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Chapter 2 – Soccer Mom in the Mini Van

Booth and Brennan got out of the car and approached the minivan after having a 'heated' discussion in the car on the drive to the crime scene. Which continued with Booth saying, "Look, Bones, all I'm saying is that Caroline went through a lot of trouble to get you private visitation with your father, now you don't want it."

Brennan was, what was the word, thankful (?) for what their friend did for her – she was like the mother she didn't have (well mother-in-law really), but she just didn't feel comfortable with this gift. "The federal detention facility already has visiting areas."

Booth had Caroline for this favor and had nearly gotten eaten alive by the woman. He knew she loved them – if keeping their marriage classified wasn't enough proof – but she could still scold him like he was a five-year-old boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar before dinner. He need to get Bones to see that this was a good thing. "Yeah, behind 2 inch glass. Now you'll be able to give your old man a hug." To demonstrate he threw his arm around her shoulder and hugged her.

Brennan sighed a little, feeling her resolve fall just a bit. "I didn't ask for special treatment, Booth."

Booth smiled down at her and told Bones, "That's because you don't have to because you are special." He squeezed her shoulder for good measure and then turned to look at the reason they were there. "And you are gonna tell me – whoa – what happened to whatever the hell is melted to that steering wheel and everything else."

Brennan walked to the charred body and examined the victim closely. "Female. Mid 40's to late 50's. Pelvis indicates she's given birth."

Booth to had been doing a cursory check of the body when something caught his eyes. He pointed to a ring on her left ring finger. "Hey, Bones. Look at that. Married, right?"

Brennan lifted the hand gently and said aloud, "Wedding ring. Possibility." She turned to another FBI Agent and told him, "Don't just focus on the ground." She pointed to a leg in a nearby tree that she noticed earlier, she then turned to Booth. "Why do you care about my relationship with my father, Booth? You were only too happy to arrest him and put him in prison."

Booth wanted to strangle this woman. She knew that he wasn't 'happy' to arrest the man. But he was the law and he had to uphold it even when it meant arresting family. "Alright, look Bones. Ya know what, it's not about being happy, okay. It's about doing my job."

Brennan huffed softly. She knew that, but she was felt like she was being backed into a corner without any means of protection from her attacker. So she hit where she knew Booth was weak. It was childish of her and petty, but it was her first instinct. To avoid an argument that would most likely occur she asked the man standing behind Booth. "Do we know if it was a bomb that caused the explosion?"

Booth hadn't realized that someone was standing behind him and answered, just a tad bit sarcastically, "Well, let's see. The roof is peeled back and the doors…"

Brennan looked up at him knowing that he too was growing frustrated with their conversation. She pointed behind him to the other Agent. "I was asking him."

The Agent told them, "We found explosive residue all over the van and metal fragments in the bushes."

Booth scribbled some notes on his cards and asked, "What is that? A Pipe bomb?"

The Agent shrugged his shoulders, "I can't really be sure until the explosives unit gets the van back to the lab."

Brennan's head snapped back up at that. She unleashed her frustration unknowingly on the poor unexpected man. "No, they can't have the van. There are remains seared all over the inside of the vehicle and they can't be compromised."

The poor man stumbled over his words for a response. "I have to call…"

Brennan faced him, her eyes flashing. "This van will be brought to the Jeffersonian - your bomb techs can look at it there."

The Agent looked at Booth for help. "I'll….make the call?"

Booth nodded his head and patted the poor man on the back. "That's – that's alright. You go, go make that call." He then turned to his wife. Man, he knew she was frustrated, but to lash out like that at one of the Agents… "Bones, come on. You're a little harsh there, maybe you want to talk it out."

Brennan promptly ignored that statement, already feeling slightly ashamed for her vehement reaction, and pointed out a piece of jewelry, "Look, Booth."

Booth watched as she flipped it open to reveal a little girl. "It's a locket. Ugh, probably her daughter."

Brennan looked at their victim very confused, "Who would want to blow up a soccer mom?"

~BONES~

Booth, Brennan and Sam were walking down a corridor in the Hoover as Sam said, "Does not make any sense. The van was rigged blow up, why shoot her?"

This was why Brennan hated working with other Agents. Booth got how she thought and he always respected that. "Well, until we see what ballistics determines, it's absurd to speculate."

Sam turned to her and said non-too-gently, "Speculating's kinda what we do here."

Booth looked heavenward as if asking for strength before he told Sam the facts, which he too was looking at at all angles. "Listen. Danny Valenti is a cop. June Harris murdered his father. He has a gun."

Sam shook his head, "He's a good kid, Booth. He didn't do it."

Booth knew that Sam was having a hard time with considering this. But with everything that Booth had seen in the past few years, we wasn't going to leave any rocks unturned. As Booth grabbed a file off his desk in his office he knew that this case was going to be hard on Sam. Brennan accidentally bumped into him as he turned around. He guided to turn around and said to her, "Out."

Brennan felt Booth's hand on her back as she told Same, "But that is meaningless speculation."

Sam looked at Booth as if she were insane. "Is she really necessary?"

Booth told him firmly. "She's my partner." Even if cops didn't like his wife's method, it damn well worked for them.

Brennan knew that Booth was trying to diffuse a situation that could turn out badly, but she couldn't help speak her mind. "Mentors often feel threatened when their students surpass them."

Booth wrapped his hand around her wrist and squeezed it softly in warning as he guided her to the interrogation room. "Bones!"

Brennan told him the truth. "Well, it's true, Booth. Change can be difficult to accept whether it comes in the form of a revolutionary or the simple passage of time."

Sam walked up to them as they stopped at the door to the interrogation room. "If she were a guy, I'd deck her."

Brennan again knew that she shouldn't say it – if Booth putting his body between her and Sam and him guiding her away were any indication – but she told Sam bluntly, "Well, you know, that distinction is no longer necessary, but I wouldn't recommend it."

Booth was ready to just toss Brennan over his shoulder like the alpha-male she knew him to be and carry her away from Sam. Instead he held the door open as he pushed Sam into the room, "Let's go Sam. Thank you." This was going to be a long case.

~BONES~

Sam was alone reading a folder, as Booth and Brennan entered into Booth's office. Booth couldn't believe his eyes, "Sam!"

Sam brought the file down and told them smugly, "Ballistics says that the bullet was NOT a match for Danny's gun."

Brennan too couldn't believe it. She didn't like anyone stepping over Booth and her fierce protective nature flared. "Booth should have that report first. He's the lead."

Sam turned to Booth and told him, "You know, Booth. She must be really good in bed because I can't see any other reason you keep her around here." Booth had never felt like this before. He actually wanted to punch one of his mentors. No one spoke about Bones like that.

Brennan's instincts to hide their relationship spiked to an all-time high. She put on her most calm mask and told him, "I am. Very good." Looked at Booth directly as she said, "But Booth has no direct knowledge of that fact."

Booth took in a deep silent breath trying to get his temperament under control. This whole case was putting him on edge. "Okay, okay. Let's all stay focused here, people. Okay. Sam, you know what, you should never…" Booth tried to put Sam in his place.

Sam however cut him off, "But it was a match for the gun that killed Danny's father 30 years ago."

Booth started to read the ballistic reports as he said, "Right. The same gun that was registered to Harris's old boyfriend, Watkins, but it was never found."

Sam told Booth almost desperately, "Everyone we interviewed at the time said Harris would never make a move without talking to Watkins first. I told you, we need to find him."

Booth nodded, but he was the lead in the case and he needed to respect due to him. "Yeah, okay. We will, Sam. You just gotta give me some room."

Sam grabbed Booth's arm as he tried to leave the room. "Hey, Booth. Don't cut me out. I've worked my whole career for this."

Booth knew that this case meant everything to the man, but that still didn't change anything. "As soon as I find something out, I'll let you know, Sam." Sam looked like he was about to say something but Booth gave him a reassuring pat on the arm. He nodded his head ever so slightly. Booth turned around and placed his hand on Brennan's lower back – a small show of his support for her to Sam and said softly, "Come on, Bones."

~BONES~

Booth was looking out over the balcony as Brennan approached him, carrying a cup of coffee. He was anxious to get the results. "What's taking Hodgins so long?"

Brennan shook her head in slight amusement. Booth hated waiting. "It's an exacting process." She then handed him the cup of coffee, knowing that it would help. Slightly.

Booth smiled as he took it, "Ah, thank you. So um, how did your dad like his socks?"

Brennan really didn't want to talk about that. "Fine."

Booth could have rolled his eyes at her deliberate obtuseness. "That's sorta a way to start a conversation there, Bones."

Brennan sighed, 'I know."

Booth gave up. If she wanted to hate her dad, then she would. He wasn't going to put her in anymore uncomfortable positions. "Ya know, look. I'm - I should never have gotten in the middle of all this, I'm – I'm sorry. I was just – I'm just trying to help."

Brennan took a step closer to him and whispered, hurt radiating off of her. "He wanted me to testify on his behalf. He just wants to use me."

Booth grabbed her hand and whispered soothingly, "Well, he's s con man, Bones, that doesn't mean that he doesn't love you. He's just looking for a little payback."

Brennan couldn't believe her ears, "Payback?"

Booth tried to explain it from how Max was probably seeing it. "Yeah. He's thinking that he got arrested so that he could spend some more time with you. I mean, you could at least return the favor by doing something nice for him."

Brennan took a step back from him and told him truthfully, "I'm not sure I want a father who's always keeping score."

The foundation of his and Brennan's relationship had always been based off of honesty. Even when it hurt. So he told her, "Yeah. Sounds like you are too."

Brennan was taken aback by that statement. Could Booth be right? "You know what? You're right. This is none of your business."

Booth knew that Brennan was just putting up her walls for protection. But she'd brought them down for him and he was going to help get her father back for her. His newfound zeal for such a task was in place as he told her, "You know what, Bones? You're never gonna forgive yourself if you don't cut the guy some slack just because you're afraid to get hurt."

Brennan pursed her lips as she turned toward the platform. "Ugh, what the hell is taking Hodgins so long?"

~BONES~

Brennan asked Booth as he was driving, "You told Reilly where Watkins is?"

Booth nodded, "Yeah, he's meeting us there."

Brennan didn't think it was a good idea. "He's too emotional."

Even though technically it was his case, Booth knew that in the end Sam would get the most satisfaction from it. "This is his case. He's invested."

Brennan shook her head, "He's irrational. Probably male menopause."

Booth couldn't believe that she actually said that. Male menopause, pffftt. "What? He's a good man and you know what? There's no such thing. That is a sexist myth."

Brennan smiled inwardly as she watched Booth squirm a little in his seat. "Factually, hormone production drops in your 50's. Sexual desire decreases. You have to deal with the reduction of muscle mass, erectile dysfunction…"

Booth could deal with a lot of her squinty talk but it end there. "Hey, alright, hey. Let's just keep the conversation up, shall we?"

Brennan told him another point, "And, there's evidence that certain men become very unstable."

Booth wasn't going to go down without some type of fight. He snapped back, "Do you want me to start talking about your father again?"

Brennan teased, "You're very testy."

Booth shot her a glare and told her – as if she didn't know, which she most certainly did, "And 35. I'm only 35."

Brennan looked down to conceal her smile, "Okay, okay."

Booth was nowhere close to getting… that. And he hoped he never did, but he couldn't help but add quietly, "They have blue pills for that."

~BONES~

Booth and Brennan got out of the car and walked towards the house. It was eerily quiet. Booth said as much. "No. I don't like this, it's too quiet."

Brennan asked as she watched him look around for any danger, "Wasn't Reilly suppose to meet us?"

Booth nodded as he drew his gun, "Yeah." They went around the side of the house, trying to get a look inside as Brennan took out her gun. Booth rolled his eyes. Why he let her keep that monster of a gun he never knew. "Gee, why didn't you bring the big one?" They entered the house and walked through the rooms, still not seeing anyone. Booth made sure to keep his body in front of hers at all times. Suddenly, Brennan saw something in the other room. She started to walk toward it with care for her surroundings. But Booth pushed her back behind him, "Okay. Bones." They walked into the room and found Neal Watkins dead and Sam Reilly was standing over him, holding a gun. Booth reacted immediately stepping directly in front of Brennan and aiming at Sam's heart. "Easy, Sam. Put the gun down, step away from the body."

Sam watched as Booth stared at him unwavering in his position of protection to his partner. Damn he was proud of the man. "Booth, look at him. He did it to himself. I didn't do this, Booth." After a few tense seconds of Booth and Brennan holding their guns to Sam, he placed his gun on the arm of a couch. Booth only hoped that same was telling the truth.

~BONES~

Booth and Brennan were on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, talking. Booth was playing with the lid on his cup of coffee.

Brennan smiled at Booth's antics, "How much scotch did you drink?"

Booth slurred a little as he said, "Oh, just enough. You know, I would have invited you, but Reilly. He just – wow – he doesn't like you."

Brennan couldn't believe that Booth was drunk. He rarely ever got drunk, with his past he didn't like it. She chuckled softly, "I understand."

It just registered to Booth that that hadn't come out like he meant it to sound. "I'm sorry. Was that rude?"

Brennan shook her head amused, "Not from someone who's been drinking."

Booth looked out at the Reflecting Pool, amazed. "God, you know, I love this place. I love it. I love this country. I love you. You know, I tell ya something. If I was working law enforcement back in the day when they threw all that tea, alright, in the harbor – I'm good, alright, I'm – I'm good. I would have rounded everybody up and we'd still be English."

Brennan laughed gently at his speech. "Ya think?"

Booth nodded and stopped as his head swam a little. "Yup. Yup. Definitely."

Brennan watched him as he sighed and took a sip of his coffee, trying to sober himself up. She took in a deep breath and told him, "I saw my father."

Booth was definitely surprised by that. But he was happy for her. "Wow. I didn't think that you were gonna – do that."

Brennan tried to explain it to him. "As an anthropologist, I accept change as the natural order of things - but with him I didn't allow for transformation. Ya know, I predicated his behavior based on a set of outmoded preconceptions. It wasn't rational."

Booth tried to follow her. He normally was able to get the gist of what she what she was trying to say, but the alcohol was slowing him down. "Wow. I - I didn't get any of that."

Brennan took in a deep calming breath as her emotions got the better of her. Booth sensed her change and leaned in toward her as she explained to him softly, "If I was conducting an objective experiment on my father, observing his behavior, I'd have to conclude that he loves me."

Booth looked at her trying to really understand. "Hmm. Why? What happened?"

Brennan smiled at her memory, "We played cards."

Booth nodded his head. "Cool."

Brennan's smile grew as she told him, "I killed him."

Booth smiled widely at her as he said, "Good for you." He leant up against Brennan's shoulder and rested his head there for a second or so before he kissed her shoulder lovingly. "I'm happy you're happy Bones. That's all I ever wanted."

Brennan looked down at him. He really had only done that for her. She leant down and kissed him softly on the lips. "Thank you Booth. Thank you." She now had her family back. It was shaky but at least she had Booth to lean on to.

A/N: Ok the story The Recovery before Surprise is technically it's a what if story. What if Brennan was pregnant when she was shot.

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