Booth pulled up to the gate to Hodgins and Angela's house, pushing the code to come through, he drove down the long driveway and arrived at the side of their car, where Hodgins stood with the door open, desperately pleading with Antonia to stop crying.

"Ant… come on, little one… please?" Hodgins begged, looking up as Booth approached. "Thank God you're here. She won't get out of the car."

"Did you try prying her out of the seat with a crowbar?" Booth asked, watching the little girl crying, her eyes lifting to see her daddy, the wailing stopped as she attempted to catch her breath. She had tears rolling down her anger reddened face, and her hands were gripping the toy in her hands so tightly that her knuckles were nearly white.

"Daddy!" She sobbed, pulling at the car seat, she couldn't unbuckle it fast enough. He reached across her and unbuckled the seat, and instantly her arms were around him, holding on with every ounce of strength she had. Her grip was tight, and he pulled himself from the car as he looked to Hodgins, his newly attached little girl appendage dangling from his neck.

"You alright there?" Hodgins asked, as Booth held his little girl in his arms as she sniffled into his shoulder.

"I am really… really… really sorry." Booth said, glancing to Angela as she stood up out of the car. "What….happened?"

"We drove past the Jeffersonian." Hodgins replied. "She wanted to go see Doctor B., and we kept driving." He said giving Booth an amused look.

"Booth, you have to tell her." Angela said, watching Booth's eyes widen as he nodded his head in acknowledgment.

"I'm going to have to." He said, sighing in resignation. "You guys have a good night. I'm sorry about all of the trouble."

"She's no trouble, Booth…" Angela replied.

"No… no, it's fine." He replied, making it clear that he really didn't mind coming to get her. "It's fine. I'll keep you guys in the loop." He said, giving them a friendly wave as he walked toward his own car, holding the tiny body against his own as he opened the back door. He helped her into her car seat as she held tightly to her stuffed elephant, and let him buckle her up. He didn't say anything to her as he wiped the tears from her cheeks and kissed her forehead, climbing from the back seat he closed the door and walked around to the driver's side. He looked up to see Hodgins and Angela standing by their car as they watched him. "She'll be okay." He sighed, though his words did not sound hopeful. "Thanks guys." He said, sighing as he climbed into the driver's seat and turned the car around, disappearing down the driveway without another word.

The drive was almost silent, but for the little sniffles coming from the back seat. He waited until they were a little bit away from the house before he spoke. "Are you okay?" He asked, an odd question to ask her, though he knew that she was very easy to rile up sometimes.

"Uh huh." She nodded, looking out the window.

"You were crying because you wanted to see mommy?" He asked, watching her head nod, her hand swiped the tears from her cheek.

"Yeah." She whimpered. "I need to see mommy."

"Why do you need to see mommy so badly?" Booth asked, looking back at the little girl as she sniffled.

"Mommy always calls…mommy always calls… I miss mommy. I need to see mommy." She said, her voice high and pitiful, she continued to watch out the window as Booth drove them. "I need to see her."

Booth became quiet, listening to the sad, soft sound of her voice, his chest was aching, his head was beginning to pound, and his stomach twisted with each turn toward the hospital. When he pulled into the parking lot of the hospital, he looked into the rear view mirror and saw the little girl's eyes on his. "Daddy, where are we going?" She whispered.

Booth swallowed as he parked the car, not answering her right now, he unbuckled his seatbelt. "Do you trust me?" He asked, turning his head, the little girl nodded her head. "Do you love me?" He asked, watching her brow furrow as she nodded her head. "You promise?" He asked.

"Yes." She swallowed, noting the sadness in his eyes, she breathed deeply. "Where's mommy?"

He didn't answer her question and simply got out of the car, closing his door, he opened the back door and reached over to her to unbuckle her seatbelt. "Come on." He said, pulling her into his arms as he cuddled the little pajama clad girl against him and held her stuffed elephant to his chest as well as he pulled her from the SUV and closed the door behind him.

"Daddy?" She whimpered.

"You said you trust me." He said softly. "We're partners still, right? You're my little girl?" He asked, confusing her a little bit. She had no idea why he kept asking her for this constant validation.

"Yes." She said, swallowing, she looked back toward the car, but Booth continued to walk toward the hospital, the same place she had been at earlier. "Daddy, do you have a booboo again? Are you okay?"

"I'm okay, baby." He replied as they stepped in through the doors and into the lobby.

"Daddy, why are we at the doctor?" She asked, her eyes on her father as he just walked with her through the lobby. "Daddy?" She asked again. "Daddy, please?" She said, very concerned for him as he sat in a chair on the far end of the lobby, away from everyone. He settled her on his lap and tried his very best to keep his emotions from her, though she could immediately see the fear in his eyes. "Is mommy in heaven?" She whispered.

"No!" He exclaimed suddenly, making her jump, her eyes widened. "No… no, mommy is not in heaven… she's not… I promise." He said, hugging her closely.

"Then why are we here? Did a bad guy hurt mommy?"

"No." He shook his head. "Do you remember that time you jumped on daddy's back… and he yelled really loud and you got scared?" He asked.

"Mm… yes." She whispered, swallowing hard, she seemed very nervous with where Booth was going.

"Well… mommy… she and daddy were at work together… and daddy kind of… accidentally made her… yell really loud." He whispered, listening to her gasp, her jaw dropped.

"You hurt mommy?" She asked, her eyes filling with tears.

"It was an accident." He replied.

"Is that why she didn't call me?" She whispered, swallowing, her lower lip slipping into her mouth.

"That's why she didn't call you." He said, feeling her sliding from his lap. "Hey…" He said as he felt her pulling his hands off her as she stood up beside him, looking at him. She crossed her arms over her chest.

"I want to see my mommy."

"Baby…"

"I am not your baby. I want to see my mommy, please." She said stubbornly.

"Toni."

"My name is Antonia." She said. "Take me to see my mama." She said, sucking in a deep breath. "I want to see my mama. Now." She said definitively.

Booth sighed as he stood up, reaching for her hand, she turned away from him, refusing to hold his hand. "Please hold my hand." He replied.

"No." She said stubbornly, as he watched her glare at him. There was just a pause, and he sighed, walking slowly toward the elevator without another word, she followed alongside him refusing to look at him, refusing to hold his hand, and refusing to say another word to him.

They reached the hospital room and Booth led her down the hallway as she walked very focused, very upset, and extremely quietly with him. He had gotten a couple of looks, people smiling as this tiny girl walked beside the man, her face holding a determined scowl that meant nothing but business.

Booth stopped outside the door, looking down at the little girl, she faced the door waiting for him to open it as he crouched down to look at her. "Antonia, please look at me."

"No." She said stubbornly.

"We are not going to go in and see mommy until you can turn around and listen to me."

"I don't want to talk to you." She huffed.

"Turn around now, or we're going to go home without seeing Mommy." He said, listening to her indignant huff, he watched as she turned around and faced him. "You're not going to just get your way by being stubborn like this, Antonia. I am an adult, you need to listen when an adult speaks to you."

"I am mad at you."

"Angry or not, I am still your father… and when I speak to you, that is what goes… got it?"

"I don't want you to be my daddy. I want you to be invisible. I want you to be Deuce. Deuce wouldn't hurt mommy. Deuce would go to heaven before he would hurt mommy." She said angrily, her words stabbing him sharply. "I wish you were Deuce." She glared.

He was at a loss for words for a moment, the anger in her eyes was so real that it felt like she had reached into his chest and pulled out his beating heart. This little girl that he would do anything for was standing in front of him wishing that he'd just disappear, and that's what he wanted to do, just make all of the pain go away. "You can't hug mommy, Antonia… she is very hurt… and there are going to be tubes and wires… you have to be very, very careful…"

"I know." She replied. "When Deuce was in the hospital, I had to be careful."

"Right." He nodded.

"I'm not stupid." She said, turning around, she faced the door, her nose but an inch from it as she waited for him to open it.

"No." He shook his head. "You are by no means stupid." He said, standing up, he grabbed the doorknob and slowly opened the door to the room. As soon as there was enough room for her to get inside, she took a step, but no more into the room, followed by Booth, who closed the door behind them.

The bed was set up a little farther toward the corner, and another bed had been brought in to sit a few feet beside it. He assumed that Temperance had requested it for him and Antonia. She was lying in the same position, flat on her back, her head resting on a flat pillow, her arms to her side, and her eyes were closed. He took a step forward, expecting Antonia to step forward as well, but she did the opposite, stepping backwards onto his feet, she didn't apologize, only reached her hands back and gripped his legs as she stood on his feet.

"It's okay." Booth said softly, touching her head, tenderly, the little girl looked up at him and he could see the frightened look in her eyes. This move showed that despite her intense anger and hurtful words, he was still her protector, and it warmed him a bit to know that she felt safe with him, despite the circumstances.

Temperance remained motionless and Booth and Antonia stood quietly together for a moment, their bodies in a strange limbo as Antonia tried to decide whether she wanted to brave this, or flee. It was then that Temperance opened her eyes, sensing the eyes that were staring at her, a tender smile lifted on her lips. Antonia couldn't see her mother's face, but Booth could, and he watched her attempt to lift her head.

"There you are." She said groggily.

"Mama?" Antonia whimpered.

"Baby?" Temperance whispered, her hand sliding to the edge of the bed as she turned her head. She wiggled her fingers.

"Mama?" Antonia said again, sliding her feet from Booth's, she released his leg.

"Antonia…" Temperance whispered. "Booth?"

Booth then, without thinking, stepped forward and lifted the little girl into his arms, and a sudden struggle ensued. "Let me go!" She exclaimed stubbornly.

"Antonia, stop…" Booth replied as he stepped toward the bed.

"Stop! You stop!" Antonia exclaimed as she kicked at Booth, sending two solid kicks to his ribs, she managed to send her heel directly into one of the welts from the gunshots, and he yelped in pain, sending her in a near tumble to the ground, where she unceremoniously and dramatically threw herself to the floor and began to cry.

Booth wanted to lift her to her feet and stopped, hearing Temperance's voice. "Booth, just let her…She's tired… she's stubborn." Temperance said as the little girl continued her fit on the floor, Booth gave Temperance a pitiful glance. "Just…don't worry about it." She said, her eyes a bit clearer as Antonia realized that neither adult was paying attention to her little fit, she sat on the floor stubbornly. "I had them bring a bed in for you." Temperance said softly.

"I don't think I'll be sleeping much." He whispered.

"You're going to sleep, Booth." Temperance replied. "You need your rest."

"Don't talk to him." Antonia said suddenly, standing up, wiping her tears. "He hurt you." She exclaimed, walking to the bed, she took her mother's hand, standing on her tiptoes, Temperance still couldn't meet her daughter's eyes, and it frustrated her.

"Don't be like that to your daddy." Temperance said, squeezing the little girl's hand, she struggled to try to look at her, as Booth pulled the chair beside him up toward the bed. "He did not hurt me."

"He said…" She said, looking up at Booth with a glare. "He said he hurt you."

"It was an accident. He was protecting mommy, and it was an accident. You and daddy have to work together, baby. Mommy is going to need your help… and you can only help if you and daddy are on the same side."

Antonia sucked in a deep breath. "No."

"Booth?" Temperance said, noting the thoughtful and sad look on his face, she couldn't quite see Antonia, and she needed to make it very clear to her that her current behavior would not be tolerated. He looked into her eyes and smiled just slightly, enough for her to see the sparkle in his eyes as he tried to remain strong. "Tell her it was an accident. Tell her the truth."

"I told her the truth, Bones." He said, leaning down to smooth her hair back from her face, he kissed her forehead.

"I want to see mommy." Antonia pouted. "I want to see her like you can."

"You want to give mommy a kiss?" Booth asked, glancing to the little girl, she nodded her head. "If I pick you up to help… are you going to kick me?"

She thought for a moment. "No."

"Are you going to bite me?" He asked, hearing Temperance's voice in his ear suddenly.

"Do not plant ideas in her head, please?" She whispered.

"Good point." He said, standing up straighter, he looked down at the little girl as she seemed to be trying to join him in a staring contest. He crossed his arms, and she did the same, her eyes narrowing as the challenge continued.

"Little girls do not bite." She snapped definitively. "Biting is unsanitary."

"Why does this make me think she's had a conversation like this with you in the past?" Booth asked Temperance.

"Just bring me my little girl, Booth." Brennan whined as he smiled and leaned down, taking the now grateful little girl into his arms, she reflexively gripped his arm as he held her, and when her eyes met her mothers, Temperance could see the flash of fear in her eyes. "There is my baby girl." She whispered.

"Mama…" She whimpered as Booth carefully held her over the woman in the bed, her little hand reaching out to touch her mother's cheek. She kissed her on the cheek, and Booth held her as Temperance reached up and ran her fingers through her daughter's hair as their forehead's touched. He could hear Temperance sniffle, and his heart was breaking for her, knowing that all she wanted to do in that moment was hold her little girl. "Don't cry, mama." She said softly as she felt herself being pulled away by Booth. "I'm not done saying hi to Mommy yet…" Antonia whimpered.

"Well you're getting to be too big to hold that way for long." Booth said as he lifted her upright and into his arms. "Mommy can see you right here… okay?"

A light sigh, and a sideways glance as she felt Temperance reach up and touch her foot. "I guess." She shrugged.

Booth could see the tears in Temperance's eyes, and the way her eyes were moving over their little girl as she playfully tickled the little girl's ankle. "Mommy…" She giggled, leaning her head into Booth as he whispered a 'thank you' to her. The little girl's giggle made her smile as Booth leaned down and kissed Temperance. He stood up and sighed, glancing to the other bed.

"Well…" Booth said, clearing his throat. "It looks like Mommy wants to have a little sleepover at the hospital tonight…" He said as he carried Antonia toward the bed. "How does that sound to you?"

"I can stay here with mommy?"

"We'll both stay here." He said, setting the little girl on the bed, she watched her mother's head turn in their direction, and with the height of the bed, she could see her face. "Is that okay with you?"

"Uh huh." She nodded.

"Okay…" He said. "I think mommy is getting sleepy though… so you should say goodnight, okay?"

"Mm…."

"I love you, baby." Temperance whispered.

"I love you, Mommy." She replied automatically, her voice confident and a little less scared. She lifted her palm to her lips and kissed it, blowing Temperance a kiss across the room. "Sweet dreams."

"Sweet dreams, baby." She said, watching Antonia lay on the pillow that Booth had set for her so that she could see the bed, he covered her tenderly with the thin blanket that the hospital had provided, lifting the rail on the side of the bed. Booth leaned down and kissed her head tenderly as she cuddled around her stuffed elephant and sighed.

"I love you, baby." Booth whispered as she closed her eyes.

"Goodnight, Deuce." She replied, sighing softly into her pillow as she began to drift to sleep. Booth turned reluctantly and walked to Temperance's bed, watching her follow him as he leaned over the side of her bed.

"What was that all about?" Temperance whispered.

"Nothing for you to worry about." He replied. "Get some sleep, Bones… you know those nurses are going to be in here all night long harassing you." He said, watching the curve of a smile on her lips as he reached up and switched off the main light in the room.

"You get some sleep too, Booth." She swallowed. "For me?"

"That's manipulative." He said with a sly grin.

"Oh, I know." She replied, accepting a tender kiss on the lips. "Where do you think she gets it from?" She said, listening to his gentle laugh before she watched him move from sight and toward the uncomfortable chair in the corner, where she knew for a fact he would try his best to rest, and do all he could to keep watch over his family.