Trial by Fire

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"Charlie, I need you to trace a cell phone."

"Give me the number." Booth rattled off the number, "Who's number is this?"

"Dr. Brennen's"

"Dr. Brennen's?" Charlie paused, "I thought she was with you."

"So did I Charlie." Booth snapped his phone shut.



Brennen and Max were caught up in traffic, still following Heather Taffett. "Wonder where she is going?"

"Well, it sure isn't the suburbs, headed in this direction."

Traffic began to flow more smoothly, as fewer cars were on the road. "Don't lose her, Dad."

"Honey, we can't get too close, she might see us." Her cab exited off the highway.

"Tempi, maybe you should call Booth now." as if on cue, her phone rang.

Brennen looked at it, Cam.

"Cam." Brennen answered.

"Dr. Brennen, we got the remains in a few minutes ago, I thought you would like to know."

"Thanks, Cam, have Mr. Nigel Smith start the initial exam, I'll be in soon."

"Dr. Brennen, you know Booth is looking for you?"

"I am aware."

"I think you should call him, he's very concerned,...."

Brennen cut her off. "I will, Cam."

"Sooner, rather than later, Dr. Brennen?"

"Dad, she's turning. Cam, I gotta go." and ended the call. "Don't lose her, now."

"Booth," it was Charlie, "Got a location on the cell number you gave me."

"Go ahead, Charlie," Booth pulled out a pen, and began to write.

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Max and Brennen were sittng at a four way stop. "Which way did she go?" They were both craning their necks, looking in all directions, searching for the yellow cab.

"She can't be far."

"Wait a minute, isn't that the cab up there?" Max was looking straight ahead. It was coming toward them.

"That is definately her cab, Dad." The cab continued forward, stopping opposite them at the four way stop.

The cab pulled forward, and passed them. "She's not in there, dad. She must have gotten out somewhere." And somewhere close.

"Honey, you should call Booth, and let him know where we are." Max was starting to dread the thought of seeing Booth, again.

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Booth saw Max's car up ahead. It was parked next to a four way stop. He got out of his vehicle, and motioned with his fingers to the two agents that were following him.

"Come with me."

Booth walked around the car, and tapped on the window.

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Brennen was in the process of dialing Booth's number, when she heard a tapping sound. She looked over, and about jumped out of her skin. There was a face, two inches away from the glass, looking at her.

"Booth, I was just about to call you." she said, as she opened the door. He grasped her arm, and pulled her from the car.

"Gentlemen, I want you to escort Dr. Brennen to the Jeffersonian, she has work to do there."

"Booth!." She turned to him. "I'm staying here with you."

He didn't say anything, but turned toward her. She saw a muscle tic in his jaw. His eyes were hard, and angry. This was a side of Booth, she didn't see very often.

Still looking at her, "Take her to the Jeffersonian, she has remains waiting for her."

"Honey, just go." Max encouraged her.

Muttering under her breath, Brennen stalked to the agent's vehicle, got in, and slammed the door shut.

"Take her straight to the Jeffersonian, and escort her inside, and under no circumstances is she supposed to leave." Booth was looking at the two agents.

"Yes, Agent Booth." They turned and walked back to their vehicle.

Max was still sitting in his car. Booth sat down, "Give me a good reason, why I shouldn't arrest you, right now, Max?"

"For what Booth, driving in the bad part of town, not against the law, last time I checked."

"How about for being a idiot, Max. I can't believe you drug Bones out, chasing a serial kliller."

"Just how well do you know, my daughter Booth?" He looked at him. "You know darn well, when Tempi sets her mind to something, there is no stopping her. If I hadn't been there, she would have went by herself."

"And for the record, I was telling her to call you." Max looked at him.

"Look Booth, I'm not one for giving advice, but since she's my daughter, I'll give you some." Max blew out a long breath. "We Keenen's don't take orders very well, it goes against our nature, we like to be the one's in charge."

"She can be in charge at the lab, not chasing dangerous criminals, that's where I am in charge."

"Now tell me, what you found out following the cab." Booth was done, talking about Brennen. He still had alot to say, but Max wasn't the one who needed to hear it.