Disclaimer: I still don't own Bones, but I'm still pretty obsessed.

Author's Note: OK, I'm a terrible person. I've left you hanging for so long. I'm sorry, I never intended to wait so long, but every time I sat down to write, nothing got typed. Half of this chapter has been sitting around for months. This was my worst fear, that I would start something that I couldn't finish. I'm going to try harder, because I do want to finish this story, and tell others. Hopefully, you are still along for the ride.

Chapter 44: Get in Line, Brother
December 12, 2006

Brennan breezed into her office, Booth close at her heels. She stopped short upon seeing Russ seated in her office chair, and Booth skidded into her. He started to apologize, but she didn't even seem to realize that he had bumped into her. She was too busy glaring at her brother.

Russ quickly stood from the chair, but the gesture did not seem to relax the anthropologist at all. Instead of calling him out for taking over her space, she was focused completely on their father. "Dad called you? You're sure it was him?"

Russ nodded, "He said 'You and your sister are in danger' and he hung up."

Brennan glanced back at Booth, surprised that he was standing so close to her, "I spend half my time with a sniper-trained FBI Agent. I feel safe."

Russ frowned a bit, she needed to understand that she was in danger just like he was. "Tempe, I know someone is watching me."

"What's your evidence?"

"I can feel it on the back of my neck. You spend some time in jail, you develop a sixth sense." Russ reached his hand and rubbed the spot that could sense when someone was watching him. Even now, the fine hairs bristled under his touch. Brennan scoffed at her brother's melodramatic flair, but Booth's tense body posture behind her made her re-evaluate her position. If even Brennan could tell that Booth was anxious, then perhaps she should put some credence into what her brother was saying. "Maybe you should stay with me for a few days."

"No, Tempe. I have work and I have Amy and the girls. And you have Lucy at home. I don't want to intrude."

Brennan smirked, the part of her that was still an annoying little sister slipping through her adult exterior, "What about your sixth sense?" Russ protested as she teased him. She laughed and questioned his objection.

"You can't not believe in something one second and then use it against me in the next."

Brennan smiled again, knowing that she had a house guest for the evening. She dug her keys out of her pocket and tossed them to her brother. "It's a long drive. You can start fresh tomorrow and I've got cold beer in the fridge."

Booth finally found his voice, taking a step away from his partner. "Just don't drink the Moroccan beer, it tastes like earwax. I've got some good stuff in the back, just push aside the tofu. How you doing, Russ?"

Russ reached over to shake Booth's hand, finally remembering his manners. "OK, Booth. And you?" Russ' eyes flicked between his sister and her partner. He couldn't help but notice that as the men released hands, Booth had stepped back to stand beside Brennan, still infringing on her personal space, that she didn't seem to mind. Nor did she chastise Booth for hinting that he had items at her place or for poking fun at her food choices.

Russ smirked at the agent, pleased to note that their relationship seemed to have grown since the summer. Booth's gaze was now fixed on Russ, annoyed at the knowing look. Booth finally replied that he was fine, and Russ gave a cheeky grin as he pocketed his sister's keys. One friendly wave later, Russ had exited Brennan's office and the partners watched him leave.

Booth turned to face his partner, determined to get the upper hand again and a bit of mischief in his eyes. "I still make him nervous, don't I?" Brennan stared at him mutely and he sighed, clearly she was still pre-occupied. He held out his hands and waited for her to grab them, happy when he felt her chilled fingers make contact with his own. "Come on, let's go." He gently tugged her towards the door.

Brennan fidgeted in the passenger seat of Booth's SUV. She was unable to relax after examining Garrett Delaney's apartment. For someone who was supposed to be a brilliant scientist, she was having a difficult time staying objective. "Bones, you're going to have to calm down. You don't want Lucy to see you like this."

"How am I supposed to calm down, Booth? Delaney had a secret room filled with pictures of Russ. There were pictures of Amy and the girls with him. How do we know that he wasn't following us last summer? That he wasn't following us yesterday? That he wouldn't still be following us if somebody hadn't gutted him and set him on fire?"

She had a point, but Booth kept his own anxiety over the photographs tightly leashed. "Seriously, Bones, we'll figure this out. And nobody is going to hurt you or Squirt on my watch. I promise you that. Now, I'm going to go grab Lucy and then I will take you home, where you will see that your brother is safe and sound. You'll have dinner and make some hot chocolate, and then get some sleep. We'll pick up the case again in the morning. Sound like a plan?"

At Brennan's nod, Booth reached up to cup Brennan's cheek and pulled her in for a gentle kiss. He then slipped out of the car and jogged up to Madison's front door, making polite small talk with Madison's mother while Lucy gathered her things. The girl practically dragged Booth back to the SUV, skipping and recounting her day's adventures. The dimness of the car allowed Lucy to chatter the whole way back to her home, unaware of her mother's now somber mood. Quickly, but not soon enough, Booth pulled to the front of Brennan's apartment building.

Lucy finally stopped her happy ramblings, when she realized that Booth was not taking over his usual parking space. A frown deepened on her face when Booth turned around in his seat to say goodnight. Lucy batted her wide blue eyes at him. "You're not coming up with us?"

Booth hated to see her disappointment, but he wanted to give Brennan some quality time with her brother. "Sorry, Squirt. Not tonight."

"But…" Lucy whined.

Brennan turned to her daughter. "No 'Buts,' Lucy." Lucy released a put-upon sigh, but had no other comment.

She dawdled getting out of the SUV, her previous good mood now completely shattered. She liked it when Booth came up for dinner. She could usually convince him to play a game with her, or at least weasel an extra half hour before bedtime. He made Lucy and her mother laugh, and he taught Lucy about rock music and sports and television shows.

Lucy's dearest unspoken wish was to make the arrangement permanent. She often dreamed of a nice house, with a big backyard and a father always around. Clearly tonight wasn't the night to broach the subject. Booth nudged her along as she continued to get lost in her thoughts. "Out you go, kid. And don't pull that leaving a textbook in the backseat so that I have to come back and drop it off and then get suckered into one of your schemes to postpone your bedtime."

Lucy scrunched her face in annoyance, "I only tried that twice."

"No, you only succeeded twice. You've tried several times since then, but I've gotten smarter." He called to his partner who was still gathering her own items. "See, Bones. I'm evolving."

Brennan gave a crooked half smile, "Yes, I am very proud of you, Booth."

Booth poked his head around one more time, "Hey, Squirt. There's a surprise upstairs for you. It's been waiting for you all day."

"Yeah, whatever, FBI Guy, I'm sure." But, the smile was back in the girl's voice and she questioned her mother, "Did we finally get a dog?" Lucy had been begging for one for ages now. It fit in perfectly with her imaginary life.

The doctor gave a warning expression to the agent. "We did not get a dog. Come along, Lucy. It's getting late."

Booth could see Lucy giving Brennan her list of reasons why an animal would be a good investment, the list growing less logical over time. Booth chuckled to himself as he saw Brennan's look of frustration; at least they had taken her mind off of the case for a few moments. Perhaps they should get a dog. Parker would love one, and who could resist a little ball of fur? Booth quickly started his car; he was starting to think dangerous thoughts again, wanting more than Brennan was willing to give. He said a quick prayer thankful for his continuing patience and asking for help with the case.

Brennan was rubbing her temples as she stepped off of the elevator with her daughter. Lucy was now extolling the virtues of Madison's golden retriever, but Brennan wasn't listening. The tension of indirectly hearing from her father and the case at hand was wearing on her. Although she wouldn't admit it, Brennan kind of wished that Booth had come up with her. She didn't need a man's protection, but she could admit that she felt safer when Booth was near, when his arms were wrapped around her.

"Mom, are you even listening to me?" Lucy had finally exhausted her list and had been waiting for her mother's counterargument.

"No, I am not." Lucy wasn't even fazed by her mother bluntness, but decided that a change in subject was in order. "So if my surprise isn't a dog, what is it?"

"Why don't you knock on our door and see." Lucy raised an eyebrow in confusion, and did as she was told. "Uncle Russ," the girl cried as Brennan's brother opened the door, "what are you doing here?" She jumped into his arms for a hug.

Russ questioned his sister wordlessly, but she just shrugged her shoulders. She had no answers, not for herself or for her brother. He squeezed the girl and placed her on the ground. "You know, just thought I'd pop in. I was in the neighborhood."

"Are the girls here?"

"Nope, just me. Hope that's all right?"

"I guess so," she replied in mock consternation. "But next time, they better be here. Aunt Angela bought me new sparkle nail polish and we are going to do manicures."

"Sure thing, kiddo. Now are you hungry? I raided the fridge. Dinner's on the stove. Is Booth parking the car? I made extra."

Brennan set her things down and shrugged off her coat. "No, he went home."

Russ smirked at his sister, "It's because I still make him nervous don't I?"

Lucy laughed, "Yeah right, Uncle Russ. What did you make me? I'm starving."

A few hours later, Lucy was reluctantly put to bed. She had many questions but had received no answers. Eventually, frustrated and cranky, she had gone to her room in a huff.

Russ turned to his sister, "She's growing up so fast. She's just like you at that age."

Brennan sipped at some tea, brooding over her daughter's petulant behavior. "I'm not sure if that is a compliment or an insult."

"It's a compliment. My little sister was always so stubborn, so opinionated, so sure of things. She didn't take crap from anyone. She still doesn't. I'm glad that Lucy takes after her."

Brennan gave a brief smile, which faded quickly. "We need to talk."

Russ sighed and rubbed his finger through his hair. "I figured. What did you find?" Brennan grabbed her bag and pulled out a folder. Without ceremony she dropped the contents of the folder on the table in front of her brother.

"What's this?"

"Photographs found at our murder victim's apartment. They were in a secret room."

Russ flipped through the pictures, "This is me at work. Me and Amy. This was just the day before yesterday. Dad was right. Someone's watching."

"Booth says that this is worse than watching. He told me that this is hunting."

"Hunting." Russ repeated the word numbly.

Brennan nodded, "Booth says that there are ranges, that he was picking out a spot from which to shoot you."

The man continued to stare at the pictures, "So what do I do now? The hunter's dead. The hunt is over, right?"

Brennan shook her head. "Booth says that you shouldn't tell anyone that you're here. That you should tell Amy if anyone calls for you, that she doesn't know where you are."

"Do you usually do what Booth says?" Russ couldn't help the smirk that flashed across his face.

"I try not to, but he's usually right. Especially about these things. It's rather infuriating actually. Anyway, you should stay with me until we find out why Delaney intended to kill you.

"How are you going to do that?" Russ looked up from the table into his sister's steely gaze.

"By figuring out who killed him."