MORE REVIEWS, I really need more of them. I even tried to update faster. Come on….PLEASE……

Disclaimer: I do not own Bones. SO STOP ASKING

Jonah: *limping in* you did this to me.

Me: You did this to yourself.

Jonah: How so?

Me: You went after Althy that's a big no, no.

Jonah: But you wrote it.

Me: I create the characters, but they take a life of their own. Initially I had thought of having you and Althy at the alter and Zack coming crashing the wedding. But I liked it this way better. *Takes out paddle* Now get….*Runs after Jonah with Paddle*

Chapter 37

Custody

I heard a faint meow coming from the box. I peered into it and saw a small, black, short haired bundle huddled in the corner. It was so cute.

"You got me a kitten?!" I cheered.

"I remember you always wanted one and I figured this was the perfect chance." replied Zack. I hugged him. He kissed my forehead.

The kitten meowed again. I took him out of the box and placed him on my bed.

"What should I name you?" I asked the kitten. "Flipper," the kitten's eyes narrowed. "I guess not." James and Jack rolled their eyes. "How about something ancient…waits…" I picked up the kitten "Oh you're a girl…how about….Bastet after the goddess of cats?" the kitten didn't move. "How about Athena after the Greek goddess of knowledge?" another meow, "Athena it is." I then looked up at the boys while holding the kitten in my hands. "Do I get cake?"

"There…might be some kind of cake for you…" said James. "But you'll have to go downstairs to get it." I grunted and turned to Zack. He motioned for me to go downstairs.

The phone rang, it was my mother wishing me a happy birthday along with dad and the twins, and Saph called and did the same, followed by Peter, Nancy, and Betty.

Jackie was waiting at the door after I hung the phone with Nancy. She had another present for me.

"Did you get my report?" I asked and she nodded handing me the present. "What'd you get your Althy?" I opened the present. It was a shiny blue suit. "For court?" she nodded. "Thanks."

We had a small celebration with lots of cheesecake, nothing to special. Everyone wished me a happy birthday.

Sunday was un-eventful. I spent the day looking after Zack and potty training the pitch black, green-eyed kitten.

Monday James headed back to Maine and Jack agreed to take care of Zack while I was in court.

I sat on the left side behind Jackie and Booth. He was nervous; he tried not to show it. It was plain to see on his face.

Jackie was confident as usual. No problem there. I looked over and saw Rebbecca and her nasty looking lawyer.

He reminded me of our old vice-principle. This guy wore the toupee and it was a dead ferret on his head. Mr. Finch was his name and he looked a little too happy.

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 Mr. Finch. "Are both party's ready to continue?" Jackie and Finch stood up and nodded. "Mr. Finch proceed,"

He stood up and called Rebecca to the small stand below the Judge's seat. She walked over and sat down.

"Are you the mother of Parker Booth?"

"Yes."

"Why have you asked the courts to restrict Agent Booth's parental rights?"

"I want my husband to adopt Parker. I feel that a normal family is better for Parker. Seely should still visit, but should not have custody of Parker."

"Why?"

"He's an FBI agent and it's a dangerous job. If Parker is with us he is safe and he will have a structured environment in which to grow up in."

"Nothing further." said Mr. Finch. Jackie stood up.

"Has Parker stayed with my client before?" asked Jackie and Rebbecca nodded. "How many times do you think?"

"I can't tell you an exact number, but Parker has spent a lot of time with his father. He took him to the park, to the zoo, etc."

"In any of those instances has Parker's well being ever been problematic?" asked Jackie. Rebbecca shook her head. "Is Seely Booth a good father to Parker?" Rebbecca nodded. Jackie sat down.

"Mr. Finch," said the Judge

"We request that the opposing side present their argument, our next speaker will not be available until after lunch." The judge nodded and looked at Jackie.

"Ms. Kayamodo?"

"Agent Booth." said Jackie and Booth took the stand. "You work for the FBI; do you think your child will be in danger when he is with you?"

"I do not plan on taking my son to crime scenes. I do not think that he will be in any less danger than any other kid in this country."

"But you work late hours and often do not come home for days. How do you plan to work around this?"

"I have great friends, who have stated on record that they are willing to help me with Parker should I ever need it."

"Who are these friends?"

"My co-workers and friends at the Jeffersonian Institute." stated Booth. Aw…he likes us, he really likes us. I looked behind me and saw Dr. Brennan smiling brightly at Booth.

"Thank you Agent Booth." said Jackie and sat down. Mr. Finch stood up and walked over to Booth.

"Do you remember the serial killer Howard Epps?"

"Hard to forget." said Booth.

"Isn't it true that you scared your son so much that he was afraid of the marry-go-round while Howard Epps was on the loose after his escape from prison?"

"That is correct." said Booth and Mr. Finch walked back to his desk. Booth hung his head low.

"Agent Booth." said Jackie "Why did you scare Parker?"

"Howard Epps was into riddles and in one of them he mentioned the playground where my son played. I panicked thinking that Parker was in danger from Howard Epps. When I got there, I admit, my worry got the better of me. I scared Parker, but I made that right with him. After the case ended I took Parker back there and he was alright after a ride or two."

"Agent Booth you may step down." said the Judge, "Ms. Kayamodo…"

"We call Dr. Althea Calloway, a psychological expert."

"I object." said Mr. Finch.

"She's on the list, Finch. If you had read it you would have seen it."

"Overruled." ordered the Judge. I stood up and walked over to the chair. It was warm and the microphone was positioned infront of me.

"Dr. Calloway you have a degree in psychology, correct?" I nodded. The suit I wore consisted of a jacket, a white blouse and a matching skirt that went down to my knees. I pushed my glasses up my nose.

She walked over to the table she had been sitting at and picked up what I guessed was the printed version of my report. "You observed Agent Booth interact with his son on Friday. Could you please summarize your conclusions?" She handed me my report.

"I'd be happy too. I observed Agent Booth and his son and I concluded that Agent Booth and Parker have a strong bond. If Parker is taken away from his father he will be missing key parts in his development that cannot be obtained by his step-father." I did not even acknowledge my report, which sat in my hands.

"Can you elaborate?"

"Children need their father's in their lives, especially if those father's are exceptional role models like Agent Booth. When they see their mother with another man and they are told that this is his/her step-father, the child does not see the step all they hear is the father. Parker will view him as a replacement for his father. This will cause Parker, to act out."

"What would the acting out prove?"

"He will yearn for the attention of his real father and he will act out in school and against his step-father, often times as an adult it will cause Parker to become emotionally distant from his mother and his real father. By taking Parker away from Booth you are hurting Parker's odds of growing up in a healthy environment." (A/n I'm sure this doesn't apply to all people, but for the purpose of this chapter it is on average)

Jackie thanked me and sat down. Finch got up; there was a smug look on his face. This did not look good.

"Dr. Calloway, do you know Agent Booth well?"

"As much as co-workers can know one another," I explained. "I did fill in for his and Dr. Brennan's usual psychologist once. He and Parker spent Thanksgiving and New Years at the home I share with my cousin, as did the entire Jeffersonian team."

"How many degrees do you have?"

"Quite the number," I said, "I couldn't settle."

"Where is Psychology on your list of degrees?"

"Third, Right after Anthropology and Forensic Science," I explained.

"Have you had a lot of opportunities to practice your psychological expertise?"

"Enough to know a good father from a bad one,"

"Was your evaluation biased in anyway?"

"It was solely based on my observations of Agent Booth's character and his interactions with his son."

"Have you ever gone out on a case with him?"

"My first day,"

"How come Dr. Brennan didn't accompany him, like always?"

"Agent Booth thought that I would be more qualified to speak to the victim's family because of my degree in psychology."

"Have you ever had a sexual relationship with Agent Booth or been interested in him in a sexual way?"

"No!"

"Are you a lesbian?"

"Your honor." protested Jackie.

"I'll rephrase." said Mr. Finch, "Why not? Agent Booth is a healthy, fit, male specimen. Why weren't you interested in him?"

"I am currently engaged to a truly remarkable person and although Agent Booth is--as you said--a healthy, male specimen I have always been in love with that person. Besides, Booth isn't my type."

"Is Agent Booth involved with someone?"

"I'm afraid that's not for me to say."

"Please answer the question." said the Judge.

"Your honor, I believe that a different witness is better capable of answering this question than I. It is not my place to speak about the love lives of others."

"Very well." said the Judge. "You may step down." I got out of my seat and went back to my seat.

"We call Dr. Brennan." said Jackie and so it continued. Dr. Brennan testified that she and Agent Booth were involved and that she would assist him in raising Parker being financially and mentally suited for the job. I laughed a little.

The opposing side had an expert, but Jackie poked so many holes in his testimony he was leaking.

Also testifying was Rebbecca's husband. His testimony was…neutral. He basically said that he was following Rebbecca and giving her what she wanted. He also mentioned that he thought Parker was a good kid and he liked hanging out with him.

The bald judge disappeared into his chambers after to think after Jackie and Finch gave their final arguments to him.

Booth turned to Brennan and myself and thanked us for our testimony. He did not look confident.

"Not bad brainy." said Jackie. It took the judge twenty minutes to think before he came back with a verdict.

"I have sifted through the testimony cautiously and I have come to a conclusion. Agent Booth does have a treacherous job. However I will say that families are very different and there are many different types of families filled with step-parents, grandparents, and friends helping raise a child. Therefore I award full custody of Parker Booth to his father Agent Booth."

Parker smiled and ran to his dad's waiting arms. The Judge left dismissing everyone.

"Thank you." said Booth hugging Parker. "All of you."

"Happy to help," I gave a little curtsy. "I better go; I have a cute boy to look after." I turned to Jackie. "I'm going dress shopping two weeks from now, want to join me?"

"Well someone has to." she added and I headed out.

Angela and Dr. Brennan agreed to go dress shopping with me. Angela needed to pick out some sexy underwear for the wedding night so we all agreed to head to the outdoor mall.

So this was a better chapter. I'm pretty proud of it. I don't know how realistic it was, but oh well. I love it. I do need some ideas. What should happen between now, Angela and Jack's wedding and Althy and Zack's wedding? HELP!