small drabble following the events of 11x10. i don't know why but i really couldn't get the image of brennan interacting with michael vincent out my head, so here you have it. beware of spoilers btw, and i hope it's somewhat enjoyable. :)
-bones-
He stands in the doorway to Parker's room, silently watching as she runs her fingers through their godson's hair, the four year olds chest rising and falling with sleep that is hours overdue. She's slouched against the headboard, motionless except for the unconscious movement of her hand and the sharp breaths she takes each time a tear hits her pale cheeks.
"Bones–"
"I don't want to leave him."
"I know, baby, but you need sleep too, you've been awake for hours now."
"Hodgins is paralysed."
"I know."
"He may never walk again."
"He's a fighter, Bones. He's going to fight this, and he's going to come out the other side stronger than ever and we're all going to be beside him when he does."
"You can't promise that, science can't promise that, Booth. He may never walk again, he won't be able to drive, to do the things he loves around the lab, conduct crazy experiments that drive us all crazy but make us love him more. He might– he might not ever be able to play football with– with his son–"
Voice breaking, she fell silent, hands moving to her face in sheer emotional pain. Moving further into the room, he knelt on the floor in front of her, head falling into her lap, arms wrapping tightly around her waist. When her choked voice broke the silence, he held her tighter, arms steadying her as she cried.
"It could have been you."
"It could have been you, too, Bones. If we'd have answered that call, it would have been you next to that body, moving to answer that phone– but it wasn't. It was Hodgins, and he's paralysed and he might never walk again, but he might, and we have to hold onto that, and we have to be there for him, and for Angela and MV, and we're going to do that, but we have to rest to be any help at all, okay?"
At her nod, he stood, reaching to help her stand. Gentle kisses were placed to their godson's forehead, blankets secured once more around the sleeping forms of their own children before he climbed under the covers on their bed, pulling her down with him.
Drowsy with exhaustion, tears still drying on her cheeks, she nuzzled against his side, murmuring quietly in the darkness.
"We find the bad guys, and we fight them, and catch them, and make sure justice is served, but sometimes it's just not worth it. We've almost lost each other too many times, we've lost too many people, and we almost lost two more. I love my job, I love being your partner in every aspect of our lives, but sometimes it's just not worth it, Booth, and I hate feeling that way, because–"
"Because if we didn't save the world, who would?"
"Yes. Although, we're not superheroes, Booth."
"Those children down the hall sure think we are, Bones, and as long as they keep thinking that we're gunna keep going out and saving the world, and Hodgins is going to fight this, whatever it happens to be, with all he has because he loves his wife and son, but he really likes being a superhero, too, Bones."
"That is a very strange metaphor."
"Yeah well, you're the writer not me, I'll just stick to my day job."
"As a superhero?"
"Uh-huh. Now, what'd you say we get some sleep?"
