The Scientist in the Girl and the Girl in the Scientist Chapter 5

Are you ready for some more angst? I know I sure am! Things are continuing on. Yes, I am keeping you hanging in there. But it is going to be so, so worth it. But it's important to understand what the characters are going through, as well as Booth's relationships with people. So brace yourself for Max, guys. And for a few heart breaking moments. But never fear the story is moving forward. They aren't mine, I'm just torturing them. Please leave a review and let me know what you think…

Booth couldn't shake the feeling that he was losing control. It wasn't something he was used to and he certainly didn't like it. But there it was. Lingering in the back of his mind. A dark voice whispering things to him, making him second-guess his decisions, making him worry, making him tense. He didn't want to be like this. He hated feeling out of control, like he was disappointing everyone. He knew good and well that he had to be strong. For Lola, for himself. For Bones. She wouldn't approve of all of his moping around. She'd want him to get on with the job and find out who killed her. But he just couldn't. Not yet. Even Angela and Hodgins were getting really worried about him. He knew. They were all talking about him losing the plot. About him not being able to take care of Lola. Even their offer to take her for a night or two had made him panic. Not just because he didn't want to let her out of his sight, but because he didn't want people to think he couldn't cope. He had to cope. Had to prove it to them.

"Dad?" Lola's voice piped up from the back seat. She'd hardly spoken since leaving Sweets' office. Booth didn't want to discuss Bones again. He didn't want to hear how Lola had seen her in the parking lot. He didn't want that false, teasing hope that maybe, just maybe, Temperance was still alive and he could save her. He had to save himself now.

"Yeah baby?" He glanced in the rear view mirror. Lola was content enough. She was sitting back against the seat, looking out the window as she spoke to him.

"Where are we going?" Her eyes flitted to mirror, catching his gaze. Booth looked away first. He was scared he would lose himself in those blue orbs, so like her mother's.

"It's a surprise, Lola." He gave her a smile. He hadn't really planned where he was going. He had just wanted to get out of Sweets' office, away from work, away from everyone thinking that he was going to fail.

Turning off the highway, Booth followed the directions that he'd gotten from Brennan's address book. It had been too long since he'd been out here and he'd forgotten the way. Lola was silent in the back seat. She seemed to have realised where they were headed, although she had been incredibly young the last time she was there. Turning the car into the driveway Booth killed the ignition and sat for a moment. With a deep breath he climbed out of the car and went around to let Lola out. Putting her little feet on the ground he reached in for her sweater, hearing a voice call out a greeting behind him.

"Well look who's here! Hey there honey!"

"Grandpa!" Lola squealed in delight and threw herself at the older man. He picked her up with ease and swung her around, giving her a big hug and a kiss.

"Look at you. You've grown so much in just a few weeks."

"I'm now 101.6 centimetres tall." Lola said proudly.

"Wow! Soon you'll be taller than your old man!" He gave a glance over at Booth as he approached, nodding a greeting.

"Hey Max, how are you?" Booth asked, walking up to them. He ruffled Lola's hair.

"Not bad. Surprised to see you here though. After the funeral I thought things would be pretty busy." Max dropped his voice, lowering Lola to the ground.

"Yeah, they have been. I just needed to get away for a while." Booth tried to keep his voice light, casual.

"And you came to see me?" Max was only half teasing. He knew he still wasn't Booth's favourite person but the two had developed a kind of friendship over the years. And Booth knew that Max loved his granddaughter.

"I thought it would be good for Lola to see more of her family. You know, on Bones' side. Might help her accept some things."

"What kind of things?" Max watched Booth intently. He could see that there was something the younger man wasn't telling him. And it was clear that Booth was in turmoil. Any fool could see that.

"Her mother's death, for one." Booth said, anger creeping into his voice. He quickly looked away and ran his hands over his face. He was so tired.

"Right," Max knew when to stop pushing. Booth would speak when he was ready to. "How long do you think you will be here?"

"I'm not sure. I hadn't really planned this. I just sort of ended up here. I didn't even pack any clothes for Lola, or ring into work or anything." Booth's shoulders began to shudder and much to his anger and embarrassment he knew he was going to cry.

"My daddy is really sad," Lola said quietly to Max. She looked up at her father, her own eyes sad and she wished she could help. Seeing her, Booth only cried harder.

"Right, lets go inside. I think I've got some Snicker doodles in there somewhere." He quickly ushered Lola ahead of them, the child excited to eat her favourite cookies. Putting a hand on Booth's shoulder, Max looked into the crying man's eyes.

"Come on, son. You need to let all of this out." He gave the younger man a supportive smile, showing his own sadness in his eyes, before leading Booth inside.

B&B

"Hey,Iwasn'texpectingyouhomesoearly," Boothgrinned,cominginthedooroftheirhouse.HisheartswelledwithloveashetookinthesightofBonesspreadoutonthesofa,herfilesandfoldersscatteredaroundher,herlaptopperchedprecariouslyonthearmofthechair.Shelookedsoathome,likethatcouchwasputtherejustforher.Whichitwas,infact.Thethoughtmadehimsmileevenbigger.Their house.Theirhome. Itmadehimecstatictothinkit.

"Yes, I was unable to continue working at the lab. I found that my back and feet were aching too much to concentrate. And your daughter would not stop kicking me." She gave Booth a grin, telling him that she was teasing.

Dropping the bags he was holding by the counter Booth quickly moved towards her. He dropped a gentle kiss on her lips before lowering his hands to her rounded belly. Bones sighed, leaning back into the couch and watching him lovingly as he felt their baby move inside her. His eyes caught hers and she smiled at the awe that still shone in them.

"She was missing her old man," he joked, rubbing his hand in small circles.

"Then she takes after her mother," Brennan chuckled. Booth leant in and kissed her again, this time lingering there, tasting her, enjoying the moment. If he could freeze time he would want it stopped right at this perfect moment.

"I'll bet she will. She's going to have your eyes and cheek bones," he murmured, tracing the contours of her face.

"And your smile," Brennan added.

"Your brains." Booth countered, getting playful now.

"Your sense of humour."

"Your beautiful laugh."

"Your understanding of people."

"Your drop dead good looks." Booth grinned.

"Your good nature." Brennan said softly, giving him a shy look. Booth felt his heart swell.

"Your courage."

"I hope that whatever she has, Booth, she is as good a person as you." She took his hand in hers and squeezed it. Booth felt himself getting a little emotional.

"I think pregnancy is messing with you Bones. All this mushy stuff, must be the hormones." He gave her a grin, lightening the mood. Brennan smiled, still holding his hand. They were quiet for a moment, enjoying the silence, the company.

"What is in the bag?" She asked suddenly, surprising Booth. He hadn't thought she'd noticed them. He'd hoped she hadn't, anyway.

"Oh, nothing." He said evasively. Perhaps he could change the subject. He leant in, resting his forehead against hers. "Have I told you how kissable you look right now?"

"Booth…" Her protest was pretty weak. Booth pecked her lips, teasing her. When she moaned he dipped his head forward and caught her up in a more passionate kiss. His tongue slipped out to play with hers and he felt her melt against him. When they pulled back for air he thought he had succeeded in distracting her.

But…

"Really, Booth, what's in the bag?" She was persistent, he'd give her that.

"It's supposed to be a surprise," he scolded lightly, kissing the end of her nose. Brennan's eyes lit up and she moved to sit up.

"What sort of surprise?" She was excited now.

"One for the baby."

"What is it?" Brennan got clumsily to her feet, her baby belly being quite cumbersome. Booth helped her, but held her back so that she couldn't get to the bag.

"That would ruin the surprise though, Bones."

"Booth…" She pleaded, looking up at him with her huge blue eyes. Who was he to deny that? He couldn't if he tried.

"Alright," he finally conceded. Letting her go he watched as she waddled as quickly as she could to the bag and brought it back. She sat herself on the couch and Booth couldn't help grinning like a fool at how gorgeous she looked all swollen with his baby and excited by something he'd done. It was the most beautiful, erotic and satisfying feeling of his life.

"Booth, this is..." Brennan exclaimed. Booth chuckled.

"I thought you'd like it." He took the tiny white lab coat out of her hands and held it up, unable to contain his laughter.

"A baby lab coat?" Brennan asked, incredulously.

"Well, we both know that our daughter is going to be a squint. I wanted her to start life on the right foot." He gave her his charm smile. Brennan laughed, the sound of it washing over him.

"This is amazing Booth. And very sweet." She gave him a kiss, taking the coat from him and placing it over her belly.

"Looks good," he grinned. He put his face near to her belly, talking to the baby. "You're gonna be just like mummy." He placed a kiss on her belly button before planting one on her lips.

"I love you, Booth." Bones sighed, her hands holding his head to hers.

"I love you too, Temperance."

B&B

Booth awoke in a strange room. It took him several seconds to get his bearings and realise where he was. Max's house. He wasn't sure what time it was but it felt late. He felt groggy. How long had he slept? He remembered Max ushering him inside and putting on the TV for Lola. He remembered that he had been crying, sobbing, unable to control himself. He'd tried to hide it from Max, not wanting the older man to see him like that. But his father in law had simply pulled him into a hug whispering that he understood. He'd then made Booth sit down and spill everything. It had taken hours. At some point Lola had ended up on Booth's lap, not really listening but just wanting to be held by her dad. Booth had let everything out. He'd cried it out, told Max all about what happened in the car park at the funeral, even though he'd been there. Booth finally admitted how much he missed Bones, and how scared he was to raise Lola on his own. At the end of it all he felt empty, as though he had spilled everything that had been festering inside him out onto the kitchen floor.

Max had taken Lola and put her to bed and then come back, leading Booth to the other spare room and guiding him to the bed. He'd said things like it would all be alright, that things would work out, that Booth had a lot of support. Most of it went in one ear and out the other. Booth was in shock. He had allowed himself to be pushed into bed and had fallen into a deep slumber.

Finally aware of where he was, and having his brain back in action, Booth climbed out of the bed and ran his hands through his hair. The clock beside the bed said it was just after midnight. He moved through the darkened house and checked on Lola. She was sleeping peacefully, her thumb between her lips. Booth felt something in him relax, seeing her like that. Things weregoing to be all right. They could do this.

Walking back into the kitchen he heard a noise from the porch outside. Going to the open door he saw Max sitting on the swinging chair, tears down his face, a beer in his hand. He looked up when Booth appeared but made no move to hide his tears.

"Beer?" He asked, gesturing to the line of beers on the porch railing. Booth nodded and grabbed one, sitting down beside his father in law.

"I miss her too," Max said softly. Booth nodded. He was done with crying for now. But he respected the older man's need to mourn the loss of his daughter. "I wasn't the best father, but I loved her. And I love Lola. I want to be there for her like I wasn't for Tempe."

"You are always welcome in our home, Max. And to see Lola." Booth sipped from his beer.

"Will you do something for me Booth?" Max's voice was soft, but determined. Booth lowered his beer and looked at the older man.

"Sure."

"Kill the bastard that did this to my Tempe."

Sad enough for you? I always loved Booth and Max's relationship and wanted to write how I thought they'd interact when Booth and Bones finally got together. I also thought it was important that Booth go to Max when he felt his life was falling apart because Max is the one person who wouldn't judge him and who had had his entire life fall apart before. I think there is a lot of respect and understanding between the two and I wanted to write some of that. Also, I wanted for Booth to really have the chance to get out everything he is feeling. Please leave a review, let me know what you think and make my day! Its what you guys have to say that really makes it worth writing! Keep me going!