Disclaimer: Still not mine, no profit gained.

A/N: Bones is co...ming back soon, Bones is co...ming back soon. OMG I'm so excited. So this is the last one shot in this series. This is dedicated to Legggate. Set a little ways into the future.

Don't mess with the Momma Bear.

Parker Booth walked quietly up the steps of the Jeffersonian, he wiped his face after catching his reflection in the glass windows. His cheek was starting to bruise and was sore and his lip was still weeping blood from the corner, he wiped it harshly, wincing at the sting. He sighed, forcing a smile at the security guard.

"Hey Parker my man... whoa geez kid, what happened?"

Roy had been security on the front door for nine years and had really, watched the preteen in front of him grow up. Parker Booth was well known around the grounds, he was a friendly kid with a surrogate family that included, half the Medico Legal Lab, he was Special Agent Seeley Booth's son and Doctor Temperance Brennan's legacy.

Parker had become a regular fixture around the lab in last few years. He had joined the science club as one of its first students, was being tutored by Brennan every Friday after school and had also joined the 'Chemistry club', the 'Entomology club' and to Brennan's char grin the 'Anthropology club'.

He looked up at Roy with sad eyes.

"I'm fine Mr Roy, I just... I really need to see Bones, do you know if she's here?"

Roy smiled.

"Yeah Pal, she's in, your dad just dropped her off."

Roy waved him through with a kind smile.

"Thanks."

Parker walked in and up the stairs to the Lab. He could see Angela at the platform steps laughing with Hodgins and Cam was in her office pacing, while on the phone.

"Hey Baby Booth..."

Angela looked up with a smile. Her grin fell quickly upon seeing his slightly bruised face.

"Oh my God Sweetie..."

Parker held his hands up, his eyes full of unshed tears.

"I just really want Tempe Aunt Ange."

Angela nodded, she wasn't hurt or upset, Brennan and Parker had a special bond. He treated her as a mother and a friend and she in return, had gained a son and a reason to change.

Booth had been surprised at first by their deepening relationship but he, like his son, felt undeniably connected to the anthropologist.

Temperance had been drawn to Parker when she began helping him with his studies. At first it was a simple teacher student relationship, it had progressed into friendship over the years and when Booth brought Hannah back, Parker had turned to Brennan for familiarity and reassurance; she had given it without hesitation.

When Parker took to Brennan's encouragement and joined various clubs at the Lab, their relationship had gotten stronger; he showed an aptitude for anthropology and excelled in all areas relating to Brennan's field of expertise. Their bond increased tenfold, a few months ago when Booth received yet another gunshot wound while on a job with Perotta. Brennan and Parker had been mistaken for mother and son at the hospital, holding one another in a fierce embrace, while they waited for him to wake up. Booth had been fine, but since that heart wrenching afternoon, his son and partner had been significantly closer and very protective of one another.

Angela watched Baby Booth walk slowly to Brennan's office door and knock, he waited a moment and then entered, closing the door and obstructing the view from prying eyes.

Once inside, Parker smiled seeing Bones on the couch. She was hunched over her coffee table, papers strewn about everywhere. She looked up slowly.

"Parker?"

His chin trembled as he saw the fear in her eyes at his down trodden appearance.

"Bab... what happ..."

His tears broke free

"Tempe."

As she rose from her position, Parker hurried forward crashing into her and forcing her back to the couch. Her arms were around him instantly, instinctively rocking him in her arms. She placed her lips to his head and kissed his hair. He hardly ever called her Tempe, it was always Bones; she could feel the tension in him and whispered.

"Is your Dad ok?"

She knew it was illogical for Booth to be in trouble, he had only just left her. Parker nodded against her chest, his arms around her waist held tight.

"Ye... Yes."

Brennan frowned. Tempe had noticed, Parker seemed to be carrying the weight of the world these last few weeks, and despite asking him about his worries, he had assured her he was just preoccupied with his studies.

"Please tell me what's wrong... I hate to see you so upset."

Parker's voice was soft and nervous.

"Tem... Tempe, do you love me?"

She pulled him from her torso, her hands on his shoulders as she held him away slightly.

"Yes Parker... you... you know I do."

His tears had begun to fall again from his chocolate orbs.

"An... and you love Dad don't you?"

She tilted her head to the side, her stomach twisted.

"Par..."

Her voice came out a sad whisper.

Booth and she had always been close and after seven or so, years of partnership, both in and out of work they had only gotten closer. They loved each other dearly and no-one could breach that mutual affection they spent all their free time together outside of work and had become permanent fixtures in the others life. They still bickered, but they laughed more and compromised more easily. He would drop everything for her and she was never too busy for him. They were each other's touch stone their sentinel and that would never change. An intimate relationship though; it always seemed just out of reach, a hares breath away and neither seemed able, to stand before that barely there line and erase it completely.

His eyes bore down into hers, brown on blue, chocolate into cerulean, his anguish palpable.

"Bones, Dad loves you, I know he does and... and you love him, I can see it..."

Brennan bowed her head, her tears filling her eyes.

"Parker..."

He slid from her embrace, kneeling at her side. She reached out and touched his cheek, now seeing and tracing the bruise.

"What hap..."

"Bones, Mom and Shaun are getting married..."

Brennan was a little stunned. Rebecca had met Shaun at Parker's school, he was a science teacher. He had asked her out after a parent teacher night six months ago and she had accepted. Parker had been opposed to the relationship from the start, saying he didn't like his teacher that he was a bully. Rebecca had brushed it off as Parker trying to assert his dominance in their home, she had told him to give it a chance and promised their lives wouldn't change.

"I... I don't want to live there Tempe, I can't and if you and Dad finally get together, you can live together and I can come be with you and him."

His cheeks were flushed and his eyes pleading.

"Parker I understand that you're upset..."

"No..."

She tilted her head, wanting to be able to read his mind.

"He hit me Bones..."

She sat up straight, looking at him in horror.

"What..."

"He hits me all the time and I... I don't want to tell Dad, coz then Dad will hurt Shaun really bad and then Dad will go to jail."

Brennan felt as though she'd been punched in the gut, she felt physically ill. She knew he was right, if Booth knew his son was being used as a punching bag, his protective instincts would over power all sense of reasoning. Parker straightened up and unbuttoned his school shirt. Temperance covered her mouth with her cupped hands.

"Oh God!"

The bruises varied in color and size, she guessed some were as old as two weeks, where as others were as new as a day. She touched her palm to the side of his head and pulled him closer.

"Oh Parker..."

He rested his cheek against her thigh, closing his eyes as his surrogate stroked his hair.

"I don't want to live there Tempe, I wanna be with you and Dad."

His voice pleaded with her.

"What about your Mom?"

Parker sat up silently searching her eyes.

"She's ok..."

He bit his lip hard.

"You... won't you miss your Mom?"

He shrugged, staring into her eyes.

"I got you Tempe."

Brennan let her tears fall, tears for hearing that Parker considered her good enough to be his Mom and tears for him having to go on this emotional roller coaster. Parker rested his head back on her thigh.

"You should have told someone Baby?"

He didn't move, too caught up in the feel of being coddled, he missed being a little kid sometimes, having his Mom dote on him.

"I... I know, I thought... I thought he wouldn't be around for that long, and then Mom let him move in and... and, she's so happy Bones and I didn't want to wreck it..."

Brennan sighed, she understood his predicament but she found her anger was only escalating as time progressed. Her mind ran through all the possible ways to protect the son of her best friend, a boy she had grown to love very much.

"Parker, I love you and I respect you, I know you're worried for your Mom and her happiness... but my only concern is you and that you're safe... you know that I can't let this go, he hurt you and I... I won't let it happen again..."

Parker crawled up onto the couch beside her.

"I know Bones."

He nodded, showing her he really did understand the position he had put her in. She wasn't the type of woman who would pretend nothing had happened, she had proven she would do whatever was necessary to protect him and his Dad. Brennan's hands caressed his back and shoulders as he continued to cling to her.

"Why did he hit you?"

It didn't matter really, no matter the excuse, it was unacceptable and she would take action but she wanted to know.

"I told him I didn't want him to marry Mom."

Brennan closed her eyes, listening to the sound of his voice.

"He laughed at me Bones, told me I should get use to having a Dad that was around more."

Tempe held him tighter, feeling her rage at the implication of Booth not being a good father.

"I got so mad... I said he'd never be my Dad...He told me I should learn to shut my mouth that I needed to learn my place and then he hit me, I fell back against the black board in the classroom... He told me I'd better not cause any trouble or he'd beat me so hard I'd walk funny for a week."

Brennan's pulse was rapid as she tried to control her emotions. She looked to her watch and then the head resting against her shoulder. Parker caught the movement and sat up.

"I'm sorry Bones, you're probably busy and..."

She kissed his forehead.

"Nope, never too busy for you, but it's getting late and we need to stop at the store, before we go to your Dads."

She gave him a determined smile.

"First though..."

She leaned forward and grabbed her cell from the coffee table. Parker frowned.

"Don't call Dad!"

"It's ok, I'm not speaking with your father, yet, but we will... later, together ok?"

Parker nodded. Brennan dialed.

"Hey Ange, it's me. I need your help in my office and could you bring your camera please."

Angela entered a few moments later, but stopped at the threshold. Parker was sitting very close to Brennan, Ange could tell her friend was angry. Parker's shirt lay across the arm of the couch, his bare and bruised torso displayed.

"Oh my God, Parker..."

Angela looked to Brennan for answers, but instead was given a solemn head shake and a silent I'll discuss it later.

"Ange we need you to take some photo evidence of Parker's contusions, we may need them at a later date."

Ange nodded, her chest tightened but she complied.

An hour later, Brennan and Parker were running up the steps to Booth's apartment, arms full of groceries and bright smiles.

"How did you get mom to agree to let me stay at Dads?"

She smiled, sliding her emergency key into the lock. Brennan had rung Rebecca while Angela took the photos of Parker's injuries, she knew Rebecca was out of town and didn't want Parker back in reach of Shaun tonight or ever again.

"I told your Mom you were worried about your grades and that I was going to help you with a multi subject tutorial, I told her it would be best carried out over the course of the weekend and asked if she would allow you to stay with your father for that time."

Parker chuckled.

"You're unreal Bones, thanks."

He put the bags on the table and hugged her waist. She kissed the top of his head and smiled.

"I'm glad you think so, now go wash up and I'll start dinner for you and your Dad."

Parker tilted his head.

"Aren't you staying tonight Bones?"

She noted the disappointed tone to his question and smiled. A few times now the three of them had been watching movies and had fallen asleep, Brennan had ended up staying the night and then hanging out with them the next day.

"I have some things to take care of, but I'll be back... We, need to talk to your Dad."

Parker's shoulders slumped, but he nodded all the same. Bones was the smartest person he knew and if she said they had tell his Dad what happened, then that's what would happen.

Brennan placed the macaroni cheese portions in the oven to melt and bake and then cleaned up the kitchen. Parker was at the table doing homework, and as she put the last dish away, she heard the front door open.

Booth stood stock still for a second after opening his door. His brain working quickly, someone's here, someone's cooking, burglars cook?, mac cheese, Bones perfume, Bones? Parker's school bag, Parker? what's today? Bones and Parker, here, cooking dinner... nice. He removed his jacket, hanging it on the coat rack by the door and walked down the hall.

Parker was bent over his school work, a common sight to see, his pen tapping at his head and his brow furrowed. Booth chuckled, his son was so much like his partner it was uncanny. His kid was a squint, and despite ribbing his partner about it, he was so proud. Parker loved school now and his grades had soared, his social life had died off a little but he didn't seem to mind, he still played sports and had made the hockey team and the base ball team, but his son loved being at the lab and even Booth could see his passion for learning new things.

Brennan stepped out of the kitchen into Booth's line of sight, he smiled at her and she smiled back. The moment felt so domesticated, he actually imagined her stepping up and kissing his lips in a soft welcome home. Brennan looked to the table, where Parker was entirely focused on his studies. She silently admired his attention span and looked back to Booth with a raised brow and a cheeky smile, knowing he was thinking about his son's squinty-ness. She mimed a 'hey' to him which he returned and then silently asked what was going on. Bones waved him into the kitchen and closed the gap between them.

Booth inhaled the delicious scent of food and rolled his eyes in anticipation. Brennan stood quietly in front of her best friend, she placed her hands on his shoulders, tip toed up leaning into his ear and whispered.

"Parker was a little upset, Rebecca and Shaun are getting married..."

Booth stiffened for a second, but continued to listen as his beautiful partner's breath caressed his skin.

"I talked Rebecca, into letting Parker stay with you this weekend, I told her I was helping him with his studies."

Booth smiled and kissed her cheek.

"Thanks Bones."

She blushed and stepped back a little.

"It's fine, your dinner is in the oven, give it another..."

She looked to her watch.

"Five minutes and then you can eat it."

Booth frowned.

"You're not staying?"

Brennan smiled, answering the question for the second time that evening.

"I'll be back later, if that's ok? I have some stuff to do and I need to talk to you, I won't be late."

Booth tilted his head and smiled.

"So you bring my son home, talk his mother into letting him stay with me, cook dinner for us and then leave..."

She grinned picking up on his awed tone.

"Yes and dessert is in the fridge; apple pie and ice cream."

Booth nodded slowly-dumbstruck, stunned by her. He shook his head and chuckled.

"You're really something Bones."

She felt the color rise in her cheeks again as he stared into her eyes, she was lost in those chocolate pools, until a soft voice called from the dining room.

"Bones, can you help me for a second?"

Both adults looked to the other room and smiled. Parker heard her footsteps approach, he looked up and caught a glimpse of his Dad in the entryway, he let his wavy hair fall in front of his bruised cheek in an attempt to hide it for now.

"Hey Dad!"

Booth smiled.

"Heya Buddy, whatcha up to?"

Parker smiled.

"Studying the effects of photosynthesis."

Booth arched a brow, of course, why wouldn't he be studying photo-syth, photo... that.

"Great, that's great Pal."

Booth watched as Brennan stood behind Parker and leaned over him, explaining something with ease and patience. He smiled, his partner had all the natural instincts of a mother and he was glad to witness it, especially in regards to his son. She looked down into Parker's eyes as he turned his head and looked up at her, he nodded to her and she kissed his forehead with a smile. Booth's heart hammered against his chest, he loved seeing his two favorite people getting along so well. Bones gathered her bag and coat and headed for the door, followed closely by Booth, his hand on her back as he gently ushered her out.

"So, I'll see you later?"

She nodded.

"Yes I should think about eight... is that too late?"

Booth smiled at her concern and shook his head.

"Nah that's cool Bones, do you want me to walk you out."

She rolled her eyes.

"I'll be fine Booth, I can take care of myself."

Her eyes were warm and thankful for his concerns. She turned and walked down the hall...

Ok so, it was a going to be a single chapter, but some things take time and so now it's a two parter. Liking it? Want more? Let me know.