A/N: Wow thanks for all the great reviews I got on previous chapter, and especially all the story alerts :p makes me feel good.

Chapter 6 : Returning Home

Here I am again.

Back in the place where it all began, my house of horrors.
I don't even remember why I told Angela to drop me here after I was discharged from the hospital. Did I wanted to proof myself? Or the others, letting them see I am alright…but am I?! Standing in the doorframe of my apartment, I looked over the place again.
my eyes flickering from room to room, from memory to memory.

The hall.
"Don't tell me to simmer down bitch!" A hand smacking across my cheek.
The living room.
"You always think you know stuff so much better, but I'll tell you what! You're just another cold-hearted science bitch!"I take a deep breath, I just can't believe it's all over after months of terror.
My eyes followed the path further in the house.
The kitchen caught my eye.

"The only thing I ask you to do is make a freaking cup of coffee! Is it too much to ask of you?!" He spat in my face.
"Patrick, please," I sighed. "I just finished putting away the laundry."
"And you know I get up at 9…and want my coffee, Now!" He twisted my arm so hard I fell onto the floor.Forcing myself to move, I stilled at the dark oak door where behind my bedroom lay.
A shiver ran down my spine as I opened the door.
I tried so hard not to remember what had happened here…I tried so hard.
"C'mon baby…work with me."Forcefully I closed my eyes, demanding the images to subside.
Exhausted I climbed onto the bed, it was all over. Patrick was locked up, and I could start living again. Feeling again.

I shot up, panting and soaking in sweat.
A lone tear found it's way down my cheek.
How many more nightmares did I have to have? I even lost count on the once that I'd seen. All of them had been horrible, my friends leaving me, turning their back on me because I was to scared and not able to let people in again. I was living through my childhood all over again. It was killing me.
"And that's just what he wanted." I mumbled into the pillow.
Suddenly something switched in my mind and everything was now crystal clear.
'This was all part of his plan.' I reasoned. 'He wanted me broken and unable to trust other guys..'
My eyes widened at my new discovery.
"He marked me as his-" I'd said the words in pure disgust and unbelief. "And he won!"

I paced through my living room, back and forth, desperately trying to think of something to gain some control again. Some trust in men, because even I was still scared, I knew not all men could be like him. Not like Patrick.

My mind made a leap to Booth. Special agent Seeley Booth, my partner and best friend.
I couldn't explain how it was possible, over years I've trusted him with my past, my problems and my life…then how could it take one rotten boyfriend to change all of that? How was it possible that I didn't trust Booth anymore?

I felt miserable to have scared him off like that, knowing Booth he only wanted to help me, take care of me, and what did I? I yelled at him and practically told him to leave me alone from the rest of my life. I had pushed him away, like I always did when people got too close.

Sighing, I fell down on the couch.
At one point, sooner or later, I had to deal with guys anyway.
How could I get out of this vicious circle?
A long bath. The one moment I could relax and let my mind wander, and if it was with a case or something personal, I always gained some new perspectives when I was truly relaxed.

Once I felt the temperature with my toes and made sure it was bearable, I sunk in, my eyes closing as warm water enveloped me.
The essences of my lavender oil and foam doing a wonderful job on untying all the knots in both my body and my mind.

Soon I had to go to work again, in my house of reason, fighting crime with Angela, Dr. Saroyan, Hodgins and Booth.
There was no running, no way to avoid them.
I had to face it, but the question was how?

Hodgins would understand, of that I was sure Angela would take care off.
But my partner, that was a whole different situation, before this all begun we'd been as close as two people would get, well minus the sexual intercourse, Angela had told me.

And I wanted that back, I wanted to go back to what we were before.
When I was hospitalized, Angela told me about how she'd found me, how upset Booth had been and most of all of what he'd done. The least I could do for him now was talk.

Unable to relax, to just let go, I sighed, drained the bathtub and got out of it. Drying myself with quick practiced movements and put on a robe. Tying it, I walked into the living room, heading to my bedroom. I looked up as I could hear the phone vibrate and a tune started to play. "I wonder who would be calling me at this hour." I was exhausted and wanted to sleep and forget everything for a few hours. Sighing as I realized it could be important, I walked over to it, opened it and froze at the spot.

I'd had missed a few calls. All from Booth.

Completely startled, I looked at the phone.
Should I call him back? Honestly I'd love to hear his voice, it comforted me in some way, but I didn't think I had the guts to do it.

I dropped the phone, shocked, when my ringtone filled the room again.
looking at the display, once I picked it up, Booth, as stubborn as always.
"B-Brennan." I said, once I accepted the call.

A loud sigh was audible on the other end.
"I'm sorry, I called you so late, but I just had to …I had to know you where fine."
I was somewhat angry he had to control me, but also glad I had the nerves to speak to him.
And defiantly happy to hear him, although I wouldn't admit that.

"It's ok, I'm doing good…I think."
I could practically see Booth grin over the phone.
"You're talking to a guy, Bones. I'd say you're doing great!"
Yeah right, I told myself. He couldn't see me holding on to the kitchen table for dear life, or feel my whole body tremble as I didn't know whether I should throw the phone out the window or get comfortable under a blanket on my couch and listen to his soft, familiar voice until I would fall asleep.

"Temperance?" He asked. "Would you mind if I come over, to talk about …stuff?"
His question shocked me.
"What?! No—I mean yes—I mean—It's late, bye Booth."
And even before he could reply, I'd hung up.
My mind screaming I was a coward, a pathetic coward.

Booth stared at the phone in his hand. He sighed as he ran a hand through his hear. 'Well that certainly could've gone a lot worse.' He knew he shouldn't have called, but he had to know. He had to know if she was okay. "Oh god, I wonder if we'll ever get back what we lost. What was taken from us."
He sank down on the couch as he tossed the phone to the other side of the room. "Damn it! Why won't she accept my help?!?"

Across town I sat in the same position, hands in my hair, wondering.
Would this ever end? How did I get here in the first place? And why?
Angela had told me she knew a good therapist who was specialized it that kind of stuff I'm dealing with, but I had declined.
I didn't need help, I got here by myself so I would also get out of this mess by myself, I didn't care how long it would take.

(---------------End Chapter 6---------------------)

Review!!!