A/N: Here's the long awaited sequel to "Breaking Down" which was my first FanFic. I'm writing like a speed addict and eagerly watching for your reviews. I don't like long waits between chapters either so I won't make you wait. Thought I'd begin posting this one in a week or so but then I finished the entire outline and the first five chapters in one day. I'm trying to keep ahead of y'all and post a new chapter every day (as long as I get good reviews).
General disclaimer: This story is very different than "Breaking Down" there is a lot more interaction between the other characters and the case. It may seem like I'm taking short cuts with some of the dialogue or characters' thoughts but I promise loose ends will be wrapped up and thoughts fleshed out…eventually. Please be patient with me.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bones, but the plot line, victims and suspects are all mine.
Context: Three years after the conclusion of "Breaking Down" Location: Washington D.C. and Manassas, Virginia
Chapter 1: The Empty House (Sunday morning)
The early morning light burned away the low lying fog common to the area and shined ever so brightly into the office of one forensic anthropologist. As she woke, Temperance ran her fingers through her shoulder length auburn hair and sighed. She didn't mind sleeping in her office when things were hectic, cases piled up and reports to complete. She did mind falling asleep at her desk. With another heavy sigh she stood and made her way to the window to draw the shade. A quick glance in the mirror brought a sharp gasp as the doctor rushed to remove the paperclip that was stuck to her forehead. She rubbed the spot, trying vainly to remove its imprint.
Who would notice? She thought, fighting self-pity. (singing voice) I'm all alone, there's no one here beside me. She inwardly cursed Booth for making her sit through Shrek with Parker no less than seven times.
A noise at the door drew Temperance's attention. She smiled at Angela who was clad in only a bathrobe and nightgown as the artist waddled across the room to lounge on the couch.
"Sweetie, did you sleep here?" Temperance nodded and settled in next to her best friend, ready for the all too familiar lecture to follow.
"Why? You have this great house and a really comfortable bed upstairs. What's so alluring about the desk?" Temperance didn't catch the gentle scarcasm.
"I got caught up, Angela. I want to finish my reports before Booth is back at work." So he won't need to stop by the Jeffersonian, she added to herself. "And my publisher wants the final chapters of my book to the editor by the week's end."
Angela smiled patiently, knowing Temperance would hate this next part.
"I know you're busy Sweetie, but Booth asked me to watch out for you after he was gone." Temperance glared at her best friend.
"I'm the one watching out for you, Ange. That baby is coming any day now and someone has to get you to a hospital."
"That's why Hodgins is here." Angela refused to let Temperance reason her way away from Booth's protective alpha male tendencies.
"Is he still sleeping?"
"Yeah, dreaming about the Kennedy assassinations." Temperence raised an eyebrow at her best friend.
"Really? How can you tell." The artist smiled, resting her hand on her protruding stomach.
"He muttered something about Oswald and then started shouting 'Watch out Bobby!' I've got it on video at home if you want to see for yourself."
"Definitely."
"Now, Sweetie," Angela was back to business, "don't you want to get some sleep? In a real bed?"
"I don't need anyone to watch out for me. I can take care of myself. In fact, I'm going upstairs to get ready for work. Do you need any help?" She asked Angela carefully, still uncomfortable offering support, even to her closest friends.
"No," Angela smiled forgivingly, knowing Temperance's struggle, "I'm gonna rest here and then wake up Jack. He really can't stand to be late to work again." The women exchanged smiles and Temperance took the stairs slowly to her master bedroom.
Our master bedroom, she corrected herself. No matter how long Booth had been gone from her house, their bed, she always thought of this house in connection with him. She recalled the first time she brought him here.
Flashback
"Why'd you bring me here? To buy a house?"
"Yes. I think you need a new place, a fresh start with Parker. If you're going to have him full time you'll need more than that tiny apartment, Booth. I know that when you walk through this house you can see youself here with Parker. You know where you'd put the Christmas tree and hide Easter eggs. You know where you'd tuck him in and give him a bath. You see your future with him." Temperance spoke softly, directly.
" No Temperance, I see you drinking coffee in the kitchen. I see me and you snuggled together on the couch watching a movie with Parker. I see us tucking him in at night. I see you in a study, writing your book and reviewing case files. I see us, in that master bedroom." His eyebrows raised suggestively. "I do see the future. But I see it with Parker and you. That's the only future I want. And I think, you see it too. Otherwise you wouldn't have brought me here."
End Flashback
Temperance sighed, tired of battling her ever fluxuating emotions and fighting back tears. She gathered her robe and crossed the room, heading for the shower. A single picture on her dresser stopped her. It was a candid shot, taken by Sid over a year before. It's my family, she thought with a smile, she and Booth were crammed together into a booth at Wong Foo's cake candles lighting their faces as they worked together to blow out the dancing flames.
Five years as partners, a personal record for Temperance who'd previously gone through partners like paper towels. Zack, Angela, Hodgins, Cam, the whole team had been there. And wedged between the happy partners were two equally excited boys, cheeks puffed, ready to blow out the candles. Parker. He'd grown so much from the exuberant four year old Temperance had first met. He was now an exuberant eight year old, bright and charming, his grinning face reminding her more of Booth every day.
And Sam. His face mirrored his brothers'. He was getting ready to turn six when the picture was taken, clearly anticipating his own cake and candles. Her heart skipped a beat. She missed her son, both of her sons. But they were with Booth, not with her. Temperance cried, hating herself for doing so, missing the man she loved, Parker who she loved as if he were her own and Sam, the precious boy she and Booth had together.
END
A/N: Okay, you may be thinking that I can't count (I DO hate math) because a seven year old kid of Booth and Brennan's? Nope, I'm not that stupid, just crafty. It'll all make sense next chapter, I promise. Also, I realized that Parker would have been closer to five during 'Breaking Down' so I edited it after the fact. I love that I can do that. It's not just to suit this story but 'cause he was four in season one so probably five in season 2. That's proof of my mad math skills, yo.