The Collector by CheeseBK posted 18/09/2007

Posted 19/02/2008 12:20:08 AM
by ToZiKa

Okay I will forget about you being evil again if the next chapter will really give us a huge step forward.

Can't wait for Both to find her.
I really need some little happy thing in this story soon.

PPS

Posted 19/02/2008 01:37:31 PM
by CheeseBK

tozika, i know I am evil, evil, evil...

thank you for your review

Posted 20/02/2008 05:41:25 AM
by CheeseBK

Hello again!!! Chapter 21 is ready – wohoooo!

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Chapter 21:


Hodgins was engrossed in his work, trying to analyse the particles they had found on the latest victim.... precisely entangled in the hair of the wig she had been wearing. He had made a visual comparison to the soil of the park, where she had been found and was glad to see that it wasn’t a match. That meant the particles were either from the place where the victim got killed or where she had been held hostage. The chances were high that both places were the same. And that Brennan was at there too, hopefully alive.

He was preparing a sample for the spectrometer, when he suddenly heard the quick clatter of heels approaching. “We have a suspect, he may be on the Jeffersonian tapes.” His fiancée yelled at him, not bothering to stop and explain.
“Who?” Hodgins managed to shout after her, but Angela was already gone, vanished around the next corner, clearly heading for her office.

“Marc Roberts” A deep male voice said from behind him. Hodgins jumped at the unexpected sound and nearly knocked over a microscope. “Dude, don’t sneak up on me like that. That equipment costs... a lot!...... Hold on.... Marc Roberts..... why does that name sound familiar?”

“He was dating Cam?” Booth offered.

Hodgins pulled a face. “And how would I know about that? Do I look like a girl?.... That’s not why the name sounds familiar....” His brow furrowed and Booth could practically see the wheels turn inside his head.

“He told Cam he was thinking of becoming a donator for the Jeffersonian. Guess he is..... frequenting the same circles as you are.” Booth pointed out another possibility.

Hodgins eyes widened. “Cirlces? Dude, I spend most of my time here! But.... Roberts. Marc Roberts, right!!! The Lovell Mansion auction..... I placed a bid for that too, but he really, really wanted it, he paid twice what it’s worth for it. I may be rich, but I am not a fool.... I am not paying a fortune for a house that needs renovation.” Jack shook his head, recalling the auction a few months ago.

“Whatever.... “ Booth said, not entirely comfortable with Hodgins talking about buying an estate as he might be talking about...... say buying a new pair of shoes. Or maybe socks. “Cam went on a few dates with him and he picked her up here once. So Angela thinks she might have him on the tapes an can compare it to what we have from the cameras near Brennan’s.”

“That.... would be enough for a warrant?” Hodgins asked cautiously.

“I hope so.... and if not... I will find a way.” Booth said and by the way his eyes glowed dangerously and his fierce expression on his face, Hodgins had no doubt that he was going to do everything he could to get to Brennan. Break-in included.

“Well.... I have to run this test now... tell me if Ange finds anything, okay?” Hodgins asked the FBI agent, who gave back a crooked grin. “You wont need a messenger, she’ll make herself... uhm...noticeable.” Booth said.

Hodgins chuckled. “True.”

And during this little exchange they noticed that there finally was spark of hope again. They exchanged a small, almost cautious smile and then Booth left Hodgins to his tests and followed Angela to her office.

________________________________________________________________

Half an hour later, Booth’s and Angela’s eyes were glued to the screen. They finally had found Roberts on the Jeffersonian tapes and now Angela was able to start the comparison software that searched for matches regarding body posture, height and movement.

Angela grabbed the armrests of her chair, squeezed them tightly and nervously licked her dry lips. ‘It has to be him, it has to be him, God PLEASE, it has to be him’ She repeated in her head over and over again, like a mantra.

She risked a brief side glance towards Booth and saw that he was as nervous and impatient as she was.

Then she heard a beeping sound, announcing that the software had found something. She took in a deep breath and her eyes fixed on the words on the screen. “Congruence 98.5 % prob.” was blinking in green letters. The man who had disguised himself as an electrician to get access to Brennan’s building was Marc Roberts, with 98.5 % probability.

“I nailed your ass, you bastard.” She yelled and jumped to her feet and felt Booth rise beside her too. She watched how he looked at the frozen picture of Marc Roberts on the screen and saw hatred in his dark eyes.
“I will get you, you asshole.” He hissed through gritted teeth and Angela knew, it was a promise he intended to keep – whatever the cost.

Angela went to the door of her office and yelled outside: “It’s Roberts” to let her co-workers know that they finally knew who the Collector was. She did not wait to listen to the exclaims and gasps of Hodgins and the others, but returned her attention to FBI agent in her office.

Booth took out his phone, flipped it open and dialled Caroline Julian’s number. A few moments later he said: “Caroline. We have a suspect, he matches with the guy who had access to Bones’ apartment and another one. Marc Roberts. Get me a warrant to search his estates.... please.”

“Marc Roberts, got it. Estates, cher? As in big and plural?” Caroline’s voice came out of the speaker.

“Yeah. Three estates in DC area. I need the warrant NOW.... You know, he.... he has Bones.” Booth confirmed and Caroline gave back. “I’m on it, cher.” Booth gave back a short: “Thank you.” Then he closed his phone again and took in a deep breath.

“I’ll call the FBI, I hope I’ll get three teams.... if not I have to choose which house to search first.....” Booth said, and briefly closed his eyes. What if he chose the wrong one first? A few hours could decide if Brennan was alive or not.

His internal debate was interrupted when they heard Hodgins’ exclaim from outside Angela’s office. “Booth! I know where she is!”

Angela and the FBI agent exchanged an astonished look, then they hurried outside to see what Jack had found.

________________________________________________________________

What did Hodgins find? Where is she and will they come in time to save her???

Next update this week!!!

Reviews make me very happy!

Posted 20/02/2008 06:29:49 PM
by magicstar

wow cheese, i just caught up with this one! you cant hear or see me but right now i am applauding like a mad woman.....more please!

Posted 21/02/2008 04:50:10 AM
by CheeseBK

Hello again!!! Thank you, magic!!! Your wish is my command, here is the next chapter

Enjoy!

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Chapter 22:

Brennan shuddered. Some time ago, the screams had faded and the uncertainty what had caused them to stop made a lump form in her throat, every time she was alert enough to think about it. Was the woman dead? Was she injured that much she could not yell anymore? Unconscious? Or had she simply... resigned, given up?

The metallic noise of the small opening in her cell door being slid aside interrupted her thoughts and she gave the door a worried glance. She was in one of her better phases right now, the fever momentarily only lurking, not attacking with full force... she wished it was different. She wished for a sudden attack of fever so that she would not understand what was going to happen to her. She was sure The Collector had something in store for her.

The man who called himself The Collector only watched her for some time, then he snickered. “You don’t look so uptight and self-confident anymore, Doc. Go wash and tidy yourself up a bit, won’t you?”

She gave a weak shake of her head. Why washing herself? Getting up and stumbling over to the sink would hurt... and she would only destroy possible evidence, in case her co-workers would have to examine her body after he had dumped it somewhere. The though made her swallow hard.

“Do it!” The Collector’s voice hissed. “I want to spend a little time with you, Doc... but to be frank, you stink.”

Her eyes widened, when she realised he probably wanted her to wash herself so that he could come in and touch her, maybe rape her. A sudden wave of nausea hit her.

“Do it, Doc... I am going to hurt you either way, but your co-operation may... help your situation considerably. To Keep the pain level low, you understand?”

Tears sprang to her eyes, but she started to move, dragged herself over to the sink, gritting her teeth against the searing pain in her leg.

“Good, very good. I’ll be back in a few minutes, Doc.” His voice carried over to her and she heard how he slammed the slit shut again.

Brennan reached for the rim of the sink and pulled herself up a little until she could reach the tap and let cold water fill her hands. She stank, he had said... well, there was nothing she could do about that... it was the fever, the infection... she was not going to be able to wash it away. She splashed her face with cold water and enjoyed the feeling of the cool droplets against her hot skin.

But then her injured thigh bumped against the rim of the sink and the pain that raced through her body made her vision blur. Even as she gasped because of the pain, nausea and dizziness came over her and darkness claimed her once more.

_________________________________________________________________

Four people watched Hodgins’ every movement, as he reached for a sheet of paper, fresh out of the printer.

“Where is she?” Booth urged him, impatience in his voice.

“Lovell mansion.” Hodgins answered and got blank faces from all the squints, but only an instant later an expression of recognition dawned on Booth’s face. “The estate he bought some months ago. The one you placed a bid for.” It was more a statement than a question.

“Exactly.” Hodgins confirmed, looking excited. “I found particles in the wig of the last victim. I found a very rare fungus, it’s called...”

“Short version, please.” Booth snapped.

“It’s a kind of fungus that normally only is found in cellars where Champagne is or has been stored. Since I wanted to buy the estate, I know that parts of the cellar of Lovell mansion have been built with bricks of a French Champagne cellar.”

Angela gave him a doubtful look. “They shipped bricks from Europe only to build a cellar with it?” Her voice made clear that she thought something like that was just plain crazy.

“A big wine cellar. Jean Lovell was rich and his mother is from France, so he wanted to...” Hodgins started to explain.

Booth raised his hand to interrupt him. “Are we 100 percent positive that this is the only house here with that... fungus in the cellar?”

Hodgins shrugged. “Not 100 percent, but the probability that anybody else has bricks of a European Champagne cellar in his house is... practically non-existent.”

Zach corrected “Actually the probability would be about..” but he fell silent, when Angela elbowed him. “Practically non-existent is enough” She said, with a hint of hope in her voice.

Booth took in a deep breath. “Okay. Good work, Hodgins. I’ll call the FBI, they have to get a team ready. God, I hope Caroline hurries with that warrant... or I’ll just break in there myself.” He said, determined.

Cam had been silent all the time, gripping the railing of the platform tightly until the knuckles of her hand had turned white. “He has Rottweilers” She now murmured.

Booth’s eyes widened at her words and for the first time he seemed to even notice how the confirmation that the man she had been dating was The Collector was affecting her.

“You’ve been there?” He gently asked, but Cam shook her head. “No... he told me he has at least two Rottweilers at every house.”

She seemed to be avoiding his gaze, but he knew that he would be able to see tears in her eyes if she would turn her face to look at him. He had heard them in her voice. Usually he would have tried to comfort her, but there was no time, he had to get a team ready, had to make pressure to get the warrant.

He gave Angela a pleading look and the artist immediately understood and nodded.

“Cam?” She said softly and placed a hand on her shoulder. “It’s alright. Come on, let’s go to your office and have a coffee.”

Booth looked at them for another moment, then he turned around, pulling out his phone. He had to call Cullen.

_________________________________________________________________

Yeah, I know, Brennan is still in danger, Booth is still not there to rescue her, but I promise things will change soon. After all, they now know where she is!

Will Caroline get the warrant or will Booth have to play the lone gunman?

Reviews make me VERY happy!

Posted 21/02/2008 12:31:20 AM
by ToZiKa

They know where she is!!!
If only Booth makes it there in time to rescue her before the collector starts to hurt her....
PPS

Posted 21/02/2008 01:24:40 PM
by A2BOREANAZ

alright cheesie.........i just got all caught up.......and now i may call you evil cheese............or perhaps as nane said before.......black cheese..........oh...you arent going to let her die are you.........are you??????????? now you must update as soon as possible.......there is no time........she needs booth......he needs her...........all that i said before is thrown out the window........evil i tell you........you are evil........but in a nice way of course...........oh cheesie.........do something quick.......ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Posted 21/02/2008 04:24:01 PM
by nane

What can I say. I still see the silver lining but it takes more time than expected. Now you have to hurry on to get her out of this terrible prison. She needs meds, thought you know that....And a spongebath and a lot of T.L.C. Don´t forget that!!!! Now chop chop....sit down and write her rescue.

Posted 21/02/2008 05:13:07 PM
by CheeseBK

I'll do that, nane.... hopefully tomorrow.... thank you all for your wonderful reviews!!!

Posted 21/02/2008 05:22:05 PM
Profile Edit this message Quote this message /!\ Delete the topic Sent a email to beaglelvr93 Send a private message to beaglelvr93
Hmmm.... cheesie... I'm thinking lone gunman would be hot (but with backup, just in case)

Poor Bren. Booth better HURRY UP! He's .... going... to ... save... her.....now!...

I... NEED... FLUFF.... *Gasp!*

Beagle

Posted 21/02/2008 05:22:13 PM
by magicstar

ooooo things are hotting up in the angst sense...for christs sake go save her booth and hurry up! cheese that means you btw, next chappy please x x

Posted 22/02/2008 08:02:17 AM
by CheeseBK

Thank you for your reviews, sweeties, you rock my socks!!!
________________________________________________________________

Chapter 23:

Booth was pacing nervously, clutching his phone tightly as if that would cause it to ring any earlier. The FBI-team was ready, the only thing missing was the warrant.... the god damn warrant.

His movements were observed by Angela, who was now waiting with him, after coming back from Cam’s office a few minutes earlier. It seemed that Cam had more or less recovered from her shock that she really had been dating a serial killer. She had returned to examine the body of the poor woman The Collector had killed only a few hours before. Hodgins and Zach were busy with analysing more evidence they had found on the body.

Booth sighed. Caroline had called him, told him that the judge had informed her, that it was already evening and therefore too late and she should contact him the next morning. As if!
Booth had bellowed in the phone that he had woken a judge in the middle of the night to get a signature because of Epps, a convicted murderer. Surely Bones deserved MORE than Epps!

Caroline had told him to calm down, that she was already at the judge’s office and not ready to leave without a signed warrant. Booth trusted her, he knew that Caroline Julian was not the kind of person to give up easily. Still, half an hour had passed since he had talked to her and he was .... desperate, he had to admit to himself.

He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment and tried to muster up patience, tried to count to ten, but he failed. “That’s it” He hissed. “I am not going to wait for that warrant. And if I go in there all by myself. I just can’t take it anymore.”

Angela gave him an understanding look, but then her eyes widened a little.

“No need, cher. I have your warrant right here.” The prosecutor’s voice came from behind him. He never before had thought of Caroline Julian’s voice sounding like angel’s singing – and who would ever make that comparison again? - but now he did. Booth whirled around and quickly hugged the older woman tight. “Thank you!”
He snatched the warrant out of her hand and hurried out of the office without another word, followed by Angela, who only waved at the prosecutor, trying to keep up with Booth’s quick pace.

Caroline was surprised by his sudden display of affection and gratitude, but recovered quickly. “Don’t do anything stupid, Booth! I really want to wipe the court floor with that asshole.” She yelled after them, but got no answer in return, Booth merely acknowledge her words with a wave of his hand. She watched Booth hurry through the lab, followed by Angela who was yelling for her colleagues, obviously determined to accompany the FBI agent.

“I hope she is alright.” Caroline Julian whispered to herself. Despite her somewhat distanced behaviour towards “the fool” Temperance Brennan she had grown to respect, even like her. A sentiment she would never ever admit to anybody.
But she was even more concerned for Booth... she simply liked the younger man, had developed something close to motherly feelings for him.... and she was pretty sure that losing Temperance Brennan would crush him.

________________________________________________________________


She slowly regained consciousness.... or something similar anyway. If being aware of pain counted as being conscious, well then she was. Her eye-lids felt heavy and she did not want to lift the enormous weight, no, she wanted to die before he came to her again.
She had heard him talk to her... The Collector... she remembered that he had told her to wash herself and then she had hurt her injured thigh at the sink and passed out.

Memory – so her brain was working, more or less anyway. But her body felt awful.... absolutely awful. There was not only the pain in her injured leg... there also was a throbbing pain on the backside of her head, where it had collided with the hard concrete floor when she had fainted. And the fever..... it was not back with full force, but she felt it build again... felt how sweat started to cover her forehead and how heat coursed through her body.

He was going to be back soon.... and he was going to be furious when he saw that she had not ‘prepared’ herself for him. But Temperance Brennan was already beyond the point to even care. She only wished for one thing: A quick and merciful death.
And she was pretty sure that her last wish was not going to be fulfilled. She swallowed hard.

But maybe she was going to be able to enrage him enough to lose control, so that he would kill her quickly – in the spur of the moment.

Tears started to fill her eyes, when she thought of the people who had been important to her in her life. And while she pictured Booth, complete with one of his ridiculously flashy ties and his cocky belt buckle, her weakened body betrayed her and she passed out once more, a faint smile tugging on her lips and tears clinging to her eyelashes.

________________________________________________________________

While running outside, Booth ordered the FBI team to Lovell Mansion by phone, then he hurried towards his SUV. He heard the clatter of Angela’s heels behind him and her voice when she exclaimed: “Wait..... we want to come with you.”

He turned around, intent on not spending anything more than a split-second. “Well, hurry!” He yelled at her. He saw Hodgins and Zach appear behind her, shortly followed by Cam, who was still pretty pale. “I am staying” She said, swallowing hard. “I don’t want to see him.... and somebody has to stay here”

Booth acknowledged her words with a short nod and opened the door of his SUV, impatiently motioning for the other squints to do the same.

He did not look back at Dr. Camille Saroyan.... his future lay ahead, or at least he hoped so. Hoped with all his heart that Temperance Brennan was alive.

_______________________________________________________________

Oh, yes, I know, I know.... Cheese, you are a tease. Cheese, you are evil. Cheese, god damn it, let Booth rescue her! Don’t you dare to let her die, Cheese. Cheese, do you heave to drag it out like that?

I have to – Musie wants it that way!!! I think that about sums it up, right? But I would still LOVE to get reviews, sweeties!!!

Posted 22/02/2008 05:24:57 PM
by ToZiKa

What is left for me to say here....you did it all by yourself....but I know that you wouldn't let her die....and that you will let Booth rescue her....I only have to sit here and wait for the next chapter....mmmhhm....still waiting....I will try again tomorrow....I hope there is another chapter up by then....

Posted 22/02/2008 10:41:50 PM
by beaglelvr93

( I love copy/paste )

Cheese, you are a tease. Cheese, you are evil. Cheese, god damn it, let Booth rescue her! Don’t you dare to let her die, Cheese. Cheese, do you heave to drag it out like that?

But i want to add: WHERE'S THE FREAKING FLUFF, CHEESE????

.................

.................

Come on Cheesie's musie! Give us a rescue!

Posted 23/02/2008 02:43:22 PM
by magicstar

i think you are very deliberately teasing us with this very short chapter, please please cheese alow musie to play and dance inspiration in your mind and write another damn chappy quickly, preferably before she dies. I think i can cope with one more angst then get to the fluff ohh and smut, that can be dragged out as long as you like x x x

Posted 25/02/2008 04:43:12 AM
by CheeseBK

Thank you for your reviews, sweeties, you truly rock!!! And of course another very BIG thank you for your patience...... I know it’s been torture....

________________________________________________________________


Chapter 24:


Booth rang the doorbell impatiently, the FBI team waiting behind him. He wanted to storm in and simply shoot anything that was in motion – except Bones of course – but he needed to stick to the protocol. And wallowing in his revenge was not going to help Bones a little bit, so he just forced down the emotions as good as he could.

He glanced at the squints, who were standing beside a FBI van, not allowed to join the team until everything was declared cleared. If the identical frowns they wore were any indicator, they were anything but happy about that arrangement.

Finally a middle-aged man in a black suit opened the door and it took Booth a moment to understand that he was in fact standing in front of a butler. ‘Bet his name is James’ he thought sarcastically.

The man asked what he could do for him, stating that his master - ‘master, seriously’ Booth thought – was not present.

Booth showed his warrant and gave the man a brief explanation that they were authorised to search the whole estate including the cellars. The butler – his name was Anthony as he informed Booth – quirked an eyebrow and told him that he was not going to let them pass without his master’s consent.

Booth gave him a fake smile and simply said: “That would be considered resistance against sovereignty. Does’nt really give the best impression. And we simply do not need your or your ‘employer’s’ consent. So, you either move aside or we force our way in. Your choice.”

Anthony’s eyes widened, but though he seemed to be very loyal to his employer, he chose the wiser way and moved aside, granting access to Booth and his team. “Good choice.” Booth murmured and entered the house. “Who is here?” He asked the butler.

“Maura, the cook, and me at the moment. Mr. Roberts has not been here in days.” Anthony informed him, the tone of his voice nasal.

Booth shook his head. “You’re lying. He has at least been here yesterday..... and I bet he was here today too.”

Anthony shook his head, his eyes widening, obviously he was resentful of somebody accusing him to be a liar. “Master Roberts has not been in this house since three days. And that was only for a brief visit. He has other estates.”

Booth’s eyes narrowed a bit and after a moment of thinkin he asked. “Is there a separate entry to the wine cellars?”
Anthony seemed to be surprised. “How would you know about the mansion’s wine cellars?”

“Just answer.” Booth pressed through gritted teeth, his impatience and simmering rage showing in his eyes.

Anthony saw the barely controlled rage Booth was in and was quick to reply. “The wine cellars are deep in the hill, part of it are caves, as far as I know, but I have never been inside, Master Roberts said the cellars were too dilapidated.”
Anthony moved to one of the big windows that surveyed the wide gardens of the estate. “You see the cot over there?” He gestured towards a cot surrounded by trees. “Behind it is a path. The entry to the wine cellars is a two-minute’s walk into the wood from there.... it’s built into the hill, as I said. But master Roberts keeps the gate locked, because it’s too dangerous.”

Booth shook his head “I don’t think so.” and ordered three of the seven agents to come with him to investigate the cellars, but he was stopped by the butler, who seemed to be confused. “I don’t understand why you...”

“You don’t need to understand. Is there another way to get to the entry of the cellars... unseen from the house?” Booth interrupted the man.

Anthony frowned at being interrupted, but finally answered. “There is an old logging road through the wood behind it. It leads near to the entry. Why do you ask?”

Booth shook his head. “No time. Stay here.” He took one of the other agents aside and whispered to him to make sure the butler was not going to call his employer and warn him.

Then he gestured to the three agents to follow him, leaving the house and swiftly running across the lawn towards the cabin, observed by a still confused butler.

_________________________________________________________________

Brennan woke with a gasp as cold water made contact with her hot skin. Water dripped from her hair into her eyes and she breathed heavily, not understanding what was happening to her.

Then she blinked and saw the Collector standing in front of her, a bucket in his hands. “You did not get yourself cleaned up, Doc. That was a mistake. I will correct that.”

He reached for another bucket beside him and she buried her face in her hands trying to brace herself for more cold water, but instead it was hot water that splashed over her. Very hot water, that stung her skin, leaving it red and sensitive. She moaned, and the sound caused the man in front of her to laugh wickedly. “Sheesh, was that too hot?” He asked in fake concern and laughed again.

He reached over to the sink and filled the bucket again, his gaze always fixed on her, observing her every movement. Not that she was able to move much anyway. She spotted that he had placed something on the rim of the sink and a sick feeling rose in her: It was a condom.

She swallowed hard when The Collector had filled the bucket again and raised it to splash her with water again. He waited for a moment, visibly enjoying that she was afraid and did not know if he was going to hit her with cold or hot water. “Ready?” He asked, another fake smile in his voice.

She made a weak attempt to turn away from him, but he was faster. She barely had time to cover her face with her hands again, when the water made contact with her skin. Cold this time again, icy cold like water from a mountain spring. She shuddered, felt how the skin on her hands tingled and stung with the sudden change of temperature. The sickening sound of his laughter filled his ears and she shuddered.... due to the cold, wet clothes clinging to her body as well as to the knowledge that she was going to die.... but that he was going to take his time with her first.

Then an odd ringing sound filled the air and The Collector whirled around, throwing the bucket into a corner of her cell. “What?” He gasped, both stunned and enraged and quickly opened the door of her cell to storm out and leaving her, wet and shivering, on the floor.

Her thoughts were unsorted and hazy, but she still managed to identify the ringing sound as some kind of alarm.

Two days ago the sound would have made her feel hope. Now it only made her pass out again.

_________________________________________________________________

Wow, isn’t the Collector an evil one? Oh, and an alarm? That can only mean something good, right? Or not? I know, I am evil and all that ... blah-blah But I promise to update soonish, maybe even today, so keep your rotten tomatoes! * grins *

Reviews would be wonder-awesome!

Posted 25/02/2008 09:58:37 AM
by CheeseBK

I AM SOOOOOO NICE.... I post a second chapter in a row!

enjoy

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Chapter 25

The FBI agents slowly approached the entrance to the wine cellar. The butler had not been lying, there had indeed be a narrow and overgrown path leading from the cot through the wood towards the entrance, that was built into the hill. From the other direction, out of the wood, footprints led to the big doors and Booth instinctively knew, that this had to be the right place. She had to be here, now he only had to get her out. Piece of cake, right?

He swallowed hard, but ignored every emotion, he let all the years of training take over and drown out his sentiments until all that remained was alertness and rationality. Bones would be so proud, he thought sarcastically.

He motioned for two of the agents to take the right side of the door, he and the other agent took the left. Booth reached for the handle but before he took a step towards the door, something caught his attention. A cable, partially hidden under the doormat. A doormat in front of the entrance to an abandoned wine cellar? Something did not add up here....
Booth was pretty sure that The Collector had hidden a pressure sensor underneath it, as a part of an alarm system. His gaze went around, searching the door frame, and sure enough he found a small hole in the wood in one corner. He nodded to himself, finding his suspicion confirmed.... there had to be a camera behind it.

He pointed to the camera and to the doormat to show the other agents what he had found, not daring to speak since somewhere there might be a hidden microphone too. He hesitated before reaching for the handle again, but he figured that since there was the pressure sensor beneath the mat it was unlikely that the handle itself was wired to the surveillance system too. He took in a deep breath and reached forward, careful not to step on the door mat, and pressed down the handle, gently pushing the door. But...it did not open...

He saw that there were two big iron rings on the outside of the heavy wooden door and that there were scrapings on them that indicated that there used to be a chain to keep the door closed. Since there was no other device or lock he came to one logical conclusion:
The door had to be bolted from the inside. The bastard was at home. Booth briefly closed his eyes, trying to cling to his professional calmness and stepped back.

He motioned for the agents to follow him away from the door and they retreated into the shadows of the forest until Booth thought a possible microphone was not going to receive the sound of their voices anymore.

“The door is bolted from the inside, that means he is inside too. I think there is a pressure sensor beneath the mat and there surly is a camera in the left upper corner of the door frame. There also might be a microphone.” He explained.

“Can we shoot the lock?” The youngest agent asked and got back scolding looks from the others. “Did you see a lock?” One of them asked and Booth shook his head. “I said it’s bolted..... meaning there is a bolt on the inside, not a lock. And the door is solid, I don’t think we can kick it in.”

One of the agents let out a humourless laugh. “Not unless you want your leg broken instead of the door. Have you seen those hinges? Solid’s an understatement, pal.”

They looked at each other and one of the agents asked hesitantly. “We could get in with a motor saw.”

Booth sighed. “You have one handy?” He asked sarcastically. The other agents shook their heads. “Would not be very subtle anyway... he would hear us and .... the situation could escalate.... No, there has to be another way.”
“SWAT?” Another one asked and Booth shook his head vigorously. “It would take forever to get a SWAT team here. She...THEY could be dead by then. No.” Booth dismissed the proposition.

Booth started to pace, as he often did while thinking of a solution. After a few minutes he stopped and looked at the other agents for a moment. “I have an idea. I don’t know if it is going to work, but it’s worth a try.”

The other agents looked at him curiously and he quickly explained his plan to his them.

A few minutes later they heard the distant sound of an alarm from the other side of the door.

________________________________________________________________

The Collector cursed. He had been forced to leave her right in the middle of the lesson he was teaching her. That was not good.... he never left them until he was finished with them. But the alarm ..... he had to go and see what had caused the alarm. The last time – and that had been weeks ago – it had been a stray cat... peeing on the damn mat. He had to replace it, because otherwise dozens of cats would have come to the door and pee on the same damn spot .... and actuate the pressure sensor underneath the mat.... or soak it until it was ruined.

When he reached the little monitor that showed the area outside the door, he sighed in relief. There was nobody there.... but still, he had to make sure. He had used baits with poison to get rid of the cats, but maybe one had survived. In case it was another cat again, he would have to replace the mat.... again. The Collector pressed the button to stop the alarm sound, all the time cursing under his breath and reached for his gun.

Then he climbed the dark stairs to the entrance with its heavy wooden door.

________________________________________________________________

Soooooo, Booth and his colleagues are at the right place, that’s good, right? Yeah? Good! (Please note, not all I do is evil, okay?) And they have a plan, that’s even better! (See, good things and better things.... so please just keep you rotten tomatoes for another chapter and no more threatening please )

REVIEWS however, make me very happy and they also have that little side benefit of increasing my writing speed

25/02/2008 10:04:58 AM
by vanessaaaaa

This is fabulous! I hope Bones will consider shooting this. (: I can't wait for the next chapter!

Posted 25/02/2008 10:25:53 AM
by CheeseBK

hi vanessaaaaa, (*squints at the number of as).... did I get it right?

Thank you so much, I am flattered that you reviewed and that this is your first post, too!

Let me say: WELCOME to the ABY and I hope you'll like it here!!!

Posted 25/02/2008 12:59:46 AM
by ToZiKa

Okay no tomatoes today....
and you are right you are very very nice to give us two chapters in a row!
I hope Booth' plan will work and he can rescue Bones as soon as possible....he really came at the right moment....now he only has to go in, take her out, tell her he loves her and so on and so on.....
I hope there will be at least a little fluff in the next chapters.
Can't wait to read more!

btw hey vanessaaaaa welcome at the ab

Posted 25/02/2008 03:57:56 PM
by A2BOREANAZ

okay.........i am with tozika.............no rotten tomatoes.......but come on........get booth in there to save her.........what ya waiting for........and then the loving and the kissing and holding and smut..........lol........i feel like jersey.....always asking for smut........but seriously......this is driving me insane........in a good way.....but still insane.....booth must save her........his plan must work........ if you wont let booth do it.....i can send james.........he would do it.............lol............cheesie.......this is soooo freakin good...........all these fics i am hooked on.......not a good thing........now more more more......................i mean please of course........

Posted 25/02/2008 06:45:35 PM
by BGWGscienceteacher

I think you get a pervers pleasure from dragging this out and making us wait. I can even hear your evil laugh in my head.

That was a great chapter. Booth is right on time, now all he has to do is kill the SOB and get Brennan out of there. I don't know how much longer she would last with that infection.

PPS

Posted 26/02/2008 04:20:35 AM
by CheeseBK

Hi again, sweeties! Thank you, BGWGscienceteacher, A2BOREANAZ, ToZiKa, vanessaaaaa..... for reading and of course for REVIEWING! You rock!

Here we go.... chapter 26 is ready!

________________________________________________________________

Chapter 26

Booth heard how the faint noise of the alarm stopped and held his breath. That could only mean The Collector had deactivated it. Booth hoped that Roberts really was going to come up to open the door and check what had caused the alarm in the first place.

The solid door faced the wood and Booth and two of his agents were hiding behind the big trees, Agent Denton, the smallest and leanest of the agents, however was not. He cowered in the blind spot of the camera, with his knees tight against his chest, looking like a child playing hide and seek.

Booth would have taken the position himself, but he was taller and his broad structure made it impossible for him to squeeze himself together like Agent Denton. Booth only hoped Denton was not going to get hurt because of his crazy plan. The plan that hopefully was going to get them into that wine cellar. Get him to Bones.

According to the plan, the younger agent was supposed to grab the door and hold it wide open as soon as Roberts opened it, to give Booth and the other two agents a free line of fire. They had switched off their walkie-talkies and agreed upon some basic signs to communicate without words.
Two minutes after the low buzz of the alarm had stopped, Denton made on of the signs they had agreed on. It meant ‘I hear something’.
Booth exhaled slowly, calming his inner turmoil. He still stood behind the tree, peeking around the trunk, the gun in his right hand aiming at the door. He knew the other two agents were doing exactly the same.

Booth’s gaze was fixed on the door and the man cowering beside it. He could see how Agent Denton’s body tensed and he knew that the bolt had been slid away on the inside of the door. He pressed his teeth together. Then the door opened, only slightly, but it was enough.

Denton’s hands shot forward to the handle and he pulled it towards him with all his strength, revealing a very surprised – and shocked – Marc Roberts. He had a gun in his hand, but obviously no idea at what to aim it.

“FBI” Booth bellowed. “Lower your weapon, Roberts. Or we will make you.” But he did not... for nothing more than a split-second Booth’s and Roberts’ gaze met and then Roberts whirled around, retreating into the darkness of the entrance to the wine cellar. “Stop” Booth yelled and fired his gun, but all he could see was darkness and he had no idea at what he was firing.

“We’re going in!” He ordered his colleagues, then he switched his walkie-talkie on again and repeated the sentence. After receiving a confirmation he shut it off again. “Be careful and quiet, we don’t know anything about that cellar, he may try to ambush us somewhere.” His colleagues nodded and Denton appeared behind the door, his gun in his head.

“I think you got him.” The young agent informed Booth. “I heard him cry out, I think you shot him.”

“Good” Booth grumbled. “He deserves pain. Loads of it. Now, come on, no time to lose. He still has women down there... and he may try to kill them.”

________________________________________________________________

Angela clutched Hodgins’ hand tightly, her eyes nervously following the agents who roamed the house. There were no news from Booth, who had left with three agents towards the wine cellar some time earlier.

Then the sound of a gun-shot tore through the silence and she yelped in surprise, giving her fiancé a shocked and worried look. A few moments later the walkie-talkie of an agent nearby croaked a “We’re going in.” It was Booth’s voice and Angela’s body started to tremble.

“That means.... that means...” She stammered and looked at Hodgins and Zach.
Jack gently took her hand. “That means that there is a chance that Booth is going to get her out.”

“Yeah. Right.” Angela breathed, but her body was still trembling, until Hodgins enveloped her in a tight hug. “She is my best friend, Jack.” She whispered into his ear and he nodded and simply said: “I know.”

“Booth is going to bring her back.” Zach murmured and both his colleagues turned around to face him, giving him an astonished look. Zach saw the stunned expression on their faces and blushed slightly, somewhat embarrassed. “I know that there is no scientific proof for that, I just....”

“You have faith in Booth. We all have. Even Dr. Brennan.” Jack gave him a wry smile. “It’s human.”

Zach frowned a little. “It’s irrational.” Jack nodded. “Yeah, well, human.”

Angela lowered her head to her fiancé’s shoulder, murmuring “I hate waiting.”
Then she closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of his after-shave, trying to let it soothe her.


________________________________________________________________

I bet you all hate waiting too, right?
But the wait is soon over.... the next chapter will finally show what’s going on in the wine cellar.
So, uhm... I am still not too fond of rotten tomatoes.... I also don’t like it when you throw knives or other sharp things.... just remember, only happy writers write fast and guess, what makes me happy?

Yep, you’re right: REVIEWS.

Posted 26/02/2008 07:20:23 AM
by vanessaaaaa

There are 5 a's. (: Now I shall honour you with the 2nd post! Heee. The story is fantastic! And ooohs. Pardon my bad english because I'm living outside USA. >.<

Posted 26/02/2008 07:40:52 AM
by CheeseBK

vanessaaaaa, *counts* 5 as *proud grin* thanks for your review!
oh, don't worry about bad english or not, this board is quite international, I am not a native speaker myself, I come from Austria

--Last edited by CheeseBK on 2008-02-26 07:41:11 --