AN: Just a quick little note…if you've never heard of 'Chariots of Fire' or at the very least have never heard the theme song, please google it. It's mention will be much funnier that way.
1990
It was the last seconds of the big game, and seventeen year old Seeley Booth dribbled down the basketball court, desperate to make the game winning shot. Two points would tie, but three would make the game. In his head, the theme song to 'Chariots of Fire' played through his head. Okay, so this wasn't 1924 and he wasn't a British runner, but still, the music fit. Dum dum da da da dum dum, dum dum da da dum, dum dum da da dum dum, dum dum da da dum…He pivoted around the defensive guard with only two seconds left and jumped. It was now or never and if he didn't shoot, he'd regret it. The ball rolled off of his fingers, soaring over the hands of the opposing team and sunk into the basket with nothing but net.
A loud cheer erupted in the gymnasium as his teammates surrounded him, slapping him on the shoulder and sharing hugs. He was the MVP of the game and they all knew it. Up in the bleachers, he caught his grandfather and brother jumping up and down, cheering him on, and surprisingly, his father was there too. He didn't smile or join in the celebratory mood, but his nodding head was enough to show his approval for his eldest son's approval. Could this night be any better?
He felt a pair of decidedly feminine arms wrap around him despite his sweat and stink. He was more surprised however when said hugging female planted a kiss on his lips.
"Seeley Booth, that was the most exciting game I've ever seen!" Ah, so that's who it was. Seeley looked down at the petite blonde and grinned as she smiled up at him.
"Thanks Becca, I live to serve you know." He glanced up at the bleachers once watching where his family went. He still needed to say hello and bask in the praise they were sure to offer in regards to his performance on the court.
"So, I was wondering, when we get back to the school, would it be possible to give me a ride home? I mean I know I could probably go with one of the other girls…"
"No, sure, I can do that," he responded. There was no way on earth he was going to give up the chance to make a move on the cutest cheerleader in school. "I'll uh meet you back there, but I have to go…you know." He motioned toward the locker room with his head and she nodded in understanding.
"Great, I'll see you then." She waved as he headed away from her, giggling a little when he almost tripped over his own feet. He was still looking back at her when he finally made his way over to his family.
"Oh my god Seeley, what an awesome game!" Seeley grinned at his brother as his grandfather slapped him on the back.
"I have to tell you, I didn't think you guys were going to win. That was quite the shot you got in there son."
"Thanks grandpa." He turned to his father as the older man placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You did good kid." The simple statement made Seeley's heart swell. He never got praise from his father; that was usually reserved for Jared.
"Thanks." He looked over his shoulder as his coach called for him. Seeley turned back to his family with a grin. "I have to go. I think everyone's going out when we get back, so I'll probably be out late."
"Just stay safe and be careful whatever you do," his grandfather said and the teenager nodded. He waved as he walked off, joining his coach and teammates on the way to the locker room. Yep, things were definitely going to be looking up from here.
XxXxX
Seeley headed home from school the following week on cloud nine. He was the school hero, and what's more, he'd had an awesome night with Becca. A grin spread over his face at thoughts of the night of the game. Oh yeah, definitely an awesome night. He pulled into the driveway of his grandfather's house, pausing when he noticed the strange car in the driveway. It certainly wasn't anyone in his family, and he didn't think they were supposed to have any company over. He grabbed his backpack from the passenger seat of his car and headed inside.
"Grandpa? What's going on?" Seeley dropped his backpack by the front door and stepped into the living room where his father and grandfather both sat with a stranger.
"Seeley, this is Howard Shoemaker from Penn State. He's here to speak to us about school." Seeley's heart pounded at the words. Someone from Penn State was here to see him?
"Seeley, it's a pleasure to meet you. I was at the game and I have to say, that was one hell of a performance you gave."
"Thank you sir."
"I spoke to the coach and the reason I'm here is that we'd like you to play for our school." Seeley stood next to the couch, dumbfounded.
"You want me?"
"Yes, we can use talent like you showed in that game. I just need to go over a few details with you and your family and we can get you in with a sports scholarship." Seeley's face lit up with a grin. This couldn't be happening. He was going to play for Penn State!
1992
Seeley sat at his desk, his head pounding and eyes drooping heavily as he looked over his notes for school. Finals were grueling, and he certainly was no whiz when it came to science. He'd never understood those kids that could dissect something for biology class and not get completely sick during the process. It just wasn't right.
God, he needed a break if he was going to do even passably on his history test. He got up and headed out of the dorm room to get something to eat, but just before the door shut, the phone began to ring. Glancing at the time, he groaned. Who would be calling him at midnight?
"Hello?"
"Yes, is this Seeley Booth?" Seeley frowned and sat down at his desk.
"That's me. What's going on?"
"This is Sergeant Lewis with the Philadelphia police department. I have a Jared Booth here and he said that you were his only contact currently." His shoulders slumped. What had Jared gotten himself into this time?
"Why is he at the police station?"
"We caught him out after curfew along with a few of his friends. He insisted that his parents were unavailable and that we call you to pick him up."
"Great, just great. Fine, I'll be there, but it's going to take a while. I'm in State College."
"That's fine, just get here when you can. Jared's not going anywhere in the meantime." Seeley hung up the phone and let out a string of curses. What the hell was Jared doing that he was out this late? And if he was just at a friend's house, then why didn't he just stay over until morning? It's not like they hadn't done that in the past, unless of course his brother was somewhere he wasn't supposed to be.
He grabbed his keys and left the dorms. It looked like he'd have to get some strong coffee for the drive if he was going to stay up. It was a good three hours back to Philly.
XxXxX
"Okay, you want to tell me what happened," Seeley asked when he finally picked up his brother. Jared looked embarrassed and turned away from his brother to look out of the window.
"I told dad that I was going over to Sam's to study, because there was this party and I knew that dad wouldn't let me go so…"
"Couldn't you just for once do what you're supposed to be doing and stay out of trouble? I swear to god if I fail my history final because of your dumb ass I'm gonna rip you a new one, you got it?"
"Jeez bro, it's not like I was drinking or anything."
"Don't give me that. Maybe grandpa lets things slide, but you know dad won't, and that's why you called me isn't it? You didn't want 'the lecture' so I was the safe option."
"I'm just asking a little favor, that's all."
"A little favor? I drove three hours to pick you up. That's not a little favor. You need to stop this because I'm not always going to be around to save your ass."
"Okay, I get it, I get it. I screwed up and you bailed me out. Save the lecture big brother." Seeley shot his younger brother a dirty look as he turned down their father's street. He didn't understand why his younger brother moved back after he'd left for college, but Jared was old enough to decide who he lived with.
The drive to their father's house didn't take long and Seeley waited around just long enough to make sure Jared got inside okay. He glanced at his watch and sighed. He had just enough time to get back to school before his final. So much for studying, he thought as he turned around and headed for the interstate. Hopefully nothing was on the test that he hadn't had a chance to look over, otherwise he was screwed.
He cursed his brother under his breath and sped up on the onramp to the interstate. He'd been looking after his brother for years now and he'd meant what he said. He wouldn't always be around to bail him out. He wasn't sure why his brother didn't call their grandfather, but whatever the reason, he knew who to turn to for protection. Seeley sighed and moved over one lane, so deep in thought that he didn't see the other car careening toward him until he heard the sickening crunch of metal and his thunderbird began to spin out of control.