Summer Vacation at Hermione's

A/N- You know that switch that clicks when all of the sudden you get an endless number of ideas in your head? It happened to Harry Potter three years ago, and it seems to be happening now with Bones. So you'll probably be hearing from me again very soon. This was written very early in the morning (hence the shortness) so I apologize for any errors. Beware: out of character.

A Phone Call Away

Max Keenan was roused from a, well you wouldn't exactly call it a deep sleep because years on the run made it so he was aware of the smallest sound, but a deep sleep for him by the shrill noise of the telephone ringing. He blinked a few times before taking a quick glance at the clock. Two a.m. 'Let's hope this is something very serious, or I'll be going to jail for murder again.'

"Hello?" Max answered, trying to keep all traces of sleepiness out of his voice.

"Dad?" Temperance answered. Max frowned. She sounded as if she had just been crying. All his irritation at being awake immediately disappeared and was replaced by his fatherly side.

"Honey, what's wrong? Was it Booth? Because I'll kill him." Well okay, his fatherly side mixed with his criminal side.

"No, it wasn't Booth."

"Did someone try to hit on you at a crime-scene again? Don't worry, it won't make you any less respected."

"No, it wasn't that either." Temperance sniffed slightly.

"Then what was it?" Max frowned. He remembered a time when he knew exactly what was wrong. Somehow he doubted "did the teacher not make a quiz count because the rest of the class did so badly?" would apply here. Yet another reminder that his little girl was all grown up.

"I'm p-p-pregnant," Temperance moaned, "and I always thought that I would be able to terminate it, but I can't! I think I've been around Booth for too long. And I can't keep it either! I mean, look at me! I would make a terrible mother! I wouldn't be able to spend much time in the lab anymore, either. How will I tell Booth? Having children is completely against all my beliefs. Next thing you'll know I'll be walking down the aisle in a white dress!"

Max was silent for a moment, knowing it was crucial to say the exact right thing to someone who was pregnant, or you'd lose some body parts. Poor Booth didn't know what he was getting into. Especially since Brennan women had always been a bit more...temperamental than most. But oh, he was going to be a grandfather! Even if he felt way too young to be one.

"You'll make a wonderful mom, sweetie. I remember when your mother told me that she was pregnant. I was filled with doubts about my parenting skills too. How could a criminal make a good father? But I wasn't too bad, was I? Leaving you at the age of fifteen and being a murderer and getting sent to jail aside. On second thought, don't answer that."

Max continued, "Try to fall asleep, then when you wake up take a hot bath, and relax. Give it some thought, and then when you feel ready, you tell Booth. As for the rest you can c-"

"There will be no crossing bridges when I get to them. Just burning them so that I never have to cross them."

Max chuckled slightly. That was his girl.

"Thanks Dad, I appreciate it."

"No problem. Thanks for calling, and remember I'm here whenever you need any help." He knew it couldn't have been easy for her to admit needing help, or not knowing what to do.

They both hung up, and Max lay down again. He needed all the sleep he could get, because if he remembered correctly, he was going to be kept up a lot. This was sure to not be the last middle of the night phone call he would get.

A/N 2- I'm not too sure how I feel about this. Definitely not the best story I've written, but alas that dratted plot bunny would not leave me alone until it was written. So, thoughts? Should I delete this and never write again?