AN: Well, as usual, I made some huge story line changes last minute and found myself with a chapter to fill. I despise reading fics that have author described 'filler chapters' though since if it doesn't move along the plot and provide some drama the chapter should be cut. A good writer is nothing if not a good editor. So. That said, I hope you enjoy this last chapter. There will be a chapter 30 that operates somewhat like an epilogue but you'll understand when you read it. Why not end the story with that chapter? Blame my OCD and love for even chaptered fics. I'm strange, this should be news to no one. Song title is by the Beatles.
Chapter 29 Hello, Goodbye
It was late on Sunday when Russ and Max were preparing to leave for parts unknown. The pig pen was complete and the newly named Pinky was enjoying his new home. Parker had finally returned to Rebecca who was overjoyed to be back from her business trip. Just four remained. Max was in the kitchen watching Booth baking Temperance macaroni and cheese for dinner.
"Comfort food." He explained to Max. The older man regarded his new son-in-law with interest but before he could question the agent's perception of Temperance's mood Russ interrupted them.
"Booth, have you seen Tempe? I want to say good-bye before dinner." Booth frowned even as he grated the cheese.
"She's not upstairs? My guess would be outside, maybe she went for a walk." Russ nodded and moved outside just in time to hear Max ask,
"So, Booth, what are your plans for…."
Russ drew his jacket a bit closer, chilled as the night had grown cold. He moved about the yard, finding the pink hydrangeas that were his mother's favorite. He could still smell that last bouqet dad brought home, it was a Thanksgiving arrangement that mom refused to throw out. He inhaled the sweet fragrance and could see their old house, their last Christmas tree… the tail lights disappearing around the corner, never to return.
Hanging his head, Russ fought back the flood of emotions. He was just nineteen, a child still, just barely out of high school with no idea how to survive on his own, let alone take care of his younger brilliant sister. Marco… he smiled at the memory, the sight in his mind's eye of her auburn head of wild curls jerking up, finding him with just that one word. Polo… she would whisper back with just the hint of a smile. Russ turned in the garden, where would she go? He found his answer in the middle of the yard.
Climbing up the ladder, now secured to the ground, Russ groaned as he heaved himself into the tree house.
"Aren't you going to help me?" he asked, drawing a soft smile from Temperance as she sat in the far corner, hugging her knees to her chest. She shook her head teasingly before extending a hand. Russ grapped it with his own rough palm and she hauled his ass onto the platform her husband had built so they were both hidden from the world below.
"You did a great job on the hideaway, Russ. Thank you…" Russ held up a hand to quiet her as he caught his breath and stretched out on the rough floor.
"That's not why you're up here, Tempe." They paused for a heartbeat, neither willing to give in just yet. "We're leaving tonight, sis, but we'll be back."
"I know." Temperance whispered against her knees which were again resting near her chest.
"I love you and I'm so happy you have Booth and Parker. He's a good kid, takes after his father."
"I know." Russ sighed before rotating so he was sitting next to her, effectively trapping his sister next to the wall.
"I know I don't deserve you as a kid sister. I don't deserve a second or a third chance but I really want to know what's bothering you because I think I might have hurt you and that's the last thing I want to do. Please? You used to tell me everything…. Marco…" the last plea for their lost connection to be renewed was almost inaudible. Temperance let out a shuddering sigh and wiped at her eyes.
"Besides, I think if we go inside and you're crying your husband might deck me." Temperance laughed lightly now, nodding her agreement.
"I think I'm sad…. And a little afraid." Russ put his arm around her shoulder, promising himself he wouldn't let go and asked gently,
"Tell me more…."
BBBBB
Inside Booth was livid. He stared at Max, wondering if the man missed the rather large knife he was currently wielding.
"That's none of your damn business!" He finally spat out, lowering the knife deliberately and wiping his hands on the nearest towel.
"You're the one who wanted my involvement with your son, Booth. I assume the offer is open for future grandchildren. Just wanting to know when to anticipate…." Max stopped abruptly as he ducked to avoid the swinging fist.
"Woah, Booth. Chill out, it's a common question for newlyweds, you better get used to answering it." Booth clenched his fists, praying that Russ and Temperance were on a long walk so he could finish this with Max now.
"I don't give a damn who else knows if Temperance and I want more children. But you, you have no right." Max had backed into the kitchen table and now sat on the bench, growing more confused with every moment.
"Excuse my presumption, Booth, but what is this about? If you and my daughter want to say when and where and how I can be involved in your lives I guess you can do that but I've never been good at following the rules, Agent Booth." Booth glared at the older man and sat down at the table across from him.
"Max, I'm only going to say this once, so listen carefully. You abandoned your daughter when she was just a child. I see Parker, I watch him growing up and I could never leave him like you left Bones. Never."
"You'd be surprised what you would do for your family." Max admitted softly.
"Never. It's my job to protect Bones, even from you, and to protect my son and don't think for a second that you will ever see either of them again if you pull something like this again." Sensing some lingering confusion at the extent of his anger, Booth decided to trust Max Keenan, just a little bit.
"I know that you think you sent a message, burning those men on the pole, sticking a coin in their mouths, you told people to leave her alone, people who might hurt her. But it's not your place anymore. Four years ago… we had just been partners a few months when a case involved a D.C. gang. They weren't ultimately responsible for the murder we solved but Bones, she pissed off the wrong person during an interrogation. This man put a hit out on her." Booth watched with satisfaction as Max reacted, his pupils widening and his breathing quickening as he took in the information.
"I was late, meeting your daughter, because I hunted down a gang leader, hauled him in an alley in broad daylight, put my gun in his mouth and told him I would waste him if anything ever happened to her. It's not your place anymore." He reiterated, finding satisfaction in claiming responsibility, sole responsibility, for the woman he loved.
BBBBB
"I don't know, Russ. It's like you and Dad are off together all the time, almost as if you get a second chance knowing him. And… and I'm left here, with Mom, with nothing but bones."
"But you know bones, Temperance, and just because Mom is gone doesn't mean you can't learn anything from her." Temperance stared at her brother incredulously.
"We did learn about her, how she died, what movies she went to, but there's nothing more… she's gone, her bones buried." Temperance snorted at the irony, "Booth even drags me to the cemetary and makes me talk to her. She's dead. She can't hear me and I don't see the point. How can she talk back when she's dead?"
"She left you a tape, didn't she? And I know that Dad has another one, he wanted to give it to you last Saturday like she requested but Booth wouldn't let him upset you on your wedding day." Now the tears which had threatened to come spilled freely and Temperance leaned against her brother as she cried softly.
"Really? And you…" Russ shook his head,
"Mom never left me tapes, just for you, Tempe. Now, what could you possibly be afraid of?"
BBBB
"Booth, do you want more children?" Max asked, leaning away from the man's reach just slightly.
"Of course, who wouldn't want children with Temperance? She's fantastic with Parker, so smart and caring. But this isn't about me. It's never been about me. Our relationship, our marriage, is about us, deciding things together. I'm not the one who would try and carry a child for nine months, who would take time away from work, she would." Max listened to the excuses and caught one very important word.
"Try?"
"What?"
"You said 'try'," Max reiterated, "have you tried before?" Booth balked, annoyed at giving away a secret Temperance hid for so long so foolishly.
"What we want, really want, is to be a family. We promised to love each other, take care of our family above all else. That will extend to any children we share, including Parker." Booth answered honestly. "That's all that matters, that we stay together and take care of our children." Max nodded once, then again, satisfied with Booth's response.
BBBBB
Temperance refused to answer the question Russ posed. But, trapped in the tree house with Russ, she had limited options. He tried a new tactic.
"Do you know how much I hated myself when Mom and Dad disappeared?" The shock on his sister's face gave Russ the courage to continue.
"It's true. I felt like a fool for never learning anything more from Dad than how to fix cars, hated myself for stopping Mom from hugging me like she always wanted to do…. hated that I failed you in so many ways."
"Russ…"
"I want you to know, please," Russ watched her blue eyes glisten as he stared, "Parker is nothing like me. I screwed up, me. Parker is such a good kid, Rebecca and Booth have raised a good kid and I think you've had a hand in that too. Parker's gonna be a great older brother. I know it." Temperance fairly sobbed now, clinging to Russ, the familiar smell of his leather jacket flooding her senses with memories. Russ held back his tears as he faced his past, his failures. Rubbing her back with soothing strokes Russ thought with pride, at least I'm here now.
"You are a great older brother." Temperance finally said, when she'd regained her voice. "The best. It wasn't your fault, none of it. I love you."
"I love you too." And it was Temperance's turn to comfort her sibling as her forgiveness broke down the last of his emotional barriers. Glancing up at the tree house around them she found, on a high branch a single word she knew Russ had carved in the bark.
Marco.
END Chapter
AN: Whew. It's amazing how much I can write when I'm avoiding real work, lol. Okay, that was written in one sitting with a little help from my friend Jose and the endless entertainment value of a drink umbrella. Katie is super busy with school again but I wanted to post the end of this story before Bones Season 3 begins tonight. Final chapter up soon. Ciao.
