A/N: So remember how I said there was going to be 36 chapters? As of right now I look like a big liar because there is probably only going to be 35. Don't hate me! But the sequel will be up RIGHT after. I hope some of you guys will be intrigued enough to read. As usual after 5 more reviews another chapter will be put up. Also if you're reading I'd really appreciate reviews and I know people are because I keep seeing alerts/favorites sent to my inbox.

Thank you for all of your support!

33CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

"Alright. So here's the deal." Agent Seeley Booth began as he stood gathering little belongings and gifts that had been left for Krys around the room. Some flowers here, a teddy bear there, some candy. She had a nice little bounty. "It's going to be a mob scene out there. Flashing lights, reporters, cameras, the whole shebang."

Krys watched on as Temperance Brennan helped her to her feet from where she had been sitting on the hospital bed. She looked more herself after three days of hospital care. She wore blue jeans, a red shirt, with a black button up, a contrast to the pajamas she usually sported around the Jeffersonian in her time there. The only signs of the attack on her body was a bandage on her upper forehead and bruises here and there.

"For me?" Krys cocked her head at the FBI agent while Temperance's slender fingers held onto her arm to keep her up even though it wasn't necessary. "A whole shebang." She gave an inaudible little laugh, shaking her head as she looked to the floor.

"What's a shebang?" Temperance Brennan questioned with a furrowed brow as she looked to her partner, all the while standing firm beside Krys.

"A party. A commotion." Booth waved her off, suddenly overwhelmed before he moved to the window and pushed past the light blue curtains to reveal the crowd below. Already it was becoming a mob scene. "That Bones, is a shebang."

Temperance frowned as she slowly approached the window, Krys in tow. Craning her thin neck she blinked peculiarly at the scene below. Krys noticably looked away from the window and back to the floor with a heavy sigh.

"That is certainly a large shebang." Temperance murmured aloud before turning back to look at the two.

"It's lame." Krys said lowly, something Booth caught.

"You're one of the few surviving victims of the biggest serial killer cases this area has ever seen. There was bound to be media attention. You knew that. We all knew that." Seeley remarked, shaking his head. "You and Parker are both heroes because you survived. They feel like they know you through the papers. They want to see you. Have a face to the name so they know that you exist. So that they know hope is real." Seeley tried to convince her though he was no more comfortable with the idea than the data analyst more because his son was involved. His son who was now standing in the doorway with a clean face, blue jeans, and a clean zip up hoodie all his own.

"That makes it lamer." Krys responded flatly, not in a cutting tone but one of overall exhaustion.

"Krys. You'll come with me won't you?" Parker spoke up from the door causing the young woman to look up with gentle brown eyes. He then moved to stand in front of her, his father rested a protective hand on his shoulder. "You promised." Krys was unable to respond vocally so instead, after a long silence she just gave him a nod which Booth picked up on and continued speaking.

"The best we can do is escort you to the private cars and avoid the crowd. You only have to answer the questions that you want." Seeley informed the two as Temperance looked on. "Temperance and I will be in the front car with Parker for the trip home-"

"What do I do?" Krys spoke up out of nowhere though she didn't seem alarmed.

"Sweet's waiting downstairs. He'll be escorting you to your car where your family is waiting to take you back Upstate for some R&R." Seeley continued which seemed enough to quiet Krys as she returned to looking out the window at the growing mob scene.

"Sweets?" Krys asked curiously, blinking as Parker reached out to hold onto her jeans pocket just to maintain contact with her.

"He insisted." Booth nodded before adding as an afterthought. "He's been doing that a lot lately." And Seeley damn well knew why. He often times experienced the same thing with Temperance Brennan, not that the anthropologist needed to know that. He'd keep that a secret as long as he was able to. "Ready?"

Krys and Parker both nodded and soon the group was making their way into the hospital wall and down the stairs to the bottom level which had been cleared for their exit. Even from the distance away they could see the flashing camera lights, the hustle and bustle of bodies, the shouts and yells of questions as they bombarded everyone who got close that might have something to say. It was like a swarm of irritated bees and upon reaching a few feet before the door Krys and Parker both haulted.

Booth's hand moved to his son, giving him a reassuring squeeze. He understood that he was scared, but eventually they'd have to leave. From outside the voices grew louder specifically of one red headed reporter.

"About to emerge or Krys Robin a data analyst from the FBI and Parker Booth, the son of an agent. Both were held hostage for days by the man who was believed to be the serial killer that held this town at his bay for weeks. Both are thought to be the only survivors in the killer's rampage. Within a few minutes the two young heroes will be emerging and returning home for the first time."

"I'm not a hero." Krys said quietly as she stared directly ahead as though in a daze.

"No. You're not." Temperance responded cooly, as though the topic had been for open discussion which caused Booth to look at her in warning which was once again, ignored. "You're just a person. A rather young person who got tangled up in some unfortunate events. One circumstance hardly makes you a hero."

"Bones." Booth warned as his partner wasn't exactly helping.

"Zack's a hero. He figured out how to locate you and where does society push him? Right back to the mental institution." Temperance went on, obviously a bit disheartened to have her favorite intern ripped away once again.

"Because he killed someone." Seeley interupted with a heavy sigh. How could she never understand that? That was one of the mysteries that was Temperance Brennan. "Come on." With a heavy sigh he shook his head and holding Parker's hand moved toward the door. "We've got some movies and chili waiting back home."

"There's a lot of people." Parker remarked in a soft, nervous voice as he looked unsurely to Krys who did her best to give him a reassuring smile. "You'll be okay?" He checked on his companion not wanting to leave her like he had back in the shack.

"Yeah." Krys gave a little shrug with an even weaker smile. "My family is taking me upstate for a little break. Then I'll be filling out some paperwork for my transfer back to the FBI."

Temperance looked down at the young woman. It hadn't struck her mind that she was on loan from the FBI and wouldn't be working with the Jeffersonian 24/7. In a weird way Temperance actually found herself liking the firey thing. "Thank you for your services Miss Robin."

Krys gave a weird little smile at Doctor Brennan's phrasing. "Yeah. You're welcome... For my services." And in a weird little moment she found herself laughing despite the odd, yet amused look Doctor Brennan was giving her.

"Alright kiddo." Seeley was a bit preoccupied with his son and he'd no doubt call Krys once he got home just to check on her. He was obligated and attached in that sense. Looking over to Krys he gave her a soft smile in silent thanks. "I'll help you with the paperwork when you return to the bureau."

"Right. One month." Krys nodded showing that she knew the procedure and then gave a little sigh as she looked up toward the ceiling. "What am I going to do to occupy myself for a whole month?"

"I'm sure you'll think of something." Agent Booth chuckled and shook his head before lightly ruffling her hair, something Temperance noticed and wondered about.

Having said their goodbyes the Booth took his son in his arms and carried him right out of the lobby and outside. Temperance followed right behind as did Krys who ended up stopping at the glass door as she stood alone as the other three moved into the crowd.

Immediately she watched them swarm and how Booth tried to shield Doctor Brennan and Parker from the crowds, even angrily shaking them off. If this whole experience had taught Krys anything it was to appreciate the little things. It was like watching a tv show through the glass. How everyone moved, how everything was, and she was about to face it alone. Her throat suddenly felt very dry and she tried to prepare herself with no luck. That was until she felt a hand on her shoulder.

In looking up she saw the gentle dark eyes that belonged to Jeffersonian's own young psychologist. Smiling gently down at the young woman in his suit which was too big for him he stood surprisingly still and sure.

"Just look forward. Eyes straight ahead and keep walking." He told her softly to which Krys could only swallow and turn her gaze toward the door, bracing herself. "Hold on. I'm here." Lance added quietly as he stared out in a similar fashion as the door swung open and the light blinded them.