Disclaimer-Well, guess what, I still don't own them, surprise, surprise.
A/N- Chapter twenty one, hope you all enjoy.
It was nine thirty AM, when Rolf pulled up outside the book store. Looking out the window he noted a few people milling around, most shops didn't open until ten so he eyed the wanderers with suspicion.
"Here we are have a good day Dr. Brennan, you finish at twelve right?"
Brennan smiled.
"Yes hopefully, I'm sure Erica will call you though."
Rolf smiled tightly, the publicist got on his nerves, she seemed to think he just sat in his car with nothing better to do than wait for her call.
"Yes no doubt she will."
Brennan wasn't great at reading people, but even she picked up on his aggravated tone.
"Shall I head back to hotel and pick up Mr Booth and the children?"
Bone's nodded the thought of leaving her family this morning made her chest ache, it had been no easier than yesterday and she was just as anxious to get back to them.
"Yes, please, if that's ok?"
She waited for his reply and felt a little more at ease when he smiled.
"Of course, my pleasure Dr. Brennan."
She smiled thankfully.
"Thank you, I believe Booth said something about the beach today."
Rolf grinned.
"Ok, are you still planning the trip to Disneyland this afternoon?"
Brennan nodded.
"Yes, though we haven't told Parker and Molly, are you still available to drive us?"
"Yes ma 'am, I'd be delighted."
Brennan smiled at his courtesy.
"Thank you Rolf, you've been wonderful and I'll be sure to pass on my appreciation to Erica as well."
Rolf blushed and ducked his head.
"Tha... thank you Dr. Brennan, it... it's not necessary..."
"Nonsense, you are a credit to the company you work for and should be rewarded for your efforts."
Rolf smiled brilliantly, he had heard stories about Dr. Brennan and her curtness, and how she didn't mix with the commoners and was standoffish. He had been a little worried about driving for her, but he had nothing but kind words to say of the good doctor, she had always been pleasant and friendly toward him and he thought she was extremely polite and giving. He had observed her with her children and she seemed to be a wonderful mother, she doted on both kids without needlessly spoiling them and Agent Booth and she seemed very happy together.
"Thank you Dr. Brennan."
She nodded and slid across the seat to open the door.
"I'll see you later Rolf, have a pleasant day."
He waved to her and waited until she was securely inside the building before driving away, just like Mr Booth asked.
"Ok guys are you ready?"
Parker came down the hall in his board shorts, a tee and thongs; he held his hat and a book in one hand and a bottle of sunscreen in the other.
"Ready."
Booth nodded.
"Great where's your sister?"
Parker looked back down the hall, indicating she was in her room.
"She's looking for her hat."
Booth looked to his own hand that was holding, the cobalt blue floppy article and chuckled at the thought of the three year old, tearing her room to pieces trying to find it.
"Right, can you grab a few bottles of water from the fridge pal and stick them in the pack on the table; you can put the sunscreen in there too."
Parker headed to the kitchenette while Booth went in search of the foraging little girl. Entering her room he smiled, seeing a pair of legs poking out from under the bed.
"Princess?"
She was grunting with the effort to drag herself out and Booth briefly wondered if she was stuck, when her face appeared. He smiled her hair was messed and her cheeks flushed.
"Whatcha doin sweetheart?"
She stood with a frown.
"I can't find my hat daddy and mommy says no hat on head, must play inside instead, but I wanna play outside daddy."
Booth grinned.
"So, you're looking for this..."
He pulled the hat out from behind his back and watched her grin brighten.
"You finded it."
Booth chuckled and handed the hat to the little girl.
"How about we fix your hair before you put your hat on huh?"
Molly nodded and skipped over to get her brush. Booth fixed her hair and placed the hat on her head with a smile.
"You ready to go princess?"
She nodded and took his hand as they walked out back to Parker.
Rolf was downstairs waiting when Booth and the kids got off the elevator, he smiled and greeted them a good morning.
"Dr. Brennan said you wanted to go to the beach."
Booth smiled.
"How far is the Santa Monica Pier?"
Rolf smiled.
"Not far Sir."
They all piled into the limo and off they went.
Booth had decided the car trip was a good time to get Molly covered in sunscreen and started with her face. She scrunched up her nose and eyes and stuck her tongue out, making Booth and Parker laugh. He covered her arms and legs as best he could; knowing her pale features would start coloring the moment they stepped into the sun.
"Daddy, dat tastes yucky."
"Well you're not supposed to eat it princess."
She smiled and made a disgusted expression.
Rolf pulled up into the lot beside the Ferris wheel and made arrangements to pick them all up in two hours from the exact same spot.
They got out of the car and looked in both directions, before Booth made a decision and they were off.
Parker spotted a pretzel store and asked if they could get one, to which Booth had no problems, the three sat and ate as Molly had her first experience of many today.
She looked at the treat in front of her strangely and watched her brother take a huge bite.
"Daddy what's dat."
Booth broke hers up into smaller more manageable pieces to prevent it going everywhere. It was dripping with icing sugar and cinnamon, which he knew for a fact she loved to basically wear.
"It's called a pretzel princess; do you remember when you and mommy made the cinnamon buns?"
Molly nodded.
"Well it's a bit like that, try some."
She picked up a piece slowly and bit into it, her face cracking into a smile as the flavor registered with her taste buds.
"Do you like it Molly?"
Parker asked interestedly. The little girl nodded enthusiastically as she grabbed for another piece.
Booth cursed himself that he had forgotten the wet wipes at the penthouse, instead he wet some napkins and gently wiped Molly's face and hands free, of the sticky goo currently covering them. Parker put their trash in the bin on the boardwalk and hurried back to his dad and Molly.
"Ok... Parks you got plenty of sunscreen on?"
The twelve year old nodded.
"Yep, I put it on before we left, but I couldn't reach my back."
Booth nodded knowing how difficult it was to apply the sun protection to your own back.
"Remind me when we get down to the beach, Molly, more sunscreen for face sweetheart."
She scrunched her face up.
"Daddy."
She whined, her tone telling him she didn't want anymore.
"Nope, we just wiped most of it and your mom will be mad at me, if I bring you back all pink and lobster like."
Molly frowned.
"What's a lob-sta?"
Booth took her hat off and smiled.
"Remember the crabs we saw the other day?"
She nodded.
"Well a lobster looks like that but he's red."
Parker frowned at his dad's misinformation.
"Dad just because crabs and lobsters are crustaceans doesn't mean they look the same, I mean a lobster..."
Booth placed his hand over his son's mouth.
"Let's just keep it simple huh?"
Parker tilted his head and nodded.
"Ok, but mom says giving the wrong information to kids, is how we end up with dumb people in high places."
Booth gave his son an expression that said 'oh boy'. He smeared the little girl with lotion and smiled again as she stuck her tongue out, he replaced the hat back on her head and picked up the pack beside him.
"Ok let's go."
They made it to the beach by ten thirty and would have an hour before they needed to start heading back. Parker tested the sand under his bare feet and grinned.
"Yes! It's not hot."
Molly stopped at the edge of sandy stretch and looked awed, she had never seen a beach and frankly she thought it looked like giant bath tub.
"Come on Molly, let's go make a sandcastle."
She raised her brows in a classic Brennan fashion; Booth could see her hesitation and kneeled down before her.
"Do you want me to carry you princess?"
She watched Parker kicking the sand around and squishing it around his feet, it looked fun and so she shook her head, instead opting for the hand that was by his side. Booth stood again and they stepped onto the sand together, Molly squeaked at the sensation, looking down at her feet being surrounded by the tiny granules.
The three of them weaved through the throngs of people setting up to enjoy a lazy day of sun, sand and surf. Walking down to the water's edge, Parker trotted out ankle deep, reveling in the cool sea water lapping at his toes. Booth slowly walked Molly into it and smiled as she followed without hesitation.
"Daddy, is I having another bath?"
Booth shook his head at her exasperated tone.
"Nope, not now sweetheart, we're just playing princess."
They had spent a little time splashing around and were now showing Molly how to build a sandcastle, however the three year old seemed more interested in watching the other kids around them, run into the water and then back out as each wave chased them to shore.
"Are you gunna help Parker and me princess?"
She looked up to her daddy and nodded before turning back to see the pile of sand they created.
"That doesn't look like a castle daddy."
Booth grinned, if she was anything like her mother she'd be expecting a mote, towering spires and a fully functional drawbridge.
"It's not a real castle princess, it's just pretend."
Her little brows rose in manner, telling her dad, that from the look of 'the castle', she had gathered on her own it wasn't real.
"Come on; help us make some windows, like this."
She watched her dad poke his fingers into the sides, making little holes that she thought looked like windows. Molly smiled and copied, poking her little fingers all over the castle, she was happily off in her own little world, when a loud shout came from behind her just as a man crashed down on their castle and landed in front of the three year old. Molly screamed in fright and scrambled to move away as quick as she could. Booth pulled the guy up by his shoulders and shoved him out the way.
"Move! Go on, get outta here!"
"DAD!"
Booth looked over to see Molly running toward the water, he took off after her like a bat out of hell, only catching her when she ran into lady and fell. The woman bent hurriedly, wanting to soothe the child that was crying.
"Oh sugar... are you lost angel, oh come now don't cry."
Booth skidded to a halt, also falling to his knees and pulling Molly into his lap. The woman smiled.
"Well, it's easy to see you're the dad."
She glance over him appreciatively, he frowned.
"How so?"
"Well, only a parent would have that frantic look on their face."
Booth rocked Molly as she sniffled into his neck.
"Thanks for slowing her down, I ahh... better get back to my son."
The woman looked disappointed.
"Oh, well ahh maybe I'll see you round?"
Booth smiled.
"Umm, it's a big beach."
The woman nodded, sensing he wasn't interested; she gave a tight smile and walked off.
"Its ok princess, come on."
Molly clung to Booth as he stood up and they walked back to Parker, who was exactly where they had left him, looking worried for his sister.
"Is she ok dad?"
Booth smiled ruffling his son's hair.
"Yeah pal, she just got a fright."
Parker nodded.
"Maybe we should go dad."
Booth smiled, the sound of a big brother looking out for his little sister pulled at the agents heart strings.
"Yeah, we need to make our way back to Rolf anyway."
Parker nodded.
"I'm gunna go wash the sand off dad."
Booth looked around.
"Yeah, come up to the freshwater showers pal."
Parker picked up the back pack and walked with his dad up to the boardwalk. The eleven year old washed off quickly and then stood back to let his dad and Molly use the running water. Booth squatted down after placing the still sniffling Molly on the ground.
"Hey Parks can you grab the towel from the bag."
Parker obeyed quickly watching as his dad quickly stripped the three year old, who had sand in her bathers and washed her down, while trying to shield her from prying eyes that were wandering passed. He took the towel and wrapped her up, asking Parker to stand with her while he washed himself off.
"Dad, why did you change Molly?"
Booth shook his hair off as he stepped out from the spray.
"She had sand in her swimmers buddy."
Booth saw the confusion on his son's face.
"Little girls are different to boys."
Parker suddenly understood, having studied the human anatomy with Bones, he was very aware of the differences between boys and girls.
Booth picked Molly up and they started back toward the Ferris wheel.
Rolf pulled into the lot and searched the small crowd on the sides; he couldn't see the trio he was ready to pick up and wondered where they were. Getting out of the limo he walked around to the passenger side and leaned against the door panels. It wasn't long before he spotted them, all three laughing with bright happy faces. Booth was carrying the little one and young boy was pulling faces at her and making her laugh. They walked over cheerily.
"Hi Rolf, sorry we're late, we had a little mishap at the beach."
Rolf smiled and nodded, gesturing for them to get in.
"No problem Mr Booth."
They all climbed in, Molly having a little trouble with the towel still wrapped around her torso.
"Daddy, when will mommy be with us again?"
Booth belted Molly in and smiled.
"Soon princess, Rolf is going to take us to see her now."
Molly clapped excitedly.
"Hey dad, can I have one of those water bottles please?"
Booth opened the pack and handed a bottle over.
"What about you, are you thirsty princess?"
She nodded and watched her daddy unscrew a lid before handing her a bottle too. Booth took the third bottle and guzzled the clear liquid, saving half the bottle in case his girlfriend was thirsty.
Halfway to the bookstore Rolf received a message from Erica telling him Dr. Brennan was ready to leave when he arrived. He sent an ETA and drove on.
Brennan stood just inside the doorway, out the back, there was a small peep hole to see out and she was sporadically using it to spot her family when they showed up. She looked down as her cell phone buzzed.
'On our way babe, we all missed you.'
She smiled, she had never been an affectionate person, with her harsh upbringing she had become somewhat uneasy with affection despite desiring it, but with Booth it had always been different. Initially she had been caught off guard by his 'guy hugs' and the way he touched her or invaded her personal space but somehow the more he gave the more she wanted. Since finally stepping into that more intimate stage she had found affection liberally bestowed upon her and easy to give back.
'Ok, see you soon, missed you all too'
Hearing a thud from back up the hall, she looked up, a man with dirty blonde hair stood in the exit.
"Dr. Brennan?"
She didn't answer, instead feeling her fight response kick in, she assumed a defensive position and moved from the corner of the wall.
The man walked forward with a sickening smile.
"I've waited so long to meet you Dr. Brennan."
The camera he was holding went off, a flash that she wasn't quick enough to look away from, temporarily dazed her.
The limo pulled into the lane and Booth clambered out, he had a bad feeling. Telling the kids to stay put and Rolf to lock the doors, Booth ran to the back entrance as his girlfriend stumbled out into his arms. She was flushed and her hair had come loose.
"Booth!"
"Bones, are you hurt?"
She shook her head.
"No, he... he's in the hall, I...I think he's the one who followed us and took the photo."
Booth kissed her temple.
"The kids are in the car, wait with them."
She nodded and turned as Booth ran around to the front of the shop. Rolf unlocked the doors and allowed Dr. Brennan entry to the back of the vehicle.
"Hey you two."
"Mommy... Mom."
Parker eyed her a moment, she looked different, her was messy and her cheeks were really pink.
"Are you ok, where's dad?"
Brennan smiled at the inquiring eleven year old.
"Yes I'm fine Parker; your dad went inside for a minute."
Parker hugged her, whispering in her ear quietly.
"I'm glad you're ok mom."
Brennan smiled and kissed his head.
"Mommy you is squishing me."
Brennan released both children with a smile.
"So how was your morning, did you go to the beach?"
Booth ran through the doors of the book store and up to the counter.
"Hi Special Agent Seeley Booth, are the security guys that would have been here for Dr. Brennan still around?"
The store keeper shrugged.
"Which way to the back exit?"
The young girl pointed to the door on the left, watching as the agent disappeared.
Jogging down a small flight of stairs Booth smiled, his Bones really knew how to incapacitate someone. There in the hall was a guy no more than forty of a slight build, bound with packing tape; his hands behind his back and his ankles bound and tied to a utility hook on the wall. As he got closer Booth chuckled and shook his head, the guy looked up with frantic eyes.
"Dude, hey dude let me off, this crazy bitch... she... she just attacked me and..."
Booth squatted down, beside me.
"Hi, Special Agent Seeley Booth, so you're saying this woman, she... she just attacked you?"
The guy nodded.
"For no reason at all."
The guy nodded again.
"Yeah man, I was just walking down here and..."
Booth held his fingers up to his own mouth.
"Shhh, I'm gunna stop you there pal."
The guy watched him curiously.
"I... I just felt I should let you know who that crazy bitch is."
The man frowned as Booth leaned in close.
"That crazy bitch is the very rational, the very logical, Dr. Temperance Brennan and Dr. Temperance Brennan is my girlfriend pal, and she rarely does anything rash unprovoked, so..."
Booth inhaled deeply seeing a long range lens camera lying on the ground.
"Here's what's gunna happen, I'm not gunna untie you, instead you're gunna stay there while I call the local PD, and I'm gunna recommend they hold you in lock up till Tuesday, when we get back to DC, then after Dr. Brennan gives her statement we'll talk about charges of stalking, conduct endangering life, invasion of personal privacy, and oh whatever else I can think of."
The guy looked horrified.
"And I can't wait to see what's on your camera."
Booth patted his shoulder and stood up with a smile.
"Nice chatting with you..."
He turned and began to walk away, before stopping and facing the guy again.
"Oh and if I find out you laid a single finger on her, before she hung you up like a drying carcass, you'll never see daylight again buddy."
With that he turned and left the hall, anxious to get back out to the limo and check on his family.
Woo hoo, please review. Hope you can all relax a little now we got rid of the picture taking loony, you bunch of stress heads :) *sighs in relief*