Brennan drove her car towards her apartment. She needed space to think things through clearly. The Lincoln Memorial shown brightly in the distance and Brennan smirked as she recalled her many memories of sitting with Booth near and around the park.

Sober and Drunk

Brennan sat on the park bench staring out at the sight before her. The reflecting pond sit completely still around her and the memorial stood quietly in the distance.

A tear rolls down her cheek as the warm sun begins to peek through the clouds.

The case had an unexpected effect on Brennan. She didn't know where all this extra emotion came from and it frustrated her to no end. She had always had the ability to compartmentalize everything, but this case did not allow her to.

He is going to get away with it and there is nothing you can do Temperance.

Brennan scolded herself for letting this get to her.

For once, Brennan was not able to give Booth the evidence he needed to convict the man who murdered his children. There was not enough proof.

Brennan cursed under her breath as she looked towards the sky. Months earlier, Brennan had gotten her father off murder charges, and this case was very similar. They knew it was the father, but it could not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.

So, there Brennan sat pouting. She pulled the coffee up to her lips and smiled at its effects. Angela suggested she add something to her coffee to help her relax a bit.

Brennan had three cups of coffee with something called Bailey's in it.

She was really feeling relaxed and decided to take a walk, with her fourth traveler's mug full of 'coffee'.

Booth pulled his car up to the monument and saw her sitting there.

Thank God, he thought as he ran to her side.

"Bones! I have been calling you for hours! Don't you ever scare me like that again! I thought you were hurt or-" Booth looked at his partner.

She wasn't looking at him or even realized he was there.

"Bones, are you alright?" Booth walked closer to her.

Still nothing.

Booth sat down next to his partner and looked out where she was looking.

Families strolled by and children laughed while they played. Booth smiled as he watched his partner look at the families in wonder.

Brennan turned and smiled a goofy smile.

"SEELEY!" Brennan squealed as she threw her arms up in the air.

Booth could smell the liquor on her breath.

"Are you drunk?" Booth whispered through his teeth.

"Shh!" Brennan put her finger on his mouth. "No, I just had coffee with some stuff Angela gave me to put in it!" Brennan leaned back on the bench.

"Bones, I think I need to take you home."

"But, I like it here!" Brennan leaned in and stared into his eyes. Booth felt his heart race as he had never seen his partner act like this before.

"So do I, but I think we should go, so that we are allowed to come back here." Booth smirked at his partner.

"I think we should go swimming in the water." Brennan stood up and ran over to the reflecting pond. Booth ran after her and grabbed her away from the pond, not before she dunked her shoe.

"Bones! Stop it!" Booth took a deep breath. "I know this case really got to you. Sometimes, we don't catch the bad guy." Booth held her shoulders and looked into her eyes.

"You don't know anything!" Brennan poked Booth with one finger in his chest. "I know, that he did it, and he is still out free!"

Booth raised his eyebrow.

"And I love him, Booth! I am a bad person! What is wrong with me?" Brennan stomped her foot like a child.

"What are you talking about?" Booth was really confused.

"My dad Booth. This father from our case was just like my dad." Brennan said very quietly.

Booth took a moment and looked at Brennan with disbelief.

"Bones, that guy was nothing like your dad. He killed his family. Your father did everything to protect his family." Booth looked into her eyes.

"And remember, you are not a bad anything." Booth pulled a crying Brennan into a hug.

They stood by the monument for a while, staring at the people and events going on around them. Brennan began to giggle uncontrollably.

"Bones, you do not handle your alcohol very well."

"Yes I do! I can do anything right now! Ask me anything!" Brennan sat down on the pavement.

Booth rolled his eyes and picked up his partner.

"Booth! Stop it!" Brennan giggled. "Seriously, where are we going?"

"We are going to get some food and you some new coffee." He began walking to the car.

"I think you are very nice Seeley Booth." Brennan kissed the side of his face.

Booth smirked, blushed slighly, and set his partner down. He let her walk the rest of the way to the car.

"Booth?"

"Yeah."

"I am sorry."

"For what?" Booth looked at Brennan.

"For letting you and those kids down." Brennan leaned on the car.

Booth shook his head and leaned his hand against the car looking Brennan in the face.

"Bones, I-"

"Booth! Let's go swimming!" Brennan started to walk towards the pond again.

"What is with you and swimming?" Booth grabbed her arm, picked up Brennan over his shoulder, and carefully put her in the front seat of the car. She protested loudly, but he didn't care.

"Hey!" He gently grabbed her wrists. "You have never let me down." Booth slammed Brennan's car door shut.

Booth took a moment before walking around to the other side of the car.

Lord help us. Booth looked up and got into the car.

It was going to be a long night.