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Across town in another prison, another FBI Agent sat in an interrogation room with another inmate. The situation was not too different from when the case started.
"So why you'd tell us about Heather Taffet's accomplice?" Aubrey asked.
Abigail Hewitt smiled, once again revealing her row of yellow teeth. "I already told you why. Why do you FBI boys keep asking the same questions?"
"Right. To plead down on your sentence."
"Nobody wants the death penalty."
"You asked specifically for me."
"I didn't ask for anyone in particular. But as luck would have it, Ms Julian turned up. Then she mentioned that she'd come back with you. I like to know who I'm dealing with, especially since I'm stuck in here with all this time on my hands. It can get boring. Imagine the surprise I got when I found out who your old man is."
"Look, I think you've got it all wrong. I've got nothing to do with my old man. I don't even know where he is."
"I believe you. Did some digging up of my own, while you were all runnin' around trying to catch the Gravedigger's accomplice. No pun intended. "
"So you expect me to believe that it was pure coincidence?"
"I thought I'd get some revenge. Your father scammed me. I lost everything. That happened before that mess I got into with my no-good ex-husband."
"Revenge. How?"
"Oh I don't know. I thought I'd just watch you squirm. Look you in the eye and tell you that your Daddy was responsible for my misery. I lost everything thanks to him."
"That's it? To watch me squirm?"
"Maybe I had a little game all planned out. We'll never know will we?"
Aubrey leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. "I knew about you too. Knew what my Dad did to you. But just like you said, they're two separate matters."
"Enough of this chit chat Cherie." Caroline Julian, who had until now been sitting in silence next to Aubrey spoke. "This psychopath is just here to play mind games with you."
Abigail didn't respond. Simply smiled.
"Did you get what you wanted out of this?" Aubrey asked.
"I know you did. You caught the guy right?"
"We did."
"So Ms Julian, you'll talk to a judge for me?" Hewitt directed her smile at Caroline.
Caroline frowned. "I'm not sure I will Cher."
"I gave you the Gravedigger's accomplice!" Hewitt raised her voice, her smiled vanishing from her face.
"No, Cherie you did not. The FBI and the Jeffersonian did."
"If it wasn't for me, he would still be out there doing what he does. You wouldn't even have a clue that he existed."
"She does have a point. We did give Jeremy Walker's family some closure by finding their son's remains with the information Winslow gave us." Aubrey leaned toward Caroline to speak to her in a hushed tone.
It was Caroline's turn to fold her arms across her chest. She sighed after a moment of silence. "I'll see what I can do."
"James Aubrey." Hewitt wasn't smirking now, "you're not like your father at all."
On the long drive back to DC, Aubrey mused, "I'm not sure if I should be happy a convicted killer complimented me."
"She is right about that one thing though Cherie. You're not like your father."
Aubrey smiled. "Thanks Caroline. I didn't need a babysitter you know, but thanks for coming with me."
"Oh don't thank me. Booth made sure I didn't let you come here alone."
Keeping his eyes on the road, Aubrey smiled as he shook his head slightly. When he had been tasked by Dr Sweets to keep an eye on SAIC Seeley Booth, he had at first thought that it was an excellent opportunity to learn from the best and advance his career. Little did he know that those career goals would become immaterial. What mattered now was that he had been accepted into a close-knit family, and that meant so much more than career advancement.
Booth wiped at the sweat on his brow as he hunched over then ducked under the hood of the mustang he was working on. Realising he had left his wrench on the workbench, he ducked out from under the hood, his right hand reaching for the tool.
Grinning at his wife he asked, "How long were you gonna stand there and watch me?"
"I didn't realise you knew I was here."
"C'mon Bones. When are you gonna learn that you'll never sneak up on me?"
Brennan laughed. "And one day, I'll succeed."
"You can try… but you won't succeed." Booth chuckled. "Where are the kids?"
"Hank's down for his nap. Christine is watching cartoons."
"If you wanted my attention, you could've just told me."
"I find I rather enjoy watching you work. The way your sweat-soaked shirt is sticking to your body allows me to admire your physique."
"Right, so you're here to ogle." Booth grinned.
"You've been in here since you came back from your prison visit with Jacob Broadsky."
"I'm fine Bones. I really am. Jake, Heather Taffet, they're all part of my past now. Our past."
Brennan slowly walked towards him, closing the distance between them. "I'm just relieved we caught him. Relieved he can't hurt any other children and their families again."
"Me too."
"What we do has great meaning."
"I know."
Brennan watched as Booth wiped his hands that were full of grease and dirt on an equally dirty rag. She wasn't sure what that accomplished.
"Jeremy Walker's parents came by the FBI today. They wanted to thank Aubrey and me personally for finding their son."
"We didn't find their son, we found his remains."
"Yeah but with what Winslow was willing to give up plus the help of the squint squad, we found him. It didn't matter to them that it was his remains we found. We gave them closure. That was what they needed so that they could finally lay their little boy to rest."
Brennan closed her eyes and for a moment allowed herself to imagine what it would feel like if it was baby Hank that had been kidnapped. All that time spent wondering if he was still alive, his remains found after years of searching. She felt Booth's hands on her shoulders, squeezing gently. She opened her eyes to find him staring back at her.
"Bones. We don't go there remember? Christine and Hank? They're gonna be just fine."
She smiled. "How did you know?"
Booth gave her a cocky grin. "I know you."
Brennan glanced at Booth's hands on her shoulders. "You're dirtying my blouse." She remarked in mock annoyance.
He shrugged. "Grease stains can be washed off. Or you could just buy another one just like it, being a best-selling author and all."
"So we're officially going back to work?"
"Yeah. I mean this case… if we had found out sooner – "
"Surely you don't think that in quitting our jobs we were responsible for the deaths of those boys?"
"I don't. What I wanted to say was… this case helped me see how much what we do helps others."
"What we do does have great significance."
Booth nodded. "You're okay with it right? Me being back at the FBI and you at the Jeffersonian?"
"I would like to remain on maternity leave until Hank is at least six-months-old. You can go back to your former job at the FBI and I can consult on cases if needed. After I've found satisfactory care arrangements for Hank, I will re-join the Jeffersonian in a full-time capacity."
"Sounds like a plan to me." He leaned in to plant a kiss to her lips.
"I find like I'd like to go hold Christine now, then perhaps watch Hank as he sleeps."
Booth held up his index finger. "Just hold up a second."
He grinned as he took her hand pulling her to the passenger side of the Mustang. "Get in."
"Now?"
"Just humor me okay?"
"Fine." Brennan rolled her eyes, then slid into the car. Booth moved to the front of the car, slamming the hood shut before sliding into the driver's side. He turned the keys that were in the ignition and the car engine roared into life.
"You hear that?" Booth stepped on the gas, revving the engine, a satisfied smile on his face.
"Booth! You'll wake Hank."
"Sorry." He grinned over at her like a mischievous schoolboy. "I told you I'd get this finished didn't I?"
"Finished?" Brennan laughed. "There is currently no door on the passenger side where I'm seated and I'm sure the entire car needs a new coat of paint."
"And I'll get to that. At least I got the engine working again right? And when Parker comes to visit we can all go for a spin in this baby."
Brennan couldn't help but laugh at her husband's enthusiasm. "I can't wait."
He leaned over to her, brushing his lips against hers. "Thanks for putting up with me." His voice now low in a whisper.
"You're welcome," Brennan whispered back. She stepped out of the car. "I'd like to go see our children now. Christine has been left alone for too long. Who knows what mischief she could have gotten into."
"That's my little girl alright." Booth laughed. As Brennan was about to enter the house, he called out to her, "Hey Bones, we're back!"
She laughed. "We're back."
This is the last chapter to this story. Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed. Your continued support is much appreciated.
