Hey guys...thanks so much for all your reviews, and sorry about the slow update. I had a pile of stuff to do for uni. As always enjoy and have a great day kate
Three days later.
Temperance stood at her mother's graveside. Dry eyed, she focused deeply on the minister as he completed the service. Brennan was unaware that Russ on one side of her was gripping her hand tightly, or of Booth's hand that rested casually on her back. All she wanted was this to be over so that she could move on with her life. In saying that, today she couldn't cry. To her crying was something to be done in private, not in front of a large number of people she didn't know or couldn't remember. That didn't explain why she had been doing so much of it around Booth recently though.
"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust…" the minister intoned. Bones knew that this was her cue. Just as the coffin began to be lowered, she stepped forward, pulling something from her pocket. Quickly and unobtrusively, she hoped, Brennan placed it on her mother's coffin. Before her mother disappeared completely from site, the sunlight caused the silver dolphin belt buckle to glint, almost as if it was diving through the ocean one last time.
Afterwards Brennan sat on a bench overlooking the cemetery. It was late afternoon, and the air had a chill to it. She shivered slightly as she reminisced. It had been a nice service. The scent of lilies had filled the air, which had reminded Bones of her childhood. Christine Brennan had always had flowers in the house. It had been relatively short and simple, and the minister had focussed on the fact that the discovery of her mother was a blessing that allowed those present to grieve and move on with their lives. A number of people from her home town had come, mostly her mother and father's old friends. She had appreciated that, knowing that they hadn't forgotten her parents. They seemed to forget me though, she thought bitterly.
Booth stood watching Bones think. When he saw a wave of resentment cross her face Booth crossed the grass to be by her side.
"Temperance," he said simply.
She looked up. "Don't ask if I'm okay, because I'm not," Bones spat out.
"Yeah, I know but I'm just being your friend again, alright?" he said as he pulled her into a hug. "C'mon Bones. I think Chinese is on the menu tonight."
Bones looked up and smiled. Booth always knew how to cheer her up.
Forty minutes later, Brennan was lying on the floor of her apartment eating Woo Fong's straight out of the carton. She sat up and sighed, the fullness of her belly allowing momentary contentment.
"Do you want another beer, Booth?" she questioned the FBI agent who was still shovelling down the food.
"Sure, Bones, but I'm getting them."
She protested, "It's my house…"
"Bones, don't argue about this one. Considering I've spent a considerable amount of time at your apartment in the past few days I need to work on conquering my fear of your refrigerator." Opening the door, he faked a shudder. Bones rolled her eyes, and he grinned at her, happy with the knowledge that he could make her smile.
Brennan sipped at her beer contemplatively.
"Penny for your thoughts, Bones?" Booth asked.
Brennan's reply was quick, and expected. "I don't know what that means."
It was Booth's turn to roll his eyes. "It means that I was wondering what you were thinking," he clarified.
She smiled over at him. "I was just thinking that Angela's already overactive imagination has had a field day because of how much time you've spent here recently."
Booth groaned. "Are you serious?" She nodded. "Man, I so should have seen that coming."
Brennan laughed. "Angela's pretty obsessed with her own love life, yet she still has time to harass me about mine." Booth raised an eyebrow and looked over at her, causing Brennan to realise the implications of what she had just said.
"So…" Booth began, "does she have anyone in particular in mind?"
She jumped up and began to clear up the Chinese in an effort to cover up her blush.
"Bones, there's no point in trying to hide from me; I can see those fire engine red cheeks from here."
Bones gave up hiding her face from him, and instead walked over to punch him in the arm.
"Why are you so interested in my love life all of a sudden?" Bones asked, trying to wrong foot him. Booth blushed then, and realised the inappropriateness of their conversation. We're friends he thought, nothing else. But then he rationalised that thought.
"Friends are allowed to have an interest in each others lives," Booth replied, and pulled out his charm smile for good measure.
"Booth, don't try that smile on me. You know I'm immune to it," Bones retorted, in an effort to hide the fact that his smile always made her legs feel like jelly. Booth just grinned.
"You got anything to do around here?" he said, changing the topic of conversation.
"Yeah, I have a novel to write and files to look over."
Booth looked wounded. "You're kicking me out after I've been such a great friend to you?"
"You have been great," she replied.
"That has to be a first, you stroking my ego."
"Your ego doesn't need stroking, Booth. I just need some time by myself to think some stuff over."
Booth knew that she wanted to think about her mother, and didn't press the issue. Picking up his jacket, her gave her a peck on the cheek, and left her apartment, calling out "Bye Bones," as he went.
Temperance crossed the room to close the door. As she leaned against the doorframe, her hand moved unconsciously to her cheek and Bones smiled. It had been an odd day. She had buried her mother, met people she hadn't seen in 16 years, and had a good time with Booth. He really could make her feel better. With that thought, she went to take a shower so she could try and unscramble the mess that the day had created in her normally ordered mind.