Disclaimer: I do not own Bones
Temperance found herself back at the federal prison where Jeremy Williams was being held. She felt obligated to talk to him; actually talk to him without Booth interfering and telling her what to do. She felt that there were some things that needed to be discussed privately between them; and what better time to do it than now?
After she had walked away from her conversation with Booth, she had wandered aimlessly around, doing nothing in particular. All she could do was think. In fact, that seemed to be all she could do lately.
She just wishes that her supposed friends and family would understand what she is going through. No, she does not remember her past life, but do they really think pushing her back into it immediately was the best idea? Honestly, it was just overwhelming. That is why she blew up at Angela and Booth. She just needed a break from everything that has been happening in her life.
As she arrived at the prison, the guards greeted her and asked her to wait as they brought Jeremy into the visiting room. Brennan sat in one of the chairs and waited patiently.
She couldn't help but think what Booth would do if he knew she was here. She sighed deeply; chances are, Booth would find out; and chances are, he would not be happy.
A few minutes later, the guard returned and led her into the same room her and Booth had visited earlier in the day.
Brennan nodded her thanks to the guard and took a seat opposite Jeremy.
The kid looked shocked, to say the least, to see her back so soon. He looked at her nervously and waited for her to speak first.
Brennan couldn't help but feel sorry for him again. He was alone in this world; she knows exactly how that feels. "Jeremy," she said quietly.
Jeremy looked up at her and she could see him shaking with fear. Prison is really not good for a kid his age.
"I just wanted to apologize for the way agent Booth acted this morning," she contined. "He just cares for me and wants to make sure I am ok."
Jeremy nodded in understanding. He took a deep breath to try to ease his fears, but his voice still came out a little shaky, "It's ok Dr. Brennan," he replied, "I understand where he is coming from. I deserve it."
Brennan sighed in sympathy. "Maybe you do," she admitted, to which she noticed Jeremy's face fell a little, "however," she quickly added before he could get too bent out of shape, "you also deserve a second chance; you deserve forgiveness."
Jeremy looked at her, trying not to seem too hopeful in his demeanor, "I really don't," he argued, "what I did was terrible; unforgiveable. It does not surprise me that everyone is leaving me. I am a failure."
"No!" Brennan yelled, causing Jeremy to jump in fear. "You are not a failure. One mistake does not constitute worthlessness. Yes, you made some bad choices, but you are young, you deserve a second chance. However, if you would happen to make the same mistakes again, I would have to agree with you being punished with the highest penalty acceptable."
Jeremy looked freaked, and Brennan calmed down. She smiled at him softly and assured him, "I am almost positive that you do not have to worry about that. It seems to me as if you have learned your lesson."
Jeremy nodded, "I did. I am never going to do drugs or drink again. I am not going to let myself get pulled back into that trap."
Brennan smiled and clasped his hand across the table, "you are a good kid, and I just wanted to let you know that I forgive you."
Jeremy looked up at her with an unreadable look on her face. "Why he asked?"
"Why?" Brennan repeated, confused as to what he was asking her.
"Why do you forgive me?" he looked at her intently, "I mean, I almost killed you. You were in a coma for months, and I can only imagine the medical bills that have piled as a result. Most people would not forgive me."
Brennan looked at him and replied seriously, "I am not most people."
Jeremy nodded and looked down to his hands, which she was still holding tightly. "Agent Booth told me that you would be pissed. That if you woke up; when you woke up," he corrected, "you would do whatever it took to punish me."
Brennan sighed. Had Booth really said that? Was that who she really was, someone who would do whatever it took to put a child in prison?
"Maybe that is what the real Dr. Brennan would have done," Brennan said quietly, almost so nobody could hear.
Jeremy did hear, however, and said, "What do you mean the real Dr. Brennan?"
Brennan sighed, "Nobody told you?" she questioned.
Jeremy shook his head no, confused as to what she was talking about.
"Upon waking up from my coma it seems if I got amnesia."
Jeremy's eyes widened, "you mean you-"
Brennan nodded before he could finish his statement. "Yes, I do not remember anything that has happened in the past 14 years of my life."
"Wow," Jeremy stated. "Maybe that means that once you gain back your memories you will decide to make my life harder than it already is destined to be.''
Brennan shook her head adamantly no, "No!" she stated firmly. "I am going to do whatever it takes to make sure you will eventually be able to live a normal life.'
Jeremy looked at her sadly, "I don't think I will ever have a normal life after what I did."
"You can, and you will," Brennan promised him, "you will make something out of your life. I will make sure of that!"
Jeremy nodded, "Thank you Dr. Brennan."
Brennan smiled and got up to walk out the door.
"Dr. Brennan," Jeremy said before she could leave the room.
Brennan turned around to see what the kid had to say.
"Sometimes the people who seem to be treating you the hardest; who seems to always be constantly nagging you do something, or be someone; those are the people that love you the most. I learned that the hard way," a look of sadness passed through Jeremy's eyes, and Brennan realized he was referring to his parents. "Agent Booth loves you, that is obvious to anyone who has met him, or even seen the two of you together. Maybe he is acting difficult in your opinion because he wants what's best for you. Even though you are ultimately the one who needs to make your own life's decisions, just remember; your friends and family are doing what they are doing because they love you, maybe you should listen to them."
Brennan was shocked at Jeremy's words. How did he know she was having trouble with her friends and family.
The look on her face told Jeremy that his assumptions were right, "lucky guess," he said to her.
Brennan shook her head in awe, amazed at the wisdom a kid half her age had.
Jeremy smiled at her before she turned to walk away, "that is my advice, for what it is worth."
All I really need to say is review if you want me to update this within the next day or two. I'm not threatening not to update, it's just that reviews make me more motivated to update. Review!
