I'M SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SORRY! I've been so slack and just haven't been bothered. But I'm back :) Just to recap you because it's been so long... end of last chapter, Tempe didn't show up for her date with Booth :'(

Enjoy!

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Life really had been perfect. AT home, he was doing great. His so-called 'Dad' was out of the picture for good it seemed. Pops' health was getting better and was able to do the majority of what he used to do before his scare. He'd gotten his old job back; God knew he could use the money. Jared was doing really well at school. He had a lot of good friends, and Temperance was helping him with his homework...

Temperance. Since that first day he met her, he'd fallen for her hard. There was just something about her that fascinated him. Maybe it was that she was different most people he knew. She didn't care about being popular and having a huge group of friends. She didn't change herself in an attempt to impress anyone. She just wanted to do well at school and be happy. Every moment he'd spent with her, and even all the moments he hadn't, had made him fall even more in love with her.

He knew there was no such thing as perfection; not technically. But his life had seemed perfect. That was, until he realised that the girl who had made it seem that way, wasn't as amazing and wonderful as he'd originally thought.

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Opening the front door, Booth wiped his shoes on the doormat before stepping inside. He tried to be quiet as he wandered down the hall and passed the kitchen. Though, once again, luck was not on his side.

"Shrimp! How was your dinner with Temperance?" Pops called from his chair in the living room.

Turning to look at his grandfather, Booth found his looking at him with a hopeful glint in his eyes. Booth's silent glance must have been more solemn and revealing than he thought, as Pops' expression soon changed to one of sympathy.

Without a word, Booth made his way upstairs.

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The next day he texted her multiple times. She didn't reply to any of them. He tried to call her; both on her mobile and home phone. She never answered.

If it hadn't been for Abigail's; an old friend of Pops'; birthday lunch which he had promised he'd go to, Booth would have walked right down to her house and demanded to know why she couldn't even give him the common decency to at least call. Instead, he was 3 hours away listening to a group of retirees talk about lawn bowls and pet cats and knitting.

Temperance's dad had this rule. No guests after 6.30pm. Whether or not that applied to everyone or just Booth, he didn't know; he wouldn't be one bit surprised if that was the case. Max said it was because 6.30 was the time when the family sat down for dinner. But Booth knew for a fact that the majority of the time, they didn't eat until after 7.

By the time Booth, Pops and Jared got home from Abigail's, it was far past Max's curfew rule. He'd just have to wait until tomorrow.

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Lying in bed, Booth realised that tossing and turning would do him no good in getting any sleep. Flopping down onto the couch in the living room downstairs, Booth turned on the TV.

Flicking to a new channel when all the repetitive infomercials got on his nerves, his heart nearly jumped out of his chest when he saw what was showing on the late night news.

A photo of Temperance and her brother where on the screen.

"…Temperance and Russ, Max and Christine's children, still remain at home and wish to find their parents. If you have any information about their whereabouts, please contact…." the newsreader read in the typical newsreader tone.

After that, an ad for Wal-mart came on and Booth fazed out.

Temperance's parents were missing?

Turning off the TV, he ran from the house, not even bothering to leave a note; Pops wouldn't be up 'til morning.

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Halting at her doorstep, Booth caught his breath for a moment. No lights were on in the house, which was understandable, considering the time.

Knocking on the door, he called out, "Temperance!" When she didn't reply, he knocked a little louder and called, "Temperance, open up! It's Booth!"

When there was still no answer, he tried the door handle and found it open. Allowing himself into the house, he looked around. It was almost pitch-black and it took him a few minutes for his eyes to adjust. Dirty dishes were stacked up in the sink and washing lay strewn on the couch. Booth walked up the staircase in the direction of her bedroom, of which the door was slightly ajar. Opening the door further, it creaked a little; Booth saw a dark shape in the corner. Turning on the light, he saw her. Curled up in the far corner of her room, Temperance sat her eyes wide and rimmed with red. Her tear-streaked face distraught with fear and sorrow almost broke his heart. Walking to her side, he sat down next to her and wrapped her in his arms.

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It had to happen eventually...

Please review and let me know what you thought. Once again, so so sorry for the delay.

Em xXxXxxx