Returning Home

Chapter 1

I smiled a half smile as I heard footsteps coming toward my office. One was a pair of heels and the other was the squeaking sound of tennis shoes. I shook my head as I went back to getting my things ready to leave.

Danielle: You know when someone calls to invent you to lunch you should be ready when they arrive, right Park?

I looked up to see Danielle Booth and Parker smiling at me as I looked up at them surprised.

Brennan: I was working on…

Danielle: I know Bones but you really need to have something to eat and I need to get away from the loneliness of my empty apartment and quite desk. Who would have thought being a grad student to an archeologist would be boring work at times. What do you say spend some time with my fabulous nephew and me?

Parker: Please Dr. Bones.

I started to fidget as I looked at anyone but them. Brennan: I have a lot of work to do and…

Angela: You are going sweetie if I have to drag you out of here myself.

The three of us turned to see Angela standing in the doorway smiling at us.

Angela: So you must be the youngest Booth that I have heard absolutely nothing about.

I rolled my eyes as I looked around for a piece of paper that I had to give to Cam.

Danielle: I'm Danielle Booth, I'm surprised that Seel didn't say anything, normally if given the chance he jumps at talking about the stupid things I have done to him.

Angela just smiled as they shook hands.

Angela: Angela Montenegro, I work with your brother.

Danielle: Angela…oh, you're the artist that was suppose to marry the bug and slim guy. What was his name, I know it…

Parker: Dr. Hodgins!

I smiled as I watched Parker jump up and down as the three of us looked at him. He is so much like his father at time. How I miss him? Booth, when are you coming home? We miss you…I miss you.

Parker: Dr. Bones, are you alright?

I blinked as I looked at the little boy with a faint smile.

Brennan: I am fine Parker, I promise. You two said something about lunch.

I glanced up to see Danielle giving me the same smile that Booth used to give me about a year ago.

So many things have changed in that time. We had found and killed Gormogon, Zack was arrested and sent to a pysh unit because he assisted in the killing of one of Gormogon's victims. Booth and I have been in a stand still since he left for the war. A few weeks after his departure I found myself sitting in my apartment when someone knocked on my door, I opened it to find Danielle and Parker standing there looking just upset as I was. Since that day we have spent more time together. Danielle even invited me to spend Thanksgiving with her, Parker as well as the rest of the Booth family. I tried to say it wasn't necessary but she would not take no for an answer. So I found myself spending three of the most interesting days with them. Danielle made sure that I was not overwhelmed by her family but at the same time I found myself enjoying my time with them. The time I was there I realized something…I wanted to be part of this family. They accepted me as one of their own without carrying about happened in my past. I woke up one night and walked into their kitchen to find Booth's father sitting up as he looked at something.

Flashback( Alex and Katie are Booth's parents names cause Fox is keeping us in supsense about how they are. So enjoy until we figure wout their names...i hope it's soon.)

I walked into the kitchen trying not to disturbed Alex.

Alex: You know you are just as quite as Seeley and Danielle when they are trying to sneak something out of here.

I stopped where I was as I looked at the older man; he was so much like Booth that it took me a moment to remember that I was not looking at my Booth but his father.

Brennan: I'm sorry…I couldn't sleep. I was just getting a glass of milk; I didn't know anyone else was up.

He just smiled as patted the chair next to him.

Alex: Sit I could use the company.

I nodded as I got my glass of milk before taking the seat next to him.

Brennan: What are you doing up?

I watched as he sighed to himself as he gently touched the thing he was looking at before I walked into the room before looking at me.

Alex: You love him don't you?

I just looked at him surprised, how do they do that? I blinked before looking at my hands afriad to look at him in case he may laugh or something.

Brennan: Yes…I asked him not to go, but he said that he had to. I don't understand! Why would he leave Parker, Danielle, you and me to fight in this stupid war?

Alex turned and took my hands in his as he looked at me.

Alex: He did it because he felt the need to protect what he left behind. I know my son and I have not always been on the best terms with him but I do know that when we did talk he spoke about nothing else but you, Parker and Danielle. You three are extremely important to him that is why he left.

I just found myself nodding as I looked at his hand over mine for a moment before meeting his eyes. 

Brennan: It hurts so much…I want him to be here with me. I know that Danielle and Luc write to each other but every time I try to write to him…I can't do it. I have no idea what to say to him…he was always the better one to deal with things of the heart.

Alex just laughed; it reminded me of Booth's laugh…I tried to fight the tears that were welling in my eyes. When the hell did I get so emotional?

Alex: That sounds like Seeley. He was always following his heart rather than taking time to think it out.

I just laughed with him as I brushed away some tears.

Alex: Would you do me a favor Temperance, when he gets back bring him here. I need to talk to him about something's.

I just looked at him for a few minutes before nodding that I understood.

Brennan: When he returns I'll bring him home. I promise.

Alex just smiled at me as I saw an older version of the Booth Charm smile looking back at me.

Alex: Thank you Temperance.

I nodded as I glanced at the book beside him.

Brennan: What were you looking at when I walked in, if you don't mind me asking?

Alex smirked as he touched the old book again.

Alex: Well I don't think Seeley would like me showing you this without him knowing.

I raised an eyebrow at him as I took a sip of my milk.

Brennan: Please?

He just nodded as he slid me the book.

Alex: I did not show you this, understand.

I nodded as I opened the book to find pictures of a baby looking back at me.

Alex: That is Seeley a few days after he was born.

I spent the rest of the night with Alex as he told me about the younger days of the man I knew as Danielle and Katie watched from the doorway with matching smiles.

Danielle: Told ya that she was good for him.

Katie just smiled and wrapped her arms around her as they went back to watching us.

Flash Forward

I shook myself awake as I smiled at Danielle and Parker as they stood there talking with Angela.

Brennan: I thought we were going to lunch?

Parker: McDonalds!

Danielle: How about the Diner instead Bud?

I glanced at the younger woman as I noticed a hint of sadness in her eyes. I wonder why she doesn't want to go to McDonalds.

Parker: Can I still have a hamburger?

Brennan: Sure, want to share a piece of pie with me?

Parker nodded as he slipped his hand in mine as I picked up my purse.

Danielle: So the Diner it is.

Angela: I'll see you later sweetie.

I nodded as I walked out of the lab with two Booths instead of three.

The drive to the diner was fine, the three of us talked about school and other fun activities such as Parker's coming T-ball game. We walked inside and took our usual seat at the back near the window.

Waitress: What can I get you three?

Parker: Can I have a hamburger?

The waitress smiled as she looked at Danielle and I.

Danielle: Two cheese burgers nothing but ketchup and fries. One diet coke and a glass of milk for the little guy please.

The woman nodded as she looked at me.

Brennan: Can I have a salad with water?

The waitress nodded again as she walked away to place our order.

Parker: Aunt Danni?

I watched as she looked up to smile at her nephew.

Danielle: Yeah bud?

Parker: Can I go to the washroom?

She nodded as he jumped from his seat and with a kiss to her cheek went to the bathroom.

Brennan: Why did you not want to go to McDonalds?

She took a deep breath as she turned to look at me.

Danielle: Luc and I would go there after classes, work whenever we had a few minutes together and just talk. Sometimes it would be an hour later and we still haven't eaten anything. Other times it was a place that Seel, Parker and I would go to before heading somewhere secret, Seel always made weird plans for us when he had Parker…I miss those times.

I nodded as the waitress walked over with our drinks before walking away as Parker walked back to the table.

Danielle: Did you wash your hands little man?

He nodded as I shook my head at their behavior. I wish Booth was here to see this. I sighed as Parker started to ask me questions about bones.