A/N: Hello again! As announced: the chapter where Lilly meets the younger Booth. The first part of this chapter takes place before the previous chapter, on the last day that Lilly stayed over at Booth's place. The second part of this chapter happens on the trip the Booth-boys undertake to visit Pops.
Thank you Kareneb & Mphs95 for leaving a review. I really appreciate it.
As for the WARNING: light swearing and some light mentions of relationships
Hearing the doorbell Lilly sped to the door. Booth had probably just forgotten his key, so when she pulled up on the front door in her half-closed bathrobe, she was surprised to see a stranger in front of her. Quickly retying the belt of her bathrobe tighter around her she took in the stranger.
"You're not Seeley." The man spoke up.
Lilly nodded. "That is a very sharp observation, but I could say the same about you."
Jared smiled, amused and halfway shocked, wondering what a young woman, in sleep apparel, was doing in his brother's apartment. "Right, I am Jared Booth, the annoying younger sibling. Seeley isn't here I take it?"
With a pang of recognition that Booth actually had a brother Lilly let out a small ah. "No, not at the moment, but he'll be back soon. I'm Lilly, I guess the term houseguest would cover the status of why I am here best. Would you like to come in? I could be dressed within 5 minutes if you would like to wait for him. He's just out grocery shopping."
When Jared smiled a crooked smile very similar to his older sibling Lilly could see the resemblance. Nodding, Jared waited for Lilly to step aside so he could enter. "Houseguest huh", he mumbled.
Lilly smiled politely. "Yes, I was staying over because of your brother's protective streak, but I finally managed to convince him I am fine to go back to my own apartment today."
From the sounds of it, he took it Lilly didn't want to discuss the why's of her bunking with Seeley any further. Taking place at Booth's kitchen table, he looked back at Lilly. "Well, my brother is one hell of a lucky man to have a houseguest like you in his home." Expecting her to blush, he was pleasantly surprised as Lilly just shrugged it off.
"I'd love to chat with you but not in my PJ, so give me a sec."
Waiting patiently for Lilly to reappear Jared glanced around the living area. So far nothing had changed. He knew this Lilly girl wasn't about to be some sort of a hooker, she sure as hell didn't look like one and that wasn't his big bro's style after all.
Since nothing had changed, she probably wasn't Seeley's girlfriend either. She was rather young for Booth anyway. If he had to guess her age, she probably was somewhere in her twenties. Which on its own wasn't really young but it was compared to his almost 40-year-old brother. But then again, he knew Seeley's type was younger rather than older. Not a preference he per se shared as he thought back to his short stint of going out with Temperance.
Maybe Lilly had told him the truth, but being a Booth, and knowing the other Booth he knew it probably wasn't the whole truth. True to her word, Lilly was out in a pair of pants and a top in record time.
"Sorry, I should have offered you a drink, but that is also sort of weird since you probably know the way around the apartment better than I do."
"Don't worry about it, I am okay without you waiting on me. I guess me arriving instead of Seeley was quite a surprise to you."
Lilly smiled. "Yeah it was and I guess you didn't expect me or at least not in a bathrobe."
Jared nodded, "I guess you could say that. I didn't expect anyone other than my brother to open up. Him living together again would be big news after all. I am surprised you even let me in, I would have thought my brother would have told you his white knight shit and told you to never open the door to someone you don't know."
Lilly snorted. Jared's tone sounding so typically like a younger brother that hated the protection provided by an older sibling. "That would be what my father told me when I was about five. Though when I was past the initial shock of you not being him, I recognized you from pictures. My people skills told me I could probably let you in safely. Also, Dr. Brennan thought me some basic Kung Fu moves a while back so If all goes south with my people skills and rationality, there is that."
Jared laughed. "I was in the Navy for about a decade so I doubt Temperance's lessons would really help in the worst-case scenario. How do you know Seeley and Temperance? Squint or agent?"
"None of the above. Do you know Caroline? I am her intern, so I work with both your brother and Dr. Brennan. So maybe I am a halfway-squintern." Lilly supplied.
The door opened and Booth interrupting them. Surprised to see his younger brother, he placed his bags at the door and walked towards him. "Hey Jarred", hugging his brother he looked at him. "When did you get back?" It seemed Jared's trip after Padme had done him a lot of good, his baby brother seemed more muscular and more relaxed.
A little while ago. "Did I miss you getting into another relationship?" The younger Booth asked, looking from Lilly to his older sibling.
"No, you didn't." Booth returned to his abandoned bags and started to unpack the foods he had bought. "Did you?" Booth returned the question.
"Nope, I'm as single as you apparently are. How about you, Lilly?"
"Single as a Pringle as well. No relationship here either", Lilly confirmed.
"Oh really? Maybe you'd like to go out on a date with me?"
Booth grinned, he was going to enjoy the burn Lilly probably was going to dish out.
A smile curved her lips, sneaking a peek at Booth, seeing his smirk. "I think I'll pass, I am probably way too young for you, right?" She joked, not having missed the surprised look on Jared's face just after she had let him in. Of course, that surprise could have been from her opening the door instead of Booth, but Lilly was willing to risk that part of his surprise was also her age.
Jared chuckled, pointing at her. "You're quick, I love it. Also, I am only 32. Seeley here is approaching big 4-zero."
Lilly smiled as Booth cringed a little before quickly bouncing back. "Well, Seeley and I aren't dating, so I guess that doesn't matter.
"Yeah, thanks Jar-head," Booth said, wondering where Lilly had learned to bluff so well as he shot her a foul look for using his first name. Booth felt that Lilly deserved a little teasing as well. "32 is only 5 years older than Wendell is and we both know age isn't something you're really bothered by." His comment instantly had the desired effect, as he saw her blushing.
"Wait who is Wendell?" Jared asked. "Is that the fact spitting English guy?" He looked baffled and fully disbelieving that he was thinking of the right person.
Booth snorted. "No, that is not him. Wendell is all-American, but also one of Bones' squinterns."
"And you like him?" Jared asked.
Lilly nodded, her blush not fading.
"So, if you like him why are you bunking with my brother?"
"Jar...", Booth warned.
"No, Booth it is okay," Lilly interjected. "Some guy decided on some particular uncomfortable stalking behavior towards me, so that is why your brother wanted me to stay here." She calmly explained.
"Ah, my apologies, I shouldn't have pushed for an answer."
"Yeah take a hint", Booth mumbled.
"Right...," Jared said. "What I actually came for, besides seeing how you were doing... I've decided I am done being a world traveler, it is time for me to grow up. Yes, before you start, I know you've told me that plenty of times, but I've been thinking about where my life is heading right now and I don't think living without a steady basis will be right. So, I've decided on settling down, getting myself an apartment somewhere on the East Coast and getting back to work. Which is where I hope you can help me with. I was wondering if you could call that friend again for that job."
"Yeah sure", Booth said not really involved, still putting away his groceries. "So where are you going to stay while you're looking for an apartment or a home?"
"It might surprise you, but I do have friends I can crash at for a while, so don't worry about me crashing on your couch."
That did catch his attention. "Jared... you know you can always count on me; I would offer you Parker's room, but us being roomies has never worked out."
"Seeley, I understand, really it is more than fine. I already moved in with Rob for now and my next step is finding employment so I can afford my own apartment."
Booth nodded. "That is good. I understand I'll put out some feelers and let you know. I doubt that criminal intelligence job will be still available, but with the time bureaucracy takes to get through, who knows. How was the trip?"
"Ohhh, it was just amazing. I killed three bikes during the trip, completely wore them out as I went from North to South and zigzagging my way back up through the mountains. I've ridden on elephants, got eye to eye with a tiger, watched a guy domesticate an alligator. Spend some nights high up on a mountain, gone to markets by boat, it was a lot but it was all amazing. In the Navy, I never had time to go sightseeing or even leave the harbors."
"Sounds like a lot", Booth agreed. "I am glad you enjoyed yourself. How long have you been back?"
"About a week", Jared said. "It took me this long to get back on American standard time, so I've been sleeping most of the past days. Traveling time zones is rougher than I remember."
Lilly snorted. "Maybe 32 is older than you realized. I'll leave the two of you to catch up, I need to finish the last bits of packing", Lilly said pointing toward Parker's room.
Both Booth's laughed, watching her leave the kitchen. Booth looked at his younger sibling. "It is good to see you like this."
Jared swallowed. "Well yeah, I have had plenty of time to think about where I was headed and I think I found the motivation to go into a different direction. Starting with visiting family, so I was wondering if you were up to visit Pops sometime with me?"
Booth was surprised. Jared had started giving pops and grams trouble during his teens and Pops had never truly understood Jared's mood swings. With being military police and later normal police, Pops had tried to get Jared back on the right path but to no avail. That had left their relationship rather strained, but Pops had never stopped caring and loving Jared as his grandson. Booth wondered if Jared knew that though, because Jared had seemed to keep away from Pops. That was probably the reason why Jared was asking him to accompany Jarred to Pops. To run some sort of interference. "Yeah sure, I haven't been to see Pops in a while either. We could go next week if you want, but I have Parker so it would be the three of us."
"I don't want to impose on your time with Parker, we could always go a week later."
"Are you kidding? Parker loves Pops and I am sure he loves to hang out with you too. In his eyes, you are still that kick-ass navy soldier that helped save me."
Jared grew a few inches at the comment. "Okay, if you're sure."
Lilly's apartment, unpacking
"Your brother seems nice."
"He is a piece of work", Booth blurted out. "But he is my brother and I love him."
Lilly nodded. "You don't see him very often?"
"No, not usually, he used to be away on missions as much as I was and now, he just got back from India".
"Intelligence and Navy? What was his job? Being a spy?"
Booth saw her eyes twinkling. "Oh please, not you too."
"Not me what?" Lilly asked, not understanding.
"Being smitten with my baby brother. That was how it has been my whole life, actually. Everybody loves Jared and Seeley can pick up the pieces after he falls apart."
"Woah", Lilly said. "First of all, I am pretty sure everybody loved you too. With your kindness and looks, they couldn't just have hated you. And, what happened?"
Booth smiled wryly. "I am not sure how much of my file you read, but I am a recovered gambler and Jared used to drink way too much."
"I've heard about your gambling history, though I didn't get it from your file. I only read up on your education and closed cases. It is really weird that the FBI includes that type of personal details."
"Okay, well Jar and I had a pretty tough couple of years when growing up. My dad was abusive and a drunken bastard. It wasn't easy to outgrow the abuse and it hit Jared even harder than it did me."
Lilly listened to what Booth wanted to tell her. "I am sorry you had to go that. I can't imagine how horrible that must have been. So, you've always been on the lookout for him?"
"Yeah, basically."
For a few minutes, they were silent. Lilly thought through what she had learned today about Booth and about Jared.
"Is it weird to you that Jared is moving back here?"
Booth looked at her. "No, why would that be weird?"
"I don't know", Lilly shrugged. "I only met him today, you've known him your whole life."
"But?", Booth asked.
"Well, if he wants to continue being James Bond, settling down in one place doesn't sound that logical. I am not sure how stressful being a Navy spy is, but I doubt it is easy. And your brother sounded like he wanted something a little less stressful than what someone in the Navy does. Do you think Jared want a new job that is more of the same or something different?"
Booth looked at her, like the question woke him up. "I don't know. I assumed he'd want to continue down the path of working in intelligence. It is what he has been trained to do and truth be told he is really good at it."
Lilly looked at him. "You used to be in the army. You changed careers. Jared could do that too, if he wanted too."
"Well, maybe. Maybe I should ask him. You're right that there is no use in settling when he could be starting over right now anyway."
About a week later:
The trip to Pops always took longer than Booth anticipated. Parker had fallen asleep in the backseat, occasionally brabbling in his sleep. "I talked to my arm pal and the criminal intelligence unit was realized, so the position he wanted to offer you last time is filled. You could work there as the number 2, as an agent if you like."
"Oh, that is great, thanks. I really need to get a job."
"Yeah about that. Is that even the type of job you're looking for? Before your trip, you were all done with the Navy and after you left, I started to wonder if you were done with working intelligence as well."
"I guess. But it's what I am capable of doing and the fact that your friend is willing to risk hiring a dishonorably discharged ex-military, is more luck than I expected."
Booth nodded. "I understand, though you could also go to college, get a degree and do something completely different."
"Get a degree? Seeley. I left high school as soon as I could because I hate studying. I am pretty sure the word dying is in there on purpose. I love being around people, not books. I didn't actually care for the risks that the job had, but hey, you can't have everything you want."
"It was just a suggestion. I also know a lot of non-military people if you would like to go in an even more civilian direction."
Jared looked at Booth. "A suggestion you thought off?"
"No," Booth admitted. "I actually hadn't even considered that you might have wanted to start over."
"Who did?"
"Lilly did, actually. She is the woman you met at my home, the one you asked out on a date within two seconds after learning she was single, remember?" Booth said with a grin, the burn hadn't been as big as he had expected, but he still had enjoyed how Lilly had let his baby brother down. "She wanted to know about your job in the Navy so we started talking about your job and the job Mark has available."
"And she pointed you to me possible not enjoying being a dressed-up spy monkey?" Jared looked impressed. It wasn't often that his big bro missed something like that.
"Yeah, don't be fooled by her exterior and social skills, she is as much a squint as the rest of them. Always probing for answers and insights. Her field of science is just a tiny bit more forgiving than the Jeffersonian's."
Jared grinned at the somewhat tired undertone in Booth's voice. "Well, you're answering her anyway, instead of staying closed off and keeping your private life a secret," Jared observed.
"Yes, she is great with secrets and being discrete."
"Hmm so if I want more information about you, I should ask her then?" Jared teased.
Booth looked at him. "First off, I said she is good with keeping personal things private. I didn't say that she is superhuman. She can keep a secret but I don't think she'd survive your extraction tactics. Secondly what information could you possibly want about me?"
"If you're happy." Jared immediately said. At the look his older brother shot him, Jared elaborated. "Look. Me getting kicked out of the Navy after saving you is actually the best thing that could have happened to me. I stopped drinking, had a great time in India being a tourist and I had time to reconsider where I was heading. True that job doesn't sound like the most fun thing ever but it will get me money to live off. Maybe along the way, I'll be able to figure out what I do really want to do next. I want to know if you feel like you're on the right track too. When we talk, you're always too worried about me, so I hardly ever know how you're doing."
"I am doing fine, Jared. I am also on the right track", Booth said, surprised by the interest. "I love my job, there's Parker..."
"And what about your dreams to have a wife and a family?" Jared interjected.
Booth swallowed. He had always wanted that, wanted it badly. Apparently so badly that even his brother knew. And Bones was the perfect type of dream woman in his opinion. "Actually, getting closer to that," Booth said cryptically.
"Oh really?"
"Yes, but it is still fairly new, so I'd appreciate it if we didn't get into that."
"Alright", Jared said. "Just invite me to the wedding, okay? You deserve a good woman."
"Thanks, and you do too, Jared. So, this time around you do want the job then?"
"Yes", Jared said. "Thanks again for calling around for me. Maybe I'll go talk to that intern some time. If she has this power over you, who knows what I'll learn about myself. And maybe I can abuse some of those Navy tactics to see if she knows who're seeing."
Booth smiled. "You'll probably learn that you're a pompous ass."
Jared laughed. "I meant something we didn't both already know."
A/N: I've always found the Jared-storyline pretty disappointing. Why would one sibling with an addiction succeed nearly completely at everything and the other all of a sudden throw it all away because of his addiction? It wasn't like Jared didn't also have a successful career and for a while Padme. So, I am taking a lot of liberties in my story, but if you made it all the way to this chapter, you already knew that XD. Thank you for reading! I think we might have a Booth & Brennan special chapter coming up next, so be on the lookout for that one. Please leave a review if you can :).