Chapter 18

The Jeffersonian Medico-Legal Lab, Friday 11:00 a.m.

Dr. Temperance Brennan sat in her office with the door closed and her chair facing away from the door. The package that had arrived while she and Booth were away had been opened and now the contents lay on her desk. She had spent the last hour rereading the note that she had found and listening to the compact disc that had come with it.

Conversations with my thirteen-year-old self; Conversations with my thirteen-year-old self …

For all intents and purposes the song had been factually off as she was in fact fifteen when her parents vanished.

You're angry, I know this, The world couldn't care less, You're lonely, I feel this, And you wish you were the best, No teachers, Or guidance, And you always walk alone, You're crying, At night when, Nobody else is home…

Tears welled up in her eyes again for the third time as the words danced around in her head.

Come over here and let me hold your hand and hug you darling, I promise you that it won't always feel this bad, There are so many things I want to say to you, You're the girl I used to be, You little heartbroken thirteen year old me…

Right now she wished that there was someone there for her but the office remained empty and silent. Brennan could feel the tears running down her cheeks and making the top of her blouse wet.

You're laughing, But you're hiding, God I know that trick too well, You forget, That I've been you, And now I'm just the shell, I promise, I love you and, Everything will work out fine, Don't try to, Grow up yet, Oh just give it some time…

So wrapped up in her thoughts she didn't hear Booth's light knock on the office door nor did she see him open the door and come in.

The pain you feel is real you're not asleep but it's a nightmare, But you can wake up anytime, Oh don't lose your passion or the fighter that's inside of you, You're the girl I used to be, The pissed off complicated thirteen year old me…

Brennan reached up and wiped her own tears away. She shouldn't feel sorry for herself despite her family leaving her; everything had worked out relatively well. She had a job she loved, friends that were always there for her, and Booth. Booth, she sighed at the thought of his name.

Conversations with my thirteen-year-old self; Conversations with my thirteen-year-old self…

"Bones, are you ok?" Those four words broke the silence of the room and reached Brennan's ears. She turned her chair toward the familiar comforting voice.

Until we meet again, Oh I wish you well oh, I wish you well, Little girl, Until we meet again, Oh, I wish you well, Little girl, I wish you well, Until we meet again, My little thirteen year old me.

The forensic anthropologist smiled as her partner and boyfriend's concern was evident. She loved him more than she could even fathom. Without him life would be so incomplete.

"What's this?" Booth asked.

"A present from my father." Brennan told him as she handed him the note. The FBI Agent took the note from her and read it aloud.

"Temperance, I love you so much and I just want you to understand some things before you completely shut me out. Your mother and I never wanted to leave you or Russ like that. I'll be seeing you soon. Love, Dad." Booth shook his head and sat down on the top of the desk.

"He also left me this compact disc with only one song on it." She handed over the case.

"Pink huh? Your dad didn't give me the impression he was into pop rock." Booth smiled. Brennan gave a thoughtful look but didn't say anything.

"So Cullen ripped me a new one. Luckily both the Bureau and Marshals Service have agreed that you acted in self-defense. Starting today I have to keep you 'on a tighter leash'." The G-man told her, effectively changing the subject. An added emphasis on the last phrase and the use of air quotes earned him a look from his partner

"Excuse me?" Brennan asked.

"Hey Cullen's words not mine. I shouldn't have left you alone. That was my fault. Basically Cullen just doesn't want you showing me up again." Booth teased.

"Showing you up huh?" Brennan smirked.

"Yeah he doesn't want to let the world know that a former Army Ranger now FBI Agent couldn't take out the guy he was after and a squint did." He smiled his classic 'charm smile'.

"Oh so instead of being your capable partner, I'm a squint again?" The forensic anthropologist was starting to get defensive. Booth backed down.

"Hey hey easy Bones. You know there isn't anyone I'd rather have than you as my partner. We just have to be more careful out in the field. I don't want to give Cullen a reason for splitting us up." He told her.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I just…" she sighed and her shoulders sagged. Booth got up off the desk and came around to her chair. He placed his hands on the armrests and looked deeply into her eyes.

"I know this last week has been rough. Why don't you stop by my place after work today? We'll have dinner and talk." Booth smiled.

"Usually when you say that we end up 'talking' in your bedroom." Brennan mimicked his use of air quotes. A big smile crossed his face. He stood up and kissed her cheek.

"I'll see you tonight." The FBI Agent gave her a wink and left her office.

The End

Well this is the end of this story. I hope you enjoyed it. :)