Disclaimer-I do not own Bones or Howard Epps. I do own Alexandria.
A/N- Short chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 18-Happily Never After
No one spoke. The room was deathly still. A strangling cloud of fear and utter disgust hung in the air. No one wanted to believe that Howard Epps was the man behind the attacks. Angela sat furiously drawing in her sketch book. Hodgins and Zack had murderous looks splashed across their faces. Cam stared at the floor. Booth and Alexandria looked at each other,not knowing what to say or do next. Brennan was numb. Nothing fazed her anymore. You could have told her that George Washington was her rapist and she wouldn't respond. But this,the thought of Howard Epps being her rapist was too much. "This cannot be happening. No. This is not happening. Howard Epps is...not...Howard Epps...How-ard...Epps"Brennan thought. She shook her head,trying to shake away the pictures of Howard attacking her. It was not working,the images of Howard were etched in her mind.
"No...no...it's...not...possible."Brennan whispered. Suddenly all eyes were on her.
"Bones?"Booth said.
"I need air"Brennan said,running from the room. Not just running,escaping.
"Bones!"Booth said. He tried to run after her but Angela grabbed his arm.
"Let her go."Angela said,not looking up. Booth could tell she was crying,tears splashed on her drawing.
"I'll kill him!."Zack suddenly shouted. Everyone stared at him. It was so out of character for Zack to have an outburst like that. No one knew how to respond.
"Whoa,Buddy, take a chill pill."Hodgins said,trying to calm Zack down.
"Hodgins! This is no time to recreational drug usage!. We have to figure out what our next step is!."Zack exclaimed.
"Zack. Take a chill pill means calm down. Now,calm down. We will figure this out like we always do."Cam said.
"I'm going to work."Zack said,leaving the room
"I'm so sorry. Did I say something??"Alexandria said.
"Alexandria,have a seat. Let me tell you about the Howard Epps we all know and loathe."Booth said.
Outside with Brennan
Taking a few deep breaths Brennan collapsed onto a ledge,outside the Jeffersonian. She could feel her baby squirming around. "Booth is your father. Not Howard Epps. SeeleyBooth,not Howard Epps."She thought. Brennan watched people walk past her,going about their lives. People on their cell phones bitching because their hair is too frizzy or their limo is late. Simple lives handed to them on a silver platter. Given Brennan knew she lived a great life. She was a successful Forensic Anthropologist working with the FBI. A successful writer. She loved a wonderful man. But the work and heartache it took to get to where Brennan was in life,made her wish for happily ever after.
Happily ever after. Nice thought. Brennan knew that happily ever after was not a realistic wish. Wishes alone were unrealistic. No one lives happily ever after.
"Happily never after is more like it."Brennan said,talking to no one imperticular.
"You can't really mean that." said a voice. Brennan looked up and saw Sully looking down at her.
"Hello Sully."Brennan said.
"Hello Tempe. Whats the matter."Sully said,trying to sound as glum as Brennan.
"Howard Epps."
"The serial killer?"
"Yes."
"Why would he be an issue?. He's dead right?."
"Right!. Thats what everyone thinks. But Alexandria said...and you can't be sure."
"Wait. I'm confused. Tell me whats going on."
"Alexandria,the girl whose DNA was found in my apartment,told us that the name of my attacker is Howard Epps."
"That can't be right. Howard Epps fell off of a roof. He was pronounced dead. You know Tempe,it could be a copy cat."
"Copy cat?"
"Yeah. Maybe one of Epps' fans. There are people who worshiped him. Maybe they think that killing you and the others would be a tribute to Epps."
"You're right,Sully. Howard Epps being alive is not possible. But a copy cat is."Brennan said.
"Yep."
"Can I ask you a question?"Brennan asked.
"Anything."Sully said.
"Do you think I will ever have happiness again?."Brennan asked. The question took Sully by surprise. He took Brennan in his arms.
"I think that when this is over-and it will be over-,when you hold your precious baby in your arms that is when you will find happiness."
"Happiness is not a logical feeling."
"Brennan,not every feeling has to be logical." Sully said. Inside Brennan knew that Sully was right. She couldn't help feeling that happiness would never find her again. Maybe the happiest moments in her life had passed. Now she was going to go through life faking a smile and inside wanting to die.
"You're kidding me!"Alexandria exclaimed.
"I wish I was." Booth said.
"So,Howard is a serial killer. And he died. So who have I been with all of these years?."Alexandria asked.
"A copy cat."Sully said as he and Brennan entered the room.
"A copy cat?"Everyone said in unison.
"Yes. Umm..Booth can I talk to you...outside."Brennan said.
"Sure. Everyone excuse us." Booth said,following Brennan.
"Whats up?"Booth asked,once they found the privacy of Cam's office.
Brennan turned and threw herself against Booth's strong chest "I don't want t do it anymore." she whispered.
"Shh...Bones I know. I don't want to either."
"I just want one day where we don't have to worry about Copy Cat. I want just one day where we can be happy."
Booth was silent. He wanted to give Brennan that happiness,no just for a day but for all the days to come. But if one day of happiness would help Brennan,then one day of happiness he was going to give her.
"Bones. How about Christmas?"
"What?"
"Christmas is in a week. How about we have a Christmas party with all of our friends. I will give you that one day of happiness that you want."
"I don't know..."
"Oh come on. We can go all out. Decorations,food,gifts...a tree. Please,let me give you this."Booth begged. Brennan looked into his eyes,she could tell he was going to make Christmas if she wanted it or not.
"It sounds...perfect. Thank you,Seeley."
"I love you,Bones. Always remember that."
"I will. I love you too."
A/N- Well what do you think. I am planning on doing a Christmas themed chapter (it will be posted asap) then after that I won't be updating until after Christmas and New Years. Please R&R and be kind. I worked hard on this chapter. Took me forever to figure out how I wanted it to go. I think it's good.
Love xoxox
Katelyn Ashley
