Author's Note: I've tried to make this chapter as un-confusing as possible, when three characters are involved in one scene they will vary between Italics, Bold and normal, hopefully my writing and the key is good enough for you to tell the difference. Please enjoy!
Temperance couldn't bear to watch anymore of their seemingly perfect antics, Seeley did not look as intense his shoulders were not pinched his body language suggested calmness and content.
Why could he not feel that way around her any longer? Was it the weight of the affair crushing down on his shoulders? It seemed that much to her.
Running a hand over Christine's delicate blonde curls she allowed a few tears to escape.
She knew better than to cry, remaining stoic would be the only way to get through this. She had to remain strong for her daughter.
Although Booth, Rebecca and Parker had left, it still hurt as though she could see them. Their happy faces, it infuriated her. This is why Temperance strived to avoid matters of the heart.
Emotions were messy, they clouded your judgement.
Brennan desperately tried to remember life before Booth, before he had entered those shades of grey into her black and white world.
Try as she might she could not hate him. He was the father of her child. Rebecca she however could blame. She could designate Rebecca the cause of her heartbreak, without hesitation.
She was frozen in shock. It took a lot to leave her speechless, normally she had an answer to everything. She relied on logic, but it was no good to her now.
Finally moving back to the front of the car she drove to Angela's house, she was mad enough at Booth already so Tempe planned to leave Christine with her while she spoke to Rebecca.
She had to go to the source, stop it before it overtook her. Even though it was too late, every inch of her was full of unabashed rage.
The world seemed to have stopped turning the moment she saw them together, all though she knew that was impossible it didn't prevent her from using the metaphor.
She dug her nails into the leather upholstery of her seat whilst waiting at a light. She had to have made it worse than what it was dragged it out of proportion.
Hearing the car behind her beep at the change of the lights she moved forward, Images swirling in her head of them nudging and laughing as they walked alongside each other, Parker just ahead turning back every so often to check on their progress.
~Rebecca POV/ Temperance POV/ Parker POV~
It had been an interesting day to say the least; it was actually helpful to have Seeley around laughing as she taught her and Parker how to handle plumbing and the electrics.
She actually missed having him around this past year, she could handle herself and being a mother but attending to a leak was not her strong suit.
Eventually she and Seeley had put their little boy to bed and then he had left, saying something about confession.
He had told her a little about his problems and she felt for him. Nothing in life was ever happily ever after that she too had learned the hard way. Temperance and she had never been friends merely acquaintances but she did not wish the dissolution of a relationship on anyone.
After all she had been alone for a while she knew how much it could hurt, but she also understood Seeley's need to be everyone's hero. It felt great that they could confide in each other- that she had someone to turn to.
Hearing the doorbell ring, she abandoned her coffee on the kitchen counter, and weaved her way through the unpacked boxes she had to yet to attend to.
Opening the door she was shocked by the familiar face on her porch. "Dr. Brennan" she greeted, allowing the door to further open.
"Are you sleeping with Booth?" Temperance asked, biting on her lip to control her bubbling rage.
Rebecca's mouth opened in shock at the question. What had brought this on? Silently cursing Seeley Booth she raised her hands defensively. "I'm not sleeping with Seeley; we were over a long time ago. He told me about what is going on. I don't want to be part of this"
Her words just seem to start her up as next thing she knew her back was slammed against her hallway wall.
"I saw you two. I know what I saw" Temperance knew better than this, she knew that this wouldn't solve her problems that it wouldn't make Booth choose her. But she was crushed, yes- she did not have conclusive proof but right now that was her last concern.
"Temperance!" Rebecca struggled trying to get her off of her. Her mind instantly travelled to her sleeping son. She doubted that she was a threat, that she would seriously hurt her, but Temperance Brennan was renowned in Forensics she certainly knew how to murder a person and get away with it.
"I'm not with him" she desperately tried to inform her, her shoulders aching beneath Brennan's strong hold. "We're over, and we are friends nothing more"
"Why is he with you and Parker instead of Christine and I?"
"I'm not him, I wouldn't know" Rebecca shifted her weight and pushed Temperance away from her gently, finally removing her death grip on her shoulders.
With the sudden movement Bones reacted instinctively, she had martial arts training and without fully processing she struck Rebecca's solar plexus, and held her at the wall again, this time pinned by her throat. Her adrenaline was running, her fight or flight response had kicked in and she had never been the person to run from danger.
Rebecca's head dropped, the air was knocked straight out of her lungs, she desperately tried to suck in air, as the pain radiated across her chest and abdomen she wrapped a hand around herself, stumbling as she was forced to the wall.
"Mom" Parker's voice made both Rebecca and Temperance look up. Bracing herself against the wall Rebecca stared at her son, the fear was evident in his wide eyes. Then her eyes travelled back to Dr. Brennan, it felt unreal.
~Temperance POV~
Temperance let her eyes travel down to her hands, what had she done?
She was not against violence and she was certainly not afraid to defend herself but since when had she become this? Had Rebecca done anything wrong? Could she be completely certain? Was there any possibility she could be wrong?
The thoughts whirled in her mind and she turned quickly walking out of the door.
She had promised to be better than this she wasn't her Father or her Brother; she did her best to do the right thing. But this seemed to be all kinds of wrong.
She had faith in justice; she didn't work outside of the law.
Until lately, she had gone on the run with Christine not that long ago and now here she was attacking her. Maybe it was time to leave time to let go of what was, maybe it was for the best.
Although the sinking feeling in her chest seemed to argue with her on that, Temperance could barely recognise her own life.
So much had changed; they had grown together and now apart. Driving along the streets she felt a strange sense of emptiness, she didn't want to start again.
But her rational side argued, clearly the relationship was too volatile to ever last. Booth hadn't even called to see where she and Christine were, but he probably wasn't home yet.
Tonight she would stay with Angela, she understood, she would help her- she was the only person who hadn't bailed on her at some point and that for now was enough comfort although there was still a piece missing, figuratively speaking.
~Booth POV/ Rebecca POV/ Parker POV~
Booth was sat in Aldo Coulter's bar, talking with him for the best part of the evening; he had brought a couple of drinks, to ease the pain.
He generally tried to avoid drinking, they said addictive behaviour could lead you back into gambling but he knew how to control himself, it had been years since he'd even entered a casino.
He come to Aldo for a confession of sorts, although he was an ex-priest Booth trusted him. That guy had been there for him more times than he could count. He had given him his time and absolved him and that was what he needed most as of late.
His phone rang, buzzing on the surface of the bar, standing he walked out of the door, inhaling the cool night air. Preparing himself for what was more than likely Bones, and another argument.
Flicking up the phone screen in a fluid motion he answered. "Booth"
"Daddy?" Parker's voice was shaking.
"What's wrong Parker" Booth immediately noted his son's voice, he was afraid. Seeley rushed over to his car, Pelant was at the forefront of his mind. Rebecca and Parker weren't out of his reach, Pelant would do anything, that much he had learned.
When he didn't reply, he instantly put on his sirens and drove. He had to protect them, they were his family he'd never forgive himself if they were hurt because of him, he kept the phone pressed to his ear, listening out for Parker's voice.
He had run up stairs after she had seen him, he knew what to do when anything bad happened. Taking the upstairs phone he hid inside his closet behind the washing basket, he typed in the number as best he could in the darkness. Then he had heard footsteps and he dropped the phone, burying his head in his knees. His dad was coming. He was coming.
It had taken Booth an almost ridiculous amount of time to get to her house through all of the traffic despite the use of sirens. He ran up onto the porch and charged in. They were in danger and he step silently into the hall watching as a figure rounded the corner her raised his gun
"Seeley" Rebecca had raised a hand and he instantly lowered the weapon, the adrenaline was till running and he looked at Parker his arms were tightly around her waist and it was clear he had been crying.
"What are you doing here?" she asked him, eyebrows raised.
"Parker called me" booth stared at her she was holding onto the wall, something was wrong. What happened?" he stared at her and froze when he saw the slightest hint of bruising on her neck.
He took a step closer and ran his fingertips over the marks his overprotective instincts where kicking in. "Who did this?"
"I-"Rebecca had no idea where to begin, no way to soften what was bound to be a bit of a revelation. She was still in shock herself. She had found their son hugging himself terrified.
"It was Temperance, she came here asking if we had been sleeping together" she outlined simply.
"What?" he shook his head in disbelief, things between them were admittedly awful. But Bones wouldn't scare Parker, she wouldn't. His body was still in overdrive, could she really have done that.
"She came here, I tried to set the record straight and-" Rebecca took a heavy breath out, Her chest ached and if she didn't have her son coiled against her she doubt she even had the strength to stand.
Booth watched in worry as Rebecca leaned forward, her balance was off, he quickly caught her and felt Parker shift to cling onto him. It didn't seem possible he knew that she could take care of herself he had seen that side of her; he knew how strong she was.
Arms around Rebecca's waist her moved them into the living room and lowered her onto the sofa. He dropped onto his needs and softly rested his hands onto of her knees. "How bad is it?" his eyes gravitated to Parker, he shouldn't have to be witnessing any of this. His little boy was holding onto him so tightly.
"I'm fine" she bit her lip, she knew that Seeley already felt guilty, for not speaking to Temperance sooner, he would blame himself no matter what but she still said it. "This isn't your fault"
Booth just shook his head at Rebecca; they were more alike than they cared to admit. They didn't like to be taken care of and they did their best to protect others. He knew she was lying about the pain and he knew it was his fault.
Turning round he hugged Parker close, running a hand up and down his back. "Mom's okay and everything else is going to be okay"
"Daddy can you stay?"
At his son's whispered words he nodded, he should have stopped this. None of this would have happened if he had killed Pelant. He never expected this of Bones. It wasn't like her to hurt someone who hadn't done anything.
"You and I haven't been anything for a long time" booth whispered to Rebecca, who was wincing in pain.
"I don't think she knows that." Rebecca mumbled, she didn't want to be involved and now she couldn't escape this.
Seeley looked at her closed eyes and he reached over and cupped her cheek. "I'm sorry, I didn't think that- "he shook his head slowly. "I'm just sorry"
"I know you are. So am I" Rebecca whispered leaning against his palm.
Author's note: Okay let me know: is the bold/Italic/ normal system helpful or just annoying? I know Brennan seemed a little out of character but I honestly think that she would react a little like this. She comes round wanting a rational conversation but she has a lot more anger than she realises and misplaces it one Rebecca! What do you think? Please let me know! xx