Title: Someone To Live For
Characters/Pairings: canon couples
Genre: Drama/Angst/Hurt/Comfort/Romance
Warnings: AU
Rating: T
Chapters: 30/41
Status: WIP

Disclaimer: I don't own Bones, nor any of the characters. Just playing with them.

Summary: Brennan's trip to Maluku is cut off suddenly after she gets the devastating news of Booth's demise in Afghanistan. Knowing she's lost him forever she decides to give the world one last part of him – his child. But life never goes as you plan and tragedy strikes once more in the most unsuspected place, changing not only Brennan's life but all those around her too. AU. Post season 5 finale. There is BB.

AN: *raises from the ashes, looks around* Is anyone still here? *hides*

But seriously, I've been browsing my old fic files and found two (TWO!) and half chapters written and unpublished. I'm actually in a very writing mood this summer, so maybe I'll be able to finish that half chapter and write some more. I actually re-watched the series in the fall in hopes to get inspired but real life is very busy. I think thanks to the lockdown I rediscovered my muse again and maybe it will help me complete this story. For now I give you this chapter and another one will come in a week, I think.

A huge thank you to all who still review, favor and follow this fic, the response, after all these years, still blows my mind! 3

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Chapter Thirty – Mending the Center

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Booth tried to stay occupied for the next week, while he waited for his documentation to come forward. He visited Hank a few times, picked up Parker, did an odd job around the apartment and mostly stayed at the Jeffersonian. Of course, this place wasn't as safe as he thought it would be, since he almost ended up as one of Hodgins' experiments. The Angelator Room was out of question as well, for Angela was in the middle of her party-organizing and Booth didn't want to have anything to do with that.

Even Brennan's office was starting to lose the quality of the refugee it once used to be. For if he could, he would barricade Bones in her apartment and wouldn't allow her to work while being so heavily pregnant. He tried to tone down his over-protectiveness but didn't do a good job, as more often than not, he ended up with exasperated or downright angry Brennan at his hands. So, by Wednesday he decided to visit the Bureau.

He took the taxi and got out in front of the Hoover Parking Lot, feeling strange at not being able to stop at his usual spot with his old Sequoia. Taking a deep breath, he headed to the building. He waited uncomfortably at the reception desk to get the visitor pass (the visitor pass, of all things!), and tried to ignore the hidden and not-so-hidden stares he was receiving from the FBI workers. As he made his way to his office some of the agents stopped to talk with him while wearing various looks of surprise mixed with openly showed gladness. It would have been heartwarming if it hadn't been actually so discontenting.

Finally, he has reached his floor. With trepidation he watched as the door of the lift opened, revealing the familiar corridor leading to the even more familiar busy bull pen. Without conscious thought, his legs carried him straight to the glassed office.

Once again many had stopped what they had been doing at the time to stare openly at him. Booth squared his shoulders and, just as he had been taught in the Army, he walked past it all with his head held high and proud.

He stopped in the doorway to what, clearly, used to be his office.

"Agent Booth!" Perotta exclaimed with surprise.

"Agent Perotta," he nodded at her.

The blond woman got up from behind his- her desk and come to greet him, and a pleasant smile replaced her previous look of shock. "It's good to see you once again!" she said offering him a handshake.

He returned it with a tight smile.

"We've got the information of your demise during your service at the Army. As the Major Crimes Division cannot run by itself, I was asked to replace you since I have already been acquainted with the Jeffersonian team," she offered, babbled really …quite uncharacteristically for her.

Booth just nodded, half listening, half watching around his office. The prickling feeling of embarrassment crept up his neck. What was he doing here, really?

"Of course, now, that you've returned, I'm sure the Deputy will give the Division back to you," Perotta continued.

He felt a pang of guilt. And anger. He turned toward her, his shoulders tense. He did not need pity!

"You are a good agent. I'm sure it is not necessary," he replied tightly.

"Oh, but it wouldn't really feel right, would it? From the very first meeting I had with them, it has been established that the Jeffersonian team is made of your people and no one else's, no matter with whom they need to work now. It would be a disservice to the Office and the Major Crimes to keep the best team with its' best solved crimes rating from working together once again," she replied sincerely.

Booth flushed at this praise sung by the blond woman.

"I'm sure you are doing a wonderful job," he said graciously and not at all insincerely.

Perotta smiled kind of awkwardly. "As good as I can with the anthropologists that are willing to work with me. Dr. Brennan has refused to work with the FBI ever since your demise," she added. "And now as she's pregnant she might not want to resume to job any time soon."

Booth wasn't so sure himself. It was Bones after all, and clearly Perotta did not know her as good as he did.

"The Jeffersonian called, Agent Perotta," a new voice interrupted them. "Oh! A-agent Booth!"

He turned back and smiled genuinely for the first time since he entered the building. "Hello, Genny!"

Agent Shaw flushed as a responding genuine smile bloomed on her face. "It's good to see the rumors are true, Agent Booth. Will you be coming back to the Office?"

"We'll see, but I am thinking about it," he offered.

"You were saying the Jeffersonian called?" Perotta asked from behind him.

"Ah, yes Agent Perotta," Genny Shaw focused on her boss, all serious and business now. "They have new information on the child's remains. They are not Logan Bartlett's. According to them the child's over three years old and is of Asian descent. They are working on identifying it."

Perotta nodded. "Alright." She sighed. "But that still leaves us without any leads on the Bartlett case."

Shaw remained silent.

"What's the case about?" Booth asked before he could stop himself.

But before Perotta could either fill him in or rebuke him for the question, Assistant Deputy Hacker, of all people, came into the office, clearly looking for Booth.

"Agent Booth," he greeted in that airy voice of his. "It's good to see you again."

"Director Hacker," Booth nodded at him warily.

"If you would come with me. We've heard you are in the Office and the Director Cullen has a free slot to see you promptly."

"Cullen?" Booth asked. "Yes, of course I'll go." He nodded to the blond woman. "Agent Perotta."

She smiled. "I have been really wanting to try the drug division, so don't worry about me!" She said with a brilliant smile.

Booth felt himself smile as he and Hacker left the office toward the elevators.

"So, Agent Booth," Hacker started, "are you planning to resume the job at the Bureau?"

"I was thinking about it, sir," he replied neutrally. Honestly, he had been craving the job ever since he woke up from the damned coma back in Afghanistan. Today's visit to the Hoover building only highlighted that desire even more so. Part of him was glad for the meeting with Director Cullen, other part couldn't help but feel wary.

"So, have you seen Tempe?" Hacker asked in an overly casual manner. Booth immediately looked at him suspiciously.

"I am actually staying with her at the moment," he replied, trying to sound normal.

"Oh, well, then for sure- do you know the baby's father?" Hacker asked, clearly fishing for information.

Thankfully, before Booth was forced to reply, the elevator stopped at the Director's floor. Jenny the secretary was already announcing them to Director Cullen.

"It's good to see you, Agent Booth," she said with a smile as they passed her.

"Thank you, Jenny." He always liked the efficient middle-aged woman.

He walked into Cullen's office, closely followed by Hacker.

"Agent Seeley Booth," Culled started as soon as they entered, Hacker heading to stand beside the Director.

"Director Cullen, sir." Booth stopped respectfully before his superior, unconsciously assuming the at ease stance.

"You give me headaches even from beyond the grave," Culled stated warily.

Booth blinked, a little taken aback.

"The Jeffersonian contract cannot be fully executed without you, apparently. The Bureau demands the best people to cooperate, yet Dr. Brennan once again decides she's above it all. We've had to settle for one of her subordinates to conduct the investigations at the Medico-Legal lab with our Liaison for the past six months. And the solving rate has suffered because of that. The Bartlett case is an example." He sighed. "You know what this means?"

"Um, I can't say, I do, sir." Booth replied tensely and not daring to hope.

Cullen moved some papers on his desk then looked back at him. "Well, Agent Booth, this leaves us with only one solution to remedy this tedious situation," he said. "There will be change in the Liaison to the Jeffersonian as of next Monday."

"Sir?"

"Agent Perotta has been inquiring about a change of divisions recently so your return is actually quite timely. I assume Dr. Brennan will start giving the Bureau her full attention while you are at the job, so I expect a significant increase of the crime solving rate in the upcoming months. Do I make myself clear?" He stared Booth in the eyes.

"Yes, sir," Booth nodded.

Cullen nodded back. "Good, make sure Dr. Sweets signs your post-Afghanistan fitness for duty report before Monday-"

The door to the office burst open.

"You cannot get in there, Ms. Jullian!" Jenny's distressed voice could be heard as the short prosecutor barged into the office.

"Well, I'll be! It's true! Seeley Booth!" Caroline exclaimed staring openly at Booth.

"Ms. Jullian, to what I owe this interruption?" Cullen asked her, exasperated.

"Ah, hello, Director," she said to him, absentmindedly. "Director." She nodded at Hacker, but her eyes were solely focused on Booth. The later flushed. "Just wanted to dement some rumors but turns out they are actually true. Which, of course, bodes well for the crime solving from now on," she finished charmingly.

"Yes, I've been informing Agent Booth of this fact while you so unexpectedly interrupted us." Cullen raised his eyebrows, looking at her meaningfully.

"Well, then I'd better not take up any of your time, sir," Caroline concluded swiftly.

"That would be wise, Ms. Jullian." Cullen nodded and waited as the Prosecutor left the office. "Now, what was I saying before I was so rudely interrupted, ah yes, get Dr. Sweets to sign your post-Afghanistan fitness for duty report before Monday so you can start your bloody job by then, Booth. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," Booth nodded, barely surprising a smile. "Thank you, sir."

"Yes, we are actually quite lucky to have you back, Agent Booth." He paused. "I'm glad to see you alive. And not just because of the job."

"Er, thank you, sir." Booth felt warmth spreading in his chest at those high even if tempered praises coming from the reserved Director.

"Right." Cullen nodded. "You'd better catch Dr. Sweets. Hm, after Ms. Jullian lets you out of her sight, that is." He smiled a little sadistically.

Booth just nodded. "Sirs." And left the office only to be meet by Caroline just like the Director predicated.

She practically barged at him the moment he left Cullen's office. "Well, Cherie, you just made this heart swell with joy, what with your unexpected reappearance. I assume you'd be back to your job as soon as possible?"

Booth couldn't help smiling at the formidable little woman. "Hello, Caroline. It looks like I'm back starting next Monday."

"Good." She nodded and indicated they should leave for the elevators. "Now you have to get that Squint of yours to start working with us."

"Bones is pregnant." Booth protested. "She won't be working in the field."

Caroline tutted. "As long as she helps with the squinty stuff."

"We'll see," Booth replied neutrally.

She nodded. "Now, off to Sweets, as Director ordered you to." She waved at him.

Booth groaned. He did not relish this visit, not at all. But better do it as soon as possible, he supposed. He nodded once and turned in the direction of Sweets office with resignation.

Later, just when he was leaving the Hoover building – right after the tedious meeting with the young Psychologist - Booth ran again into Perotta.

"I'm heading to the Jeffersonian, as there has been a development in our latest case," she offered as a way of greeting. "Do you need a ride?"

Booth hesitated only a second before nodding his thanks.

Since Sweets had already signed the report (after some serious prompting form Booth) and considering the fact he would be taking over Perotta's job on Monday, Booth inquired about the details of the case she had been working with his team, while the two of them made their way to the Medico-Legal Lab Facilities. He listened about all the details gathered so far: the mother's alcoholism and her recovery, the separation of the parents, the purchase of the car by the father shortly after the kidnapping, the child's remains that had been found recently, the speculation it might be Logan Bartlett.

They made their way to the Lab where Clark Edison explained all their findings about the child's remains. They belonged to a kid of older age, one that was of Asian descent. Hodgins ruled the death as occurring at least over 16 weeks ago, and Angela helped by identifying the clothing as being of Korean origins. All in all, they managed to pinpoint the industrial company where the mother probably worked.

But it was Brennan who ruled this death as accidental. She came to the gathering as Booth and Perotta were getting the details and looked over the x-rays and then the bones itself, finding the small puncture wound. From then on, the rest of the case fit together like a puzzle pieces creating a clear picture. It was a Heimlich maneuver gone wrong on a small child choking on a wood piece. An accident. And the binding of the corpse confirmed the Korean origins of the little one.

All that was left to do was to visit the mother to make the ruling final.

Perotta invited Booth to see the mother and, after making plans to see Brennan and Parker at the Diner, he agreed.

It almost felt like it had used to before.

xxx

"As you all predicted, the child's death was accidental," Booth related the events of the afternoon to Brennan, during their meal at the Diner. "They were so afraid of the authorities that they buried the child themselves." He shook his head still a little disbelieving. "Well, the States—" he paused. "They seem like heaven to them. I mean, they- they probably thought they were going to be executed or, even worse, sent back to North Korea."

Brennan nodded, as she took a bite of her chicken salad. She really had strangest cravings during this pregnancy.

"What will happen to them?" Parker asked as he had been following the talk carefully.

Booth looked at him. "Ah, you know, knowing Caroline, she probably won't even charge them."

Parker nodded. "Ms. Jullian is a nice person. Underneath the whole not nice thing." He concluded eloquently.

"I agree." Brennan nodded and looked at Parker with a small smile. "She was most helpful with the adoption process."

"Yeah!" Parker smiled back at Bones.

"Everything ok, Booth?" Brennan's voice jostled him from his thoughts.

"Yeah, everything's fine." He smiled at her. "I was just thinking about Logan Bartlett."

"The missing boy?" She asked him.

"Yeah." Booth nodded. "Perotta said something peculiar about the father. The dad has apparently bought a car three days after his son disappeared." He looked Brennan in the eyes. "What kind of father does that?"

"Hm, I have been taking care of Parker for the past six months and I am preparing myself to take care of the second child, I can't imagine doing anything like that."

Booth nodded gravely. "Neither do I." They looked at each other for a moment. "It might be a long shot, but I think the father needs to be checked once more."

Brennan agreed. "You might be right."

And he was.

The next day, after making arrangements with Perotta and Logan's mother, the missing child's case was solved with the father turning out to be the culprit of the kidnapping. He did it to get revenge on the mother who had gotten the custody of the boy.

It was with the resolution of this double case that Agent Payton Perotta relinquished her position as the FBI Liaison to the Jeffersonian Institute in the Major Crimes Division into the capable hands of the returning Agent Seeley Booth and his - once more active (despite her partner's constant protests) - forensic anthropologist, Dr. Temperance Brennan.

In the past six months no one even had dared to dream it would happen again. But here it was. The Jeffersonian Team was back into action, with its' Centre being once again …whole.

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End of Chapter Thirty

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AN: Once again thank you to all the positive response. I still hope I'll finish this piece one day.

Have a nice weekend and drop me a line! ;)