Lary1707: Goodness, no. It will not be 8 years before they get together lol.
May 2001
"I need a big favor," Booth said into the phone. He was looking around to make sure no one was listening.
"What's that?" Brennan asked. She was trying to study for her final exam. This was the last year of school for her. It had been a long seven years, but she was finally finished.
"Rebecca is in labor. I need you to be there with her when my son is born," he said.
"Where are you?"
"I can't leave the base. I tried. I really want someone there with her."
"We don't exactly get along, Booth," Brennan said.
"I know, but please, for me? Be there when my son is born. Show him my picture."
"All right. I'll go. I won't get there for a couple of hours."
"She just went in I think. You've got time. Thanks, Temperance."
Booth hung up feeling dissatisfied still. Then he got angry. Who were these people to tell him he couldn't be there when his son was born? He got an idea, and once it took hold, there was no going back.
A Couple of Hours Later
"Oh, you're here," Rebecca said. She was sweaty and in pain. Seeing Temperance was not a highlight of her day.
"Booth asked me to be. I'm doing it as a favor to him," Brennan answered. "How are you?"
"How do you think?" Rebecca asked sarcastically. Another contraction hit her, making her cry out. Brennan felt awkward then. Thankfully, the doctor asked her to leave shortly after as it was time to push. Brennan was out in the hall when a figure came up to her.
"Can I help you?" she asked, taking in the person who was wearing a coat with the collar pulled high up to his ears and a cap low over his eyes with sunglasses on.
"It's me," Booth hissed. Brennan was taken aback.
"Booth?" she breathed. He took off the sunglasses. "What are you doing here?!"
"I had to be here."
"Won't you get in trouble?"
"Probably, but I don't care."
"She's pushing," Brennan said, gesturing at the door.
"Should I go in there?" he asked.
"I'm not sure that's wise right now. Plus, you're not gowned up," Brennan replied.
"Oh. I feel so useless."
"It'll pass," she said. Booth just shook his head. They could hear shouting and wailing from the room. Booth looked at her, worried.
"Is she dying or something?"
"That's childbirth, Booth. It's painful. Imagine pushing out a ten pound baby from a very small hole," she said, admonishing him.
"I don't want to," he said, wincing.
"There you are," an Army Ranger said, coming towards them. Booth flinched.
"I haven't even seen him yet," Booth told him.
"Just give the man a minute," Brennan ordered. The Ranger stopped, a flicker of empathy flashed in his eyes.
"You've got five minutes," he warned.
"Thanks," Booth said. He hurried into the room, laying eyes on his son for the first time ever wrapped in a bundle in Rebecca's arms.
"You came," she said, surprised.
"I snuck away," he told her. He came closer. "May I?"
"Of course. He's your son too."
"Is it okay if I suggest a possible name?" Booth asked. He took his son gently into his arms, and he felt his heart clench. He knew right then that he was done with war for good. Brennan watched from the doorway, sensing she shouldn't interrupt this moment between Booth and his son.
"I like Parker," Rebecca said. Booth looked up at her, surprised.
"Really?"
"Yes. I like it better than Teddy, and it's still honoring him. That's what you were going to suggest, right?" Rebecca asked. She knew Teddy was Booth's best friend, that this was what he wanted. She wanted it too.
"Yea," he nodded. He looked back down at Parker then. "Wow."
"Okay, time's up," the Ranger said, coming in.
"What?" Rebecca asked.
"I kind of left the base without warning," Booth told her. He handed Parker back to her, and the Ranger hauled on his arm tightly.
"Come back soon," she called after him. Brennan stood aside as Booth passed with the Ranger.
"Congratulations, Booth. He's beautiful," she said to him as he walked away.
"He is," Booth agreed, looking over his shoulder at her. Not as beautiful as her, but he couldn't seem to open his mouth.
June 2001
Brennan felt very proud as she graduated. She now had three doctorates, one in kinesiology, anthropology, and forensic anthropology. She was now Dr. Temperance Brennan. It had been a long time coming, and she was relishing in it. She scanned the crowd, knowing nobody was there for her. She felt the ache then, thinking about her grandfather. He would have been so proud of her. Then, her eyes caught a glimpse of someone, and she was shocked. Booth was clapping very hard and grinning. He waved when he saw she noticed him. She gave a small wave back. Why was he here? She sat back down while the ceremony finished. She could almost feel his eyes burning into the back of her head. Finally, the last name was called and she was free to mingle. Booth found her very quickly.
"Hey!" he said, picking her up into a hug and spinning her around.
"Booth!" she laughed. He set her down.
"You made it," he said.
"I did."
"Dr. Brennan. I love it."
"Me too," she grinned.
"So, what's next?"
"I am heading to Washington D.C. for a job interview next week," she said.
"Wow. That's great," Booth said, nodding.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were at the base?"
"I left," he answered, putting his hands into his pockets.
"You...you left?" she asked. She was shocked.
"I know exactly what you're thinking," Booth said, reading her mind. "My son changed my mind about war."
"That's not a bad thing," she said, trying to smile. So that's what it took to make him quit war. A child. Not her.
"I'm looking into joining the FBI," Booth said finally. "Pops has a connection."
"That's great."
"Do you realize that we'd both be moving to D.C. at the same time?" he asked. "That's where Rebecca is going too for her career. She's going back to work after Parker is old enough."
"Really."
"Yea. Look, I won't get in the way of you celebrating. I just wanted to come watch because I knew how hard you worked and that..." he trailed off.
"My grandfather isn't here anymore," she finished. "I know."
"You made it, Temperance," a man said, approaching them. Brennan stiffened. She was dreading what was going to come next.
"Who's this?" Booth asked.
"This is...Michael," Brennan answered. She saw his face freeze once he figured it out.
"Oh," he said.
"Just wanted to say congrats. I'll miss you," Michael said, giving her a hug. He carried on his way then.
"How's the professor?" Booth asked.
"I don't know. We broke up almost a year ago."
"You what?!"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"You were preoccupied with Rebecca finding out she was pregnant. It didn't matter."
"It matters very much," Booth said. He was stunned. She had been single all this time. All this time...
"I will talk to you later, okay? I have to go return this stuff," Brennan said, gesturing at her robe and cap. Booth just nodded, barely able to string a sentence together. Brennan was single again. Was there hope yet?
January 2002
Brennan was pouring herself another glass of wine when her phone rang. She let it ring.
"Hi, Tempe, it's me," Russ's voice said on her machine. She still didn't know how he'd gotten her new number. "Happy Birthday. I really wish you'd talk to me again. I miss you. All right...I'll try again next year."
"And you'll fail again," Brennan said to nobody. She sipped her wine, looking around at her apartment. She had been living there for almost four months now. She had gotten the job at the Jeffersonian, and she was settling in there nicely. She enjoyed working with Dr. Goodman. He was sensible and had a good sense of humor at times. She looked out at the snow falling. She wondered where Booth ended up. The last she'd heard was that he was doing some more training before becoming an FBI agent. She was glad he had decided to quit the war finally, even if it wasn't for her in the end. She was feeling particularly sad because her grandfather's house had finally sold, and she had said goodbye to it two days before. There had been so many memories there, but she couldn't hold onto it forever. Not if she was going to start a life here. She wondered what Booth was doing now. Her phone rang again, and, thinking it was Russ again, she didn't answer.
"It's me," Booth said. "Happy Birthday. I'm just sitting here remembering the time your grandfather successfully surprised you with all of us for his first party for you. He was so excited. I really miss him. Anyway, Pops says Happy Birthday too. Look, I know we're not so close right now, and I hate that. Can we...can we at least meet for coffee once a month? To check in? I don't want to lose touch with you. I hope you feel the same way. I guess I'll, uh, talk to you later. Please call me."
Brennan felt tears in her eyes then. If she had just never dated Michael, then perhaps she and Booth would have spent the night together after Teddy's funeral and she'd be the mother of his child right now instead of Rebecca. Death seemed to bring them together, which she couldn't understand. It was too late, though. She would never be in a relationship with Booth. Just friends would have to do. The next phone message was from her book publisher. They were raving about it and asked her to consider writing more. She smiled. At least she could put her spare time into that.
...
Booth hung up the phone and shifted Parker in his arms. The boy was sleeping, and Booth was relieved. At nine months old, he was starting to find his voice and attempting to crawl. He also had a cold, so he was very fussy. Booth sighed now, though, wishing Brennan had answered the phone. He needed her. He wished every single day that he could go back in time and redo that conversation they had after he'd come home injured. He wished he hadn't been so angry towards her. Parker gave a snuffle, and Booth looked down at him, a smile on his face. Even though it was with Rebecca, he still was grateful to have a son. Things with him and Rebecca were strained, of course. She was trying to get sole custody because he was gambling, which he knew he had to stop. It just helped him out so much with his trauma. He felt so alone in this, and he wasn't sure where to turn.
"I love you, buddy," he whispered to Parker. He couldn't wait for the day when his son could say it back to him.
July 2002
"Wait, you're going where?" Booth asked. Brennan finished her coffee. It was their monthly catch up that they did with each other. Brennan had agreed to it because Booth had practically begged her. Brennan knew Booth was busy with little Parker and work just like Booth knew she was busy with identifying remains all over the place.
"South America."
"What for?"
"To examine remains."
"Why?"
"Because that's what I do," she said. He stared at her.
"You're going alone?"
"Yes."
"You're insane. You can't go alone."
"The decision has already been made. There will be security once I'm there," she promised. Booth wanted to drop everything and go with her himself. He didn't trust that she'd be safe.
"I don't like it," he said finally. She cocked her head at him.
"Well, now you know how I felt when you went to war," she said simply. He clenched his jaw. He knew she was going to bring that up.
"I at least had a gun," he defended himself.
"I have studied a lot of martial arts over the years," Brennan said. "I can assure you I will be fine. It's only until September."
"If you're not back by then, I'm coming down there looking for you," Booth warned.
"Fine by me," she laughed.
September 2002
Brennan barely got into her apartment on her shaky legs. She had barely remembered the flight, and she certainly didn't remember the cab ride here. She set her bags down on the ground and went to sit on her couch. She stared off into space, wondering just how exactly did she make it back here alive? The locals had been very clear in that they were going to kill her, and yet she escaped. She was here and alive. She needed a drink. She couldn't help but think about Booth as she poured herself some scotch. Had he felt the same terror when he had been captured at war and tortured? Her hand was shaking as she raised the glass to her lips. He probably had. His meltdown after telling her what happened was indicative of that. She didn't want to tell him what had almost happened to her either. He'd never let her out of his sight again.
"Knock, knock," his voice said on cue. He opened her unlocked door. "Is it all right if I come in?"
"You already are in," she answered.
"Are you all right?" he asked, seeing her face. She tried to quickly cover up her expression. He came over to her and sat beside her on the couch.
"I'm fine," she lied. His presence was already soothing her anxiety. She didn't need to tell him.
"Did something happen down there?" he asked. She waited a beat too long before answering.
"No."
"Liar. Temperance, just tell me," he ordered.
"How did it feel, knowing that you might die?" she asked instead. He stiffened beside her.
"Why are you asking me that?"
"Because. It's going to help me answer your question."
"I don't want to talk about it," Booth said. He hated to even think about the time he had been captured and tortured and almost killed. If Teddy hadn't saved him...
God, Teddy. He was never far from his mind. Ever.
"I wish you would let me in," she said softly. "Let me help you work through that trauma..." He snorted.
"Look who's talking?" he responded a little too harshly. "You are the Queen of not letting people in."
"Maybe so, but perhaps I've changed," she said hotly.
"So tell me what happened then."
"Why don't you go first? Tell me what you thought about when you thought you were going to die."
Booth gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. He didn't want to admit that the entire time he thought he was going to die, he was upset that he hadn't told her he loved her. He couldn't tell her. It would freak her out. Any and all progress they'd made would be shattered.
"I'm fine, Booth," she said after waiting for an answer that wasn't coming. "I'm just tired." She felt sad inside. She had thought of him, of how they should be together. If he wasn't going to let her in, though, then maybe this relationship wouldn't work after all.
"Did you almost die?" he pressed. That had to be what happened. Why else would she bring up his capture and torture?
"No. It's late. I really need to go to sleep."
"Okay," Booth said, not wanting to leave. He could tell something traumatic had happened to her, and she was being very brave about it. He wanted to cradle her in his arms and stay with her all night to make the nightmare a little less sharp. He knew she wouldn't let him, though.
"Good night," she said, making it clear she wanted him to leave.
"Good night," he replied, getting up and leaving, just like she wanted.
December 2002
"I want your opinion on something," Dr. Goodman said, hailing Brennan as she was walking to her office.
"What for?"
"I'm hiring an entomologist, and I wanted to see which one I should bring aboard our team," he said. She stepped into his office where he had three resumes spread out in front of him on his desk. She peered at each one, contemplating.
"He seems very qualified," she said, pointing at one. "I'd pick him."
"Thank you," Dr. Goodman said, smiling. "He was my first pick too."
Brennan smiled back and went on her way.
"Welcome aboard, Jack Hodgins," Dr. Goodman said to himself, reaching for the phone to call the man and tell him the good news.
June 2003
Brennan had gone on a few other excursions around the world to identify remains when it was brought to her attention that an intern was being brought to the Jeffersonian. A Mr. Zack Addy. When she first met him, she was skeptical. He seemed almost too clinical and too focused on work at times, but then again, she could be like that too. She had decided to let him stay once he was able to effectively identify injuries on a skeleton that was over a hundred years old. The only thing was keeping him from bickering with Dr. Hodgins. Brennan had no idea why that guy was so damn crusty. He had a major chip on his shoulder. She hoped eventually they would get along and work well together. Now, she was at lunch and trying not to think about Booth. They had their monthly coffee, yes, but conversation stayed limited to work and Parker. She wanted to bring up their relationship every time, but she didn't know how to. She rested her hand on her chin, looking out the window and thinking.
...
Booth walked by the Royal Diner to see Brennan sitting there looking out into space. He hesitated, unsure of what to do. He had felt awkward around Brennan lately, and he didn't know how to talk to her. He knew she would figure out he was gambling. It was something he did to cope with all the memories of war. Especially Teddy. He ended up backing away and walking to his car. If he didn't have to see her, he wouldn't. Seeing her just made him miss her even more, and when he missed her, he wanted to ask her if she would have let him in the night of Teddy's funeral, if they would have gotten back together. It was a question that burned on his mind all the time. Back then he had been so certain she would have refused him, but now, now he was thinking differently. He ran his hand roughly through his hair as he drove away. There was so much left unsaid, and he didn't know if there would ever be a chance to bring it up.
Getting closer to the end! Next chapter is last chapter :D