Don't worry, I didn't forget this story. Thanks again to everyone following this story. To those who reviewed thank yous to: kareneb, 50 Shades Of Booth, topaz270 (lol!), LoveShipper (true that), FaithinBones, Monique Sampson (sounds like a plan), 554Laura, mendenbar (haha!), wentzer, jsboneslover (yeah I wished we could have watched little Hank grow up too), Gatewatcher.
The weekend over, Alex's case worker finally arranged for an interview with her at the Devon residence. It was at Booth insistence that Alex was not brought to the Hoover. He felt that she might reveal more to him in a non-threatening environment. Her case worker thought it was a good idea and arranged for the Devons to be out of the house during the interview. Since they didn't have a warrant to search the house, Booth brought Brennan along so she could help eyeball the residence and determine if the house could be their primary crime scene.
Alexis O'Brien was a sixteen-year-old with long, auburn hair and brown eyes. When Booth first set eyes on the teenager, he thought she looked a little like a younger version of Brennan.
"Thanks for talking to us Alex." Booth started the interview. "I'm FBI Special Agent Booth and this is Dr Temperance Brennan from the Jeffersonian.
"I hope you find Lindsey's killer." The teenager started in a small voice.
"So tell us more about Lindsey." Booth asked, beginning his questioning with something neutral to set her at ease. From the corner of his eye he watched as Brennan walked around the family room, exploring the house.
"She came to stay with us about three months ago. She was quiet at first. Everyone is."
"And you've been here what, three years now?" Booth asked.
"Yes. I'm a little too old to be adopted now I think. It doesn't matter just a couple more years and I can go to college and be on my own. I want to be a vet."
"Your grades are impressive, I'm sure you'll be able to achieve your dreams." Brennan offered her encouragement.
"Thank you. I hope so. I've been volunteering at a local vet clinic after school."
"What's it like at home? With the Devons?"
"Frank isn't around much. He works hard. But when he's home he tries to spend time with Tina and us. Tina doesn't work."
"And chores and stuff everything is… fair? They don't punish you for no reason?" Booth was careful to keep an eye on Brennan as he asked the question.
"I know what you mean. I'd come from another foster family. They used to punish us unfairly." Alex glanced at her case worker who nodded for her to continue. "I'm glad I got fostered with the Devons. They're a lot better than my previous foster family. Tina's supportive of me too. She encourages me to go to the library to study."
"I was in the foster system too." Brennan's admission surprised Booth.
"You were?" Alex asked surprised.
"Yes. I was in the system when I was about your age. Like you, I applied myself to rigorous study to achieve my goals. Your circumstances don't have to dictate the outcome of your life."
Alex smiled and seemed more relaxed. "I had to share a room with Lindsey. She didn't see the importance of studying like me."
"It must have caused conflict." Brennan stated.
"At first, but we figured a way to compromise."
"Do you happen to know where Lindsey's phone is?" Booth asked.
"Wasn't it with her?" Alex asked.
"No. I don't think it was."
"Do you know what happened to Lindsey?" He asked gently.
"No. She had run away before."
"And you didn't stop her?"
"I tried but she wouldn't listen."
"Can you think of anyone who might want to hurt her?"
"She spent a lot of time with her friends at the skate park. A couple of days before she disappeared, she told me she found a way to move on to a better life. I tried to tell her kids like us should make the best of what we're given. And once we're old enough, we can move on. I tried to tell her she'd only get in trouble if she ran again."
"Any idea what she meant? A better life?"
"She didn't tell me. I think she was afraid I'd tell Frank or Tina. Please don't tell them I kept this form them."
"We won't Alex." Brennan assured her. She handed Alex her name card. "The Jeffersonian has a program to develop young talent like you. You can call me if you're interested. Keep working hard and don't give up on your goals."
"Thank you, Dr Brennan."
As the couple drove away from the Devon residence, Booth reached for Brennan, squeezing her knee.
"That was pretty brave back there, telling Alex that you were in the foster system too."
"She reminded me a little of myself at that age."
Booth smiled. She had noticed the resemblance too. He was cautious, not wanting her to get hurt. "Remember we shouldn't get attached."
"I'm not. I merely wanted to encourage her. I read Alex's file. Her father abandoned her and her mother when she was three. She was raised by her mother who died from a drug overdose when she was ten. Given her circumstances, Alex is doing incredibly well."
"That was a nice thing you did for her, about the program at the Jeffersonian." He offered her a smile. "So, the stairs?"
"It's possible Lindsey fell or was pushed down that flight of stairs."
"Great, I'll get Caroline to get us a warrant."
… …
The next day Caroline Julian walked into Booth's office. "I've got the warrant you wanted Cherrie. You wouldn't believe the number of strings I had to pull. That wife of yours better be right."
"You know she is Caroline."
"So I hear you two got another little Booth on the way."
"What?! No, we don't. Who told you that? Aubrey?"
"That skinny partner of yours is loyal to a fault. He didn't say anything. Rumors fly. You're makin' lotsa trips to the lab, more than necessary. You only get like that when Dr Brennan's having your baby."
"That's bull. Can't I care about my wife?" Booth placed his hands on his hips. "Bones isn't pregnant okay?"
Caroline held up her hands in surrender. "Okay no need to get all riled up. I just love the thought of another cute little Booth, that's all."
"Right." Booth slid the warrant into the inner pocket of his jacket. "I'm going to get Aubrey then head to the lab… to get Bones, so that I can execute the warrant. Not, because Bones is having a baby."
… …
A search of the Devon household revealed blood at the foot of the stairs that was uncovered with Brennan's ALS flashlight. A sample was taken to determine if the blood belonged to Lindsey. Along with the blood evidence, Lindsey's missing cellphone was found hidden under a loose floorboard in the girls' bedroom. Alex had insisted that she didn't know it was there and suggested that Lindsey had hid it to prevent the Devons from limiting her phone usage.
It was a waiting game again. Angela needed time to analyse the contents of the phone and Dr Hayes needed time to analyse the blood sample. As such the couple were gifted a rare, early day home from work. The evening was spent making dinner and having a meal together as a family. Booth bathed Hank, allowing Brennan some time alone with Christine. After the kids were safely tucked in bed the couple retired early to their bedroom.
"I noticed you made ravioli tonight." Brennan said as she looked up from the bed.
"So you got the hint?" Booth having emerged from the shower stood over her, a towel slung low on his hips.
Brennan laughed. "You know you don't need to make ravioli to get me to have sex with you right?"
"I know. But I figured the last time we had Hank, it was one of those nights I made ravioli and we drank wine and danced."
"We haven't danced yet."
Booth laughed and pulled Brennan to her feet. "Dance with me?"
Brennan wrapped her arms around Booth's neck, burying her face in the crook of his neck, inhaling the familiar smell of soap mixed with his distinctive Boothy scent. Booth circled his arms round her waist, pressing a kiss to her forehead. In the privacy of the sanctuary that was their bedroom, they swayed to imaginary music in their heads. It was at times like this that the world seemed to come to a standstill. In their little bubble that they had created to shield themselves from the horrors of their work, this was where the dynamic duo, Brennan and Booth came to recharge, recuperate and re-center. Two complete opposites who had built their lives around each other, they clung to one another as if the other was their life buoy in a stormy ocean.
"Is it working?" Booth whispered into her ear as Brennan giggled into his shoulder.
"I'm not exactly sure what you're asking, but I'm fairly certain you're aroused."
"How can I not be?"
Brennan couldn't detect anything other than a genuine love for her, shining in his eyes.
"I'm dancing to imaginary music with my beautiful wife."
Brennan's breath hitched in her throat at the reminder of the depth of his love for her. She cupped his face in her hands and brought her lips to his. He was indeed a fine specimen of man. How was it that he only had eyes for her? They kissed languidly as she moved her hands to explore his well-toned body. Her hands slowly made their way down to the loosely slung towel covering his impressive manhood that was now screaming his interest in her. She tickled the dusting of hair below his belly button before dropping the towel to his feet.
"You're not naked yet." He moved to untie her robe and she soon was standing naked in their bedroom.
Booth loved her curves and he paused to allow his eyes to feast on her body. His fingers itched to touch and he reached for her as she kissed him again. He gently lowered her onto their bed. As they made love that night, both had thoughts of a little baby at the back of their minds.