Disclaimer: I do not own Bones

Ryan was pissed, to say the least. The last time he had seen Dalton, he made it perfectly clear that he was never to come near him or his mother again. He thought he was done with him. He thought he would never have to feel that pain that entered into his heart every time he thought of Dr. Dalton Ryder. Dalton was his father figure for his first 19 years of life. He taught him how to play football, basketball, baseball; he taught him how to fire a gun and how to play pool; hell, he even taught him how to play guitar. So, it was no surprise that his betrayal hit him a little hard. He never expected him to do that to his mother. He claimed he loved her with all his heart, yet he causes her to have a heart attack! Yes, he may have loved Dalton like a father then, but now he will never be able to forgive him for what he's done to his family.

Now Ryan just had to figure out what to do with the news of Dalton being back in town. He could always tell his parents; but wouldn't that make them upset… especially his dad. No, this had to be his secret. He'll find out what is going through Dalton's conniving mind, and stop his plan once and for all. Dalton Ryder was not going to come between his newly reunited family.

###

Parker walked into his office at George Washington University. It was his first day back on the job since learning about Kelsey. Trustworthy and reliable babysitters were not easy to come by, and he didn't want anything but the best for his daughter. He opened the door to his office and jumped a foot off the floor when he saw his boss, Dr. Thompson standing by his desk.

"Dr. Booth," Dr. Thompson greeted Parker, "I'm glad you're here. We have some things to talk about."

Parker was confused. He has had conversations with his boss before, but during none of them had he ever looked as serious as he did now. Parker went behind his desk, plopped into his chair and looked over at his boss, "is there a problem?"

Dr. Thompson sighed. "I have recently been made aware of the situation that has been keeping you from your job the past few weeks."

Parker raised an eyebrow. Him and Kelsey was no secret, but he was actually very surprised that his boss had learned of this so quickly. "Oh, is that it. I promise sir that none of this will effect my job or-"

Dr. Thompson interrupted him, "you mean to tell me that having your brother as one of your students will not affect your job at all?"

Parker's eyes widened and his face turned white. This was not about Kelsey, it was about Ryan. "There is nothing in the rules forbidding professors to teach their brothers," Parker defended.

"No," Dr. Thompson assured him, "but it is against the rules to favor your brother over the rest of the class." He looked at Parker who was obviously confused by his words. "I have had some complaints from students regarding your treatment of Ryan."

Parker groaned. Stephanie. She was the only other student in Ryan's class.

"And," Dr. Thompson continued, "not coming into work for weeks since your brother has been injured is not what I would call not effecting your job."

Parker grew angry at this statement. "Now wait just a second! You think I haven't been in because of Ryan?" Dr. Thompson nodded and Parker shook his head, "no, if you must know, it is because I recently found out I have a daughter, and her mother just left her with me saying that she wants nothing else to do with her. I think that takes a little more precedence over my life at the moment that my job."

Dr. Thompson gasped. That was not what he was expecting. It made him feel bad about what he had to do. "I'm sorry Dr. Booth but I have no choice to ask for your resignation. If I do not receive it by the end of the week, I will be forced to fire you." With that, he left the office, leaving a shocked Parker to think things through.

###

Temperance stormed into Dr. Thompson's office the next day intent on giving the man a piece of her mind. Ryan was right by her side. He had messed with the wrong family. The news of Parker being forced to resign made everybody angry. There was no way Parker was treating Ryan any differently than Stephanie, even if he was his brother. Temperance was bound and determined to set the man strait.

"Dr. Thompson," she said as she stormed into his office. Dr. Thompson looked up from his files and stood in awe when he saw the great Dr. Brennan standing before him.

"Dr. Brennan," he gushed, "It is so nice to meet you, I-"

"Save it!" Ryan said from his wheelchair, coming out so Dr. Thompson could clearly see who he was dealing with. His face grew white when he saw them glaring at him. He knew what this is about.

"Ah yes," Dr. Thompson said, sitting back down, and motioning for Temperance to do the same, "I assume this is about Parker."

"You have no evidence that those claims brought against Dr. Booth is valid. Will you force every professor you have to resign just if some student comes up with some ridiculous claim against them?"

"Dr. Brennan," Dr. Thompson interrupted, "are you telling me that Parker and Ryan are not brothers?" The look on her face made his point very clear. "No offence, but your argument does not seem so valid seeing as Parker is your son."

"Parker is not my son," Temperance corrected.

Dr. Thompson was confused at her statement, "but-"

"Parker and Ryan have the same fathers." Temperance clarified, "but they did not ever meet each other until Ryan was enrolled in his class."

Dr. Thompson looked over at Ryan for clarification. He nodded. Dr. Thompson sighed. He was in a very difficult situation, but the only way he could see this coming up without a mess; or lawsuit, would be for him to stick with his original plan. "I'm sorry Dr. Brennan, but I have to stick with my original assessment. I cannot have Parker Booth working here."

At this, Ryan blew up. "If Dr. Booth cannot work here because of me, then I will not go to this school as well. I do not want to be associated with a school that takes the most frivolous, worthless details and makes a big deal out of them."

Dr. Thompson was appalled; this was the last thing he wanted to happen. If word got out the son of the great forensic anthropologist thought this school was unworthy, he would never live it down.

"It is perfect timing. I am still out for a few weeks due to my injuries. I will start at a different school next semester. I'm smart; someone will want me." Before Dr. Thompson, or his mother for that matter, could argue with Ryan's decision, Ryan wheeled out of the room, leaving two very shocked doctors in his wake.

At that, Temperance turned to Dr. Thompson and said, "I hope you will be able to explain to your higher ups why 'the great Dr. Brennan' is no longer a donor to this school." Dr. Thompson's face grew ashen at these words. "I agree with my son, I don't want to be anyhow associated with this institution." With that, Temperance walked out the door, leaving a shocked Dr. Thompson to think about his mistakes.

###

"You guys didn't have to do that," Parker told Ryan and Temperance, "I could have found another job."

"Parker," Temperance assured him, putting her hand on his shoulder, "we are a family. Families stick up for one another. I don't want to do any business with any institution that treats my family how they treated you."

Parker smiled, they were a family.