Addison spun around slowly in the chair in Angela's office. She'd been there for 20 minutes. It was better than being stuck in the car with an exceptionally conspiratorial JJ yelling at the radio, but only slightly. She'd long since gotten bored with looking around at all the paintings. That was when she heard arguing.
"Why can't I drive? I can drive, you know!"
"Bones, we've long since agreed on this. I drive, you sit on the grandma side!"
"No, you agreed on it, not me!"
Addison recognised that voice. The last time she'd heard it, she'd been three.
"You need to take her, Ange. I can't- I can't handle a daughter. Not now."
Addison shook her head at exactly the same time Angela came in.
"I guess you noticed that they're here."
Addison nodded. "He calls her Bones?"
"Don't ask." Angela grinned. "Now stay here."
Angela tossed a picture onto her lap. It showed a picture of two people smiling for the camera. One of them she knew was her mother. It could have been her, they looked so alike. The other – the other was Booth, who she wanted for a father. Not that grouch Stires. A tear threatened to slip down her cheek. They had almost the same smile. She bit her lip and forced it back. She turned her back on the door, using the conveniently placed mirror to see what was happening outside. Brennan and Booth were still bickering. Her mother was looking over a skeleton on the examination table, while Booth continued to try and prove his point. Occasionally she would look up, and say something that would infuriate him even more. Then she saw them start to walk towards Angela's office.
She jumped up, and looked around. She dived behind the couch just as they came into view.
Booth paused, his hand going to his gun.
"What?" asked Brennan.
"I swear I just saw something move. It went behind the couch…"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
She tugged on his sleeve. "Check it out later. We need to see this simulation. If anything is there, it won't get out without us seeing it."
She'd been very close to being discovered. Behind the couch, Addison let out a silent sigh. At least, she'd thought it was silent.
"Did you hear that?" Booth asked suspiciously. He withdrew his gun from its holster, and aimed it steadily at the couch.
"Booth! Why would there be anything behind Angela's couch?"
"I don't know, but something's there."
With a deft kick, he moved the couch to the side, to reveal Addison. She gazed up at him with icy blue eyes filled with fear.
"What is it?" called Brennan, as she moved over to close the door, and proceeded to shut the blinds. He turned to look at her. Booth's voice was full of confusion when he answered.
"A mini-Bones."
"A what?" asked Temperance, paling slightly.
"Exactly. She looks more like you than Charlie does. You two could be twins!"
"No."
The adults both turned to look at the girl. "What?"
"Bit of an age difference, don't you think?"
Booth frowned. "Right then. Sit on the couch, or I'll pick you up and put you there myself."
Addison held her hands up in defeat, and sat on the couch. Booth and Brennan sat down across from her.
"First things first," stated Booth. "What's your name?"
The girl looked at Temperance with age beyond her years. When she spoke, it was soft.
"Are you going to tell him?" she asked. "This is your only chance to set things right."
Brennan swallowed. Booth looked at her.
"Temperance, what does she mean? Temperance?"
His wife looked at him in return.
"Seeley, this is – this is Addison. She's my daughter."
A stunned expression developed on his face.
"She's thirteen, and she's lived with Angela for ten years."
"Who is her father?"
Brennan was pale. "Booth-"
"Answer me, Temperance."
"I can't…"
"Then I will."
Addison had watched in quiet observation while her mother had talked to her father. She butted in when she felt it was necessary, and they both looked at her again, surprised.
"What, did you forget I was here?" The silence that followed confirmed her question. "Mom, come on. You have to tell him at some point."
Brennan bit her lip. "Fine. I don't know who her father is, Seeley. She could be yours. She could be Michael's."
"You're kidding. Right?" He ran a hand through his hair. "Oh my God. Bones, how the hell did that happen?"
Brennan winced. "During the fridge case… Maggie Shilling? And after the trial we were both drunk…"
"And you took that break… God, Bones, why didn't you tell me?"
"Seeley…"
"Please, Temperance, the truth."
"I was – ashamed. I was better organised than that and… I'm giving you the wrong impression. I don't regret it. I just wish it hadn't happened the way it did."
Booth looked at her intently, and apparently saw what he wanted to see.
"Well. I suppose I have a step-daughter then. At least."
Temperance broke into a watery smile and Addison just watched with wide eyes. Booth's gaze alternated between his wife and the newly discovered daughter. The similarity was amazing.
"Staring is rude, you know," said Addison and Temperance at the same time. They looked at each other.
"Wow," Booth stated. He looked at Addison. "20 questions?"
"Sure."
Seeley grinned. "Full name."
"Um. Addison Christine – something. Which last name do I use?"
Temperance shrugged. "Work it out later."
"Ok. Well, Addison or Addy."
"Second question. Why are you here?"
Addison blushed. "Because I found out about my mother by accident and manipulated Angie."
Seeley chuckled and turned to Temperance. "Definitely your daughter."
"Hey!"
Addison laughed.