The Changes in the Lives

Author Notes

The first song is for Angela and Hodgins. The second is for Vince and Wendell. The third and fourth songs are for Zack and Booth.

Words in italic are Vincent's thoughts. Underlined words are Wendell's thoughts. This takes place after S01E06 – The Man in the Wall. Enjoy!

I decided to try something new with this chapter. Usually, I avoid description but in an effort to make my stories better, I'm willing to try. Tell me what you think about it.

The song used in this part (02/04) is 'Be Mine' by The Heavy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bones (But I do own Vincent's brother, Morrison, and their mother Juliet along with Wendell's sister, Elaine, and her son, Noah.). I also do not own The Heavy or any of their songs.


Part Two

The Abnormality in the Weekend

Vincent was still staring at his older brother, taking in the changes from the last time they'd seen each other. Morrison let his hair become long enough to reach his shoulders, and he also got rid of his beard, but you could see a five o' clock shadow in its place. The simple way he dressed, which got him a lot of trouble with their mother, hadn't changed: flannel shirt, jeans and beat down sneakers.

"Hello, Mates!"

"What are you doing here, Morrison?"

"I'm in town for the week covering an international economy conference for my paper back in San Francisco; so I thought I should see how lil' Vince is doing."

I hate that nickname, it's worse than Vincy.

"No, I deduced that much. I meant here."

"Well, your man o'er here told me where he lives when 'e called about mother. Besides, I tried your flat before coming here."

Wendell ushered both brothers in and closed the door before any of his neighbors decided to be nosy. He sat them both on the couch and excused himself to the kitchen:

"I'm going to get started on our dinner."

"Just don't touch the frying pan." - Vincent smiled at his lover.

"You two are so in love I'm positive that mother's devious machinations wouldn't be able to part you."

"Did you know she would try to?"

"I had my share of suspicions but I couldn't be sure. I admit I should have been more attentive, after all you were always her favorite."

"Did she do it another time?"

"To you? No. However, she was getting ready to offer some to that psychologist when you two broke up."

"You're a prick, Morrison." - Vincent said affectionately.

"Aw. So are you, Vincy. So are you."

First and Second Lines

"Tis getting rather late. Can I crash 'ere?"

"No."

"Bloody hell! You'd deny your brother shelter?"

"I did not say that." – Vincent retrieved a key from his pocket and threw it at his brother. – "You will stay over at my flat for the week. Assuming you wouldn't mind."

"Thanks, Mate." - Moz got up from the couch and kissed his brother on the forehead before being pushed away ('Ew! Morrison's germs!') and heading to the door. - "You take care of him, 'Dell. And Vince? I'll be by tomorrow. See ya."

Third Line

Wendell and Vincent were in bed, cuddling. As usual, the British squint had his head resting upon the blond man's chest.

"Sorry."

The American squint tucked a rebel dark curl behind his lover's ear:

"For what?"

"My brother."

"Don't worry about it. He's... nice."

He's a complete prat.

Vincent nuzzled his lover's neck.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"Did you know that after about 6 years, your step siblings can become as close as biological siblings? Until then, it's all about competition."

"No, I didn't." - He kissed his black-haired squint's nose. - "Sleep?"

"Please."

Fourth line

Vincent awoke first but didn't leave the bed, as their legs had become intertwined during the night. He raised his hand to his lover's face and gently stroked his cheek.

"I do not know what I would do if my mother had succeeded in driving you away." - A single crystal tear rolled down the black-haired man's cheek and he smiled sadly. - "Did you know that?"

Even though the British squint's voice was no louder than a whisper, it was enough to make Wendell rouse from sleep.

"Now I do." - Vincent gasped as he didn't expect a response and Wendell took the opportunity to close the distance between them. - "I won't hurt you if I can help it."

"I- I..." - He started to stutter. - "Thank you."

"Come on. Let's eat something."

"Not hungry. Want you." - Vince tightened the hold he had on Wendell before his own stomach growled. - "Traitor."

The American just laughed as he led them to the kitchen.

Fifth and Sixth lines

The British squint was in charge of the frying pan while the blond squint was in charge of the toaster ('Why am I the one making bacon and eggs if you are going to be the one to eat over eighty percent of it?' 'Remember last time I tried to work the frying pan?' 'Oh, yes. That firefighter was really nice.' 'I didn't like him' 'Why so?' 'He kept flirting with you!').

"Toast's ready!"

"I'm almost done with the bacon. Hand me the plates, will you?"

Wendell received his full plate and strolled to the dining room while Vincent filled his. Upon the arrival of the raven-haired man in the dining room he noticed something was off.

"You are in my place."

"I know." - The blond squint pushed the chair he was sitting on away from the table. - "Come on."

Vincent shook his head, affection clear on his face. He moved and sat on his lover's lap. He even managed to steal some pieces of bacon back.

7th, 8th and 9th lines

"Hello, Morrison." - Vincent said as he opened the door.

"Hey, Mates."

"Moz." – Wendell acknowledged the journalist with a nod.

"You two ready?"

"Ready for what exactly?"

"Do you trust me?"

"No, I know better."

"Now that's my brother!" – Morrison threw his left arm around his sibling's shoulder. – "Come on! You'll like it, Vincy."

10th and 11th lines

"The library?" – The British squint halted before the building and hastily turned to the British journalist. – "What have you done?"

"Why do you think I've done anything, old sport?"

"Morrison, we both know that you the place you most dread going to is the library. In fact, were you aware that the only times you'd go there voluntarily would be the times you screwed up and tried to make it up to me. And there's the whole quoting of the Great Gatsby."

"I'm still doing that? It's your fault, you bring it out on me."

"Moz."

Wendell was smart enough to keep his mouth shut and not to interfere.

If my mouth stays shut I stay alive.

"So I might be feeling a tad guilty for not telling you about mother."

"You didn't need you bring me here, we can go to the city archives instead." – Neither the journalist nor the blond squint moved. – "Alright, maybe just a small peek."

12th and 13th lines

Vincent flowed between the bookshelves gracefully, in his element. Wendell followed behind in a more sedate pace and Morrison dragged his feet, complaining all the way. A female voice prompted the British squint to halt:

"Vincent?"

"Elaine?"

She was in a blue dress that matched her eyes. Her honey-colored hair was tied up in a pony tail, making her seem younger. Her son was at her side, clutching a book:

"Vince."

"Noah." – The squint hugged the kid. – "How are you? And what are you planning on getting to read?"

"Good. And Robin Hood."

"Great choice."

"Is my brother with you, Vincent?" – Elaine tilted her head slightly.

"Yes, he is. And by my calculations, he will be here in 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3…"

At that moment both Wendell and Moz joined the other three people. The blond kid adjusted his glasses before turning to the British journalist:

"Who are you?"

"Could ask you the same question, Mate." – Vincent elbowed his brother on the ribs. – "Morrison Nigel-Murray, nice to meet you."

Elaine's son shook the hand he was offered:

"Noah Bray."

14th, 15th and 16th lines

"Elaine, would you mind if we took Noah for the rest of the day?"

The woman with honey-colored hair noticed the glint on her son's eyes at the proposition.

"Pay me lunch and we have a deal."

After the bribe was delivered, the men went back to Vincent's place to pick up his archery equipment.

"Where are you two going to practice?" – Wendell asked his lover. – "There aren't a lot of places you can shoot arrows."

"Actually, there is an archery range we can go to. I applied to the club that owns it when I first came in to town. It's near the batting cages."

Morrison tucked his long-ish hair behind his ears and smirked at his brother:

"You wouldn't have a baseball bat to lend me, would you, Vincy?"

The Brit squint looked at Noah, rolled his eyes and sighed.

Men.

17th and 18th lines

They got the equipment they needed for the afternoon (archery for Noah and Vincent and baseball for Wendell and Moz). The blond squint dropped his lover and his nephew at the range before going to the cages.

"Be careful with the arrows, Noah, they've been sharpened."

"How come we're the only ones here with this type of bow? Everyone else has that kind you see in the Olympics."

"Because this type of bow is harder to use. But if you learn to use it, you will also be able to use that other kind."

"Neat." – The blond kid tried his hand on the bow and shot an arrow that hit the outer ring of the target. – "That was so awesome!"

Vincent chuckled and took an arrow from his quiver. Slowly he stretched the string. The projectile hit the innermost circle.

"And the best part is you'll never forget it."

"Like riding a bike, but better." – Noah smiled and got another arrow from the quiver. – "Way better."

18th, 20th, 21st and 22nd lines

Wendell swung his wooden bat and hit ball after ball. Morrison just leaned on his (borrowed) titanium bat waiting for his turn. He had been staring at the American, trying to see what his brother saw in him. Sure, he could see the appeal for blue eyes and blond hair but it wasn't his type. But even he had to admit that Wendell filled those jeans like nobody's business.

"My brother sure has good taste." – He stopped whispering to himself and raised his voice so as to the other man hear. – "What are your intentions with Vincent?" – The squint struck another ball. – "Or are you just shagging him for a notch on your bed post?"

The sharp question cut into Wendell's concentration and he turned to face the Brit. Sadly, that was the moment another white sphere was thrown.

"Ow." – The squint moaned while on the floor. – "And no!"

"Well, that rings true. Need some help, Mate?" – Morrison yanked the other man up. – "Sorry for that."

"I love Vincent."

"Oh, I know. Just making sure. By the way, you lost. My turn, now!"

23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th lines

Sometime later, all the men gathered to decide where and what to eat.

"Restaurant?" – Wendell asked the others.

"Not that hungry." – Moz and Vince answered at the same time. – "Tea?"

"Not that British."

"Why don't we do a picnic?" – Noah looked up at the others. – "We could go to the park."

"I agree with lil' Wendell here. We can grab some burgers and chips and see the sunset."

"When did we get two kids?" – Vincent asked his lover.

"I think it was when someone was left on our doorstep." – A sigh. – "Let's get food."

28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, 32nd and 33rd lines

Up on a grassy hill, the four guys ate their burgers in silence. The squints leaned on one another for support. The blond man's arm was around the Brit squint's shoulder. Noah sat by Vincent's side and Morrison by Wendell's.

"This is nice."

34th, 35th and 36th lines

"He's asleep." – Vincent whispered to his lover. – "I don't have the heart to awake him."

"Okay, hang on." – He lifted his nephew. – "The keys are in my back pocket."

"I'll just give Elaine a call, tell him he's going to sleep over."

"Good thinking."

37th, 38th, 39th and 40th lines

"I can try but I can't find anything wrong with this. You in my bed, Noah asleep in the guestroom…"

"I do think my brother sleeping on your couch besmirch that ideal family picture a little."

"He's sleeping? I thought he was passed out."

"You can never know with Morrison. He sleeps like a log."

"Must be genetic."

Vincent chuckled and burrowed closer to his lover:

"Maybe someday soon we'll be a family."

Wendell kissed his British squint.

"Soon."

41st, 42nd and 43rd lines