A/N- okay...time for some drama... the end is near... for someone. Happy reading!!

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Chapter Twenty:

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On the third day after Angela's telephone conversation with Booth, she walked into the Jeffersonian Medico-Legal Lab looking around for her friends. She had noticed the familiar car, parked in its usual spot in the underground parking lot of the building as she pulled in, and had rushed inside with eager anticipation.

She went around the corner of the platform and immediately saw the two armed men in suits standing outside of Brennan's office. They were both very stoic looking and very, very tanned. Angela wondered if these were the men who had protected the partners over the last months.

As she approached the office, the two men stared her up and down. Angela had been stared up and down by many men in her life, but she sensed that this was not a glare in that respect. They were seeing if she was a threat. She lifted her hands in defence and was relieved when the door popped open and Booth stuck his tanned face over one of the men's shoulders.

He patted the man on the shoulder and smiled at Angela as he spoke quickly to the man,

"It's okay Jeff. She's one of the good guys!"

Angela grinned at the man who she had not seen for months. He looked good. Rested.

Booth grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into the office and pushed the door shut behind them. He pressed his finger to his lips in a quieting gesture and pointed towards the couch. Bones was asleep on the couch, covered in a light blanket. Angela could see her pregnant stomach through the blanket and she gushed at Booth. He just grinned proudly.

He went over to the sleeping woman, and kissed her gently on the forehead. She didn't wake up, and he smiled again at the artist and ushered her over to the other side of the room and pulled two chairs so they were facing each other. Booth went to sit down in one of them, but before he could, Angela wrapped him in a warm embrace. He returned the gesture.

"I'm so sorry about your grandfather Booth. It's so sad. He was a wonderful man in the few times I met him."

Booth sat down on the chair, and leaned towards Angela after she had sat down. Sadness came across his face.

"Thanks Ange. He was the best man. He did everything for my brother and me. I owe him my life."

"What happened? How did he die? It wasn't foul play was it?" Angela asked him quietly.

"No, apparently he had a massive stroke and died in his sleep. The FBI was worried, but it turns out his death was natural. I guess that's a blessing if there is one in this situation. Us Booths and our brains..." He tried to smile, but the sadness stayed with him.

The two sat in quiet reflection for awhile. Booth's glance went back towards the sleeping woman when she stirred just a little bit, but remained asleep. A slight smile came back to his face, and Angela noticed it.

"How are you guys doing? How have you been? Where have you been?" Angela spewed a few questions before she could check herself and the man looked back to her. His smile grew a little bit more.

"That's privileged information there Angela. I don't think you have the clearance to know that." They both smiled now, though the sadness remained in Booth's eyes.

"I know...but you can tell me how you are feeling right? And maybe just a small hint about where you've been getting so tanned?" She looked at him suspiciously. He grinned a cheeky grin.

"I'll give you one hint. If you're clever, and I know you are, you'll figure it out...Did you know that Bones suffers from severe seasickness?"

Angela was clever enough to figure it out. Booth saw the realization on the woman's face.

"I wonder if that's why Bones never sailed away with Sully? She gets ill on the ocean." He laughed a little and Angela touched his upper arm.

"We both know why she didn't sail away with him Booth. You've got nothing to worry about. She didn't even hesitate to sail away with you right?" She wondered about the man's sudden insecurity regarding the man who dated Brennan so long ago. He really had nothing to worry about.

"Our first month was miserable. Add morning sickness to seasickness, and throw in the pain from a gunshot wound...that does not equal happy Brennan." Angela looked at him sympathetically.

"That's awful Booth. How is everything going with the baby? You guys are okay right?"

He looked back again to the couch and the sleeping form.

"She's having a really rough time Ange. There have been more than a few scares that she was losing the baby. And last week she started spotting again. The doctor, who has been travelling with us, has saved that baby a few times. I'm not sure quite how. Kid's a fighter, that's for sure."

Angela placed her hand on his shoulder, again, in a sympathetic gesture.

"You know what though Ange?"

The artist shook her head.

"We are both happier and more stress free than I think we've ever been. It's strange, but the threat from The Gravedigger has probably brought us closer together. The time away has been great for her," He nodded his head towards the couch, and the sleeping form on it, "I think the baby is still here because she had no choice but to relax with a doctor at her side, a Former Army Ranger, and two Navy Seals trained in hand-to-hand combat. That's our personal guard out there. Jeff and Murphy. They are two of the most loyal people I have ever met."

Angela smiled again. She sensed that his feelings for her friend were deeper than they had ever been. It was so good to see everything working out between them so far.

"I bet you guys are so excited for the baby." She watched the warm, paternal glow of the man's tanned face increase.

"We can hardly wait! It won't be long now. And knowing us, the birth will be quite an adventure."

They both laughed out loud. The woman on the couch stirred again, and they both turned their heads to see an arm reach out from the blanket.

"Booth?"

Angela watched as the man went to his partner's side instantly and took her hand. She spoke quietly to him and he smiled a smile at her that would have made a thousand women swoon. Angela was shocked at how hard that man had fallen for the woman beside him. Her own heart skipped a beat at the look passing from him to her.

Booth helped Bones sit up on the couch, but stayed crouched before her with his hands on her stomach. She ran her fingers through his hair and smiled as he spoke to her belly.

Angela wondered briefly if he forgot she was there, the moment seemed very intimate between them, and she got up from her own chair and approached the two.

Brennan looked over at the movement, and looked startled for a second until she recognized the face.

"Ange! Hi!" Angela noticed that even with a tan, her friend still looked pale. She did look fairly relaxed though.

"Hey Sweetie! How are you?" Angela sat down on the couch beside Brennan and asked a question with her eyes if she could place her hand on the expanded middle of the anthropologist.

Brennan grabbed her hand and pressed it to her stomach, and watched as Angela grinned when she felt the kicks coming from within.

"That's incredible!" Angela stared in open mouthed awe.

"It is isn't it? This had by far, been the most incredible experience of my life." Angela did not miss the loving look she gave her partner.

Angela felt a strange jealousy growing within her. Not really in a bad way, she was truly happy for her friend, but she felt the emotion in the room and never would have thought it would be emanating from Brennan. She had waited so long for her friend to catch up to those emotions, and now, she was happy for the couple. They deserved all the happiness they could get.

"When did you guys get back?"

"Late last night. Four FBI Agents met us at the airport and brought us here under the cover of darkness. They thought the Jeffersonian would be the safest place to be. There is still no word from the Gravedigger, but apparently Cullen thinks us being back in town will bring Taffet and her lackeys out of hiding. We're only going to stay until my Grandfather's funeral, and then we'll head back out to the great unknown. At least until the baby is born, then we'll all go after these guys will all guns blaring." Booth put his one hand back on their baby and she put her hand on top of his. They smiled at each other.

Angela noticed something when she looked down at the two hands. She squealed slightly at the sight of the ring on Brennan's third finger of her left hand. She grabbed the hand to get a closer look.

"This is something you might have mentioned!" Ange glared in mock anger at the two. "Did you two get married?"

"No. Booth asked and I agreed that someday I would marry him. Not right away, but someday, maybe. That's a symbol of my commitment to him. A little sign that I'll always know that he's there for me."

Angela looked at the man to see his reaction to her statement and he just looked thrilled. It was a small victory, but who would have ever thought that the two of them would progress far enough to be having a baby? Everything happens eventually. She looked closer at the ring. It was a simple white gold band with a small diamond surrounded by two sapphires. It was beautiful and elegant. Just like its owner.

"Parker picked it out. He said that the sapphires looked like Bones' eyes." Booth looked proud of his son.

Angela wanted to know about Parker and Rebecca but she knew that they were still in hiding and it wouldn't be fair to ask the question of Booth. He couldn't answer anyway. The three of them sat in companionable silence, they had all missed each other's company, when the door opened and Deputy Director Cullen and Agent Sullivan came through.

Booth immediately stood up to shake the hand of his boss, and Temperance stood up, with Angela's help to greet the men.

Sully stared at her. He hadn't seen her in so long, and this was not how he envisioned their first meeting. She was obviously pregnant with Booth's child, but she still looked as beautiful as he remembered. Perhaps more so.

"Hey Tempe... you look great. Motherhood suits you." He wasn't sure what kind of physical contact would be appropriate, but she reached out to give him a hug.

He held her closely, feeling her protruding abdomen pressing against his. She whispered in his ear,

"Thank you Sully, for letting us use your boat."

He whispered back,

"I would do anything to make sure you are safe."

They parted, and Cullen reached out to take her hand next. Booth stepped back to her side and put his arm around her shoulders. Angela could see just that flicker of jealousy that she had sensed early regarding Booth and Sully. She thought to herself that Sully had way more of a reason to be jealous, but men were men. Who knew what they were thinking.

Cullen greeted Angela with a warm smile. He was always glad to see the woman who had made his daughter's final days on earth so memorable for everyone. He would feel eternally grateful to Angela for all she had done for the dying girl.

Sully and Booth shook hands, and Angela made a polite escape from the room, knowing the conversation would probably get too intense for her regarding the Gravedigger and what they were going to do. She let Brennan know that they would catch up later.

When the door had clicked shut after the departure of the artist, the conversation did get intense. They discussed how they were going to handle security at the funeral, which was being planned to be a full military salute for the elder Booth. They would bury his remains in Arlington National Cemetery, with full honour guard.

Sully pointed out that there would be so many military officials there, that the Gravedigger and her Crew would be insane to try something. Everyone agreed, but they were still going to be cautious.

Brennan sat back down on the couch, she was supposed to be on complete bed rest, and she didn't want to be rude, but Doctor's orders were ringing in her ears. Booth sat down beside her to alleviate some of her discomfort about the situation. The other two men pulled up chairs and they all sat discussing strategy.

The conversation eventually turned to the Grandfather and Temperance had no idea what a war hero the man had been. He had more commendations than most people ever got, and he was personally responsible for saving the lives of at least fifty people when the plane he was flying took out a tank that was about to fire on a group of innocent civilians.

He had flown bombing missions over Normandy in late World War Two, and then flew recovery missions and aided in the rebuilding of towns after the war was over. He had stayed with the Air Force, running training missions, and teaching new pilots how to fly the latest in aviation technology.

The stories went on for some time, and Brennan suddenly became very upset about his passing. She would miss the man so much, and she knew her partner's grief was probably ten times what hers was. Booth noticed the tears running down her face and decided that was enough for now.

He very politely asked the other men if they could have the room, and he would discuss with them further plans in a little while. He walked them to the door of her office and saw them out. They both looked at the man carefully. He seemed okay, if not overly concerned about his partner.

Cullen hoped the Gravedigger would just make a move so they could catch the sons of bitches and those two could go on with their lives without fear.

As soon as the men were gone, Booth went back to the couch, where full tears were now running down her face. He sat next to her and wrapped his arms around her and she rested her head on his chest.

"How are you doing?" He asked her.

"I think some hormones are playing major havoc with me right now. I'm sure that's why I'm acting like this."

He just held her and murmured comforting words to her. Eventually she relaxed. His arms had recently become a good place for her to do that and they just sat comfortably for a while. She broke the silence first.

"Booth?" She turned in his arms to look up at him.

"Yes?"

"If the baby is a boy, should we name him after your grandfather? Speaking of which, I don't even know his first name. Nor did I know what a military hero he was. What else are you keeping from me?"

He laughed a bit, and then answered her first question.

"Absolutely no way are we naming our baby after him."

She was shocked, and she removed herself from his arms and sat up to look at him fully.

"Why not? Wouldn't it be an honour?"

"Not in this case Bones..." He paused to lean over and kiss her quickly on the cheek, "You see, my Grandfather's name is also Seeley Booth. He hated that name more than anything. In his Air Force days, the other guys apparently used to make fun of him, and he never wanted anyone to call him by that."

"Why is your name Seeley then?" She really wanted to know.

"Because my Father is an ass. That's why. He named me that to spite his own father. Apparently, my Grandfather was a little bit absent when my father was growing up, and when I was born, he named me after him because he knew that the old man would hate it. So...that's why I hate my name." He gave her a little half smile.

"Wow. I can understand your reasons now. I'll never call you that again... So...It would be more of an honour not to name the baby after him." She smiled.

"I don't mind so much when you call me that. Yes, let's not name the baby after him. He would love that."

Bones noticed the tears form in his eyes, and felt guilty that he was comforting her when it was his grandfather who had died. She was honoured that when the tears finally fell, and she reached her arms out to him, he accepted her embrace without a word. He felt comfortable enough with her to let his true emotions expose themselves.

They spent the day and the night in her office, safe and together, with their two loyal guards keeping everyone else out.

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Three days later the funeral was held without incident.

So many people were shocked to see Booth and Brennan there, but the two were constantly surrounded by armed men. They didn't really get much of a chance to socialize, but everyone there commented on the advanced state of pregnancy that she was in. Not many people had known of their news when they vanished.

Not a peep was heard from the Gravedigger. That made everyone nervous.

The ceremony was beautiful and Booth was proud. His Grandfather was sent off in a grand ceremony, recognizing his heroism and his life's work. Bones stood by his side and held his arm through the whole day, supporting him. He was very grateful to have her there. They would both miss the man so much.

They had agreed to meet the squints back at the Jeffersonian, where they felt safe from foes.

Booth walked back up to the grave when everyone else had dispersed and looked down at the temporary plaque that would remain there until a final headstone was made. Bones walked up behind him, took his arm, and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"We should go Booth. Everyone is waiting for us."

He sighed and turned to walk back to their vehicle. Jeff and Murphy were hovering close-by. He looked around the crowd and saw nothing suspicious, but he noticed his father lingering. He was trying to get the attention of his son. Booth just kept walking. He wanted nothing to do with the man who had caused so much misery in his life. Bones looked at him carefully.

"Are you okay?" She squeezed his arm as they walked, and were quickly surrounded by their ever present guards.

"Yeah Bones. I will be anyway. It's just so strange to see your own name on a grave. It's eerie." He wouldn't even acknowledge his Father's attempt at conversation.

She had no reply for his words.

As Booth and Bones walked back into the lab they watched as their armed friends did a quick sweep of the area. Nothing was amiss. The day had proceeded normally for everyone else, and the world went on.

The mail boy, who had worked in the Jeffersonian for years, was stopped as he tried to exit the lab by Jeff and Murphy. Bones waved them off, he was of no harm.

For one of the first times in a long time...she was wrong.

He had already delivered the packages that the strange man had paid him so much money to deliver. He had no idea what they were, but everyone in the Jeffersonian had been delivered one to their offices. He had made his last stop the Medico-Legal lab and his cart was empty when the two armed men stopped him.

Jeff and Murphy were distracted when they saw Brennan pause and clutch at her stomach. Three men looked at her with worried expressions. She waved them off, saying it was just a cramp. She had experienced a number of them that morning, but assumed it was nothing to worry about right now.

The mail boy left the lab with no problem while everyone was distracted by the pregnant woman. She stood up straight and tried to keep the men from worrying about her. They continued further into the lab.

Booth saw Camille over in the room that stored all the bones, and he diverted his partner to go talk to her. They hadn't had much time to speak since their return. They spoke briefly and filled in the Coroner on the information that they could divulge. The woman was happy to see them back, but understood why they had to go again.

Perotta and Sully came around the corner and waved to the three and beckoned them to follow. They all met in the autopsy room, where a body was being wheeled in by the FBI Medical Examiners. It had been found in a swamp that morning and needed identification.

Cam smiled to Brennan.

"Do you want to help with this? For old time's sake?"

Bones looked to Booth, who looked to Jeff, and when he nodded agreement, it was decided.

Cam started the initial examination and Bones put some rubber gloves on. The coroner, who wasn't used to having so many witnesses around nervously pressed on the man's chest. Every trained ear in the room heard the beeping from the body...

Someone yelled "GET DOWN!"

The explosion shook the room, but it was not as serious as some might have thought. It had effectively blown the body into smaller pieces. The alarm instantly went off and the doors to the room slammed shut. Jeff and Murphy were first to the doors, trying to pry them open. Booth had jumped on his partner to shield her from the blast and was making sure she was okay. She seemed alright so far. He helped her up as Perotta and Sully helped Cam up. Everyone was a little sooty and covered with decomp, but seemed okay other than that.

Murphy was kicking the door trying to get it open when suddenly another series of explosions ripped through the lab. The whole place was shaking with the continuous booms that shook from every direction.

The people trapped in the room stared at each other in confusion.

"What the hell was that?" Sully yelled through the commotion.

Sully then joined the effort to open the doors.

The sealed doors actually kept a lot of the smoke from the explosions out of the room. No one said anything for awhile as the men tried to force the door open with very little progress.

A quiet voice broke the silence of conversation.

"Booth?"

He was right there beside her in a flash.

"I think my water just broke. This baby is coming soon!"

Booth looked panicked to everyone else. With good reason.

"Of course it is. That's just great."

He dulled the sarcasm of his words by smiling at the soon-to-be-mother.

**

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TBC... (not much longer...)