A/N : Thanksgiving 2018

The house was quiet. Booth was pouring his first cup of coffee when Parker walked in, rubbing his eyes. "Hey Dad."

"Hey Bud, wasn't expecting you up for a while. Hopefully I didn't wake you."

"Nah, jet lag. First morning back sucks. Technically, this is sleeping in for me - it's 11:30 in London." He yawned and sat down on a stool. "Can I have a cup?"

Booth was surprised. "When did you start drinking coffee?" He poured half a cup, and set it on the counter in front of the teen with sugar and grabbed some milk out of the fridge.

"Today. Maybe. I dunno. I figure I need to know about coffee before I come here for college."

Now Booth was really surprised. "You're coming back to the States for college? I know we talked about it, but you weren't sure the last time we discussed it. " He was trying to remain casual, but he was thrilled at the thought.

"I was sure. Just wasn't ready to tell mom yet." Parker grinned "But, that's the plan. I've already filled out applications to Georgetown, NYU, Columbia, Boston College, and Old Dominion. I should know in January."

Now Booth was really trying contain his excitement. All of these schools were within easy driving or trains to DC.

"That's really great. It would be awesome to have you closer. And your mom is okay with this?"

"She's coming around. She is finally convinced that I should go back and figure out my home country. " He took a sip of the coffee, made a face. Booth pushed the sugar and milk toward him and handed him a spoon.

"Are you okay with it dad?" Parker asked hesitantly.

"Of course! Why would you think otherwise?"

"Well, because I'm not really thinking about the military. I know that I'll be the first Booth in a while to not join. I don't want to disappoint you."

"Parker." Booth placed a hand on his oldest son's shoulder. "No, I'm not. There are very few things you could do to disappoint me. You know that I have always been proud to have served, and if you wanted to join the military I would support you all the way - I mean within reason. The Navy I'd have to question you on, you know, just because." The two grinned at each other. "But, " Booth hesitated, choosing his words carefully " there are things I've done and seen in the Army that I would be very happy if you never had to experience."

Parker knew his dad had scars. Some he remembered how they happened, but many were there from before he was born. He had also done a paper on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for health class last year and recognized that his dad had exhibited some of the behaviors after his tour in Afghanistan and his three months in prison. He had asked his dad about it last summer, and he admitted to some symptoms and talked about his coping techniques but had glossed over details on the events that had caused the trauma.

"Well Dad, if the last trip to the shooting range was any indication, I don't think you have to worry about me following in your footsteps." Parker tried to lighten the mood.

Booth smiled at the memory, but then grew serious. "Trust me. I couldn't be happier that I didn't pass on that talent. The military wasn't my first choice. The last thing I wanted to do was follow in my father's footsteps. I really only considered it after I lost my scholarship. It was the best option to pay for college."

Parker tried his coffee again. With the sugar and milk it was almost tolerable. He looked at his father trying to read his expression, that WAS a talent his dad had passed on. It was neutral, lost in thought, so Parker decided to press a little further.

"Dad, did you ever see your dad again after you went to live with Pops? I asked Pops at your wedding and he said I should talk to you. But, you were a little busy and I was a little stunned to find out I had a Grandma and I never got around to asking."

"Yea, that was a shock for you." Booth recalled. Parker had assumed that the reason his great grandfather had raised his dad was because his grandparents were dead. He'd been amazed to find out that his grandmother was very much alive and his grandfather had only died the year before. Awkward conversations had been the norm as Parker had a ton of questions that no one really wanted to answer. Eventually the boy had stopped asking.

Seeing his dad frown, Parker said softly "You don't have to tell me if you don't want, I'm just curious. But in case you've forgotten, I've had armpit hair for a while now. "

Booth allowed a small smile at hearing his deferral come back to haunt him. He sighed. "Once. I looked him up the weekend before I was shipping out for my first tour. I don't know why, maybe to show him that I'd made something of myself. In any case, it seemed like a good idea at the time. So, I went into his barber shop. He looked at me and asked what the hell I wanted, because I sure didn't need a hair cut. I stared for a minute and then realized he didn't recognize me. Then he did. And he asked me to go for a drink with him. I left, saying something about hell freezing over."

"I'm sorry dad. I shouldn't have brought it up, I can't even imagine..."

Booth stopped him. "It's ok, you have a right to know. And I'm really glad you can't imagine. Guess I did something right. You know, I used to worry a lot that someday you'd feel the same way about me that I'd felt about him." Booth sipped his coffee and shrugged. "Still do a little bit."

Parker shook his head. "Save your worrying for something real Dad. Like when Christine starts to date."

Booth shuddered. "Don't EVEN put that out there!"

Parker laughed, looked down at his cup and said "This isn't bad, but I think I'd rather have a cup of Bones' tea."

Booth groaned, and put his arms on the counter, buried his face in them. "You've turned English on me" came the muffled voice.

"Maybe but, you love me anyway Dad. You know it, and I know it."