(The Change in the Game)

Reminder: this story is AU. Booth and Brennan hooked up earlier than in the show.

Thanks for your kind reviews.

I don't own Bones.

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Waiting out in the parking lot of the bowling alley, Joseph listened to his radio play soft jazz. Almost asleep, he was abruptly brought back to full alert by a pounding on his van. Jerking awake, he opened the door and stepped out onto the blacktop. Looking around, he walked around to the passenger side and found his friend waiting patiently in his wheelchair.

Smiling, he walked over to the door and opened it up. Pulling a little step stool out and placing it on the ground below the passenger seat, he helped Max leave his chair and climb into the van. Wheeling the chair to the back of the van, he folded it up, opened the back door and slid the chair into the roomy back.

Walking around the van, Joseph noticed his son and his girlfriend leaving the bowling alley. Waving at Booth, the older man was satisfied when his son waved back.

Entering the van, he turned to look at Max, "I saw the police cars earlier. They hauled someone out of there in cuffs. I guess Seeley and Temperance figured out who the murderer was."

Buckling his seatbelt, Max made sure the buckle was locked, "Yeah, it was someone that worked at the bowling alley."

Turning the key, the van sputtered to life. Buckling his own seatbelt, Joseph checked his mirrors and prepared to back out of his parking space.

Reaching over, Max placed his hand on his friend's arm. "Wait, I need to tell you something."

Curious, Joseph turned to give Max a questioning stare.

Smiling, the younger man punched his friend lightly on his arm, "I thought you might like to know that Tempe is expecting a baby."

Stunned, Joseph felt his mouth drop open. Max laughing at his friends expression, nodded his head, "Yep. I guess she told Seeley about it a week ago and she told me this evening. You're going to be a grandfather again."

Closing his mouth abruptly, Joseph turned to stare out of the windshield. Nodding his head, he then stared down at the steering wheel. "I hope I get to see the baby."

Frowning, Max shook his head, "Come on Joseph. Their baby will be here in about eight months. You aren't going anywhere."

Shrugging his shoulders, Joseph placed his van in reverse and pulled out of the parking lot, "I probably don't get a say in that one, Max. It would be nice though."

Watching Joseph drive the van out of the parking lot and onto the adjacent street, Max sighed, "Joseph, why don't you tell Seeley who you are? He's seen you around for four years now. You know he likes you. Just tell him that you're his father."

Shaking his head, Joseph watched the traffic surrounding his van, "No way, Max. I made my peace a long time ago. My boy likes me now and I'm not going to jeopardize that. He's a grown man, he doesn't need a father. I gave up my right to be his father a long time ago. This is better. No pressure, no guilt, he likes me and I like him. Being his father would just dredge up feelings that need to remain buried."

Shaking his head, Max studied the side of his friend's face for awhile, "What happens when you die?"

His brow crinkling in confusion, Joseph responded, "I don't know what you mean. When I die, I'm going to be cremated. I bought a niche at a mausoleum for my ashes to rest in. I have everything written down and the paper is in my fire safe in my apartment. Dad knows where it is. Of course, if by some miracle I out live Dad, I guess you can take care of it for me, couldn't you? I'm not going to have a funeral. Just cremate my body and place the urn in the niche. Maybe you could come by on my birthday and say hi after that but really that's all I have planned."

Sighing, Max asked, "Do you plan to have your kids notified when you die?"

Smiling, Joseph nodded his head, "Yeah, well, I have an insurance policy and Seeley is the beneficiary. I was going to leave something to Jared; but, years ago I realized that Jared never really went through the hell that Seeley did. Seeley deserves to be rewarded for putting up with my shit. The money won't make up for what I did to him, but, he can use the money for Parker's college fund or maybe supplement his retirement fund. It's all I can do for him. . . . Oh I'm leaving him a memento box. He'll probably throw it away but it's his choice."

Shaking his head, Max stared out of the passenger window, "I wish you'd try to make amends with your son, Joseph. Look how long it took with Tempe and me. I still put her on edge sometimes but we talk and have holidays together."

Shaking his head slowly, the older man responded, "You never spanked or hit your kids a day in their lives. You abandoned them which was pretty tough but you did it out of love. Me, I terrorized my kids and my wife. I made their lives a hell on earth. . . . No, my way is the right way. Seeley doesn't need reminders of his childhood. He's a man with a family of his own. He's successful despite of me not because of me. I'm damn proud of him and I love him. My final gift to him is to allow him to have a peaceful adult life with me out of the picture. I'll answer for what I did soon enough. Right now, I get to live in peace, I get to see my son and his new life partner. I may get to see their child. Life's good for him and for me right now."

Sad, Max watched the buildings as the van slowly passed them.

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