Author's Note: I'd like to thank those of you who reviewed and read the last chapter. It means so much to me knowing you enjoy reading this story. I should warn you now that this story will be picking up speed soon, starting with this chapter, which also means they will be getting longer. I hope you don't mind. ;). Also, I should tell you that as of right now the outline I have stops at thirty chapters. That could change of course, but I'm just letting you know how much left we have to cover.
After the victim had been identified the case was pretty open and shut, or so they thought. With only a few complications, the case closed in a matter of weeks. It hadn't been without the expected twists and turns, and in the end Booth hadn't received the perfect arrest he would have liked. Still, it was a Friday night and he felt the need to celebrate. As he lifted his beer from the bar, he couldn't help but wonder why.
"Mind if I sit here?" Hodgins asked. He already knew Booth wouldn't refuse, and in truth the agent was pretty much the only reason he'd come to the bar. It wasn't like he didn't drink a round or two to celebrate, but after the case all he really wanted was to spend some time with just himself and Angela. However, after the way the case had ended, he had a feeling they all needed to stick together and cheer one another up.
Booth shrugged and waited until after Hodgins ordered his drink to speak. "Is everyone else coming?"
"Cam's going out with her boyfriend...Matt or something. Angie's with Bren, and I guess Zack's headed home to visit family." Hodgins said, providing an answer. He didn't mention the fact he though Booth could probably use to company. As he watched Booth sigh and take another swig from his beer, he didn't really think there was a reason to say he'd had that thought in the first place. "I figured the girls could use some time. Do you mind?"
"I have a feeling you won't leave me alone even if I say I do." Booth replied. "Sorry, I don't mean it like that. I just-"
"I get it, man. Don't worry about it." Hodgins told him, hoping he'd actually take the advice that time. Watching him, Hodgins wasn't quite sure how to phrase it, but he wanted to say something that would help. "We caught him, Booth. That's what matters, right?"
Booth settled his bottle a little too hard on the bar before turning to look at Hodgins. "That girl, Alison, she didn't deserve what he gave her. He hurt her physically and emotionally for months before actually killing her. I should have arrested him, made him rot in jail. He didn't deserve the right to just kill himself; one bullet, and he practically died instantly. It's guys like him that make me wonder why I ever chose this career field." He gripped one hand tightly around his beer bottle, the moisture from the cool glass collecting around his fingers, and he drummed the other against the worn bar counter.
Hodgins knew a stressed person when he saw one. He'd felt himself stretched to his own limits on many occasions in his years of working at the Jeffersonian, even if he technically hadn't been the one responsible the majority of the time. The reality that there were still so many people that hated others and killed one another never ceased to haunt him. "We're the good guys, Booth. If it wasn't for squints like me or kick ass federal agents like you, the world would be worse off than it is now."
Booth smirked and shook his head. "You do realize you just called yourself a squint, right?"
With mouth hung open, Hodgins had to admit he was right. "Yeah, well, I guess that doesn't matter. The point is that despite how contrived and corrupted our government is, there are still those of us who actually want the good to win over the bad. Things don't always end the way we want them to end," Hodgins cast a glance in Booth's direction. "but that's just part of life. In the end, Richards still got what was coming to him. He's dead, and Alison's family can have peace now."
"You're right." Booth conceded. It didn't make him feel any better about the situation, but it was a start. "I don't want that spreading around, though."
"Of course." Hodgins took a hearty gulp from his drink before taking a moment to study Booth. It wasn't often anymore he got a chance to see the man without his professional walls safely up and in place. There used to be times he and Brennan would come over and watch a movie or play a game of pool with he and Angela, and there were of course the times he'd bring Parker over for swimming in the pool or the lake he'd built. Ever since the accident they'd been by a few times, but Booth spent the majority of his time either working on paperwork or cases or sitting with Brennan. Having spent some time with Brennan seeing as she was staying with him for the time being, he could tell she was just as miserable and stressed out as the man sitting next to him. It was a fact he didn't think he should divulge. Considering the fact Brennan was still insisting on regaining everything, Hodgins knew the situation wouldn't be any better if that knowledge was shared. Still, he couldn't help but find it at least a little amusing; even when they were apart, they still seemed to act the same. Though they'd been together for several years, he couldn't help but wonder if Angela and himself had been the same way when they'd been separated. "Your secret is safe with me."
The way he said it, in a hushed whisper, almost made Booth laugh. He probably would have had he not known Hodgins was being serious. "You're a good friend, you know that? A patient man, too, because I know with Angela and Bones both in that house things probably haven't been the easiest."
"It's been an adjustment, but I don't mind. Doctor B needed someplace to stay for a while, and I was happy to try and help. That doesn't mean it's permanent." Hodgins winced as he spoke, realizing he'd probably just hit the nerve he was trying to avoid. As much as he liked them both, Booth and Brennan's personal life should be kept just that, not to mention the fact he didn't really meddle even if given the chance. "So, is Parker coming over this weekend? I was thinking you guys could come over and play a couple of games. I just had the tennis courts resurfaced."
"Becca's got him this weekend. He's still got a game, though, so if you guys were planning on coming feel free." Booth replied. He started picking at the lable on the bottle with his thumbnail.
"Of course. Parker's a talented kid." Hodgins told him. He looked down to see his glass was empty. Signaling the bartender, he ordered both him and Booth another round.
"You didn't have to do that." Booth said after their drinks came. "Thanks."
Hodgins raised his drink in Booth's direction. For a guy who had every reason to feel down and out, or at the least stressed, he saw the fact Booth was trying his best to lift his own spirits and be optimistic. "You think we should toast or something?"
He knew a friendly, "cheer up" gesture when he saw one. Booth couldn't help but smile and feel grateful he had friends when he needed them. He raised his bottle before realizing he didn't really know what to see. "I'm not exactly good with words."
"To us, the good guys; may we win more often. In work and in life." Hodgins clinked his glass against Booth's before taking a gulp.
Booth knocked back his own, thinking of just how much he wanted Hodgins' words to ring true.
Angela came from the kitchen with twin bowls of ice cream in hand to find her best friend on the couch flipping through the channels on television. She would have been more happy if the move alone wouldn't have seemed at least a little out of character. "Bren, are you sure you don't wanna go? I mean, we only have to stay for a little while. It's a good time to celebrate."
"You easily could have gone. The purpose of celebrating tonight included you, not me." Brennan replied, finally setting the remote down next to her on the couch.
Angela frowned before sitting on the couch. "What do you mean? Brennan, you're still a part of the team. We're all a family, remember?"
Brennan took a bowl of ice cream from Angela. Words from several years before echoed in her mind. "Yes, I know that. You guys had a tough job solving this case, and while Cam and Zack apparently had other plans, you're more than welcome to go join Hodgins and Booth."
"I can't just leave you here, moping alone. What kind of friend would I be if I didn't at least try and get you to go out and have a good time?" Angela asked before tucking a leg under her. She watched as Brennan frowned, her brow furrowing, and knew she probably shouldn't have asked the question if she intended for it to remain rhetorical.
"You're still a great friend, even if you do go." Brennan told her. Even as the words left her mouth, Brennan knew she probably wouldn't listen. It wasn't the first time Angela had attempted to get her to go out and enjoy herself. She'd gone a time or two, but those times had only been between her and another few girls. The idea of going out with her old team again brought back to light the issue she wasn't ready to face. She started swirling her spoon through the ice cream in her bowl as she phrased the question. "I'd like your opinion on something, and I'd like for it to remain completely objective. Do you think you could do that?"
"I can try." Angela shrugged. "What do you need?"
"Sweets wants Booth to come to his sessions with me." Brennan replied immediately. She wasn't sure what asking Angela advice would get. At the least, Brennan knew she was facing someone who wanted the best for her, even if she didn't believe so at the time.
"And?" Angela probed, trying to move the conversation forward. For a moment she thought about just telling Brennan what she thought, that maybe it was a good idea, but she knew Brennan probably wouldn't respond well to that. "Well, what do you want? This is about you, Bren, and whatever it is that you want. You've been staying here for a while now and you know I have no problem with that. However, Booth's gonna come around eventually, and he's gonna want a decision from you."
Brennan swallowed the bite of ice cream on her spoon before considering what she said. "My decision about what?"
"Brennan." Angela cried. She blushed afterward, feeling a little guilty at the outburst. Of course Brennan would be the one to go about the situation in a completely stubborn way. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. Why do you insist on dancing around this?"
"As I recall, I asked if you could remain completely objective, but clearly you can't." Brennan snapped. She gulped, the ice cream freezing her mouth before sliding down her throat, and she set her bowl down on the table. The hurt look on Angela's face only served to make her feel more guilty than she already was. "I'm sorry, that was out of line. I realize all you're trying to do is help. I just need to go about this my way. I'm the one who doesn't remember everything, but sometimes it feels like everyone else doesn't remember either."
She'd forgiven her before the apology left her mouth, but Angela had to admit the comment hurt a little. In a perfect world, she never would have said it in the first place. Of course, Angela reminded herself, it wasn't a perfect world, and there was still a long way to go before anything concrete happened. "What do you mean?"
The idea was something Brennan had been struggling with for quite some time. While she'd mentioned it to Sweets and even once to Booth himself, she felt Angela could be someone who would understand a bit more. Running a hand through her hair, Brennan noted the fact it needed to be trimmed. She'd ask Angela if she'd like to go for a trip later on in the week, but Brennan knew it was exactly the time. "I mean that while I'm the one who has difficulty remembering details from the last several years, it feels as if everyone else forgot about details from before that time. Several years ago I didn't even believe in marriage as an institution, and yet now I find myself married to Booth of all people. I'm sure there was a logical reason. I know that Booth wouldn't force me to do anything I didn't want. However-" Brennan paused and brought a hand up to move the star pendant on her necklace, moving it back and forth, her eyes focusing on the scene playing out on television without really paying attention. "I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. Everyone expects me to just move back into that particular area of my life, but how am I supposed to accept that not knowing what led me to making such a decision?" She fumed on, pausing only to take a breath and cast a glance in Angela's direction. "Am I even making any sense?"
"Actually, yes." Angela admitted. "Sorry, that sounded bad didn't it?" She wrinkled her nose. Changing her position on the couch to better suit a conversation, Angela turned to face Brennan. "No one can make any decisions about whatever it is you want to do except you. But Bren? You've gotta remember you're not the only one affected by any decisions you make. Whatever happens, I'm on your side. You know that." Angela gave Brennan's shoulder a squeeze to make sure she understood. The light in her eyes was a bit brighter, a fact which she thought could be taken as a good thing. "Can I ask you something?"
"I suppose so." Brennan replied. It occurred after that she probably should have asked just how personal the 'something' would be. Knowing Angela, nothing was considered off limits.
There were so many ways she could phrase it, but Angela struggled to think of the best one. "Okay, well we've already established the fact that you trust Booth, right? You trust me, too. We're all your friends. What's best for you is what matters. We all agree on that."
Brennan frowned, feeling like she wasn't getting something, and cleared her throat. "You do realize that wasn't a question, don't you?"
Angela couldn't help but smile at her usual tact. "Right, well I wasn't done. Sweets is one of us, too." She paused and shook her head. "Wow, I can't believe I just said that. Anyway, he wouldn't ask you to let Booth come in with you to the sessions if he didn't think it would help. Am I right?"
"Yes, I suppose he would have considered that." Brennan conceded. Her attention was focused on her own clasped hands, wrapped tight in her lap. "I just can't help but wonder who he's trying to help. It's not secret that Sweets wants to be accepted by Booth, so what if this is just a ploy to get us back together rather than actually help me recover?"
Brennan did kind of have a point. Angela let the thought sit in her mind for a minute. "Well," She began slowly. "Sweets is a professional. You can accept the fact that since he's a professional, it wouldn't be legal to do something that would be against your permission, can't you?" Angela arched an eyebrow as she watched a look of shock flash across Brennan's features. "Right." She said before reaching again for her bowl of ice cream. "Now, just think about that. We should probably eat before this stuff completely melts."
With that, Brennan was content to do just as she was told. They found a better movie on the television, Angela seemed to be content, and Brennan mulled their conversation over in her mind. Was she looking at the situation in the wrong way? Could there be a better way to approach the whole thing? Even she had to admit Sweets probably wouldn't stoop to such a level. He'd been so willing to help in the first place, and he'd been searching for her approval as well before he moved away and everything changed. With nothing else to do, Brennan let that thought stew as she settled in to finish the rest of the movie.
Booth cursed under his breath as the doors to the lab slid open. It was a Saturday and he was supposed to be at the field for Parker's game in a little under an hour, and yet he found himself making his way down the dimly lit hallway to Zack's office. He was surprised to realize anyone was there in the first place. After getting the files he needed he almost left, but the voice behind him caused Booth to stop.
"Seeley? Do I even want to ask what you're doing here on a weekend?" Cam asked in surprise. She knew a few interns were taking care of things, but other than that she was the only one in the lab until Booth came.
Booth turned and waved the files in the air. "I'm just gonna get some work done this weekend. Why not, I guess. Do I even need to ask the same thing?"
Cam paused, her mouth hung open, and she hesitated in the doorway of her office. There was no avoiding it, even if he had been someone who didn't know her as well. "Work. What else?"
"On a weekend, Camille? What happened to us? We used to be the...the go out, do things on weekends people." Booth mused. Of course he didn't have to say the reason, and the look in Cam's eyes told him there was no need to elaborate. "You okay?"
"Are you?" Cam hedged. She crossed her arms, hoping he'd let it go, but Booth knew her all too well. "Matthew and I are having a bit of a disagreement in regards to where we stand. I came here to take care of a few things. Clear my thoughts, I guess. I was planning on leaving soon. Parker's game is today, right?"
He studied her face in an attempt to see if the whole story was told. They had known each other for a long time, and if something was wrong, he wanted to help. "Yeah, I was gonna head over there after picking this up. Do you need a ride?"
"No," Cam shook her head. If her suspicion was correct, he knew enough to let the subject drop for the time being. "I brought my car. I'll be there before too long."
Booth nodded before waving at a passing intern. "You sure everything's okay?"
"Seeley?" Cam sent him a pointed look. "Everything good for you?"
Fair enough, Booth thought. He had to admit his life was easier than it could have been; he had friends by his side, a healthy and vibrant son, not to mention a successful career. Even if everything hadn't gone as planned, he still had reason enough to look on the bright side. "See you at the field?"
Cam nodded with a smile as she watched him turn to walk away. "See you at the field."
A rainy Monday afternoon led to Max and Brennan sitting over cups of coffee in the college cafeteria. "How much longer does Sweets expect you to wait?" Max asked after Brennan lapsed into a bout of silence.
Brennan shrugged in reply. "His lecture must've ran over. I'm sure he'll be back in his office soon."
"I just don't get it. You're taking time out of your day so he can try and help you. The least the guy could do is make sure he can actually help you when he says he can." Max fumed. He darted his eyes around the room, watching as the few students in the room talked and laughed amongst themselves. "Are you sure you're okay waiting in here?"
"It's raining outside, where else were we supposed to go?" Brennan questioned. "If you didn't feel comfortable waiting here, you know you could have just dropped me off and came back later."
Max shook his head before taking a sip from his cup. "Are you kidding? I wanna help you, Tempe. I miss having your company. Don't worry about me."
"Are you sure?" Brennan asked in return, her voice sounding the opposite. After the conversation with Angela a few days before she was still a little on the fence in regards to what role in her recovery she wanted Booth to play, though if she were being honest what she wanted more than anything was to keep him as well as everyone else in their close-knit group as close as she could.
"Well, of course, honey; anything I can do that helps. I mean that." Max replied, sending her a look to make sure she understood. He waved to someone standing in the doorway. "It's about time."
Sweets returned Max's wave before walking up to their table. "I had a feeling I'd find you here; I'm so sorry. I had a student stop me and ask a question on the way out of the room, otherwise I would've been up in my office in time." He said. "Are you ready to go? Unless you've been waiting here too long?"
Brennan looked over at Max. "Are you okay waiting here?"
Max nodded. "Just meet me back here when you're done."
Tuesday proved to be warmer and remarkably drier than Monday had been. Without a case to solve, the squints remained either at the lab doing odd jobs, or in Angela's case, taking a much awaited and deserved vacation day. She carried two cups of coffee out to the patio, though her stance was awkward as she held a photo album of sorts held under one arm. "Brennan, a little help here?"
Brennan looked up from her book, startled at the interruption until she saw Angela's face. "Sorry, let me help."
Angela smiled as Brennan took one of the mugs from her, making it a bit more comfortable. "It's not a problem. I just thought that since it's a nice day we should probably enjoy it."
"Of course," Brennan replied. She'd been to the Hodgins estate many times, but every time she found herself amazed. A great deal had changed; Zack had eventually moved out and got his own apartment, though he still refused to drive. It was one of the few things that confused her. Aside from that, the property had changed a little. Aside from the newly resurfaced tennis courts, the pool had been remodeled as well as a deck that had been added by the lake. The accompanying gazebo looked beautiful as well, though she saw an empty easel inside. Apparently, that had been Angela's addition.
"-exactly what I was thinking, but I don't know." Angela finished speaking, only realizing as she did Brennan probably hadn't heard much of what she said. "Bren?" She waved a hand in front of her face. "You okay?"
Brennan's cheeks turned a light shade of crimson. "I'm sorry, I guess I'm not used to a property this extravagant. That's a beautiful gazebo, Ange." Brennan said, pointing to the area close to the lake.
Angela wrapped the album tighter to her body. "Yeah. Listen, about that-"
"What's that?" Brennan asked. She pointed to the item Angela was clutching tight.
Angela set her coffee mug down with a sigh. "It's something that I probably shouldn't be doing, and please don't take this as me pushing you in one direction or the other. I just think maybe it'll help you in the r." She opened the album to the first page. "It's just a kind of collection of things. Articles, drawings, photographs. The whole team's involved, so I figured maybe you could just look through it. I'm not pushing, am I?"
Brennan stared at the first photo, one of the whole team gathered on the platform, and she smiled. "Angela, I think it's an excellent idea."
"Great, well-" Angela was interrupted by the phone ringing. "Sorry, I'm expecting a call from an art dealer downtown who's interested in a few of my pieces. I'll just be a minute. Here," Angela handed Brennan the album. "I'll be inside; go ahead and take a look."
Brennan settled the photo album on her lap. Her fingers lifted the edge of the first page. Eyes in the first photographs stared back at her, shining with something she wasn't privy to. Did she really want to see whatever Angela was trying to show her? The last thing she wanted was to leaf through everything only to be disappointed, but the reality was she couldn't really be risking much. Right? She started flipping through the pages, eyes honed in on every detail that caught her attention. She came across a quick pencil sketch that was almost the exact replica of a picture of Angela and herself sitting at a picnic table, raising their glasses in some sort of celebration. Taken back for a moment at how talented her friend was, Brennan smiled as she ran a thumb down the side of the photo.
There were other trinkets as well; tickets to a Jeffersonian gala, movie tickets from when the first movie adaptation to one of Brennan's novels had been released, as well as memorabilia that Brennan found very interesting. It wasn't until she caught sight of a cream colored card did she really pause. The invitation was not overly decorated or flashy, but it was the names that caught her eye. Had she not been given particular details or started at least getting an inkling of the life she had before, she probably would have felt much more surprised by finding hers and Booth's names, announcing their wedding date. "September nineteenth, two thousand and nine." Brennan spoke, her voice sounding the slightest bit shaky. She cast a glance in the direction of the kitchen, wondering when Angela would return, and she flipped to the next page.
Considering what the previous page had held, Brennan supposed she probably shouldn't have been taken back by what she saw. The dress, very much like the suit he wore, were both practical and yet eye-catching at the same time. There, in vivid color, was the one thing Brennan didn't have but she still could not manage to escape. With hands clasped tight together, an apparently happy-and married-Booth and Brennan beamed back at her from the photograph. They were both standing in front of a gazebo adorned with the simplest and yet most intricate of designs, along with several other people. Angela, Amy, and Cam stood dutifully to Brennan's side while Booth's brother Jared, her own brother Russ, as well as an old army buddy of his stood along his side. Brennan paused, something clicking from within as she looked up. There, just down a gently curved hill, was the gazebo in question.
Several hours later, Brennan sat in front of Angela's computer, the door shut behind her for privacy. She'd spoken to her agent as well as her editor, and even if she didn't get anything worthy of being published written, what Brennan wanted was to get thoughts typed out. The process was something she could remember doing several times before, at moments when she needed to vent, or at the least distract her mind from the other things bothering her. Whether she admitted it to herself or not, seeing the pictures of herself with Booth had affected her. Before, all she had was stories from Angela or from Booth himself. While she trusted them, seeing the pictures as visible proof that the time she hadn't yet recalled truly existed caused her to feel even more determined to do everything she could to get her life back.
According to her doctors she was not yet able to go back to working full-time, and while she disagreed with them, getting back to writing was the next best thing. She doubted it would be anything close to what she'd done before, but after having read the last novel that had been published Brennan knew exactly what she wanted to write.
Brennan started writing; slowly at first, but as the minutes ticked by her progress quickened. There were times when she would stop to evaluate several pages of writing at a time, trying to decided whether anything needed elaboration or needed to be curtailed. While she hadn't bought a new laptop, Angela had been generous enough to let her use her personal computer, though Brennan still saved her work on a flash drive. Research would be performed later, other details added, if Brennan saw fit. For now, she was content in writing the mystery of it all. It was simple, a body found tied to a tree, and eventually Kathy and Andy would solve the case. She knew that much, but getting them there took progress.
Booth wasn't Andy. That was an established fact, but she wondered while writing if he'd said the things Andy did, because as Brennan kept writing she couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity with the scene. Which was exactly where things got uncomfortable. The process was moving along smoothly, the book slowly growing organically, and Brennan had to admit even without her having written in quite some time it wasn't particularly horrible. Regardless, she began writing a rather intimate scene, realizing only as she was clicking her fingers against the keys just how close to home it came.
Hands clasped together, the two quickly dashed through the rain before reaching the front door. He smiled sheepishly, fumbling hands searching frantically for the correct key. "I wasn't expecting the rain to start this soon."
"Neither was I. Hurry, please." Her hand clutched his arm tight.
Shoes deposited by the door, bodies suddenly closer than realized, and suddenly it didn't matter whether the power had already been knocked out or not.
By the time she returned from the restroom, candles were lit on various surfaces; the dresser, the nightstand, and even near the window. She had yet to change into something more comfortable, but the look in his eye told her there really wouldn't be a need.
"The lights are out," He said, offering an explanation for the candlelight casting shadows against all four walls. He rested his hands against the damp short-sleeved shirt she wore. She was trembling ever so slightly before he pulled her close. "You need to warm up."
Without any other offer of explanation, her lips found his, her tongue darting slowly out to explore the depths of his mouth. She loved this man, the one who did the smallest of thing and yet somehow made them seem so amplified. His fingers brushed against her bare skin, eliciting sparks of electricity (though she reminded herself it was technically impossible), and she made a move to do the same. She could feel his lips slowly pressing kisses down the column of her throat before finally reaching her breasts; his stubble grated gently against her soft skin, but at the moment she didn't mind. Her legs bumped against something, and soon she was pushed down. Somehow, he'd maneuvered them to the bed, and was making quick work of removing her clothing. Leaving kisses everywhere he touched, he appeared so careful and gentle and yet full of a ferocious need at the same time.
"You're beautiful," He whispered against her skin. He smiled as he watched her tapered fingers unbuttoning his shirt, reaching for his belt buckle, and doing her best at making sure he was unclothed as well.
A low moan lept from her lips as he poised just above her. She hadn't told him how much she loved this moment. Whether it was because of fear or the fact the idea seemed kind of illogical, she knew it was the truth. The moment when he rested above her and his eyes matched hers, the one just before two bodies coiled into one fluid frame, was something she looked forward to every time.
A knock coming from the door caused Brennan to jump back from the computer. Her fingers were frozen just above the keyboard, though she didn't know when exactly she'd stopped writing. At the moment she really wasn't sure of all that much, including her voice. "Yes?"
"Brennan?" Angela called as she opened the door. "I was just gonna go to the store, pick up a few things for dinner tonight. I know you're in writing mode, but I wondered if maybe you wanted to come?" She was so dedicated to the subject at hand she didn't notice until that moment the crimson shade her friend's cheeks had turned. "Is everything okay?"
