Max walked up to the overhead lounge where Booth sat. he sat down across from the younger man who shifted in his seat, and was obviously uncomfortable.
"Hey Booth."
"Max your not going to ask me if I'm gay again are you?"
"No, no." he smiled.
"Then hi." Booth nodded.
"I just wanted to thank you. I didn't get to say it the other week when I got my job back."
"Oh I had nothing to do with it."
"I know you did. I don't know what you said, or did to Tempe…" Booth cut him off.
"Said definitely said!" he said
"Regardless you obviously have a great deal of influence over her if you got her to change her mind."
"Yeah right" he laughed.
"I'm serious! My daughter had been independent and head-strong since she was born. She thinks for herself. It would take someone she has a great deal of trust in to sway her."
"You think?"
"Yes. You clearly know her better then she knows herself and miles more then I do. And she knows that."
"I don't know…" Booth sighed.
"Trust me." He said and Booth couldn't help but smile. "That son of yours is a fine boy!"
"Thank you."
"Intelligent too." Max nodded.
"He gets that from Rebecca." Booth said.
"I don't know I hear a lot of Tempe in him."
"Well they do spend a good bit of time together."
"I guessed…"
"He's why she let you stay." Booth looked down at his cup. Max didn't speak. "I asked her to keep you here for him. To help him with the things I couldn't do. To enrich him."
"You're doing a fine job already the two of you."
"It's hard but I guess Rebecca and I do ok."
"I wasn't talking about her."
"Then who…"
"You and Tempe." He said coolly.
"What! No I told you…"
"Hey does he or does he not spend a lot of time with the two of you?" Max raised his hands in defense.
"Well yes…"
"And do you both set a good example for him?"
"I try and Bones…" he stopped looking up at his partners father.
"You're doing great." He stood up. "Oh he called me Grandpa Max the last day. Just said I'd tell you." he smiled and left.
"he what?" Booth said standing up and moving over to the railing. Just then the door opened and Parked ran through the door, he didn't even look up at him he just ran directly to Brennan who was standing at the end of the platform steps, and wrapped his arms around her waist. Booth smiled and caught Max's eye as he was going down the stairs. Booth looked back at his little and his partner, who looked slightly awkward but was smiling all the same. Granpa Max… maybe someday.
