This past week was spent alternately pounding my head against my keyboard in frustration and out playing with my kids- finally got above freezing for the first time this winter! So without further delay...
Chapter 54: The Homefront
She recognized the ringtone right away and was unsurprised when he abruptly excused himself from the table.
"Where's Daddy going? Sadie asked around a mouthful of cake.
"One of his superiors is calling and he doesn't wish to be interrupted," Temperance explained, "and please wait until you've both chewed and swallowed your food before speaking again."
Sadie nodded. Forks clacked against plates as the cake was consumed while they waited for Seeley to return. When he finally did she could tell from his body language that something was amiss; though he attempted to hide it from the children, grinning widely at them as he began consuming his cake. He finished in a matter of minutes.
"Time to get going," he announced, snatching the keys from where they lay on the table in front of her.
"Hey!" she was on her feet, reaching in vain for her keys. He gave her a look that clearly said to drop the matter, but she ignored him, "What happened to me driving every second?"
"Not now, Bones," he shook his head, speaking in a voice low enough for only her to hear before shifting to a louder volume. "Bathroom break for everyone. We're not stopping on the way home."
"That means there's a crime scene to get to fast," Parker informed the others knowingly.
"Are we going to a real crime scene?" Joey bounced along excitedly as they walked to the restrooms.
"I want to go to the lab," Maddie put in.
"I'm perfectly capable of driving at high speeds," Temperance put in, drawing odd looks from the people they passed.
"Ca-May we use the siren?" Sadie tugged at Seeley's shirtsleeve. "Please! I know where to switch to turn it on is!"
Seeley spun around, halting just outside of the restroom doors, pointing to each of them in turn.
"Yes, there's a crime scene; one that only I am going to. The lab will come later and your mom and I will discuss if it's appropriate for the three of you to come. You," he pointed to his wife, "don't have the proper authorization to drive with the siren on-"
"Yay! The siren!" Sadie cheered.
"It's not a toy," Seeley told her gently but firmly.
"Won't it get loud using it all the way home?" Maddie wondered out loud.
"Yup," he confirmed, "that's what the flashing lights are for once we're free of the heavy traffic. Now," he addressed the small group as a whole, "let's get moving and get this show on the road."
Bladders sufficiently emptied, they left the restaurant and were speeding down the highway, siren blaring as they hurdled toward D.C. Once they reached the open road Seeley kept the lights on but muted the siren. A debate instantly broke out as to what movie would be watched on the portable DVD player.
"So," Temperance began in a low voice as the strains of the opening credits' music filled the cab, "what is going on? Why was Deputy Director Mitchell so insistent we return post haste? And was I mistaken when I heard that only you are going to the crime scene?"
Seeley's grip on the wheel tightened, his knuckles going white with the effort and he looked in the rearview mirror for a long moment before replying, "You remember the map angle Ange and Perotta were following up on?"
"Yes."
"Well, Ange was able to predict the general area where the next body dump would be so Perotta's been keeping a lookout for anything happening in that area and-" he hesitated.
"A body was found," she stated simply.
Seeley nodded, "Mitchell wants me on this yesterday to see if it can be connected to our serial killer."
"He's already killed this year, though, "she reminded him. "Why would he shift tactics?"
"I'm not sure, but we can't afford to be too careful with this," he shook his head. "Connections are what I'll be looking for tonight."
"Without me," there was a trace of annoyance she couldn't restrain.
He looked at her sideways, "This one's not your kind of body, you realize?"
She nodded, "I surmised as much; however, I can still be of assistance in an observational capacity."
Beside her, she felt more than saw his body tense, shoulders squaring for a fight before he glanced over at her, "I know that you can but I also know you won't."
"Booth-"
"No, Bones, listen," his voice grew earnest. "For one thing, this is Cam's territory so we're going to give it to her, and for another, you are needed elsewhere."
"So you're taking me to the lab?" she guessed, attempting to follow his logic.
"I'm taking you home," he corrected gently.
"Oh."
Laughter erupted from the back seats, triggering a wave of doubt within her. What yesterday had seemed like such a right and worthwhile choice now felt like a heavy burden.
"You okay?" he asked cautiously after several minutes of silence lay between them.
She considered the question, then answered, "Yes. Objectively speaking, you're correct; however, I confess to an irrational amount of frustration and jealousy for my part."
"I'm not shutting you out," he assured her. "If the remains were skeletal, I'd have called Max to watch the kids in a heartbeat, but…" he trailed off.
"No bones, no Bones," she gave him a small, wry grin.
Their eyes met briefly before he increased their speed and set his focus back on the road, the earlier tension draining from his frame. Landscapes that they had passed on the drive up now flew by and she was impressed with how he maintained control; especially as they neared the beltway and the volume of traffic increased. At one point, he had to use the siren again, and when he reached the city limits, he contacted the dispatcher to apprise them of his location.
"Can I take your car when we get back?" he asked when they were within five miles of the house.
"Why?"
"Because this thing's packed to the gills with Maddie and Joey's stuff," he explained easily, "and I don't have time to help you unpack."
She gave him permission, thinking as they pulled into the driveway that one of the first things they would need to do was purchase another vehicle that was large enough for all of them. They had discussed doing so over the summer, but now that this was a more permanent arrangement it was a necessity rather than a luxury.
After a hurried round of hugs and goodbyes, Seeley drove off hastily in her car, disappearing into the night. With a precision practiced on countless interns over the years she organized the unpacking effort. An assembly line stretching from her position unloading the car-top carrier to Sadie's holding open the front door made quick work of the task.
The phone rang just as she sent four unenthusiastic children upstairs to ready for bed. She explained to Rebecca what had transpired and promised to that either she or Seeley would take Parker to school the next morning. The chatted idly for a few minutes until Parker came down to tell his mother about his day and tell her goodnight.
Leaving him some privacy she moved upstairs to check in on the rest of the bedtime proceedings. Joey was in the bathroom brushing his teeth, while Sadie helped her older sister arrange her things in their room.
"Look, Mommy!" Sadie held up a stuffed replica of a cartoon Hershey's Kiss. "Maddie got it for me at Chocolate World."
Temperance nodded approvingly at the silver creature, "That was very kinds of her. Did you say thank you?"
"Thanks, Maddie!" the little girl exclaimed, launching a hug at her sister.
"You're welcome," Maddie managed, gasping slightly at the tight embrace.
"It's time for bed, Sadie," Temperance announced.
"What about Maddie?" the little girl asked petulantly.
"She'll join you in a bit."
"It's not fair," Sadie pouted, flouncing on her bed.
Maddie ducked her read and slipped out of the room.
"In this instance, it is fair," Temperance joined her daughter on the bed, coaxing her into her lap. "Maddie is six years your senior. Would it be fair to require her to go to bed at the same time as you simply because you wish it?"
Blonde ringlets shook grudgingly.
"Disappointments are a part of life," she kept her voice soft, stroking Sadie's hair. "Sometimes they are fair; other times they are not. What is important is that you react with dignity whether you feel you have been treated fairly or not. Tonight," she smiled at the confusion on Sadie's face, "that means going to bed without argument or complaint."
"Okay," Sadie yawned. "But ca-may I stay up late when I get older like Maddie?"
"Yes," she nodded, "you may."
"Thanks," Sadie smiled back, then looked thoughtful. "Does Daddy get to stay up later than you since he's older?"
"While that is a very logical conclusions the answer is no," she kissed Sadie, tucking her in securely. "Bed times are not assigned once one becomes an adult."
"Lucky," came the sleepy reply. "Will I be an adult soon?"
"Not for many years," she answered, turning off the lights. "Good night, Sadie. Sleep well."
"Night, Mommy. I love you."
"I love you too," Temperance answered, exiting the room and closing the door gently behind her.
Five minutes later, Joey was similarly tucked in; though with fewer complaints as Parker declared that he was tired as well and ready for bed. The boys chorused good night to her and she heard nothing until she reached the top of the stairs. Knowing from three years' experience that they would soon settle down she descended into the living room.
Maddie was curled up in a corner of the couch, reading, but set down her book and began talking as Temperance joined her. They discussed all of the miscommunication that had transpired on Maddie's end earlier in the day, concluding that they were both pleased Maddie hadn't been expelled. Conversation then turned to what the girl's thoughts were concerning going to a new school. She related that her preference would be the small private school that Sadie attended, not only because she wished to see Sadie more often, but also because of their notable high-school science program.
It was nearly an hour later when she sent a tired Maddie up to her room and began tidying up the lower level before allowing herself to relax. A knock on the door pulled the scientist away from the journal article she'd been reading. She looked at the monitor from the security camera on the front porch and hid a confused frown from the person on the other side before opening the door.
"Why are you here?"
