Chapter 2
Brennan took a seat next to her Partner's son and brought her legs up so that she could sit criss cross applesauce, as she tried to figure out how to approach the situation. "Parker, where's Booth, does he even know that you're here? How did you even get here?" She watched Parker intently as she waited for an answer. The boy looked up at her with the saddest face and her heart felt like it was melting. "Parker, what's wrong? What's going on?" Parker heaved a sigh and sniffled.
"I ran away, I took some money and I got a taxi to take me here. I didn't know where else to go, cause mom is out of town with her boyfriend, and you were the only person I could think of…Plus, I memorized your address." He smiled a little at the last part. Brennan had no idea how to react to this. She felt the overwhelming need to hug him, but she didn't. "I can't believe you climbed out of a window and went out alone. You could have been hurt, Parker or worse. Booth is going to be so angry." She watched as the boy winced at her last sentence. "You aren't even in a jacket. It's freezing outside, you could get sick." Brennan rambled on until Parker grabbed her arm and said, "Bones, you gotta let me stay with you. Dad barely notices me. Hannah ruined Christmas! Christmas is just mine and dad's thing." Parker looked down at his hands as he fidgeted with them, trying to occupy himself to keep from crying again. Brennan sighed. "I'm sure your dad is trying his best, Parker. You can't just stay here, I have to finish my novel. I was thinking of going somewhere secluded, like a cabin in the woods to help me focus and clear my head. You would be very bored."
Parker shook his head. "No I wont! It sounds fun! Please let me come, Bonesss, pleaseeee!" He gave her the best puppy dog face he could muster up and pouted. Brennan couldn't resist that face, it tugged at her heartstrings. She closed her eyes and sighed, trying to think. "Alright, but I have to call Booth and let him know you're okay. He must be worried sick about you. And you know you can't stay with me unless he says so."
Parker's face went from happy to angry as he listened to Brennan. "I don't wanna talk to him and he'll have to drag me out." He pouted and Brennan couldn't help but think he looked adorable. And then she suddenly began to wonder when she ever thought any kid was adorable…Well, it was Parker and he was the only kid she had ever gotten along with, really. "Alright, Parker." She simply said, patting his back before she got up to grab her cell phone.
Hannah continued to pack what little she had as she ignored Booth's protests. "Seeley, it's very clear that I'm getting in the way of yours and Parker's time together. I wont do that. You and Parker can spend Christmas together. I wont ruin your fun." Hannah pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and threw her little duffle bag over her shoulder.
"But Hann-" Booth was cut off. "I'm sorry, Seeley. I've still got the offer to go on that trip to get another interview with the president. I'll take that, now. Tell Parker I said I'm sorry, and I wont take up so much of your time. I should have realized it was too soon to spend the holidays with you and Parks. Bye, Seeley. You and Parker have a good time." Hanna smiled and pressed her hand to Booth's cheek before turning to exit out of the apartment.
Booth stood there in silence. I could have stopped her. Why didn't I stop her? Maybe I didn't really want her here in the first place…What am I saying? Of course I did. Booth was deep in thought when he realized he'd better go talk with Parker. He felt like he was too harsh on him. It was so rare he was ever angry with the boy, that he wasn't used to being the bad guy. With a heavy sigh, Booth slowly opened the door, letting his eyes search the room. "Parks?" Silence. He then noticed the window open and now all the color in his face vanished. He was in panic mode, now.
Booth hurried out of the room, grabbing his jacket and searching furiously for his keys. "Damnit, where are my keys!" He was pulling things out all over the place, until he realized they we're in his jacket pocket. With a frustrated sigh, he headed for the door, only to stop briefly as his phone went off. He picked it up and slammed the door behind him. "Booth, this better be important." He said harshly, walking briskly down the hall.
"Booth, it's me…I've go-" Brennan was cut off as Booth stopped walking and began rambling to Brennan about Parker.
"He's not here, the window was open. What if someone took him?"
"Booth…"
"Or what if he's hurt somewhere or lost."
"Booth…."
"I'm panicking here, Bones. I shouldn't ha-"
"BOOTH!" Brennan interrupted him, having to raise her voice to gain his attention.
"What, Bones? Don't you understand that Parker is missing!" Booth raised his own voice, getting angry that she didn't seem to care. "If you would shut up and let me talk, I would be able to tell you that Parker is fine." Brennan's voice lowered and she listened to the sudden silence. "What? I don't understand." Booth finally spoke. Brennan sighed, and replied, "He's fine. He's here with me. He doesn't want to talk to you, what'd you do to him?" There was a hint of anger in her voice, but it quickly faded. Booth heaved a heavy sigh of relief. "I didn't do anything, I want to talk to him." Booth leaned against the wall of the apartment complex and ran a hand through his hair.
"Parker, your father says he wants to speak with you." Brennan was facing the boy and holding the phone away from her mouth. Parker shook his head. "No. I don't wanna talk to him." He crossed his arms and put on an angry face which really just looked like a pout. "He seems very sure that he does not wish to speak to you, Booth." Brennan replied, slowly crossing her living room. "Bones, he's a 10 year old, I'm his dad. He shouldn't be disrespecting me." Booth was getting more agitated and angry by the second. "Well, Booth. You must have done something bad to upset him, I've never seen him with so much pent up emotion. He wants to stay with me for a while, is that alright?" Brennan now took a seat beside Parker, who looked at her eagerly, hoping that his father would allow him to stay with her.
Booth was silent, trying to regain his composure. "Fine, maybe he just needs to cool down. Maybe I was too harsh with him. Tell him I'm sorry, and you better take care of him, Bones." Brennan snorted, and narrowed her eyes. "Booth, I am fully capable of taking care of a child. Besides, Parker and I get along very well and I assure you, that nothing will happen to him." Booth chuckled a little at her response, Never tell Bones she can't do something. "Alright, Bones. Good luck with that, then." He grinned, wishing he could watch Bones attempt to handle an energetic 10 year old boy. Sure, Bones had spent plenty of time with both Booth boys, but she had never been alone with him for long periods of time. "Call me if you two need anything, And let me know when he's calmed down. I really want to talk to him. Have funnnn." Booth laughed a little as he spoke the last sentence in a tone that meant "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into." Brennan squinted as she tried to figure out what was so funny. "Okay, Booth. We will have fun. I will tell Parker and call to check in soon. Goodbye." And with that, Brennan snapped her cell shut.
Chapter 3
Parker walked in tow with Brennan as they stepped into the lab. "Hey, Bones…I thought we we're going to that cabin place?" The boy looked up with hopeful eyes. Brennan smiled lightly as she walked and talked. "We are, I just forgot I owe a student a term paper." "Oh, okay." He lost all attention in where they were going to look around the lab. He always loved it here. There we're so many cool things to look at. He stopped until Brennan called him to follow her into her office. Parker sat on the couch and looked around, swinging his feet a bit. "Bren, what are you doing here? I thought you weren't coming in." A voice said from the doorway. "Hello, Angela. Yes, that is true. I am not going to be working today. I'm only here until my grad student comes to pick up his paper." She said as she began searching through papers. Angela nodded and then took her gaze to Parker. "Heyyy, baby booth!" She said in a high pitched tone. Parker grinned and looked up at her. "Hi, Ms. Angela." Angela tousled his hair and then looked at Brennan. "So, what's with Baby Booth?" she said in a low tone as she walked toward Brennan's desk. "Oh, well I'm keeping him for a little bit. He's extremely mad at Booth. He's upset that his father ruined Christmas by bringing Hannah in." She whispered back, glancing over at Parker to see him looking at one of her Anthropology magazines. The look on Angela's face was priceless. She pursed her lips trying not to laugh, but it came out anyway. "Angela, I don't find that funny!" She barked, standing up now. "Parker was very upset, and you find the situation humorous? I don't see the logic there." She was ready to yell louder at Angela, but she didn't want Parker upset. Angela shook her head, calming down. "No, no. Not that. I find that so sad. I was laughing at the fact that YOU are going to be alone with a 10 year old." She began laughing again, tears coming down now. Brennan's brows furrowed and she snorted. "Why is that humorous? Do you think I'm incapable of taking care of him? I watched Andy!" Angela forced herself to calm down as Parker heard the laughing. "What's so funny?" He grinned and continued to swing his feet. "N-Nothing, Angela is just being unintelligent at the moment." Brennan replied, still an annoyed look on her face. "Sweetie, Andy was just a baby…Parker is a 10 year old, active hyper little boy…" She was back to talking in a low voice. She watched Brennan's facial expression change from annoyed to confused, she could see her brain begin to do what it did best: Compartmentalize. She was silent for the longest time, until Angela spoke. "Hey, sweetie…You look like you just watched two girls and one cup." Angela grimaced and made a face at the thought. "I don't know what that means, but I'm beginning to see your logic. Parker is quite an active child. But, it's nothing I can't handle." She said a little smugly. Angela was about to speak when a young awkward looking boy stepped in. "Excuse me, Dr. Brennan? I'm sorry to bother you but, I'm here to pick up my paper?" The boy hesitantly stepped in slowly. It was obvious he was very intimidated by her. "Robby, yes and I'd also like to discuss you're horrible grade." She said bluntly. "Uhhh, I'll watch baby Booth till you're done." Angela motioned Parker and held out her hand, Parker grabbed it and they stepped out the office, shutting the door behind him.
Angela led him into her office and took a seat at her desk, searching for her sketch pad and color pencils. "Ms. Angela, uhm…can I ask you a question?" Parker looked at her hesitantly and rocked back and fourth on his heels. His face looked as though he was in trouble, and trying not to get caught. "Sure, Sweetie." She stood up with her sketch pad and box of pencils to have a seat on the couch, patting the seat next to her. Parker took a deep breath and was silent for a moment, his face contorted. Angela could see he was losing his nerve for whatever question he had. "You can talk to me, sweetie." She gave him a reassuring smile and clasped her hands. "Do you think Dad and Bones could get together? You know, sex each other up?" Parker looked down at his hands nervously. Angela, was trying so hard not to laugh. "Oh, Baby Booth…I've been down that road, and to be honest I don't know. Why do you ask?" Angela gave him an attentive look. "Well, I know they like, like each other. Cause sometimes, when we're all together…They'll suddenly look at each other for the longest time. They look like hungry lions about to attack it's prey. Plus…" He sighed and continued. "I like her. She knows like everything, and she's not Hannah." He frowned at the woman's name. Angela smiled softly at the boy and pat his back. "What's wrong with Hannah?" She asked hesitantly. Parker began to wiggle his foot nervously. "Hannah's okay, I guess…But, she hogs dad, and they kinda just ignore me and we never do anything fun. Now she's ruined Christmas." He took a breath before continuing. "When I'm with dad and Bones, It's always fun. We laugh, and do stuff together and I'm not left out." He looked down with a sad face that made Angela's heart ach. "Aww, Sweetie. I'm sure Hannah tries. But, If it's meant to be, it'll happen. Love finds you when you're not even expecting it…Though Brennan and Booth haven't found it, stubborn, stubborn people. They need help realizing their feelings." Angela smiled tenderly as she continued. "They love each other, and once they quit ignoring their feelings, it'll happen. But only if it's meant to be." She stood up and handed the sketch pad to him, noticing the devious look on his face. Oh God…He's going to 'help them' I shouldn't talk so much…Although, this could work. I'm such a genius. Angela's lips quirked into the same devious smile on Parker's face. While waiting for Brennan to finish up. Parker drew pictures for Angela, mostly dinosaurs and race cars and she secretly kept them to remember.
Brennan sighed as she stepped in Angela's office. "He started to cry…I don't understand why half of my students start to cry when I correct them on their work." She thought about it for a moment and walked toward Angela's desk. "Maybe you shouldn't be so…harsh." Angela rolled her eyes and grinned. Brennan was always completely honest, and never sugar coated anything. "I was not harsh, I was merely explaining that if he wanted to be successful, you have to give 150 percent in your work, not crap…" She rubbed her temples a moment obviously annoyed and stressed. Angela chuckled softly. "Baby Booth and I had an interesting conversation…" "Oh? What about?" she mused, a curious look on her face. "He wanted to know if you and Booth would get together and sex up." She couldn't help but laugh. Brennan's cheeks turned three shades of red. "I hope you told him no." She snapped, flustered. Angela grinned sheepishly. "Uhhh…Yeah, sure." Brennan gave her a stern look, knowing Angela was lying. "We better get going before Angela fills your head with inappropriate subjects." She was staring at Angela, holding out her hand for Parker. Angela, on the other hand was smiling broadly. "Bye baby Booth, have Fun with Bones!" She gave him a real smile and watched as they both walked out. Parker looked confused at Brennan's statement but he said nothing and waved to Angela, smiling.
