Message from FictionWriter91: It's my fault this story hasn't been updated in so long. My explanation is in the author's note of The Ghosts in the Babies latest chapter, so I won't repeat it here. I also got Avenger fever after Endgame in April, so I got into writing for that fandom for a bit. Just always know that I am a finisher, so this story will be finished. The updates just might not be as fast as usual. Please enjoy our new chapter!

Brennan was trying to focus on her case, but she couldn't stop thinking about the scars she had seen on Parker's back. At a quick glance, you could easily miss them, but when she had dried him off, she saw them. She was furious to see that one looked an awful lot like a cigarette burn. She had clenched her jaw at this so tight she was sure it was going to pop. Parker had asked for a story then, so she read to him for a while as he fell asleep. She watched him sleep, wondering what he dreamed about and if he still felt unsafe. She wanted him to feel safe with her. Her phone rang, startling her. Seeing that it was Booth, she answered.

"Brennan."

"Hey, I need you to come down here. I found the crime scene," Booth said.

"What?"

"Hodgins told me where to look. I found it. Come on," he urged.

"I...I can't just leave Parker," Brennan argued.

"Call Angela and ask her to babysit. Bones, I need you down here."

"Fine, I'll be there. Send me your location."

"You got it."

She hung up feeling annoyed. She disliked just being at someone's beck and call. Then again, if was case related, she really should be there. She dialed her phone.
"Hey, Ange, I need a favor..."

...

Booth was leaning against his SUV when Brennan showed up. He went to meet her as she stopped and got out. She looked around at the run down buildings.

"All right. I'm here," she said, snapping her gloves on.

"This way," Booth said, leading her over to the one building. When they entered, she flashed her light around. Her stomach clenched a little upon seeing what appeared to be some sort of torture devices.

"Is this where Rebecca was killed?" she asked. Too late, she realized her bluntness. Booth was gripping his flashlight very tightly, his jaw taut.

"It's definitely where she was disposed of," he answered tightly. They walked around, shining their lights on everything. Brennan felt a little sick. She wondered how many people died here.

"Who owns this place?" she asked.

"My guys are working on that," he replied. They stood at the edge of the river for a moment.

"She was thrown in here," Brennan gestured.

"We'll find out," Booth said, turning as the crew showed up to start marking out the scene.

"I'm sorry, Booth," Brennan started.

"It's fine, Bones. Let's just figure out who did this," he cut her off. His eyes were begging her to just say okay, so she did.

"Okay," she nodded. She reached for her phone to text Angela that she'd be late getting home.

Morning

Angela woke up on the couch, her face pressed into the pillow with a little bit of drool escaping her lips. She sat up, wiping at her face and feeling gross when she heard Parker in his room. He sounded like he was panicking. She hurried down the hall, wondering where Brennan was as she still wasn't home.

"Who are you?!" Parker yelped when she appeared in his doorway.

"I'm Angela. I'm Brennan's best friend," Angela answered. The boy was frightened, and he was backed against the wall.

"Where is she?" Parker asked.

"She's at work. She had to go last night, so I came to watch you," Angela said, holding her hands out. "I'm not going to hurt you. I promise."

He studied her, his face betraying his emotions. Angela hated seeing how fearful he was.

"She left without saying goodbye," he said, his voice really small.

"No, no, no," Angela said quickly. "She didn't leave you, sweetie. She just went to work. She's coming back." She reached for her phone then, determined to figure out where the hell Brennan was. There was no message from Brennan at all. She fired off a text, demanding a location and ETA.

"She's really coming back?" Parker asked.

"Yes," Angela nodded firmly. "She will never leave you, Parker."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

Angela saw his face relax. She felt a little better herself.

"Are you hungry? I can make you something," she said. Thankfully it was a Saturday, so there was no school to convince him to go to.

"Okay," he agreed after a moment. Angela sighed in relief. She didn't have much experience with children, and she didn't know how she was going to handle his distress if he didn't start to settle. He unglued himself from the wall and searched for clothes to put on. She left him to it and went to the kitchen, checking her phone. Still nothing.

"Argh," she growled, setting it on the counter with a bang. Why would Brennan do this to Parker? She searched the kitchen for ingredients, deciding on pancakes for him. She could hear Parker using the washroom while she prepared it. He came out after a few moments and pulled himself up onto the bar stool, leaning his elbows on the counter.

"What are you making?" he asked.

"Pancakes," she answered. He looked at her.

"What are those?"

"You...you've never had pancakes?" she asked. He shook his head.

"No."

"Not even with chocolate chips?"

"No. That sounds good."

"Oh boy. Well, you're in for a treat," Angela said, grabbing the bag of chocolate chips and throwing them into the mix before putting them in the pan to cook. Parker watched her eagerly, the smell of them cooking making his stomach growl. Her phone chirped, so she reached for it.

"Hi, it's me," Brennan said.

"Where are you?" Angela asked accusingly.

"I'm sorry. We were here all night. I'm coming home now. Is Parker okay?"

"It was a bit rough at first, but it's okay now," Angela answered.

"Can you put him on for me?"

"Sure."

Angela handed the phone to Parker.

"It's Brennan," she told him. He took it gingerly from her.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Parker. I'm coming home okay? I'm sorry I was away so long."

"It's okay. Angela is making pancakes!"

"That's great. I'm glad you're okay."

"I was scared."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"Angela said you'd never leave me, though," Parker went on.

"She's right. I never will. That's a promise," Brennan said. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

"Okay."

He handed Angela back the phone, and she saw that Brennan had disconnected. She tucked it into her back pocket.

"I told you," Angela said to him, winking. He grinned. She flipped the pancakes, cooking them entirely before taking them off and putting them on a plate. She pulled out the maple syrup from the fridge. He stared in wonder as she dripped it all over the pancakes before handing him the plate with a fork and a knife.

"Wow," he said, making her laugh.

"I think you'll love them," Angela commented. He started to cut into them, popping the first piece into his mouth. His eye went wide, and he looked at Angela.

"These are amazing!" he cried. He attacked the pancakes more vigorously then, stuffing them into his mouth.

"Slow down," she laughed, reaching out and putting her hand on his arm. "Don't choke." He obeyed. She had some herself, and she had to admit they were pretty damn good. She heard keys in the doorway then, and Brennan came inside. Booth was behind her. Parker didn't notice at first as he was too busy eating.

"Hey," Brennan said, making him spin.

"Hi!" he cried, jumping down and running to hug her. Booth hung back, watching.

"You want some?" Angela asked them.

"No," Brennan shook her head. "We have to go back to work. I just need to shower first." She wanted the dirt and death off of her.

"Booth?" Angela prompted.

"I'm not hungry," he answered.

"Your loss," Angela shrugged. Parker looked at Booth then.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"I'm Booth. I work with Bones."

"Bones?" Parker asked, wrinkling his nose.

"That's his name for me," Brennan answered, taking off her coat and shoes.

"I like it," Parker grinned. "Bones."

"See what you started?" Brennan asked Booth, annoyed. He gave her a smirk. Truthfully, Brennan preferred Parker calling her Bones than Temperance or Miss Brennan. She knew it was too soon for "Mom," and "Foster Mom" just felt plain weird. She didn't know if Parker would ever call her Mom because he knew he had a mom before. She'd settle for Bones.

Parker went back to his pancakes while Booth chatted with Angela.

"We've got a lead. They found out who owns the property. I'm going to talk to the guy later today," Booth told her. He filled her in on the rest.

"That sounds horrible," Angela grimaced. Her appetite was suddenly gone.

"We don't really need you today, so do you mind hanging out with Parker while we go work?" Booth asked.

"I don't mind at all," Angela answered. She liked Parker a lot. Maybe she'd take him to a museum of art.

"You're the best."

"Booth, are you a cop?" Parker asked, seeing Booth's gun. He was in awe of it.

"I work for the FBI," Booth explained.

"Cool!"

Booth showed him his badge, smiling a little. The kid was adorable.

"Can I touch it?" Parker asked.

"Sure," he nodded. Parker gingerly and carefully touched the badge.

"Do you ever get scared?" he asked. Booth froze at this. It was not a question he expected from someone so young.

"Sometimes," Booth answered truthfully. Parker cocked his head at him, his eyes showing what appeared to be understanding. Booth swallowed.

"Okay," Brennan said, returning. She was freshly showered and changed. "We should go. Ange..."

"I'm okay to stay here," Angela interrupted.

"Parker, I have to work today. Will you be okay with Angela?" Brennan asked. He nodded.

"I like her."

"Good. I'll be back for dinner, okay?"

"Okay."

Brennan gave him a tight hug then, and Parker hugged her back. Booth still felt weird watching her interact with this boy. He was always used to her coldness and awkwardness. She was so natural with Parker.

"Ready?" she asked Booth.

"Yea."

They walked out the door together, and Brennan looked back to see Parker animatedly chatting with Angela. She knew he'd be all right. She looked at Booth then as they stepped into the elevator.

"We'll get him, Booth," she said, touching his hand. He didn't respond. She knew he knew it. The doors closed, and she exhaled. It was time to catch a murderer.

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