Authors note: this chapter isn't as lively as the others but I thought it needed to be there.
As they wandered the trails, the team couldn't help but admire Brennan. Hurt and in the dark of night she had found her way through the different trails running through the area.
When they arrived at the scene their worst suspicions were confirmed. They could see the remnants of that had been part of their campsite. Mostly everything was crushed under the debris from the side of the mountain. Each of the team brought up the memories of the photographs they had seen from when Brennan and Booth had arrived.
"There must be at least 2 tons of rock and mud there." Hodgins thought allowed.
Banks went over to investigate, shaking his head and returning to the group he said: "The doctor's right. No way we can dig him out. We will need heavy equipment, materials to create a support system, and a lot of time. One wrong move and we can bring the rest of that mountain on top of us. We can't risk dozens of other lives to get through this as quickly as we would need to."
Scornful eyes glared at the man. They knew he was right, but none of them had the heart to agree.
Guiltily the man looked away. "We will have to find the other entrance Dr Brennan told us about. Maybe we can figure something out from there."
The team discussed amongst themselves who would stay behind with Brennan to let the reinforcements know what they were doing.
"What makes you think I am staying?" Brennan questioned, standing there on shaky limbs.
They opened their mouths to argue but they could see the determination in her eyes, the firm expression on her face.
"Do you really think you are up to it ma'am?" Banks questioned.
She shot him an angry glare. I am the only one who knows exactly where it is. I refuse to allow you to waste more precious time in searching. He needs my help!"
They knew there was no point in arguing. They decided Wendell would stay behind. Cam was a medical doctor and Hodgins and expert in the rocks of the area. They seemed more pertinent than a bones student in this situation. Besides Brennan was going and her expertise was much greater.
They decided to utilize the ATV for as far as they could. Brennan had marked the trail pretty decently as she had dug her feet most of the way. They saw the marks from her tumble down and cringed at all the rocks and saplings she had come in contact to on her decent. How she made it as far as she had, was a question they all thought to themselves.
They reached a point too steep for the ATV, so Banks grabbed his supplies, consisting of rope, climbing gear, a first aid kit and flashlights from the vehicle. Hodgins and Cam hiked either side of Brennan offering her not only emotional but actual physical support.
Brennan felt strong. With her friends by her side and determination to get to Booth with help, she had found new strength from deep within. She allowed a tiny bit of hope back into her metaphoric heart. The higher they got the harder it was to find the trail Brennan had taken. Ice and snow covered the area since she had been through. She searched the area bringing back her memories form the night before.
"This way, it shouldn't be far now." She said with certainty.
The group looked at each other questioningly, but followed. A short distance later Brennan stopped. She searched the ground desperately with her eyes. "It should be here."
"The weather must have covered it up." Banks stated grabbing a large fallen branch. He began prodding the ground with it and the others followed suit. "Be careful one wrong step and someone could fall through. We don't need any more injuries.
The group searched diligently in silence. After about 20 minutes Hodgins stepped down and a distinct crackling sound was heard. Banks being the closest grabbed his arm and pulled him away, just in time to see the ice give way revealing what they desired. After giving their thanks they gathered around the opening. Banks chipped away at the ice, bringing it into full view.
"Wow that's narrow." Hodgins announced. "Will Booth even fit through there?" Cam shot him a warning look as Brennan's disdainful glare hit him. "Sorry, just thinking out loud."
The thought had entered all their minds. Booth was a large man, Brennan a rather petit woman. Brennan did the calculations in her head.
"It should be adequate for him to make it." She stated in her dry, unemotional, clinical tone.
She was pulling inside herself. The walls the team had been working on chipping away were now back in full force.
"Dr Saroyan, I think it best if you proceed first as you have the adequate medical training needed. I will go next as my experience inside will be needed. I suggest that you both stay here and then send Wendell or a rescue team when they arrive. There are some loose rocks, if Dr Hodgin's can ascertain their integrity, you may be able to determine if widening the opening will be wise."
Banks set up the ropes and climbing gear in order to lower the 2 women down. He didn't like the plan but had already figured out there was no arguing with these people. He tested the set up when he finished.
"Ok ladies. This is ready to go." He stated. He helped each woman into a harnass and began lowering them down one at a time.
Cam couldn't help but think Seeley would owe her for this… if he survived. The thought brought both a smile and frown to her face. If? She and Seeley had been lovers more than once. It had never progressed into anything more. Those feelings just never formed. She cared about him deeply and knew the opposite to be true as well. She couldn't fathom what she would do if she lost him. She knew he always looked after her; she always had an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on when he was near. She was afraid. Afraid of seeing her brave and loyal friend broken. Afraid of him being the next body on her slab. Afraid she would never see his warm brown eyes and jubilant smile. She knew Seeley had meant a lot to her, but was only now realizing how much.
Brennan buried all her emotions deep inside. She knew loss. She knew it so well she had learned to not let it affect her. Having friends had weakened her. They had opened her up to hurt she was unable to process. She threw up all her fallen walls. She would never allow this to happen again. She would go back to what she knew worked.
Both women were now in the cave. The waters were much deeper since Brennan escaped. They sent up the harnesses and waited for the medical kit and flashlights.
The stale air hit Brennan like a ton of bricks. Memories of yesterday's events intruded on her mind. She pushed them away. She needed focus.
They waded through the water searching everywhere for Booth. They called for him only to get silence in return.
The helicopters had arrived and personnel flooded the scene. Park rangers and volunteers came barreling in from all the surrounding trails, one with a frantic Angela in tow. Sweets and Caroline stepped off one of the helicopters. Wendell felt a wave of relief at the familiar faces. He had already repeated the necessary information a dozen times over.
Rescue workers called in requests for the equipment they would need. Volunteers began working under their instruction. FBI forensics worked the scene at Booths truck and spread out to search for evidence of the crime committed against one of their own. Many of Booth's coworkers arrived, most on their own private time. They had grown to admire the man through the years. Every job he undertook he excelled in. Not many agents could understand the scientists let alone work so well with them.
Hacker was the next to arrive.
"Where is Temperance?" He asked as he approached Wendell. His own feelings towards Brennan evident
"She went with the others; she was leading them to where she made it out of there." He answered.
Wendell, Hacker, Sweets, a handful of rescue workers, two park rangers, two medics and four FBI friends of Booth's formed a group. They radioed ahead to Banks for instructions. They had tied off markers every 20 feet or so to make their trip easier. He requested a pickaxe, back board and some other medical supplies to be brought with them.
The group set out on their journey. Those that knew the duo reminisced aloud, while the others listened.