A/N: Thank you everyone for the support so far. I did want to address something several people have brought up, very astutely in fact: should Booth have made a sperm donation before the chemotherapy? Yes, chemotherapy does affect the reproductive system, like it affects all systems, and it is a good idea if the person going through the chemotherapy is interested in having more children. But if you remember when this story takes place, right after Season 4 Episode 25 "The Critic in the Cabernet," he made a donation in that episode when he hallucinated Stewie from "Family Guy" in the sperm bank. So the reason why I didn't write that in the story is because it had already happened in canon, in the show. Does that make sense? I probably should have addressed that in the first couple of chapters.

Secondly, please watch David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel 'Stand Up 2 Cancer' tonight, September 10 at 8 pm. It is on all major networks in the United States. They will be a part of a group of celebrities participating in the show. It should be a very entertaining evening with a great message attached as well.

Okay, here is the next chapter and I know it is super short but I wanted to let everyone know I'm still working on this one. Enjoy.

Chapter 10: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Booth was half way through his radiation therapy and to be honest, he felt really good. He had most of his energy back, he was starting to work out again, and his hair was starting to grow back. Granted, it wasn't very much, currently it was a little shorter than he wore it in his Army days, but at least his head was bald anymore. He was just grateful it was starting to cover up the scar on the back of his head that was left over from his surgery.

The best part was that Parker was starting to deal with his illness more effectively. The play date that Bones set up for the both of them really did wonders in starting to repair their relationship. When he was going through the chemo, it was almost like Parker was afraid to touch him, like he was afraid he was going to hurt him in some way. That was the most painful part for Booth to withstand. Rebecca told him Parker had acted out at home when he heard about his diagnosis, opening defying her like her had never done before. Sweets said it was just his way of expressing his feelings over the cancer, but it disturbed Booth that he could be at least somewhat responsible for his son's bad behavior.

No matter how much aloe vera Booth out on his neck though, he could still see where the radiation was scarring his skin. Bones kept telling him that you couldn't really see it, but Booth knew the truth. He had several angry red lines on the right side of his neck where the radiation was directed at it for 15 minutes a day, five times a week. He was sick and tired of all the treatment doing stuff to his body. And while he was very happy that the radiation did not have the horrible side effects that the chemo did, he was tired of all this 'treatment' affecting everything about him.

But today was Saturday, which meant two good thing were going to happen: one, no radiation, and two, he would get to spend time with Parker AND Bones today. They were going to look for Christmas trees and then spending the rest of the day decorating it. To say Booth was excited would be the understatement on the century. Six months ago when he got his diagnosis, he didn't even know if he would be around for this Christmas and now to be able to spend it with the two people he loved most in the world was awesome.

"Dad, let's go! All the good trees are going to be gone!" Parker said, coming into the living room of his apartment, already decked out in all of his snow gear, ready to face the cold December weather.

"Parker, it is highly unlikely that all the 'good trees,' as you call them, will be gone. There are three weeks until Christmas and there are also lots of variables to consider when thinking about 'good trees'-"

"Let's go, Bones! Parker's right!" Booth interrupted, steering her by her shoulder out of the door and down the stairs, Parker running ahead of them with glee. Even though he was a big ten-year-old now, Booth was happy to see that he could still get wrapped up in the joyful atmosphere of Christmas.

The tree lot was filled with families that were also braving the cold weather to find the perfect addition to their homes for the next several weeks. Booth and Bones walked behind Parker, their intertwined hands swinging between them as they helped Parker debate the good, the bad, and the ugly about all of the tress in the lot. Finally, after about an hour and a half, cooling temperatures and finding the 'perfect tree' in Parker's opinion finally allowed them to go home.

Booth was engaged the entire time they were decorating, dutifully stringing the popcorn when Parker became too frustrated with the task to continue, but he couldn't help but be introspective. He loved watching Bones and his son interact together, laughing with them, and enjoying just being in their presence.

"Booth, you okay?" Bones asked as she joined him on the couch, cuddling up next to him as he put his arm around her to accommodate her.

"Yeah, Bones just thinking. I know that is usually your forte but I thought I would try it out for a while," he quipped to her.

"Don't hurt yourself," she replied. Booth couldn't help but smiling at her sarcasm.

"Bones, was that a joke?" he teased, lightly tickling her side, satisfied when she started to squirm.

She leaned up to whisper in his ear. "Whatever you're thinking, just don't you dare give up on me, Booth. You are beating this illness," she finished, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Booth just nodded at her words, his throat too tight for words.

"Dad, can you help me put the lights on the top of the tree?" Parker asked. Booth nodded to Parker, knowing he better help before his cleaver son decided to get a chair and try it for himself, getting lost in the moment with his family and leaving his thoughts for another day.