AN: Here she is, the last chapter! wooo hoooo. I am more than excited. Partially because I envisioned this as a really long fic--maybe 30 or more chapters--but think that the short and sweet version works better. Feel free to disagree but remember (ha ha ha ha ha ha) I'm the author and I can do what I want! Thanks to Melissa for the beta work!

Chapter 11 Sisters

Although Booth offered and it seemed cozy, Temperance turned down the invitation to spend the rest of the evening at his place relaxing in front of a warm fire. Instead he dropped her off at home, walking her inside and accepting a final hug at her door.

"Thank you, Booth, for everything." She smiled gently, reflecting on their day together.

"Even the icicle?" His boyish grin was back, prompting an eye roll from the doctor.

"Even that, but don't think I'll let you get away with it again." She became sober as she unlocked her door and stepped inside. "Really, today was great but I still something I need to do…" Booth understood immediately and finished her thought.

"But you need to do that alone. I know, just remember to call if you want to talk." He offered as they parted. Temperance watched him go, standing at the door until his SUV disappeared from sight. Then she locked her door again and walked to her own car, Thanksgiving is supposed to be about family, she reminded herself; it's as good of a day as any other.

Temperance found her way to east D.C. and the location of Alexis' new foster family. She approached the door with confidence, pushing aside the familiar sense of dread and apprehension. She pressed the button once, hearing bells chime inside. A moment later a friendly looking blonde woman answered the door, wiping her hands on a worn red apron.

"Can I help you?" she inquired with a slight smile.

"I'm Dr. Temperance Brennan and I'm here to visit Alexis." The woman nodded slowly and opened the door.

"Of course you are, I'm Sharon Jarvis, Alexis' foster mother; the social worker mentioned you might be stopping by." Temperance stepped inside at her invitation and admired the cozy feel of a home filled with children.

"Alexis is upstairs, second room on the right." Sharon paused as if contemplating how much to share. "I'm afraid she hasn't said a word all day... wouldn't eat much at dinner either." Temperance nodded as she walked slowly toward the stairs.

"She hasn't talked since we pulled her from that closet, Mrs. Jarvis. Not a single word."

- - - - - -

Upstairs Temperance stood at the door to Alexis' room for a moment, observing. Bunk beds lined the walls of the large room, providing for six children in the space. Alexis was lying in the far corner of a lower bunk, her face turned to the wall.

Temperance could tell the girl was not asleep. Her posture and the way she hugged her knees tightly to her small chest were evident of that much. Recalling that first night in the hospital when Alexis had climbed in her lap and eventually fallen asleep to the rhymes of Dr. Seuss, Temperance was struck with a pang of sadness.

She knocked lightly.

"Alexis? It's Temperance, may I come in?" The response was immediate, Alexis turned, pushing the raven strands from her face and, recognizing her visitor, scrambling to sit up. Temperance smiled and waited at the door.

"May I come in?" she repeated gently. And the slightest, tiniest of 'yeses' could be heard.

"I'm so proud of you, Lexie!" she praised, enveloping the child in her warm embrace. They sat quietly for a few minutes, Temperance recalling what Sweets and even the hospital psychiatrist had told them about the little girl's selective mutism.

"A symptom of neglect and continued sensory deprivation... should fade over time and with therapy. Allow her to mentally adjust to new situations, don't push."

"Book?" Alexis asked hopefully, staring up at Temperance with wide eyes.

"Sure, Sweetie, why don't you pick one from my bag?" and they sat and read the books Temperance had bought. She had to admit, Booth knew what books six and seven years olds should be reading. Probably because he thought like one most of the time.

Sharon dropped by several times, smiling as she listened to the doctor read "red fish, blue fish" and Alexis repeat softly "fish" as if trying out her voice somewhat akin to a puppy finding his bark.

After an hour of reading, Temperance asked if she could tell Alexis a special story. Alexis nodded and climbed back onto her hero's lap, resting her head on Temperance's chest.

"When I was a little girl," she began, struggling to keep her tone even and upbeat, "I had a big brother who I loved so much. He watched out for me at school and taught me how to do all the cool big girl things like ride a bike and talk to adults. And, just like you, Lexie, our parents had to go away when I was a little older than you are now."

Alexis looked up, green eyes meeting blue and Temperance smiled softly. "I went to a foster family, just like this one, Alexis." The little girl snaked her arms tightly around the doctor's waist, squeezing tightly.

"It's okay to be scared and it's okay to want a family. But you need a family with a mommy and a daddy or at least two people who can take care of you together." She sighed, hoping her message wasn't as muddled as it seemed.

"Lexie, do you know what I do? What my job is?" Alexis appeared to think before shaking her head no.

"Honey, I go with Mr. Booth all over and help kids like you and adults who are hurt too. I really wish you could come and stay with me all the time but it wouldn't be fair to all those other kids."

Alexis had stopped moving, seemingly absorbing the rejection once more. Temperance held her tighter and felt her shake with the beginnings of a sob escaping her throat.

"Alexis, look at me please," Temperance tilted the child's chin up so they were almost nose to nose. "I promise that things are going to be different. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you ever again. I promise."

The room was silent for a full minute and then Alexis tucked her head down to her chest.

"How?" she asked, her voice full of sorrow.

"I'll be here whenever I'm not helping those other kids, Lexie. And you will have something I didn't get... a big sister to take care of you and check up on you." She paused, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Now for the hardest part.

"Is that okay with you Alexis? Can I adopt you as my little sister?"

"Yes." Alexis replied without hesitation pulling tears from Temperance's eyes.

The tiny girl with big green eyes and black hair that could not be tamed, with a broken spirit and fear of the dark offered a smile and a hug that could only be rivaled by Parker's.

Sharon stood silently in the hall; her own tears blinding her vision listening to this sweet little girl say just one word over and over.

"Sisters."

END STORY

AN: Okay, I know what you people like and I know it's a different ending. But. I do think it's the most in character ending. A few other things. Yes, this case has happened and is based on my teacher's daughter who was kept in a closet when she was about five. Thank you to my reviewers, y'all rock. Please let me know what you thought of the story, especially this last chapter as I am currently stuck in the drudges of hell, er, work. Any votes for an epilogue? Okay, okay, I hear ya! Epilogue up tomorrow.