"Retrace Those Steps"

There's a moment in a car crash, just as it happens, when everything just stops. There's no sound, no way to speed it up or slow it down, and you're paralyzed there just watching. It's in that moment that you realize you cannot avoid what's about to happen; the only thing you can do is to let yourself go.

That's what it felt like walking into the club; a car crash just about to happen. The place was full of people as always, the lights flashing across the floor, the music blaring, but Brennan neither saw nor heard any of this.

Brennan had spent the better part of the day preparing for this visit. She had ignored calls from Booth who surprisingly, didn't show up at her door demanding to know where she was.

The last time she had been here she had woken up to it cold and quiet. She had walked out of these doors intent on never coming back. Coming back was a mistake that in the end would most likely kill her this time.

Brennan had hoped that by staying away from the case, Steven would see that she wasn't going to talk. Apparently she had been wrong and now he was targeting her best friend.

There was no doubt that she knew what she had come here to do, it was exactly what Steven wanted from her. If it kept Angela and possibly Booth safe then yes, there was no doubt that she had walked in here fully accepting everything that happened next.

Booth was her partner and he would do anything for her just as she would for him. They've both saved each other numerous times, and now was no different.

A waitress caught her eye as the young girl was collecting empty beer bottles from a table. The girl didn't look any older than sixteen, and looked lost and about ready to cry.

Brennan remembered the feeling, those nights where she would be subjected to men putting their hands all over her. Some would get too close to her and Steven would pull her away. He'd lead her to his office and "take care of his girl" as he'd say.

This was the place that haunted her dreams at night. The feeling of being taken advantage of, and not being able to do anything about it made her feel like she was suffocating.

At times she would wake up in the middle of the night needing to throw up after dreaming about a drunk pushing her helplessly against a wall. His breath would reek of alcohol while he kissed every part of her he could until Steven would come and throw him out, only to do the very same thing to her in his office.

It was one thing however for her to go through it, but an entirely different one for Angela to be caught up in it.

Brennan walked to the stairs leading up to the balcony. She moved through the place with ease, knowing the layout like the back of her hand.

The balcony was mainly used to "entertain" high profile guests. Steven's best waitresses would work up here so that they could be closer to him and his office, something she knew from experience. The bouncer at the foot of the stairs was the same from when she worked there and he let her up without a word.

The door to the office was shut but the shade wasn't over the window. For Brennan it was her first relief of the night, knowing that she wouldn't have to wait for him to be done with one of his girls.

Taking a deep breath she knocked ever so quietly before opening the door. Mentally she prepared for what was coming.

Steven McCoy didn't look up as he continued writing in his small black leather bound book. "Who's bothering you now?"

"You are Steven" her voice was cold and only slightly gave a hint of her anger. Her hands shook even as she was trying to stay calm.

Steven's head snapped up as he recognized her voice. He looked the same as always, his dark eyes contrasted his graying hair. His good looks remained intact over the years, with only a few more wrinkles in his skin. He still seemed to be well toned, his upper body showing in the tight black shirt he wore.

Brennan felt as captivated by him now as she did all those years ago at seventeen.

Steven moved up from his desk to her. Out of all the girls that had come through here, she was perhaps his favorite.

She swallowed hard as his hand had somehow come up to cradle her cheek without her noticing. He pressed his forehead against hers, at the same time snaking his hand around her waist. The power he held over her, even now was unbelievable.

"Temperance, it's been a long time"

Brennan didn't answer him; just let him pull her body closer to his as he kissed her softly, barely touching his lips to hers.

"I've missed you" he said staring into her blue green eyes.

"I didn't" Brennan said harshly pushing him away, needing to recollect her thoughts.

Steven ignored her and continued on, excitement flashing in his eyes at her anger. "To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you again?"

"Leave her alone"

Steven laughed but it was dry "There's a lot of "hers" running around this place as you may remember, which one exactly?"

Brennan clenched her jaw, he teeth grinding as she fought back the anger that was rising inside her. "Angela"

"Oh that's right, your artist friend there. I take it you got my package then"

Brennan glared at him some more

"I really hope you didn't share with her our little inside joke Tempe, you know how I hate to see you suffer"

"I didn't tell her anything"

"Are you sure?"

"Listen Steven I came here to tell you to leave her alone. She doesn't know anything, if she did do you think she'd of let me come here alone and talk to you?"

"You're too smart for me Tempe, always have been. You know I read all about your team online, there are pictures up too. I wouldn't mind having a go at your friend"

Whatever was holding Brennan from trying to hit him was now gone as she took a step towards him menacingly. His eyes dared her to hit him but she wouldn't play those games with him. Instead she kissed him, as hard as she could. Her tongue forced its way inside his mouth, tasting him once more. Once his shock wore off he kissed her back, their tongues tangling in what he would say was fire.

He pushed her into the wall roughly after she grabbed his neck bringing his mouth closer.

She pushed him off her just when things had started to gain momentum. He groaned from the pause and tried to kiss her again but she held him still.

"Tell me you'll leave Angela and the rest of my friends alone" She said her eyes almost pleading with him to agree.

"You might have to convince me of this before"

Brennan cut him off "No you'll agree to it now"

Steven sighed and nodded "Fine I won't hurt any of your friends so long as you don't tell them what you know"

"I won't"

"Prove it"

Steven's dark brown eyes bore into hers and Brennan was reminded of Booth in that instant. Her mind spun with memories of him and her making her feel dizzy.

"Booth" The word made her mouth go dry as she thought about how worried about her he must be. He was too good for her, she knew that now. He deserved someone better, someone that wasn't out that night with not only one man, but two.

In Brennan's mind Booth was the best man she knew. He was the perfect FBI agent, the best partner anyone could have. He took care of her; made her laugh, made her smile, and she had never in her life loved anyone as much as she loved him. Even the thought of his hands running down her sides was enough to make her want him wherever they happened to be.

Steven's lips on hers were what finally reminded her of where she was, however Booth's face had not left her mind. And it was Booth she was thinking about, when Steven lowered her down onto the couch in his office and began removing her clothing.

Booth; she had failed him. She should've known she could never be the woman he wanted and needed her to be.

Ahh it's a horrible chapter for a romance story but there's a point to it is the best I can give away. Reviews are loved and appreciated =).