Bones Don't Lie

by Vague_Shadows

Summary:

"The younger boy ain't talking,” Caroline says.  “It’s unclear if he can’t or if he won’t. The older boy who’s with him - potential accomplice - is being just as unhelpful, arguably worse. He says that he’ll consider cooperating but only if he can talk to Dr. Brennan. He says he knows you, and I’m inclined to believe him, given that he managed to sneak into the Jeffersonian and barricade himself and his friend inside your office. They aren’t causing damage, just leaving blood stains on your cute little rug and sofa and demanding that you be the one to process the evidence.  We don’t want to escalate the situation, and you are the best, so I need you to come try to talk enough sense into this kid to let me do my job.”

“We’re on our way,” Booth assures. “Do you have any idea who he is?”

Caroline's description brings up an instant image in Brennan's mind... “Booth, you don’t think it could be Jason, do you?”

Notes:

Oh, hey look, that thing that was gonna be a tiny one-shot is turning into more than that and demanding to be written.

Dedicating this to all the lovely folks who left comments and kudos on The Bones in the Cave. It means the world to me, even if I don't get a chance to respond. This follow-up would definitely not exist without y'all's positive reception of the first foray into this crazy crossover.

Posting for Batfamily Week 2025 Day 2: "Panic Attack" and "Choices"

Chapter 1

Brennan is discussing gift options for Angela’s upcoming baby shower when the call comes through her phone, despite the fact that she activated “do not disturb” mode in hopes of having an uninterrupted lunch with Booth. 

“Apparently something can’t wait,” she says with a sigh as she answers.  “This is Brennan.”

“And Booth,” he chimes in from the driver’s seat.

“We’ve got a situation,” Caroline replies. “I need you two back at the lab right now.”

“Why?” Brennan asks.  The last time Caroline sounded this annoyed and rushed… “Please tell me you’re not calling because someone removed the remains from a crime scene again ?”  

“Ooooo, that's not good,” Booth says. “You know how cranky she gets about that,” Booth says.  

“In a manner of speaking…it’s complicated. This particular body is still alive.”

“If they’re still alive, then why do you need me?”

“Because it looks like he killed someone,” Caroline replies, “and we need your forensic voodoo - ”

“Forensic science , Caroline,” Brennan corrects automatically, “voodoo is a religion that - 

“ - to tell us who he is and who the victim might be.”

Brennan pushes past her annoyance at Caroline’s failure to acknowledge the correction in favor of getting to the point of her call. 

“Why don't you just question them? This sounds like a task for Booth, not me. In fact, why can’t another agent handle - ”

“I would love to handle this with a simple interview, cherie,” Caroline says,  “but at the moment, he’s doing his best impression of a deaf-mute.”

“‘Deaf-mute’ is a historically derogatory term,” Brennan informs. “I believe the correct terminology is ‘deaf and uncommunicative.’”

“Well, whatever the term may be, the boy ain't talking,” Caroline says.  “It’s unclear if he can’t or if he won’t .”  She sighs. “The other boy that’s with him - potential accomplice - is being just as unhelpful, arguably worse . He says that he’ll consider cooperating but only if he can talk to Dr. Brennan.”

“I don’t like the sound of that,” Booth cuts in, immediately on edge. “Why is a murder suspect demanding to see Bones?”

“Well, I am the best in my field…”

“He says he knows you,” Caroline replies, “and I’m inclined to believe him, given that he managed to sneak into the Jeffersonian and barricade himself and his friend inside your office.”

“He what ?!” Booth shouts. 

“We need to get back there immediately, Booth. There are sensitive files in there,” Brennan reminds, “not to mention the priceless artifacts and evidence in pending cases.”

“They aren’t causing damage, just leaving blood stains on your cute little rug and sofa and demanding that you be the one to process the evidence.  We don’t want to escalate the situation, and you are the best, so I need you to come try to talk enough sense into this kid to let me do my job.”

“We’re on our way,” Booth assures. “Do you have any idea who he is?”

“He looks familiar, but I can’t quite tell if I know him from somewhere or if he just has one of those faces,” Caroline replies. “Looks to be mid-to-late teens, dark hair, blue eyes, a little scrawny but strong enough to manhandle the other kid around easy enough.”

The description brings up an instant image in her mind but…

“Booth, you don’t think it could be Jason, do you?”

“Who’s Jason?” Caroline wonders.

“It’s a long story,” Booth replies. “Look, we’ll be there soon, okay? In the meantime, we’ll see if we can get the conversation started.  Tell the kid to pick up Bones’ office phone when it rings.  She’ll give him a call.”

“Good a plan as any, I guess.  You two hurry it up, though.”

“Yeah, yeah, on our way.” 

Booth disconnects the call and instructs his phone to call ‘Bones Work.’   Brennan takes a breath, willing her voice to remain even and calm as she speaks. It is very unlikely that Jason is a potential murder suspect harboring another potential murder suspect - but it is also very unlikely that a teenager with no connection to her would choose her office as a safe haven. The line rings four times before someone picks up without offering any greeting.

“Hello?” she prompts finally. “This is Dr. Temperance Brennan. I was informed that someone - ”

“T? Is that you?” an all-too-familiar voice asks, quiet and hesitant.  

“Jason?!” 

A quiet whimper - or sob? - sounds over the line, and Caroline’s words suddenly seem much more severe. 

…potential accomplice…being just as unhelpful, arguably worse…leaving blood stains on your sofa…

Brennan detests the way her pulse spikes and the muscles of her chest tighten with an instant anxiety response; it’s an entirely useless physiological reaction in this situation.  She manages a shallow breath before continuing.

“Jason, what’s happening? Are you hurt? Caroline said you were covered in blood.”

“They wan’ me t’ talk or let ‘em in here, but - but I only came here ‘cause I thought you’d be here , but - you weren’t - and then it was too late to - and now they’re gonna - God, I’m so fucking stupid , but I just kept rememberin’ - and then I panicked and - and - and Shit, shit shit - I can’t even think straight.” 

“Answer me, Jason,” she demands, concern growing stronger with each frenzied word he speaks. “Are you hurt?! Is any of the blood yours?”

“M-maybe? Not t-too much,” he answers.

“Are you actively bleeding? Where are you hurt? What happened?” 

 “I - I don’t - wait, how - how do I know this isn’t just a - a trick or something to get me to talk? That lady - she - she said - she keeps trying to convince me to - to talk to her, but she’s a cop or something I can tell and there’s all kinds of ways they can try to - ”

“What do you want me to say? What would convince you?”

“I don’t - I don’t know .”

“Hey, Jason, it’s Booth,” he says, directing his voice toward the car’s microphone. “You’re on speaker in the SUV.  We’re on our way - about fifteen minutes out. Hang in there, okay? We’ll be there in person as fast as we can to help sort things out.”

“Jason, please tell me where you’re hurt and what happened,” Brennan pleads as her mind runs wild with all the life-threatening injuries that could lead to the boy being covered in blood. 

“First - first I need you to I need you to say something that only you would know.” 

“Something that only I would know?” she repeats, baffled. “That’s - that’s quite a broad request. I know quite a lot, but the likelihood of being the sole person to know - ”

“Bones, he means say something that only you would know about Jason ,” Booth interjects. 

“Y-yeah, what Booth said? Please, T?”

“Oh, yes, of course. Let’s see…” 

She thinks for a moment, running through multiple options before settling on one that will hopefully serve the dual purpose of reassuring and amusing Jason. 

“Though I cannot quantify why precisely, given my wide variety of exceptional culinary experiences, I agree with you that Gene-O’s chili dogs in Gotham are some of the best food items I have ever enjoyed.”

Booth glances over at her, smiling fondly. She smiles back, taking it as an indication that she chose well in attempting to bring levity to the conversation. Jason laughs, as she’d hoped he would, but his usually bright and clear laugh is slightly distorted.  

Likely an indication of excess mucus or strain to the vocal folds as a result of the intense emotional reaction, her brain supplies.  She glances over at the speedometer and confirms that Booth is already going well over the speed limit in an attempt to reach the lab as quickly as possible.  She still has to tamp down the urge to tell him to go faster.  

“Dude, so true,” Jason agrees.  “Thanks, T.”

“I’m happy to oblige,” she replies. “Now, please describe your injuries.  You said some of the blood is yours, but not too much?”

“No,” he replies. “I mean - yes that’s right, yes some of it’s mine, but no it’s not too much - the blood is just some scrapes and a split lip. No biggie.”

“Any injuries that aren’t bleeding?”

“Just little bumps and bruises.”

“Good, I’m glad you’re not hurt. What about your…friend? Is he hurt?”

“He’s - he’s hurt but - not too much of the blood is his, either, I don’t think. We don’t like - need an ambulance or anything. We’re - we’re okay.”

“Jason, do you know where the rest of the blood came from?” Booth asks.

They boy remains quiet for long enough that Brennan wonders if the call dropped.  “Jason?”

“I’m not sure,” he finally replies, voice so quiet that Brennan strains to hear it. “I don’t - I can’t remember . I think I was - I felt - I feel - drugged, T,” he admits. 

“Drugged?”

“I can tell it’s wearing off more and more, but I - I can’t remember what happened. I the last thing I remember was - was going to bed last night at the hotel - ‘cause ‘ cause - I’m on a trip with school, but - something must’ve - h-happened, and next thing I knew I was - was in some alley with Tim and we were covered in blood and he - he - something’s wrong and he won’t talk, but he - he can hear me okay, and he listened when I - I said we should come find you so that you could help - ‘cause you - you solve stuff all the time, right? You’re - you - you said with your job you investigate things and, and the science helps put the pieces together to you can solve things - and - and I know you’re honest - and you’re like - I just - just knew I needed somebody who wants to find the whole truth and not just cherry-pickin’ evidence and stuff to make the case easy because - because - I - I don’t know what happened, but it - it seems like - like maybe everything is - is like - royally fucked, T.”

“I’m glad you came to find me,” she says. “I’ll be there in person soon, and you’re right; I’ll help you get as much of the missing information as we can.  Have you spoken with your fathers? Or Dick?” 

“No, I - I didn’t have my phone and anyway they’re - they’re away for a couple weeks on a trip,” Jason says.  “Dick is spending the weekend with his friends up in New York.”

Brennan knows the only ‘trip’ that would prevent them from aiding Jason themselves is some sort of Justice League obligation.  She wonders whether whatever has happened intersects with that aspect of their lives or if this is a wholly civilian issue.  

“I was - was gonna call Grampa Max,” Jason adds, “but - but looking like this I couldn’t ask to borrow anybody’s phone or risk gettin’ caught tryin’ to lift one and there aren’t any payphones anywhere, and even if there had been my head is so fuzzy I wasn’t sure if I could remember the number even though he made me memorize it - and - and I got voicemail when I called Alfred and he’s all the way back in Gotham anyway and - and - I just - and I kept remembering things, but not - not helpful stuff about what happened with this - ” 

“Jason - ”

“I kept thinking about awful stuff from forever ago and getting confused about whether I was awake or having a nightmare and I didn’t know where I was and I kept forgetting we weren’t in Gotham but then -”

“Jason, you need to try to remain calm, and  - ” 

“Then I could see the top of the - the Washington Monument over the buildings, so I knew - I knew it wasn’t back then and it wasn’t Gotham, and that we were pretty close to the Jeffersonian so I - I thought - if I could just get us here then - then - then we’d be safe and - and - this is - everything was - and then I knew I was close to your lab and - and - I thought - thought you’d be here and I - when you weren’t - and there’s - all these people and - they’re gonna - this lady says - says she’s gonna arrest us, T, and I - I can’t , please you have to - ”

“Jason Todd Wayne, it is imperative that you slow your rate of respiration!” She shouts, hoping to jar him out of the worsening panic. “I don’t want to shout at you when you’re upset, but you’re at risk of hyperventilating.”

“I know - I know - logically - I know but - I - I can’t - c-can’t - T, I can’t - ”

“Listen to me: I will help you in every way that I can,” she promises. “I will be there in person very soon, but for right now, please try to breathe with me. I’ll count for you, okay?”

“Can - can - try - but - but - ” 

“Okay,” she beings, “Inhale-2-3-4. Hold-Hold. Exhale-2-3-4-5-6. Hold-hold.” She repeats the counting several times and the sound of breathing over the phone line becomes steadier.  “ Excellent respiration, Jason,” she tells him, eager to offer some encouraging sentiment even though she can’t really speak to the quality based on auditory input alone. “You’re doing very well. Let’s - let’s just keep this pattern for a few more minutes. We’re very close to the parking garage.”

Jason makes a huffing sound that might be an attempted laugh. 

“Excellent respiration,” he repeats, voice strained. “That might be the weirdest compliment anyone has ever given me.”  Before she can decide how to respond to that, he asks, “you said you’re close by?”

“That’s correct. We’re entering the parking garage now,” Brennan says.  “Keep your focus on the breathing patterns, and I’ll be there to help very soon, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Do you want me to try to stay on the phone? I’m not sure how well the signal will pick up from the garage and up the elevators.”

“It’s okay; you can hang up,” Jason says.  “I’ll - I should go try to tell Tim help is coming.  See you - see you soon , right? Really soon?”

“I estimate that we’ll arrive in the lab within the next nine to thirteen minutes,” Brennan replies, “depending on which parking spots are available and the response time of the elevators and accounting for the fact that my current footwear is not conducive to running.”

Jason lets out another breath that sounds even more like a laugh.  “Nine to thirteen minutes. Got it. You don’t have to run; I know you’re hurrying. Thanks, T.”

“I’ll see you soon,” she assures again before the call drops.

“We’ll figure all this out,” Booth says. “It’ll be okay.”

“You can’t know that - if there’s blood and Caroline told him she might arrest him…what in the world could have happened ? He said he was on a school trip. School trips are supposed to be fun and structured and safe - how does a child get kidnapped and drugged and - ”

“He’s here now, and he’s safe,” Booth reminds.  “He knew to come to you for help, and now we’ll go help him.  You told him to focus on the breathing pattern until we get there. You do the same thing, and we’ll be ready to hit the ground running once we’re back in the lab.”

“I already mentioned these shoes aren’t - ”

“Just an expression, Bones.”

“Right, yes, of course; I know that. I just wasn’t thinking clearly. I - ”

“Just breathe,” he directs as they come to a stop in the parking spot.  “Need a minute before we head inside?”

“No - no I’ll breathe as I go to clear my head. I’m okay.  I need to get to Jason.”

She exits the car before Booth can respond, counting her breaths mentally as she travels the familiar path toward the lab.  

He’s here now. He’s Safe. Now, we’ll help him, she reminds herself.  He’s here now. He’s Safe. Now, we’ll help him. He’s here now. He’s Safe. Now, we’ll help him…

 

Chapter 2

Notes:

Sorry, I'm so behind on responding to comments! Please know that I read and cherish all of them! Real life has just gotten even more chaotic and exhausting than usual these past couple months.

Hope you enjoy!

 

Jason sits opposite Tim at the small table on the far side of T’s office.  He watches the clock on the wall to mark time until she’s here in person.  He’s given up trying to get Tim to talk.  At first, Jason thought the silence was due to whatever their captors used to drug them. Jason has a pretty high tolerance for stuff like that, and even he’s been having trouble stringing words together and staying present in the moment.  Thankfully, it seems to be slowly wearing off; although the clearer his thinking becomes, the more difficult it is to stave off panic at the situation. 

The curated cleanliness of T’s office only highlights the unsettling, battered and blood-covered state of Tim and Jason.  The varying shades of red handprints and smudges stand out in stark contrast to the white table and chairs.  Jason wants nothing more than to get this blood off him - off Tim, too - so that they both look like non-threatening kids and not the creepy child-faced villains from a horror movie, but he knows the importance of preserving evidence, and he doesn’t trust anybody but T to oversee all of it. 

Jason is doing his best to tune out the arguing adults outside the office.  Some lady showed up while he was he was focused on talking to T, and she seems pretty upset with the Cop Lady and the other people in the lab. She has a badge of some kind that got her this far past security, but that’s all Jason has been able to tell so far. Something about her reminds Jason of Lois - even though they don’t look all that similar. That’s either a good sign that they’ve got someone in their corner who’s willing to fight or it means they’ve got to worry about both Cop-Lady and Reminds-Him-Of-Lois.   

The clock on the wall shows that it’s been less than five minutes since he ended the call with T, but it seems like each second is dragging by slower than the last.  Jason tries to focus on breathing patterns, but he’s pulled from all attempts at calm when Cop Lady takes a phone call that has her calling for someone to call for security to bring a key. 

“ Shit ,” Jason mutters to himself.  “Hurry up, T, where are you?!”  Tim makes a sound of distress, hiding his face in his knees.  “She’ll be here soon,” Jason promises. 

Nine to thirteen minutes, Jason reminds himself. So just three to seven minutes left…but…a lot can happen in seven minutes…

“You can’t open that, Dr. Brennan isn’t here yet!” Jason shouts when a security guard starts toward the office door, followed by a half dozen other adults.  

“You’re trespassing, young man. You don’t have any control whatsoever over this room, and I have a court order and the blessing of the Jeffersonian Board of Directors,” Cop Lady says.  “I think you’ll find I can open just about any door I want right now.”

Tim whines, a tortured, terrified sound that hits Jason like a punch to the gut.  He positions himself so that he’s standing between Tim and the doorway.  At least he convinced Tim to let go of the knife and lay it on one of the side tables - not that being unarmed is a guarantee of safety.  

“Fair warning,” Jason says, “if you’re assholes about any of this, I’m gonna get my dads to sue this place for all its worth!” 

He didn’t bother invoking the family reputation earlier since he didn’t expect to be believed and knew Bruce couldn’t answer a call to substantiate.  Now, he’s just stalling to hope T and Booth get here in time for Booth to take over whatever security logistics these people have in mind.  

“Well, with a threat like that, you must expect me to start shaking in my stilettos,” Copy Lady replies, unfazed, “but I think I’ll manage to put on a brave face.” 

“Yeah, we’ll see how your face looks plastered on the front page of the Daily Planet for terrorizing kids! My dad’s Clark Kent - which means Lois Lane my fairy fucking godmother.  You hurt either one of us, they’ll make damn sure the whole world hears about it!”

“No one is going to terrorize you,” Reminds-Him-Of-Lois interjects. “My name is Laurel Lance. I’m an attorney. I’ve been appointed by child services to represent both your interests until your guardians can be found.”

“CPS doesn’t work that fast,” Jason retorts. “Want to try again?”

She smiles.  “Smart kid.”

“I know.”

“My husband and I were in town on a personal vacation; we’re patrons of the Jeffersonian. There were some favors called in when the Board heard about the incident; they wanted to make sure everything was handled properly.”

“Never heard of you,” Jason says.

It’s a bold-faced lie. Laurel Lance is married to Oliver Queen, who works with Bruce and Clark on the Justice League. Her little sister is Black Canary.  Assuming she’s really who she claims to be, Jason has every reason in the world to trust her - well, Robin, would anyway, which is helpful information at least even if Jason needs to keep up the front for appearances.

“You’ve probably heard your dads talk more about my husband,” she says. “Oliver - Ollie - Queen.  He’s known Brucie a long time; you’ve probably met him a time or two? My son Roy knows your big brother; I’m not sure if you’ve met him yet, though.”

Jason makes a show of studying her face like he’s trying to recognize her. She keeps her expression neutral for a moment or two.  “I promise you that no one wants to hurt either of you, and I will stop anyone who tries.  We just want to understand what’s going on.”

“A question I would like to answer as well,” T’s voice calls as she and Booth enter the lab.  

Relief floods through Jason at the sight of her, and he jumps to his feet with an excited shout of “T! You’re really here!”

She answers, but Jason doesn’t process what she says - in fact, all sound is lost under a muffled ringing in his ears.  Black spots dance across his vision, and he leans on the table for support. He sees T’s determined expression transition to one of alarm as she starts sprinting toward him.  He tries to tell her not to worry; he’s fine.  Except, the room feels like it’s spinning now, and he can’t keep his grip on the table. He closes his eyes, reaching blindly for the chair he’d been sitting in, but it rolls away from his grasp.  The world lurches; he barely has time to register the pain of hitting the floor before unconsciousness claims him. 

 

---

 

Jason will be fine.

Brennan repeats the phrase to herself as she resolutely mimics the breathing patterns she coached Jason through less than an hour ago. 

Jason will be fine. 

She forces herself to dismiss the terrible mental image of the boy collapsing within a few seconds of her arrival, focusing instead on donning her lab coat and gloves before joining the others on the main lab platform.  

Jason will be fine. 

His vitals were stable when the EMTs checked; his symptoms are all consistent with the stress of the situation; he reported feeling drugged, which would have increased the likelihood of losing consciousness; they transported him to the hospital, but as a precaution, not a necessity.

Jason will be fine.

Cam agreed - and has called in favors with friends at the hospital to ensure they keep an extra eye on Jason.  Alfred is on his way from Gotham to be with Jason until his fathers arrive.

Jason will be fine .

Yes, Jason was - is - hurt.  Someone took him from the safety of his school group and drugged him and harmed him somehow - even if there were no visible wounds beyond scrapes and bruises consistent with escaping simple restraints and escaping his captors. He was terrified and desperate enough to come seek refuge in Brennan’s lab rather than with any authorities, all while dragging this other boy - Tim? - along with him. 

Jason will be fine.

Jason came here because he trusts her - to help him understand what happened; to find the truth of things; and to keep Jason safe.

Jason will be fine. He is with the professionals best suited to help his physical health.  I am best suited to help him from my position here.

Temperance takes another deep breath, letting her professionalism settle over her as if it were a tangible barrier to keep her emotions from leeching into the world around her; she is much too experienced to allow her feelings to taint such important evidence. 

Jason will be fine. 

The best lead to solving whatever happened to Jason is awaiting her out on the main lab platform, which means it is time for Dr. Temperance Brennan to do what she does best. 

Jason will be fine. 

She will make sure of it herself. 

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

Notes:

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed it!

You can find me on tumblr at my multifandom chaos page and/or my writing-specific page. I'm also on Discord as Vague_Shadows.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of The Family in the Forensics