Disclaimer: I don't own Bones
Epilogue
15 years later….2005…
Seeley Booth sighed as he leaned back in his desk chair, scratching the back of his head as he looked through some of the case files on his desk. Cullen's been overloading him over the last few months, but it wasn't anything Booth could handle. However, there were a few cases he was stuck on and it frustrated him to no end.
As Booth looked through the various piles of paperwork he had, he couldn't help but let his eyes drift to one of the photographs he had on his desk. A small framed photograph he brought with him after digging it up in his storage a few months ago. It was a picture of him and the old gang from high school during his graduation. It was something that always seemed to give Booth a smile on his face when he looked at it.
A lot's happened since high school. After all, it was only natural for everyone to move on. After Booth joined the military he got caught up in the Gulf War, and despite trying to keep in touch with his high school sweetheart, the two eventually drifted apart. By the time Booth was discharged, Brennan was traveling all over the world– studying lost civilizations and digging up ancient bones, everything she ever wanted and more.
Booth only stayed in touch with Cam and Sweets after all these years. Cam being his childhood best friend and Sweets essentially becoming another little brother for Booth to look out for. Booth still saw Hodgins on the occasion, being that he started working for the Jeffersonian, and even ran into Angela a few times since she moved back to the D.C area from Paris. Last he heard from Angela, she and Hodgins managed to reconnect with one another after staying in touch. However, regardless of that, the group wasn't exactly the same.
Since Booth, Cam, and Sweets did stick together the longest, it led them all to a similar path of the FBI. Cam became one of the best Pathologists in the country and recently the new head of the Jeffersonian's forensic unit. Meanwhile, Booth had settled for an FBI agent rather than a rouge sniper for the military, and Sweets recently took over the role as a psychologist and criminologist with the FBI. Also, let's just say, Sam Cullen owed these kids a favor or two after their remarkable stunt back in 1990.
So, Seeley Booth didn't necessarily have anything to complain about in his life. However, there were times he would recall Temperance Brennan and would wonder if he'd ever cross her path again. Part of him hoped he would. After all, she was the top anthropologist in her field. Not to mention her book was in every store he seemed to walk into. Maybe it was a sign, but Booth just couldn't bring himself to it. He wondered if she had a boyfriend or if she even started a family. Stupid things, but stupid things he remembered wanting to start with her as a teenager.
Booth tried to get Temperance Brennan off his mind for years, but she was always there. Lingering in the back of his head. He even tried to make it work with several girlfriends. Got pretty serious with one, Rebecca. They had a son, Parker, and they tried to make it work, but neither were truly in love with the other. At least Booth got Parker out of it and he manages to maintain a healthy relationship with Rebecca.
"Hey, big brother."
Booth snapped out of thought to look up and see Sweets standing in his doorway with a smile on his face.
"Sweets," Booth said happily, sitting up in his chair. "Hey! You going to Pops on Sunday for dinner?"
"Of course," Sweets said, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. Parker coming?"
"Yeah," Booth said happily. "And I believe Cam might be stopping by too. But, Parker's excited to see his Uncle Lance."
"Love that kid," Sweets said, chuckling to himself. "Anyway, I got some news for you."
"Yeah, what's up?"
"Well…I think I have a rather interesting call for you to answer from Homeland Security, on line 4," Sweets said, leaning against the doorway with a bright smile on his face. It was the kind of smile Sweets got on his face as a kid when Pops would make him pancakes for breakfast.
"And you couldn't have called me to tell me this…?" Booth questioned, raising his eyebrows.
"I wanted to see your reaction," Sweets confessed, smirking with a slight little shrug.
Booth frowned as he then grabbed the phone and listened to what his associate had to say about a woman they picked up at the airport.
"No way," Booth breathed, placing the phone down once the call was through.
"Yes way," Sweets answered, grinning widely.
"Are you serious?" Booth questioned, wide eyed.
"Serious," Sweets repeated, chuckling.
"Did you tell him?" Cam questioned, poking her head through as she joined Sweets in the doorway.
"What are you two up to?" Booth asked, frowning at his best friend and brother.
"You know that body they found in Arlington?" Cam said. "Well, the FBI's been trying to persuade her to join the case. However, she refuses to do it…"
"Wait, so… if I gather this correctly, the FBI put a request for a hold on her as a way to try to get her to pick up the case?" Booth questioned.
"Essentially," Cam said. "Not Cullen's best method, but hey, she's the only one who can help identify this body."
"And what do you want me to do? Work my charm?" Booth questioned, raising his eyebrows.
"Yes," Sweets said, shrugging. "You were the closest to her…"
"And not Angela?" Booth questioned, raising his eyebrows. "They're still best friends. I saw Angela a few months back and she was telling me about how she and Brennan were going on vacation together…Why not her?"
"True, but Angela's not an FBI agent," Cam added. "And besides Angela, out of everyone, it made the most sense she'd listen to you."
"Look, you think she listened to me then?" Booth scoffed. "You're wrong."
"Come on…It'll be a great opportunity for you to work together again. For all of us to work together," Sweets exclaimed. "Hodgins and Zack are working at the Jeffersonian and I heard a Miss Montenegro is looking for some work…This could be a way to get the dream team to become a reality…"
"You two aren't seriously trying to get the high school gang back together, are you?" Booth questioned incredulously.
"Possibly," Cam said, sharing a smile with Sweets.
"You gotta be kidding me," Booth said, shaking his head.
"So, what are you waiting for then," Sweets said. "Go get her tiger."
"God, you're just as annoying as you were back then," Booth muttered towards his adopted brother before grabbing his jacket and rushing out the door.
Even though he was annoyed at Cam and Sweets at the moment, he couldn't help but feel excitement rush through him. In fact, it felt like he practically ran all the way to Dulles International Airport. His heart was beating out of his chest as he made his way through the airport and to the area of detainment when he could hear a woman say, "I'm not a sociopath! I'm an anthropologist!"
Booth smirked at this as he then made his way into the room. When he got there, he couldn't help but feel his knees start to buckle a bit. There she was, scowling at the homeland security agent who stood before her. Her eyes narrowed. She hadn't aged a day. Booth couldn't help but see the young, spunky and awkward teenager he fell in love with all those years ago, but also couldn't help but marvel at the beautiful woman she'd become.
"Look, I'm sorry I embarrassed you in front of your friends, but next time you should identify yourself before attacking me," she said to the homeland agent furiously. "Now, if you just…"
When Temperance Brennan's head whipped around, she excepted to see one of the FBI lackies that have been after her for months. Instead, her heart jumped to her throat.
"Booth?" Brennan questioned, her voice cracking slightly. "Is…Is that really you?"
"Hey there, Bones," Booth said, a smile playing on his face.
Brennan's lips suddenly forming a smirk. "Don't call me, Bones."
"Ah, FBI. Special Agent Seeley Booth," Booth announced, looking towards Homeland security now. "Dr. Brennan identifies bodies for us sometimes."
"I do more than that," Brennan mentioned, causing Booth to simply shake his head at her blunt declaration. God, he missed that about her.
"She also writes books," Booth added, pushing out a copy of Brennan's more recent novel towards the security agent.
Homeland looked briefly at Brennan and then at Booth. "Alright, she's all yours."
"What? Just like that? You can go?" Brennan questioned, raising her eyebrows. "This is a set-up, isn't it? Booth, did Sweets and Cam put you up to this!"
Booth bit his lip while the Homeland Security agent shrugged and held up Brennan's novel and said, "I love this book."
Brennan glared at Booth, which caused his heart to lodge in his throat. However, there was silence between the two as they made their way out of the airport.
"So…I don't hear from you for ten years and it's a set-up," Brennan said slowly. "Who would've thought…"
"It wasn't exactly my idea. You know Cam and Sweets," Booth said, causing Brennan to roll her eyes as she looked out the passenger window. "Look…They want you to look at a case. A body found in Arlington."
"There are a lot of bodies in Arlington," Brennan huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Yes, but your kind of body. Outside of a casket," Booth said. "Come on, Bones. The FBI needs your help."
"Just let me out," Brennan ordered him. "Anywhere would be fine, just let me out, Booth! I don't want to be in this car anymore!"
"Fine just, hold on," Booth said as he pulled the car to the side. However, Brennan immediately began running away. "Bones! Wait!"
"What, Booth?" Brennan questioned. "I…What do you want? I don't see you in years and suddenly you show up out of the blu asking me to be on some case?"
"Some might call this fate, you know," Booth retorted.
"You know I don't believe in that stuff," Brennan said, waving her arm around slightly. "The last time I saw you, I was headed to China and you were moving back in with Pops…We agreed it would be best to go our separate ways…And I thought you were going to retire."
"I was, but the FBI called my name," Booth said gently. "Let's just say it gave me a purpose after everything…" Booth paused, licking his lips. "What about you? I ran into Angela awhile ago. She says you're barely home. Don't you get tired of all the traveling?"
Brennan shrugged. "Yes…And no. I don't know. It's what my life's become. Research, lectures, academia, giving names to those who were lost…"
"Which is why the FBI needs you. To give a name to this victim," Booth said, walking closer to his ex-girlfriend. "It's why I need you."
"Why you need me?" Brennan questioned, raising her eyebrows.
"Yes. Look, I want to be partners again," Booth told her sincerely. "Just like the old days. I need your help, Bones. The FBI needs your help. Please."
Brennan paused, biting her lip. "Fine, but I get full participation in the case."
"Alright, alright," Booth said, shaking his head with a slightly chuckle. "Just…Come home, Bones. Back to the Jeffersonian."
"Home, huh?" Brennan's lips formed a soft smile. "Maybe it is time I came back home, don't ya think?"
Booth grinned at this while Brennan grinned back at him as well. Like two discarded puzzled pieces, they found themselves falling back into pace...
Ten Years Later...2015
"Booth?"
"Yeah, Bones?" Seeley Booth replied to his wife as he came down the hallway carrying their baby boy, Hank, on his hip.
"Have you seen my notes?" Temperance Brennan asked as she prepared breakfast for their eldest child, Christine, who was sitting at the breakfast bar.
"Bedroom nightstand," Booth answered as he placed Hank in his high-chair. "Morning there, sweetie," Booth said to his daughter, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
"Morning, Daddy!" Christine chirped as Brennan handed Christine a bowl of oatmeal.
After they figured out who murdered Cleo Ellers in 2005, Booth and Brennan became an unstoppable crime-fighting force. Of course, it took a bit of time for the two of them to find their spark again. Even though they were high school sweethearts they needed to get to know one another again.
Over the next couple of years they would solve hundreds of murders it seemed, including that of Brennan's mother and even the put a couple of high stake serial killers away too such as the Gravedigger and Howard Epps. Brennan and Russ even discovered their father, Max, who had been hiding all these years. It took some time, but Brennan would start tof orm a relationship with her dad again.
Through every challenge Booth and Brennan had over the years, they only got to know one another all over again. Their relationship grew only stronger as partners and then lovers again.
It wasn't long until they had two children of their own, Christine and Hank, and a house with a white picket fence. The Brennan-Booth family had everything they could've possibly wished for.
"Thanks again," Brennan told her husband as he pressed a good morning kiss to her cheek. "I need those notes for court today."
"Of course," Booth replied.
"And don't forget, Hodgins and Angela are having us over for dinner tonight with the kids," Brennan added.
"Got it," Booth said, pausing by the counter to admire his wife for a few more moment. In fact, he couldn't help but smile as he watched her move around in their kitchen, feeling great comfort in the fact he and Brennan were a family.
Brennan caught Booth staring and paused to look at her husband skeptically, "Why are you smiling at me?"
"Can't I smile at my beautiful wife?" Booth challenged, grinning at her. "Who, might I add, still looks just as beautiful as she did when she 16."
Brennan playfully rolled her eyes, "That's physically impossible, Booth. I don't look anything like I did when I was 16."
"I beg to differ," Booth grinned, pressing another kiss to his wife. "I'm just happy...Happy that the universe gave you back to me."
Brennan couldn't help but smile widely at this. "And I'm happy it gave you back to me."
The married couple grinned as they proceeded to share another kiss, grinning at their home and their life together with their kids and their chosen family.
Did Booth, Brennan, or any of the gang ever think this could happen to them? No, I mean, what are the odds you end up working with all your high school best friends in the place you were all destined to be? Highly unlikely. But, they managed to do it. Somehow, and they couldn't be happier…
A/N: And that's that! Once again, thank you to everyone who's been reading, reviewing, and following the story! Appreciate it a ton!
