The Promises Made and Promises Kept

AN: Hello there. So this is my first multi-chapter Bones fan-fiction. I am very nervous about posting this because this is a AU story and it is going to be a bit OC. I know this isn't really most people's cup of tea, but please give it a chance. I usually don't post anything until it's completely finished, but this particular story is something different. So please read and review, I'd like to know if this story is something worth continuing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bones.

Prologue

"I'll call and write to you as much as I can," he said as he took his wife's face into his hands and kissed her forehead before kissing her on the lips.

She nodded and tried so hard not to cry. "Okay."

He turned to look at his son and smiled. He thought about how much his boy, his first pride and joy, had grown since he first came into their lives three years ago.

"Your last year of school is coming up soon son. I am very confident you will do extremely well and that you will make positive choices. I know you will make me proud in whatever endeavors you chose to take on."

"Will you be home in time for graduation?"

"You know I can't make any promises. But I'll do my very best to see you get your diploma."

"Okay," he whispered softly.

"Make sure you do as you're told and help mom with your baby sister as much as you can. You're the man of the house now Achilles."

Achilles nodded as he hugged his father. "Yes sir. I wont let you down."

"That's my boy."

He turned to look back at his wife. "Let me hold her one last time."

She nodded and gently handed her husband their baby girl and his other pride and joy. He carefully cradled his newly one-month old daughter in his arms and showered her with soft kisses upon her tiny forehead.

"Daddy has to go now mon ange. Don't give your mommy and big brother such a hard time okay? Jet'aime Annalyse," he said softly as Annalyse automatically snuggled into his broad chest and grabbed onto his jacket with her tiny little fist.

He fought back the tears as he handed his daughter back to his wife. He placed a gentle hand on the side of his wife's face and kissed her forehead before kissing her lips once more. "I'll see you all in eighteen months okay?"

"Don't try to be a hero Christopher," she says as the tears finally began to fall.

Chris gave his wife a weak smile. "I can't make any promises. It's just in my nature to be one," he replied as he gently wiped away her tears.

"I know," she whispers.

He looked at his wife with nothing but love and compassion in his misty gray eyes. He gently wiped away her tears and kissed her again. "I love you so much Dr. Temperance Brennan."

"And I love you too Sergeant Major Christopher James Brennan."

Chris kissed his wife once more before leaning down to kiss his daughter one last time. "Daddy loves you so much Annalyse."

His heart ached as his daughter finally opened her sleepy eyes and gazed at him with those same brilliant blues her mother had. His heart ached even more when she gave him traces of a tiny little smile.

After placing Annalyse into her stroller he kissed his wife once again. "I'll call as soon as I get in country."

"I'll be waiting," Temperance whispered hugging him tightly not quite ready to let him go.

"I know," Chris said in a hallow voice.

Chris turned to his son and embraced him in another tight hug. "I love you son," he said as he kissed Achilles' forehead.

"Bye dad. I love you too."

Sergeant Major Christopher James Brennan stepped back a bit and looked at his family. He relished in the sight of them, burning their image into his mind. His family was the light of his life and he thanked the big man upstairs everyday for blessing him with his beautiful wife and kids. This wasn't the first time he had to leave on assignment, but this would be the longest. He didn't like having to leave his family behind, but it was his job.

He is what they called a lifer: a soldier who made their entire career out of being in the military. No matter what the job entailed, no matter what he had to do, he did it because it was his call to duty. Christopher knew that being in the military and serving his country, he was going to be apart of something bigger than himself. Temperance knew it, Achilles knew it, in time Annalyse will know it, and his friends and family knew it. Chris knew that particular deployment was going to be especially hard on his wife because she had just given birth to their baby girl. He knew that she would be getting a lot of help from friends and family. And for that, he would eternally be grateful.

A "Fall In" resonated in the distance and he knew it was time for him to go. He picked up his rucksack and slung it over his shoulders; his other things were already out of country. He blew a kiss to his family and turned to walk down the tarmac.

"Bye dad! Rangers lead the way!" Achilles whispered as he watched his dad give them one final wave.

Temperance let a tear roll down her cheek as she watched her husband and his CO lead the 200 soldiers of the 75th Ranger Regiment from Joint Base Lewis-McChord board the giant C-17 Globemaster. Achilles wrapped an arm around his mother's shoulder and she hugged him tightly.