To say Booth was bored was an understatement. Sniper Training was rescheduled because their tactical space flooded. Personally, he wouldn't have cancelled for a few drops of rainwater. But he was the act first- think later type. The FBI shrink had recommended that he take some time off while Bones was in Texas. "And leave your gun at home," Gordon Gordan pronounced in his British accent. He had taken Parker to school and then the rest of his day had zigzagged between painting his guest room and watching reruns of Gunsmoke. He thought about calling Bones but wasn't sure if it would be strange. Had they crossed that line where work wasn't the only think they had in common? He did notice that she confided in him more- she told him about being in the foster care system. Even Angela, her best friend, acknowledged that this was a huge demonstration of transparency and trust, something Brennan did not dole out easy or quite often. Surely he could just call her…to wish her well on her lecture.

He dialed…

You've reached Dr. Temperance Brenn…

He hung up.

No sooner had he hung up, his phone rang.

"Bones."

"Guess again, hot shot," said Angela

"Oh! Hey Angela," he replied unable to hide the disappointment in his voice.

"I know I am not Brennan, but could you try to sound like you're actually happy I called?"

"What is it, Ang?"

"Nothing too big, but I though you should know that Andrew Rigby escaped from the medical center in Aurora, while he was being transported for a physical. It came through the FBI internal e-mail server that was installed after we started working in the Medico-Legal Lab."

"Aurora? We apprehended Rigby back in DC, why would he be transferred to Aurora? Isn't that in Colorado?

"That's in Texas, Booth," Angela replied, her voice faltered as she continued. "Booth, I got a bad feeling about this one."

"Angela, Bones is going to be fine. She is giving her lecture as we speak." Booth checked his watch 7:30am, so it would be 8:30am central. Bones was probably just getting started. "Look Angela, I'll reach out to the office in Houston and get a buddy of mine to do some digging. If there is any reason to worry, I'll call- heck, I'll fly out and personally escort Bones back to DC if I feel even one hair on my neck stand up. Does that work for you?

"Okay, Mr. Machismo… I get it. Just one more thing before you go all Rambo again. Have you been able to reach her cell? She didn't pick up when I called earlier today and Brennan is an early riser." Okay that was definitely a hair standing up. Booth took a calming breath before addressing Angela.

"She probably silenced it early on so she wouldn't be disturbed during her lecture." Booth knew that Brennan always kept her phone on in case of an emergency. She would pick up even in the middle of a lecture if it meant a case. He knew exactly what he had to do. After a quick phone call to the Houston office, Booth had a small army of hairs standing up on his neck. Apparently Rigby was obsessed with Seeley Booth and Temperance Brennan. His psychiatrist referred to it as a cannibalistic fixation. Rigby believed that he needed to consume the flesh of individuals that had courage, heart, strength, and intelligence. Ann and Adam, his first victims we chosen for their spirit and strength. Ann had spirit and Adam had strength. This still left intelligence and courage. The shocking revelation hit Booth like an uppercut to the ribs. Who better than an army ranger/ FBI agent and the world's best forensic anthropologist to give Rigby the final piece of his demented human puzzle? He had heard enough. He dialed the Jeffersonian and relayed all that he had learned to Angela.

"You and Brennan put him away and he knows he's no match for you so…"

"Spit it out, Angela," he yelled, louder than he intended to. He heard her hard swallow.

"I think he is going to set a trap for you, Booth. He's using Brennan to lure you in."

"Read in the team and keep trying to make contact." The sound of metal gate clanking echoed through the large garage.

"Booth, where are you right now?"

"Quantico Hanger," Booth replied shortly. "Even if I AM walking into a trap, I would rather…"

"I know, we all know Booth."

"Hey Angela?" Angela thought she heard his voice break a bit.

"Yes Booth."

"Can I ask you a favor?"

"Gosh, anything Booth. You are literally flying to Houston on a moments notice, God know who you had to bribe or what favors you called in to get that accomplished, all to save my best friend. Yes, anything Booth."

"Can you pick up Parker from school and make sure he stays with you and Hodgins tonight?"

"Consider it done."

"Good, I'll have some agents posted to the manor."

Booth had changed and strapped on a vest before loading and then reloading his gun. He wore a black cotton blend shirt and a pair of hunter green cargo pants. He wanted to be ready for anything. If Rigby was setting a trap for him, he wanted to be ready. Fortunately, he hadn't unpacked from the cancelled trip so he just grabbed the bag as he exited his apartment. Ever since Bones had educated him on the benefits of natural fibers over synthetics, Booth had favored his cotton shirts. He wondered if she noticed whenever he brought her late night Chinese take out. He didn't expect her to inspect him like she did one of her bones, but he did notice a few more glances his way whenever he favored his more casual style. But they were partners…right? And if anything was going to happen, it would have happened already. Right? But Bones was different. She wasn't like anyone he had ever met. On the surface, she was abrasive and condescending, but once the layers were peeled away it was very clear that Temperance Brennan was not just an intelligent woman. She was strong, courageous, and had a big heart. She was everything Rigby needed to complete his weird cannibalistic ritual. The complete package. The thought immediately sickened him. He called her again…

"You've reached Dr. Temperance Brennen. If you need to reach me regarding the Medico-Legal lab, press 1. For inquiries regarding my books, please press 2. If you are calling me for reasons of a personal nature, please press 3." Booth laughed. Only Bones would have an answering service like that. She was not like anyone he had ever met. If he were being honest with himself, besides Parker, he didn't let anyone in as much as he did Bones. She knew about him being tortured oversees, she knew he tried to save his buddy by using his body as a human shield, and she knew about that kill. The one that still haunts him every night- the moment his world gets quiet. She knew all about him, the good- bad- and worse. Yet, she insisted on working with him. He entertained the thought, then dismissed it as wishful thinking. Could she possibly feel the same way about him? Nah, Bones was a self-proclaimed bachelorette. She had no intentions of settling down…she had flings. But to Booth, Bones would never, could never be a fling. And what they did was too important to scare her with words like "commitment." If he needed to accept their relationship, as is, in order to keep her in his life, he would do that. The ungracious landing of the cargo plane snapped him back to reality. His phone rang and he picked up. "Angela, what do you got."

"Booth, it's Hodgins. I got some dirt- well figuratively speaking. Not that dirt is an accurate representation of the sediments that I process. Have I told you how much I hated the word dirt?"

"Hodgins," Booth practically growled.

"Okay-so Angela pulled security footage of the Langford building where Dr. Brennan was delivering her lecture. At around 12:30, we have her exiting on the east side and getting into a dark BMW coupe."

"Good, we'll put out a BOLO."

"Wait Booth, we already tracked it to a Henry Munsinger, who reported it stolen yesterday afternoon."

"HOW DOES THIS HELP ME, HODGINS?"

"That year BMWs began the instillation of GPSs in their vehicles. So we can give you a location." Hodgins smiled to himself knowing that his little sidetrack was worth the help that he provided in tracking down his friend and peer. They could have one hundred agents on the job and still not produce record breaking results like this.

"Okay, text it to my cell." Booth didn't even wait till the plane was fully stopped to unbuckle, grab his bag, and head for the door.