Disclaimer: I do not own Bones

Ryan stared at the picture. Why did this man have a picture of his mother? Could it be true? "Who is this?" Ryan asked, trying to sound as innocent as possible.

Booth turned and looked at the picture of the love of his life. He breathed in heavily. Every time he looked at her picture he had to fight back tears. Why did she leave him? How could she do this to him? He opened his eyes, seeing Ryan looking at him, waiting for an answer. "That is Temperance Brennan," he replied casually; or as casual as he could get.

Ryan looked up at Booth, "How do you know her?" He held his breath, waiting for an answer.

"She was a friend of mine," Booth said.

Ryan's face fell. He had been expecting more. He had hoped for a second that he might be able to find his father on this trip, despite the fact that his mother would be furious. "How good of friends were you?" he continued, hoping that maybe there was still a chance.

Booth chuckled. "She was my partner for 4 years. I had feeling for her, but she didn't for me," he stopped and looked at the boy staring intently at him. "About 20 years ago she left, never to be heard from again. Except, of course, for her father, Max," Booth said sadly, "he's still in touch with her." Booth did not want to mention to this kid about his relationship with Bones. He always believed that his sex life should just be between him and his partner, and he was not about to tell some 19 year old all his troubles.

However, little did Booth know that Ryan was suspecting everything he was trying to hide. "Mmm hmm," Ryan exclaimed, "just friends, huh?" Ryan watched as Booth nodded. "How come you have kept a picture of her up for 20 years?"

Booth smiled, "because that's what you do when you love somebody!"

Ryan felt a big grin grow across his face. This man had just admitted that he loved his mother. Unfortunately, there was no concrete evidence that his mother loved him back, or that he was his father. However, he was not all like his mother. He did not have to rely on facts alone, he could go with his gut in some situations, and this situation was telling him that special agent Seeley Booth was his father.

Booth was puzzled at Ryan's expression. "Ryan, are you ok?" he asked.

Ryan removed himself from his thoughts, "yeah Booth," he replied, "I'm ok." He looked around the room some more, and found a bookshelf with all of his mother's books on the shelf. "You've read all of her books too?"

Booth sighed, "Yes, it's all I have left of her."

That was all Ryan needed to hear. He decided that it definitely plausible that Booth was his father.

A few hours later, Ryan found him and the man he thought could be his father pull up in front of the Jeffersonian institute. "Let's go, Booth said, getting out of the SUV, "let's go meet the squint squad."

Ryan had to ask. He heard him call these people the squint squad a few times today and he had to know what the man was talking about. "What is a squint?"

Booth laughed. "You are about to become one too," he replied, not fully answering the question, "a squint is the nerdy types of people that stare intently at what they are working on and squint to get a better look."

Ryan felt himself getting angry, "that is a very biased thing to say!'

Booth laughed even louder. "They've grown to like it." He could see that Ryan was still offended, "You have to admit; I do have a point."

Ryan felt a slow smile creep on his face, "yes, you do have a point."

Booth sighed in relief. The last thing he needed was the new squint to hate him. The last time that happened was with Bones- he felt his heart skip a beat at the memories. He closed his eyes, god I need to stop getting this way every time I think of her. Taking a deep breath he motioned for Ryan to follow him into the building, "let's meet the rest of your team."

The two men walked through the doors of the Jeffersonian. Ryan eyes widened at the sight. Everything was so big, he never thought a science lab could be that big.

Booth saw the wonder in Ryan's eyes, "You can look around later. I better get you to Max, he's going to want to introduce you to everyone."

"Hey Max, we're back," Booth said walking into the older man's office. He was surprised at how fragile he looked at this moment. He looked really upset, and that worried him. How could an ex-felon and an accused murderer get upset at anything. "Max, are you alright?" Booth asked worriedly.

Max nodded, "Booth, can you give me and Ryan a minute," he asked, "I need to tell him something important."

Booth nodded. He was confused, but he would listen to what he said. "Sure." Booth left the room and closed the door behind him.

"What's wrong grandpa?" Ryan asked, clearly worried, after he knew Booth was out of the room.

Max looked up at his grandson, "I just talked to your mother!"

Ryan laughed. "Oh is that it," the worry began to drain from his voice, "mom can be difficult at times, but you should know that better than anyone."

Max forced a smile. "Of course I know that. Your mother can be a real pain in the ass."

Ryan smiled, a big toothy grin that reminded Max so much of Booth, "Don't I know it."

Max walked towards the door, "Come on, let's introduce you to the rest of the crew."

"Grandpa, "Ryan said before Max could open the door, "Can I ask you a serious question?"

Max turned around slowly, confused by his grandson's words. "Of course Ry, shoot."

"Well," Ryan began, "I was just wondering if it's possible that agent Booth is my father?"

The question rattled Max to the core. He had to have known this was coming, surely it was inevitable. He thought of the words to say. Oh god, what should he say? Finally, he decided that he couldn't be the one to tell him. Tempe had to do that on her own. Besides, she'd be even more furious at him if she found out that he had told Ryan the truth. "Ryan," Max began, hoping god wouldn't smite him for this, "Booth loved your mother, and she loved him." He saw Ryan look up hopefully. "But agent Booth is not your father."

Thank you for reading. Review! I am demanding! Not really, I just find that the reviews truly do lighten up my day, ask my friends. I have almost gotten caught by teachers for checking my phone for emails during class. Anyways, review. It keeps me writing. Don't worry, I know this chapter is not the way many of you would have written it, but I have a plan! Of course, if any of you would like to add to my plan, just tell me in a review. All of this boils back down to one thing! Review!