Created April 2013 - I don't own these characters or the words made famous by the TV show, Bones. Love them anyway. All the rest that follows is my feeble attempt to keep time in between broadcasts; Razztaztic, Threesquares, and Covalent Bond posts.
A/N 8/23/2015 – Geez Louise. Two months shy of a full year since the last update – forgiveness is not due. Since it's been that long, this is mostly chit chat, re-entry stuff to get back in shape of this period of time.
A/N#2 the title of this chapter is a taunt to my dear friend Covalent Bond, who Jedi-mind tricked me into unexpectedly reading up on Plato and Socrates this weekend. Cruel, cruel woman!
"When did Temperance coordinate this trip?"
Caught in a state of distraction, Booth turned to Rebecca "Huh?"
"I asked if you knew when Temperance coordinated this trip."
She eyed her son's father briefly before returning her focus on Parker, who was engrossed in an animated discussion with the townsman/tour guide. Their next stop on the Revolutionary City tour was to the Armory, and with the promise of watching weapons being forged, the soldier's son had been looking forward to this part of the tour all morning.
Booth reprocessed her question. "Um, sometime over the weekend or maybe Monday. No, definitely over the weekend, while we were still in London."
"I see." Rebecca chuckled. "It's all beginning to make since now."
The pair continued to match each other's stride step-by-step, proceeding silently until it occurred to Booth that he didn't understand the joke.
"Wait. Why is that funny?"
Rebecca turned to study Seeley. She was so used to him being in a competitive rush when speaking with her, it had been a while since she had an opportunity to observe him so preoccupied. She offered him a soft smile as she explained. "I just find it a bit coincidental that Temperance coordinates a trip for you and Parker to a destination where one of the major points of attraction is how the colonies fought for their independence from England."
"Ha! That is kinda funny! Heh, well, you know Bones." He offered her a brief, polite smile, shoving his hands further into his jean pockets. Almost immediately, he returned to his fog.
Putting her hand on his forearm, Rebecca stopped walking. "Yeah. Hey, are you okay?"
Booth stopped, checking first on Parker before turning back to address Rebecca.
He looked at her, really, for the first time in a long time. Noting the sincere concern in her deep set blue eyes, he couldn't help but take pause.
She's still so beautiful.
In that moment, he was unexpectedly struck by a mental crescendo of their relationship and all the associated emotions – the curiosity, excitement, passion, disappointment, regret, acceptance, reconciliation and the eventual fragile friendship. He once thought he would spend the rest of his life with this woman. For so many years he hoped and prayed that maybe, one day, he could win her back.
In retrospect, none of it compared.
Aside from Parker, none of it: the whirlwind highs and the abysmal lows of his love affair with Rebecca Stinson amounted to a damn in comparison to his feelings for Bones. Booth knew that he probably could have gone the rest of his existence loving Bones, unrequited. He even sincerely, perhaps irrationally, thought he'd be able to pull things off with Hannah – loving her, while Temperance Brennan owned his heart.
But Bones' reciprocation changed everything. Booth realized that, for the first time in his life, he was legitimately on the path to have the life with the woman that had captivated him almost seven years earlier. No longer was his greatest gamble their partnership. Now it was their relationship.
It scared the shit out of him.
As he stood there with Rebecca, Parker walking ahead of them, he was reminded of the parallel scene from less than a week earlier in Trafalgar Square. With Bones. His future.
If he didn't fuck it up.
"Bones is the one." He blurted.
Rebecca's eyes widened in surprise.
"I'm pretty sure she is. I know she is. This is real. Really real. Really...real."
Rebecca nodded, her eyes softening as she squeezed his arm. "Please tell me that you're just not figuring this out." She jibed. "And so eloquently."
Booth stared at her blankly before he caught up to her tease. He laughed sheepishly.
"Seeley, I'm no expert, but I'm certain that if that's what you were really thinking about, of all people, you would be goofy and elated. Instead, you seem worried." Rebecca observed. "You've been ridiculously quiet all morning. Since you took that call. Was it Temperance? Is everything okay?"
Booth looked ahead, Parker and their guide were about to turn onto Francis Street. He urged them to continue forward. "Um no. That was Angela. She wanted to talk to me about Bones."
"Angela." Rebecca nodded. "That's Temperance's best friend, right? The pregnant one?"
"Yeah." He nodded. "Look, Becks. Thanks for your concern. I know it's polite and all to ask about it, but we don't have to discuss my love life…"
"Seeley. It's Temperance. She and Max have been in our son's life for yearos." She smiled. "And I hope for many, many more. I'm invested."
"Thanks, Becks." Booth shook his head, smarted by the fact that Rebecca had always been respectful of his relationships. Both knew that he couldn't say the same. "Yeah, well uh… Ange called to say that Bones was kinda freaked out a little bit about us becoming a couple."
Rebecca scoffed. "Hmph. The two of you have been a couple forever. You just weren't sleeping together."
Booth chuckled. "You're not the first person to say that, you know." He exhaled deeply.
"Seriously, is everything okay? You guys can't stop before you even getting started."
Booth nodded, "Yeah, I think she's okay, that we'll be okay. I mean, Bones sent me a text saying that she wanted me to focus on our time together with Parker and that she'd speak to me when we got back. I didn't really think much of it. Then Ange called. She wanted to assure me that everything was okay, but that Bones was just feeling overwhelmed." He scoffed. "She told me to dial it back a bit on her for a while."
Rebecca laughed heartily. "Well, good luck with that advice!"
Booth stopped. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Seeley. You're a pretty intense guy."
"Bones is intense too, you know."
"Exactly. It's why you're good together, a match made in heaven, the two of you! But when it comes to expressing affection? You're like Niagara Falls, and Temperance? Well, she's barely a leaky faucet."
Booth chuckled. "Odd characterization, Rebecca Ann. Odd, but not untrue."
Rebecca laughed as she hooked her arm to his as they continued to stroll. "Now, she and I have become amicable over the years, but you know her so much better. I can only speak from my experiences or what Max has shared about Temperance. I've always found her to be very generous and so loving with Parker, but I also see how…awkward she is with adults, even the ones that she cares for deeply."
The pair closed the distance on Parker and Townsman Wythe as she continued. "Whereas you! I imagine that you're already planning the destination of your 25th wedding anniversary."
Booth chuckled, patting her arm. "Cinque Terra, of course!" He sighed. "I'm just kidding about that, really. I know how I've been in the past – so focused on marriage, family…settling down. That's brought me nothing but trouble. Do I want those things? Sure, but I think I get it now. I don't need any of that as long as Bones lets me love her. I've got to remember to love her the way she wants to be loved. And hopefully, she'll keep loving me back."
Rebecca's eyes widened in sincere surprise. "Wow! Who are you and what have you done with Seeley Booth?" she teased, elbowing his side. Finally catching up to the gathering tourists, the parents both placed a hand on the either shoulder of their son, who was politely continued to listen to the tour guide's instructions before they entered the Armory. "Keep doing that, Seeley."
Booth smiled and nodded. As they and other gathered families and couples began to enter the building, a curious Booth turned to his ex. "You and Max, do you two talk a lot?"
Rebecca dimpled.
"Well, isn't this cozy?" Max asked looking at the couple before him.
"Dad!" Brennan exclaimed, startled to see Max. "I told you to meet me here at 12:30."
He smirked. "So? I'm early. But now I can see why you didn't want me here any earlier. Holding hands, are we?"
Three sets of eyes turned to the four hands clasped together on the table.
"Oh, no!" Sweets stammered. What is it about my colleague's fathers that scares me so much? Uh, because it's Max! "No, sir! Please don't misunderstand…"
"Now what would I misunderstand about you and my daughter being caught at the diner holding hands in what's obviously a moment of shared affection?"
"Friendship!" Sweets straightened his tie as he abruptly stood up. The loud screech and then thunk of the chair first against the floor, then against the wall drew even more eyes on the nervous psychologist. Not to mention the cacophony of silverware hitting plates on the table. "Simply a moment of shared friendship. Friendship!"
Max sniffed as he coolly moved to take Sweets chair. "Your words. But I saw what I saw. Hey Dana, honey? Can you come get these please?" Max gestured at the young doctor's breakfast. "Fruity Pebbles? Really, son?"
Sweets laughed nervously. "Old habits from my youth, I guess." He offered, slowly stepping away from the table.
"In…chocolate milk?" Max eyed Sweets from head to toe while he shook his head. "So, no explanation for this moment of 'shared friendship', kid? I thought you were spoken for."
Sweets began to laugh-hyperventilate-laugh. "Oh I am! I'm with Daisy." He blurted defensively. For the first time since being caught holding Dr. Brennan's hand, he remembered that she too, was still present. Gesturing his head in her direction, he redirected "But I'm not the only one who's spoken for now, either!"
Brennan shot a glare of fury to the young man. Max raised his brows in curious amusement.
Sweets brow furrowed in confusion at Brennan's reaction. Wait, what did I do? His neck began to blush. He felt as if the room had begun to spin out of control while his slow motion brain attempted to process what he may have done to warrant Brennan's reaction. Nervously, back and forth, he looked between the Brennan and the Keenan, their faces coming in and out of focus, until he caught up to where he had erred.
Shit. She doesn't want Max to know.
He coughed. "I mean….Because, uh…Daisy! She's ah, uh…spoken for too! Get it? We're um, spoken for, reflexively! Heh, yeah, ha! See! It's not just me who is spoken for, but I speak for Daisy as well!"
Max glanced in baffled amazement at Tempe, finding that her expression was painted with apprehension and perplexed confusion. And, she looked terrified of whatever the next thing would be out of Sweets' mouth.
Sweets focused on taking deep breaths. He loosened his tie as he hurried to consider how to escape the current conversation without divulging Dr. Brennan's confidences and not lying to Max. Dr. Brennan was one thing, but the repercussions of lying to Max Keenan were thoughts he did not want to entertain.
"I'm here with Dr. Brennan, um, simply to offer words of encouragement!" He choked. "About her…return to work, given the change in…circumstances."
"Circumstances?"
Sweets flinched as Dr. Brennan began to fidget.
Think, think, think!
Because of Vincent.
Yes! Because of Vincent!
Sweets exhaled. "Yes!" he laughed. "Because of Vincent!" he smiled, triumphantly. But then he realized the inappropriateness of his reaction given the intern's recent death. "I mean," he offered in a more solemn tone. "Because of how circumstances have changed due to Vincent's loss."
Thankful that Sweets had finally found a suitable explanation, and anxious for him to shut up and go, Brennan finally spoke, adding "Yes. Dr. Sweets was offering words of encouragement regarding the impact that the…fallout…of Vincent's loss has created."
Dubious, the con man shook his head in understanding.
Sweets sighed "Yes. Precisely. It sounds so much better when you say it."
Father and daughter replied in unison. "That's because it was."
Sweets winced a painful smile.
Just go, just go, just go.
"Yes, well. I'm going to go now."
"Probably for the best, son." Max agreed. "Hopefully, you'll run into your lady friend Daisy so that she can take over speaking for you."
"Yes. Of course." Sweets smiled politely and offered a nod to Max as he excused himself. Mitigating his anxiety was to see Brennan's appreciation in her eyes. "Thank you for your insights Dr. Sweets." She offered.
"Of course, Dr. Brennan, to be continued."
The pair watched as Sweets exited the diner. "That kid wrote a book about you and Booth? Was it written in crayon? Did he draw pictures, too? I know you and Booth like him well-enough, but the kid's a bit of a doofus, don't you think?"
Brennan snickered. "Dr. Sweets isn't so terrible. While I find much of his professional work to be inexact, unsubstantiated theories and guesswork, I do find him to be a dependable confidant."
"Confidant? Isn't that what your partner's for?" he inquired. Dana approached the table again to take the pair's lunch order. Max ordered first, and doing something he hadn't done in decades, Max ordered a meal for his daughter. "Tomato basil soup and the three bean salad, right Honey?" Max inquired.
"Yes! How did you know that's what I would want?"
"I pay attention." He winked. More than you'll ever know. "Dana, let me also have a plate of fries for the table." Dana nodded as she left to put in the lunch order. Max shifted full attention back to Tempe. "I figure that we can share the fries. I know you like to steal Booth's all the time."
"No, I don-" she began before she realized that he was trying to direct the conversation to talk about Booth. She took a breath, then replied "Thanks, Dad."
"Of course. So where is the big guy anyway? I'm sure he'd like to know that that knucklehead's trying to make a move on his girl."
"Dad, Sweets is doing no such thing." Brennan reprimanded her father, quickly adding "and I am not 'Booth's girl'."
"Okay, Honey. Whatever you need to tell yourself." Max was unconvinced. "But I was surprised to get your call about lunch. I thought the plan was that you were going to spend some time with Booth and his little boy in Europe?"
"That was the plan-"
"It's nice to have lunch with you, but I was looking forward to you kids getting away together for a bit. I was hoping that the time away would do you two some good. You know, couple-wise."
"Dad." Brennan snapped with disapproval. She pursed her lips. "We returned earlier than scheduled so that Booth could deal with something that's come up with Rebecca."
"Oh? Is she okay?"
"Yes. She's doing very well actually. She's received a job offer that will require her to relocate to London. She intends to accept it."
"Good for her. She's a smart cookie. Hard worker. Nice caboose, too."
"Dad!"
Max chuckled. "Sorry, Honey. Well, I know she's been working toward this for a while." Max rubbed his chin. "So, is this about Parker?"
Brennan sipped her water. "Yes. Rebecca intends for her and Parker to leave in less than two months, but had not mentioned anything about it to Booth."
"Ohhhhhh! Yikes." Max winced. "He didn't know?"
"No, Parker inadvertently let the news slip when we were in London."
"Hooboy. That must not have gone over well. Rebecca should have told Booth about her plans. Wow, with less than two months' notice?"
Before she could filter her words, Brennan replied. "Yes, it's very little time. Still, it is two months more time that you and Mom gave to Russ and me."
Max sat back in the chair, recoiling from his daughter's words. "Ouch. That one stung."
Brennan sat forward, quickly realizing the impact of her comment. "Dad. I am sorry. I didn't mean that."
Max regarded his lovely daughter, her face distraught with apology. He sighed. "Yes you did, Honey. And that's okay. I don't care if every future sentence out of your mouth is a sentence of anger at me." He winked. "As long as you're talking to me."
Brennan smiled sadly. "Ours is not an easy relationship."
"No." Max nodded in agreement. "I will never be able to compensate for what we lost during all that time. I don't know everything that happened to you, but I know enough." Max locked eyes with Tempe. He was certain that she understood his full meaning – that he knew of the indifference, ridicule and abuse that she endured during the years that she was on her own.
His thoughts betrayed him, as he recalled meeting the high school psychologist at the school from where she graduated. Tears filled his eyes as recalled the psychologist's multiple accounts of rescuing Tempe from bullies in the lunch room, locker room and girl's room, and Tempe's reluctance to report these incidents to her even-worse foster family. Max drew in a deep breath, finding calm in the eyes of the survivor who sat before him.
That, and knowing that the foster parents, as well as the "well-meaning" psychologist (who made it a questionable habit of - on a weekly basis - photographing Temperance in just her undergarments under the false premise of monitoring for any new "injuries") – were handled. Permanently handled.
He reached for her hand as he cleared his throat. "I know that you didn't have enough love and deserved attention in your life. You didn't have enough people who genuinely cared about you, looked out for you, and protected you."
Brennan squirmed, uncomfortable with the effect of her father's words. But she did not let go of his hand. "Dad, I'm fine. I'm an adult, and I'm fully capable of taking care of myself. I don't need your protection."
"No you don't. Not anymore." He smiled. "Because you have Booth, and lucky him, he has you."
She frowned. "Why is it so important to you that Booth and I are together?"
"Because you deserve it, Honey. You are a good woman. Smart, strong, successful. But, Tempe, you were short-changed of the happiness due to you because of who your mother and I were, and what we had to do. But in spite of all the shitty things life has done to you," he sighed, "you are still this amazing force. A scientist, a teacher, a crime-solver…a fighter. I'm so proud of you."
Brennan sniffed. "It is kind of you to say those things, Max."
Max laughed at her use of his name instead of "Dad". "You don't need me. That's for sure. But I'm here. And I'll continue to do everything I can to be there for you, Honey, in any way you need me to be there. That's my fatherly duty. But do you know who doesn't need to be here for you? Booth."
Brennan gasped in surprise. "What? Booth…he's my partner. We have…accountability…commitments to each other."
Max chuckled. "Tempe, you just told me that Rebecca and Parker are moving to England. Seeley's child, his son – is moving to another country – across an ocean. But I bet, it never crossed his mind to go England, too. Do you want to know why?"
Confused, Tempe searched for a viable response, but found none. "There are so many possibi-"
He interrupted "You! Not you, his partner, but you, the woman he loves. He couldn't possibly think of leaving you."
Brennan blushed, but only shook her head in protest.
"I know this, Tempe – that man is crazy in love with you. I don't care what anyone has to say about that whole Hannah business. When it mattered, Booth came back here as much for you as he did for Camille. And he left that Hannah in Afghanistan in order to do so. And even when she came here, he still spent all his time with you. Well, she's gone, and the two of you are still going strong. Booth could go on without her. He can't without you. That man loves you the way I loved your mother. And I know you love him too. I know it."
"Dad." Tempe implored.
"Okay, okay!" he acquiesced.
Dana returned with their meals. The pair sat back and offered gestures of polite appreciation. Watching his daughter, Max decided to decelerate his push. "So Rebecca's moving to England. Where's Seeley? Talking to his lawyer, drawing up custody papers? I betcha his lawyer's another ex-girlfriend. Am I right?"
Brennan laughed. "No. At my suggestion, Booth and Rebecca have taken Parker to Colonial Williamsburg."
Max choked on his water. "What? They're on vacation? Together? At your suggestion?"
Brennan stiffened. "Yes. I believe that given the dramatic change this relocation will cause and the division of time that Parker has endured with his parents his entire life," her voice continued to become softer in volume. "That he should at least have some memories of being with them together. As I have."
Max's eyes rounded in appreciation of his daughter's generosity. "That's pretty magnanimous of you Sweetheart."
Brennan pursed her lips, stabbing into her salad. "I suppose."
"One of the reasons that he loves you." he grinned, his eyes twinkling.
Brennan rolled her eyes. "Dad!"
"Hello?"
"Hey Bones. Is this a good time to talk?"
"Yes, this is a fine time. Is everything OK? Is Parker alright?"
"Yes, everything's good, Parker's good. There's no emergency. I just wanted to see what you've been up to?"
"Up to?"
"Yeah, since we left for Williamsburg."
"Oh. It's just-"
"I know, I know! I got your text message, Bones. I know you wanted some radio silence between us until I got back, but I'm sorry, I can't take another day without talking to you."
Brennan was confused. "That makes no sense. We've gone months without speaking before, Booth."
He sighed. "Yeah but now things are different, Bones. I missed hearing your voice, is all."
"I see. I understand."
Booth was troubled by her brevity. He cleared his throat. "So! Uh, what's been going on with you?"
Brennan rolled her teeth over her bottom lip, lost in the details of accurate recall. "Well, after you left, I returned to bed, remaining there until Angela arrived and woke me up to go to lunch. While asleep, I had an unusual dream about…"
Booth groaned. "Bones?"
"Yes?"
"I've got Parker's computer. Give me a couple of minutes. I'm gonna Skype call you back."
"Wait, what?"
click
Brennan stared blankly at the disconnected phone before she caught up to Booth's plan.
She had been sitting up in bed working on her novel, but she decided that returning the laptop to the desk by her bed would offer better lighting for the Skype session.
"Better, lighting! I'm being silly."
She shot up out of the bed, cursing her vanity as she reattached her laptop to the monitor and then adjusted the lighting in the room. "This is absolutely silly" she thought. Sitting back down at her laptop, she fussed with her robe. She wondered if she should run a brush through her hair. Though she had on a green silk robe that illuminated her eyes, perhaps she should switch to the red kimono that she knew that he admired. After all, it had been four days…
"Ugh! It's only been four days!" Brennan snapped at herself, allowing herself to take a few calming breaths before registering the familiar sounds of Skype began to chirp on her computer. As Booth's face appeared on the screen, her entire frame relaxed, though she noted how rapidly her heart was racing.
Booth beamed at the sight of Brennan's scrubbed-for-bed face and pillow-propped mussed hair. He rested his fist on his cheek as he grinned dreamily at her. "Hiya Pretty Lady."
Brennan couldn't help but grin at his goofy face and silly tone. "Hello Booth" she smiled back. "So I ascertain that both seeing and hearing me is to your appreciation?"
"And then some." His face transitioned to a feigned a look of hurt. "But what? The feeling's not mutual? You haven't been missing me and all my sweet lovin'?"
She giggled. Softly she replied, "I never said that."
"Aha!" he teased, sitting up straighter, feeling victorious.
Brennan rolled her eyes. "Is Parker enjoying Williamsburg?"
"Boy, is he! He's having a great time. You know what? Becks and I both had our misgivings, but this was a great idea, Bones."
"Good. I'm pleased." She paused, searching for the correct words. "And so, you and Rebecca are getting along?"
Booth nodded. "Yeah. We're doing okay. Being civil, you know? Working on a mutually agreeable arrangement. So far, so good."
"Good, that's … I'm glad, Booth."
"Yeah." He smiled, his eyes detailing every aspect of his virtual mate. Unable to help himself, he repeated an earlier sentiment. "Man, do I miss you though."
She shifted. "I find that, although I have been very busy and productive in your absence, I have frequently been distracted by thoughts of you."
"Oh yeah?" he chuckled. "Am I naked in these thoughts of yours?"
Brennan smiled coyly. "Perhaps." But quickly returning to the subject of her concern, she continued. "I'm encouraged to hear that you're finding common ground about Rebecca's relocation with Parker."
Booth scratched his stubbly cheek as he nodded. "Yeah. I think that Rebecca and I have started working on a plan for visitation that's reasonable. It's not a perfect situation, but thanks to you, we're keeping what's most important in mind."
Her brow furrowed. "What's most important?"
"Family. You and me Bones, we know what it's like to lose family. I don't ever want Parker to feel that loss, or feel that he has to pick sides because his mom and I don't see eye to eye. And I certainly don't want him to think I'm trying to hold his mom back from her dreams, you know? Just like you, Rebecca's smart and driven, and she deserves credit for chasing and achieving her goals."
"Yes she does." Brennan acknowledged. "That's a very thoughtful perspective, Booth."
"Yeah." He replied, his hands dropping to the desk as he leaned forward. "It's important to me that Parker continues to have strong women in his life – Becks, you, I even reached out to Pritch to look in on him from time to time once they're settled. You know what, Bones? I hate that I made Rebecca feel that she had to keep everything from me as long as she did. I mean, she was this close to leaving the country with my kid without me knowing at all!" He sat back, exasperated by the thought.
Brennan's breath hitched. The devastation of abandonment was a terrible history that she shared with her partner. She suspected that Booth was associating Rebecca's actions with those taken by his own mother. She watched him anguish over the idea. "Booth, by all accounts, Rebecca intended to make you aware of her plans."
"Yeah, I know, but-"
"You are not like your father, Booth. And Rebecca's not your mother."
Booth stared back at Brennan, impressed that she picked up on the disturbing comparison running through his head. "Uh, yeah. You're right. But it helps to be reminded of it every now and then, you know? Like a guardrail?"
Brennan blinked. She was not convinced. Still, she chose to remain silent, allowing her partner to express his thoughts.
"She's many things besides Parker's mom. I forget that sometimes. Don't get me wrong - she's a good mom a real good mom. But in addition to that, she's a talented and driven lawyer, she's got a full life independent of my watch, like..." he sat back. "Um, did you know that she and Max have-"
"Dated? Yes, I was aware of their past romantic interests in each other. To my knowledge, that was some time ago."
Surprised, Booth took a moment to recover. "Well, I was gonna say 'have gone out a coupla times'…they dated?"
Brennan watched him with curiosity. "Yes. They are both single. They were attracted to each other…"
Booth dragged his hands down his face before sitting back up. "Yeah, but Bones! The creep factor. My ex …and your Dad."
She giggled. "You're uncomfortable that they've fornicated?"
"What? They slept together?"
A fit of laughter overtook Brennan. "Is the creep factor elevated because you both have had coitus with the same woman? Or that Max has performed the act with both my mother and the mother of your child? Or are you considering that if their relationship resulted in a pregnancy, that you are sleeping with the sister of your son's half-sibling?" Booth groaned while Brennan howled. "Now I know why Rebecca suggested that I not mention it to you." Recovering, her mouth puckered with a pang of guilt. "As I said before, it was some time ago, but they've remained friendly."
He stared blankly at his hyper-rational partner in disbelief. "She didn't say any of that. She just led me to believe that they had a few dinners together when he was mentoring Parks."
Genuinely sympathetic to his shock. Brennan leaned forward. "I'm sorry to upset you with the information, Booth."
Distracted momentarily by the exposure of soft flesh that her lean forward revealed, he chuckled at his own simultaneous wolfishness and prudishness. "Nah, it's just a surprise, is all. Besides," he sat up, waving his hand away. "She's always tolerated my choices and still let me be in Parker's life. And believe me, those first few years of Parker's life, I was out of control. I'm not so sure that I deserved the leash she gave me."
Brennan nodded.
"But it's like I said, she's a decent woman. Parks is fortunate to have a strong, independent mom. You know, I've been thinking a lot about how lucky I've been to have women in my life like you and Cam and Caroline; Ange…Grams. Incredible women, incredible mothers, too! Think about it! Caroline's daughter is a genius, Cam's come into her own with Michelle, Ange is gonna be great, and you? You're gonna be the best m-"
Brennan's eyes widened, a look of obvious concern spread across her face.
Booth panicked. Given Angela's orders of tactical retreat, he worried that – although they spoke freely of it before – now was not the time to talk about children. He stumbled into a back track. "I mean…one day, maybe we, uh…you…and me? Maybe one day, we…." he let his sentence drift off as he try to gauge her reaction – which had cooled and reset to blank - gave away nothing. He offered a nervous laugh. "When we were in London, we talked about…you know, having kids…in the future? You know? Way, way…far into the future? Once we've, if we-"
She let him off the hook. "I have not abandoned my aspiration of motherhood." She assured.
He sighed. "Good! That's great! That's…" he beamed.
"It's just…" she began.
Booth found himself panicked again. Brennan was struggling with something. Thousands of thoughts flashed through his head: I'm going too fast. Don't push her. Slow down. We have to talk about these things together. Don't scare her. Concerned that his reaction may increase her apprehension, he cooled his expression. "It's what?"
"I saw my gynecologist two days ago." She stated. "For a consultation, on birth control."
"Oh! That's all?" he asked in relief. Relaxing, he sat back.
"You are correct. We spoke at length about having children when we were away." Nervously, she straightened her robe. "I was concerned that you may see my actions as a means to subvert childbearing."
"What? No, Bones! I don't see it like that. Not at all." He reassured her. "It's your body, your decision. You do as you see fit. Don't feel like I would ever try to control you like that." He watched her frame relax. "But…"
She bit her lip. "But what?"
"We're partners, Bones. This incredible new thing between us doesn't change that. We should absolutely be on the same page about…about planning a family."
She sighed, nodding in relieved agreement. "I'm glad. While I realize that my window of healthy childbearing is limited, I don't believe I will be prepared for some time." She eyed him cautiously.
He smiled. "That's fine Bones. We're only a few weeks into this. I'm confident that we have more than enough time for that. There's still so much for us to do and learn about each other – romantically. And Hell! We still have to figure out what back-to-work is like! When it comes to baby-making, there's no sense in rushing into things. I'm thinking babies are way-way down the line, you know? Let's just enjoy being together in this way for now."
"OK." She smiled shyly. Feeling the need to confess the origin of her concern, she admitted, "Angela explained that although this aspect of our partnership is new, at the same time, it's analogous to our fifteen hundredth date. We've spent a significant amount of time together."
"Yeah but not like this, Bones. We've got time. I'm in no hurry. Take the time you need. I can wait. We'll get there together." He assured her confidently, though inside he was gleefully celebrating the fact that – more likely than not – any children that Dr. Temperance Brennan brought into this world be his.
His!
She smiled at him appreciatively.
"And like I said, when it happens, you're gonna be an amazing Mom, Bones." He boasted. She will be a great Mom. She's brilliant, fearless…so strong, loving and loyal.
She'd never leave.
Brennan watched an unfamiliar paleness cross Booth's face, his posture slumping. "My mom was pretty amazing, too. But my father was so…sigh! Mom, she never had choices. All my old man ever did was try to control her. When she was working, she had a job she loved and she really was good at it and really happy. He couldn't handle it. He punished her for her success. I didn't realize it at the time - Mom's best friend told me years later - Mom had to stop working. She felt guilty for missing so many days, unable to hide the bruises. And she also thought that when she quit, he'd stop. But he didn't." Tears filled his eyes. "Making a woman feel controlled? I don't want any part of it."
Brennan wiped unexpected tears from her face as well. "I know." She drew in a deep breath. "You are a very good man, Booth. Rebecca knows that as well."
"Yeah," he exhaled, seeking to lighten the conversation. "And you! You are a great woman, Bones. Like I said, having this time together with Parker, like this – both Rebecca and I really appreciate it. Although-"
She straightened. "Although what?"
Booth smirked. "Becks. She thinks that you intentionally picked Colonial Williamsburg to help Parker build up a hostility toward the British."
"Oh!" She exclaimed. "That wasn't my intention. I-"
"She knows that Bones, she was just telling a joke." He winked at her.
"Oh! Oh yes, it is humorous coincidence!" she laughed.
Booth grinned at her with pride as he watched his nerd clear a hearty chuckle. Resuming her composure, her body warmed under his admiring smile.
Seconds ticked away as the pair silently gazed at each other.
She's fine, we're fine. He thought to himself.
I'm fine. She thought to herself. I'm fine.
Booth leaned forward, clearing his throat. "Hey, look. I'm sorry that I couldn't hold out one more day from touching base with you. I got your text. I got the impression that you needed some space. And then Ange called me."
"I didn't know she reached out to you." Brennan winced. "I…realized that I was struggling a bit. Feelings I have – emotions – about you, about us. I don't want to fail, but I'm not well-equipped – emotionally, for this."
"Hey." Booth placed his arms on the desk. "I get it, Bones. If you haven't noticed, I haven't been so good at this relationship thing, either."
Brennan laughed softly.
"But I love you, Bones."
She swept the bangs out of her eyes. "I love you too, Booth." Her smiled mirrored the grin on his face. "And I am committed to succeeding at the romantic aspects of our relationship. So, I've decided to see Dr. Sweets for one-on-one sessions. As needed, of course, nothing standard."
"Sweets?" Booth chuckled. "You're kidding me, right? Bones, do you really want that knucklehead meddling on our love life?"
Brennan clasped her hand over her mouth as she began to giggle uncontrollably.
"What?" Booth smiled, completely clueless, but elated to see Brennan laughing.
"The other day, my father also called Dr. Sweets a 'knucklehead'."
"Really? That's hysterical!" Booth laughed. "Hey, not to change the subject, but did you tell Max?"
"No. Not yet. I find it irritating that he presumes that we should be together."
"He's not wrong." Booth reminded.
"Yes, I suppose. But I still find that his insistence is irritating."
"Well, that's why I'm surprised that you want to talk to Sweets. About us. That kid's a pain in the ass about us, too."
"Yes." Brennan nodded. "But I've put some thought into it. I decided to source a party who is equally vested in the welfare of the both of us. In the past, I've sought advice from Angela and on occasion, Dr. Saroyan about relationships. Angela, though she is very encouraging of our relationship, mostly supports my interests, whereas Cam is more likely to support your perspective of things. Dr. Sweets, however, has showed equanimity in his opinions about us."
"Hmmmm. If this is what you want to do – if you think it will be helpful to you – that's fine, Bones. But let me say, whenever you want to talk things out with me, that's okay, too."
Brennan nodded in appreciation.
"And, when you don't want to talk to me," he chuckled. "Just send me a text and tell me to back off."
Brennan smiled apologetically. "In retrospect, I realize that I was being a bit too controlling by sending that text message. It was selfish. Although I was reluctant to speak with you, it didn't occur to me at the time that perhaps may need to speak with me."
"I always want to talk to you. Bones." He returned playfully.
Brennan shook her head. "This is a difficult time for you, Booth. On your mind, you are thinking about Parker, Rebecca, your mother…and us. Aside from the last thing, I've always been the one you speak to about such things. I was being short-sighted."
"That's allowed." He reassured her. "Every now and then, at least." He winked. "Besides, it's not like I completely honored your wishes."
Brennan laughed. "Well, that's true."
"Trust me! That I've lasted this long without speaking to you and seeing you is a miracle. It wasn't easy. I gave my phone to Rebecca to keep me from calling you."
Brennan gasped. "Well, that wasn't very wise, Booth. If you'll recall, I prepared photos and videos for you intended to supplement any masturbatory activity that you may require in my absence."
Booth snapped his head around the room before turning down the volume on the laptop. "Shhhhhh! Keep it down with the sex talk, will ya? Parker and Becks are in the next room! Colonial Williamsburg, Bones! The walls around here are paper thin!"
"Oh, sorry."
Furtively, he hissed, "I had to delete that stuff from my phone Bones. It's a government issued phone! A government issued phone with hourly backup! What if those pictures - and that video - had been uploaded to the FBI servers? What if the Cyber Team saw you…doing that stuff to yourself?"
Sneering, she rolled her eyes. "The likelihood of someone actually looking at the video is about as likely as someone hacking into this conversation right now, Booth." Her lip curled in amusement. "So you had a chance to watch the video?"
Against his better wishes, Booth's scoldy face morphed into a broad grin. He leaned closer into the web cam. "Yeah, I saw the video Bones." He snickered. "It's very hot. And it's not new." He whispered.
"No. It's not. I made it some time ago." She confessed. "In Maluku. Daisy assisted with the positioning of the camera by the waterfall. I do wish the audio had been better."
Booth sat back. "Daisy was there?"
"Yes." Brennan said, confused by Booth's concern. "Well, no. She was there, but then she exited. She set up the camera for me."
Booth scratched his head in confusion. "But…why? Um, uh why did you make it in the first place?"
"When my parents abandoned me and Russ, you'll recall that my mother made several videos for me, in case she died?"
"Huh? Oh, uh huh. Wait….what?" Booth leaned back toward the camera. "You-?"
"I have compiled various items over the past few years – notes, audio recordings, videos…things that I would want my loved ones to have in case I die. As you now know, when I was in Maluku, I came to a decision about expressing my feelings for you." Brennan paused to gauge Booth's comfort with the topic. Seeing no significant alarm, she continued. "It occurred to me that if I died in Maluku, you would never have been aware of my feelings about you, or the many instances of masturbatory pleasure that you inspired for me over the years." She blinked slowly. "Daisy had created a similar video for Dr. Sweets. I assisted in her video production, and she returned the favor. She wasn't aware that it was for you, but I'm sure she had her suspicions."
Booth sat, mouth agape. Brennan continued.
"Anyway, there's media, several letters and many other keepsakes planned to be given to you when I die. Everything is outlined in my will. There's quite an extensive inventory of items."
He attempted to speak, but yet was still unable to form words. Scratching his head he took a deep breath and then tried again. "An inventory? Of videos? Of you…?"
"Oh no. There's only one video. But there are many photos of me that I thought would please you, of course. I believe there's a few from a college project that you will most certainly enjoy."
He shook his head, as if to erase the delicious images swimming through his head. "Um, Bones? What if I die before you? Or with you? Who gets all that stuff that you have, um…intended for me?"
"Oh, it would go to my foundation." She offered nonchalantly. "I have explicit instructions of how my estate should be handled. The Jeffersonian would receive a number of the artifacts that I've collected, as well as several museums across the globe. I have lived a remarkable life, so I'm certain that others will want to learn from it. So for the more personal items – my papers, photographs, digital media, etc., I have a short list of biographers to whom I have approved access. If any of them are unavailable or have preceded me in death, I have strict criteria that would need to be met in order for these items to be released to anyone else. You should consider doing something similar, Booth. You have led quite a remarkable life as well." Frowning, she offered "Hannah would be a good biographer for you. She is on my list of biographers. She is an excellent writer and very objective."
He shook his head at her. "Wait, if you and I died, you'd give Hannah access to a video of you diddling yourself while moaning my name, naked under a waterfall?"
"Like I said, she's very objective." She affirmed, not understanding his disbelief.
"Okay, okay! Before I change the subject, can I just ask that you quit it with the Bones-porn? Please delete all the naked-everything you've got, okay? You've got me now, and I promise I am never gonna forget how incredible you look, or how it feels to touch you and hold you and taste you, Bones. Trust me, as flattering and…awesome, really, really awesome as that video was, we don't need to have it out there."
"Really?" she said, her voice filled with disappointment. She was proud of her production.
"Yes, really Bones! You're a public figure. I don't wanna be put in the position where I have to kill some weirdo stalker-hacker-kid who figures out how to access stuff like that and gets a little too invested in you. Your book fans are worse enough. Remember that nutjob that showed up at Angela's apartment that one time?"
Sighing, Brennan agreed. "Technically, I have kept these items with the intent of awarding them to you, and so I have no objection to what you want done with them. I will destroy all of the prurient items that I have in my possession." She chose her words carefully, not wanted to disclose that one of the items in inventory, file TJKB_447 – a recovered file of her fictional account of her marriage to nightclub-owner Booth – had mysteriously disappeared a year earlier. "But, it's just…"
"'It's just' what?"
Uncomfortably, she reminded him "you have lost memory of things in the past."
Booth snickered. "Bones, trust me! No matter what, I will never forget what you look like naked." He leaned closer into the camera, whispering "…or those fucking hot sounds you make when I'm making you crazy...way better than the video."
Much to her surprise, Brennan blushed. Looking to capitalize on the arousing turn in the conversation, she observed, "I believe you. But I have to say I'm surprised that you're so paranoid about technology, Booth. Now would be a fine time for us to have web camera sex. Well, web camera mutual masturbation. In fact, as I recall, you did mention that this would be an effective alternative to Agent Lister." She pulled on the tie of her robe.
Booth swallowed, his throat dry by the tease of her supple breasts so precariously hiding behind a mere wisp of the light green silk. "I did say that, didn't I?" he mumbled, his voice low and full of conflict. "While I am very tempted by your proposal, because yes, I would love to cyber-sex the hell out of you right now, I think my Internet connection may be too slow. I really don't want you to see me buffering during a weird sex face."
She laughed. "Yes, we have had some slowness issues during this session. In fact, I'm quite surprised that you have Internet access at all." She observed.
"Yeah, well uh. Whoever requested the rooms was high fallutin', so we've got all sorts of bells and whistles." He winked.
Brennan tugged her robe back shut, appreciative of Booth's obvious disappointment. "I hope you're keeping to the itinerary that I recommended for Parker. He was very excited about the tours. Parker and I share a love of history." Ruefully, she added "I would have enjoyed the trip tremendously."
"We are and I know you would have! Parker misses you, too. He's just about talked Rebecca and everyone else's ear off about his Dad's girlfriend."
"I'm almost embarrassed to admit it, but I like that." Brennan grinned. "'Dad's girlfriend'. But only in that context." She warned. "I still prefer the moniker 'partner'."
"Oh, well shoot. I was thinking maybe I could refer to you as my Grape-Stingy Cuddle Bunny."
"Booth!"
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding!" he teased. "'Feisty Sex Kitten', obviously."
"Booth!"
"What?"
A/N #3. I believe that Diko is the writer of a fic about Brennan and a waterfall. I give her all due admiration for my video setting reference.
