'Here we are! This is the sequel to my story Hope... I really would recommend to read Hope before reading this, at least to understand the first few paragraphes of this story. But beware, Hope is a 40-chapter story ;)

If you can't find the story, just click on my profile, the story is listed there ;)

Please let me know what you think of this sequel. And I want to thank all my readers who posted reviews at Hope - THANK YOU!

Future

"Thoughts"

Brennan sat at her desk in her office, trying to concentrate on the next part of her book she wanted to type, but she did not succeed.

The problem was, the story in her head was going the wrong direction. It was all too romantic and "life-is-great", too enthusiastic. She had to smile to herself, when she recognised that the book was just reflecting her own mood. It had been five months since Marks had been killed and Spencer arrested. Spencer had been very co-operative and told them everything they wanted to know and even more.

Brennan recalled the night when Marks had been shot by Officer Craig, just one instant before Marks would have shot Booth. She recalled how she had looked at the dead body, Tammy's cold and sweaty hand in hers. It had been a dramatic scenery and her emotions had nearly overwhelmed her. Brennan remembered the arrival of Tammy's parents and how they had told her that Brennan was welcome at their house.

She had been there several times to visit Tammy. Tammy also had been at the Jeffersonian twice and Brennan had shown her what she was doing. First Tammy had been shocked by the sight of human bones, but then she showed a deep interest and it was obvious that her mind worked nearly as analytic as Brennan's or Zach's. Tammy was now thinking of becoming an anthropologist herself, but she was eleven years old and Brennan knew that it might change. Still she was somehow proud of the girl.

And Booth always told her that it was good for her to spend time with Tammy...that they had a connection through having experienced the same. Brennan did not like psychology all too much, but she had to admit that it helped her and it seemed to help Tammy to spend time together.

But the one person that really helped her was Booth. After five months they still were passionately in love and she hoped it would never change.
It had taken a long time, but they finally had found out that they loved each other... the whole "we are just partners-thing" turned into a "we are a couple and work together-thing" ... and it worked.
'No,' she thought 'It does not only work... it is everything I ever wanted. I love Booth and I love my work... and sometimes I have both at the same time.'

She grinned and thought of examinating some bones, covered by a very handsome FBI-agent.

"I know that expression on your face, Bones..." Booth's voice came from the door.

"Ah... you think so, really?" she retorted, still wearing the said expression on her face.

"Yes... but if your daydream is not about me, please feed my ego and lie to me!" Booth smiled.

"What? I was thinking of the remains I have to identify!" Brennan said seriously.

"Bones... that is disgusting." Booth frowned. She laughed... "I tried to be funny... Did it work?"

"Hmmm... well I could try to give you some lessons at home... we can start with that expression on your face again?" he asked hopefully, flashing her his patented charm-smile.

"We'll see" she answered. "Why are you here... I mean, you know I always like to see you, but it's not lunch time and..."

"We have a case." He said and presented a manila folder.

Her voice was back to professional tone right now "What about?"

"They found some bones near a playground... a part of a skull... it looks small."
Booth explained. Brennan nodded "They think it's a child. Who found it?"

"A 10-year old boy was playing ball with his little brother. The ball rolled into the hedge, and well... The police men told me that he was more excited than frightened... You know all these shows on TV? Now every kid believes he can solve cases and identify bodies and so on..." he shook his head.

"But the shows are entertaining... and most of them really keep to the scientific facts... at least the kids learn something." Brennan answered, while taking off her lab coat.

"Yeah, the different phases of decomposition and the names of flesh-eating bugs. Soon they are going to learn the ABC by saying A like Autopsy, B like Bug, C like Coroner instead of cute little things like apple or something like that." Booth frowned again.

"Bugs can be cute" Brennan winked. "Is this about kids in general or about Parker?"

"Uhm..." Booth hesitated. "Booth, come on... tell me!" Brennan knew there was more to it.

"Ah,... yeah well... Parker ... at school they talked about what they want to do when they are grown-ups. And... well most kids, you know, they say: astronaut or fireman or something like that, but Parker... he said he wants to identify dead people, but he also wants to have a gun. His teacher was shocked... I mean... dead people and a gun in one sentence... He called Rebecca... and she was not really amused, you know." Booth told her.

Brennan smiled "He wants to be like his dad, he loves you..."

"No, Bones... he wants to be like you... but with a gun. Or maybe he wants to be like us... it's just... a bit scary that children talk about dead people and guns that easily... " He looked at her seriously.

"Booth... he is so young. He is just interested in what you are doing... in what we are doing. I wanted to become ballerina when I was six or seven years old... half a year later I wanted to become a vet... Don't laugh!" Brennan frowned.

"Ballerina?" Booth chuckled.

"I was six! What did you want to become?" Brennan asked him.

He tried to recall. "Ah... well I always knew I would do something wearing a uniform. I just could not decide whether I like to be a fireman a police men or even postman. I understand what you want to tell me... he is going to change his mind soon... you are right... I was just upset he might end up like... us... always in danger."

Brennan gently touched his cheek "You are concerned. That does only show what a good father you are."

"And I love to be a father" he added and suddenly both of them were silent. There was this chapter of their future togehter they had left untouched so far: children.

Brennan cleared her throat audibly and quickly changed the subject: "So where is that playground, Booth?"