A/N: Finally, a second chapter! Tell me what y'all think, alright?
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A bottle of water in hand, Brennan stepped onto the elevator and pressed the button labeled 4, thankful to be away from the nauseating smell of the hospital cafeteria. When she spotted a blond woman, a sleeping child on one hip, rushing towards her, she reached out and put her arm in the door's path, preventing it from closing.
"Thanks." The woman offered as she boarded, shifting the boy's weight.
Recognizing the child, Brennan's voice was somewhat colder than normal. "What floor?"
"Four."
As the elevator began to ascend, the blond turned towards her.
"Would you by any chance know where room 4421 is?"
"Actually, that's where I'm going." Brennan turned, extending a hand. "Dr. Temperance Brennan."
"Rebecca Hillman." Hesitantly, she accepted the handshake. Pulling away, she gestured at her slumbering son with her now-free hand. "And this is Parker."
Brennan simply nodded as the elevator let out an annoying ding and the doors slid open. "It's this way."
She walked swiftly towards Booth's room, Rebecca working to keep up with the doctor's quick pace.
Temperance pushed open the door of Booth's room, and only after a short internal debate and concern for Parker did she hold the door open for the woman trailing behind her. Rebecca stepped past her, towards the hospital bed, and Brennan hung back near the door. She was slightly shocked at the hostility in the blonde's voice as she spoke.
"I brought him, alright?"
Booth's reply was calm and even. "Thanks."
Rebecca's voice became much softer as she gently jostled the child to wake him. "Parker, honey, wake up."
The boy's voice held traces of drowsiness. "Are we there yet? Can I see daddy now?"
"He's right here, Parker." Rebecca set the boy down on the edge of the hospital bed.
"Daddy!" Parker climbed up his father's body and tackled the man in a hug.
The woman leaned towards her son. "I'm gonna get something to eat, alright? I'll be back to take you home in a little while."
Parker nodded, now sitting beside Booth. Satisfied, Rebecca turned on her heel and left the room, shooting Brennan a withering glare as she passed. Once the blond had disappeared from her line of vision, Temperance seated herself in the chair beside her partner's hospital bed.
Booth leaned down and whispered into his son's ear, causing the boy to smile shyly, turning to Dr. Brennan to offer a friendly "Hello."
"Hi, Parker."
The child looked at his father, then back at Temperance. "Are you my daddy's girlfriend?"
Booth's eyes widened slightly as a blush crept up Brennan's cheeks. He pulled his son into his lap. "No, bud. Bones here is just my friend."
"Bones?" Parker asked, and Brennan gave a small smile as she recognized the curious expression on the boy's face.
"That's her nickname."
"Can I call her Bones, daddy?"
Booth smirked at his partner over his son's head. "I don't think she'd mind that at all."
Brennan tried to shoot him her best 'don't call me Bones' look, but realized that she hadn't used it in quite some time. She'd grown used to – even fond of – the name without even noticing it.
She watched on as Parker talked animatedly with his father, using wide gestures and the comical facial expressions of a four-year-old. Every once in awhile, Booth would glance away from his son, meeting her gaze with a look that she couldn't quite read before he would turn away again.
Soon – too soon for both father and son – Rebecca returned from the cafeteria. Hardly waiting for a break in the conversation, she cut in with a "Parker, I think we'd better get going."
"Mommy…" the child drew out the word in a long whine. "Can I have five more minutes?"
"I don't think so. Come on." She held out her hand to the little boy.
Parker threw his arms around his father, giving him a goodbye hug. "Bye, daddy."
"I'll see you later, alright, Parker?"
His son nodded, and thought it was obvious he was trying to hide it, Brennan could see the tears glinting in Booth's eyes.
The last thing that was heard of the retreating pair was a child's voice begging, "Can we come back tomorrow?" and his mother's voice replying with a reluctant "We'll see, Parker. We'll see."
Once the door swung shut, Booth turned to his partner. "Thanks, Bones."
She smiled back at him. "You're welcome."
In silence, they held each other's gazes until Brennan's eyes broke away to look at her watch. She stood, clutching her purse in her hands.
"I have to get back to work."
"Oh." He hoped that the disappointment in his voice wasn't noticeable.
Instead of leaving however, she remained in place, worry evident in her usually emotionless eyes. Booth, noticing this, gave her a reassuring smile.
"I'll be fine, Temperance. Get back to your bones."
Brennan nodded, and moved to leave. Reaching the door, she turned back. "I'll come by later, alright?"
Booth tried to hide his growing grin. "Looking forward to it."
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TBC...
