My apologies if you think this is a slow story. I am a fan of building up to something in my stories, so you'll have to bear with me!


The sun went down more slowly than usual it seemed. Brennan sat there feeling hollow. She had spoken with Megan's mother, and the poor woman was in hysterics. It turned out the mummy was not Megan, so she was still out there. Brennan wondered where the girl could have gone. Ripley pawed at her leg, bringing her back to the present.

"Okay," she said, getting up. He was eager to get home and have his treat, the one he got after every evening walk. It still amazed her how he was so tuned into their routine. Once they were back, she tossed him his dentastick and pressed play on her machine.

"Hey, it's Russ. You wanna meet the girls this weekend? Let me know." Beeeep.

"Hi, baby, it's Dad. Just checking in. Talk to you later." Beeeep.

"Hi it's...it's Sully. I just wanted to say hi and let you know that I'm all right. I miss you. I hope you're okay. Okay...bye." Beeeep.

Brennan stared at her machine when the last message finished. Sully? Ripley was looking at her, recognizing Sully's voice. He hadn't left a number for her to call. She didn't know if she wanted to even if he had. He had walked right out of her life as easy as someone walking out of a restaurant they'd never come back to. She pressed play again, and when it got to his message, she pushed down on the button.

"Message erased," her machine chirped.

Ripley cocked his head at her.

"Sully is the past," she told him. "We don't live in the past, remember?" He woofed a little in response.

"Glad you agree," she nodded. She called Russ back and told him that yes, she would love to meet the girls that weekend. She didn't call her father because she knew he didn't expect her to. Then she cornered Ripley and dressed him up as Wishbone. He gave her a very disgruntled look once she was finished, but she just ruffled his ears.

"It's for the kids," she told him. She went to change into her Wonder Woman outfit and pinned on the cape. It was Halloween after all.


"Megan's okay!" Angela shouted, bursting into her classroom the next morning. It had hit the news early that morning.

"Really?" Brennan asked, getting excited.

"Yes! Some sicko had her captive and was using her snake phobia to basically scare her to death," Angela explained. "That poor girl will have a long road of recovery ahead of her, but she is now safe."

"Where did they find her?" Brennan asked.

"Under Aloha Flowers," Angela shuddered. "I'm never going there again."

"That would be an ideal place for mummification," Brennan mused, thinking about it. The dry, warm air from the subway would be perfect.

"You weird me out sometimes you know that?" Angela asked, scrunching her face up at Brennan's comment.

"I'm a science teacher. I can't help it," Brennan laughed. "Sorry."

"Ugh. I'm just glad she's safe. Do you think I should go see her?" Angela asked.

"Maybe give them some time," Brennan suggested.

"You're probably right. Okay, time to get some paint thrown on me again!" Angela said, faking enthusiasm. She walked out, giving Brennan a mock look of excitement as she went out the door. The bell rang, and as always, Parker was in first. Brennan wondered if he sat outside her door until the bell rang just so he could always be first.

"My Dad's a hero!" Parker called, setting his bag down under his desk.

"Oh?" Brennan asked.

"Yea! He saved a girl yesterday. Well, him and Catwoman," Parker added.

"Really," Brennan said, staring at him. What did his father do exactly? She was interrupted by another student asking her a question about the day's test she'd promised the day before. She meant to get back to the conversation, but Parker was now animatedly talking to another student, so she let it go. She'd find out one day.


"Russ, can we get a puppy?" Emma asked. She was lying on the floor next to Ripley and petting him. Hayley was crouched next to him and rubbing his belly. Ripley gave Brennan a look of "this is the life" when she looked over at him.

"We'll see," Russ said. Amy smiled at the girls.

"That usually means no," Hayley sighed.

"You can borrow this puppy when you're here," Brennan offered.

"It's not the same," Emma said sadly. Amy gave her a look. "But thank you, Auntie Temperance."

"How's work?" Russ asked.

"It's good. I have great classes this year. Most of the kids actually want to learn," Brennan smiled. She was thinking of Parker.

"Maybe you could get the girls interested in science," Russ suggested. "They say it's for boys."

"Ask Dad. If anyone can spark the flame of interest, it's him," Brennan laughed.

"Have you heard from Dad?" Russ asked. "I'm kind of worried about him."

"He surprised me a few days ago just before Halloween. He did call, but I haven't called him back yet."

"Do you ever wonder what our lives would be like if Mom and Dad hadn't taken us with them?" Russ asked suddenly.

"No. I can't imagine them ever doing such a horrible thing to us," Brennan replied. "This life is perfect."

"It's good," Russ agreed. He smiled at Amy, who was watching him.

"Time for bed, girls," Amy said after a moment. The "awws" and "do I have tos?" started.

"Ripley can sleep with you if you want," Brennan said. Ripley gave a whine. He usually slept in bed with her.

"Can he?!" Emma asked excitedly.

"Of course," Amy nodded. The girls jumped up and hauled Ripley off to their bedroom with them. Brennan had made up the pullout couch for Russ and Amy and given the guest bed to the girls to share. This was the only time she wished she had a house.

"Where did you find Ripley anyway?" Russ asked, watching them with a smile on his face.

"He was a puppy at the pound. The family who had him first took him back because he wasn't 'smart' enough for them," Brennan scoffed. "To me, he's the smartest dog I've ever met."

"That's good you rescued him," Russ commented. "You never know who comes for a dog in a pound and for what purpose."

"I know. That was what I was thinking," Brennan nodded.

"So, how's dating?" Amy asked, resting her chin on her hands and grinning at Brennan.

"Oh, that's very...absent," Brennan laughed. "But I'm okay with that right now."

"She's very independent," Russ said seriously.

"Don't you miss having someone to talk to?" Amy asked, curious.

"I have Ripley for that. He doesn't give me guff or talk back," Brennan teased. "I also have Angela."

"You know what I mean," Amy replied.

"I do. It was nice when Sully was around, but honestly, I'm fine on my own. I don't have much time for a man anyway," Brennan added. It was true. She had homework to mark, her book to write, Ripley, and countless other things that took up her time. A man only made scheduling things more difficult. She visited with her brother and Amy for a little longer before going to bed herself. Only one more day left before Monday.


"Hey, Dad, it's me," Brennan said, her phone propped against her ear as she got ready to go to work. "Sorry it took me so long to call you back. Things have been crazy, and Russ was here all weekend. Anyway, I hope you're okay. Call me." She hung up and tossed her phone onto the couch. She gave Ripley his regular pat down before going out the door and down the stairs. Her mind was fairly absent when she reached the school. She was oblivious to her surroundings.

"Hi," Seeley said as she almost crashed into him at the door.

"Oh!" she cried. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't even watching where I was going."

"It's okay," he shrugged. "I get that a lot."

"I'm usually the first one here," Brennan noted.

"Ah," he nodded.

"So Parker tells me you're a hero," she said as she went inside. Seeley followed her.

"Did he?" Seeley asked. She could hear the pride in his voice.

"Mmhmm. You saved Megan," Brennan said, looking at him while unlocking her classroom.

"You knew her?" Seeley asked as they went inside, surprised.

"Yes. She was a student here. How is she doing? I keep meaning to call, but I feel it's too soon," Brennan responded.

"I haven't checked in yet," Seeley admitted. "I can't get the image of her terrified face out of my head though." He sat on Parker's desk, looking disgruntled.

"Maybe you should see a therapist?" she suggested. "Are you with the FBI? I met your new psychologist the other day. Lance something or other."

"Pfft. Yea, sure," Seeley snorted. "Like that kid could actually help me."

"Hmm," she agreed. Her heart sank. So he was FBI. This could be a problem. She put her purse away and pulled out the day's agenda. Then a thought came to her.

"Why are you here so early?" she asked.

"I wanted to talk to you about Parker," Seeley replied. "Is he really doing well? He always hated science before. I'm just curious."

"He's doing very well," Brennan told him. "And I do have office hours that you can schedule, you know."

"Right," Seeley said, looking sheepish.

"Is that all you came here for?"

"Um, yea," he nodded.

"Well, Seeley, you can be assured that Parker is a fine student," Brennan smiled.

"It's Booth," he said.

"Excuse me?"

"Booth. I prefer people call me Booth, not Seeley."

"I'm confused. Isn't Booth your last name?" she asked.

"Yea. I just...Seeley doesn't have that umph to it, you know? Sounds kind of cheesy when I'm trying to be important."

"And Booth has that umph?" she probed.

"It sure does," he grinned. "Let me demonstrate." He imitated holding a phone to his ear.

"What...?"

"Seeley," he said, faking a mocking tone.

"That's not your real voice..."

"Or," he cut her off, holding up his finger. "Booth." She paused.

"Okay. I see it," she agreed.

"Right?"

"Yes. Booth has that tough guy sound to it," she smirked. His eyes twinkled with laughter back at her.

"I, uh, have to get to work," he said after a moment.

"Okay," she nodded.

"Are you...seeing anyone?" Booth asked hesitantly. Brennan was surprised by his forwardness.

"I...well..."

"Sweetie, you're not gonna believe what just happ-hello," Angela said, stopping in her tracks. She eyed Booth up and down with that look Brennan knew all too well.

"Hi," Booth said.

"I'm Angela," she replied, holding out her hand. He shook it.

"Booth," he countered.

"I've never seen you before. I would have remembered," Angela said coyly.

"He's a parent," Brennan cut in. "He was just leaving."

"Right," Booth nodded. He looked like he didn't want to leave, but he did anyway. Angela dropped her jaw as she watched him walk away. Then she swiveled to face Brennan.

"Oh. My. God," she said slowly. "Where did he come from?!"

"He picked up Parker one day," Brennan shrugged. Angela came over to her desk.

"Do you like him? Please say yes. Sweetie, he's a frickin model."

"It's too soon to tell," Brennan said vaguely.

"Date him," Angela ordered.

"Ange..."

"Do it."

"I can't..."

"Date the man," Angela cut her off. "The very hot man who left here looking as though he lost his puppy."

"Ange," Brennan laughed, blushing.

"I knew it," she crowed. "You like him!"

"Maybe I think about him a little. That doesn't mean I like him."

"Oh, honey. Don't lie to yourself," Angela sighed.

"So what was the thing I'll never believe?" Brennan asked, changing the subject.

"Oh, that. Gary Kirby told me he thinks his father is a dirty FBI agent," Angela snorted. "Can you believe that guy?"

"Ange, that's a pretty serious accusation," Brennan said, looking at her.

"He has no evidence! He's just mad because his father won't let him join the FBI," Angela said dismissively. Brennan felt oddly about this. There was clearly a reason Gary would think his father was corrupted. That wasn't something people just spit out on a whim. The bell rang then, ending all further conversation.

"We're not done talking about hot boy," Angela said, walking out the door. Brennan breathed a sigh of relief. At least she had more time to become a better liar.


"Hi, baby. I just got your message. I gotta lay low for a while. I will explain later. I love you." Beeeep.

"What has he done now?" Brennan asked herself in a mutter. Ripley nudged her leg.

"Yes, yes, we're going," she said, grabbing his leash and snapping it onto his collar. He practically yanked her out the door and down the stairs. Once outside, he relieved himself, and they started off on a more casual walk. Brennan was preoccupied with thoughts of what her father had meant when he said he needed to lay low for a while. She desperately hoped he hadn't gotten himself into anymore trouble. How many fake names could he go through in his lifetime? She sure wasn't going to change her name. She was established as Temperance Brennan. She looked across the way at the Jeffersonian building. It was a dream she had of working there. Brainiacks like her worked there. She would totally fit in. Sighing, she forced herself to look away. She had made the choice to be a teacher instead. She was happy. She was. If only she could be a hundred percent convinced of that.


"So you really like your teacher?" Booth asked Parker, who was doing up a drawing. Booth was peering over his son's head to see what it was. It looked like a certain teacher in front of a blackboard with hearts on it. It looked like he and his son had a crush on the same woman. That was a little weird. Booth shoved that thought out of his head quickly.

"Yes! Miss Brennan is very smart and makes me feel smart too," Parker nodded. He looked up at Booth, catching him craning his neck. "Why?"

"I just wondered," Booth said nonchalantly, leaning back onto the counter. He really liked Miss Brennan. Temperance. She was very beautiful, and he desperately wanted to get to know her better. He wished the Angela woman hadn't interrupted them this morning. He would have to try again soon. Very soon. In fact...

"Hey, Parker, can you tell your mom I'll drop you off at school tomorrow?" Booth asked.

"Yup," Parker agreed. Perfect. Now he had an excuse to see her again.


There will be more B&B interaction in the next chapter :) Thanks for reading and reviewing! I love getting the notifications :D