It was late when Brennan and the ten year old Hayley walked through her front door. Brennan carried the small bag full of clothes Jen had gave her and watched as Hayley's big eyes stare up at her for some sort of guidance or reassurance. She knew how the first night at a new person's house felt, being a foster kid and moving frequently to new houses filled with new people went hand in hand.

Brennan knew the first night was the worst night because you had just left everything you knew and you were dealing with a fresh wound. Then add being thrown into a new environment that you knew nothing about, it was scary you became independent within a minute-you grew up faster than your peers. She had learned most people take for granted trust and love, she had simply denied herself either because of her past. Past actions usually predicted future ones and everyone seemed to leave her in her life. Why trust in love to only be hurt?

It was actually quite simple-be ready for the goodbye, and never get your hopes up therefore they won't be crushed. She had found that logic had worked for protecting herself emotionally to the world but it had left her with a lonely life. She stare at her nieces eyes as they search her house, Hayley didn't deserve a lonely life.

"Your room is down the hall Hayley, follow me." The two girls-not women but girls stood staring at the guest bedroom. For while Brennan was technically a woman in her early thirties innocence stripped bare leaving her trembling to the core at times. There was one person out in the vast world that still saw her as his "girl" with her innocent and sometimes not so innocent lopsided smile, just as God saw them both as his children.

"We can run to the store tomorrow and get you some more things." For a child the room looked pretty cold. The bed was perfectly made with huge pillows that were more decorative than functional, a nightstand with a lamp, and a dresser. Bottom line it was a guest bedroom and one that no one ever stayed in. Brennan put Hayley's clothes in the dresser as the little girl climbed into the large bed watching her Auntie's every move.

Silently Hayley moved the throw pillows to the side of the large bed then took the decorative large pillow that wasn't meant to be slept on and she was about to move it to the side when she looked into her Auntie's eyes who gave her a sad smile and she handed it to her instead. Brennan took the pillow and moved it to the edge of the bed. "Goodnight Hayley I will be right down the hall if you need me and you have your own restroom if you need to use it."

Hayley nod as she lay in the fetal position gripping the blanket, much like Brennan had slept last night only she had held onto Booth's hand instead, she had him for a blanket. Not a fluffy comforter that didn't smell familiar as Hayley did, he was familiar to her a type of home. She learned years ago it wasn't where you lived that mattered but more specifically who occupied the time that was so ephemeral in one's life, for life was only made up of seconds.

The where had nothing to do with the feeling of home, in essence she knew it did for in travels people would go back to certain homes. While after an amount of time one came to think of a certain place of home if they stayed there long enough-even if deserted on an island camp would inevitably become home. Though, out of all of her travels abroad she had felt the most at home in London. It wasn't because the weather was grey and cold like D.C, not because if you were a Brit you hated tourists as much as she does the tourists in D.C, but because of the person who occupied the time she had spent there. That is what made London feel like home. "Night Hayley." She found herself wrapping her comforter tight around her curled up in a fetal position thinking of Russ and yesterdays.

It was two am and she suddenly woke feeling a presence in the room she look over her shoulder at a red rimmed eyed Hayley gloss pooling in her eyes standing at the side of her bed. A silent plea of "Can I lay with you tonight I don't want to be alone?" Brennan remembered back to last night when she silently asked Booth the same question.

She pulls the comforter back for Hayley silently answering her question and as her ten year old niece silently climbs into bed with her. She wondered if a simple touch was needed tonight, but decided the benefits of a simple touch would outweigh Hayley's denial of comfort so she wrapped her left arm around Hayley's small form. Hayley quickly grabbed her Auntie's hand and Brennan felt the tears on it as Hayley brush the tears from her eyes not releasing her hold. She scooted a bit closer to the child sensing she would be just fine with it.

Suddenly, she found her voice and the comforting became surprisingly natural. "It's going to be ok Hayley, sshh." She felt Hayley's body start to shake as she cried a bit louder. The two lay and while she wasn't Hayley's mother she was providing her with some sort of comfort and whispering soothing words. It was going to have to do.

Temperance Brennan had lost her brother, mother and father before. Though, not at the same time and Hayley had just lost her sister, mother and father figure all at once-for good. At least once upon a time Brennan was able to reunite with her brother and rekindle that brotherly love that sisters and brothers have, that is before time decided it was too late. She even reconciled with her father who had abandoned her. Though, she learned there was more than one kind of family and Hayley and she were going to have to make it work.

Hayley and she would be ok, all in time. She knew some emotional wounds leave metaphorical scars never to be forgotten others heal in time, in the beginning one tells themselves time heals nothing and it doesn't heal per se, but it helps and the days get easier as one evolves. She also knew this event would leave a metaphorical mark on herself and especially Hayley.

A scar and deeper more enigmatic eyes, eyes that now held a past she wouldn't want to mention. She wouldn't know how to properly speak of until adulthood. In that moment as Hayley found comfort in her she realized maybe he was right. Maybe, just maybe she had the capacity to love another just as much or more than herself.


Short chap. I know, but I'm trying to get this up while I can-I have about a week and a half left to write then off to Cali so...still unsure continue?