AN: I posted this earlier and forget to credit JBCFlyers19 for giving me the prompt. The idea was amazing and perfect and I loved it. This story would not have existed without her suggestion and I apologize for not giving her the shout out earlier! Thank you a million times over for this idea, it was such a good idea and I'm glad that you liked what I did with it!

Anyone else that has any requests I'd be happy to hear them! Slowly working my way toward 32. And we don't have *that* much longer until September 17th. :)

Angela didn't think about it. She didn't consider the implications until it was too late.

There's a break in the case. A chance. A possibility that cannot wait. So she rushes from the room to pursue the new evidence and tosses her son, quite literally, toward the nearest trust-worthy adult.

Booth.

A brief look of surprise crossed his features but his arms gripped the baby with the practiced ease of a father. He quickly adjusted to the pain that he felt while holding an infant for the first time since his was taken from him.

Hodgins shot a concerned glance in his direction then followed his wife out of the room as Booth gave him a reassuring nod.

Booth took a moment to study the wiggly baby in his arms. Nearly seven months older than Christine, he thought about how much Michael's features had changed since birth. The boy babbling in his arms today bore no resemblance to the tiny bundle wearing a ridiculous hat that Hodgins had presented them over a year ago.

He resents that Hodgins felt the need to walk on egg shells around him. Even if he understood the reasoning.

He wasn't that fragile though. And he sure as hell couldn't break. He had already shattered into pieces the night he had watched his family drive away from him.

"Baby group isn' t nearly as much fun without Christine, huh?"

Michael watched him intently and made incoherent sounds as if attempting to carry on a conversation. "She'll be back soon enough. Then you two can play again. She's getting bigger now too, I suppose."

His voiced hitched, "I wonder how much bigger. She's probably gained at least four or five pounds by now. Probably starting to become mobile. She's getting to that age. Parker was about her age when he started crawling. When did you start to crawl, huh?"

He was met by a blank stare as if the baby was trying to recall when he did start to crawl but couldn't quite come up with the exact date.

"You're already saying Mom and Dad. Have been for a while, haven't you? God, I hope she isn't already talking. It's too early though. We still have some time."

He bounced Michael on his knee causing the infant to squeal out in laughter. It was nearly impossible to keep a bad attitude in the situation and even Booth found himself feeling more optimistic.

"It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if I do miss all those things. All that matters is that they're safe. Bones and Christine are safe. Wherever they are. As long as she still remembers me when she gets back. That's all that I'm worried about. I can handle the rest."

He paused to look around the office. Clark Edison has been acting as interim Chief Forensic Anthropologist in Brennan's absence but to his credit, the man hadn't changed a thing. All Brennan's pictures were still there and Booth had to physically tear his eyes away from a photograph of her with Parker and Christine that sat on her desk.

"What does Bones say about the anthropological significance of babies under the age of one bonding with their fathers? I listen to her; I hear every word she says. I just don't always understand her. I think she said that it was important but small absences are important for the men to hunt and gather and children grow from having fathers who protect them more than from having fathers who were always present. That sounds right, doesn't it?"

Michael giggled at Booth's funny face.

"Well you still remember me and you don't see me that often. That may not be scientific but I'll go with it. And Christine is very bright. She won't forget. Will she?"

Booth watched his audience carefully, the boy had found Booth's cuff link and was desperately trying to rip it from his suit jacket. "No, she won't forget."

"Your eyes used to be lighter, didn't they? I wonder if Christine's eyes are even still blue. I know Bones said they'd change color but I can't remember when she said it would happen. Parker's hair got darker too. I wonder if Christine's is still blonde. Maybe it's darker now. More like Parker's and mine. And her mom's. Yeah, if her looks have changed any I just hope that she looks more like her mom now."

He stopped to change Michael to his other knee, the boy's weight getting heavy on his leg. "I wonder if her cheeks are still chubby. They are, right? It's way too soon to lose that baby fat. She may not still like that stuffed monkey though. Kids change favorite stuffed animals all the time. She may have a new toy that she likes now. I can accept that."

"I just miss her. I miss both of them. And I know that Bones misses me too. But is Christine old enough to remember? Does she miss me? Or does she not even realize that I'm not there? Maybe I should google some of this stuff."

Angela walked quietly back into the room. "You two okay in here?"

"Yeah, just having a little man to man talk."

He smiled as he handed the baby back.

"We're going to bring them home Booth."

"I know."

"We all love them. I promise that no one is giving up. We're going to make this right."

"I know."

"We love you too, Big Guy. Hang in there."

"I have to Ang. What other choice do I have?"

She nodded and did the only thing she knew to do. She hugged him. And he hugged her back. Both of them needing the comfort of a friend.

He turned to leave but Angela stopped him. "Booth. I promise you that your little girl is missing you."

He smiled and nodded his head then he left Angela standing in Brennan's office holding her son. And he returned to his house.

Alone.