Disclaimer: I do not own Bones

Temperance looked at her son in shock. "What did you just say?" she asked him.

Ryan repeated his last words, "Would do you think about me asking Elaina to marry me?"

Temperance was honestly at a loss for words, something that did not happen often. To her, marriage is an antiquated ritual in which the males show their dominance over the females. The human species are not meant to be monogamous creatures, but yet, her son wanted to take part in this ritual. Of course, she was not about to push her personal beliefs on her son, but she honestly did not think Ryan would want to get married, at least not yet. "You're too young," was all she could manage to say to him.

Ryan sighed, he expected his mother to frown down upon the idea of marriage, but not because of age. "Mom," Ryan began, "I know you don't believe in marriage, and that's ok. I just don't think age should factor into this equation." He looked over at her to make sure she was not judging him quite yet. "Just look at you and dad. You two are obviously in love with each other, but for some reason, unknown to me, you two were out of touch for 20 years. I know you still love him, as does he you, but you both spent a good chunk of your lives away from each other. You will never be able to return to that time in your life; you will never be able to get that chunk of time back. I don't want to make the same mistake you guys made. I love Elaina. I know that for a fact. I don't want to lose her; I want to spend the rest of my life with her. In my case, I'm sure you can see how marriage is the logical decision here."

Temperance did not know what to say, or even if she could say anything to stop Ryan. As much as she hated to admit it, he was a grown man, and could make his decisions for himself. If he decides to get married at 20, that would be his own choice and there would be nothing she could do to stop him. "Ry," she said quietly, "I do understand what you are saying." At these words she watched as her son's face lit up. "However," she quickly added, "promise me one thing."

Ryan's face fell at these words. "Ok, What?"

"Promise me you'll wait at least a week to ask her. You need to think about the step you'd be taking, the commitment you'll be making."

Ryan smiled. That was like his mother, "ok, mom," he assured her, "I'll think it over for a week."

"Minimum," Temperance quickly added.

Ryan chuckled. "Minimum," he agreed.

###

A while later, Temperance emerged from the room and located her friends still sitting in the room. As soon as she came out, Elaina looked at her, silently asking permission to return to Ryan's side. She nodded, and watched her withdraw behind the doors. She turned and began walking towards the group. "You guys don't have to stay," she told them, "I'm fine here by myself."

"you think we'd leave you, or Ryan alone," Hodgins told her, "We're staying as long as you are here."

Temperance smiled. "Don't you have to work tomorrow?"

"Yes, but they are just lucky the boss is staying here as well," Cam said, reentering the hospital.

Temperance shook her head, trying to suppress her smile. She did not deserve this kindness. "That is illogical," she muttered quietly.

"Sometimes it is only logical to do illogical things," Cam told her.

Temperance grinned, "20 years ago that would have made no sense. But now, I can kind of see your point."

Everyone was surprised. This just proved how much 20 years could change a person.

"So," Cam said to Temperance, "speaking of work, are you planning on coming back?"

Temperance closed her eyes and sighed.

Angela knew her long enough to know she wasn't going to like what she was about to say. "Sweetie, what is it?"

"I'm not coming back to work," she saw the disappointed looks on her former colleagues faces, "yet," she quickly added.

"What are you going to do then?" Zach asked her.

"Oh," Angela broke into a wide grin. "You are going to make up with a certain FBI agent and spend some time making up for 20 years."

"No," Temperance said quietly, "I'm going back to Wyoming."

Every person around her gasped in disbelief.

"What!" Angela shrieked in dismay, "you just got back! How could you leave us again?"

The others just stared at her, waiting for an answer.

Temperance sighed, "My doctors were not to happy about me leaving as soon as I did. I need to go back there for that."

Sweets shook his head, "I'm certain your doctors would be more than happy to transfer you to a hospital here. If they truly cared about you they wouldn't want you traveling any more than you already have."

"I have other unfinished business there," Temperance said to the group. "It won't be that long. Just until I get things sorted out there." At the looks of denial on her friends' faces she added, "I will come back!"

Cam looked at Temperance. "I have no doubt that you will return Dr Brennan."

Temperance sensed a but,

"but-"

she knew it-

"I know a drunk man who is calling out your name right now. If you leave, you will only break his heart again."

Temperance shook her head. "No, Seeley does not care for me any more. He made that perfectly clear. Now if you excuse me, I'm going to spend the night with my son. I'm leaving in the morning." With that, she turned on her heal and headed back to Ryan's side. It couldn't be true what Cam said. He couldn't miss her. Oh well, it was over now. Her and Seeley Booth were over, done, complete!

I am still contemplating what to do with Ryan and Elaina (hence the postponement). Stupid exams tomorrow, so I can't write any more tonight. Help make the worse two days of school a little brighter for me. Please review. Sorry about posting the wrong chapter, I wasn't really thinking.