Last time: "Guys, where's Bones?"
"We have a proposition for you."
Now:
"Russ told me about your situation," Liz continued, "And that you're planning on adoption. However," she paused, looking at Russ, "We were thinking…"
Russ picked up for her, "After we got married, Liz and I were planning on having a child of our own," he explained, "But we were talking about it and we'd like to adopt your baby."
"If you don't change your mind," Liz said hastily. Seeing that Temperance was about to comment on that point, she pushed forward, "I myself was in that situation in high school," she said. "It was the day of the birth that I had changed my mind about adoption, but by then it was too late," she said, her voice softening, "They never even let me see my son. They just…took him away," for a moment she stared wistfully into space, but then she continued talking, "We wanted to give you the chance to change your mind."
"And if you don't, at least you know where your child will be," Russ said. "I'd be happy to raise my sister's child, rather than wondering where in the world my niece or nephew is and if he or she is safe."
"And you wont have to decide until after its born," Liz added.
"So what do you say, Tempe?" Russ prompted.
Temperance felt the tears that had been rising in her eyes ever since the beginning break through as she nodded. She didn't have to worry anymore. Not about if she was making the wrong decision, if maybe she would love the child, if she maybe wanted to go through with it. If not then she could still see him or her, be involved in his or her life, and most importantly, know that he or she was in loving hands. She was vaguely aware of a pair of arms wrapping themselves around her shoulder, and a pair of hands grabbing her own as she sobbed.
XxX
"She's gone," Zach said, throwing his hands up in the air in puzzlement. "Dr. Goodman just told us that she'd be going on sabbatical for a few months. She never even told us…"
Standing next to him, Angela let out a whoosh of air as she silently thanked God that Zach, the only innocent one of the three, had jumped on the answer, sparing her and Jack the trouble of trying to lie.
"She WHAT?" Booth roared, and Angela and Hodgin's winced. Zach was mostly unaffected as he too was still in shock at his mentors disappearance. Booth turned away for a moment to grip the railing behind him, his shoulders hunched. "She never told…never hinted…" Booth was vaguely aware of the fact that his breathing resembled that of a bull on a rampage.
"Booth…" Angela said softly.
"Where is she?" Booth asked, rounding on her, his eyes fierce.
"I don't know," Angela replied. It wasn't completely a lie. After all, she didn't know exactly where Russ lived.
Booth held her gaze for a moment before he dropped it and stalked away, in the direction of Brennan's office. The others watched him go before sharing a look of sympathy with one another. Even Zach, who was mostly clueless, had seen a little of the spark between Booth and Brennan over time.
XxX
Temperance sat on the edge of the bed in the spare room and took out her cell phone. She flipped it open and hit the second number on her speed dial, and raised the phone to her ear. For some reason, she felt strangely…excited, and rather free, as if a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders.
When the recipient of the phone finally answered, she said chipperly, "Angela, guess what…"
XxX
Booth sat in Brennan's chair with his elbows on her desk, his hands cradling his head as his fingers raked through his hair. He felt…betrayed. He had been tempted to search through her office for any trace of where she might have been. He had been planning on it, actually, until he walked through the door.
Her presence was still there, in that room, and he suddenly knew that nothing would be there, and that if he looked, he would only feel as if he were violating her privacy, and that no matter where she was she would somehow appear behind his shoulder and start yelling at him to get out of her stuff. No, she was too smart to have left anything behind. If she had wanted him to have known, she would have told him. And that led him to the feeling of betrayal.
On her desk was a copy of the manuscript of her second book. He flipped it open, his eyes once again landing on the dedication that resided there. If she had valued their relationship enough to dedicate her book to him…then why couldn't she tell him this?
Sighing, he got up and walked out of her office, heading back towards where the squints were. As he approached, he heard a cell phone ring, and Angela's voice as she answered it, then moments later, "That's fantastic news, sweetie!"
His heart leaped. Was she talking to Bones? He picked up his pace and made his way up to where Angela was standing, hovering nearby. "Is that Bones?" he mouthed. Angela waved her hand and turned away from him, her facial expression enough to tell him that she was bothered by the interruption (and not upset at him).
"So now you have time to reconsider," Angela said. A grin stretched across her face. "That's great…"
Booth moved around so he was in front of Angela again. "Is that Bones?" he asked loudly, his face hopeful.
Temperance heard Booth's voice ring out through the phone line. "Is that Booth?" she asked, her heart thudding against her chest. He sounded pissed.
"Yeah," Angela said, still trying her best to shoo Booth away.
"Ange, I've got to go, okay?"
"Sweetie…" Angela said, frustration creeping into her voice. She knew her friend was running from Booth. "Maybe you should…"
"I have to go Angela, I'll tell you move later."
"Can I talk to her?" Booth asked as he watched Angela keep talking.
Temperance heard Booth ask the question, and her heartbeat quickened. "I promise to keep you updated," she said into the phone. "Just don't tell Booth."
"Sooner or later…" Angela began, slapping Booth's hand away as he made a grab for the phone.
"I'll tell him eventually, Ange, just not yet."
"Okay…" Angela said reluctantly, glaring at Booth as she turned away from him once more. "Take care of yourself, okay?"
"I will, Ange. Thanks," Temperance said, and promptly ended the call by flipping the phone shut.
Booth glared at Angela as she flipped her phone shut. Before he could speak she said, "She had to go," and turned and walked back to her office. When she looked over her shoulder, she saw Booth fumbling for his cell phone. She watched as his shoulders drooped when he doubtless reached her voice box. Angela wished she could tell him…but she also knew it was none of her business. Sighing, she went back to work, hoping that Temperance would keep tell him sooner rather than later.
XxX
Booth felt all his resolve crash when he reached the automated voice message system. So she was ignoring him then. Sighing, he put his phone back in his pocket.
He sighed and his thoughts were directed towards New Years Day, when he'd woken up tangled with her beneath her sheets. He had watched her for a moment, then kissed her awake. She had taken her time to wake up, and then, when she finally saw him, her eyes were suddenly filled with fear. He had smiled gently at her, knowing her instinct to run, and had taken her out for breakfast where he had silently let her know that he didnt expect anything more from her...even if he wanted it. He had given her her space, and she had stayed.
While she hadn't excactly stayed with him, she didn't run away from him...until, it seemed, recently. After that night, they had gone back to their partnership, yet there was always a hint of something more there. But what surprised Booth the most about that was that she didnt seem to mind it. Until...of course recently.
But he had a feeling, one that he couldnt explain and credited to the depression he felt at the moment...that if he gave her her space, as he had the last time, she would come back to him. In time, maybe she would open up. Until then, he would let her go. If she did come to him, he thought, he would be there for her…even if he first gave her a piece of his mind.
XxX
Temperance looked sadly down at the phone even after it stopped ringing. He would give up sooner or later, she knew. Unconsciously, her hand moved to her stomach as she realized that she would have to tell him before it was too late. She took a shuddering breath.
But she just couldn't do that.
At least…not yet.
Haha, I know it's not exactly what you wanted but...the next one is the one you've all been waiting for!!! So yeah, this chapter was sad...and the phone convo was difficult to write since I was working with three people. And the explination of the night after from booths POV isnt that great but ANYWAY, I hope you all still enjoyed it.
NOTE: I will be away today and tomorrow, but I SHOULD have the interent, which isnt quite a guarantee (my laptop gets temperemental) so tomorrow may/may not have an update. Two more chapters though people!
Ponies: I dunno how much Russ was portrayed in here...because like you said, I didnt really know his chara because we never got a view of him. There's two more chapters left, including an epilogue, as of right now. And as to one of the kids being sick...not sure! Not even sure how far they went with them...I didnt catch the beginning of season two, only the ends...sooo...I'm glad you like it and I want to thank you for your continual reviews!