Brennan frowned, thoughtfully tapping her fingers on the countertop, following his train of thought as usual.

"Safety deposit box."

Booth nodded. "Turns out Joey had a safety deposit box opened three weeks before he died."

"Was there anything in it? Anything for her?" She asked urgently. Booth was about to respond when April entered the room.

"Hey guys, I'm going for a run, be back in a few." April had her hair pulled back in a ponytail, small blue shorts and a long sleeve black shirt, her thumbs poking through the cuffs to keep them down. She gave a half smile as she awkwardly hopped around on one foot, trying to balance and tie her shoe.

"That's fine April, take your phone." Brennan said, giving Booth a pointed 'I'll explain later' look. April nodded and left.

---

I went from not wanting to sweat, to going out of my way to sweat in a matter of weeks. WTF?

---

"What? Run? April doesn't run. Hell, she doesn't walk fast if she can help it." Booth frowned at Brennan, retrieving his beer from the counter. Brennan merely nodded.

"Dr. Wyatt suggested she try it as an alternative to cutting. He postulated that her overwhelming feelings might be easier to handle if she had some physical activity and time on her own to relax." She shrugged. "Sounds like a whole lot of psychosocial crap to me…but it seems to be helping." She returned to the dishes while Booth's gaze remained fixed on the door.

"Well," he said with a sigh, "I guess if it's working. She's doing a lot better with Gordon Gordon now, huh? When I left she wouldn't even talk to him."

"Yes, they had one meeting where she inexplicably started talking to him about her father and, as far as I know she's been relatively open with him ever since." As she reached down to put away a baking sheet, she hissed and sprang back up, gripping her side in pain.

"What is it?" Booth asked, immediately pulling her over to lift her shirt.

"Oh, April and I got a little rough during our workout today." She glanced absently at her side where a wayward kick had left her with an ugly purple bruise. She looked up as she pulled down her shirt and had to laugh at Booth's horrified expression.

"Booth, I'm fine. Really. It was my fault, I was spotting her and didn't watch where her feet were going."

"What the hell happened here Bones? First she's jogging and now karate?"

"Well, technically it was karate first, then jogging." This comment didn't help, she realized.

"Bones, I don't like this."

"I know, Booth, But April has issues with self-esteem…"

"Which is completely understandable but I don't see how..."

"It's also completely unacceptable. She's capable of so much Booth, and I wanted her to know that. Learning martial arts is largely about self-esteem, it's about skill and training and focus and, it's helping. If she feels she can defend herself, she's more likely to try." She stepped closer, trying to make him understand.

Booth still frowned but she could tell he wasn't as closed off to the idea as before.

"The things I'm teaching her are helping her to realize her own skills and abilities. She's learning to trust and rely on herself. I know you want to protect her forever Booth, but she's going to have to learn to do that for herself one day." She said quietly, sliding her hands around his waist, waiting hopefully for his reply.

Booth closed his eyes and took a deep breath before slowly wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "Okay Bones. If you really think it's helping, keep doing it. Anything is better than nothing. "

"My thoughts exactly." She smiled and stood up on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips. Instantly both were reminded of how long it had been since they'd been near one another. And how long it had been since their hunger for each other's scent and taste had been satisfied.

"How long do these jogs usually last?" Booth asked as trailed hot kisses across her jaw and down her neck.

"A half an hour or so." Brennan answered breathlessly, her head tipped back, eyes closed.

"We'll have to be quick." He muttered, his own eyes closed as he felt for the clasp of her bra through her shirt.

Brennan nodded, her mouth was dry and she diverted all her available attention to undoing the buttons on his shirt.

"It won't be a problem for me if it's not a problem for you." She assured him.

With matching devilish smiles, they raced off to the bedroom.

---

I didn't come here on purpose, so I can't really be held responsible for what happened once I was here…right?

---

April didn't stop running until her lungs burned and her legs felt weak beneath her. While she'd originally found Dr. Wyatt's suggestion of 'therapeutic physical exertion', frankly, a load of crap, she'd found the good doctor's recommendation quite effective. When she ran, it was like a cleansing for her mind, she couldn't think or feel anything except the air the pounding pavement. It had a somewhat filtering effect, like the worries of the day were gone for a while. And the overwhelming feelings that used to suffocate her didn't seem so oppressive anymore. Her scars were beginning to fade, both outside and in.

That's why it was so terribly inconvenient that she stopped where she did, and that he was there.

Hands on her knees, she closed her eyes to catch her breath and it took a moment before April realized how far she'd run. Taking her first look around, she saw it was not only past sundown, she'd run nearly two miles from the apartment. April found herself at a small neighborhood arcade, one which she usually avoided like the plague because of the droves of kids from her school who frequented it.

Intending to set on her way back to the apartment, neither Brennan nor Booth would be too happy to know how far she'd wandered, April leaned up against a streetlight and started into a quick quad stretch to avoid pulling a muscle.

She was so lost in aimless thought, that she didn't hear the tell tale dinging of the arcade door opening, signaling someone's exit.

"Why if it isn't Little Miss April Ross."

The voice cut through the cool evening air and struck her ears like a nine pound hammer. Immediately the hair on the back of her neck stood on end and she froze in place. She was facing away from the door but she could hear footsteps approaching, echoing off the empty street.

"Don't pretend you can't hear me April, I know you can."

The voice was right by her ear now, warm breath brushing against her neck and she shuddered, but still couldn't find the strength to move.

Eyes shut tight, she gripped the streetlight as she spoke. "Leave me alone Pierce, I've already met my Creep Quota for the day."

"Then you must be dying for a little one on one time with me then, huh?" She felt a strong hand gripped her right arm and spun her around to face him. April bit her lip to keep in a surprised yelp and she bravely opened her eyes, looking her attacker in the face. The vice grip still on her arm, Pierce raised the other and pushed her smooth black hair behind her ear. "That's better. Let me see that face of yours, April. Those lips."

"Don't call me April." She spat through her teeth. She was surprised how easily the bravado claimed her, while inside she could hardly breathe.

"And why not, April?" Pierce, a tall, strong baseball player with crew cut blonde hair and expensive jeans, leaned in close, his long nose trailing along her jaw. April stood stiffly, her back against the streetlight, unable to move. She could see three or four boys standing nearby in the shadows, Pierce's ever-present entourage no doubt.

"Because you're a dick and I don't want my name in your mouth." She knew it was the wrong thing to say, the first thing that occurred to her usually was. And that was usually exactly what she said.

Almost immediately the grip he'd had on her arm tightened and the hand that had been fiddling with her hair took a fistful and yanked down. This time she couldn't hold in her whimper.

"Well I don't know about my mouth, but I know where I want your mouth." His words were harsh, no longer dripping with false gentility as before. "It's not nice to call names April, I don't appreciate it." He yanked once more on her hair and firmly pushed his knee between her trembling legs. "Now say it."

"No." She all but whispered, tears squeezing out the corners of her eyes as the pain in her skull intensified. He pushed harder against her and she could feel herself retreating, trying to get to that place where it didn't matter what he did to her, the only place where she was truly safe. But as it was the last time with Roger, she found the safe place inside her mind was elusive and she was hopelessly, entirely stuck here. In this moment, with Pierce.

"Say it." He commanded. "I'm nothing Pierce. Without you I'm nothing. Say it!"

The words were on her tongue, she just wanted this to end. She wanted him to be done humiliating her, done hurting her, and she knew all she had to do was say the words he wanted to hear…but they wouldn't come.

No one has the right to make you feel powerless April. No one.

---

She's in my head…I can hear Brennan's voice in my head.

I've never been so happy to question my sanity.

---

"Fuck you, Peirce."

The boy was momentarily stunned by the sudden strength in April's voice and he loosened his grip for a moment.

Don't hesitate. If you get an opportunity, take it.

April felt the tension on her scalp let up and immediately jumped into action. Bringing her right arm up, she swung it down across her body, knocking away Peirce's hand and freeing herself fully. Then, taking hold of the arm she'd just knocked free, she pulled it over her head, swinging it around behind him 'police arrest' style and pressed him up against a nearby car, wrenching his elbow up and back. The cry of pain that escaped his perverted lips almost made her smile.

"I said 'leave me alone', and I meant it." Releasing him, she took a step back, waiting for his next move, just like she'd been taught.

Don't go looking for an attack, but if it comes to you, be ready.

"You Bitch." Pierce pushed off the car and charged at her, fists flying in blind rage.

Keep calm, emotions cloud your judgment. Focus on what needs to be done to subdue your opponent.

April ducked the first swing that was within range and turned to face him. While he was still off balance, she planted a swift kick in his back Pierce was on the ground, blood oozing from his lip and hands.

Never kick a man when he's down.

April stood and watched breathlessly as Pierce's buddy's helped him up. Her legs were still shaking, but now with adrenalin and blood that raced through her veins. Pierce groaned, slightly dazed from his fall, but when his eyes locked with Aprils' they cleared and he scowled deeply.

"This isn't over."

There's nothing wrong with a little mental intimidation.

"Oh, I think it is." She responded darkly, "Because if you ever come after me again, I'm not going to be the one dealing with you. I'll leave that to my ex-sniper uncle. I'm sure he'd love to meet you."

Then, with one last look over her shoulder, she turned and headed off into the darkness, back the way she'd come.

---

I've never felt this way before. It's like I'm…invincible. I think…I like it.

I hope that deush trips and falls off a cliff.

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Three mor to go!