Author's Note: Still in the peyote trance thing. We've got maybe one more chapter here. Then she'll wake up for real. I wrote this because I feel like if Brennan is exploring this idea of what it would mean to be with Booth... Parker should be a part of that.
INT. HOCKEY RINK - AFTERNOON
Booth and Brennan follow Parker as he leads them down to the
front row of seats. Booth has on the jersey Brennan wore
earlier. Parker has on a smaller version of the same one. His
number is also 1 with BOOTH on the back. Booth carries his
own larger hockey bag and a smaller duffle bag.
Brennan is wearing the same clothes from the night before.
Parker hops down the last few steps.
PARKER
These ones are the best seats.
He gestures for them to come on down.
PARKER
That one.
He points to the third seat in the first row.
PARKER
Center ice. You're going to love it.
BRENNAN
Thank you, Parker.
She moves into the row, but doesn't sit yet. She turns back
to Booth and Parker.
BOOTH
We'll meet you right back here after,
okay? Cheer for us... even if we suck.
BRENNAN
(to Booth)
Considering your own physical prowess
at almost everything and the pride you
take in teaching Parker the skills
he'll one day need to establish
himself as an alpha male, I theorize
that I'm going to witness domination
on the field of play today.
PARKER
(whispered to Booth)
What'd she say?
BOOTH
(to Parker)
She thinks we're going to win.
(to Brennan)
Thanks, Bones.
Parker grins. Booth gently swings the smaller duffel bag into
Parker's chest, causing him to take it.
BOOTH
Come on, kid. Let's go dominate, hm?
Parker takes off, happily, up the stairs. Booth watches him a
moment, sure he's not paying attention. He leans toward
Brennan, stretching so much he tips forward on one leg and
has to place a hand on her arm for balance. He gives her a
kiss on the cheek that lingers.
Her cheeks flush as he leans back, regarding her.
BOOTH
Really not sure if we're breaking
rules right now or making 'em, but...
I'm real glad you're here, Bones.
BRENNAN
As am I.
He takes off as she takes a seat.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. HOCKEY RINK - AFTERNOON
Brennan sits in the seat Parker chose for her, watching the
ice. A bunch of kids, including Parker play hockey.
Someone passes Parker the puck.
Brennan glances up at a scoreboard. It's 0-0. There are just
a few seconds left in the first period.
Closer on Parker as he skates faster than those in pursuit
then gets to the goal, taking a quick shot that whizzes past
the goalie and into the net.
His teammates surround him, giving him high fives as the
buzzer sounds. He raises his stick in celebration.
The dads skate onto the ice. Booth finds Parker and picks him
up, tapping his helmet.
BOOTH
That was a great shot!
He glances over toward Bones. He points Parker to look that
way, too.
Brennan claps enthusiastically. Parker waves and grins.
DISSOLVE TO:
LATER
The dads' period of play has begun. It's tamer than the kids'
period and much milder than Booth's previous hockey games
would suggest.
Booth glances over at Brennan. She looks bored. He gives her
a little nod. It looks like someone is about to check him, but
he easily pivots out of the way and finds himself closer
to Brennan.
He winks at her then takes off across the ice, stealing the
puck from one of the other dads and skating down to the
opposing goal where he shoots it into goal. The goalie dives
for it, but the puck makes it in.
Watching with the other kids on their bench, Parker leaps up,
excited.
Booth glances at Brennan with a cocky smile.
Brennan smiles, shaking her head. She glances up at the
scoreboard. The score is now 2-0.
DISSOLVE TO:
LATER
The kids are on the ice. The opposing team has the puck.
Parker checks the player with the puck, causing him to wobble
and lose the puck. Before Parker can recover it, another
opposing player gets it and skates off. Before any of
Parker's teammates can catch up, the player shoots and
scores.
Brennan glances at the scoreboard: 2-2
Parker ends up at the face off line. His eyes go up to the
clock.
From the bench where he sits with his teammates, Booth also
looks up to see there are twelve seconds left.
BOOTH
Keep it calm, son!
Parker takes a deep breath. The referee drops the puck and
Parker gains possession. He breaks free toward the opposing
goal. Another player dives toward him, but Parker jukes as
well as his dad.
Brennan glances at the scoreboard: Seven seconds left.
Booth stands up, along with the other dads.
BOOTH
Hustle, Parker! Hustle!
Parker speeds up and weaves around players from the other
team. He looks and sees an open teammate near the goal. He
passes and the teammate slaps the puck right in.
The buzzer sounds.
The dads make their way onto the ice to celebrate the finish.
Booth snags Parker up into a celebratory hug. He pats the kid
who scored on the shoulder as he skates by to his own dad.
BOOTH
That was one heck of an assist!
Parker smiles and glances over to the stands.
Brennan is on her feet, cheering enthusiastically.
PARKER
I never woulda thought Bones would
like hockey.
BOOTH
That's "Dr. Brennan" to you, okay?
And, I don't know if she likes hockey
so much as she likes cheering for you.
PARKER
Aaaand you.
Booth sets him down on the ice again, glancing over at
Brennan. She's still standing and clapping.
LATER
Brennan waits, sitting in the stadium seat.
Parker, sweaty and wearing his hockey jersey and black cargo
pants, walks up with a duffle bag in his hand and plops down
next to her.
PARKER
Hey, Dr. Brennan.
BRENNAN
Hi, Parker. Good game.
He grins.
PARKER
Thanks!
(then)
My dad said to tell you he's taking
a quick shower and that I should stay
with you until he gets done.
Parker smiles at her then thinks of something.
PARKER
Is it okay if I call you "Bones?"
He looks at her hopefully and she can't resist.
BRENNAN
Of course.
BOOTH
Yes! My dad says I should call you Dr.
Brennan, but he calls you "Bones." And
that's such a good nickname. Did you
pick it out yourself?
BRENNAN
No, actually, that's just what your
dad started calling me on our very
first case together. I didn't like it
then, but... it's grown on me.
PARKER
What? He never even told me that.
(thinking of something)
Do you have a nickname for him?
BRENNAN
Just "Booth," but that's not
technically a nickname.
PARKER
Maybe someday someone will call me
"Booth."
She smiles at him. Some players skate by. They both look up
and out across the rink for a moment.
BRENNAN
You are very skilled on the ice.
PARKER
My dad taught me to skate when I was
two. Hockey is his favorite sport.
BRENNAN
What about you?
PARKER
Hmmm. I like basketball. You fall down
less.
She laughs.
BRENNAN
I didn't see you fall down once.
Parker beams at the praise.
PARKER
Bones?
BRENNAN
Yes?
PARKER
It's cool that you came today.
BRENNAN
I know that people sometimes use "it's
cool" to give permission and sometimes
to express happiness. Which way are
you using it?
Parker looks at her a minute, liking how weird she is.
PARKER
Both, I guess.
She smiles.
BRENNAN
Thank you.
PARKER
Is it cool that I'm here? I mean it in
both ways... permission and happiness.
Brennan studies him, trying to make meaning.
BRENNAN
You certainly don't need my permission
to be here as I don't know how your
father would participate in a f
father/son hockey game without you,
but in regard to the happiness aspect,
yes, I'm happy we're both here today.
PARKER
Me, too. My dad played better today.
He was showing off for you.
(then)
But I didn't mean "here" like as in
here at the rink. I meant here.
He gestures around and up. The picture skips a few frames.
PARKER
Like here in your head. That's where
we really are, right? And you thought
about including me. That's gotta mean
you're pretty serious about all this.
Brennan blinks, caught off guard by his candid statements.
The tone shifts again: less meta, more in the moment as a
few more frames skip.
PARKER
I know you're going to think I'm
saying this because of the pool thing,
but I really think you should tell my
dad that you want to be his girlfriend.
BRENNAN
(teasing)
You sure it's not the pool thing?
PARKER
(serious)
I swear.
BRENNAN
What makes you think I want to be his
girlfriend?
PARKER
I'm just hoping you do because I think
he would be so, so happy if you were
his girlfriend. Wouldn't you be happy,
too, Bones?
Brennan tilts her head, but before she can answer, Booth
comes down the nearby stairs, freshly showered and dressed in
some jeans and a t-shirt. He steps over a seat to sit on the
other side of Parker.
BOOTH
Parker, didn't I tell you to sit here
quietly and not to bug Bones, huh?
BRENNAN
He wasn't bugging me.
She smiles at Parker, and he smiles back.
BRENNAN
He was just sharing a hypothesis.
BOOTH
(to Parker)
For your science project?
PARKER
(deflecting)
Yeah, uh huh. Dad, are we going to the
movies? Can Bones come?
BOOTH
(correcting)
Uh uh. Didn't I say to call her "Dr.
Brennan?" You gotta be respectful.
PARKER
But, Dad-
BRENNAN
I told him he could call me "Bones."
BOOTH
(pleasantly surprised)
Oh.
He smiles at her.
BRENNAN
Why does this please you?
Before he can even think of a response:
PARKER
He likes it 'cause it means you like
me. And he wants you to like me.
BOOTH
I think you want her to like you.
PARKER
I think you want her to like you.
Booth stares at him a moment. He's got no come back.
BRENNAN
In that case, I think you'll each be
pleased to know I like you both very
much.
They glance at each other. Parker gives Booth his best "told
you so" smile. Brennan enjoys their interaction.
PARKER
Annnnnyway... Dad... Bones... movies?
Booth glances at Brennan then speaks to Parker:
BOOTH
You know, P-man, Bones here is a busy
woman. I'm sure she already has plans
for a Saturday night, alright?
BRENNAN
I don't. Oh, unless you would prefer-
BOOTH
I'd prefer you came along, but I
understand you maybe want-
BRENNAN
I want... to go.
PARKER
Oh my gosh!
Booth at Brennan look at each other then at Parker.
PARKER
Grown-ups take forever to make
decisions. Can I go fill up my water
bottle?
BOOTH
Go 'head, bud.
Parker pulls his water bottle from his bag and runs off.
BOOTH
Thanks for coming to the game. I think
Parker liked having you in the stands.
Gave him someone to show off for.
She laughs, glancing over to where Parker is using a water
fountain to fill up a water bottle. She looks back to Booth.
BRENNAN
Based on my past experiences watching
you play, I expected the second
inning, when the fathers played, to be
a little more... violent.
BOOTH
First off, it's called a "period" not
an "inning." Second, us dads gotta
model good sportsmanship, like that.
BRENNAN
Plus, the other fathers were clearly
not as skilled as you. You held back.
BOOTH
You want to see the good stuff? Come
watch me play my league game this
week. I won't be holding back there.
BRENNAN
Is that an invitation?
BOOTH
Is that a yes?
They look at each other, a brief and flirty standoff.
BRENNAN
It's not on Thursday, is it?
BOOTH
No, Wednesday. Why?
BRENNAN
On Thursday, I'm giving a guest
lecture at Georgetown.
BOOTH
Sounds fascinating.
BRENNAN
You don't even know the topic.
BOOTH
It doesn't matter. It's you. I'll be
there... and I'll be fascinated.
She glances down, flattered. Parker returns, squeezing some
water from his bottle into his mouth. They look at him.
PARKER
Can we go yet? Come on...
He shoves his bottle back in his back and throws his bag on
his shoulder. He takes both their hands and drags them out of
their seats.
MONTAGE ("GOOD TIME" BY OWL CITY AND CARLY RAE JEPSON):
EXT. DINER - AFTERNOON
Through the window, we see Booth, Brennan and Parker enjoying
a meal together and laughing over something.
CUT TO:
INT. MOVIE THEATER LOBBY - NIGHT
They head through the lobby. Parker has a big tub of popcorn
that he spills periodically. Booth leads him with a hand on
his shoulder. He puts an arm out to Bones who loops her own
arm through his.
CUT TO:
INT. MOVIE THEATER - NIGHT
They sit in the theater with Parker in the middle. He is
munching on popcorn and staring at the screen. Booth and
Brennan glance at one another over his head.
Parker glances sideways at each of them. He leans over and
whispers in Booth's ear. Booth nods and takes the popcorn from
him, handing it to Brennan as he starts to get up.
CUT TO:
INT. MOVIE THEATER LOBBY - NIGHT
Booth stands outside the men's restroom, waiting. Parker
exits.
CUT TO:
INT. MOVIE THEATER - NIGHT
As they get back to their row, Booth waits for Parker to go,
but Parker nods for his dad to go. Booth chuckles and moves
into the row, taking the seat next to Brennan now. She
glances at them, but makes no comment except to hand him back
the popcorn which he passes off to Parker.
CUT TO:
INT. MOVIE THEATER - LATER
Brennan has her arm on the arm rest she shares with Booth. He
nudges his arm into hers. She playfully nudges back. He gives
up and puts his arm around the back of her chair. She leans
onto the arm rest and slightly into him.
Parker glances over, noticing this. He smiles to himself.
CUT TO:
INT. MOVIE THEATER LOBBY - NIGHT
Booth and Brennan walk with Parker between them. They pass
the theater's small arcade. Parker takes off toward a Punky
Pong game cabinet. Booth an Brennan look at each other and
laugh, going over to join him.
INT. MOVIE THEATER ARCADE - LATER
Parker and Brennan both turn to Booth, but he shrugs and
pulls out his pockets. No more quarters.
EXT. ICE CREAM SHOP - NIGHT
Parker, Booth and Brennan exit the shop together. Booth has
his ice cream in a cup, but Brennan and Parker have cones.
Parker skips ahead on the side walk as he licks his cone.
Booth keeps a close eye on him.
Booth tosses his finished cup into a trashcan. As they walk,
his hand grazes Brennan's free hand. When she doesn't shy
away, he gently takes her hand.
She smiles to herself as she continues to eat her ice cream
cone.
END MONTAGE
FADE OUT