Seriously I do need a little bit of help with this story. It's as much yours as it is mine.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bones because Zack is not on the show anymore. But he'll be back on April 8th for the 100th episode of Bones.

Chapter 36

The Bearer

Friday rolled around and Booth picked me up at the Jeffersonian and we went to pick up Parker. He was uncomfortable by the idea of having someone watch him with his son. I understood that.

"I'm sorry Booth." I told him as I sat down in the front seat of his car.

"I get it; I don't have to like it, but I get it." I nodded. "So how is this creepy stalker thing going to work?"

"Simply put I am a silent observer. I have to be cold and detached." He snorted slightly. "I'll do my best to write the honest truth." As if it was going to be hard.

"What is the truth?"

"That you are a good father and Parker needs you. Of course I'll put it in fancy terminology for the judge." There it was, Booth laughed a little.

I always hated doing psychological observations of people. It didn't seem fair because the science is so flawed and annoying. But it was for Parker and I wanted to help. I did take all the courses for it, but that was because I wanted to profile criminals.

I waited in the car while Booth went in to get Parker. I waved when I saw them coming. I shouldn't have, but he was so adorable.

"Althy, are you coming to the carnival with us?"

"Yeah, sorry about that, sport. I know you probably just want to hang out with your dad." Parker got into the car and strapped in behind his dad's seat.

"That's okay." said Parker "Daddy and I hang out with Bones a lot." I smiled smugly and looked at Booth. He did not appear to have noticed that as he strapped in.

"What's the clipboard for?" asked Parker.

"I'm going to write about how much fun you and your dad have fun when you're together." Booth nodded. Parker knew about the hearing. "I'm going to tell the judge that you have the coolest dad ever."

When we arrived at the carnival Booth got Parker a hot dog because he refused to buy him ice-cream until he ate something. Parker ate the hot dog and then asked for another one. I couldn't help, but laugh at how cute it all was. Booth said no because he didn't want him to get sick on all the rides.

But how would I convince a judge that Booth is the best option for Parker's well being…I knew….of course I knew. This was me.

"Althy, will you ride the roller coaster with me?" asked Parker

"Uh…" Booth had that pleading look in his eye. "Sure, come on." I grabbed his hand leaving my clip board with Booth. "You're not scared?"

"No way, Daddy doesn't like roller coasters and I'm tall enough to go to medium one with an adult. You're an adult, right?" I nodded. We stood in line and Parker jumped excitedly up and down.

"Parker, did your Dad tell you I'm getting married?" I asked. He shook his head. "Well I am and I need a very smart, very responsible boy for a very special mission."

"What kind of mission?"

"Do you want to be the ring bearer?"

"What would I do?"

"You would have to wear a tux and hold a pillow that had two rings on it one for me and one for Zack, the guy I'm going to marry."

"Is that all I get to do? Hold a pillow?"

"Yeah, but that's the most important job of all. Without it we can't be husband and wife." the line moved up and so did we. "If I ask your dad and he says yes, do you think you'd do it?"

"Totally…but can we ask him after the ride?" I nodded. We took the ride; it was cute for short kids who couldn't ride the big coaster yet. It took a large almost horizontal turn and went up twenty feet or so higher than the rest of the coaster; came down fast, two horizontal turns, and another up and down motion. One full horizontal circle and we came back to the station.

Parker ran back over to Booth after the ride. "Daddy, can I be the ring bearer at Althy's wedding?"

"Why?"

"She asked me to, but I can only do it if it's ok with you."

"Of course it's ok, buddy." said Booth, he and Parker hugged.

I spent the rest of the time writing down observations about Booth and Parker. It was rare for me to see such a strong father-son relationship. But I knew it when I saw it.

Booth headed back to the Jeffersonian institute. Parker was excited. I just wrote more notes that I would type up and give to Jackie.

Althy,

I am waiting for my plane home as I am writing you this email. I do not think it was a particularly smart idea for me to come here. I did not assimilate to the army. Their psychologist said that I should think if the Jeffersonian is the only place I will ever fit in. I do not understand why that is a bad thing. I have found a place where I have assimilated with intellectual colleagues who I have come to know well since I began working there as an intern. I believe you said the internship was planet Vulcan calling me home. Though you haven't met them yet I do hope you get the chance to someday soon. I think you would really like them. I know you saw them at the wedding, but when you get to know them, you will see what I am talking about.

Psychology isn't an exact science. I do not understand how you ever studied it. I miss you. I hope you are having a good time in Egypt

Zack

"Althy, we're here." said Booth. I thanked him and stepped out of the car. I checked the time. It was just after two. I grabbed my laptop and bag and headed to pick up Zack.

When I got there the doctor sternly informed me that he was confined to bed rest and that he needed to be taken care off. I told him that I would be Dr. Addy's nurse. He laughed a little.

Zack was seated in a wheelchair in his room already waiting for me.

"Are you ready to go home?" I asked.

"I am; do you mind if I borrow your cell phone?" he asked. "I require the assistance of Hodgins." I handed him my cell phone "Hey Hodgins…can you get it for me since I'm won't be able too? Thank You." he handed me back my cell phone and I gave him a questioning look. "I asked him to pick up your birthday present since I won't be able too."

I helped him into my car and took him to the main house. "Althy you could have dropped me off at my apartment." he said when he saw that I had parked in front of the main house.

"I could have…but my bed is more comfortable, besides this way I can keep a better eye on you."

"Who is my temporary replacement?" asked Zack once we entered the house

"Mr. Nigel-Murray: Did you know…." I said mockingly. He laughed. "You are going strait up to my room and sleeping."

"I am not a child, I am aware of the doctor's instructions." Angela was waiting for us and helped me get Zack upstairs.

"Do you need anything?" asked Angela after Zack was in bed.

"Could you ask Cam to monitor my findings? I can do the toxicology from here via my computer and the DNA should be in by now." She nodded.

"Call me if you need me." She smiled as she headed out. I opened up my laptop and lay down next to Zack.

"So how did it go with Booth and Parker?" he asked.

"It went well and you were right. Parker wanted to be the ring bearer." Zack gave a triumphant look. "Yeah, yeah, don't lift your nose up to high." I grabbed the papers that had my notes and began typing up my report for Jackie.

"Your birthday is tomorrow." he said.

"I am aware of that." I said typing.

"Do you want a party?" I starred at him. "I know that having a party is a form of celebration for ones birthday."

"Zack, I am turning twenty-seven tomorrow. I am a big girl. I do not want a party. But I'll take the present." he shook his head at me. "Are you hungry…I could make some lunch for us." He shook his head.

The following day was indeed my birthday. I woke up next to poor adorable Zack at around ten. He was up already reading Dr. Brennan's latest book.

I had sent my report to Jackie at eight, Zack and I had dinner, and spent the rest of the night watching a movie on my laptop.

When I sat up and rubbed my eyes he kissed my cheek. "Happy birthday, Althy." he said.

"Thank you."

Jack and James walked into the room with balloons. James was holding a present, Jack was holding two. "Presents," I cheered, that locked up little five year old coming out. I stretched my hands out to take them.

"Glasses first," said James. Even after years apart he still acted like my big brother. I put them on and stretched my hands out again.

"Presents," I ordered like a happy child. They dropped them off at my feet and James released the balloons; letting them hit the ceiling because of the helium. One was small one was large with holes in it and the other was…rectangle shaped.

"The rectangle is from your big bro." said James. I opened it up first. It was a hard copy of the entire collection depicting the entire history of the Scarlet Witch. I smiled brightly and kissed my brother on the cheek.

"Thanks James." The next one was the small one from Jack. It was a bottle of perfume. "You do realize that I can make a plethora of sarcastic comments to go with this bottle if perfume."

"That was my intention." he said smiling. "This one is from Zack." he pushed the box with holes decorated in blue and black stripes. I took the box and lifted the cover off. Before I even looked inside I heard….

What did Zack get Althy for her birthday? Hmm…I want to know. So….I needs a little help with ideas. The next chapter will be about Althy's birthday and the beginning of the hearing.

"All rise for Judge Lugar," called the foreman and we all stood up and waited until the judge motioned us to sit. He had old large glasses over his eyes and a bald head peaking out from his judge's robes.

"Let's get started." he ordered starring at Jackie Kayamodo and Rebbecca's lawyer.