Ok, so now starts the literary license to stretch the way things work to fit a story (it's going to happen a lot now). Reall rules for hospitals just make me mad:) Please enjoy and review!

Disclaimer: The story is all that belongs to me. The good stuff belongs to Fox:)


In the past week, the nursing staff on all shifts knew Booth, knew his partner was in a coma, and all of them sympathized with his situation. They also knew Parker, and recognized his mother. These visitors were simply waved by the nurse's station to Dr. Brennan's room.

"Hey Seeley," Parker ran into the room, right to Bones; started to show her his new book.

"Rebecca."

"I know this is short notice, but can you take Parker tonight? Something came up at work, and I have to go back in."

"Ah... I'm not... well, ok, I guess. I've been staying here, but I'll figure something out."

"Seeley, I don't have a choice here. It's impossible to find an overnight sitter on short notice. Besides, at least you'll eat and take care of yourself when Parker is with you. I know you care about her, but what will happen if she wakes up and sees you looking like this?"

"When she wakes up Rebecca, when. Let's get that straight. I have to be here. She'll be scared; she'll hurt herself, or someone else. I can't allow that. I won't."

Parker had come over to them.

"I'm stayin' with Daddy. Dr. Bren is gonna to wake up and we're gonna to be here to take care of her; right Daddy?"

Booth just smiled. A very tired, wishful half smile.

"That's right Bub. We're going to take care of her."

Rebecca gave up and hugged both of them.

"Have a good night then boys. Remember to brush your teeth. Love you Parker."


That night, they ate cafeteria take out. The pudding was the best part. The nurses turned a blind eye to a six year old boy in pajamas taking one last trip to the bathroom, and then the water fountain.

"Bub, stay right here with Bones, ok? Daddy has to bring these trays back. The nurses are right in the hall, all right?"

"Ok, Daddy. I'll stay right here," he climbed into the bed. Curled up by Bones' legs, held her hand. Like his father did.

As soon as Booth left, Parker spoke.

"Dr. Bren, it's me again. Parker Booth. Daddy had to do something, so I get to stay with you. I want to tell you a secret. Dr. Bren, I really miss you. Daddy really misses you too. I heard him sleeping one night, he was talking to you. But he was sleeping. He said he was sorry and he loves you. He wants you to come back. Please wake up Dr. Bren. Daddy is very sad. I can't help him get better. Mommy says I need to try and help him, but I can't. If you wake up, he'll be better. He'll be happy. I won't have to see that lady in your lab. You know, the one who likes Daddy. She's boring and doesn't have fun with me like you do."

Parker stretched out to lie down over Brennan. He was hugging her. "Mommy likes you. Daddy and I love you. Please wake up Dr. Bren. Please."

He started to cry a little. He noticed that Brennan felt warmer. He felt her arm move a little.

"Dr. Bren? Dr. Bren! You MOVED! I felt it! Daddy! DADDY! Come quick!"

Booth got back to the room fairly quickly. He hadn't wanted to leave Parker for very long. He stopped at the open door, listening to his boy talk to Bones. He heard everything from 'Daddy is really sad.' He chuckled when Parker made the comment about Cam.

~He is right. She doesn't really seem to try. ~

He slowly came into the doorway as Parker was hugging her. Was startled by Parker's loud voice when he began saying Bones was moving. Was at the bedside lifting Parker off by the time he was calling for his father.

"DADDY! She really moved! I felt it!"

"I'm sure she did Parks. Let's sit here in the chair and we'll watch her, ok?"

He figured Parker had just felt her shift from his hug, but a small part of him was elated. Her restraints had been removed soon after being admitted. Having Parker hugging her had not brought on the defensive attack he had heard about.

~Does she know we're here? Does she finally know she's home? ~

Parker fell asleep in Booth's lap. He just held his son. Looked at the woman he loved. He was so tired.

"Bones, you know I remember you talking to me before I woke up. Well, I remember parts of it anyway. I remember you saying that you want more. I want more too, Temperance. More of you. I want to wake up with you beside me. Someday, maybe go all the way. Little house with a yard. We could figure out how to get you a real Jasper. We could spend more time with Parker. I can try and talk you into having kids. They really are a gift Bones. I think I could convince you."

He fell silent for a little while. Watched her breathe. Felt Parker breathe on his chest.

"I think about you all the time Bones. You not being here is killing a big part of me. I think about our first Christmas together. Quarantined in the lab. That little nightgown thing you were wearing. At least, I think it was little, that drug they gave us really took me out. I remember you in your party dress after solving Charlie's case. The one that left your shoulders bare. I wanted to hold you and kiss you. You were beautiful. That black thing you had on the night you left... I wanted to get you out of that. Touch you everywhere. I couldn't walk after I saw you come in. You were a vision. I want that. All of it. In your coveralls and gumboots, or those formal dresses that make me drool. I can't help it.

"I guess I'm begging now, Bones. I told Cam that you are all the matters. Now and forever. Just like Parker. I love you. My life will not be complete without you in it. Come back to me Temperance. Back to me; let me have another chance. I'm not going anywhere, you will never lose me. I'm here to stay. To love you, to protect you. Please wake up and see me..."

Booth fell asleep. His little boy settled in his lap, on his chest. A restful sleep. The sleep of a man who has his family all around him, all safe.