A/N: Thank you for all of the amazing reviews! Despite all of your wonderful suggestions, I decided to just bring Parker to the lab. Sorry it took me so long. My little sister had to have surgery and I stayed at my aunts house, who doesn't even know the meaning of WiFi. Then when I got home I had to spend all my time battling the evil monster that is my mother b/c she was staying with us :/.
Brennan's POV:
I turned and saw Parker sitting there. He was staring at me inquisitively and I could practically feel the nervous energy coming off of him.
"Dr. Bones," he began, "My daddy says you and I are going to hang out today. Do you have anything planned for us?"
"Yes Parker, I was actually thinking we could go to the Mall of America. There are a lot of museums and educational places that could greatly benefit a young mind such as yours," I replied satisfied with my choice. When I saw his facial expression I realized I must have made a mistake.
"Sorry Dr. Bones," he said sheepishly with his father's charm smile on, "But I kind of hoped we were going to the lab. I really wanted to hang out with the squints and your dad."
"Okay Parker," I replied, slightly relieved I wouldn't be alone with him all day. I don't recall Booth specifying that I had to be completely alone with him, only that he wouldn't be there, "We'll go whenever you're ready."
"Well before we go," he started, "We have to watch Spongebob. My dad usually watches with me but you don't have to if you don't want to."
"No it's fine Parker," I told him, "I would like to reexamine television shows aimed at children. I need to decide which one's are most educational so if I ever have kids I can make sure they have the best options available."
"Umm, okay Dr. Bones," Parker said, trying to hide his laughter. I realized I must have made a mistake but Parker obviously didn't care so I didn't say anything else.
"So," I said, trying to break the awkward silence I was never aware existed before now, "What is Spongebob?"
Parker proceeded to explain about a sea sponge with all the properties of a kitchen sponge. And the fact that he lives in an undersea pineapple? Absolutely ridiculous, but as a children's television show I could see the appeal.
As soon as the show began, I was outraged. I began to explain to Parker, "This show is not even close to scientifically accurate. That sponge has bilateral symmetry while in real life, sponges are asymmetrical. Also, there is no way that a sea sponge, a squid, and a sea star would live within the same habitat as close as those three do. And the one that really takes the cobbler, a squirrel that lives under water? How idiotic do they think children are?"
Parker looked at me funny once again but instead of placating me and my disbelief he turned back to the television and said, "Cake."
I blinked in confusion and without even turning he continued, "You said it takes the cobbler. I don't know what a cobbler is but I heard my mommy tell my daddy that out of all the stupid things he's done, this one takes the cake."
"Thank you Parker," I replied, not really all that thankful. In fact, I feel that two Booth boys knowing me so well they don't even blink when I mess up a pop culture reference or a well known colloquialism, is an unfair advantage on their part.
"No problem Dr. Bones," he said. We sat in silence for the rest of the cartoon and as soon as it was over, Parker turned to me once again, "So, when do we get to go to the lab?"
"As soon as you're ready," I replied. As soon as I said it, he stood up from the couch and practically sprinted towards the door. I chuckled at his unbridled enthusiasm and met him at my car holding the shoes he had forgotten to put back on. As he put on his sheepish face, I was struck once again with how much he looked like his father.
I started the car and turned to Parker saying, "Put on your seatbelt."
"Don't worry Bones," he replied, "I always remember my seatbelt. Daddy says that if I don't wear it he would have to arrest me!"
I chuckled at the idle threat Booth gave to his child, knowing that Booth would do anything to keep Parker safe, even if it meant lying to him.
We arrived at the Jeffersonian quickly as there was little to no traffic. I parked in my assigned spot and Parker and I went inside.
"What are we going to do Bones?" his excitement quite evident as he bounced around, "Can we look at dead bodies? Do you remember that time I found that finger but dad wouldn't let me have it? Can I have someone else's finger? How cool would it be if I had a real human finger? All the other kids would be so jealous!"
"Parker, if you calm down, I promise I'll let you watch while I identify a body from bone storage," I told him. As soon as I said that he immediately quieted down. I set my purse down in my office and pulled my lab coat on.
"Doctor Bones," he said, "Can I go get my lab coat from your dad? I want to look like a real live doctor, just like you!"
"Of course you can Parker," I replied touched that he wanted to be like me and smiling about the fact that my hardcore FBI agent partners son wanted to be a squint, "I'll take you myself.
On the way to my fathers classroom, we saw Wendell, who apparently was my intern of the week. "Wendell," I said. he turned to me and I continued, "Get me a body out of bone storage. Make sure it's not too gruesome."
"You've got it Doctor Brennan," he said, and hurried off to do as I asked. He really was a good intern. He had more interpersonal skills than all the others and Booth seemed to like him. He and Mr. Nigel Murray were my favorites. I was shaken out of my thoughts when Parker took my hand and pulled me in the direction of the classroom. We walked in and my fathers face lit up.
"Parker!" he exclaimed, "and Tempe! My two favorite people! To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"We just came here to get Parkers lab coat," I replied, "He's going to help exhume a body with me today."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" my father asked, "He's only 8."
"Don't worry dad," I replied, "I told Wendell to make sure it isn't too gruesome."
"Okay sweetheart," he replied. Parker had gotten his lab coat so we left but not without my father making me feel extremely awkward.
"Bye Tempe!" he called, "You look really good with Parker, maybe you should think about his father. I always liked him; nicest guy that ever arrested me."
"Goodbye dad," I said resolutely, shooting him a glance that I hope conveyed that we need to have a discussion later.
"What did your dad mean when he said think about my dad?" Parker asked.
"Um, well," I stuttered trying to explain it to him.
"Ohhh," Parker said in response, "I know what he means."
"What does he mean Parker?" I replied, still embarrassed but now with my curiosity piqued.
"One time I asked my daddy why he doesn't have a girlfriend because mommy has a boyfriend and he said that he didn't like any girls and I said you like Doctor Bones and he said the same thing you did," he replied, still skipping along in childlike ignorance of the implications the statement he just made had. Before I could try to stutter out an alternate explanation Parker wrenched his hand from mine and ran off to the platform with me in hot pursuit.
"Parker!" I called as he set off the platforms alarm system. I must say, Parker seems to have inherited his father's athletic ability and while at other times it would be a very good thing, right now it was extremely inconvenient. Luckily enough, Angela was able to subdue him before he caused any damage to the body we had planned on identifying.
"Parker Booth!" I exclaimed at the sheepish looking boy in Angela's grasp, "We never run in the lab!"
"I'm sorry Bones," he said, looking at the ground. My face immediately softened but I still had to punish him.
"I'm sorry too Parker," I replied, "But I think this deserves a 5 minute time out. If you run in the lab you could hurt someone or possibly compromise the remains. Go sit in that chair right there and as soon as it's been 5 minutes I'll allow you to join us."
He looked sullen but did as I asked. I called Wendell over to help find the cause of death. We were talking quietly about what could have done it when I felt a slight tug on my lab coat. I looked down right into the face of Parker.
"Um, I'm sorry to bother you Doctor Bones," he said, "But It's been more than 5 minutes and my daddy says you forget things sometimes when you work so I'm supposed to remind you."
"I'm sorry Parker," I replied, "Your father's right. Would you like to help me examine the bones now?"
"Yes please!" he exclaimed enthusiastically. I smiled and allowed him to look at the bones.
"Can you tell me what these are called?" I asked him pointing at the phalanges.
"Those are the fingers Dr. Bones," he told me proudly.
"That's right Parker," I said, "but do you know the scientific name? The fingers are actually called phalanges."
He giggled slightly and replied, "That's a funny name. What are these called?"
I went on to name the rest of the bones and Parker listened to every word i said. As I was going through my mini anatomy lesson, I thought about how different it was having a Booth that actually listens to me when I talk.
Angela's POV
Bren was so comfortable with Parker it was amazing. I was nervous when I first heard about this arrangement but I should have had more faith in her. I went into my office to call Booth and give him an update.
The phone rang twice before he picked it up saying, "When did she get there?"
"About the same time as usual," I replied, "but Parker was the one that wanted to come. He's helping her out with a limbo case right now."
I heard him sigh on the other end then say, "I can't believe my son wants to be a squint."
"Hey!" I exclaimed offended, "We "squints" aren't that bad."
"You and Wendell are about as normal as it comes for squints," he replied, "Sorry Angela but I have to go. Cullen is kicking my ass with all this paperwork."
"All right sweetie," I said, "I'll talk to you later."
I looked back out at my best friend and Parker and couldn't help but wondering why she didn't want this all the time. When will she finally admit that her and Booth belong together? Only time will tell, but time better hurry up because I can't wait that much longer.
A/N: Okay I apologize for the lateness of this chapter and the suckiness of it. I didn't feel any inspiration for typing it and I've been busy helping out with my sister. Hopefully the next one will go much quicker.