Hello again folks! I know, I know. LOOONG time between updates. Between Covid and just not writing in general this story fell by the wayside. For those who have stuck with it, thank you. I really do plan to finish it, I've just been re-watching Bones and reading fanfic to get re-inspired. Please bear with me,

And, as always, don't own Bones, as much I would love to….

There was a knock on the bathroom door, and then Bones stuck her head in. "Booth, are you about done? We're going to be late meeting your mother and Reggie if you don't hurry." She frowned at me when she saw I had three ties in my hands. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to choose a damn tie. What does it look like?" I let out a breath. "Sorry Bones. I just seem to be on edge right now. I didn't mean to take it out on you. It's this dinner with mom and bringing Reggie into the mix. I don't have a clue how this dinner is going to go."

Bones stepped further into the bathroom and stood there for a few seconds, staring at the ties. She picked a burgandy tie and placed the others on the counter. As she began putting on my tie, she said, "I know you're anxious about this Booth. None of us can predict exactly what will be said or done during this dinner. The important thing is we're together for it, whatever might happen." She frowned slightly. "Reggie is perhaps an unknown factor. We don't really know him, other than a brief chat at his wedding and what your mother has told us." The frown increased, "And I'm not sure I trust your mother on a great number of topics, Booth."

I shrugged. "Actually Bones, I'm not entirely sure I do either. At least not yet. I don't know if we'll get there with time. And I think Reggie is nice enough, it's just I don't know how much he really knows about the Booth family history, and I have no idea if he'll have questions about what Mom and I have talked about, and if he does, what they'll be." I smoothed the tie Bones had finished tying and shrugged. "I guess I'm worried he'll automatically side with her. Which shouldn't matter – he's basically a stranger at this point." I snorted. "I sound like a kid, don't I? I can have someone defend me but she shouldn't? If she has support for these conversations, that's not really different than you being there for me. And he is her husband, so defending his wife would be normal."

Bones shook her head. "I don't believe it is the same, Booth. Your mother's actions both when you were a child and when she returned precipitated these conversations. And Reggie, as her spouse, no doubt will offer support, but she herself has said that Reggie disagreed with some of her actions. Also," she shrugged, "I am more concerned with your well-being than hers. Reggie can say or do as he wishes. None of what he may say changes the past you two share. If he chooses to defend her actions, particularly in regards to leaving you with your father, that may be his prerogative, but it will be yours to decide what relationship you and your mother and Reggie decide to have."

"Yeah." I took a last look in the mirror, straightened my tie, and gestured towards the door. "Okay, let's get this over with, shall we?"

Finding Mom and Reggie already at the restaurant, we made our way over to their table. After a slightly awkward exchange of greetings. We stuck with small talk for a while, at least until we had placed our order.

"So, Seeley, glad you and Temperance could make it tonight. I know you probably weren't necessarily looking forward to it," Reggie said after a slight cough.

I nodded slightly. "Yeah, well, figured we could at least try to get to know each other better. And I prefer to be called Booth, if you don't mind."

Reggie nodded at that, then glanced at my mom. "Marianne has been telling me about the talks all of you have been having. I just want you to know that while I know I can't understand what you've been through and what you may be going through now, I can appreciate that the whole situation must be difficult and stressful for you." He looked again at my mom."I know it has been for my wife."

My lips tightened briefly but I managed to get out, "You could say that."

My mom looked at my face and said, "Seeley, I had told you I was talking to Reggie about these things. I know you have been incredibly angry, and I know you have a right to be. I wanted someone to talk to, especially since for a while you weren't talking to me." She shook her head in frustration. "And I'm making it all about me again, aren't I? I'm not trying to, really. It's just a lot of the things have really hit home, and not in a good way. You've gotten me to take a hard look at myself and my actions and I haven't liked what I've seen so far. Reggie as well as my therapist have been my sounding boards, like Temperance is for you." She smiled slightly as she glanced at Bones."Although I suspect neither of them would defend me quite as vocally as she does."

Bones raised her eyebrows."Booth is used to defending others, and doesn't always recognize that there are times he might need defending and protection as well. We have been partners a long time. That is one of the things we do for each other."

Mom nodded and looked slightly amused. "I know that, Temperance. And it means a lot to me to know Seeley has you in his life, both professionally and personally. I only mean, I suppose, that it's not a dynamic I'm used to. With Edwin," she paused and took a deep breath,"I was concerned about physical protection. I got so used to that, when I left I supposed I never really wanted to put myself in any situation that would require defense. You were both right that I have a tendency to look for the easy route. Eventually that became so ingrained that I didn't know any other way to be."

I sighed. "And I get that to a point, Mom, but you have to know there are times easy just won't work. Now is one of those times. Not if you want any kind of real relationship with me, anyway. Bones and I have both had parents walk away from us, and neither of us wants that to happen again. For damn sure we don't want Christine caught up in that. I will make as sure as I can that doesn't happen. Bones and I have been as upfront as possible about that." I shook my head. "I'm not as angry as I was, Mom, but I have to be honest in telling you I'm not sure how much I can trust you. And, no offense, Reggie, but you either. I just don't know you well enough to say that yet. I don't know exactly how much Mom has told you about our family history, or what she's told you about our talks."

Reggie nodded. "I do understand that, Booth. And I can't say that I blame you. I'm not sure I would know exactly what to make of me if I was in your place. I can only say that Marianne has owned up, at least to me, her failings in how she handled everything, especially in regards to her coming back into your life. But I don't expect you to automatically take my word for it. As you've pointed out, we barely know each other, and there is a lot of history between you and your mother. History that I'm not a part of. All I can do is listen when Marianne talks, but also let you know I'm sympathetic to your position."

I let out a long breath. "She said you encouraged her to get in touch with us earlier?"

Reggie reached for Mom's hand, and squeezed it slightly. "I did. I know I would have wanted to know if my kids were OK. I couldn't force her, though, Booth, You have to know that."

"Yeah, I know." I nodded. "I guess part of my problem is I don't know how much detail you got from Mom about the abuse that went on in that house." At a startled gasp from Mom, I turned to look at her. "I'm not giving him the third degree if that's what you're worried about. I just want to know how much he understands about why I'm as angry as I am about why you left me and Jared in that house of violence. That's all. It's why these conversations have been as unpleasant as they have been. Because I have been extremely angry, Mom. You have to know that, and if Reggie is going to be a part of this, he needs to know it too."

Reggie held up his hand. "I do know about it, Booth. And I can't even start to tell you how awful I feel for both of you for having to deal with that. And I'm more than willing to be a part of whatever you and Marianne decide you want me to be a part of." He hesitated. "I get the feeling, though, that there may be more stuff you need to work through with just your mom. Am I wrong?"

I shook my head. "No, no you're not. I...I…" I stopped.

Bones' soft voice piped up from next to me. "I believe Booth has more to discuss with his mother, yes. Trust is something we both have had issues with for a long time, and it has spilled into this situation as well." She gave my mother one of her direct, piercing looks. "A great deal of that stems from our pasts with our parents."

My mom looked down at the table as an awkward silence settled around the table. "I know," she whispered finally. "I know." She looked back up straight at me. "I do want to fix this, Seeley. I really do."

I swallowed. "I hope it is fixable, Mom. I really do."

OK, not too much happening in this chapter. Some early reviews had mentioned Reggie, so I figured I'd bring him in. Sort of jump starting my muse here (or kicking it in the butt, whichever works better LOL)