EPILOGUE

"BONES........BONES!" Booth yelled as he ran into the Medico-Legal Lab.

She stuck her head out the office and yelled back, "No running!"

"But Bones, I want to share something with you!"

"Booth, what is going on? You got pants on your ants?"

"Pants on your ants?"

"Yes. Pants on your ants. I remembered that saying when I was watching the DVD with the kids."

"When did you see that one?"

"The party. The one where you screamed."

"I do not scream."

"Do to."

"Do not."

"Want me to get a clown?"

Booth ignored this last comment and asked, "Well, what about the DVD, Bones?"

"There was the ants in it and they were all wearing pants. It reminded me of that saying for when you feel really excited. Pants on your ants."

Booth just looked at the very rational woman before him and then spoke, "Well, the reason why I have pants on my ants is because I got another award today! I want to share it with you!"

"Well, let me see it."

"Oh no. I'm really proud of this one and we are going to do it just like last time."

"You just want more Mac and Cheese."

"Well, it has been a little over a month but if you want, I can just pick up Thai food."

"No, I'll make the Mac and Cheese for you. Your ants with pants will probably order the wrong food."

"7? My place?"

"I'll be there at 7." Booth turned and walked away.

Once again, Temperance Brennan found herself outside her partner's door with a dish of Mac and Cheese, knocking. He opened the door with a smile on his face and invited her in. Upon entering, she noticed he already had the table set. She placed the dish on the table then placed her keys on the counter.

Booth took a double take at the keys and turned to her, "When did you have this done?" picking up the keys with a new plastic case with a Purple Heart in it.

"It's was a project that's been in work for 2 weeks."

"I don't understand."

"When I visited Zack, and showed him the medal and what you said and how I always carry it with me, he wanted to help me out." she stated, "He said he can make a nice case to go on my keychain, so he took all the measurements. When I saw him yesterday, he gave it to me."

"That is just beautiful Bones."

"It gave him something to do to keep his mind off his problems, but I must admit, he did an amazing job."

"Zack's always been amazing." Booth said solemnly. When talking about Zack, they always left it with a compliment to their friend. "Let's eat."

"Sound good to me."

They both sat down, ate, talked, cleared, cleaned and then Booth directed Bones to the couch. He asked her to sit while he turned and got a wrapped package, placing it on the table in front of her. She knew it was his award by the shape of the object

"Why did you wrap it?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise for you too."

"Can I open it?"

"Not yet Bones. It's really part one of a two part gift."

"Two gifts? I don't understand. It's just an award."

"I know Bones, but trust me."

"I'll trust you. Why are you putting pants on your ants again?"

"Because I'm really proud of this! Now give me 10 minutes to get the second part ready." and Booth turned around and took off down the hallway.

Bones sat there and picked up the package and started turning it in all direction trying to guess why this award be so important to him. A little bit later, she heard Booth's voice from down the hallway, "You can open it now!"

She proceeded to open the package. When she got it completely unwrapped and placed the paper aside. She began to read and a smile came to her face.

"Well, what do you think?' Booth asked from the hallway entrance.

She stood and turned to him. A twinkle caught in her eyes, "This is a great award!" taking a step to Booth.

"It wasn't easy either." taking a step towards his partner.

"When?" Another step

"This past month." Stepping closer.

"Why?" Taking yet another step.

"Anything for you Bones." With his last step, they were inches from each other.

She then threw herself into his arms and started kissing him. He placed his arms around her and started kissing her back. "You happy Bones?"

"Very."

"By the way, do you want the shoes on, or shoes off?"

A big smile crossed her face, "Definately on!' she squealed.

As he led her down the hallway, she placed the plague on the table with the rest of awards.

She read the plague one last time before being led down the hallway to the bedroom:

TOP HONORS

SEELEY BOOTH

CLOWN SCHOOL

The last thing heard before the bedroom door was closed "Love the rubber chicken Booth."