Disclaimer- I own none of the main characters, only the one's you don't recognise.
A/N: This was requested by Chymom before I started CTB. She wanted us both to write our own versions of Parent's day at Parker's school and release them together; since I basically had no clue what Parent's day was this is my attempt. Now I did have this almost completed before I started CTB but I had no idea CTB would take so long to complete before I started posting, so this one is set a ways back. Chymom, I hope it's what you were looking for.
Wishing on the brightest star.
Thursday night was quiet in the Booth/Stinson household, although Parker knew that had everything to do with his Mom still being at work, he wished Rose would make some sort of noise downstairs, so he didn't feel so alone.
It was a little after nine o'clock and Parker was crawling into his bed. His science book sat on his bedside table, waiting for its owner to read its white pages, just as he had, every night for the past three weeks. Parker pulled the covers up to his chin and sighed, turning his head to look out the window.
The stars flickered brightly in the dark sky, making the ten year old feel small and insignificant. He stared at the silver specks, watching how some grew bigger the longer he gazed at them. He could hear his dad's voice in his head from a conversation shared a long time ago 'starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might that I may have this wish tonight...' Parker closed his eyes, laying a wish on the star that burned brightest in his mind.
It was Friday afternoon, the sun was still high in the sky above and not a cloud could be seen. Parker Booth stepped down off the bus and sighed; he hitched his book bag higher onto his shoulder and walked toward the familiar red bricked building that had become his escape for after school. He could walk into a world where he was noticed and felt wanted, a world where his favorite subjects, math and science came together, a world that was full of people who listened to him and doted on him-some more than others-he smiled.
Parker had started his new school three weeks ago, Hoover Academy. His mom had gotten a promotion and a transfer to another office, and while they moved to be closer to her new job they had also moved out of Parker's old school district.
Rebecca had been made Senior Partner at her law firm, and while the money was great now, she worked constantly, Parker was lucky if he saw her every couple of days. Rose had become a live in nanny and while Parker liked her, he could think of other people he'd prefer to hang out with.
The ten year old walked up the sixteen steps and into the foyer of the Jeffersonian.
"Good afternoon Master Booth."
Parker smiled at the thick southern accent of Tim, the Jeffersonian security guard.
"Hi Mr Acker, is Julie feeling better?"
Tim smiled at the thought of his daughter at home in bed. Parker had met Julie at science club and they became friends very quickly.
"She'll be ok, it's a nasty flu bug though, you make sure you get your shots."
Parker smiled.
"I did, I made Doctor. Brennan come with me, so she had to get one too."
Tim smiled as the boy before him chuckled with the memory.
Flashback
"Parker unless the exact strain of influenza is matched in the injection, this is a pointless task"
Parker smiled as he rolled his eyes in exasperation. Taking her hand they walked into the doctor surgery.
"I know Bones but I if I want to go to science camp this year, I've gotta have my shots, please get yours too."
She had rolled her eyes at his pout and pleading voice.
"Don't do that, you're as bad as your father."
She smiled and kissed his forehead, taking a seat in the waiting room.
End Flashback
"I'm sure she was happy to go with you."
Parker nodded, he knew as much as she had protested against the needle, she had been happy to spend time with him.
"Well, I'm gonna go find Bones, nice to see you Mr Acker, tell Julie I said hi."
Parker waved and walked into the lab, the whoosh of controlled air hitting his face and causing his hair to blow back. The lab was busy as usual, people bustling around holding folders and beakers. Parker strolled past Angela's office, casually glancing in to see if she was there.
"Hey baby Booth, how's things?"
He smiled as she looked up from her computer.
"Ok I guess."
He shrugged unenthusiastically, making her smile.
"Well that was convincing..."
She tilted her head at his sad smirk and placed her pen on the desk.
"Still having trouble fitting in huh?"
Parker looked up with defeated eyes as Ange walked toward him.
"Hey, don't worry; they'll come round, just give it time."
Parker nodded.
"Is Bones in her office?"
Ange grinned. Brennan and Parker got on extremely well and Ange had noticed her best friend had become quite fond of the younger Booth in recent times, she was often seen reading with him or talking quietly in a corner, and last week she was even caught outside with him tossing a football around.
"Yeah kiddo, I think she is."
Parker and Ange carried out their routine secret handshake and then he was gone.
The door to her office was open; he approached halting at the threshold and then entering. Brennan didn't need to look up to know who had entered her office, the sound of the footfalls were as familiar as his father's and made her smile. Parker dropped his bag at the foot of her coat rack and walked over.
"Hey Bones."
He leaned in and kissed her cheek as she looked up with a smile.
"Hi Parker..."
She looked to her watch and frowned.
"You're a little early aren't you?"
He plonked himself down in a chair across from her, the desk between them.
"Early mark, we had a field trip to the Botanic Gardens."
She tilted her head, remembering he had mentioned it a few days ago, her expression then returned to its previous frown.
"And they just let you walk out of school early, without letting parents and carers know the situation, that doesn't seem very responsible"
Parker smirked at her unimpressed tone.
"Does your father know about this school's obvious lack of duty of care?"
She wasn't asking she knew Booth would not approve of his child being let out of school early to roam the streets of DC unaided. Parker pulled a book from her desk and flipped through the pages silently, stopping every now and then to peruse the pictures of burial sites in China. When he'd finished he replaced the book and stayed silent, his forearms on the desk in front of him and his chin resting on them, he blew his floppy fringe from his face. Tempe, who had gone back to reading the file in her hand, looked up under her lashes to see her partner's son deep in thought.
"Is everything ok Parker?"
He nodded.
"Are you sure, perhaps if you share your problem it won't seem quite so perplexing."
Parker smiled cutely. He did have one thing on his mind and it had been rolling around in his head for almost a week now.
"Well there is one thing... we have parent's day at school next week and I really want you to come."
She looked up a little shocked.
"Parent's day?"
Parker nodded, thinking back to his wish on Thursday night.
"Yep, it's when you get your Mom and Dad to come to the school and talk about their jobs, to inspire kids to do the same when they get older."
Brennan raised her eyebrows.
"But Parker wouldn't your actual Mo..."
"Google dictionary says a mother is a biological or social female parent of an offspring... that could be you right?"
He tilted his head to the side innocently and smiled at her momentary bewilderment. Parker got up walking around behind her, his arms dropping over her shoulders as she sat in her chair, his cheek pressing to hers.
"Pleeeasssseee."
She smiled, her hands finding his at her clavicle and holding them tightly. Booth walked in and smiled at his two favorite people, they both gazed up at him with excited eyes.
"Whatta you sucking up for now?"
Booth joked. He had noticed his son had his partner wrapped around his little finger and she seemed pretty darn pleased to be there.
"I'm not sucking up; I was just asking a question."
Parker turned his face toward Brennan's cheek and kissed her hard, making smoochie noises with his lips, which in turn caused her to giggle. Booth shook his head at them both, it never surprised him how well they got on, they always had, but the way his son had taken to her and opened up to her, gave a small shock and her easy affection for his son was also unexpected.
Parker looked back up to his dad, deciding to let Bones ponder the question for a while.
"Are we all going to the diner?"
"Yep, so grab your stuff, you ready Bones?"
She stood with a curt nod, loving the traditional Friday evening dinners at the Diner with 'her' Booth boys. Grabbing her bag, she smiled, walking toward the jacket that Booth was already holding out for her to slip into. They stood facing each other, silently conversing.
"Is my son ok?
She nodded, telling him in no uncertain terms his child was fine.
"Are you ok?"
She smiled at his concerned expression.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"What was Parker asking you?"
She placed a placating hand on his forearm.
"I'll tell you later."
Parker watched them, seeing their eyes flick back and forth to each other. He shouldered his book bag, walking between them slowly, he grabbed their hands as he turned, walking himself backward out the door, as he pulled them along after him.
"Come on, I'm so hungry I could eat an elephant."
Brennan scrunched up her face in disgust.
"Parker I wouldn't recommend that, not only would you be sick after ingesting a whole elephant but I'm not certain it's a healthy meat to consume."
Parker looked to his dad and smiled, before returning his gaze to Bones and speaking seriously.
"You're right Bones; I don't know what I was thinking."
She watched him slap his forehead and roll his eyes; she tilted her head to side as Booth whispered in her ear.
"I think he was joking Bones."
She rounded her head in acknowledgment.
"Well that's a relief."
Parker shook his head amused and tugged on their hands, before joining the 'partners' extremities together and releasing them himself. The boy smiled as their fingers automatically entwined, palm to palm and side by side.
Leaving the Lab and strolling across the parking structure, it wasn't until Booth and Bones moved to their respective sides of the SUV, that they realized they had held hands the entire way to the truck. Brennan's fingers felt cold without his warm hand encompassing them and Booth registered the feeling of loss from his own palm, without hers to hold.
The drive to the diner was uneventful; Brennan excused herself when they arrived to use the ladies room, while the boys went to their normal table.
"So Pal are you going to tell me what you were trying to get Bones to do?"
Parker smiled.
"Nothing Dad."
Booth raised his brows.
"Really? Are you sure?"
The young boy shrugged his shoulders and sighed.
"School is having parent's day and I want Bones and you to come, I was going to ask you later when we got home but..."
Booth smiled as the waitress approached.
"Hello Agent Booth, Parker..."
She looked to the counter and then back to the father and son.
"No Doctor. Brennan tonight?"
Booth smiled.
"She's in the bathroom."
Sandra the waitress nodded and held up her notepad and pen.
"Shall I come back to take your order when she returns?"
Booth looked to the menu.
"Nah, I can order for her."
Sandra took the order and walked away with a smile.
"When is this parent's day Buddy?"
Parker pulled the note from his pocket and handed it over to his father.
"Wow they don't give you much time do they, this is on Thursday."
Parker nodded.
"What did your Mom say?"
Parker dropped his eyes to the table.
"I didn't tell her."
Booth's eyes widened.
"Well how is she going to go if she doesn't know about it Pal?"
Parker slowly returned his gaze to his dad, looking more than a little guilty.
"I… I don't want her to go, I want you and Bones, besides Mom's busy with stuff."
Booth handed the note back.
"How do you know she's busy Buddy if you haven't asked her?"
Parker rolled his eyes.
"She's always too busy now Dad, she works all the time and if I ask her and she says no then she'll feel bad, please can you just come with Bones?"
Brennan walked over quietly, seeing the serious looks on both faces.
"Is everything ok?"
Father and son both looked up, giving matching charm smiles as they answered in unison.
"Yep."
She sat herself down next to her partner and smiled at the iced tea resting in front of her.
"Thanks Booth."
She inclined her head to the drink, receiving a 'no problems' shrug.
"Have you ordered yet?"
Booth briefly looked a little worried.
"Ah yeah, I got you a salad?"
She smiled and nodded her head in acceptance.
"Thank you, did you remember to get..."
"Cheese on the side, yes and no onion."
Brennan ducked her head hiding a faint blush. He knew her so well. There was silence for a few minutes and then Booth spoke.
"Parks, can you go wash your hands before we eat please."
The boy frowned and then nodded realizing his father wanted to talk to Bones alone. Brennan smiled as Parker slid out of the booth and excused himself. Booth watched his son disappear into the men's room and then turned to face his partner.
"Parker told me what he asked you... about parent's day."
She swallowed visibly, wondering if he was upset at her for some reason.
"I was going to tell you later..."
Booth smiled, she was concerned he was unhappy. Taking her hand as it rested on her thigh, Booth smoothed his thumb over her knuckles.
"Are you gonna go?"
She tilted her head.
"I don't know, I wanted to know what you thought before I made a decision."
Booth shrugged.
"He wants you to come, I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable or forced into it."
She smiled.
"Should this not be something Rebecca participates in?"
Booth raised his brows and sighed.
"Well, there's no set rule that says he has to bring his biological parents but he made it pretty damn clear to me just now, that he doesn't want Becca there so, of course I'll try to convince him to at least ask her... I guess it depends on what you want and don't let his puppy dog eyes work on you."
Brennan laughed.
"Oh, just like yours don't work huh?"
The question was rhetorical, Booth knew very well the power he held over her and his only response was to charm smile her.
"If it doesn't make you uncomfortable Booth, I'm perfectly happy to go along."
Booth nodded a satisfied grin on his face.
"Good and why would I be uncomfortable?"
The waitress laid the food out, just as Parker returned. Booth chuckled as his partner's hand reached out the second the fries were down and snatched one up. Parker smiled.
"Bones, how come you don't order fries?"
She shrugged her shoulders and smiled swallowing her last bite.
"They taste better when they're stolen."
Was all she said by way of explanation. Both boys chuckled as she stole another fry popping it into her mouth before fork-ing a cherry tomato from her own plate. Booth honestly didn't mind sharing with her, he was happy as long as she ate, he had realized a few months back that she was the only person apart from Parker that he allowed to touch his food. The thought made him smile.
"Dad..."
Booth looked up to his son.
"Yeah Pal."
"Can we go to the zoo tomorrow, I'm doing a project on primates and I want to take some photos."
Booth smiled, school work on the weekend, that was definitely his partner's influence.
"Sure Pal, we can make a day of it huh?"
Parker nodded.
"Bones can you come?"
She looked to Booth unsure what to say. Booth smiled and nodded, silently inviting her along. She turned back to Parker.
"Sure I'd love to, shall I meet you both there?"
Booth swallowed his mouthful and answered.
"Nah we'll pick you up at about nine-ish?"
She nodded, smiling sweetly at the thought of accompanying them to the zoo.
Chapter one down, please review if you want more.