The principal looked rather annoyed at Courtney's mother's tardiness and placed her hands together, "The girls were involved in a little scandal today. While Alexandra went to the restroom, Courtney decided for some reason to vandalize Alexandra's book. She filled in the ending chapter of the book she was reading with Sharpie. Making it completely illegible." she said while looking at Courtney's mother who did not seem interested at all in the conversation. The principal continued, "When Alexandra returned to her desk and discovered her book, she decided to give the middle finger to Courtney in retaliation." she said as she turned her gaze to Brennan. "You see I truly didn't expect that behavior from Alexandra, Dr. Brennan but she confessed to it. She told me it's not good to lie. I assume this behavior is stemming from her time before being placed with you Dr. Brennan?" she asked her. Brennan straightened in her seat, "Your assumption is correct. Alex did not come from the best part of town. I can assure you; this event will not be repeating itself." she said confidently. The principal nodded and turned her attention to Courtney's mother, Mrs. Meyers. "However, this behavior isn't anything new when it comes to Courtney. If her behavior does not improve, Mrs. Meyers I will have to place Courtney in our behavioral probation program, understood?" she asked the blonde. Mrs. Meyers looked at her phone and then the principal, "Sorry, writing this down. Millions of things to do. But I do understand. Completely." She then turned to Brennan and Booth, "I apologize for my daughter's behavior, truly." she said with slight tude. Brennan nodded in acceptance. "Seeing that it is nearly the end of the day. You may take your children with you. It was nice seeing you again Dr. Brennan. I'm enjoying your latest novel by the way." the principal said. Brennan smiled at the principal's comment. "Likewise, and thank you, I'm glad." she said before walking out of the office.
Courtney's mother beckoned her daughter to follow because she didn't even stop to wait for her daughter to collect her things, "C'mon Court, I got meetings all day!" she yelled, and Courtney hurried along trailing behind her mother. Booth stared at the scene in disgust, "No wonder she acts like this," he whispered into Bone's ear. She nodded and placed her hand out for Alex to take, "Are you ready to tell us what happened in the car?" she asked gently while placing her other hand in Booth's firm grasp. Courtney watched the happy family, hand in hand, and stared in jealousy as her mother was driving away. The trio got into the SUV and Brennan looked back at Alex, "Honey, I'm not upset with you, okay? I need you to know that, but what you also need to know is that making that gesture is definitely not okay, understood?" she said. Alex looked at her mom with sad eyes and nodded, "Understood. I'm sorry. I just remembered the other kids at my old school doing it when other kids bothered them. That's why I did it." she said in her tiny voice. Brennan quickly looked at Booth with her. I was right face and turned to look at Alex, "What happened?" she asked her daughter. Alex picked at her book, "We were supposed to be reading quietly and Courtney bumped into my book, making it fall out of my hands." She began to tell her mother. Brennan started to get angry, just like a mother Lion did when predators messed with their cubs. Brennan nodded beckoning Alex to continue, "She then asked me if my fake mommy got me the book and then she was like 'oh, yeah because your real mommy is dead, '.." she said as her eyes started to water. It didn't help when Booth scoffed very loudly, "What?!" he yelled in disbelief and looked at Bones. Brennan placed her hand on his shoulder to calm him down, "Then what happened baby?" she asked Alex. Alex whipped her tears away, "I told her that my mom got me this book and then I asked to go to the bathroom so I could get away from her. Because Booth says it's always better to walk away." At this comment Brennan squeezed his shoulder lovingly and he smiled proudly as he drove. Alex continued, "When I came back my book smelled like ink, so I looked through it and she colored the ending in," she said holding her book to display the redacted pages of her book. "She was waiting for me to look at it because she was looking right at me! So that's when I gave her the finger." she said sniffling. Brennan frowned at her little girl. She was sad someone was bullying her and would go as far to wanting to witness her sadness. She placed her hand on Alex's knee, "While I am not proud that you gave her the middle finger, I am proud that you stood your ground and walked away. It shows you were trying to be a better person. Don't worry about your book, okay? We'll get you a new one. You were also right in correcting her. I am your real mommy." she said as she squeezed her knee. Alex placed her small hand on top of her mom's. "I know." she said smiling.
The trio walked into the lab and Alex was no longer holding her mother's hand because she quickly ran to her Aunt Angela and gave her a hug. "Hi Auntie Angie! I've missed you." she said smiling and Angela gave her a kiss on the head, "I've missed you too little bug. Did you have a good day at school?" she asked the little girl still holding onto her lab coat. Alex looked at her mom and then at her aunt and shrugged her shoulders and ran to her Aunt Cam to greet her next. Angela gave her best friend a look, "Uh-oh, did she get in trouble or something?" she asked as she crossed her arms. Brennan blew a strand of hair out of her face, "She gave her bully the middle finger today." she said with a smirk. Angela laughed and immediately covered her smile, "I'm sorry, she is just too cute to be giving someone the bird. I love it!" she said as she clapped her hands. Booth pointed at her, "Don't tell her that!" he said while smirking. The three adults continued to watch Alex make her rounds of greeting her uncles. She immediately made herself at home at Hodgins station and began looking into a microscope. "God, she makes me want a baby, right now!" Angela said while making her way up the platform.