A.N. I do not own Bones

A.N. 2 This is an AU story with no Hannah. It takes place during season six. The dig that Brennan went on was only 3 week with plenty of bones being sent back to Brennan.

Brennan was on a case with Booth and at the diner, her phone went off. It was about her goddaughter Tara. Her parents were killed by a drunk driver and Tara was at Children's National. Tara was two and Booth had met her on a few occasions.

How Brennan became Tara ' s godmother is Brennan ' s roommate in college had become one of her dearest friends to go on digs with. Both of Tara's parents are anthropologists. Brennan was the only one who the Malloys would even think of asking.

"Booth I have to go. Tara ' s parents were killed by a drunk driver and Tara is at Children's". Booth ' s eyes nearly burst at the news. "Bones, let me call Cam and let me drive you. I am not taking no for an answer."

The traffic was fierce and all Brennan wanted to know was what was going on with her goddaughter. When they got there, Brennan produced identification that she was the one they contacted.

"Tara has been in surgery for the swelling on her brain. She is in a coma right now. She also had a punctured lung and fractured femur. Do you want to see her before any more questions?"

"Yes"

Booth followed Bones and the doctor to the ICU where Tara was all bandaged up and surrounded by tube and wires. It is a sight that no one wanted to see.

Dr. Andrews, Tara's doctor said some words Brennan did not want to hear. "The next 24-48 hours are going to be tough. I do not want anyone trying to speak to her yet because I am trying to keep her still."

Booth knew Bones was on the verge of tears. There was one more thing she had to do. Go to the morgue to identify and claim the bodies of her friends and make arrangements. Rebecca had agreed two years ago for Booth to make Brennan Parker ' s other godparent. The reason being is Parker ' s godfather was killed in Afghanistan.

Booth saw the bodies of Bones' friends and it was a horrible sight. There was no way they can have viewing.

Brennan spoke up "I will be contacting a funeral home. Nick and Rachel were strong advocates for cremation. It was their wish and I will grant it."

Booth nodded. "What about Nick's and Rachel's families and does Tara have another godparent?"

Brennan knew Booth was not going to like it. "Nick was abandoned by his parents. He grew up in foster care. Nick thought that his parents were most likely teen parents. There is nothing, just conjecture. Rachel ' s family abandoned her when she married Nick. Her family is well-to-do and thought of him as trash because he grew up in foster care. Rachel did not even want them to know about Tara. It is her wish and I will let her have it. Tara's godfather is in jail because he is a serial pedophile. They had the evidence and there is no way I want him near Tara, especially since he has a thing for little girls."

Booth cringed, Tara is the best off with Bones and he knew how much she hated the foster care system and knew there was no way in hell she would let her goddaughter be put through the system. He did have one question though "Didn't her parents know he was a pedophile?"

Brennan shook her head "James, her godfather had been going after his nieces. Nick and Rachel did not suspect anything. He was never inappropriate with Tara. It was evidence on pieces of evidence that earned James a 30 year jail sentence."Question answered because pedophiles don't come with great big neon signs.

They headed back to the lab where Bones had to examine the skeleton. "Bones, you have enough on your plate. Can't you let your interns handle the skeleton? This would qualify as a family emergency Bones."

As soon as the words came from his mouth he knew he lost the battle with the queen of stubborn. "Booth, I need a temporary distraction. I will tell Cam that I need some time off. I also have Wendel who is about ready to defend his thesis in a month. I will tell Cam I need time off after the case."

The case was solved quickly and Brennan told everyone in the lab. Cam granted Brennan the time off since Brennan had an obscene amount of vacation and sick time in the form of 200 days. This was a family emergency and her priorities were needed outside of the lab. She put Clark, Wendel, and Daisy in charge of all things skeletal.

Jack knew it was bad because this was worse than Brennan finding her mother in the lab. She did not take that news well but neither would have he. To hear a 2 year old has been orphaned is tough.

Angela threw her arms around Brennan. Angela had met Rachel and she liked the woman and she met Tara shortly before she turned 1 and she was quite adorable. "Sweety, I am so sorry. If there is anything you need please let me know and keep in in the know about Tara."

Cam was nodding to that one. "How bad is it with Tara?"

Brennan sighed "She had to have brain surgery due to swelling. She suffered a punctured lung and a fractured femur. I will be getting a copy of her x-rays to examine."

Booth just smiled. That is his Bones. When Parker broke his hand, he had Bones look at Parker ' s x-ray. The hospital said Parker's injury was more serious than what it was. Parker just needed to wear a hand brace for a month. Both he and Rebecca were glad that she looked at the x-rays because it kept Parker off an operating room table.

"Bones, we need to head to the FBI. I will tell them I need some time off and I am not taking no for an answer because someone has to make sure you get some sleep."

They were back at the hospital and there was no change with Tara. The next 24-48 hours would be the tough one on Bones and from the looks of it she was on the verge of tears. He pulled her into a "guy hug."Truth be told he is in love with her but now is not the time. She lost two dear friends and she will be caring for a little girl who lost both of her parents. A little girl who will most likely not remember her parents.

The next day while at breakfast with Brennan,she received a call. "Booth, we have to go. Tara is awake."The two were out the door in seconds. They made their way into the ICU where Tara was sitting up with a popsicle. She had tear stains. "Aunt Tempe, the lady said mommy and daddy are dead. Is it true? I don't want to believe it."

Booth watched the heartbreaking scene unfold. "Tara it's true. I am so sorry."Tara was in tears again it is not from having a broken leg, brain surgery, and a punctured lung.

One of the nurses came in "I need to give Tara her afternoon dose of antibiotics."Brennan moved aside and Tara looked like she wanted to spit it out but Brennan gave Tara one of the looks like she gives her interns.

"Aunt Tempe, can I have some water please?"

"Sure Tara"

The nurse who was still in the room said "Stay here, I will get the water. Dr. Andrews has been in with her. He will be back down here shortly."

Tara was seated in Brennan ' s lap when Brennan asked "Do you want me to go find some books for you as soon as the doctor leaves?"

Tara's face lit up. "Mommy said there is exploration on new tombs found in Egypt, is there any books?"

Booth knew this is not your typical two year old. "Booth, she has been talking since 6 months and she figured out how to read Goodnight Moon at 8 months."Booth had a mini Brennan on his hands and knew she was going to be a future squint especially considering who her godmother is. His project if she would let him is maybe introduce her to something most kids do like sports. She's two,she can starting with something. He had Parker on the ice when he was 2.

Dr. Andrews came in. "Tara woke up this morning and her scans look better from yesterday. There is no neurological damage. Speech has been to evaluate and said she is fine as did Occupational Therapy. I do want to start her in on physical therapy tomorrow and move her down to a regular floor tomorrow."

Brennan was in agreement but had a request. "I would like a private room for her."Dr. Andrews just nodded. Booth knew the news was good but physical therapy is not fun. He has done it but it's for her own good.

Booth spoke up "Bones, talking about mummies; not exactly toddler friendly. You are going to give her nightmares." Before Brennan could say anything "The only thing that scares me is clowns. Clowns are scary."Booth cracked up, a kid after his own heart.

"Rachel, Nick, and I tried to take her to a circus four months ago. When the clown tried to give her a balloon, she screamed and cried into my shoulder."

"Aunt Tempe, I'm hungry. Can I have something to eat please?"

She had not had anything to eat since yesterday. "What would like Tara?"

Tara grinned "A veggie burger please."

Now Booth put his foot down. He knew Brennan has been corrupting her. "Bones, you have corrupted her. She needs to eat something normal like a hamburger and fries, not veggie burgers. She is a toddler, she should not know what one is."

Tara knew he is a friend of her aunt and sometimes is no fun. Last time she saw him he took away an anatomy and physiology coloring book saying it's not normal.

"Booth, I don't want to eat a dead animal. I love animals."

Brennan could handle him easily. "It's not like she is a vegan. She still gets all of her proper vitamins and minerals that she should have and meets her daily requirements for a child of her age. She still eats French fries but in a limited quantity but no soda. No child should be allowed soda. Drinking soda will increase her risk of bone fractures and it will cause tooth decay."

Tara smirked at her aunt's friend and Booth knew he had a problem. The problem is a Brennan in training. Booth got a kids sized veggie burger with some condemns, a small French fry, an apple juice, and a fruit cup. He did not know where Brennan stood on ice cream and with her on all of those pain meds, it is bound to upset your stomach.

"Thank you"

Brennan cut the burger into bite sized pieces and Tara had been able to eat. Tara began to scratch at her head "Aunt Tempe, my head itches."Tara

"Tara, don't scratch. Let me see."

When the dressing was loosen, the surgical site had a rash around the site. "Tara, I am going to get a nurse. Let's see if we can get you some relief."

Booth was cringing. That looked bad. The nurse came in and began cleaning around the site and some itch cream then wrapped it back up.

Tara went back to sleep and Booth and Brennan left. They went to a Build-a-Bear because it was going to be a little while before Tara's clothes and toys could be delivered.

Brennan picked out a light brown bear and gave it a white lab coat, a purple shirt, a pair of pants,and shoes. Booth looked at the bear. "Did you have to do a squint bear Bones. Couldn't you pick out something normal?"Brennan turned around and saw a Wonder Woman outfit. "Happy Booth?"

Booth just chuckled "Don't ever change Bones."

On the way back to Brennan's apartment Booth asked. "What are your plans for your friends beyond the cremation?"

"I plan on taking their ashes to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts to spread their ashes. They were married there."

Booth could understand that "What about a funeral service?"

"No Booth, they were atheists. When you are gone, you are gone."

Booth knew when to shut up and he was not going to get into another religion debate with Bones. They had dinner and Booth went home.

Early The next morning Angela was at Brennan's apartment with a 120 count box of crayons and a giant stack of coloring pages. She did need to inform Brennan on a few things. "Coloring will be the ultimate distraction for her and I picked up some movies too. Sweetie, she needs to be exposed to Disney princesses. All little girls love that. I love that bear and don't worry about the cases. Cam has some well placed threats on top of your threats to keep them in line including not helping with any experiment with a case."

"Thank you Angela."

It was going to be a long day ahead and even even more so in the days to come. There was so much to do like finishing Nick's and Rachel's arrangements, helping Tara recover, and so much more.