A/N: Hey folks, me again. I know that there are those of you who have been wondering where I've been and what happened to this story. The answer is that I have kinda been having trouble with my health, and with a recent diagnosis. That trouble has made it difficult for me to focus on this or any story really. Trying to get back onto the saddle, but the darn thing is more slippery than it used to be.
To those who have PM'ed me asking me to continue this story and have sent me their support-I thank you wholeheartedly. To my dear friend Megan, you are the best sweetie! Thanks for all of the gentle nudging to get me back into writing.
One more thing, I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and if you decide to review please be gentle. As I've said, I'm still trying to get on that darn saddle.
Lotsa love,
Anne
Lean on me
Parker took Brennan by the hand and said "I've visited this place a ton of times Bones. I know it like the back of my hand, and so does my dad. Just let us steer you, and you won't have to see any... you know."
"Thank you Parker." she said, hoping that her nervousness wasn't apparent.
"Just stay to the left and close your eyes when I tell you, okay?" said Parker, taking her by the hand. "It'll all be alright."
She smiled graciously at the boy, for whom she had a growing affection and admiration. At such a young age, Parker was showing signs of the high moral character and protective instincts that she had come to recognize in Booth, and to her surprise she felt some of her trepidation diminish simply due to the feel of his small, reassuring hand in hers. And of course, she felt safe in Booth's presence. She had once told him that it was because he was an army trained sniper and an FBI agent, but she was beginning to understand that it was more than that. His confidence, his air of authority, his alpha male ability to intimidate others and the certainty that he would go to great lengths to protect those he cared about-including her-is really what made Brennan feel safe. With Parker's hand in hers and Booth's hand at her waist, Brennan was ready to go forward.
"Okay, close your eyes now Bones." Parker said in a loud whisper just as they were about to go to the front of the line.
Brennan did as she was told. It was more than slightly unnerving for her to willingly enter into a building which contained creatures that happened to illicit an irrational fear response in her. It was even more strange for her to do so with her eyes closed. If asked, she would have most likely said that she understood that the snakes in the Reptile Discovery Center were enclosed and she was in no danger. Deep down though, in a place where she kept all of her thoughts, memories and emotions safe, she knew that Parker had spoken the truth; Booth wouldn't ever let anything bad happen to her.
She allowed herself to be navigated, listening carefully to Parker's instructions as he diligently directed each and every step while gently pulling her forward. Booth was at her side, making sure that she didn't trip or fall. She felt herself being spun slightly, and Parker squeezed her hand lightly.
"Okay Bones, you can open your eyes now." he instructed her.
She did as she was told and found herself looking at a soft shell tortoise.
"Are turtles okay for you?" asked Parker in a whisper loud enough for her to hear.
"I like turtles," she grinned at him. "Did you know that even though this is called a Florida Soft Shell Turtle, the leathery skin covering that extends over its shell is actually very, very hard?"
"Really?" said Parker enthusiastically. "What else do you know about turtles?"
Booth smiled at him, because he knew that Parker loved turtles and had one in his room at Rebecca's house. In fact, Booth knew that Parker did a great deal of research before asking his mother for a turtle. Rebecca even told Booth that one of the reasons she acquiesced was because she was so impressed by his study of practically anything and everything turtle. The only reason Parker was asking about turtles now, was because he seemed to know that exhibiting her knowledge seemed to help put Brennan at ease. He couldn't have been more proud of his son for being so perceptive, and also for being so willing to forgo his favorite exhibit once he knew that Brennan wasn't comfortable. He was also proud of Brennan for what she was willing to do for his son. If someone had told him a few days ago he would be at the zoo, looking at reptiles with his son and Brennan, he would have recommended that the person sign up with Sweets for a few sessions. But here he was, having fun spending the day with two of the people he loved the most in the world.
"Life is good." he muttered, unaware that he said it out loud.
"What do you mean?" asked Brennan, looking at him curiously.
"What are you talking about?" said Booth, roused from his reverie.
"You said 'life is good'," Brennan repeated. "What did you mean by that?"
"Just that I'm having a good time." shrugged Booth, pulling her closer to him.
"Oh," nodded Brennan, wrapping her arm around his waist. "In that case, I would agree with you. Life is good."
They explored the rest of the turtle conservation exhibits, when Parker advised Brennan to once again close her eyes while Booth and Parker guided her past the bank of snake enclosures to the crocodile display. Brennan told them what she knew of crocodiles, and included a case where a victim's corpse was dumped in an area known to be inhabited by crocodiles and was partially consumed.
"Does that mean the body was eaten?" inquired a wide eyed Parker.
"Yes," nodded Brennan. "In fact-"
"That's actually all he needs to know about that Bones," interrupted Booth. "The rest you can tell him after he's grown some armpit hair."
"Why?" asked both Brennan and Parker.
"We've talked about this before guys," sighed Booth. "There are just some aspects of the job that Parker isn't old enough to know about."
"All right," Parker shrugged. "Hey Bones, are you ready to see the green iguana?"
"Lead the way Park." Brennan smiled, closing her eyes and holding out her hand to him.
They made it to the Green Iguana, and Brennan marveled at how-with Booth and Parker's assistance, she had managed to make it nearly all the way through the Reptile Discovery Center without incident, and without having to look at a single snake. She was touched by the care that they were showing her, how they made sure that she was as comfortable as she could be considering her ophidiophobia and being surrounded by snake enclosures. Brennan was actually enjoying herself when she suddenly heard a loud noise and instinctively turned to see the source of the noise. Too late, Parker tried to warn her not to turn around.
"Booth!" she managed to squeak out as she found herself face to face with a seven foot long Northern Pine Snake. She tried to tell herself that she was perfectly safe, that there no way for the serpent to escape from its enclosure. That didn't appear to prevent her body from stiffening, or the strange mewling that seemed to be coming from her.
"It's okay Bones," she heard Booth say before he pulled her into him. "I got you."
She buried her face in the crook of his neck at his touch and let him guide her out of the building. Booth led her to a nearby bench, and rubbed her back until he felt her begin to relax. Even after she had managed to regain control of her breathing and was able to calm down, she found it difficult to let go of Booth and held on to him a little while longer.
"Are you all right Bones?" asked Parker hesitantly, handing her one of the bottles of water that he brought from Booth's apartment.
"I'm fine," she said, accepting the bottle of water gratefully. She took a few sips before continuing. "I'm sorry for ruining your visit to the Reptile Discovery Center."
"You didn't ruin anything Bones," he reassured her with a hug. "Thank you for coming with us. It means a lot to me."
"Thank you for inviting me." she said, hugging him back.
"Hey, there's a popsicle stand!" Booth pointed to the cart a few yards ahead of them. "Who wants a popsicle? My treat!"
"I do!" exclaimed Parker enthusiastically.
"What about you Bones?" asked Booth, getting up from the bench. "Want me to get you a Mr. Rocket?"
"Yes, I'd like that." Brennan replied, surprised that he remembered.
"Okay, two fudgesicles and a Mr. Rocket coming up," he declared, leaving the backpack with Brennan. He patted her knee and gave it a slight squeeze, and said, "Be right back."
Brennan grinned, and found herself unable to stop grinning as she watched Booth line up in front of the popsicle cart.
"Are you having fun Bones?" asked Parker, taking the seat that his father had just vacated.
"I'm having a great deal of fun, thank you Parker," she replied, finally able to look away from Booth. "Are you enjoying yourself?"
"I'm having an awesome time, thanks Bones." he giggled.
"You're very welcome." she smiled before her attention returned to Booth. She noted that a rather attractive blond was talking to him, though he kept looking back towards Brennan and Parker.
"Who's that chick?" asked Parker with distain.
"Chick?" repeated Brennan.
"The lady trying to talk up my dad," explained Parker, nodding towards the blond woman in a very low cut floral dress. "Geez, can't she tell that he isn't into her at all?"
"How can you tell he isn't interested?" asked Brennan, finding that even though she didn't know this woman Brennan had an immediate dislike for her. "She appears to be very attractive."
"Well, just look at the way my dad is acting," Parker pointed out. "She keeps trying to lean closer or move closer to him, but he keeps leaning away. He also keeps looking here instead of looking at her. It's like the total opposite of how he is with you. He's always trying to get closer to you. And when you're around, it's like he has to try really hard not to stare at you. Besides, you're way prettier than her."
Sure enough, after Parker pointed out Booth's behavioral cues, Brennan was able to observe his apparent disinterest in this other woman versus the way he reacts in her presence. She also found herself quite irritated at this woman's attempts to attract Booth when he and Brennan are currently involved in a trial relationship. However, if Booth really wasn't interested in the woman, then why didn't he just tell her to leave him alone.
"Its too bad that my dad is too polite," sighed Parker, almost as though he had read her thoughts. "He wouldn't tell a woman off, even when she won't leave him alone."
Brennan found her irritation at this woman turn to ire at her continued attention towards Booth. He did appear to try and demonstrate the fact that he wasn't there alone, even turning to Brennan and waving to her. Brennan waved back, however, it didn't seem to deter the woman.
"Aren't you going to do something about her?" insisted Parker, looking at her expectantly.
"Me? Why should I do something?" asked Brennan, caught slightly off guard.
"He's your guy, right?" said Parker, hands at his hips, tapping his foot impatiently. "Think of it this way, if you guys were wolves, he'd be the alpha male and you would be the alpha female of the pack, right? So what would an alpha female do if another female was sniffing around her mate?"
"She would assert her dominance over the subordinate female." Brennan answered with a slightly feral look in her eye.
"Hey Bones, I have an idea on how you could do that." said Parker mischievously.
Parker then motioned for Brennan to come closer, and then whispered his plan to her.
