Running to Get Home

Rated: T

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters except for Miranda.

Booth gracefully climbed up the stairs with a whistle in his step. He didn't have his FBI suit on nor was he there to pick Brennan up for a case. He was in a nice pair of jeans, a grey t-shirt that always felt comfortable on his body and a black-grey jacket. He was simply there just to make sure that she ate something. He smiled broadly at the green wooden door in front of him. He knocked on it ever so quietly but loud enough to be heard. A minute had gone by and still there was no answer. Booth furrowed his eyebrows and knocked again.

"Bones?" Booth asked. He took his cell phone out of his jeans pocket and pressed his partner's speed dial. He pressed his ear to the door and heard a cell phone ring.

Brennan looked down at the phone and answered it. "Hello?"

"Hey, Bones, it's Booth. How come you didn't hear me knocking?" Booth asked through the phone.

Brennan didn't answer. She hung up and slowly walked to the door. Booth closed his cell phone and waited for her to open the door. He had so many questions he wanted to ask her. He wasn't sure why she was acting so weird… maybe she's got sick.

Brennan opened the door with a duffle bag on her shoulder. Booth's smile slowly disappeared as he peered down at the bag.

"You wanted something, Booth?" She asked, gripping her cell phone in her hand.

"Yeah Bones. I was wondering if you wanted to grab lunch with me." He tried to smile but couldn't. He knew something was bothering her but he just couldn't put his finger on it.

"I already ate." Brennan answered.

"Well why don't we go out just to talk? You can watch me eat and maybe we can chat about our last case. The trail is in a week." He asked her, gesturing to the stairs.

"I'm sorry Booth, I just can't." Brennan walked closer to him, making him jump back. She turned around to lock her apartment. "I have to go somewhere."

"Where's somewhere?" He curiously asked.

"Away…" She tucked her keys inside her bag and turned around. Her face was inches away from Booth's but she wasn't surprised.

"Away?" He furrowed his eyebrows, blocking the stairway.

"Far away from here." Brennan gasped, trying to slip past him but it was no use. Booth placed his hands on her shoulders in an attempt to stop her.

"Bones—are you running away?" He asked with his mouth drawn open in horror.

She didn't respond. She tried to slip past him again but it didn't work. Brennan looked up at him; trying to plea him to let her go.

"Booth, please. Just let me go."

"No." Booth said sternly. "Tell me what's going on—did someone hurt you last night? Did something happen?"

"It's none of your business, Booth."

"To hell it's none of my business!" He yelled.

"Are Catholics allowed to say that word?" Brennan glared up at him.

"Don't change the subject." He demanded. "I'm your partner Bones. Tell me what's going on."

"I told you, it's none of your business." Brennan tried to force her way past him but his strength was far superior. She couldn't even get him to budge.

"Stop it!" He told her. "Just tell me what's going on!"

"Why do you care, Booth!?" She yelled back.

"Because I'm your friend, Bones! I'm not just going to let you go without an explanation!" He released his grip on her shoulders and moved sideways to completely block her path.

"Booth…"

"Tell me what's going on." He looked down at her, in search for answers.

"If you were really my friend, Booth, you'd let me handle this on my own." She scornfully told him. Booth looked down at her with his mouth drawn open. He wanted to tell her that he loved her more than just a friend and that he was always going to be there for her but before he could get the words to finally form a sentence, Brennan had already taken off.

Booth raced down the stairs hoping that she hadn't already left. His palms felt sweaty and his legs felt numb. He had to stop her from leaving, he didn't care if he had to shoot her legs or knock her unconscious… he couldn't let her leave like that.

Once he burst through the apartment complex doors, he looked in every direction in search of her. He looked down at the road and saw her climbing into a car. Booth's mouth drew open as he stared in her direction.

Before she closed the door she glanced at Booth, hoping that she wasn't making a mistake. Booth watched as the silver Mercedes drove off. He couldn't believe she left like that. Was she really leaving or just going on a secret vocation? No-No, she would tell him where she was going if it were a vocation trip.

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Booth busted the Jeffersonian doors open and quickly made his way to Angela's office. Right when he entered he opened his mouth but words couldn't form after looking into Angela's eyes.

Angela held her cell phone in her hand. Her expression was full of pain and sadness.

"Angela…" Booth breathed.

"I got a voicemail from Brennan." Angela gasped.

"What'd she say?" He asked, moving closer to her.

"She—she said that she was leaving." She started to cry. "She didn't say where."

Booth wrapped his arms around her hoping that this was all a dream. Angela didn't know what to think—her best friend left with out saying good-bye.

"I caught her leaving…" Booth silently said.

"Why didn't you stop her!?" Angela cried.

"I—I don't know why…" He looked down at her in sadness. "I'm sorry Angela."

"Why is she leaving? Why!?" Angela covered her hand with her mouth and broke away from Booth's protective arms. She looked up at Booth with so much pain that she couldn't stand to be in front of him. She left her office, leaving Booth standing there all alone.

Booth looked down at the floor and began to tighten his fists into balls. "Bones…" He silently whispered to himself.

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"You sure you want to do this?"

Brennan tilted her head to look out the window. She heard him but she just didn't want to answer right away. When she saw the sign that said 'Now leaving Washington DC' she responded, "Yeah."

"You realize Booth is going to find out."

"You didn't have to do this for me in the first place, Jared." Brennan glanced over at him.

"Well I know but you are a friend and friends do stuff for each other." Jared responded, glancing back at her. "What do you want me to tell Booth if he finds out?"

"How will he find out?"

"Trust me Tempe, he has his ways." Jared smirked.

"Just drop me off where I told you to drop me off." She demanded.

"Sure." Jared nodded. "You know you're breaking his heart, right?"

"Who, Booth's?" Brennan asked.

"You're his partner and he wouldn't just let anyone that important leave his life." He told her.

"This was my decision… not his." Brennan rested her back into the seat.

"Do you mind if I ask what happened?"

"It's none of your business." She simply answered.

"Right…" Jared pressed his lips together.

A couple hours later, Jared pulled his Mercedes up to an apartment complex. Brennan looked out the window and saw one of the bellmen waiting for her. He opened her door and tipped his hat off to her.

"Welcome to the Sixth Street Apartment Complex. Apartment number and paper verification?" The bellman asked.

Brennan handed him a piece of paper and got out from the car. "Room twelve."

"Hey." Jared called to her. Brennan turned around and ducked to look at him. In his hand and in front of her was an ID card. "You wanted this?"

Brennan smiled and gently took it from his hand. "Thank you."

"I'm just trying to help you see what you can't see." Jared pressed his lips together.

"What?"

"You shouldn't do this Tempe." He tried to tell her.

"I just need some time alone… that's all."

"But is it all worth pushing my brother away?" Jared asked, staring in her eyes. He and Brennan had their eyes locked on each other for more than a minute; finally, Brennan spoke.

"I'll talk to you later."

"Right… Bye, Carrie." Jared watched as she closed the door. Brennan turned around to meet the bellman. He smiled at her and gave her the verification papers.

"Right this way Ms. Carrie Smith."

Brennan walked towards her new apartment gripping the duffle bag that rested on her shoulder her hand. "Booth…"

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Booth sat there on the top platform of the Jeffersonian. His head was buried in his hands and tears resisted to run like a river. Cam walked over to him with her arms folded across her chest. She sat in the chair next to him and silently rubbed his back.

"Angela told me what happened. She and Hodgins are very upset." Cam said, watching Booth's emotions change.

"Aren't you upset, too?" Booth asked without looking at her.

"Of course. Dr. Brennan was like a sister to me, a very literal sister but nonetheless a sister." She pressed her lips together. "Angela told me that you let her slip by you."

"I was right there Cam… right there. I was the only person capable of stopping her and my emotions just got the best of me." Booth sat up straight, trying to wipe away his tears.

"It isn't your fault, Booth."

"If it isn't then why did I let her walk off like that? I should've forced her into her apartment or something…"

"Did you ask why she was leaving?"

"Yes… she said it was none of my business." Booth shook his head. "She is my business. Can't believe I acted so stupidly." His fists tightened.

"Punch it out all you want Booth, you know it isn't going to bring her back."

"I'm going to get every agent to search for her…" Booth silently told her. "I'm going to do everything it takes to get her back."

"What if she doesn't want to go back?" Cam asked, trying not to squeeze his heart even harder.

Without saying a word, Booth got up and quietly walked down the stairs. He didn't know the answer to her question… he didn't even want to think about the 'what if's'. He just wanted his partner back.

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Several Months Later…

Brennan had jeans and a black T-shirt on. On her T-shirt was the symbol and trademark of her work place. She worked at a bar that seemed fairly popular. Not a lot of guys oogled the girls or slapped their butts, which was something most people liked.

"Carrie! Bring the glasses to the front!" Miranda yelled. Miranda was a blue eyed black haired girl with lots of talent. Her eyes were like Brennan's. She had a boyfriend that occasionally visited her at the bar.

"Kay!" Brennan shouted. She grabbed the case full of beverage glasses and hauled it to the front of the bar. She walked behind the bar and set the case down in the front shelf.

"Can you grab me some of the raspberry vodka?" Miranda asked.

"Sure." Brennan nodded and handed her the bottle.

"Thanks!" Miranda smiled as she gave the people at the bar a real show. She bounced the shakers on her elbows and twirled around to finish the show. She caught all four bottles and poured the contents into a glass. Everyone clapped as Miranda gave the glass to one of the customers. The guy gave her a few extra dollars for the performance and sipped the wonderful drink.

"Thank you, thank you." Miranda widened her smile and made her way to the back.

Brennan leaned against the wall in the back and silently glanced down at a picture of Booth. His smile, his soulful eyes and his muscular arms made her frown in sorrow.

"Boyfriend?" Miranda asked, sneaking up behind her.

Brennan jumped and gently smiled. "No… not a boyfriend." She began to lightly laugh.

"Husband?" Miranda breathed, grabbing a towel from her small locker.

"Haha, good one." Brennan glanced down at the picture again. "He's just a really good friend."

"Good friend? Your tone of voice tells me differently." She laughed.

"Five minutes Miranda and Carrie!" Joe yelled.

"Okay!" they both yelled back.

"Are you sure you don't want a ride home today?" Miranda began to wipe away the sweat from her forehead.

"I'm sure—I'm actually getting a ride from a friend." Brennan folded the picture and tucked it in her back pocket.

"Is it that cutie in the picture?" Miranda nudged her with her elbow. Brennan laughed and shooed her away.

"It's another friend, Miranda."

"Hah, okay, well, I hope I get to meet the picture guy real soon." Miranda widened her smile and began to stride towards the bar.

"Yeah…" Brennan silently told herself.

Several hours later, Miranda and Brennan's shift ended. They walked out the front door with their work clothes in their hands. Brennan had the same pair of jeans but this time with a white blouse on. Miranda took her car keys out from her pocket and waved good-bye to her friend.

"See you tomorrow Carrie!" She shouted.

Brennan waved back with a smile. "Bye!"

Miranda climbed into her car and sped off while Brennan stood there waiting for her ride. Minutes later Jared pulled up from the side and stopped in front of her. Brennan walked around to the passenger side door and gently opened it.

She climbed in and laid her work clothes on her lap.

"How was work?" Jared asked, watching her close the door.

"It was okay." Brennan glanced over at him with a slight smile.

"Do you want to grab a bite to eat?" He asked.

"No thanks." She responded.

"Booth has been having agents sniff out your trail for some time now…"

"Surprised that they haven't found me?"

"Well considering that Director Cullen doesn't want most of his agents on a wild goose chase; it'd say they're doing a pretty good job."

"How close did they get?"

"Not very close." Jared tried to smile. "Booth's still looking for you though."

"And you're telling me this because…?"

"Because I know you still think of him. He won't stop until he finds you, you know?"

"I know…" Brennan silently whispered.

"Then why don't you stop his heart from breaking and just come out from hiding?"

"Because I'm not ready yet… look I just want a quiet ride to the apartment complex, so can we please stop talking about him?" Brennan glanced over at Jared.

Jared stared at her and quietly nodded. "Sure."

She looked out her window and watched as the stars floated to the top. The sky was so beautiful; it reminded her of all the times she and Booth went out to dinner together. The sky always sparkled as if fire works constantly went off and never faded away. She knew apart of her missed him; she just didn't want to admit it.

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B&B

Two Days Later….

Booth threw a duffle bag in the trunk of his black SUV and abruptly closed the trunk. He went around his car and opened the driver side door. He climbed in and closed it, wondering if he was doing the right thing.

He drove his SUV out of the parking garage and out onto the open road. Several minutes later his cell phone ring. Desperately wondering if it was his partner, he scrambled in his car in search for it. He finally grabbed a hold of it but deeply frowned once he saw Cam's name blink on the caller ID.

He opened his phone and pressed it against his ear. "Booth."

"Booth, what the hell are you doing?" Cam angrily asked.

"I'm just going on a road trip. I'm not running away or anything." He responded.

"Just a road trip? Sure sounds like you're running."

"I'm not. I just need to get away to think about some things." Booth heavily sighed.

"Well to assure that I don't get the S.W.A.T team on your butt, call me every day or every other day, okay?" Cam crooked the side of her mouth.

"Okay—okay, I will." Booth nodded.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Booth looked on the road and felt his head spin. He blinked a couple times and felt the dizziness over take him. His grip on his cell phone loosened but as he regained his focus, he regained the grip.

"Booth?" Cam asked, wondering if everything was okay.

"What—yeah?" Booth shook his head and blinked a couple more times.

"I asked if you were doing this just to look for Dr. Brennan." She began to worry.

"I—I just need some time alone." Booth crooked the side of his mouth.

"Be careful out there, okay? I don't want to get a letter in the mail telling me that you died in a car accident."

"I'll be fine." Booth tried to reassure her.

"Take care of yourself… if you need anything, just call me."

"I know, Cam." He smiled.

"Call me later, okay?"

"Yeah… I will."

"Bye." Cam said, hoping for a safe return.

"Bye." Booth said back just before he hung up.

Cam looked down at her cell phone and gripped it tightly. She laid it on her desk and began to plop down in her chair. She heavily breathed and looked outside her office window. She saw Hodgins and Wendell silently working away. They were so quiet—with out Brennan or Booth, the atmosphere seemed to change drastically.

Once night time fell, Brennan was back on her shift with Miranda. Brennan never really liked the idea of pleasing the crowd with insane tricks and moves conducted through the law of physics involving metal cups and vodka bottles. It just wasn't her.

"Hey Carrie, we need more glasses!" Miranda called.

"Coming!" Brennan yelled. She heaved the case of glasses out to the front and did her normal routine.

"Can I have a Cazeric Cocktail on the rocks over here?" A man hollered.

Brennan gladly took the order since Miranda was busy with her performance. She walked over to the man and quietly made his drink.

"You're real quiet." The man smiled.

"I'm not as talented as Miranda—sorry if I'm disappointing you."

"Oh please, please, cocktails aren't meant to be turned into a performance." His spiked blonde hair was the first thing she noticed.

Brennan made eye contact with the blonde man and quietly returned the smile. "You know, last time I tried to do that bar routine, I almost broke a couple glasses."

"Talent doesn't come naturally, my dear." He laughed.

"Yeah…" Brennan smiled.

"So…" He read her name tag, "Carrie, is it?"

"Mhm." She hummed, putting the finishing touches on his cocktail.

"Is it okay if I grab your phone number?" He flashed a smile, one that didn't take her breathless… surely not Booth-worthy.

"I'm in a relationship actually." She lied.

"Oh." The man gasped. "Well I should've known a beautiful woman like you would be taken. Sorry."

"It's okay." She smiled.

Miranda poured the men's orders and glanced over at her best friend. She saw Brennan small talking with the blonde man and couldn't help but smile. She grabbed her tips and thanked the crowd before strolling to her friend.

"Thanks for the drink and the little chat." The blonde man smiled.

"Bye." Brennan lightly laughed.

Once the blonde man left the bar, Miranda couldn't help but poke and prod her. "So who was that?"

"Someone…"

"Did you give him your phone number?"

"No." Brennan smiled, bringing the glass to the back.

"What!? That's probably the one hundredth guy to hit on you this month!" Miranda rolled her eyes.

"Why, do you want me to give out my phone number?"

"Duh! Yes. Maybe you'll finally get over that picture guy." She raised her eyebrows, gently smiled and rested her hands on her hips.

"What do you mean get over? I never liked him that way in the beginning."

"Hey bartender! Can I get some service over here!?" A man shouted from the bar.

Miranda looked behind her and turned to her best friend. "Keep telling yourself that, honey." She walked through the door and helped the customers.

Brennan washed the glasses with water and began to scrub them with a soapy filled sponge. Once she was done she dried them with a towel. She loaded them up on the crates and carefully carried them to the front of the bar. She did this routine a couple times before taking a break to gaze at that same picture of Booth.

"Can I have a beer please?" Some asked, taking his seat on a bar stool.

"Sure thing." Miranda smiled and brought him an ice cold beer.

Brennan furrowed her eyebrows and could've sworn she heard his voice. She folded the picture, tucked it in her pocket and poked her head out. In front of her was Booth, he looked dead tired and very beat. Her jaw dropped as Miranda served him a beer.

Miranda furrowed her eyebrows down at Booth and began to tilt her head to the side.

"Is something wrong?" Booth asked.

"Oh no—no, I just… I think I've seen you before."

"I'm pretty new at this bar…" He responded with a slight smile.

"Uh huh… um I'll be right back." Miranda began to stroll towards the bag.

Brennan stood against the wall with her heart pounding against her chest. She looked at Miranda with worry washed all over her face. Miranda didn't even have to ask her…

"Oh my god! That is him!" She exclaimed.

"Shh!! He might hear you." Brennan heavily sighed. "Why is he here?"

"What do you mean why is he here? I thought he was your friend." She rested her hands on her hip.

"Yes he is—but… I—I left him." Brennan confessed.

"So you were going out with him, Carrie!" Miranda yelled.

"Shhh!!" Brennan shushed her. "I wasn't going out with him."

"Then what were you two? Best friends?"

"Yes…" Brennan nodded. "Can you try to rush him out of there?"

"I think you should confront him." Miranda sighed.

"Why!?"

"Because you obviously like him—look, just talk to him or something… At least let him know that you're still thinking of him."

"That would be very, very bad…" Brennan pressed her lips together. "Can you please try to get him out of there?"

"Fine… I'll try my best." Miranda gave up and made her way to the bar. She stood in front of Booth and propped her elbow on the counter.

He looked up at her with curiosity. "May I help you?"

"You seem like the type of guy who wants to talk." She smiled.

"I'm not really into a relationship at the moment if that's what you're wanting…" He scanned her, looking up and down.

"Neither am I. I have a boyfriend."

"Then why are you trying to strike up a conversation with me?" Booth raised his eyebrow, finishing his beer.

"Because you seem really down in the dumps."

"I really don't want to talk about it…" Booth looked down at his drink. "May I have another beer?"

"Sure." Miranda smiled, handing him another drink.

Booth downed half of the bottle and glanced up at her. She furrowed her eyebrows and slightly smiled.

"What?" He sternly asked her.

"Don't drink too fast—I don't want you to pass out."

"What makes you think I'm going to pass out?"

"Believe me. I've been working here for years. I know when someone's going to pass out." Miranda laughed.

"Look… I'm just trying to get over someone…" Booth started out.

"Really? What was she like?"

"She wasn't my girlfriend… she was just a really close friend." Booth drank the rest of his second beer. "Can I have another one?"

Miranda nodded and handed him one more. "Did you guys have an argument?"

Brennan watched from the back. "Miranda! What are you doing!?" She angrily whispered.

"I… I don't know what happened… she just took off without saying why." He drank most of his beer in two swigs.

"If you're so worried about her, how come you're trying to get over her?"

"I don't know… wishful thinking I guess. I figured if I got over her then she'd surprisingly appear right in front of me."

"And how's that working out for you?"

"Horribly." Booth tried to laugh. He took another sip of his beer. "I loved her so much… I just don't know what to do anymore. I've tried looking every where for her… I feel like such a failure."

"You aren't a failure." Miranda tried to comfort him. "In time, you'll find her. Trust me."

"Yeah…" Booth drank the rest of his third beer and handed it to her. Miranda grabbed the empty bottle and handed him another one.

Brennan stood there and quietly listened in on their conversation. The bar was about to close and no one but she, Miranda and Booth were there. Brennan held the towel in her hand with ever ounce of energy she had and quietly strolled out to the front bar.

Booth had his head down and quietly drowned in his sadness. "I feel so stupid for letting her go like that…"

Miranda glanced to the side and quietly smiled. She walked towards the back, giving her best friend the spotlight. Booth smirked, "Have you ever felt like you should've told someone how you really felt about them but didn't have the courage to?" He looked up. Once he saw the brown long curls, nice warm smile and ocean blue eyes, his mouth immediately dropped.

"Yeah." Brennan responded.

Booth blinked and began to stare. "Bones…?"

"Hi…" She greeted him with another warm smile.

"Where—what…" Booth felt his mind spinning. He felt the pain throbbing in his head. He winced in pain and fell into darkness. He blacked out, fell off of his bar stool and onto the floor. Brennan, shocked and surprised, quickly ran to his side.

"Booth!" Brennan yelled.

Miranda rushed out from the back and looked at the unconscious cute man. "What happened?"

"I don't know—when he saw me, he just suddenly blacked out." Brennan kneeled next to him and touched his face. His face was burning up.

"Talk about love struck." Miranda joked.

"I think he's sick…" Brennan felt his forehead. It felt like a volcano.

"If he knew he was sick why would he drink four beers in less than an hour?" Miranda furrowed.

"I don't know. He probably didn't know he had a fever." Brennan tried to make Booth sit up.

"Want me to call 911?" Miranda asked with worry washed all over her face.

"Just help me get him in my car." Brennan panicked.

"You finally have a car?" Miranda tried to lighten the mood while swinging around the bar.

"Rental." Brennan responded, swinging one of Booth's arms over her shoulders.

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B&B