December 2005
Bobby was fingering the invite in his hand. The corners were worn from the time spent fiddling with it. It still cut him to look at it.
We invite you to join Tara Jane Williams and Stanley Dean Abbott on May 17, 2006 for their holy matrimony...
He sighed roughly. How could anyone watch the person they were in love with get married to someone else?
"Hey," Booth said, sliding into the chair across from him. "I don't have long. I gotta go see about body in a fallout shelter and take it to Bones. I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas though."
"Yea," Bobby nodded. "Merry Christmas."
"Is that it?" Booth asked. He knew about Tara's upcoming wedding. He saw how it tore up his friend.
"This is it," Bobby nodded.
"Stanley," Booth snorted. "Who names their kid after a tool?"
"Tools," Bobby replied, earning a guffaw from Booth in return.
"It'll be all right," Booth reassured him.
"How? What if your Bones got married to someone else? How would you feel?"
"One, Bones doesn't believe in marriage, so that will never happen, and two...well, that's it," Booth said.
"Humor me," Bobby urged.
"All right. Um, I wouldn't let her get married," Booth admitted. "Not without telling her how I felt at least. If she rejected me, then at least I tried."
"I should try, huh?" Bobby looked at him.
"I really think you should," Booth nodded.
"But now I'm messing with a marriage," Bobby pointed out.
"She ain't married yet," Booth commented. Bobby sucked his cheeks. His friend had a point, but it still didn't feel right. Booth slapped the table rhythmically and stood up.
"You get Parker?" Bobby asked.
"For part of Christmas day, yea," Booth replied. "I still gotta get him a present. Every year I get him the best one."
"That's gotta be hard to compete with each year," Bobby laughed.
"I figure it out," Booth shrugged. "Anyway, think about what I said. See ya later." He pointed at Bobby meaningfully as he went out the door. Bobby chuckled to himself. Then he sobered up. What was he going to do about Tara?
May 2005
Bobby
"I've got a life here, a job, friends..." Bobby trailed off. He knew he was upsetting her by not telling her what she wanted to hear, that he'd go with her.
"Then I guess you've made your decision," Darcy said. "Now I have to make mine." Her eyes filled with tears, and he felt his throat tighten, but there was nothing left to say.
...
"Tara," Bobby said. It was the next day at the office. He wasn't sure what made him do it, but he did. She was at Jack's desk discussing something. "I understand you like the band Mojo Gogo, right?" Jack snorted.
"I happen to know she's a card carrying member of their fan club," he teased.
"I don't actually have a card..." Tara trailed off.
"How would you like to see the band perform tonight up an personal?" Bobby asked.
"I'd love to!" Tara replied excitedly. Then she frowned. "What's the catch?"
"You have to go with me," he answered.
"Ooohh pretty big catch," Jack grimaced, but his eyes were twinkling.
"They're performing at this event I have to go to," Bobby went on, ignoring Jack. "I thought I'd take someone who actually enjoyed listening to them. I also thought it would save you from staying home another night alone thinking about New York Stanley."
"I appreciate the offer," Tara said. "But what about Darcy?"
"Plans changed," Bobby said. Then he thought, why not? "We, uh, broke up." He couldn't read her expression, but there was surprise there.
"Her idea or yours?" Jack asked, concerned. Bobby couldn't think of how to respond.
"Bobby, I'm sorry," Tara said.
"Yea so am I," he nodded. "And so is she. I still have to go to this thing, though, so pick you up at seven?"
"Sure," she agreed.
"Great," he said, knocking on Jack's desk before walking away. Tara looked at Jack, who shrugged in return, unsure of what to tell her.
...
When Bobby picked her up, he was blown away. She was breathtakingly beautiful.
"Whoa," he said, staring at her.
"Took the words right out of my mouth," she said, smiling.
"Thanks for doing this," he told her.
"Oh, my pleasure," she grinned. "Should we go?"
"Yea. Wouldn't want to be late for Mojo Gogo," he teased.
...
The event was over, and they were waiting for the valet to bring the car around when she noticed he was somewhere else.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Hm? Yea. I'm fine," he grinned.
"Nothing's bothering you?" She raised a brow.
"No, why?" he asked.
"Well I don't know, but I can't help think that you're thinking it should have been Darcy here with you tonight," Tara said. Bobby exhaled.
"Can I ask you a question?" he asked. "And I want your honest opinion."
"Of course," she nodded.
"Is there something wrong with me? Like I can't commit?"
"Well maybe it's not that you can't commit maybe you're just not ready to," she offered. "And there's nothing wrong with you. You're smart, you're funny..." she paused, blushing before carrying on. "You're handsome, kind, you have that adorable accent...you're a great guy, and any woman would be lucky to have you." She shrugged and smiled at him. He grinned back.
"Seeing how you're a great just of character, someone who's clever and sensitive, and I might add, very beautiful, any man would consider himself lucky to be with you." He stood there looking at her, and she was looking at him, but the moment was spoiled by the valet bringing their car and getting out.
"I think your car's here," Tara said, looking at it.
"Hm," Bobby replied. He escorted her to it and let her in before getting into the driver's side. They chatted all the way back to her place. When they arrived, they exited the car in stitches from laughing.
"It makes no sense!" Bobby said.
"Sure it does!" Tara exclaimed.
"What kind of lyrics are Hamsters in My Hat?" Bobby argued.
"It's a metaphor," she told him.
"For?" he challenged.
"Something for that if I explained it, it would be too deep for you to understand," she laughed.
"You see? You don't understand it either!" he cried, laughing.
"Okay, okay! It's a stupid lyric," she caved.
"Ah!" he started.
"But!" she cut him off. "It has a nice beat. So you can dance to it." She started imitating dance moves, making Bobby laugh even harder. She was giggling so much she could barely focus on what she was doing. Then they were at her front door.
"So," he said.
"So," she echoed. "I had a great time."
"Yea so did I," he agreed. She smiled at him. "Yea, maybe we should do this again sometime."
"Yea," she said. "Maybe we should." They stood there staring into one another's eyes. The tension built up quickly. Before he knew what he was doing, he leaned in and kissed her. She looked dazed when they pulled apart.
"Uh, so," she started.
"So, uh," he said. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Y-yea," she nodded. She walked up the last steps and turned to wave at him before going inside. He stood there wondering what exactly he had just done before getting into his car and driving away into the night.
...
Things were awkward between him and Tara at work the next day. Bobby wasn't sure how to approach her about it, but she always seemed to be off doing something whenever it was just the two of them left in the bull pen. It made things difficult. At the end of the day, he caught her in the hall. He couldn't help but notice she tried to avoid him.
"Hey, Tara!" he called. She took one more step before jerking to a stop and turning around.
"Oh, hey," she said. She proceeded to fill him in about the case. He went along with it until they both paused.
"I think we need to talk," he said.
"Okay. About what?"
"How about for starters the fact that we're avoiding each other," he said, stepping closer.
"I know," she said, giving a crooked smile. "You're right. We should talk." They went out to get coffee and a walk. After a few moments of silence, Bobby started.
"About what happened..." he trailed off.
"You're feeling guilty and like it was the wrong thing to do," she finished.
"That's not what I was going to say," he interrupted. She stopped walking, making him jerk back.
"You weren't?" she asked.
"No. Why, is that the way you feel?" he questioned.
"No," she said. "I mean...I don't know. Why don't you keep talking, and I won't interrupt."
"What I wanted to say was that it made me realize something...well, a lot of things actually. You're an amazing woman, and I noticed all these things about you that I'd never noticed before, and I realized that there maybe could be something there between us." He paused for a moment, watching her face. He couldn't read it. "But I also realized that I'm in love with Darcy." She looked shocked then.
"My kiss had that effect on you, huh?" she asked.
"Pretty powerful stuff," he said, tilting his head at her. She didn't know where to look now. "I'm sorry," he added.
"Don't be," she said, shaking her head. "I'm not. I mean, not that I wasn't attracted to you too. I am. I was," she corrected. "And I was feeling a little guilty because I have someone who's special to me too. Stanley. And I know you and Darcy are gonna be great together. I'm just glad I could be there to drive you to the commitment you hadn't been able to make...to someone else. I have that effect on men." She looked at him and grinned. He grinned back.
"Are we okay?" he asked.
"Yea," she nodded. "We're great. In that work together, have great respect for each other kind of way." She smiled at him again, and he hugged her tightly. He was glad he hadn't ruined their friendship. Now he needed to talk to Darcy.
...
He had brought her flowers. He had told her he was going to L.A. with her, but she broke his heart and said she needed to go alone in order for there to even be a relationship one day. She kissed him goodbye and left him standing there feeling like his entire world was crashing around him. When he saw Tara the next day, it was even harder to see her.
"Hey," she called to him.
"Hey yourself," he said.
"So, did you talk with Darcy?" she asked.
"Yup," he nodded.
"And?" she asked encouragingly.
"Let's just say L.A. won't be needing my presence anytime soon," he said. Tara was shocked. He tapped his mug in his hand before opening his mouth again.
"Um," he started.
"Surprise," Stanley said, coming up behind Tara.
"Stanley!" she exclaimed. "Hi!"
"Hey, Stan the man," Bobby said, his heart sinking.
"My plane got in early so I thought I'd drop by," he said, giving Tara a quick kiss. Bobby felt his insides clench.
"Welcome back," he said. He felt stupid, standing there witnessing this whole thing. "How was the big apple?"
"More big than apple," Stanley replied. "But very productive."
"That's great, that's great, and it's great that you're back," he said. He was lying. It wasn't great at all. He noticed Tara kept looking from him to Stanley with an unsure expression.
"It's great," Tara echoed. She looked at Bobby again.
"I thought maybe I could take you to dinner," Stanley said.
"S-sure," she stuttered. "Of course." Stanley noticed Bobby was still standing there.
"Would you like to join us?" he asked.
"Oh, no. Thanks," Bobby answered.
"So, are you ready?" Stanley asked Tara.
"Oh," she said, going to get her coat. Bobby waved at Stanley and headed back to his desk. Tara looked back at him three times as she walked out with Stanley, and even though he wanted to call out to her, tell her he'd been an idiot and wanted to try whatever it was that was between them, he let it go.
December 2005
Booth
"What the hell did you do?!" Booth shouted. Zack and Hodgins were standing there wrapped in towels and wet. The doors had sealed, and no one was going anywhere.
"I cut into the bone, and something came out of it that set off the alarm," Zack answered logically. Booth growled in frustration.
"I can see that," he barked.
"Weren't you wearing your masks?" Brennan asked.
"I was," Zack said, looking pointedly at Hodgins.
"I may have been drinking eggnog," Hodgins admitted.
"Hodgins!" Angela shouted. So much for their office Christmas party.
...
"No one is going anywhere for three days," the man dressed as Santa said.
"That's it, I'm shooting both of you," Booth snapped, addressing Hodgins and Zack.
"Settle down, Agent Booth," Dr. Goodman said. "We all had plans for Christmas." Booth wanted to scream at all of them. They didn't get it. He only got Parker for half the day, and Rebecca was being gracious about that as it was. He kept this to himself. They didn't know about Parker yet, and he wasn't ready to share. He stormed to a different room and yanked out his phone.
"Miss me already?" Bobby asked, laughing.
"I'm stuck here," Booth said.
"What?"
"I'm stuck in this damn lab. Zack caused the alarm to go off...Bobby, I'm not getting out of here until after Christmas," Booth finished. He quickly explained about what happened. He pinched his nose, trying not to get upset.
"That is a bad hand," Bobby said. "Sorry, bad habit." They had taken to using gambling references as jokes with each other lately.
"What am I gonna do?! Rebecca will take away privileges," Booth said.
"No way. It's not your fault. She'd be even madder if you exposed Parker to whatever it is you've inhaled."
"I didn't inhale it. Stupid Hodgins did and then breathed it on all of us," Booth snapped.
"All right, all right. Just, keep calm, all right? Let me see what I can do," Bobby said. They hung up, and Booth banged his fist against the wall angrily.
Bobby
Bobby wasn't sure what to expect when Rebecca answered the door. He knew Booth had called her before he got there.
"If you're here to convince me to let you take Parker to see him, it's not happening," she said coldly.
"Rebecca, come on. He didn't do this on purpose," Bobby said. "Let Sid take Parker to see him." Sid owned Wong Fu's, a place Bobby also enjoyed dining at with Booth sometimes. Bobby knew Sid was better friends with Rebecca then he was.
"I'll think about it, but I don't like your odds," she said, closing the door in his face. Bobby caught sight of Parker in the window, peeking out at him. He smiled and waved. Parker waved shyly back. Bobby went to Wong Fu's to see Sid.
"You talked to her? Brave man," Sid chortled.
"Someone had to. She's being unreasonable," Bobby said. "Can you take him if she agrees?"
"Yea, I can. I'll try talking to her too. I have an angle," he winked. Bobby laughed.
"All right," he grinned. "Okay, hit me." His phone buzzed again.
"Here you go," Sid said, handing him a sandwich.
"Every time," Bobby chuckled. Sid had that magic of bringing you something you didn't even know you really wanted. He answered his phone. "If you're calling to nag me again, don't bother. I did the best I could."
"What?" Jack asked.
"Oh, sorry mate. Thought you were someone else," Bobby laughed.
"I was gonna say," Jack said.
"What's up?"
"Sue is inviting you for dinner. Can you make it?"
"Of course. I always have time for my best friends," Bobby answered. "I'll be there at six."
"Great. See you then," Jack responded. Bobby finished his sandwich and paid before heading back outside. He got into his car and drove home slowly. He kept thinking about Tara and the past. He didn't think there would be any going back now.
Booth
The next three days were painstakingly slow. Angela managed to make them all do Secret Santa. Brennan gave them a scare by exhibiting a symptom of valley fever, but it was a false alarm. Booth sat there jiggling his legs in anticipation as everyone got to see their visitors. When Sid walked through the door with Parker, he felt an explosion of relief. Despite the glass, he enjoyed his visit. It was after that he noticed Brennan was up on the catwalk watching. He realized she had no visitors, and his heart ached for her. He knew her parents had disappeared around Christmas when she was 15 years old. She had been throwing herself into the case with abandon, and he knew why. It was to get her mind off of being alone. He saw her go to her office, and he made to follow when Angela beat him to it. He stood in the doorway quietly, not meaning to eavesdrop, but it somehow happened.
"What's with you and presents?" Angela asked.
"I woke up Christmas morning to a tree full of presents. Russ had found them and tried to do the right thing and have Christmas for me," Brennan started.
"You thought your parents were back," Angela cut in. "Oh my God."
"I lost it on Russ. I told him I wouldn't open them until they came back. He left shortly after. It was like I was telling him he wasn't enough family for me," Brennan finished. Booth felt heartache for her then. He couldn't even imagine. He had the sudden urge to go and wrap his arms around her and make her feel better. He shook his head. She would get offended and ask him what the hell he was doing, so he did the next best thing.
"I have Lionel's missing person's file," he said, making them both turn to face him. It was true, he had it. It was shared with him just before Parker had arrived. Brennan looked at him expectantly.
"Let's go chat with Goodman," Booth suggested.
Bobby
He had wanted to call and say Merry Christmas, but he couldn't do it. He couldn't bear to hear Stanley's voice in the background or answering the phone. He let the day go by quietly. Jack wouldn't let him spend it alone, though, so he went there for dinner and spent the night teasing Jack about why he wasn't a father yet. Booth had texted him and wished him Merry Christmas, and Bobby felt bad that his friend was stuck at the Jeffersonian. Usually they had a coffee together after he dropped Parker back home. He knew Booth would be free tomorrow.
"Are you all right?" Jack asked when Sue had gone into the other room to let Levi out.
"Yea, why?"
"You just look...distant," Jack noted.
"Just thinking, mate," Bobby said.
"About?"
"Things I could have done differently and didn't," Bobby answered.
"Tara," Jack nodded. He had found out after Tara's engagement announcement in October. Bobby had punched a bathroom stall, not knowing Jack was on the other side, so Bobby had no other choice but to come clean about his feelings.
"You're quick," Bobby laughed.
"I just know you liked her. I think you still like her. I'm sorry she's getting married," Jack empathized.
"Yea, well, I missed out, right? I was too late. It's all good. I'll get over it," Bobby promised. Jack just gave him a look.
"So," Sue said coming back. "Now that you've had your fun and teasing. I guess it's safe to say that I actually am pregnant." Bobby stared at her in shock. Jack raised his brows at Bobby as though to say "Ha!"
"Wow! Congratulations! Why did you let me go on about it so much?" Bobby asked, feeling stupid now.
"We didn't want to take away your fun," Sue smiled, eyes twinkling.
"I'm sorry. This is so great!" Bobby cheered.
"Thanks," Sue said. "You're the first we told." Jack took her hand and she rested her head onto his shoulder. Bobby admired Jack then. He had gone after what he wanted, and he ended up with the happy ever after. Bobby spent another while chatting with them before going home. It was late, but when he got home, there was a figure sitting on his steps. He stopped, confused. He rested his hand on where the hilt of his gun usually was and remembered it wasn't on him. Then the figure stepped into the street light.
"Hi," Tara said.
"Tara," he said stupidly.
"Can I talk to you?" she asked.
Booth
Christmas Day was barreling past, and Booth was anxious to get out so he could see Parker. Angela told him to get Brennan as it was time for gifts, and he found her in her office. She appeared sad, but her expression changed once she saw him.
"Angela says it's time for Christmas," Booth said.
"Okay," she nodded. She walked out to join him when he made the choice. He hugged her tightly. Then, as predicted...
"What are you doing?" she asked. He released her quickly, and she looked at him with scrutiny, trying to understand his gesture.
"I just thought you needed it," Booth shrugged.
"I'm fine," Brennan told him.
"Okay," he said. They went and opened their gifts. It was an enjoyable moment between colleagues and friends. Booth had to admit, Angela had outdone herself. Then it was time for test results, and they were given the green light.
"Are you coming?" Booth asked Brennan.
"No. I contacted Ivy, and I'm waiting for her to contact me," Brennan said. She had told him earlier about the penny worth a hundred thousand dollars, and they had figured out Lionel's murderer from that. Brennan had called every Ivy Gillespie until she found the right one. Angela had been right. If she was Ivy, she'd want to know why Lionel never came back, just like she'd want to know what happened to her parents and why they never came back.
"Good luck," Booth said. "I'm at Wong Fu's if you want to join me."
"Okay," she nodded. He hoped he would see her there. He was beginning to feel connected with her, and he wondered if she felt the same way. He shot off a text to Bobby stating he was finally free, but he didn't get a reply. He figured he was with Jack and Sue like usual. He put all other thoughts away as he went to see his son.
She showed up before his son did, much to his surprise. She slid in beside him.
"Ivy came to see me," she said.
"And you told her what happened, gave her the letters and the penny," Booth nodded. "She cried."
"Yes."
"You just gave her the best Christmas present, Bones," he smiled. She smiled too.
"You're right," she agreed. He watched her carefully. There was something behind her eyes, but he wasn't sure what it was yet. She caught sight of the robot Zack had given to him as his gift.
"Still the coolest dad," he gloated, gesturing. Brennan laughed. Then the sound of his son calling his name made him turn around. Parker leaped into his arms, and Booth hugged him tightly. He didn't see Rebecca, but he knew she had dropped him off.
"Say Merry Christmas," Booth instructed to Parker.
"Merry Christmas," Parker repeated to Bones.
"Merry Christmas, Parker," Brennan smiled. Booth handed him the robot.
"Cool!" Parker shouted.
"I should go," Brennan said. Booth's eyes followed hers as she stood.
"I'll see you later," he said.
"Yes," she nodded. She paused at the door, watching him with his son. She had debated bringing him her parents' file, to trust him with the task of finding them, but she couldn't bring herself to do it yet. In time, she would. She stepped out into the snowy afternoon and headed back to the lab. She had some presents to open.
Bobby
"Okay," Bobby said. Tara was standing there wringing her hands, and he wasn't sure what was going to happen next.
"Stanley left," she blurted out.
"What?!" Bobby exclaimed. This news floored him. "Why? What happened? Tara, I'm so sorry."
"He left because I caught him," Tara went on, ignoring the rest.
"Doing what?" Bobby asked.
"Cheating," Tara answered. "I didn't know who else to go to..." She burst into tears then, and he pulled her into his arms. Bobby concealed the joy he felt suddenly. He rocked her gently as she cried, and he wondered if this was somehow the universe's Christmas gift to him, a single Tara.
To my Bobby/Tara fans, you didn't really think I wouldn't let those two have a chance did you? I was merely building up to it ;) LOL hope you enjoyed! (I have no idea if her middle name is Jane btw just made it up). I'll be tweaking some interactions between Booth and Brennan in the future to make them more connected just FYI. As always, I appreciate hearing your thoughts :) Cheers!