The Cabin

Temperance was not looking forward to coming to the 7-H cabins in College Station, TX. She knew Angela would love the sights of the blue bonnets sprinkled up and down the roadways, but she longed to be back at the Jeffersonian working on cases with Booth. It has been three months since their last hard case and Booth was called away for sniper training with some new cadets. Knowing the summer malaise was setting in sooner than expected, she decided to finally take Texas A& M up on their offer of being a guest lecturer for their Forensic and Investigative Science Department. She had her lecture complete with a complete digital 3-D scan that Angela created for her. After the four hour flight from Dulles International to Houston Hobby, plus the three hour drive to the cabin rental office to pick up her key, all she wanted to do was ease into the jacuzzi tub and let the jets do their job washing all of the stiffness out of her back. The jacuzzi tub was set up in an enclosed porch, with wire mesh in place of glass windows. The rustic look was complete with two wooden rocking chairs and corrugated faux rusted siding. It wasn't like anything she has seen back home in DC.

There was a quiet that hung in the air this time of night as she leaned back, letting the cast iron glide against her skin. She enjoyed the feeling of being far away from the noises of civilization and technology. No more plunking alerts or phantom vibrations running though her coat pocket. Taking deep calming breaths, her thoughts went to Booth. She had to admit that her mind often drifted to Booth, especially on cold, quiet nights. Literally, waving off the thought, Temperature tried to clear her mind.

By the time she felt fully relaxed the water had cooled off and the temperature dropped to a chilly 58 degrees. Temperance got up and wrapped herself in the luxurious terry cloth robe. Had she not had the full confidence that that the next nearest cabin was several acres away she would have taken more care to cover up. But nobody was out in the darkness of the woods. She headed inside and immediately felt sleep invade her. Without giving it a second thought, she disrobed and slid under the covers of the bed. She set her alarm for 7am and drifted. The creaking seemed so far away, then it got closer and closer. Temperance woke with a start. She could hear it as plain as day, a creaking sound that sounded like it was coming from outside, the enclosed porch. How stupid she was for not remembering to pack her gun? That's right, she had so many hoops to jump through taking it through airport security. Finally, they had to call FBI liaison, Agent Booth to grant justification for her carrying on a flight. And even then, the only way they agreed was for her to check it with the airplane marshall. She decided to forgo the entire process this time. Her thoughts were interrupted by more creaking. She listened intently, now fully awake. Was it the porch door? Had she left it open? As quietly as she could, she inched out of the bed. Why was this bed so high off the ground, she grumbled internally. She slid out of the duvet and tip toed through the darkness to get a better view of the porch through the cabin window that looked out back. It was pitch black except for the moon casting a golden glow on on sliver of the porch by the rocking chair. It was moving. But how could that be, it wasn't windy…suddenly it occurred to her that a dark figure was seated in the rocking chair. The creaking. Nausea rolled through her stomach as she regretted not being armed, the nearest police officer was all the way in College Station proper, and Booth was 1,458 miles way. After she calmed herself, her resolve stepped in. She was Temperance Freaking Brennan, a trained fighter, marksman, FBI liaison, and let's not forget, foster child. She knew how to think fast on her feet. This night was no different. With a quick sweep around the room, she recalled the fire placed with a full set of fire place tools including a wrought iron fire poker. Effortlessly and gracefully, she moved to the fireplace and lifted the poker off. It was only then that Temperance realized that she hadn't a stitch of clothing on her body. Placing the poker on the bed she made quick work of placing the robe back on and tying the belt in place. She picked up the poker and contorted her neck to get another look at the seated intruded. What she was expecting, she has no idea. But she wasn't expecting this…there was nobody. Both rocking chairs were still and the entire patio was completely devoid of human life. Should she step outside to check or stay in the safety of the bedroom? 3:57 am…she knew there was no way she was going to sleep. Did she really see someone or was this Texas air playing tricks on her mind. She knew she should get some sleep if she wanted to be rested for her lecture tomorrow. She slid back into her bed, fire poker clutched in her hand and bathrobe firmly in place. It wasn't until she heard her 7am alarm that Temperance stirred again.