Okay, so totally sappy ending, and please if you haven't left me a note yet, this is your last chance. When I first started out, I truly wanted to keep them in character and not stray but have them go on a summer adventure like we all had to. I guess in a way I did do that and in others I took creative license for a little fluffersmutt. I am trying to bring them back to character for the start of the season. As ya'll can probably tell, not the most imaginative person, so this is all I got.
Disclaimer: Nope, not mine!
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The sun broke through the curtains of the small cabin waking Booth from his slumber. He looked down to see the second most important person in his life laying in her usual spot on his chest. He smiled to himself, life was good for Seeley Booth, life was definitely good.
Booth and Brennan had woken, gotten showered and dressed and made their way up to the cookhouse. Criss and Donna were there to meet them and see them off. Donna, of course had an arm full of baked goods, for the flight home. They said their goodbyes and Booth let Criss know that the bureau was always looking for a few good men.
Cathy and Kasten had also made their way to the cookhouse to say goodbye to Booth and Brennan. It was a bittersweet parting. Brennan was so happy to have finally found her family, but couldn't wait to get back to the one that waited for her in D.C.
Kasten and Cathy were going to try to make a go of it. They had decided that life is too short and their attraction too strong to not try. They all exchanged information and promised to stay in touch.
Booth had booked them a flight out of Cody for eleven o'clock in the morning and with a short stop over in Helena they would be home by seven o'clock after all the time changes.
Brennan had gotten a hold of Angela who promised to pick them up and return them to wherever they wanted to go. She was just excited to know that Brennan was okay and that no one was seriously hurt.
Jones had sung like a caged bird and implicated both Kipper and Charlie as the masterminds. Kipper was charged with numerous felonies including, aggravated assault, attempted murder and kidnapping. Charlie had been charged with aiding and abetting a felon, obstruction of justice, conspiring to kidnap and attempted murder. They were all being held without bail.
Booth and Brennan boarded the plane like they had two weeks previous, except instead of anticipation, they were both feeling exhausted and confused. Booth knew he wanted to move ahead and he thought Bones had felt the same way, but after waking up in his arms that morning she had hardly spoken to him.
They found their seats and sat deeply. Booth and Bones looked down at their ring fingers and noticed that they still wore their 'wedding' rings.
"Are you going to take your's off?" Booth asked.
Brennan's mind swirled with answers. She liked wearing it. She didn't believe in marriage but she could believe in the commitment that came with wearing the ring. She knew it wasn't real, so she could just wear it as a piece of jewellery and who cared what people assumed. She also knew that the ring forever symbolized their adventure together and Booth's undying determination to help her find her family, no matter how screwed up it was.
"Maybe, but not today. You?"
"I just got used to wearing it, and I don't think it looks too shabby, I might just wear it for a reminder of this little 'trip' out west. Did you find what you were looking for?"
Brennan shook her head. "No, I didn't."
Booth looked perplexed.
"I should have known that I didn't have to go 2500 miles to find my family, especially when it was with me the entire time."
"You think of me as your family?"
"No, Booth, I don't think of you as my family. I know you're my family." She leaned over and kissed him gently on the lips.
Booth smiled and pulled her close. "You'll be just fine Bones, you have all the family you need."
They laid back and enjoyed the rest of the flight in silence.
The plane landed and they disembarked in D.C. and waited for Angela at the baggage claim.
"Sweeties!!" Angela yelled as soon as she spotted them.
"Hey Ange." Responded the both of them as they pulled her into a massive group hug.
"So, how was your trip?" Angela raised her eyebrows trying to milk them for all the information they would give her.
"It's a long, long story Ange and we are only gonna tell it once." Booth replied.
"I see you two are still wearing your wedding rings? Did you guys, you know, after we left."
"No, Ange. I didn't marry Booth after you fled your own marriage ceremony, we just decided, for different reasons to wear them for a while."
Ange perked up. "Really? Booth why are you?"
"Not that it's any of your business Ange, but I hear women are attracted to a wedding ring because it proves they aren't afraid of commitment." Booth winked at Bones who smiled in return. "It'll help me pick up the ladies.
Brennan smiled, knowing that he wouldn't be picking anyone up anytime soon.
"And what about you sweetie?"
"I'll wear mine as a reminder. A reminder of my trip, my family, and my roots."
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Okay crappy ending I know, but hey they are back in DC! So please if you have been reading along and haven't left a note, please let me know what ya thought, I'll never ask you again!! Haha!! Thanks again guys, for everyones support, and the alert lists and the hits!! Amazing!
