Chapter 3: Message Received

"Hmmmmm," Hannah mumbled as Booth carefully scooted her off his chest and onto the pillow behind her. He smiled and sat up. He'd love to stay in the warm bed cuddled up with Hannah for the rest of the night, but as soon as his heart rate had returned to normal, he'd remembered the call from Bones. She didn't usually call this late, at least not in recent months, unless it was something important.

He hastily pulled on some sweatpants, found his phone on the floor by the bed where it had fallen at some point, and strode from the room. It was late, almost two a.m. now, and he didn't want to keep Hannah up.

Sitting on the couch, he pushed the voicemail button and typed in his password. He looked idly around the room as he waited to hear Bones' voice, probably edged with exasperation at getting voicemail.

"...force your way into my apartment? If you want to steal something, help yourself. You have a gun. As you said, you can pretty much do whatever you want."

Gun? What in the world was she talking about? His heart thumped in his chest as he increased the volume on the phone and strained to hear more.

The next sounds were muffled, as if someone else further away was speaking. He caught only a few words " what... rather sim... partner... son... no one... no choice ... and working... line." That made no sense! What was going on? The next voice, louder and clearer, was Brennan's once again.

"But I'm not family, he won't care much what happens to me. And he's on the outs with Hannah, so you won't have any luck there. You didn't really do your research did you? And Parker...Parker is away with his mother and her boyfriend. I don't even know where he is."

Another long stretch of muffled sounds followed, with just a few words here and there that could be understood. But the other voice seemed to grow louder with some type of agitation making one sentence come through clearly - ""You know what it would do to Seeley Booth if he is unable to protect those he loves? He will be destroyed!" That pronouncement was followed by some kind of thump, then a groan and the sound of something hard hitting the ground.

Seeley Booth was paralyzed for just an instant, fear and horror rooting him in place. Then, his warrior instincts rushing in, he jumped up and quickly dialed police emergency. Tucking the phone under his chin while he talked, Booth ran back into the bedroom and started grabbing clothing. Hannah sat up abruptly in bed and opened her mouth to speak. When she saw the frantic state of her boyfriend, however, she remained silent and waited.

"This is agent Seeley Booth with the FBI. I am calling to report a break in and assault at..." He blinked in concentration and then gave the dispatcher Bones' address. "Yes, I believe that medical assistance will be required. I will meet the emergency personnel at the scene. I should be there in five minutes." He relayed his cell phone number and hung up, throwing the phone to Hannah.

"I need to get dressed and get out of here. Listen to the voicemail and tell me what you hear. Maybe you can pick up something else."

"Wait! I'm coming with you. I'll listen on the way." With that she jumped up and began to yank on clothing.

Booth didn't want to take the time to argue with Hannah, even though he had no idea what he'd find at Bones' apartment. He couldn't think about that now or he'd explode. If something happened to Bones...

As his mind careened from one disturbing scenario to another, he took some comfort in the fact that Hannah at least would likely be safe. The police were on the way, so whoever it was who had been at Bones' place would be long gone when he heard the sirens.

"The password, Booth! Booth, I need the password!"

Booth started. He was so intent on driving as fast as he could that he'd tuned everything else out. He told Hannah the password and watched out of the corner of his eye as she listened to the voicemail. She gasped and gripped the phone so tightly her knuckles showed white.

"Oh my God, Oh my God!"

"What did you hear?"

She sucked in a deep breath. "Mostly just Temperance, a few words from the guy here and there and then what he yelled at the end. I am guessing that's what you heard as well?"

At his nod she continued. "He's after you, Seeley. You got that part didn't you? He's after you and everyone who means anything to you. You have to call Rebecca! Call her now and tell her to take Parker somewhere. I can take care of myself, but Parker...Oh God." She covered her mouth with her hands.

Parker! He'd been so panicked about Bones that he hadn't focus on what that maniac had been saying. "Hannah, Rebecca's number is in the phone. Call her right now and tell her! Please Hannah, we are almost there and I have to go in. Call Rebecca now!"

With that he swerved to the curb and jumped out of the car. He heard sirens in the distance and knew that Hannah would be safe where he left her. He had to find Bones. Right now it was all about Bones.