Thanks again to all who took the time to read and especially to those who also reviewed!!!
Chapter 9:
During the ride over to her apartment, Brennan had called Angela to inform her that they were on their way. When they had entered the building, Freeman had inspected her apartment, checking every room, and finally had reported everything was alright.
The first thing Brennan had wanted to do, was to take a shower. She had told Freeman to let Angela in, in case she arrived while she was in the bathroom.
Now Brennan was standing in the bathroom, after taking off her clothes and waited until the water was warm enough for her to step in. Standing in front of the mirror, she caught sight of a glitter in her hair. She moved closer to the mirror and identified the glittering thing as a glass shard, that had stubbornly remained entangled in her hair. She swallowed hard, remembering the moment when Booth had been lying in front of her, that awful splinter of wood in his back and had been worrying about glass in her hair. Carefully she removed the shard from her hair and searched for more, but found none.
Finally she stepped into the shower, enjoying the comfortable warmth of the water, scrubbing herself with perfumed soap until her skin went pink. She needed to get the scent off, the awful scent of the explosion, the burning wood, Booth's blood.
The hot water washed the salty tears away before she even noticed they had started to fill her eyes yet again. She scolded herself for the tears... why was she crying? Booth would be alright, he had survived, hadn't he? The scariest time was over, now he had to recover and she knew he was stubborn enough to do so in record time.
'So why are you crying, Temperance?' She asked herself. And found no answer.
After some time, the tears finally stopped and she finished with her shower. She dried her wet skin and covered her wet hair with a towel... and cursed herself for forgetting to take clothes with her to the bathroom. After all, there was a man wandering around in her apartment. She frowned at her naked self in the mirror and it frowned back. "Stupid" she hissed at her reflection.
Finally she decided to use her biggest bath towel to hide in and hurried from the bathroom to her room at high speed. No Freeman. She stopped for an instant to listen and she heard him doing something in her kitchen. 'Go, make yourself at home!' she thought ironically and put on some casual clothes. When she was finished she returned to the kitchen, were Freeman was sitting at her kitchen table, drinking a coke. "Hope you don't mind, but I was thirsty."
She shrugged at him and added in a low murmur: "At least now I know it's safe to open the fridge."
Freeman was about to say something, but that very moment the sound of someone knocking startled them both.
She was already on her way towards the door, when Freeman gave her a disapproving look.
"Okay, okay. You open the door." She murmured and remained away from the door, while Freeman moved towards the door silently, gun drawn. When he looked through the spyhole he relaxed and opened the door. "Miss Montenegro." He said and opened.
Angela was loaded with bags of different sizes. "Care to help?" She asked the FBI Agent, who had watched her incredulously. He took one of the bags and put it on the kitchen table.
Brennan frowned and asked: "Angela... I am glad you came, but are you planning to move in with me?"
"Nu-uh, Sweetie." Angela shook her head.
"These are the supplies for a successful 'Let's-forget-about-that-crappy-day'-session. Look... ice cream! Videos! Popcorn aaaand wine. And I brought some clothes for me to change for tomorrow."
Brennan gave her a doubtful look. "And just how is ice cream going to make me feel better? Let alone forget about the 'crappy day'?"
"I know the ice-cream is not going to make YOU feel better, Sweetie. But it's going to make ME feel better and when I feel good, I can be quite cheerful." She flashed her best friend a wide grin.
"The wine is what's going to make YOU feel better. And the videos." Angela added.
Brennan shook her head. "I do not even have a TV, Angela" She objected.
"I knew that. But guess what: DVDs work on computers. Just bring your laptop, it will be fine. The screen's a bit small, but hey, better than nothing." Angela smiled.
"You are awfully cheerful!" Brennan commented, trying to frown at her friend.
"I take that as a compliment." Angela winked and caused Brennan to smile.
"Okay, okay, Angela... I give in. Let's watch one of those movies, drink wine and munch popcorn."
She sighed.
"And I'll take care of the ice cream." Angela volunteered.
Two hours later, the ice cream was gone, the wine-bottle was empty and a bowl of popcorn eaten. They had seen a movie and Brennan had to admit, Angela's attempts on distracting her had worked.
Freeman on the other side had not been paying attention to the movie in the beginning. He had been patrolling around the apartment, sometimes glancing outside and muttering curses about the number of windows in Brennan's apartment until Angela had told him to shut up and either watch the movie with them or read a book.
He had scowled at her and Brennan had seen him open his mouth to object, but she could nearly FEEL Freeman remembering Cullen's warning and his mouth shut again.
Brennan snickered, which earned her an astonished look by Angela and a frown by Freeman.
"What?" Brennan asked innocently, the word ending in a yawn.
"Sweetie, I think it's time to go to bed. What do you say, Agent 'I do not smile, I am on duty' can have the guest room and I'll stay with you?" Angela smiled sweetly at Freeman, who's frown deepened, if that was possible.
He grumbled. "I'd rather stay here on the couch, in case anybody wants to come in, he has to get past me first."
Brennan shrugged. "Okay. I'll get you a blanket and a pillow. Ange... I would not mind if you stay with me..."
She went to the guest room to get the blanket and the pillow. Angela waited until she was gone and moved near the agent. She gave him a stern look and spoke in low, but dangerous tone: "Don't be like that. Don't make her feel guilty!"
"What?" Freeman looked down at the woman, who barely reached his chin... but nonetheless right now, she was scary... impressively scary.
"You act as if it was her fault. It's not. It is not her fault one of your friends got hurt, so don't dare to be so distant and cold to her or you are going to regret it. Got that?" She hissed and her index finger was pointing accusingly at his face. Her gaze was fiery and his eyes widened at the force of her words.
"Holy shit. Woman, are you mad? You are threatening a federal agent." He muttered, mulling over in his head what Cullen had told him. Surely she had never tried to threaten the Deputy Director, had she?
"Not mad... just caring about my best friend. Her day has been crappy enough, she does not need you to make it worse!" Angela said.
"Okay, okay. I'll be nice. Satisfied?" Freeman rose his eye brows and brought his hands up, mimicking a gesture of surrender.
"I guess so." Angela stepped back, when Brennan entered the room, saying "Okay, here I got a blanket and a pillow."
She glanced at Angela and Freeman and asked: "Did I miss something?"
"No, Sweetie... nothing." Angela smiled at her and after a quick side-glance at SA Freeman, he mustered up a smile too and even added: "Thanks for the pillow and blanket, Dr. Brennan."
Brennan's gaze went from Angela to Freeman, though she was not good at reading people, she still was able to tell that something had happened. After a moment of silence she shrugged her thoughts away.
"Well, good night then." Brennan said and turned away.
After using the bathroom, both women retreated to her bedroom.
"You alright, Sweetie?" Angela asked. When Brennan said nothing, Angela added. "You don't have to pretend anymore. Freeman is out there and I am your best friend. Honestly, Bren... how are you?"
Brennan bit her bottom lip. She was sitting on the edge of her bed, hugging her knees.
After some time, she licked her dry lips and choked out: "Is it my fault? That Booth got hurt? I just don't know Angela... Is it my fault that he nearly died?"
"Oh, Bren!" Angela exclaimed. "How would it be your fault?"
"I... He wanted to protect me and that's how he got injured. And all the other agents... Freeman, Sanchez... they treat me as if it was my fault. And it is, isn't it? If I had not been there, he might have gotten out faster, might have made it without getting hurt at all." Brennan sobbed.
Angela moved closer, putting an arm around her friend's shoulders. "Bren... it's not your fault. Never!"
"But... Angela. I just can't stand it, that he nearly died and I came out of that explosion with nothing more than a ringing in my ears." Brennan choked out, still sobbing. "I should have been hurt..."
"So, you would feel better if you got hurt too? That's just bullshit, Bren... Don't feel guilty. Booth would do anything for you and he managed to protect you properly. I am sure he is glad about it. He needs to protect you, Sweetie. That's just how he is. You could not change it." Angela answered, in a soothing tone. "He would not want you to blame yourself now, Sweetie. Just be glad you are both alive. And as for the other agents – forget about them. It's not your fault. You did not place the bomb, did you?"
Brennan smiled wryly. "No, of course not."
"See? You did not do anything wrong, Sweetie. " Angela hugged her tightly and she felt her best friend relax a bit.
After some time Brennan murmured a "Thank you, Angela." Into her hair and Angela smiled. "That's what friends are for, Sweetie. Now, let's go to sleep, 'kay?"
Brennan nodded and only a few moments after her head had touched the pillow, she fell asleep.
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When she woke up the next morning it was because she had heard something strange. A noise she could not identify. After all who was in her apartment to make noises?
She opened her eyes and her gaze fell on Angela's face resting on the pillow beside her. She briefly wondered why Angela would sleep in her bed, but then suddenly it all came back, the explosion, hospital, the evening with Angela.
Noises outside had to mean, Freeman was awake. Nothing to worry about.
Carefully avoiding any sound she shoved back her blanket and left the bed. In the diffuse light of the morning light that came through the blinds she searched for her clothes from yesterday evening and put them on instead of her night-gown.
She heard a yawn from the bed. "Morning, Sweetie." Angela said and hopped out of bed. "Morning." Brennan murmured back, not nearly as much a morning person as Angela was.
Brennan waited until Angela changed into new clothes, then she opened the door of her bedroom.
The smell of coffee and bagels and the soft sound of the radio in her kitchen greeted them.
When they entered the kitchen, they saw that Freeman had set the table for the three of them. They exchanged an astonished glance. Fresh bagels, orange juice, coffee and fruit?
"Good morning" Freeman greeted them. "I took the liberty to prepare breakfast, I figured you'd sleep a little longer after the bottle of wine you share and... everything."
"Longer?" Brennan glanced at the radio watch and gasped "Ten-Thirty? I ... am late for work. Very late."
"Sweetie! Cam knows what happened... I am sure she is not expecting you today. And me neither." Angela gave back and moved closer towards the table. "Mhm, smells good." But then she suddenly frowned. "You should have told us when you went out. You are here to protect her!"
"I did not leave. I called a newbie to bring the bagels." He smiled. "He even was excited to get something to do outside of the office."
Brennan's eyebrows rose slightly "So this is a treat by the FBI?"
"No. I paid... Please accept my apology for my poor behaviour yesterday." Freeman answered.
"Why the sudden change of heart?" Brennan asked suspiciously, her eyes narrowing a bit.
"First of all, because Miss Montenegro can be very scary..." Angela grinned "And because I overheard you yesterday... " He heard Brennan gasp. " I am sorry, but these walls are paper-thin.
I...I apology for my behaviour. I did not really want to make you feel, like it was your fault...It...It's just Seeley's a good comrade and... we tend to get a bit pissed if one of us gets hurt. It's... just like being back...like..." He stopped.
Brennan sighed. "Like soldiers? Back in the Army?"
Freeman looked shocked. "How did you know?"
"What? That you've been in the Army too? First of all, many agents have been soldiers before. But it's your behaviour, your posture and how you called Deputy Director Cullen "Sir" yesterday. And Booth a "comrade" right now." Brennan explained.
"Wow... uhm. Yeah, well... you are right. I've been to the Army too... not with Booth, but we've been on cases together two times and it feels similar, like being soldiers...you... you are protective of your comrades." Freeman muttered.
"I get that." Brennan answered quietly.
"I know. That's what I did not realise... You are not just a lab-squint, who does not know about the real life. No offense, Miss Montenegro!... But...you go out with him and take the same risks... I guess that's what we forgot." Freeman offered her his hand. "I am sorry."
She bit her bottom lip for a moment, but then she accepted and shook his hand. "Okay." She murmured.
"So, are we going to have breakfast?" Angela smiled at them.
"Sure." Freeman poured coffee for them and they started to eat. After some time Angela's curious nature took over and she asked: "So you've been on cases with Booth? When? Where?"
"Uhm..." He hesitated for a moment.
Angela gave him a wide smile. "We work on federal cases often, we can keep our mouths shut."
"Ah, right... well...the first time was about 4 years ago. We were undercover, but it was not really that exciting... we spent loads of time at a fitness center until we collected enough evidence to find out that one of the personal trainers had murdered two – pretty rich – guys. Not a biggie. But the second time..."
He absently stared into his coffee mug. "Booth did not tell you about it?" He finally asked Brennan.
She shook her head. "No... when was that?"
"About three months ago." Freeman sighed.
"No... he did not tell me anything... but that time we ... had problems. I was mad at him... Ah, well ... it does not matter. What happened?" Brennan banned the thoughts of the time when Zach had been to Iraq and she had been so cold towards Booth.
She saw Freeman shift uncomfortably. "Uhm,... I am not sure if I should tell you..."
"Now, come on... you can keep the confidential details to you." Angela urged him.
After a sigh he started again. "It was a homicide investigation at Pittsburgh, with gangs involved. We were sent there because we are not known there, they needed fresh faces, so to say. We thought the case was pretty clear, but it ... turned out to be more complicated. I... can't talk about the details, the trial on this case is still pending... but... we were ambushed, in a basement where the cell phones did not work... We stepped into it like rookies! We were locked up ... and... well... we were not sure if we would make it out... " He cleared his throat and avoided the gaze of the two women, who had been listening to him.
"What happened?" Angela asked.
"Uhmmm. Yeah well... we did what most people do in such situations, after we've been there for more than a whole day, I told him to tell my wife and my daughters that I love them, in case he survived and I did not... and well... he... ah... hmmm...Oh, screw it, I'll tell you! He said: Tell my son I love him and take care of my Bones." Freeman sputtered.
Brennan's eyes widened. "What?" She whispered.
"I... uhm... I dunno, I took it literally, you know, that I should make sure that his body was treated properly or something... I had no idea what he really meant until yesterday. It never occurred to me to ask him, since right after he said it, we were rescued... But then yesterday Cullen mentioned that nickname. And now I know what he meant." Freeman absently stirred the cold coffee in his mug.
Brennan was shocked... Why would Booth be thinking of her, in such a situation? Did it mean, what she suspected? Did it mean, that Booth really returned the feelings she had for him? That he had had feelings for her for at least three months?
A short side glance towards Angela confirmed, that her best friend was thinking the same.. To say that Angela looked excited would have been an understatement. She positively beamed at Brennan, but when she opened to her mouth to say something, Brennan raised her hand. "Don't. No conclusions. I will see him today or tomorrow and ... I will talk to him, but please, Ange... let's not talk about it now, okay?"
"As you wish, Sweetie." Angela smiled at her.
Brennan returned the smile, but only half-hearted. Booth had been thinking of her, alright. But she remembered a similar situation: Her and Hodgins buried by the Gravedigger. She had been thinking of Booth too, she even had addressed her note to him. He had been the last person she had been thinking of before they had ignited the "airbag-bomb". But she had not known, she had been in love with him, then... she had been thinking of him as a friend. As a friend who would blame himself for not saving her.
Just how had Booth been thinking of her in that basement?
I know, I know... still no real fluff... sorry, but it will come ...hopefully.
So, what do you think of Freeman now? More sympathetic?
Please let me know what you think!!! Next chapter shows how Booth is doing!