Chapter 19: Misperceptions
More than four hours later, everyone was gathered in Brennan's room. She was back in bed, her ribs rewrapped, her blood swimming with pain killers. Though under orders to rest, she wanted to hear all that happened after she was carted off by the EMTs and had even refused treatment until Booth and Hannah agreed to come back to the hospital after filing their reports with the police.
Booth once again sat in the chair by her bed, holding her hand. Considering Hannah was also in the room, Bones thought this odd, but her brain seemed to be operating in slow motion at the moment and she was unable to focus very well.
Hannah was saying, "I don't know how he managed to see so well through all that mist-"
"Actually, I aimed above everyone's head because I couldn't see a thing. I didn't want to accidentally hit Booth," Russ interjected.
"It was the sound of the shot that did it. Scott was surprised for a second and in that time, I managed to get the gun pointed away from me and at him. Then I pulled the trigger. So I owe it all to you, Russ," Booth said, flashing a crooked smile at Bones' brother. "Well, to you and these Academy Award caliber actresses." He waggled his eyebrows at Hannah and Bones. "Scott's being treated downstairs and it looks like he'll live to stand trial, though it wouldn't surprise me if he pleads insanity. Hard to argue with that."
Bones' eyes were drooping, but she forced herself to stay awake.
Seeing this, Booth started to rise. "You need your sleep, Bones. We can finish later."
"Not yet," she managed to say, though her words came out oddly elongated. "Want to talk to Hannah."
Hannah's concerned face replaced Booth's in her narrowing field of vision. "Temperance, I'm so sorry I hurt you. I knew you were picking a fight to create a diversion so I tried to make it look convincing. I didn't mean to re-injure your ribs though."
"Don't apologize. Did exactly right. And, you are a much better actor than I am. Even I almost believed that Booth had thrown you over for me." She chuckled softly. "Great job." Still smiling, she closed her eyes in sleep.
AN: Okay, I'll confess, I'm getting totally addicted to getting comments when I add chapters. Thanks so much for all the positive comments!