So sorry it took me so long to update guys. I wanted to have this out shortly after I got my laptop back, but then life happened and it got delayed. My mum hurt her right wrist, so all the house work and stuff has fallen to me lately, so I've been pretty busy and haven't had a lot of time to write anything. Plus, I had a tiny amount of writers block and was struggling to write a longer chapter. However, I've finally managed to do so. I wanna take this coma dream time to write a lot of stuff I can't write in normally, especially adding in Hank. So sad I started writing this before he was in the story, but rewriting him in would take quite a bit and I'd probably get exhausted at this point if I tried. Still, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and I hope the next one will be out before Christmas. Going to focus on writing it between writing my books, so hopefully I can get it done.


Christine's Pov (Coma dream)

"Chris, I know you don't want to tell Michael directly, but I think you should tell him you love him the way Kate suggested." Darius suddenly said now that I wasn't crying anymore and I looked at him.

"Why, I don't think it will do any good?" I asked, because I thought it was useless.

"I don't know what just happened with you and Michael, other than the fact that he upset you, but I think it will." He said and I looked at him in confusion.

"Darius, Michael and I are barely even best friends anymore. I don't think he even realized how long it's been since we've spent time just as friends." I said and I saw a look appear on Darius' face that surprised me. "What?"

He looked down at me. "Alright, I'm going to say this, but you can't tell Kate and you can't get mad, because he hasn't fully admitted it to me, but I also have a feeling I'm right."

"Tell me." I said, now determined to know.

"I think Michael is in love with you." Darius said and my eyes widened, before I started shaking my head.

"No, he can't be." I denied.

"No, just think about it for a second. What was the main reason you didn't want to tell Michael you loved him?" Darius asked and I looked at him in surprise, before sighing as I realized what he was getting at.

"Because I was scared we were too young and it would ruin our friendship." I admitted and he nodded. "Okay, explain."

"I think Michael was scared of the same thing. I started noticing before he started dating Emma that he would look at you a little different and spoke about you differently, but every time I asked, he denied it. I knew that he didn't mind Emma, but when he started dating her, I was surprised because I couldn't believe it and I can't see why he's still with her." He explained.

I took a minute to process. "Okay, say you're right. Why would he ignore me if that's the truth? Why would he not notice how much time has passed since we've just spent time together?"

"I think he did notice." Darius said and now I was shocked, 'cause that didn't make sense. Darius spotted the look on my face. "Hey, I've been calling him an idiot for a reason Chris and that's the main one. I'm also going to have a bit of a talk with him later despite what you want, because he needs a kick in the right direction."

"Darius, I don't want you to do that." I said.

He shrugged. "I don't care anymore Chris. You're like family to us and I'm over seeing you hurt and him being an idiot. If someone does what Michael is doing to my daughter, no matter what the reason, I'm going to kick the boys or girls' ass." He said and he really did sound like a dad (I also liked that he didn't seem to care who his unborn daughter might date in the far future when it came to gender, even though some people still did). "But back to my idiot best friend. I think he's been avoiding you to see if his feelings will go away because he doesn't want to screw everything up and see if he can fall for Emma, but of course he's an idiot and doesn't see how that's hurting you anyway. Plus, you love him, so this is all pointless."

I sat there for a moment and honestly, part of me was hopeful that maybe he was right, but the rest of me was terrified he was wrong.

"What if you're wrong?" I asked.

He looked at me seriously. "I'm not going to lie, I might be, which is why I haven't said anything before." He said and I looked down. "But Christine, even if I am, isn't it better just to know once and for all?"

I thought about that for a second and I knew he was probably right, but I was still scared.

"Okay, look. You told me that when your father first confessed to your mom, she turned him down even though she felt the same and she regretted it. But in the end, despite him falling for someone else, they've worked out, right?" He asked and I nodded, as it was true. "I know it's scary, but with the way you two are now, your friendship isn't going to last as he's hurting you. He won't tell you, but you can make him see how stupid he is. Forget that he has a girlfriend, who makes him miserable half the time anyway."

I sighed, as I realized he was right. If he was right, Michael might love me. It was true that he had hurt me, especially by ignoring me so much, but if Darius was right then I had to try. I was scared, but with the way things were going right now, our friendship was going to be over anyway.

"Okay, I'll do it. But why can't I just tell him instead of embarrassing myself in front of the whole school and a ton of other people?" I asked.

He smiled. "Because, again, he's an idiot. You need to sing something that he can't misinterpret." Darius said.

I looked down. "Well, I have an idea in mind." I admitted, as I definitely knew what I wanted to sing.

"Will he get the point of the song?" Darius asked.

"Well, it's kinda obvious, so if I look at him, he should get it." I said and he nodded.

"Good, then I'll make sure I pull him to the front of the stage to watch. And afterwards, if he doesn't get it, I'll hit him." Darius said and I laughed, realizing I really was going to do this.

"My parents are going to be so shocked when they see me up there singing, especially when they realize I'm singing to him." I said, because they would be. I'd never told Mom or Dad that I'd fallen in love with Michael. "Also, I never thought I might possibly break up a relationship."

"No offense, I think you're doing him a favor." Darius said, before he sighed and got up. "We should get moving, 'cause the bell can't be that far off ringing."

He held out his hand. "Thanks." I said as he pulled me up.

"No problem." He said, before he seemed nervous. "I do have something I want to ask you though."

"What is it?" I asked and I watched as he pulled out a ring box from his jacket, causing my eyes to widen. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Yeah, it's an engagement ring." He admitted, seeming nervous as hell as he handed me the box. "I know Kate, but I wanted your opinion. I'm scared she won't like it."

I opened the box and smiled. Inside was a rose gold ring with a white diamond in the middle. There was a vine like design around the diamond that went to the sides of the band and three small white gems in the band on each side.

"Darius, she is going to love this. I'm not sure how you afforded it, but it's perfect." I said happily with a bright smile, as I knew that Kate would love the ring. "And besides, as perfect as this is, I don't think she's going to pay much attention when you ask her. She's just going to be over the moon that you are."

He chuckled as he took the ring back. "Yeah, I'm not really worried about her saying no to me. I'm planning to ask her after the school festival tomorrow, so I'm really hoping you and Michael will get together as it'll make it even better. I've got it all worked out." He said with a grin.

"Not surprised." I honestly wasn't.

"I know we can't get married till Kate's eighteen, since her parents are dicks, but I want to ask her before our little girl comes along." Darius admitted and all I could do was smile. "I know we're still young and people will judge, I just don't care. She's the one I want."

I stepped forward and hugged him. "Then let them judge, 'cause people are always judging others for something." It was the way the world was.

"Yeah, I know. As long as I get to marry Kate and can be a good father to my kid, that's all I give a damn about. Plus, getting a football scholarship next year or getting scouted for a team wouldn't be so bad either." He said and I smiled.


Michael's Pov (Real world)

I sat in my chair, looking at Christine. I'd come straight here after dealing with Sofia yesterday and I had stayed the night, despite protests from the hospital staff. I was being here as often as I could. Parker had come yesterday to see her and anyone could tell he was shaken. Max had been visiting Russ and his family and was supposed to be here sometime today.

She looked a bit better today than she had, but she was still sleeping and she still had to have help breathing. I was hoping the swelling went down more so they could wake her up, and that she'd wake up.

"Michael." I heard a voice say and I turned my head to see Max standing in the doorway, and I could tell by the look on his face that he hated this as much as the rest of us did. "I came as quick as I could. How is she?" He asked as he came into the room and sat in the chair on the other side of Christine's bed, taking her hand.

"She looks a little better today, but the swelling in her brain hasn't gone down much. They won't take off the meds keeping her under until it does, but even when they do, because of the trauma she might not wake immediately." I said, refusing to believe that she wouldn't wake at all.

"How are Tempe and Booth coping?" Max asked and I sighed.

"They come in often and call the doctors to check in, especially Brennan, but they've been working a lot. I don't think they've even been home since they found out what happened." I admitted, as Mom was pretty sure Brennan hadn't gone home.

"I'll go see Tempe after this, but I have a feeling she might not listen to me even if I do talk to her." Max said, before he rubbed his chest.

"Max, are you okay?" I asked him and he smiled sadly at me.

"I'm getting really old Michael, and while I had a pacemaker put in when Christine was just a child, I really am beginning to feel my age." Max said. "You know the life I led when Tempe was a child and even until Christine was born, right?" He asked.

"Yeah, Christine told me about the life you led." I admitted, but I didn't fully judge him. He'd done things wrong, yes, but he was still Christine's grandpa and she was lucky to still have him.

"I'm not surprised. Anyway, that life has taken its toll and I've been lucky enough to live this long and get to see Christine become an amazing teenager, but I haven't got forever." Max said, before looking back down at Christine. "And seeing my granddaughter in a hospital bed, and finding out someone tried to kill her, is not helping." He said, before he saw my face. "I don't think you're responsible for this Michael, 'cause I know you love her."

"I know I'm not responsible, and that she wouldn't blame me, but I still feel bad and I still feel blame. I should have believed her more when she said something was up with Sofia." I admitted. "At least I know Sofia can't get away with it."

"She'll recover Michael, tough runs in our family. Tempe is strong and Booth too has been through a lot of pain and injuries through his life, and he's still standing." Max said, looking at Christine affectionately. "She'll come through this and she'll be okay."

I honestly hoped he was right.


Christine's Pov – Coma dream

I walked beside Kate holding the bag full of stuffed snake toys, heading toward one of the many carnival games around.

"We've gotten a lot done already. We've just got to get these toys to the ring toss." Kate said, looking down at her clipboard.

"You're really good at organizing things like this Kate." I said, as it was so true, and she smiled.

"Well, I love doing things like this." She said, before her smile widened. "I also like giving Emma somewhat harder tasks than I give you." I rolled my eyes at that.

"You can't hate her for dating Michael." I said.

"Oh, that's not the reason I don't like her. I just don't like her, and I don't like how she looks at you." Kate said simply. "Plus, she's far too arrogant about the fact that she got to take over from me as head cheerleader."

"Alright, alright, you don't like her then." I said, as she had some decent reasons for not liking her. "Still, why'd you leave us coming to the ring toss last when I set most of the prizes up earlier?"

"You'll see." She said with a hint of a smile and I raised an eyebrow at that. She was up to something.

We arrived at the ring toss booth and I placed the bag inside for whoever was running it tomorrow to hang up, as most of the other prizes were already here. That's when I heard voices on the other side of the booth.

"Darius, what the hell did you hit me for?" A familiar voice asked and I looked at Kate with wide eyes, knowing that voice belonged to Michael. She just raised a finger to her lips, shushing me before I said a word.

"How about for making Christine cry?" Darius replied.

"How did you know about that?" Michael asked, but his voice was calmer now.

"I saw her run out of the school crying, and since I know some things about her that you're either too blind or too stupid to work out, I put the pieces together." Darius said.

"I didn't mean to make her cry; I'd never mean to hurt her." Michael said.

"And yet you have been, for months." Darius replied.

"What the hell! If you knew that, why didn't you tell me?!" Michael demanded and I could almost picture the look on his face.

"Oh, so your idiocy is my fault now, is it?" Darius asked. "You've been her friend since you were basically born moron, but lately you've been a blind idiot who needs to get his head checked."

"Why don't you tell me what you really think." Michael said sarcastically.

"Okay then, thanks for the permission." Darius replied, seeming rather happy now. "You're dating a girl you can barely stand half the time, which I will never understand, when you could actually be dating someone who knows you and loves you. Also, in the process of dating this girl, you're hurting an amazing girl who has always been there for you, and you've been bling to her emotions."

I didn't want Darius saying that, but I knew why he was doing it, and since I was planning to confess to Michael tomorrow, it was probably a good thing.

"I don't want to hear this anymore." I whispered and turned on my heel, walking away.

I didn't want to hear Michael's answer or what was said next, because I wanted to stick to what I was going to do tomorrow. I was scared out of my mind, but I was still going to do this.

"Christine…" Kate called and I came to a stop, turning to look at her.

"We're done, so I'm heading home for the day." I said and I could see that she was concerned. "I'm not mad that you did that, and I'm grateful Darius just did that, because it might make getting up on that stage and singing tomorrow easier."

"You're really going to do it." She said with a smile.

"Yeah I am, so I'll see you tomorrow." I said, smiling at her as I walked off.

I made my way back to the school and headed inside to grab my backpack, which was sitting right where I'd left it. I grabbed it and slung it over my shoulder as I started on my way towards my car. Hank had been picked up by Dad earlier, so I just had to head straight home, which was fine with me.

I reached my car and saw Michael's truck sitting across the parking lot, not that that was surprising since he was with Darius. I climbed in and started up my car, activating voice control for the screen on my dash.

"Play soundtrack two." I spoke and a second later music started blaring through the speakers.

I pulled out of my parking space and noticed Michael coming around the side of the school, but I just focused ahead of me again and made my way out of the school parking lot.

The drive home was spent singing along to the music, something I often enjoyed doing as I loved music. I didn't do it when anyone else was in my car, but today I was absolutely fine with doing it. I didn't really talk about my love of singing and music.

A while later I arrived at home and parked out front since I didn't want to park behind my father's SUV and trap him in the drive. My car had never had anything done to it when I parked it here.

I climbed out and locked up, before making my way up the path to the front door, which I unlocked.

"I'm home." I said as I went inside, but since the front door was right near the kitchen and lounge, they'd see me.

"Christine, you're home a lot later than usual." Mom commented from her place at the bench as I took off my shoes.

"Well I had to help set up the carnival for tomorrow with Kate, which took a bit longer than planned thanks to some of the other kids not showing up." I hadn't been too happy about that. "Thanks for delaying dinner Dad."

"No problem, just go wash up 'cause dinner's going to be ready in a few." He said and I nodded.

I turned left, then left again and headed down the small hall to my bedroom, which is where I dumped my school bag, before turning and heading to the bathroom to wash up for dinner. Once I was done, I went back down the hall to see Dad serving dinner onto four plates, Mom helping him.

"So Christine, how was school?" Dad asked as he and Mom brought dinner over to the table as I sat down, Hank sitting in his chair at the same time.

"Well, it was eventful thanks to all the carnival prep, but other than that it was a pretty normal day." I said, not planning to admit that I had bawled my eyes out thanks to Michael. "Speaking of the carnival though, you two can still come right? I know you have a new case and all, so I won't be mad if you can't."

"Are you kidding?" Dad asked, smiling. "Case or not, we're not missing this. Especially since you've already told us we're in for a surprise tomorrow. I'm still curious what it is you're planning."

I grinned. "Well, if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore now would it, and that'd just ruin months of planning." Admittedly, they were in for a much bigger surprise tomorrow now though.

"Alright, alright, I guess we'll just have to be surprised." Dad said.

"Christine, I've actually been meaning to talk to you about that." Mom said and now I was a little worried. "Daisy called me yesterday and asked if she and Seeley could visit on the weekend. I told them yes of course and explained about the festival. I hope you don't mind if they come." Well that wasn't what I was expecting.

"Of course they can come, I'd love to see Aunt Daisy. We haven't seen her or Seeley in a while, so I think that's perfect." I said, though I always noticed Dad looked a little sad when they were around, so I looked at him. "Are you going to be okay with it Dad?"

He seemed surprised I asked, but then he smiled and reached over to pat my head. "I'll be fine Christine."

"Are you sure? 'Cause you always look a little sad when they visit." I asked again and again I seemed to surprise him, but he smiled fondly.

"I love that you're concerned, proves you're like me when it comes to reading people, but I'll be fine. I just get a little sad when seeing Seeley because he looks a lot like Sweets, and when I see him, I can't help but wish Sweets had gotten the chance to see his son grow up." Dad said and I nodded. I knew that was probably the reason, but I'd never asked before.

"I wish I had gotten to meet Uncle Sweets; he sounds like he would have been a cool Uncle." Hank said, making me look at him.

Uncle Sweets hadn't been biologically family, but he'd still been family. I could remember him a bit, but Hank hadn't even been born yet when he'd been killed. He was also really young when Dad's brother Jared, our uncle, had been killed, but when it came to Uncle Jared, I didn't know him either. Then there was Grandpa Max who I did remember quite a bit about, and Hank remembered a little about, as he'd died protecting us when we were little and someone who hated Dad tried to kill us.

"Well, he definitely would have been someone you two could have gone and talked to if you two didn't feel like you could talk to us." Mom said, which I wouldn't have expected her to say.

"Yeah, I could have used his advice lately." I said absentmindedly, until I realized they would have both heard me.

"Why, what's been going on that you need advice about?" Dad asked.

"Nothing I want to talk to you about Dad, sorry." I said. I loved my dad, but I didn't want to tell him about my love for Michael.

"It's about a boy." Hank said.

I swung to look at him. "Hank!" I shouted and he just shrugged at me, making me roll my eyes. Man, could my little brother be annoying sometimes.

"Christine, no boy has hurt you right?" Dad asked and I looked at him, shaking my head.

"No, no, of course not. I'd tell you if something like that happened, since you'd have to get me out of jail for hurting the guy who tried if I could." I said, as I had learnt how to defend myself.

"That's my girl." Dad smiled. "But then what's the problem?"

"You'll find out tomorrow alright, just don't question my decision alright. I haven't wanted to say anything about my feelings because of reasons… reasons you'll realize after tomorrow." I explained, probably confusing them, but surprising Hank, before going back to eating.

"Christine, we've never doubted your choices." Mom admitted honestly. "But just remember that you don't need a boy to be happy, and that you're an intelligent and brilliant minded young woman."

I smiled. "I know that Mom, I do, but trust me when I say I know I'm making the right choice for me, no matter how tomorrow goes." I said, because I was now one-hundred percent certain I was. "But anyway, who is coming tomorrow to the carnival, just so I know ahead of time?"

"Well Angela and Hodgins are coming, along with Cam and Arastoo, though their sons won't be coming. Then there's just Daisy and Seeley too." Dad said and I nodded. So, everyone I'd expect to show up.

"Good to know." I said with a smile. "So, was it actually a murder case today? Did I get it right?"

"Yes, you got it right." Mom confirmed.

"Knew it." I said, before going back to eating.

Murder was sad and wrong, but I knew it still happened and ninety-nine-point nine percent of the time the bodies my mom and dad went out to see were those of murder victims.

We ate more after that, casually eating as we chatted casually, until Mom started talking about an article she'd read, which took up the rest of dinner. I offered to help Dad wash the dishes so Mom could go for a shower and Hank could start his homework.

"Christine, the boy you were talking about before was Michael, right?" Dad asked softly once Mom and Hank were gone and I nearly dropped the plate I was holding, but I managed to keep a hold of it and looked up at Dad with wide eyes, causing him to chuckle. "You get your powers of observation when it comes to people's emotions and strong instincts from me, so it'd be pretty bad if I couldn't work out my own daughters' feelings. I'm old, but I haven't gone blind."

I sighed at that. "I was hoping you hadn't noticed, but I guess since it isn't entirely different to yours and Mom's position at one point, I shouldn't be surprised you worked it out." I admitted, though I was surprised he'd never said anything. "When did you work it out?" I asked, since I knew why he was telling me he knew now.

"Honestly, I sort of started noticing the way you looked at him had started to change just after you turned sixteen, but I just figured it was what happens to every teenager. It wasn't until the day you came home and tried to smile even when I could tell you were sad, and then cried in your room, that I realized it was more than that, especially when I found out Michael was dating someone." Dad explained. "It was then that I realized you loved him."

"I was going to tell him that day." I admitted softly as I dried the plate I was holding. "I went to the diner to tell him, but before I could he told me he was dating Emma. It hurt, but I could never bring myself to say anything, and once he was with her, he barely ever saw me."

Dad nodded. "I've wanted to get involved, but you're young and I knew it wouldn't help, especially with Michael, though I've wanted to have a word with him. As hard as it's been to see you so sad, I knew this was something you'd have to work out yourself." He told me honestly and I just looked at him. "And since you said we'd find out tomorrow, I'm assuming you have."

I nodded. "I wasn't planning to say anything. Not just because he's with Emma, though I don't really see that as a reason anymore since she makes him miserable, but because I didn't want to ruin our friendship. But after today and a painful conversation with Michael, I realized our friendship was barely there anymore because of all this. Then I spoke to Darius who thinks Michael might be in love with me too, but like me, he didn't want to ruin our friendship." I said, before I laughed. "And look at that's worked out."

"Things like this are very complicated; I mean look at Bones and I." He said. "Even when I finally realized I wanted to try and it was worth trying, which was a while after I realized I loved her, she was too scared to. Then, when she realized she wanted to too, I was with Hannah and despite loving Bones, I also loved Hannah. Then things went wrong with Hannah and I didn't want to be with anyone, because I was tired of woman rejecting what I had to offer. But, even after all that, your mother and I ended up together. Not in the normal way or the most traditional way, but still together."

I chuckled. "The not traditional way being that you slept with her after Vincent Nigel Murray's death and then she fell pregnant with me." I said and he looked down at me, raising an eyebrow. "I asked Angela about it, since I was too scared to ask Mom since I figured she'd go into far too much detail. Angela said you two were basically dating for years, just without the title and you weren't having sex. I kind of agree with her."

"That sounds like Angela, though I kinda wished she hadn't explained that." Dad admitted. "But my point was that I understand why you haven't wanted to tell Michael that you love him. It's a scary thing to do as an adult in that sort of situation, let alone as a teenager."

"I'm surprised you don't think I'm too young to be in love." I admitted honestly, though I was glad he was so accepting.

Dad took the last plate from my hands and placed it down, before pulling me over to the couch and sitting down with me. "Christine, you are my daughter, so I get that part of you, and you also have the logical side of your mother. I'd be an idiot to doubt what you feel and I'm not. I know you would have thought of everything, so I know what you feel has to be real." He said and I moved forward to hug him, glad to hear that he was so understanding, though I always knew he would be.

"Thank you, Dad." I said, smiling with small tears in my eyes as I hugged him, and he pulled away from me.

"I'm your dad, it's my job to be understanding." He said. "And I hope things go well tomorrow, and that Darius is right. Do I get to know what you're going to do?"

"No." I shook my head, before smiling. "But you're going to be surprised."

"I have no doubt." He said, before kissing my forehead. "Now go and do what you need to before bed. I'll finish the dishes."

I nodded and hugged him. "Night Dad." I said, before getting up and heading down the hall and turning left towards my room, where I saw Hank sitting on my bed. "Hank, you're supposed to be doing your homework in your room."

"I need help with my Math homework." He admitted. "Plus, are you really going to tell him you love him, 'cause you said you wouldn't this morning?"

"Something changed my mind, so yes, I'm going to tell him. Now, what do you need help with?" I asked him.

"All of it." He admitted and I sighed, put then pointed to my desk.

"Okay, sit over there and I'll give you some pointers and help a bit, but then I'm going for a shower and going to sleep." I said and he grinned, coming over to me and hugging me.

"Thanks sis, you're the best." He grinned.

"Yeah, I know." I said as he sat on my computer chair and I grabbed the stool, sitting down beside him. "Alright, we can't do a lot tonight, but let's get some of this started. I'll help you with the rest tomorrow morning before the carnival. Deal?"

"Deal." He said and I looked at his math homework, smiling.

Plus, side of being quite a bit older than my brother was that I could help him with his work easily, and when he needed help, he always asked me as I was better at teaching him this than Mom. Mom was good, but she explained in a bit too much detail and explained a lot more than he needed to know, while I explained what he should know. It was nice having a little brother who looked up to me somewhat, even if he could be sly when he wanted to be, not that that made me love him any less.


Okay, so that's the end of the chapter. So glad I got more added to it then I planned and I love it.
Also, I thought I'd announce that I'm considering and planning to write a small fanfiction about Christine and Hank, as I want to write a bit more about those two together as brother and sister as I haven't gotten the chance to. Premise will be that Christine and Hank get into a bad situation, and how hard Christine will work to protect her little brother from harm. Not sure when I'll write it, but I'd like to give it a go if I can and I'll announce it on here if I do ever get around to it. Anyway, that's all I wanted to say, so I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.