This won't be the last chapter for this story, but it will be for now, because we're going on vacation! Trust us, we'll be leaving you with happy feelings after this chapter :). Please enjoy.

Chapter 15

It was around 8AM the next morning when Booth got the call. The suspects had been arrested and he was required to go to the Hoover to do the interrogation. Booth peeked inside the hospital room and when he saw that Elena was awake, he walked over to her bed. "Morning, princess."

Elena stretched her sore muscles. "Hey, Dad. Did you work all night?" She gave him a kiss and leaned against him, her body still warm and soft from sleeping.

"Yes. I finally got some good news, though. My team's arrested the men that Alex pointed out last night." At her confused look, Booth smiled. "I came back in as soon as I had the mug shots, so Alex could look at them."

"I didn't notice a thing," Elena said, "Then again, this bed is more comfortable than I expected it to be, and my muscles needed the rest. But - you made arrests? Do you know who killed Alex' foster dad?"

"Not yet. I have to go back to my office and figure that out. I will though. Oh and I have other news. He can stay here to start a detox program. The DA has agreed to move him to a rehab centre afterwards. If he completes it, he won't be going to jail."

Elena frowned. "Alex shouldn't be going to jail anyway. But he'll make it. He can do rehab." Elena smiled at her father. "Nice work, Dad."

Booth smiled at his daughter and leaned down, pulling her into a bear hug. "You too, little monster."

"Dad, you called me that when I was five. It's been ten years," Elena chuckled.

"So?" he kissed her cheek. "You'll always be my little monster."

"Yeah, that's true," Elena relented as she hugged her dad tightly. "Everything will be okay eventually, won't it?" she asked him, now feeling a bit guilty about the way she'd been acting towards her father.

"Yes, princess. It will." He kissed her cheek again. "It really will, Elena."

Elena smiled at her father. "You always fix everything, Dad. Makes me feel really safe and happy." She pressed a big, grateful kiss to his cheek.

"You should get some more sleep," Booth told her softly, feeling proud and hopeful. "Mom will be here soon."

Elena nodded and let her dad go. She glanced over at her friend. He seemed to be still fast asleep. Elena gave her dad another smile and turned onto her side, snuggling up in the covers.

Luckily, Alex made a full recovery, regaining strength pretty fast in the hospital. His scar was fading more day by day, and Elena visited him as often as she could. Today, she and her father drove Alex to the rehab centre where he would hopefully learn how to live without drugs and gain self-respect.

It had been a long drive. When they finally arrived at the rehab centre, Elena walked into Alexander's room after him. She was more than a little curious as to where he would spend the time to come. "Oh, this isn't half bad!" she exclaimed when she took in the room at a glance. Elena put his duffel bag on the bed. They'd bought her friend a couple of gifts, mainly to decorate his room with. "I think we'll be able to make this room fun," Elena remarked. "Are you ready to open your gifts, Alex?" she smiled at him.

"You really didn't need to buy me gifts," he told her. "I'm just glad that you'll be caring for Ripley and that your father agreed to bring us here and to let us spend some time together before you have to go home again." Alex sat down on the bed. "But yes, I'd like to see."

Elena gave his arm a squeeze before reaching into the duffel bag. "Number one, the most important." She handed the gift to him. She knew he'd find a journal, a pen, envelopes and post stamps in it, so he'd be able to write her letters.

Alex opened his present and as soon as the contents were in his lap, he smiled. "That's wonderful! Now I can write to you." He wasn't allowed to have a cell phone or use the internet, so they would have to communicate via letters.

"I have a journal, too, so I can write you back. Here, open this one, I hope you'll like it." She now gave him the duvet and pillow case. There were trees on it, a dense forest. It was calming to Elena, and she hoped it would have the same effect on Alex, since they weren't allowed to paint the walls.

Alex looked at it. It was a beautiful duvet cover and pillow case. "Thank you. This will definitely help me." He smiled at her. "I like it a lot."

"Really? Great!" Elena reached into the duffel bag and got out the mug she'd decided to donate to him from her own collection. It was a gymnastics mug, saying 'Go Hard or Go Home'. "Here's some motivation," she grinned.

Alex grinned as well and accepted it. "Thanks, it will be nice to have some personal stuff around to help remind me of my best friend."

Elena smiled, almost getting shy, now. "I had fun getting you these things," she said. "Oh, I think this is actually the most important one." She handed him the picture frame with several photos of Ripley in it. It was gift-wrapped.

Opening the last gift, Alex went quiet when he saw a picture of Ripley. "I think I'm going to miss him most of all. Will you take good care of him for me? He needs to have a daily walk and he needs to be played with as well."

"Don't worry about it. Ripley won't have reason to complain. I'll send you pictures of him with a recent newspaper to prove to you he's all right," Elena laughed.

Alex snickered and leaned in to hug her. "Thanks."

"Look, I feel really bad leaving you here on your own. Can we give all these things a place just to make it look more homey and less like a prison cell?" she asked him.

"I would like that very much. Want to help me make the bed?"

"Yes, but, what about this? We put the desk in front of that window so you can look outside while you write or work on something, since you get to finish school here. And then if we turn the bed ninety degrees, it can go in front of the other window and you can lounge on it, too." It would definitely brighten things up.

Critically, Alex looked at the room. He soon realised she was right. "Do you think we're allowed to move the furniture?"

Elena shrugged. "It's your room, isn't it? Why not? If they don't allow it, they can put everything back themselves."

Together they started and moved the furniture. "You were right, this is much, much better." They made the bed together and then they gave the framed pictures a place on his desk, along with the other gifts. "Do you think you'll be able to visit me some time?"

"If I'm allowed to, I will. Definitely. I'd miss training to come visit you." Elena squinted and pointed at Alex. "My dad would tell you that's the ultimate sacrifice I can bring."

"I know," he smiled as he playfully grabbed her finger. "So, what are you going to do this summer?"

"Besides gymnastics, you mean?" Elena pulled her finger free. "Well, we usually go on a three-week holiday with our family. My dad actually received a promotion because of your case, since they caught the drug dealers or suppliers or whatever, so we get one week extra with him this year. Thanks to you, really."

"He got promoted? I thought he was scared he was going to lose his job." Alex was happy, though. Elena's parents had been the only ones interested in finding out the truth. They cared about him as a human being and that was a rare find. Especially since it had seemed like an open and shut case.

"He was, but this case ended up having a much bigger impact than anyone originally thought. Your neighbourhood's actually become a bit safer now."

"That's good. Maybe some of those kids will actually have a chance now," Alex stated softly. He grasped her hand in his. "When do you have to leave?"

"Before bedtime, I guess. I don't know. Dad's waiting downstairs. We can take the tour of the building and facilities together, I'm sure Dad would like to see where you'll be staying as well."

"I'd like to stay here for a little while longer. What's your favourite star?"

"Star? What do you mean? A celebrity, a light in the sky..."

"A star, you know, when it gets dark at night and there are no clouds and there is no moon... which is your favourite constellation?"

"I guess I never thought about it. What's your favourite, then?" She wrapped her fingers around his hand and held onto it. His palm was warm and dry.

"Orion," he answered without a doubt. "That's my favourite constellation."

"Why?" Elena wanted to know.

"Because it shines brightest in the winter from November to February when everything here on earth is at its darkest and most depressing state. It's a hunter, standing guard."

"It sounds beautiful," Elena said, "I'll look it up and then see if I can recognise it at night. We'll be looking at the same stars and then you won't be so alone."

"I'd like that, yes." A soft smile appeared on Alex' face. Despite everything, he was relaxed. "Well, I think it's time to face the music, wouldn't you agree?"

"I hate leaving you here, but I'll think about you. Your room looks nice, at least. We could stay for the tour if you'd like. I hear they have a swimming pool here. That's nice."

He chuckled, "I can't swim, Elena." At the bewildered look on her face, he chuckled. "Maybe I'll learn how to swim while I'm here."

She bumped her fist into his arm. "Make it a goal."

"I will." He stood and held out his hand to her. "Come on, let's go find your dad."

Elena put her hand in Alexander's and they walked out of his room together. When they walked into the room where her father was waiting for her, Elena thought it better to be safe than sorry and let go of Alex' hand. "We made sure Alex' room looks nice," Elena told her dad.

"That's good." He could tell from the smile on both of their faces that it had been a success. "I talked to the staff, we can all have a tour of the facilities and if we want to, we can stay here for dinner, then we have to go."

Elena looked at Alex. "Will you let us stay for a little while longer?"

"Yeah," Alex nodded. "It would be nice to have dinner together."

The coordinator of the centre walked over to them and introduced herself. "Ready for your tour?"

Elena had never been in a rehabilitation centre before and she was curious, studying everything they came across during the tour. She wondered how nobody got lost here in this maze. Contrary to the people who lived here, the halls and common rooms looked cheerful. There was even a small library with wonderful reading corners. "I'd spend all my time here," Elena sighed as they all admired the library.

"I don't doubt it, princess," Booth whispered as he kissed her temple, his arm wrapped loosely around her waist.

Alex nodded. "This seems like a very welcoming, peaceful place." He looked up at Elena's father. "I'll do everything that I can, Sir, in order to get better."

Booth held out his hand and as Alex shook it, he replied. "And you will, son."

Their tour guide announced it was time for dinner and they went to the cafeteria. There were a lot of people there. Some people chose to eat in their room, some preferred the company. Elena thought it was nice that everyone got a choice. That way, Alex could feel as comfortable as possible. They all took plates and stood in line to get their dinner. Elena felt grateful to her father for letting them stay as long as they could.

"Why don't we eat outside?" Booth suggested as they all had their plates. The two kids - well, teenagers - agreed and they went outside. Enjoying the warmth of the sun, they had dinner. Booth gently steered the conversation away from heavy topics to safe things, such as favourite movies, favourite day of the year, and he genuinely made an effort to get to know Alex as one of his daughter's friends. Instead of a junkie and a former prime suspect in a murder case.

Elena kept sending her father grateful smiles. Now, she could feel less guilty about leaving Alex alone here. Her dad showed that he genuinely cared, which also meant she'd be able to keep all her promises.

Alex slowly relaxed and once they were done eating, he was okay with the fact that they would be leaving soon. "Will you go with me to get a library book? I'd like to go up to my room after that."

Elena agreed and Booth told them he would meet them at Alex' room, offering to clean up their plates. Alex accepted and the teenagers stood and returned to the library.

"Anything you'd recommend?" Alex asked Elena once they stood in front of the books together.

Elena chuckled knowingly. "Yes. Moby Dick. But you've already read that one."

"How about something more along the lines of this..." Alex reached for a few comic books.

Elena made a face. "I don't like those. Then again, I won't be the one reading them. If you like them, you should take them," she encouraged him.

Armed with a stack of comic books to beat the boredom, they returned to his room, where her dad was waiting for them. They walked inside and Alex gave his friend a quick hug. "Thank you. I'll write you soon."

Elena squeezed him when they hugged. "Write me," she told him, "And make me proud, or better, make yourself proud. I'll be looking at the stars for you."

"I'll be looking at the stars with you," Alex promised her. He kissed her cheek and then let her go. He walked her out of his room and into the capable hands of her father. "I'll let you know something soon," he promised again. "Bye, Elena. By, Mr Booth."

Booth nodded and tenderly he wrapped an arm around Elena's shoulders as she said goodbye.

Elena leaned into her dad when they left. She felt sad for leaving Alex by himself. She got into the car and heaved a big sigh. "I hated Alex' guts when I first met him at school," she remembered, "I thought he was a bully."

"You should never judge a book by its cover," Booth agreed. "Are you okay, princess?"

"I'm always okay, Dad. But not every kid my age is. I have all of you, we live in a wonderful house, I get to do what I love every day and I feel I have unlimited opportunities." Elena paused, thinking she shouldn't feel sad about being so lucky in life. She should be grateful and help others where she could. "Alex isn't okay, but I hope he will be."

"You can be sad, though, Elena. It's not easy to leave someone behind, even if it's for their own good. You're right. He will get better. He's strong. And he's not alone."

Elena looked at her father as he drove them further away from Alex. "Can we have hot chocolate when we get home?"

That was a clear sign that she was not as okay as she wanted him to believe. "Of course. We can have hot chocolate and if you want to, I'm sure your mother wouldn't mind if you want to sleep in our bed tonight."

Elena smiled. "I'm almost sixteen. I should get over sleeping in my parents' bed. Maybe Tommy wants to do a sleepover tonight."

"Elena. You're my daughter. You might be 35 one day and if you need to lay down with me and Mom, to feel safe and loved, we will let you. You will be my daughter, forever. It doesn't stop at your sixteenth or eighteenth birthday, little monster."

"So I'll never be able to get rid of you guys?" Elena chuckled. "I'm happy about that."

"Never," he promised her. "I know that you and I haven't been seeing eye to eye lately, but I'm your dad and I love you. I trust you."

"I know that. I love you, too. I'm just - sometimes I feel guilty for being so lucky and so happy. If I could give my hot chocolate to Alex, I would, you know."

"I know," Booth glanced over at her after he changed lanes. "I have some advice for you, darling. It was my Pops that gave it to me, actually."

"What was it?" Elena asked curiously.

"You have to take care of yourself, before you can take care of anyone else."

Elena sat back in the seat. "Grandpa Pops is right. He makes a lot of sense," she agreed.

"I know you want to be there for your friend, Elena, and I won't stop you, but now, you should focus on school and gymnastics. You can write him and when we can, we will visit him, but you can't put all of your energy into him, okay? And that goes for all of your friends."

"Dad, I always focus on school and gymnastics. Speaking of which, I'm in the team for regionals. I really want to make nationals this year, so I'll be working extra hard. You'll all come watch my competition, right? And Jared and the grandpas? Uncle Russ if he has time. Aunt Angela for sure, she has to do my hair like last time when I won. It's my lucky hair-do, now," Elena chuckled.

Booth smiled. "I'm sure they will all be there, princess." Booth continued to talk to his daughter about small things and bigger things and he enjoyed the father-daughter time he had with her. By the time they arrived home, it was dark. He parked the car and looked at her. "You okay, baby girl?"

"I feel relieved that everything turned out okay in the end. I know it sounds corny, but this whole thing made me realise how lucky I am to have you all as family, and to be able to do things I love. You're still the best parents ever, even if you won't get us a dog," Elena smiled.

Booth leaned over the central console and hugged his daughter. "I'll talk to Mom about it," he promised her. "Will you be okay in your own bed? Or would you rather have a camping trip in the living room with your brother? It is a Friday night after all, you could sleep in tomorrow morning."

Elena's eyes lit up. "I'd like to go camping with Tommy. He'll love it, and I need to give him more attention. I'm afraid I've been neglecting him a little."

"You're his sister, not his mother, but I do think he will enjoy it if you spent some time with him. I'll make you hot chocolate and I'm sure that Mom will let you bake pancakes."

Elena pressed a kiss to her father's cheek. "Love you, Dad. It all sounds great." They got out of the car and went inside their house.

Booth followed, promising himself he would make sure to keep an eye on her. She was, after all, her mother's daughter and both of his girls had a tendency to overwhelm themselves with work. Following her inside, Booth spent the rest of the night with his family, enjoying the love and warmth their family shared easily with one another.

Elena held her brother in her arms the entire evening. They sat together, Thomas leaning against her on the couch, measuring Elena's impressive biceps as usual, then comparing his own arms with his sister's. He was easily reconciled with the fact that his sister would be forever stronger than him. Their parents were spoiling them that evening, and the kids loved it. Their family was like a warm cocoon, and Elena vowed she'd always be there for her brother to make sure he had his cocoon for as long as she had. As for Alex, she'd help him create a cocoon, too.

That was it for now, dear readers. We hope to meet again for the last few chapters, and to make up a little for this hiatus, we're letting you know we've decided to make this a trilogy, so after this story, expect a fresh, new fic with our familiar characters. Of course, we'll have travelled in time again, but more about that later. We appreciate your reviews enormously and they are still welcome!