A/N: I LOVE you guys! The reviews are steadily climbing and it warms my heart to read the honest and open opinions you guys have for my story. It's much appreciated.

So hope you enjoy and there's another note at the end, like always. I just can't shut up. Lol.

Disclaimer: I still own nothing except some flip-flops and a toothbrush. *sad face

Chapter 10

After a short recess, it was the Booths' turn to call their witnesses. They had thought about and talked out loud about who they should and shouldn't call. As much as they all loved Max, they didn't want any of his past influencing the court in anyway.

There was also talk about calling Sweets on to the stand but they didn't want Rebecca's lawyer to ask the wrong questions that could lead to them looking like crazy people who had to go to counseling every week. Even if it was for work, they didn't want to take that chance.

There was Cam, but she could be said to be influenced by being Booth's ex. Jared could be called out on his alcohol abuse and they didn't want that. Then there were the numerous victims that they had saved and the family members that were given peace but they didn't want to use them for something like this. It probably would have made them look much better as people but they didn't want to do that unless absolutely necessary. And since Rebecca had done nothing but make herself look incompetent, Brennan's word for it, they didn't fear losing as much as when this all started so there was no need to bring out the big guns just yet.

Melissa, their attorney, stood up and said, "We would like to call our first and only witness to the stand, Temperance Brennan-Booth."

With that, there was a drastic level increase of talking throughout the courtroom. It seemed to be not enough to just call Brennan to some of them and they weren't sure how the trial was going to go with just one witness.

After vowing to tell the truth, Melissa started her questioning.

"Dr. Brennan-Booth, how would you classify your relationship with Parker Booth?"

"Parker and I have a unique and understanding relationship."

"Could you please elaborate with the court on what you mean specifically?"

"Yes. Parker is my step-son but before his father and I got together and married, he was the son of my partner. I have been privileged to see him grow from that little boy so many years ago into an educated, well-mannered and caring young man."

"What do you mean when you said unique?"

"I meant our relationship is specially tailored to the two of us. I was one of the first people to not treat him as a child and he was one of the first people who had treated me with caring instead of bizarrely in reaction to the way that I speak and present myself.

"When I said understanding, I meant that at his age, he is used to being talked down to while I talk to him as the young man that he is. He finds comfort in my ability to address him for who he is as opposed to how old he is. And in the same way I treat him differently than others, he treats me the same way. We made an agreement years ago for me to never lie to him. He dislikes liars as much as I do and he doesn't appreciate being kept out of matters that have to do with him. For that reason, we are always honest with each other."

"And even though you are married to his father, you wished to have interaction with him before you married your husband? Please explain why you would want to interact with a child when you were surrounded by adults."

"It's quite simple actually. Parker is always thirsty for knowledge. Whenever we spend time together, he wants to learn and see things that interest him. I find his want for information refreshing and amazing in someone his age," she said with a smile thinking back to the times when the two of them would do something educational together.

"Could you give us an example?"

"Numerous examples could be given but there was this one time that the three of us went to the museum, the one I work at, and he desperately wanted to go the dinosaur exhibit. Booth, his father, wanted to go because he said, and I quote, that it would be 'cool'. At the time, I was unaware that 'cool' was the proposed equivalent of interesting. When we were standing in front of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Booth asked Parker if he thought the dinosaurs arms were short because he liked to give hugs." At that, the court gave a light chuckle at Booth's childlike thoughts.

"And before I could correct Booth, Parker said that it made more sense for the arms to be equal to the vestigial tail of modern humans, and that the arms were probably no longer needed and were being selected against in reproduction. When Booth asked him where he got that answer from, he turned to me and said, 'Bones told me about it when she read me that dinosaur book'. What I found astonishing about that particular moment was that I had read him that book more than three weeks ago and he cared enough to remember all the details, including the bigger and harder words."

"So what you're saying is, you and Parker share the want of knowledge and information?"

"Yes. He is an exceptional boy and his father, as well as myself, would greatly appreciate more time with him."

"No further questions right now your honor, but I reserve the right to question later."

"Understood. Counselor, your witness," Judge Williams said to Rebecca's lawyer.

"Dr. Booth, how would you describe your feelings toward my client Ms. Stinson?"

"I would describe my feelings toward her as dislike and indifference."

"Could you explain why you hate her?"

"Objection your honor, Dr. Booth never said the word hate," Melissa said as she stood up.

"It appeared to me to be what she said she felt toward my client," Rebecca's lawyer said.

"That's enough. Sustained and don't let it happen again counselor."

"Yes your honor. Dr. Booth, why do you dislike the mother of your step-son?"

"I dislike her want to manipulate both Parker and his father. She should be more appreciative about the fact that the father of her child is a loving and caring man who would die for her son. There are woman throughout the world who have no contact because either the father doesn't want any or he's such an evil person that the mother doesn't wish her child to have contact."

"How do you expect to have a relationship with Parker and you can't even get along with his mother?"

"I am an adult who knows how to censor myself."

"You say that now but not a few minutes ago, you spoke of your arrangement to be fully honest with Parker no matter what. What if he were to ask you why you don't like his mother?"

"He has already asked me something of that sort."

"And what did you say?"

"I told him that honestly, his mother and his father should both work towards his happiness, no matter their own opinions."

"You just always have the perfectly rehearsed answer don't you?" Rebecca could be heard sneering at her seat. She was probably trying to say it under her breathe, but it came out much louder.

"Excuse me Ms. Stinson? Didn't we already have a conversation about your attitude?" the judge asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Finish your questioning counselor."

"I only have one last question, how do you expect to be a good step-mother to Parker if you don't have children of your own?"

"The same way any new parent does. Through trial and error to find out what works best for each particular child. Both Booth and Rebecca were first time parents and as messed up as they both allowed their relationship to get, they are still learning what is right for them and their child."

"No more questions your honor."

"Redirect Ms. Church?" the judge asked Melissa.

"Yes your honor, but just one quick and final question. Temperance, does Parker not being biologically yours affect the way you feel about him?"

"Not at all. Parker was the first child I ever loved. And he will remain loved by me until I draw my last breathe and no longer have cognitive thought," Brennan said with a smile.

"We rest our case your honor."

XXX

After Brennan took her seat, the judge spoke.

"After all testimonies and evidence presented, I would like to recess to decide," she said with a bang on her gavel.

With that, Judge Williams walked from the podium to her private chambers. Without the judge there, Rebecca stormed over ready to give the two of them a piece of her mind, but she was stopped before she could say a word.

"If you love your son as much as you seem to think you do, you will return to your seat, sit down and wait for the judge to instruct you further," Brennan calmly said as she stood and stared Rebecca in the eyes with our a flicker of fear or doubt.

But before Rebecca could make her choice on if she would listen or not, the bailiff, walked up to them and said, "The judge is requesting all of the involved parties to convene in her quarters.

It just seemed to never end. What did the judge want to tell them that couldn't be said in the courtroom?

A/N: I can't even begin to tell you guys how nervous this chapter made me. I had so many ideas on who should speak on behalf of Booth and Brennan, but I obviously decided on just Brennan for poetic symmetry or something. I don't know. I may regret it in the morning.

But PLEASE review and let me know what you thought of her being the only witness and if you liked what she said. Also, let me know what you think the judge will decide.

p.s. I know this isn't anywhere near legally accurate but just bear with me for a little longer and we'll be done with the courts and legalities of it all.

Thanks, Trisha Whitlock