A/N: Big hugs and kisses to jsiebert, who acted as my beta for this chapter. This chapter would probably still be sitting in my work document if it hadn't been for her. I sent her the first draft this morning and I got her final edits tonight.

I've sort of fast tracked this chapter and the next because I do want to get back on track in the lead up to Brennan's birthday and I do want to get back to the "M" rating, so keep an eye out for some hot and steamy in the next chapter.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, Santa didn't leave the right to Bones in my stocking this year, so like all others, I don't own or associate with Hart, ED, DB and the rest of the cast and production crews. *Tear*

Reviews make the heart grow fonder, so do my heart a favour and take the time to review. I mean, if you take the time to read the chapter you should be kind enough to leave a review, maybe? Please.

Truth

Until they reached the small room where his little body was laying, Booth felt as if he hadn't taken a breath of fresh air. Though when he entered, that breath of air felt stale upon seeing him. Parker's face looked ghostly against the white pillow, the white sheets, the white blanket, the white bed, the white machines, the white tiles and the white, white walls.

Booth felt the pull towards his son, but between his brain and his feet, he couldn't move. He felt stumped in the position, scared that his son was breakable against the contact of his father.

Noticing, Brennan stepped up beside him. "He has mild hypothermia. The nurses are regulating heat blankets to keep him warm and to stabilize his body temperature. Warm fluids are also being pushed through his body to warm his internal organs which will help in raising his temperature. He'll wake when his body is back to its usual self. For now, it's best that he isn't subjected to such extremes, so they've placed him under sedation." She explained in simple terms so he would understand. She knew by the look on his face when the doctors were explaining that it went straight over his head, so he needed this explanation, he needed her to explain it all to him.

"I finally reached Rebecca. Her father's just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer; she wanted to be with him. She's now on the first flight home." He whispered, still hesitating to reach out to his son. "Hold his hand, Booth. You'll be the first person he wants to see when he finally wakes." She said, shifting a chair under his backside so he could sit.

"I was so worried about you, bub," he whispered. Reaching his spare hand out, Booth stroked the golden blonde curls, tears escaping from the corner of his eyes; they weren't out of sadness, they were out of relief. Relief his little boy was okay and knowing he would fight through the troubled times ahead.

"You had me scared. I thought you were gone. The thought of never seeing your face light up while you smile and when you laugh, made me sad. You're my little boy, Parker and I love you, I love you with all my heart," taking a deep breath through the tears and exhaling, Booth shook his head nonplussed. "I don't know what happened with you and Lincoln, but I'm glad you're alright…, and that you're safe."

"When you're out of hospital, I'm going to take you to the next game I can get tickets for us to attend. We'll sit in the stands, watch the Phillies and eat corndogs with lots of ketchup, your favorite. I'm going to buy you that new game you wanted for your DS, maybe I'll even buy you a game for the Wii, who knows. You are worth my every penny and I would much rather have no money because I spent it all on you, than not have you in my life."

"You were named after a guy that died in my arms; he fought a battle, just like you fighting your own. He was young, enthusiastic and didn't listen to me, just like you. Theodore Parker was his name, Teddy to all those who knew him. Deep down, he was like a teddy, soft and reassuring. Again, this reminds me of you, though, when you're asleep. You're always named after your grandfather, my dad. There's a story in itself, but for what you need to know, he was a great father most of the time. So my dad, you, me, and Pops, all share the same middle name, Joseph."

As Booth talked, the tears dried and all else in the room became lost. Nurses came in and out, checking Parker's vitals changing the warm blankets on his bed and slowly, but surely easing off on the sedation. Although it was all happening around him, Booth was too immersed in his son to realize the comings and goings. Nor did realize when a bed was set up in the room for him to stay in during the night. Brennan knew however, he wouldn't sleep on the bed; he'd stay in the plastic chair, holding Parker's hand and stroking his fingers through the loose curls toppling his head. She kicked off her heels, discarded her jacket and wholeheartedly slipped under the blankets where sleep was a given. Booth was still talking to Parker in a whisper; she was lulled into a peaceful sleep.

-BB-

Booth didn't become aware of it until the smell of freshly made coffee had him opening his eyes that at sometime during the night he'd drifted off into his own soundless slumber. Offering a cup in his direction, Brennan smiled sweetly when he accepted the cup, sniffing at the brown liquid before taking a tedious sip.

"Strong black, two sugars, dash and a half of milk," Brennan recited before taking a sip of her own coffee. "I went home to shower and change. I thought you'd want some decent coffee, so I stopped by the Diner…" Pausing, she grabbed a brown paper bag from the side cart. "I also bought breakfast. I hope an Egg and Bacon croissant is satisfactory."

"You didn't happen to stop by my place and get my pills did you?" He asked with a raised eyebrow before taking another sip from his coffee. "My back's killing me after last night."

Pressing her lips together in a smirk, Brennan kicked the duffel bag at her feet. "Your medication and some clean clothes… I also grabbed some pajamas for Parker to change into once he's regained consciousness."

At that moment before Booth could respond, Parker let out a long groan. His eyes opened into shallow slits and his head lolled from side to side, as he tried to re-orientate himself.

"Parker," as he heard his son Booth shot back over to the bed and let one hand wrap around a smaller one as the other ran seamlessly over Parker's blonde locks.

"I'll go get a nurse," Brennan said to thin air as she moved from the small hospital room and out and over to the nurses' station.

"Park," watching as Parker's eyes opened - like a butterfly spreading its wings for the first time - and a loud groan escape his lips, Booth felt relief.

"D-dad," His voice was raspy and dry. His throat hurt to talk and his body still felt cold all over. However, Parker was relieved to see his father's worried eyes looking back at him and his fingers threading through his curls.

"Parker."

"L-Linc." His eyes filled with guilt at the mention of his friend. The need of reassurance crossing his creased forehead and Booth lightly shook his head. Tears welled before swimming their way free from Parker's brown eyes, his face screwing up as he let them flow. "What have I done, Dad? What have I done?"

"None of this is your fault, bub, none of it." The more Booth tried to comfort, the harder the sobs came.

Feeling helpless, Booth did the one thing he could think of. Releasing the side bars on the hospital bed, he sat on the side, bought Parker into his chest and let the little boy cry. Their tears mixed together as they fell, but somehow the warmth of his father's hold slowly allowed Parker's tears to subside. The grip of Booth's t-shirt became tighter, the small knuckles becoming whiter, but the tears had stopped.

Having witnessed the account, Brennan and the Doctor who had come to check over Parker stood back, out of the way of the father and son duo. They watched as eventually Parker's hand slipped from his father's chest and when Booth eventually lowered Parker back onto the pillow and swept his blonde curls away from his face.

"I'm going to call Sweets." Booth finally said as he stepped away from the bed, his face taunt.

As he stepped over to Brennan, she impulsively wrapped her arms around him. It was then, that another onset of tears fell from Booth's eyes as this time, instead of mixing with his son's the tears were mixed with his girlfriend's tears. The pain and the guilt washing from their faces as they stood silently, the only noise their sobs echoing around the small room.

"I love you." She whispered once they'd separated but held each other close. "It's this to make me realize, just how much I love you."

This time their tears weren't like the ones previously, these tears were about love and desperation, hope and fear. They were the tears of a new beginning and as their lips fused together in a kiss that would mean so much, the doctor who had been in the room, wordlessly walked away.