Disclaimer: I own nothing.
As Temperance Brennan, newly Booth, stood at the airport gates, firmly grasping Parker Booth's hand in her own, she tried in vain to temper the feelings of abandonment and despair rising within her.
Seeley Booth had been called up for a secret operation that would have him away and out of contact for four months. She wasn't privy to any details – all she knew was that that he had no say in the matter and was being ordered to go as a sniper.
As she struggled to keep her face composed, Temperance bit her bottom lip as she watched Booth approach them for what could possibly be the last time.
She needed him to come home.
Seeley Booth kneels down to his son's level. Pulling Parker in for a firm hug, Seeley brushes his tears away. 'I'll be home in time for your school concert in June. Just you wait and see. I'll see you singing in the choir son,' he says, struggling to keep a shake out of his voice as he spoke to his weeping child. 'I need to you to be strong for me. I need you to look after Tempe for me. Can you do that?' Parker brushed more tears from his eyes as he nods his head. 'I can do it Daddy.'
After one final hug and kiss, Booth stands and looks his Bones in the eye as Parker wraps his arms around his leg. 'Temperance... I love you,' he said, bracing her cheek with his palm. 'I'll come back home, I promise. I'll come back you.' He bends down and kisses her with all that he has to give.
'I love you both so much.'
All three stand with tears running down their cheeks as Seeley Booth – husband and father – moves away. His last view of his wife and child is of Bones leaning down to pull Parker into her arms as he cries out 'Daddy. Daddy – don't go.' All he can do is raise his hand in farewell with a heavy heart.
'Bye bub. Bye Bones,' he whispers as he turns to enters the gate to board his plane.
How was he going to survive this?
Author's Note: My motivation and plan for this story fell through, and so, instead of a story, all there is is the beginning of one. Rather than remove this from the site, let's just call this a drabble, shall we, and let your minds wonder what happened next.