June 1994
Teddy was in awe of New York City. He had always wanted to come here, and it was now or never. He was meeting Cam at the airport whenever she finally got her scrawny butt there.
"Hey! Sorry," Cam called, hurrying over to him. "There was so much traffic."
"Sure, sure," he grinned. He gave her a quick hug before picking up his backpack and following her to the street. He put the bag into the trunk of the waiting cab and got into the back beside Cam.
"Was it a good flight?" she asked, smiling.
"Hang on," he interrupted, grabbing her chin. "Were those...fangs?!" Cam's eyes widened, and she shook her head vehemently.
"Open up," he ordered. She shook her head again.
"Where to?" the cabbie asked. Cam was screwed. She would have to open her mouth to answer him. She mumbled out her address, giving Teddy a clear view into her mouth.
"They are!" he hooted, releasing her. "What are you doing with those?"
"Nothing," Cam answered, removing them and tucking them into her purse. She cursed herself for not remembering to take them out.
"Oh come on. You can't take fangs out of your mouth and not tell me why they were there to begin with," Teddy laughed.
"I am not going to tell you because you will only make fun of me," Cam said defiantly.
"I would not," Teddy said, affronted.
"I will only tell you if you tell me the real reason you're here," she challenged. He shut his mouth quickly.
"Sorry. That's top secret."
"Then so are the fangs."
"Aw, but Cam!"
"No! A deal is a deal. It's not my fault you can't keep up your end."
"Argh. You're such a hardass," Teddy groaned. Cam smiled to herself. Yes. Yes, she was.
...
"You're not going to your own senior prom?" Booth asked Brennan, horrified.
"No. Why would I waste my time with that?" she countered.
"Because. It's fun."
"No, it's not."
"Sure it is. I had fun at prom," he said.
"You didn't go to your senior year one," she pointed out.
"No, but I went to a few before, and it wasn't too bad."
"I just don't want to, okay? Let it go," Brennan ordered.
"All right," Booth sighed. They were at the library as usual. Booth was finished work and was waiting for Brennan to get off work too so they could hang out. They were back to hanging out all the time since Rebecca was no longer in the picture. Her prom was that night, and despite his efforts to convince her to go, she wasn't budging.
"No loitering," the librarian said, sticking her head out of her office door and frowning at Booth.
"He's with me," Brennan explained.
"I don't encourage chatting while working," she said, her meaning clear. "Especially if he is preventing you from working."
"He's not," Brennan said, shoving some books into his hands. "See? He's helping."
"He's not an employee..."
"He's volunteering," Brennan cut her off.
"Yup," Booth agreed, struggling under the weight of the books.
"I'll allow it for today, but I don't want to see this happen every day," the librarian warned, going back into her office.
"She's tough," Booth said, grunting.
"I thought you were strong," Brennan said, taking some of the books back.
"I am when I'm prepared. You can't just toss books into my arms unexpectedly like that," he chastised.
"Whatever you need to tell yourself," she smirked. He followed her around with the remaining books as she put them away. Once quitting time came, they were both ready to leave.
"Diner?"
"All right," Brennan agreed. She followed him out to his car. He opened the door for her and let her in before getting into his side.
"So, you've got university all planned out?" Booth asked as they drove.
"Yes. I was accepted. I'm going to Northwestern University."
"All the way in Illinois?! How come?" he asked.
"It's a very good school, and they have many programs that I am interested in."
"And you're studying kinechiwa?"
"Kinesiology," Brennan corrected, shaking her head.
"Right," Booth nodded.
"Don't pretend you know what that is," Brennan laughed.
"Then tell me!" he demanded, laughing back.
"It's the study of movement."
"That sounds incredibly boring."
"It's not!"
"Okay. Get back to me after you've studied it for a while and tell me I'm wrong," he said.
"I will," she agreed. They had arrived at the diner by now, and they went inside. Booth knew he had to have this conversation with her sooner than later, but he kept putting it off. It had been a complete epiphany with Teddy a couple of months ago, but he didn't want to bring it up for fear he upset her.
"Something on your mind?" she asked.
"No. What are you ordering?"
"My usual."
"Done," Booth said, signaling the waitress. He'd wait for a better time to tell her.
...
Teddy looked around Cam's small apartment in wonder.
"How are you not going crazy in here?" he asked.
"It's not easy," she answered.
"So, are you cooking for me?"
"No. I thought we'd go out."
"Perfect. There's one thing I gotta do first," Teddy said. "Before we go eat."
"Okay," Cam shrugged. "I'll go get changed."
"I have to do it alone," Teddy said. Cam paused halfway to her room, puzzled.
"Oh, okay."
"Sorry. It's that secret thing we talked about earlier."
"Right."
"I'll be back in a while," he said, digging his wallet out of his backpack and stuffing it into his back pocket. Cam was extremely curious as to where he was going, but she refrained from asking.
...
Booth had a very good idea while he was sitting with Brennan at the diner. He was getting excited by the minute just thinking about it.
"Are you sure you're all right? You look spacey," Brennan said.
"I'm fine. Hey, can you meet me somewhere later?"
"Um, why? We're together now," she said, growing suspicious.
"It's this place I gotta show you. I just have to do something quick at home first."
"I don't like surprises," she said quickly.
"It's not," he reassured her. It was, but she didn't need to know that.
"Okay fine."
"Great!" he said, getting up. He tossed some cash down onto the table, and they left. He hoped he could catch Charlie without Brennan seeing him.
...
There were so many. Teddy stared in awe at all the rings. He wasn't a rich man, but he did want to get her something memorable. He loved Claire with all his heart, and he wanted to marry her. He knew he had to buy the ring elsewhere, though, because the risk was high for her finding out. Her father was a jeweler after all.
"How about this one?" the lady said, holding out one on a tray that Teddy knew he had to have.
"It's perfect," he breathed.
"Does it need to be sized?"
"Well, here is her ring size," he said, showing her the piece of paper. It had been a tricky conversation, but he had pulled it off. He'd asked another buddy to ask Claire to try on a ring for his girlfriend to see if it would fit her. It had been a perfect fit, so Teddy had his numbers.
"You're in luck. That is exactly this size," the lady smiled.
"Perfect. What's the damage?"
When she told him, he gulped a little, but he kept his composure. It wasn't going to break him, and he was doing well with money anyhow. Once it was wrapped up in its box and he had it in his pocket, he felt very excited. He met Cam at the restaurant she'd picked, and she could tell he was up to something right away when he joined her at the table.
"What did you do?" she demanded.
"Nothing!" he said, feigning innocence.
"Teddy Parker, I can read you like a book," Cam said, leaning forward. "What did you do?"
"You first," he said coyly.
"Oh my God," Cam groaned, banging her head with her fist. "Has it really come to this?"
"Yes! You tell me about the fangs, and I'll tell you what I just did."
"Argh! Fine. I'm in a film," she said.
"Excuse me, you're in a what now?" Teddy asked, not hearing correctly.
"I'm in a bloody film, okay? You go."
"No, no, no! What kind of film? Wait! Don't tell me," he said, holding up his hand. "You had fangs. Oh my God, is it a vampire movie?!"
"You're ruthless, you know that," Cam commented.
"You are!" he crowed. "Fill me in!"
"It's just a stupid, low budget film."
"What's it called?"
"I'd really rather not say."
"Oh come on," he egged her on. "It can't be that bad."
"Invasion of the Mother Suckers."
"Oh my...I was wrong," he snorted.
"Teddy!"
"Sorry, sorry," he said, clearing his throat and getting serious again. "Why are you in it?"
"I need the money," Cam blurted out. Teddy stared in surprise.
"Cam," he started.
"No! I don't need your money. I'll be fine after this. I have one year of policing left to do, and then I can get a job. This was just a filler until I get there."
"Wow."
"You do not EVER tell anyone about this? Got it?"
"But..."
"I will hurt you in ways you've never heard of," Cam warned.
"Oh all right. I won't say anything," Teddy sighed. He was disappointed. Booth would have had such a good laugh about this.
"Your turn," Cam said, gesturing. Teddy pulled out the ring box and set it down on the table. She gasped and then looked scared.
"Teddy," she said. "T-Teddy, we...we aren't..."
"It's not for you," Teddy said, "but good to know where your head is at."
"Oh. I just...I shouldn't have assumed. I'm sorry," Cam said awkwardly.
"It's for Claire. I love her so much. I want to spend forever with her."
"But...you guys haven't been dating for long."
"It's a little over a year. I don't want to wait."
"What's the urgency?" Cam asked, narrowing her eyes. "I know you. You're a logical thinker and take your sweet ass planning things out. Why are you suddenly in a rush to be engaged?"
"Because I love her..."
"Bull. Tell me the truth, Teddy. Why here? Why now?"
"I enlisted," Teddy blurted out. Cam sat back in her chair, shocked.
"You...what?"
"We did it together, Booth and I."
"Booth?!"
"Yea. It was a great idea, and we want to do it. Serve our country," Teddy finished.
"Wow. I just...wow. Wait, if Booth did too, does Temperance know?"
"Not yet. I think he's gonna tell her soon."
"Teddy, are you sure?"
"Yes. This is what we want to do."
"I'll miss you," Cam said, tearing up.
"Oh come on now. We'll be back to raise hell again. It's just a few tours."
"You make it sound so simple, Teddy."
"Because it is. Now, are we gonna order or what?"
"I...I suppose so," Cam agreed. Teddy flipped open the menu while she continued to stare at him. He was going to marry someone else and be at war. She had no idea what to do with this information let alone how to feel about it.
...
While Brennan was upstairs, Booth signaled to Charlie. He explained his plan, and Charlie was on board. When she was in the washroom, Charlie slipped into her room and grabbed the dress she had planned to wear that night for prom before deciding not to go. He didn't know why. She wouldn't tell him.
"Hurry," he hissed, shoving it into Booth's hands. He whisked it out to his car and put it carefully into the trunk.
"This is where we're gonna be," Booth said, handing Charlie a piece of paper with directions on it. Charlie tucked it away.
"I'll get her there," he promised.
"Thanks," Booth said. He hurried away before Brennan still saw him there.
...
Brennan approached the gym with a skeptical feeling in her stomach. Why was she meeting him here? She wandered inside, finding it empty. She saw lights down by the where the dance studio was.
"Booth?" she called.
"Hurry up," Booth hissed to Jared as they strung up the last piece.
"I am hurrying," Jared hissed back. "You should have given us more time!"
"It was spur of the moment," Booth said back.
"You were spur of the moment," Jared jabbed at him.
"Oh grow up," Booth growled. "Finish it!"
"Done," Jared said, stepping off the ladder.
"Great. Thanks. Now scram."
"Oh, I can't watch?"
"No!"
"Fine," Jared grumbled, loping away.
"Booth?" Brennan said again, coming into the room. He snapped on all the lights, making her startle.
"What is this?" she asked, confused. He was in a tux. Why was he in a tux?
"Your personal prom," he answered. She started to laugh.
"I am way underdressed for this," she said, gesturing at her jeans and t-shirt.
"Way ahead of you," he told her, showing her the dress.
"How did you get that?" she demanded.
"My secret. Go on and change."
"Why are you doing this?" she asked.
"Obviously you wanted to go. You have a dress. Rumor had it you changed your mind."
"I see."
"Come on! DJ starts soon."
"What?"
"Just go."
"All right," she agreed, taking the dress from him. He went over to the music player and got it set up. When she came back, his breath was completely taken away. The dress was very form fitting and showed off parts of her she didn't normally show off. It was also strapless to top it off.
"Wow," he said.
"This was a bad idea," she said, turning around. He caught her hand and pulled her back.
"It's not," he argued. "We're gonna have fun."
"How?"
"Like this," he said, clicking on the player. "Hot Blooded" started to play, and she couldn't help but laugh as he started to dance all funky like. She started shouting out the lyrics with him, and he got her dancing. They did this for hours until their feet hurt and their voices were hoarse. Brennan was leaning on him as they walked to the car.
"That was really nice," she said.
"See? Told you," he smirked.
"Okay fine. It was a great prom. Thank you, Booth."
"My pleasure."
When he dropped her back home, she paused a moment before getting out.
"What?" he asked.
She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
"See you tomorrow," she said, getting out. Booth felt his face flushing from her lips.
"Bye," he managed to say. As he drove home, he couldn't stop thinking about it. That and how he still didn't tell her that he had enlisted with the Army Rangers.
...
Teddy could tell Cam was upset when she dropped him at the airport two days later.
"You've been avoiding talking about it ever since I told you," Teddy said when he was waiting for his flight. "Just lay it on me."
"I just...I feel like it's a mistake," Cam said.
"It's not a mistake! Do you feel that being a police officer is a mistake?"
"No, of course not."
"Then this isn't a mistake. Cam, we'll be all right. We've always had each other's backs. This is just something we gotta do. We'll come home, and you'll wish we were back over there," he smiled.
"Stop, Teddy. This isn't funny," Cam said seriously.
"I know it's not, but I have to make it funny or else the seriousness of it will crush me," Teddy said.
"Then why are you doing this?"
"I never met my father, okay?" Teddy said loudly, making a few people turn to stare. Cam was surprised.
"You...you have a father," she said, confused.
"He's my step father. My real father died at war," Teddy said. "He never even knew Mom was pregnant."
"Oh, Teddy..."
"No, don't. Don't do that."
"You feel that if you go over there, you can somehow seek revenge on the people who killed your father," Cam said, getting it.
"No. I want to go over there to help finish what my Dad started. I want him...I want him to be proud of me," Teddy said, his voice breaking.
"Your Dad is proud of you. I know it," Cam reassured him. Teddy's flight was called then, and he had to go.
"Thank you for everything," Teddy said.
"I'll really miss you," Cam told him.
"I'll miss you too," he said, flashing her his famous grin. He slung his back pack over his arm and headed to the terminal. Cam held a hand to her mouth as she waved goodbye to him.
A Week Later
"You didn't tell her?" Teddy asked, stunned. They were at Brennan's graduation, and Booth had confessed she still didn't know.
"I will after this," Booth promised. "I didn't want to ruin this day for her."
"Dude, you're nuts. She'll be mad you waited this long."
"No, she won't."
"Yes, she will."
"How did Claire take it?"
"Not great, but she supports me."
"Brennan, Temperance," the announcer said. Booth cheered as she walked to get her diploma. She waved at him. When he sat down, Teddy started again.
"If you don't tell her by tonight, I will," he warned.
"I'll tell her! Relax!"
"You better. We ship out for training in two days."
"Don't remind me."
Booth was very worried about what her reaction was going to be. He didn't want her to hate him.
...
"My little girl growing up so big," Charlie said. Needless to say, he was a little tipsy. He was hosting the after party at his place, and Hank was trying to help. It wasn't a big affair, but it was still noisy.
"I've been grown up for a while, Grandpa."
"Don't ruin this moment," Charlie warned.
"Hey, can I steal her away for a minute?" Booth asked.
"You can," Brennan agreed, moving away from her grandfather. She followed him to the front porch. "What's up?"
"Look, there's something I gotta tell you," Booth said.
"Okay," she nodded.
"Teddy and I...we enlisted in the army," Booth told her. He waited for her response.
"You did?" she asked. "When?"
"A couple of months ago. We're going for training in two days."
"What?! You waited this long to tell me?!"
"You are mad," he noted.
"Of course I am! You didn't think I'd need time to prep for this?!" she asked, angry.
"It's just training. We probably won't go anywhere for a while."
"You infuriate me," she said, storming back inside.
"Aw man. Temperance!" he shouted after her. She ignored him, heading for her bedroom. Hank saw Booth immediately.
"You shouldn't have waited," Hank tsked.
"Yea, I get that," Booth said. He sank down on the couch, mad at himself. Why hadn't he listened to Teddy and told her sooner?
I am on a roll with this story; that's why it's being updated so much right now. Cheers!
