As they drove, Brennan did what she could with the makeup she'd had Parker bring her. A bit of water from a water bottle and hair gel allowed her to crimp her hair. All in all it was a decent recreation of Roxie. The cast was a bit of a hindrance, but then, when had her job ever been simple? Jack looked over and gave a low whistle of approval.
"Jack!" Brennan exclaimed, "You're engaged and I'm married!" she teased.
"Dr. Temperance Brennan teasing people?" he asked. "Why didn't we marry you off sooner?"
They pulled up in front of the restaurant and Brennan maneuvered her way out of the car. As soon as she set foot in the restaurant she saw Booth. Somehow he'd managed to do a decent recreation of the Vegas outfit, complete with hat. She gave him a smile and a squeal.
"Tony!" she called out in her nasally voice.
"Roxie, baby!" he called back, "I got you somethin' a little nicer to wear. If yous knows what I mean." His wink sent a shiver down her spine. She smiled seductively at him and took the bag he extended.
"I'll be right back, Tiger," she drawled, turning toward the bathroom. She entered the handicapped stall, and pulled the clothes from the bag, sighing as she recognized an extremely short mini-dress. The boots were tall and black, but flat, allowing her to still walk without fear of breaking her other ankle. A little extra time at the mirror produced a satisfactory 'Roxie' look.
Brennan smiled at Booth's reaction as she emerged from the bathroom. His eyebrows shot up to his hairline and he let out a low whistle.
"That's what I'm talkin' 'bout, baby!" he exclaimed.
"You got a plan, Tony?" Brennan asked.
"Plan, the Tiger's always got a plan. We're the new neighbors. We knock on the door, we push our way into the house, you distract him with your charm while I search the place. We find something, we call it in."
"I'm not sure, Tony," Brennan said.
"You'll be great, Roxie, relax. Just like Vegas." She nodded and he grabbed her hand to help her up.
"Let's get this show on the road."
--
Brennan fidgeted nervously as she and Booth waited for their suspect to open his door. She felt Booth's hand rub her back as if to calm her nerves. She smiled up at him and gave a nervous giggle. Just then the door opened and there suspect appeared.
"What ever it is, I don't want any," The man growled. He moved to slam the door in their faces, but Booth stopped him.
"We're not sellin' nothing, just trying to be neighbor-like. I'm Tony, this here's my lady Roxie, we just moved in down the street a ways and we wanted to meet yous." Brennan smiled an alluring smile and immediately gained the man's attention.
"I'm Jack," he said, opening the door wider to allow them in. He escorted them to the living room.
"Can I offer you something to drink?" he asked. Brennan tossed her head of messy curls.
"Sure, sweet stuff, what you got that ain't so strong? This thing hampers all my fun." Brennan gave a sexy pout and batted her eyelashes. With the suspect fully distracted, Booth snuck away. Brennan kept the act up until he returned and stood by the door. They said goodbye and Booth helped her to the car. Once she was settled in, he fished out his cell phone and called dispatch. He had found something.
--
Hours later, Booth, Brennan and Parker stood outside the closed door to Rebecca's hospital room. She had been found in a hidden room behind a bookcase in the basement of the house. The small room was still covered in the blood of the other victims and for most of the day had been kept pitch black. She had barely been fed and hadn't been allowed to leave the room. The doctors said she would be alright after a time, but for now she was exhausted and malnourished and on the edge of a psychotic breakdown. The doctors had advised Booth and Brennan that it might be a good idea to let Rebecca see Parker, as the killer had probably made threats on her son's life. Booth held Parker's hand tightly as he opened the door. Rebecca lay in a semi-sitting position, awake, her brown eyes staring blankly at the television. She turned her head to the sound of the door opening and smiled as she saw Parker. She extended the arm which wasn't covered in IV lines and the little boy ran to her. He buried his face in her shoulder and laughed.
"I'm happy you're okay, Mommy!" he exclaimed. Rebecca planted a kiss on his head.
"Climb on up here with me, Little Man," she said, gingerly moving to make room. Parker did as he was invited. After settling himself in he began to chatter on about anything and everything, focusing on the time he had spent with Brennan in the lab an how exciting it was that his day camp was teaching him how to be a squint. Rebecca just smiled and let him talk, absently running her fingers through his hair as he did.
Brennan felt Booth's arm come around her and he led her down to the hospital cafeteria.
They sat in silence, each nursing a cup of coffee. An untouched piece of pie sat in front of Booth. Brennan drew in a breath, unsure of how to approach telling her husband about Parker's revelation. She decided to stick with what was most comfortable and told him flat out. Booth considered for a minute before answering.
"He mentioned something like that before the barbecue. But I know that you don't want children, and Rebecca would never let us have him anyway." Brennan snuggled in close to her husband.
"You know, Booth, I never used to think I'd celebrate Christmas or be married. You've made a lot of changes in my life, changes that have helped me see the joy I've been deprived of for all these years. Having children doesn't seem like such a terrible concept anymore" She smiled up at Booth and he returned it. "Not saying that I'm ready for you to get me pregnant tonight, but I'm not so set against the motherhood idea anymore."
"So if I wanted to ask Rebecca for more time with Parker, you'd be alright with that?"
"I'd be furious with you if you didn't Booth."
--
Sorry it keeps taking so long for me to write this. For some reason my CSI stories are just easier… This one is almost done, just the epilogue left, but the whole president's case thing will carry over into the sequel, The Story Beneath the Boy.