Author's Note: Hello people! Once again thanks you to all the reviewers. And to you who read and enjoyed but accidentally "forgot" to send me a few lines, thanks you anyway. stats never lie! So, many of you wanted to know what is up with Brennan so here it is. The third chapter. reminds all of you to review!

Chapter 3 – Pitfalls

Pain and darkness. Two things that when combined, made you feel both mentally and physically trapped. But still, you were fully aware of your current state. Temperance Brennan knew something was wrong, even before she opened her eyes. With her eyes squeezed shut, her brain started to take in the impressions of the current situation. Throbbing pain in both head, neck and wrists. A burning dryness in her throat. And the memory fragments of what had happened…

Slowly she brought herself to a sitting position, leaning heavily against the concrete wall, keeping her eyes firmly shut. Opening them would mean making it much more real. She was somewhere she wasn't supposed to be, a place to where she'd been forced. A place unknown to everyone except the person who'd brought her here.

Finally, Temperance opened her eyes. Plunging darkness. As she'd expected. This situation was way too familiar. Kenton. Gravedigger. Just to mention a few…El Salvador. No one knew about that. Sighing she let the painful memories of last night come back. Booth had dropped her off and of course, he'd refused to drive off before she'd entered her building. She'd taken the stairs up to her apartment and he'd already been there. Ben Coleman, Stephanie Anderton's boyfriend. Calmly, he'd stood leaned again her apartment door, eyeing her as she approached. They had exchanged very few words. Okay, mostly Ben did the talking and the talking was mostly threats. Then he'd hit her, over the head, hence the now throbbing pain.

And now, here she was. She didn't panic, ironically, she'd experienced this far too many times. Enough to know that panicking didn't solve anything. By now, she knew that all she could do was wait for Booth to find her. Because that's what always happened. Booth accompanied by what seemed like the whole FBI. She smiled slightly. He called it faith but she didn't really believe in faith. Maybe she should but it still seemed a bit irrational.

Suddenly a low click was heard and the room was bathing in a soft, dim yellow light. It seemed to come from the corner. Strange but hey, since when did kidnappers make sense? And Ben Coleman wasn't an exception. Her face momentarily turned towards the source of the light but she quickly turned it away again. Instincts began to kick in; she had to get out of here. Kidnappers weren't rational people. They were unpredictable. Slowly, Brennan stood and began to pace the small room. While thinking she couldn't stand still. Millions of scenarios came and went by her mind. All of them seemed to involve some kind of weapon. A knife maybe. Or some kind of tool.

But the room was empty. It was only here, the darkness accompanied by the dim light and the belief in that someone would eventually find her. The belief that Booth called faith.

--

The clock struck seven pm and Booth hadn't left the Jeffersonian once. He tried different places to think; Brennan's office, the platform, upstairs, in the hallway…But none of these places seemed to elicit some kind of solution. The squints and Cam (Cam would never be a "real squint) had ordered some Chinese food and kindly offered him some but he'd declined. He didn't have time to eat now.

Ben had told them to have patience. And people who knew Seeley Booth knew that he wasn't the most patient person. Especially not when it came to other people, especially men, coming too close to Brennan. He'd now retreated back to her office, leaving the lights off. The darkness was welcomed, it didn't distract his mind like he bright light of the lab did. He slumped down on the couch, once again trying to organize his thoughts. Several files lay spread over the small table, a half empty coffee cup in the middle of the chaos. His suit jacket and tie recklessly thrown on the floor. But despite the printed letters, the caffeine and the lack of uncomfortable work clothes, Booth still didn't seem to be able to come up with something.

Maybe he had to listen to Ben, maybe he just had to wait?

--

She had no idea what time it was. Her watch was gone and of course, so was her purse with her cell phone. Brennan stopped pacing for a while, taking a pause and sinking down onto the cold floor again. The light in the corner had randomly been flicked on and off for the past, well what could it be? Two hours? She still had no idea why, but it had to be just another crazy idea produced from the crazy mind of another crazy criminal. She'd seen far too many of those, too.

Brennan was disappointed in herself. She was trained in several martial arts, but still Ben had managed to hit her over the head, hit her unconscious and drag her here. Wherever "here" was…How? She'd broken the wrist of a serial killer, brought down a Homeland Security agents and her own father. But not Ben Coleman. Why? He was rather meagre, didn't look to be much for the world and he radiated insecurity. But he'd hit Temperance Brennan unconscious.

She stood again and began to pace. Still no ideas popping up. A few moments later the light was flicked on again, it felt like he was mocking her somehow. Glaring at the light, she turned her face away again and began to pick up her thoughts.

--

Time ticked by, the employees of the Jeffersonian left for the day, one by one. But not Temperance Brennan's team of course. As the clock turned eleven pm, the team was still walking around the halls of the building, each one doing some thinking. Booth had fallen asleep from worry and exhaustion, awkwardly positioned on Brennan's leather couch. Angela desperately tried to get something from the video with Hodgins support. Zack was mostly confused by the situation because they had no evidence to work, no case really. Cam stayed in her office. When case went personal, it was more than obvious that she didn't really fit into this team.

Sure, they got along very well, and she could sometimes even consider them her friends. But when cases went wrong, she had to stand on the sideline, watching and trying to help. Angela was impossible to comfort, even for Hodgins. Zack was too wrapped up in his thoughts to talk right now and Booth, well…he became a different person. Even if she thought she knew him fairly well, she had reluctantly admitted that the only person who knew Seeley Booth was Brennan and his own son. In the beginning, it had hurt to see him so different only after a few years. He was still cocky and his attitude hadn't changed, but the affection that had been hers for a good while, was now turned in a completely different direction.

No one could compete Temperance Brennan for Booth's care and affection. Not anymore. That's just how it was. But it also hurt her, to see Booth so down. It had been less than 24 hours and he was already a wreck. Cam wanted to talk to him, say the right thing, but for once she found no words. None. Peering out of her office, she spotted him, still asleep on Brennan's couch. It seemed somewhat ridiculous that they'd managed a real exclusive relationship for almost six months. But much had changed now. He had Parker, which had been a huge difference to his persona and added to that was his partnership with Brennan.

Cam sighed. Despite that, it hurt to see him so…hollow. It was like a worm was eating him from the inside. And she knew what would happen. It had happened during the Gravedigger case. First he would be slightly distraught by the whole situation, and then he would get that determination in his eyes. He would likely yell; say things he didn't really mean.

Booth shifted on the couch. He sat up and ran a hand through his hair, unaware of that Cam was watching him. It was only a matter of time now, soon Booth would realise his behaviour and the agent in him would replace the person they saw now. Only a matter of time.

--

As a new day arrived, Booth hadn't left the Jeffersonian once. Neither him nor the team knew what he was waiting for. Maybe for Brennan to walk through the doors, since he'd followed Ben's advice. Ben Coleman's file hadn't given much either. By now, Booth knew it by heart. It was useless really. The clock struck six am and the squints managed to set up breakfast in Angela's office. After much hesitation, Cam had left around two. The team hadn't object, they had barely noticed her go. But now, when breakfast came along, they noticed that Cam didn't sit around the table with them. No one said anything, they stayed silently. In some way, maybe they all knew that this was how it should really be, how it really was. Cam didn't have the same bonds to Brennan as the rest of them.

"Anything from the video, Angela?" Booth asked tiredly and accepted the coffee and the bagel that Angela handed him.

"No, sorry Booth. I tried everything"

"We should sent it to the Bureau. They may be able to get something" he mumbled, taking a small bite of the bagel. He wasn't hungry but he downed both coffee and bagel anyway.

"Booth, you should go home and change. Get some rest" Angela said carefully. He looked up and glared but soon looked apologetic.

"Maybe I should…I have to go in to the office, and Rebecca is dropping off Parker today, anyway" he stood, tossing the paper wrap and the empty coffee cup in the bin. "Thanks for breakfast, Ange" he said, gently squeezed her shoulder and left.

"It's the Gravedigger case all over again" Hodgins said as Booth wandered out of earshot. Mentioning the Gravedigger to Booth now would be like asking for him to shoot you. Angela just nodded, not really wanting the reminder.

"Yeah, but at least we know that Booth never gives up" she said with a small sigh. Hodgins scooted closer to her, giving her a hug.

"Dr. Brennan doesn't either"

--

Brennan had heard the lock click and the door open. She lay down, pretending to be asleep, maybe he would leave her alone then. Well, how wrong she was. He'd entered the room, locked the door and the darkness had somehow made her feel even more exposed. The light in the corner was lit again and she could barely see the outline of his face.

"I see you haven't figured out a way out of here" he said with no compassion in his voice. It was as empty and hollow was Stephanie Anderton's eyes had been during the interrogation. "And that Booth hasn't come to get you yet"

"Why am I here?"

He snorted, not approaching her but remaining by the door. "Why you are here? Geez, I thought you were one of the smart ones. Figure it out"

"What do you want?" she demanded. He seemed to ignore her question.

"You see, dr Brennan. You and your FBI friend made a huge mistake when you arrested Steph" he began. "Or should I say that Booth made a huge mistake, you just watched your bones under your microscope, am I right?"

Brennan didn't answer. So, revenge. Instead of slowly accepting that his girlfriend was a murderer, he wanted to fight for her. It wasn't unusual but not so common either. At least not that many acted on their feelings like Ben.

"What is it that you want?" she asked again.

"This could be solved very easily. Booth is smart. He could know where to find me but he knows better than to come empty-handed"

Now Brennan understood. It was so obvious. "You want him to free Stephanie from her charges"

"Those kids were horrible, they didn't respect her and wasn't at all thankful for what she gave them. She gave everything for them, but no. Those little monsters were still not appreciating it" he snorted. Brennan swallowed. She wanted to punch him for talking like that. But she knew better.

"You know he can't do that"

"And if he doesn't let Steph go, he knows what will happen to you. So the question is if he's ready. He's going to feel exactly like I do, dr Brennan. But oh, sorry. You can't know much about that can you? From what I read, your parents left you, right? When you were just a teenager? And you brother threw you into the system, just like Justin and Hannah"

She took a deep breath, trying to stop shaking with anger. He was provoking her to do something that would give him a reason to hurt her. But no, she wasn't falling for that simple trick.

"Justin and Hannah didn't know much about love either. Stephanie tried so hard. And still, the little monsters kept being disrespectful to her, yelling, throwing things, whining constantly. Were you like that too?"

"Maybe she wasn't understanding enough" she couldn't keep quiet, she should but she couldn't. Her foster parents hadn't understood either, they had just tried to treat her like the other children in the house. With other words, pay attention enough to give them food and new socks every now and then.

A burning pain seared across her cheek; he'd slapped her. She'd expect that he would, but someone had to defend those little children. They were innocent, no matter how much they had been whining. They were children.

"How dare you talk like that? You know I could shoot you right now? Then dump your body on Booth's doorstep? That must be a nice sight, his dead partner a top of the local newspaper. Maybe you're into something there, dr Brennan. Maybe I should just put him out of his misery? What do you think?"

"Shut up!"

"And who taught you to speak like that?"

No answer. Apparently content with himself, he continued his slight monologue. "I noticed how he was looking at you. I used to look at Steph like that"

"Booth and I are just partners. And friends"

He snorted again. "And you think I'll buy that crap? Or maybe not crap…it gave me a perfect opportunity. He will eventually go through hell, just like me. And then we're even. No Steph, no more Brennan. Sounds fair, don't you think?" he said airily, like he was talking about the weather and not threatening her to death if Booth didn't release Stephanie.

"Booth would never betray the FBI"

"And you say he would betray you?"

Brennan bit her lip. Reluctantly she realised that Ben was right. She knew to which lengths Booth could go for her. No matter how many times she claimed her independence, he always backed her up, saved her if he had to.

"See, it's either you or the job. What do you think he'll choose dr Brennan?"

"Bastard" she spat.

"Ah ah! I told you once. You won't get another chance" without warning he stepped closer, delivering a hard punch to her face and kick in the stomach.

"This is what it feels like, dr Brennan. To loose someone you love. But since you probably don't know so much about love…I'll just have to show you, don't I?"

Another kick, in the ribs this time. She gasped, feeling like all air was quickly being taken from her lungs. As Ben's fist once again collided with her face, she squeezed her eyes shut and wondered the same thing. Booth had a choice; her or his beloved job? He'd risked it in New Orleans, would he actually do it again?

"Booth has ten hours. If he's not smart enough, you'll pay" he muttered under his breath, gathering strength to deliver another punch.

--

When he left the Jeffersonian, Booth quickly drove home, took a shower and changed into a clean suit. He chose a plain navy blue tie. It didn't feel right to wear something else. It's like I'm thinking of her as dead… The thought hit him like a kick in the gut. He contemplated his choice for a moment, then he took off the tie and choose a purple one instead.

At the Bureau, not much progress had been made on the official investigation. No traces of Ben Coleman, the interrogation with Stephanie had given nothing. Booth sat by his desk, going over files again. Would Ben make contact again? He hadn't uttered any demand… which was unusual. Booth flipped the pages of his notepad. The quotes. Did they mean anything? "What I dream of is an art of balance" What could that mean…Emotional balance? Balanced life?

Then it suddenly clicked. Of course. The director was right; this case personal. It was messing with his abilities as an agent. It had been so obvious, the motive. Why Ben Coleman had Temperance. Booth felt like slapping himself. Stephanie. His girlfriend. It was revenge, how could he not have seen it? He scrambled out of his chair to join the team that was working the case.

"He wants us to release Stephanie Anderton" Booth stated as he entered the room. Four pair of eyes snapped up.

"And you know this because? He made contact again?" the lead agent on the case, agent Foster, a man in his fifties who was well known at the Bureau, asked patiently.

"No but it's obvious, isn't it? The quote he sent with the first video, the one about balance. He wants a balanced life. Stephanie"

The other agents exchanged glances. "Booth, you know we can't do that. The prosecutor has the case now, miss Anderton will get convicted. You made sure of that"

"So you're going to let him kill Bones?" Booth glared. Sometimes he really hated the protocol, the rules, everything organized that came with the job.

"We'll figure out a solution, Booth"

Booth sighed exasperatedly. Sometimes his colleagues could be so stupid, too optimistic. Thinking that they were always smarter than the criminals.

"Booth, you're officially not on this case. You should leave" Foster said. Booth gaped. "You're kicking me out?"

"We know you and dr Brennan are good friend and as an experience agent you should know that it's not smart to work a personal case. It clouds your judgement. We both know it, Booth. Go" Foster didn't sound angry. Mostly sympathetic.

"Fine" With a last glare, Booth left the room. He checked his watch. It was still four hours until Rebecca would come by with Parker. Sighing, he returned to his office and began to read Ben Coleman's file. For the seventeenth time.

--

She spotted him the moment he walked through the door, a white envelope in his hand.
"Miss Montenegro?"
"Yes?"
"This…," he handed her the envelope. "is for you. Will you please sign here?" he reached out his clipboard and Angela scribbled down her signature. She knew what was in the envelope. A new link, or a new password. She knew it was from Coleman. "Thanks" she forced a smile and the young delivery boy left again. Taking a deep breath, she opened it. A bunch of letters and numbers. A password, then.

Quickly, Angela returned to her computer and hit a random key, making the screen come alive again. She pressed the reload button and true, a window popped up, asking her to enter the password. She glanced down at the paper. She should call Booth…

Said and done, he'd promised to be there in ten even if the drive from the Hoover building usually took more than fifteen minutes. She called in Hodgins, Cam and Zack as well and they waited in silence until Booth practically ran through the doors.

"Coleman?"

They all nodded. "Then, let's do it" he said, coming to stand beside the others, peering over Angela's shoulder. Trying to keep her hands from shaking, Angela typed away on her keyboard and soon the page began to load again.

Two seconds later she let out a scream and quickly squeezed her eyes shut. It was Brennan, again. But this time she wasn't pacing the small space, she was lying on the ground. Despite the semi-darkness, they could easily see that bruises on her face, the blood from the cut on her lip and the blood that dried on her white shirt.

"The son of a bitch…" Booth muttered under his breath and swallowed, trying to forget the horrifying sight. Angela let out sound that sounded very much like a sob and then rose to her feet, storming out of the room. Hodgins exchanged a glance with the others before running after her. Zack, Cam and Booth remained in front of the screen.

Booth tried to accept what he saw. That son of a bitch had hurt Bones. She was bleeding, apparently not even conscious. She could be…dead! She wasn't moving for God's sake.

"Is she…" Zack began as he'd read Booth's thoughts.

"No!" Booth almost yelled. Apparently scared, Zack mumbled an apology and quickly scrambled out of the room.

"Seeley…I don't know what to say" Cam began.

"I have to find her. That son of a bitch…" he almost spat, then stormed out of the room. Cam watched his back disappear around the corner.

She had been right. Almost. It was being torn between his job and his partner. And right now, Cam was sure that Booth had realised that himself and it was slowly killing him.

So, long chapter again. I hope you liked it. Now you know what's up with Brennan ;) Please review! I need it XD