Disclaimer: I don't own them, surprising right?
A/N: Did you guys watch the new episode? I swear I was awwing and swooning the entire time. I definitely think Brennan needs to show us that nude omlete making picture. Show of hand, anyone else want to see it? : ) anyways, here's the new chapter. Sorry it took so long, but I am only in highschool and I have four AP classes that pretty much rule my life. So enjoy:
It was a normal day at the Hoover Building, that is until Dr. Temperance Brennan walked in. The workplace had stopped and everyone started to stare at her. The loss of their fallen special agent had taken them all hard, but they all knew that Dr. Brennan would take it the worst. She seemed as clueless as ever and instead immediately walked into Agent Booth's office without so much as saying hello to any of the agents. Not that she knew any of them well, except for Booth, she always knew Booth. Coworker's eyes met each other in wondering what she doing here and also a brief smile in the fact that some things never changed including Dr. Brennan dismissing all of them whenever she walk onto the floor.
Things changed for Brennan once she entered her former partner's office. His desk was cluttered with case work, and papers he had not filled out yet. He always procrastinated, always. His computer was still on, with background checks for some of their suspects from the last case. She hoped that the FBI had caught the killer, because she was sure Hacker had given the case to someone else to finish up. She sat down in his chair, this room smelled like him, it had his distinct scent.
To know that someone would soon be occupying this space-Booth's space- hurt. She did not understand the feelings that were overwhelming her and she hated them. She hated that now that he was gone, she was expected to fall apart and to not be herself. She had never fallen apart of front of others and now that her partner was gone nothing changed, except the fact that she lost someone she trusted.
She looked at the pictures around the room. One was a standard issued FBI portrait of a peaceful meadow, she knew how much he hated it and wanted that thing torn down, so she did it. She ripped the portrait off the wall and threw it on the floor, before sitting back down at his desk. It felt good to be destructive and angry. She knew it was her body relieving itself of stress. She looked at the area.
How many times had he sat here and she had sat across from him just shooting him knowing glances and him shooting back loving looks? She grabbed the picture of her, Parker, and him and held it to her chest. She wanted that moment again and mainly she wanted to have not missed their moment. The moment that she now wanted, now longed for more than ever.
"Dr. B?"
Hodgins scared her, his voice made her jump. She looked up to see him, Angela, Cam, and Sweets all standing there. What were they all doing her? Sensing her best friend's discomfort, Angela stepped forward and smiled at Brennan, hoping that it would give her some comfort in this heart wrenching moment.
"We came to help, Sweetie. Booth has a lot of stuff here and we didn't want you to feel overwhelmed. So here we are for your disposal. Just tell us what to do boss."
Brennan was left speechless, she knew that these people were her family and a family was a group of people that worked together and supported each other, but she did not expect this from them. She didn't expect their love and never understood how she ever deserved it. Cam noticed her obvious inability to comprehend what was happening.
"Dr. Brennan, we loved him too, this is not something you have to go through alone. We are all here for you."
Brennan nodded at her, but did not respond. She did not want to dwell on Booth's death, because if she did she would not take it through many more days.
"Oh-Okay. Well I will work on his desk. Ange, you can work on his side tables and walls. Cam, Sweets, and Hodgins take each third of the room. There are boxes by the door, but since Booth is not coming back we need to decide whether to put it into storage or..or."
"Sell it sweetie, we'd have to sell it."
Brennan was taken aback by the idea of selling her partner's things. She knew that these things would not have a place in any of their homes, but what if Parker one day wanted it. What if he wanted his father's things to put into his home? So she shakes her head. There is no way that is happening.
"No, I'll put everything in storage, so just put everything in boxes."
They continued to put things in boxes and soon the office that had always held so much life for Brennan was now desolate. The group sat on the floor of Booth's office, just taking the scene in. Brennan knew this was the last time she would step foot in this office, possibly even in this building if need be. She just didn't think she could work with the FBI anymore, because Booth had made it his mission to serve and protect this country. Even though he didn't die out in the field, she could only help placing some of the blame on Hacker and Sully and once upon a time Cullen, because they had worked her Booth into the ground.
Her thoughts wandered to Parker in the comfortable silence. She wondered if he was in class, making others laugh or at least being the happy boy he used to be. Actually, he was probably already out of class at home doing his homework, like the good child he was. She wondered if she would ever be able to see him again or if Rebecca would let her jealousy be put in front of what the six year old needed.
And what of her? She still had the innate need for a child. She still had the desire to become a mother. Was it wrong, though? Was it wrong to bring a child into the world without a living father? I can't do it. Listen, I have to be involved. If I'm the father, then… I have to be a father. She holds her head on both sides as his voice penetrates her ears. Her face contorting in pain from hearing his voice. Why could she still hear him?
"Bren, are you okay? What just happened? Cam?"
She opened her eyes to see Angela right in front of her face and Cam standing by waiting to check on her. Sweets and Hodgins have scooted closer to her and are waiting to be appraised of the situation. She smiles and tries to be reassuring to them but it isn't good enough.
"You all are going to think I'm insane."
"I think I can be the judge of that, Dr. Brennan."
Sweets tells her and as much as she wants to scoff at him and tell him that his science is a soft science, she doesn't. She has no more energy to disagree with those closest to her. What if they end up gone like Booth? What if she had something to tell them and she never gets chance? There are too many what ifs in her life now.
"I..I hear him, his voice. The things he said to me that day and before that day, I hear them. I hear them and it breaks my heart, metaphorically speaking."
There is a collective silence and Brennan feels her heart beat in her head and she hates it. She hates her life at the moment.
"May I speak with Angela and Cam alone?"
Hodgins bows his head at her. They had always been equals. The same number of doctorates. The same salary. And at the beginning they had the same outlook on life. However, she has always been his boss in some way, shape and form. He always was ruled by the things she asked for. He almost felt like he owed her that much for the damage the world had caused her.
"Yes. Hodgins and I will go to my office. Dr. Brennan, I know you do not believe in my science and you no longer want a relationship with the FBI, but my door is always open for you."
"Thank you, Dr. Sweets."
The two men exit the room and close the door behind them. The three women are left looking at the others, wondering what this is all about. Brennan addresses Cam first.
"Do you think Rebecca is capable of neglecting Parker? Possibly even letting him be abused?"
Cam looks surprised.
"What findings do you have to back this, Dr. Brennan?"
"I just want to know if you think she is capable of it. You and Booth had a relationship during their co-parenting, so you are the one to know."
"Well, Rebecca has always loved that little boy, but I am not putting anything past her. She saw and possibly still sees Parker as a possession, that she can use to hurt people with. Including Seeley. She never let him have enough time with his boy and if Seeley ever mis-stepped you would hear the threat that she was going to take Parker away from him. He could never win with that woman."
"What's this about, Bren?"
Angela asks, because she doesn't understand where this question is going. Whenever she had seen Parker, he looked happy and healthy and well loved. She never saw him as the victim of neglect and abuse.
"When I went to see him last night, Rebecca was no where to be found and Drew answered the door with a bill in one hand and a drink in the other. His room was spotless, like it looked like he didn't even live there. Parker's room at Booth's place was messier than this. It reminded me of my rooms when I was placed in the multitude of houses, because I owned so few possessions. Then as I was about to leave, he begged me to stay because he was scared of Drew and his yelling. Something just felt off."
The two women digested the new information and it sounded odd to both of them as well. They knew Parker and he was the kind of kid that made messes, accidentally of course, but nonetheless they were made.
"What are you going to do Dr. Brennan? What can you do?"
"I'm not-"
She paused when she saw Hacker barging into the room.
"Dr. Brennan you're going to want to come with us."
The three women watched as ten or so agents rushing to the elevators. Terror struck her, a feeling that she had not had since she and Hodgins were kidnapped by the gravedigger and forced to live with the fact they may not make it out. The terror she felt when the doctor told Booth it was a brain tumor that needed to be operated on immediately. The group of three stood and quickly approached Hacker.
"Why? What's going on?"
"There was a complaint-"
"I am a forensic anthropologist, complaints have nothing-"
"Listen to me Tempe! The complaint was by a neighbor of Rebecca Stinson, she heard screams and crashes of something or someone. Booth used to hand out the FBI's number to the neighbors so that they could easily reach him. We think Parker is hurt."
A chord deep down inside of Brennan was struck. She had already lost one of her Booth boys and she refused to lose the other. She was, however, at a loss for words. How could someone hurt that sweet, innocent boy. An internal conflict raged on inside of her.
"Angela, take my car and take Dr. Brennan to wherever she needs to go. I'll grab the boys and meet you two at the hospital, okay. Go! Go."
Angela grabbed Brennan's arm gently and followed on Hacker's heels. They got into the car and followed the squad cars to Rebecca's house. Brennan was unsure of everything. Why were so many cars going to the house? Why would Drew or Rebecca harm Parker? More 'what ifs' filled her mind.
The tires came to a screeching halt and the ambulance was heard in the distance. Brennan's head was momentarily cleared and she realized only two cop cars were outside of the house. They stood where they were, almost like they were waiting for her.
"What are you guys doing? Parker could be hurt."
Angela is the voice of reason in the moment of high emotions.
"Dr. Brennan is going to go behind us so she can access the situation with Parker."
Hacker informs the women. The cops open the unlocked door. It reeks of alcohol and Brennan takes note of the broken glasses and bottles. Parker's school things are strewn across the floor. Before she can fully comprehend what she's doing, she's rushing ahead of the cops and going to Parker's room. Inside she finds a broken six year old, curled up against the wall. He's visibly shaking and it takes all of Brennan not to go find Drew and kill him.
"Parker, it's me. It's Bones. It's all going to be okay. Can you come here, baby?"
"Everything hurts, Bones. It all hurts."
As gently as possible, Brennan scoops Parker into her arms like he is a tiny four year old. Angela is waiting by the boy's bedroom door. She kisses Parker's forehead while walking alongside Brennan. The young boy cuddled into Brennan's chest, looking for some sort of comfort.
"It's okay now, Baby Booth, you're safe."
"Angela, will you drive behind us? I'm going to accompany Parker in the ambulance."
"Bren, don't you have to be related to him?"
"I'm riding with him with or without permission."
She gently placed Parker on the stretcher and then stepped up into the vehicle. The last thing Angela sees of the two, is Bren grabbing Parker's hand.
Angela walks into the ER from the civilian entrance, Cam, Sweets, and Hodgins are already there and have been sitting there, waiting. Or at least trying to wait. Angela dabs at her tears and tries to compose herself. She is an artist and artists have that knack for detail, but the problem is once you spot that detail it is in your head forever.
"Is he okay?"
Cam is the first to speak. When her and Seeley had dated, Parker had only been a year old. Their relationship lasted for two years and in that time she had watched Parker grow. She had loved him and protected him just like Brennan was doing now.
"I don't know. It was bad, like really bad. It reeked of alcohol and there was broken glass everywhere. Parker's things were all over the floor, mixed with alcohol. Who could-who would do this to him? He's so sweet and so innocent. I just don't understand."
There's a silence that goes laong with all of this. Being in this hospital, where Booth died, only a week later. It was like he took control of everything, he made everything okay for everyone and now that he was gone their worlds were spiraling out of control. They all adored Parker, because of him, because of Booth. The adoration didn't stop because Booth was gone, if anything it grew because they felt even more protective of him. They sat there and quietly waited for Brennan to come out and tell them good news. Instead a woman walked over to them and examined them. To their surprise Sweets was the first to talk.
"Can you we help you?"
"Why yes. I'm Mrs. Jones. Are you the family of Parker Booth?"
They all nodded, but did not trust the woman to say anymore.
"I've been assigned to his case. I was just recently at the home. We found one of his journals and supposedly this has been happening for awhile now by the mother's boyfriend, but supposedly she knew."
"Bitch."
Angela couldn't hold it in any longer. She was so angry and seeing her best friend so broken was like seeing her the day they found her mother's remains in Limbo, but Booth had been there to comfort her. When she kept repeating what her name is and who she is, Booth had been there. He wasn't there this time.
Cam dismissed Angela's comment knowing how frustrated her co-worker and friend was. She, instead, continued to interrogate the woman in front of her.
"What will happen to Parker?"
"It all depends, if he can tell me that his mother knew and did nothing to stop it, then I can get her on neglect and she won't ever see her son again."
"But none of us will, right? You're going to take Parker away from us and put him in a home where he doesn't know anyone."
Hodgins' voice sounded from a chair away from the group. Mrs. Jones looked startled, almost as if she didn't know he was there in the first place. She hated to admit that what he had said was truth.
"Well, sadly, yes. We will have to put him in a foster home."
"But Brennan has certification to be a foster parent."
Angela pointed out, remembering when they found baby Andy.
"Well I do not know who this Brennan-"
"Dr. Brennan." The entire team corrected.
"Well where is Dr. Brennan?"
"She's with Parker as we speak."
Riding in the ambulance with Parker had to have been the hardest thing, Brennan ever had to do. They started him on IV fluids and pain medication, but not enough to knock him unconscious, so instead he continued to cry with Brennan feeling like nothing but a helpless bystander. The paramedics asked her for Parker's information on the way there and she told them everything but his social security number, because it was the only thing about Parker she hadn't memorized.
After what seemed like eternity, Brennan knew it wasn't only but ten minutes, they finally arrived at the hospital. The six year old looked so small as she held his hand on the way to get X-rays done on all of his bones. Brennan thought is was particularly unnecessary considering she knew all of his injuries. He had a broken humerus, sprained radius(this was a defensive injury), and at least two broken phalanges.
"Bones, you won't leave me will you?"
"Of course not. Except for when they take your X-rays. You have to stay in a room all by yourself but I will be in the conjoining room and will be able to communicate with you. Is that alright?"
As much pain as he's in, he still is able to shrug his shoulders.
"Drew isn't going to come back is he?"
She swiped some of his long hair to the side of his face, but it only revealed bruises that were starting to form. She shook her head before speaking.
"No, never again. I won't let him."
Brennan emphasizes her point in the way she speaks. No that man will never get near Parker and if her supposed luck is good, Rebecca won't be able to see him either. She reaches out to grab his good hand and squeezes it reassuringly. When she goes to pull back, he doesn't let go until the doctor comes in.
"Alright, Parker, I'm Dr. Philips and I'm going to take you down to the X-ray machine, we'll try to make it as short as possible. We'll even let mom come, sound good?"
Before Brennan can protest that she is not his mother or have any biological relation to the boy, Parker nods his head. It fills her with this sense of pride and she doesn't know how to describe it. So instead of saying a word, she holds her 'son's' hand all the way down to radiology. Then she stands in the room and talks to him the entire time, making sure he stays as still as possible.
The results are back by the time a nurse gets Parker situated in a room and Dr. Philips comes walking into the room. A large file is in his hand and his face looks ominous. Brennan steps closer to Parker even though there is no reason to be protective with the doctor in the room.
"Well Parker is looks like you have a broken arm-"
"My humerus."
"Very good. Your only in third grade, how'd you know that?"
"My mom is forensic anthropologist."
She beams first at him calling her mom, but when his voice fills with pride at telling the man her profession it almost breaks her down. It amazes her how much she loves him.
"Very cool. Well you have the broken humerus, a fracture in your radius, and a couple of broken phalanges. We're going to have to put a cast on that arm of yours and something on those fingers to keep them immobilized."
"Thank you very much, doctor."
"No problem, I'll try to see if I can get the nurses to put him to sleep for the casting."
She nods and smiles gratefully at him.
"Thank you so much."
With that the kind doctor is gone again and it's just the two of them sitting there, looking at the other, wondering who will speak first.
"Parks, what happened? Has this been happening a lot?"
He looked reluctant to tell her and she could only understand, because she too had always been reluctant to tell anyone what had really happened when she was in the foster homes. She also never understood why she was scared to tell. She sits down beside his bed and grabs his hand.
"Did your father ever tell you about me? Other than the basic stuff."
"Well he said you were a hard egg to crack. Does that mean something bad happened to you too?"
"Yeah, something did. When my parents and brother left me, I had to go into the foster care system and the families I was placed with were not good."
"Am I going to have to go to the foster care system?"
She shook her head sharply. No way would she ever let him go into the system. No, she would protect him at all costs.
"No way, I'm going to keep you safe, okay?"
He nods and jumps when a nurse comes in. She puts some medicine in the little boy's IV, before smiling kindly at Brennan and then walking out of the room.
"What was that Bones?"
"It was the medicine that's going to help you sleep so Dr. Philips can put your cast on better."
"But I have to tell you what happened, Bones! Don't make me go to sleep, please!"
She gets up and lays on the bed, before wrapping her arms around him the best she can without harming him. She coos at him and whispers words that she knows would comfort her. It's her only hope that it helps him as well.
"Shh, Parks, it's okay. When you wake up you can tell me. I'm going to be right here when you wake up. No one is ever going to hurt you again."
"I…I love you, Bo...mommy."
At first she is shocked, he may have been saying that she is his mom since they were in the hospital, but never directly to her. She had now been longing to be someone's mother for two days and already she had a child here and willing. It kept her momentarily silent, but she covered that up by kissing his forehead.
"I love you too."
The heart rate on the monitor is a calm, rhythmic beat. Something she never got to hear from Booth, the last time she heard his heart beating was when he was awake and begging her to come into the operating room with him. His excuse was that she would know if they were messing up, but she didn't. She had failed him. She extracts herself from Parker, smiling at seeing him asleep. She presses the nurses button and tells them he is asleep and the casting should begin soon. Dr. Philips and his team of nurses arrive, he offers to let her stay, joking that she'll know if he does something wrong.
It strikes her to her core and attempts to act like it didn't hurt. Instead she ends up running from the room.
When she walks out into the waiting room, eight eyes stare at her waiting for news. Angela gets up, seeing her friend's distraught face, and hugs her. Brennan crashes into her, but tries not to cry and she really tries not to think of the fact that right now she wishes Angela was Booth.
"How is he, Dr. Brennan?"
"He has a broken arm, fractured wrist and a couple broken fingers. They're putting him in some casts as we speak."
"He's going to be okay though, right?"
Angela inquires, because she loves Baby Booth almost as much as Bren does. Parker has always been the sweetest, most honest little boy.
"Yes he is expected to make a full recovery. Has a case worker come by? Is he going back with Rebecca, if so I need to call her."
"Sweetie…"
Angela and the rest of the team don't know how to tell her.
"All of you obviously have some information I don't know of, so please inform me."
"Rebecca knew, she knew that Drew was hitting him and she neglected him. There were days he went without food except for at school. That bitch was hurting Parker too."
Brennan as if she was about to pass out. This little boy, her Parker, had lost his father and been abused not only by his mother's boyfriend but his mother too. She felt herself falling, but Hodgins was there to catch her.
"You okay, Dr. B?"
She nods and thanks him, but she can't say much else. Anger burns inside of her along with about twenty other emotions. She misses being a 'cold fish'. Before anyone can say something, Rebecca is seen running into the ER. The police must have not caught her yet.
"Temperance, is he okay? Why didn't you call me? He's my son. Is he going to be alright? How badly is he hurt? I need to see my son."
Brennan bring her first to the woman's face and it sent her back and she lands on her bottom.
"Parker is Booth's son, not yours."
A/N: Phew that was a long one. Hope you all enjoyed! Please review