WOW! Thanks for all the awesome replies. I hope you enjoy this next chapter just as much. Thus far the first chapter is the only chapter in Angela's POV. I agree, it was very different, and I hope it wasn't too difficult to read or understand. Anywho...read, enjoy, and review.

Chapter 2

The lab had settled into the new routine quite comfortably. It was Wednesday again. The squints found themselves busy in the lab; Dr. Brennan found herself lost in conservation with someone who would always be six.

"The Jeffersonian has added to the dinosaur exhibit," she stated sitting by Parker's grave.

"I'll bring you pictures next week. I'm sure you'll enjoy them," she continued.

"Ange, Jack, and Zach are doing well. Zach has added some new beetles to his collection and to be honest, I think Jack is a little jealous," she said letting out a little laugh.

"No, I haven't heard from your dad. Have you, little guy?" she questioned.

"I know you miss him," she soothed, "I'm so sorry I took him away from you. I know that one day he'll come back to you. When that happens, we may have to adjust our visitation schedule a little, but you know I'll always be here. Never doubt that. Okay, Parker?"

"Well, I'd better get going," she stated. "We're putting the final touches on the volcano today. I'll see you next week. Love you, Parker."

With that she brushed herself off and turned to leave. Climbing into the driver's seat of her car, she heard her cell ringing. Grabbing it from her bag, she looked at the caller ID. Not recognizing the number, she tossed the phone aside and pulled out of the parking lot.

Arriving at Washington Memorial a half hour later, she released the trunk lock pulling out a large blue tote. While attempting to close the truck with her elbow, she juggled her needed items from one knee and one arm to the other. Almost dropping the entire loot, she stiffened as she felt a pair of hands wrap around her waist.

The approaching Dr. Andrews noticed her predicament and reached in to be of assistance. He looked forward to Wednesdays. More importantly he looked forward to seeing Temperance.

"Good morning, Temperance," he whispered by her ear reaching around to grab the large tote.

Temperance's posture never relaxed, but she tried to convey her gratitude through her words.

"Cole," she released a breath, "Thank you."

"My pleasure," he insisted. "So what's on the agenda today?"

Her eyes brighten immediately, "We are finishing up our volcano."

"And when should I expect said volcano to erupt?" he questioned.

"Next Wednesday. Right on schedule," she replied with a grin.

"Well, I think such a momentous occasion should be celebrated. Don't you?" he probed.

"I completely agree," she replied.

"Great, then I'll pick you up around seven o'clock?" he asked.

"Cole," she began as they strolled through the entrance doors, "I think the celebration should be for the children. So any ideas you have or plans you could arrange for around noon next Wednesday would be great. The children would love it."

"Are you ever going to says yes to me?" he pleaded as Temperance stepped in the elevator.

"Are you ever going to stop asking?" she returned his question as she reached for the large tote.

"I'll see you later Dr. Brennan," he replied as the elevator doors began to close.

"Likewise Dr. Andrews," she stated as the doors shut together.

Temperance watched the lights above the elevator door finally come to a stop on number seven. The all-familiar ding broke the silence as the elevator doors pulled open. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out onto the white tile floor and approached the nurses' station.

"Hi, Emily," she stated as she set the tote on the floor.

"Good morning, Dr. Brennan," she replied has she handed Temperance her visitor's badge.

"Any news?" she reluctantly asked.

"Not today, Dr. Brennan," Emily smiled noticing the relief on Temperance's face.

"Well, I'm off," she stated.

"Well, they're waiting," Emily replied.

Brennan scooped up the large tote and pushed her way through the large, metal doors. Emily was right; they were all there waiting in their rightful places. Each one sporting a brightly colored hospital gown accompanied with an IV drip, but their faces…their faces glowed. For a brief moment they were no longer patients, but rather students. Just normal kids excited about painting a Paper Mache volcano. This was their escape from reality.

With the painting complete, Brennan maneuvered the volcano over to a counter to finish drying. Now it was time to see Benjamin.

Benjamin had weaseled his way into Temperance's life. Maybe it was his charm, his age, or his bright personality that broke Temperance's final wall, but more than likely it was his smile. Yes, she was a sucker for smiles.

"Good afternoon, Benjamin," she stated walking through the doorway.

"Dr. Brennan," he mustered through his labored breathing.

"How's it going?" she asked trying to keep the mood light.

"Great," he replied with a smile, "They gave me my lime green superhero juice this morning and you know what that means. I'll be fighting bad guys in no time at all."

She forced the best smile she could manage. Benjamin was only six but had more courage and strength than any superhero could ever possess. He'd been fighting cancer alone for the past year and a half and had never ceased to amaze the doctors. He took his treatments without a mother to hold his hand or a father to encourage him. But still he was so full of life, so determined to live, so determined to fight.

Brennan sat down beside his bed and pulled out a photo album from her bag.

"Look what I brought," she teased waving the album in front of Benjamin.

"The museum?" he asked excitedly before emitting a string of violent coughs.

"Now look here," she soothed, "you keep that up and you'll get me kicked out of here."

He flashed her a smile and waited for her to continue.

Sitting there for over an hour, they looked through every picture of every exhibit in the Jeffersonian. He fired off questions that would amaze college professors, but that was her Benjamin, the brightest and the best.

"We've expanded the dinosaur exhibit and I'll bring in those pictures next week," she concluded closing the photo album.

"Will you show them to Parker too?" he asked.

"Yeah, Parker loved dinosaurs," her voice drifting.

"Dr. Brennan," Benjamin slid his hand on top of hers, "Parker knows you haven't forgotten him. Promise you won't forget me."

"How could I ever forget the two smartest six year olds in the world?" she asked with a grin. "Now, I'd better go. You need to rest."

Tucking the covers up around his chin, she flipped the light off above his head and turned to leave. She never looked back. She only wanted to remember the excitement in his voice and the wonder on his face. She never knew when it would be last time she saw him.

Dropping off her visitor's badge, she caught Emily's attention.

"You saw Benjamin, huh?" Emily asked in despair.

"Just let me know if anything happens, okay?" Brennan pleaded.

Emily reached for Temperance, "You're on the emergency contact. You'll be the first to know."

"Thanks."

Making the trek to her car, she finally allowed herself to cry. She knew that Benjamin couldn't hold out much longer, but she wasn't going to be the one to take away his hope, his dreams. She took all those things away from Parker. She wouldn't make that mistake again.

Pulling into the garage, she realized she had just enough time to change clothes and throw the pizzas in the oven before Emma, Haley, and Kade arrived for the evening. Retreating upstairs, she slipped into her favorite pair of sweats and yanked her hair into a ponytail before returning downstairs. Brennan strolled into the kitchen, preheated the oven, and began sorting through the week's mail she had let pile up. The familiar ding-dong of the doorbell broke her concentration. Leaving the three piles on the kitchen island, she made her way to the front door.

"Aunt Tempe!" shouted both girls as they zoomed past their parents to latch on both sides of Brennan.

"Marco?" Russ gave a questioning look at his little sister. She could mask her emotions to the world, but Russ would always know, always.

"Polo," she replied with a slight grin, "Now where's that handsome nephew of mine?"

"Right here," Russ announced as he pulled the infant carrier into view.

"Are sure you can handle watching all three of them?" Russ questioned.

"Of course I can," Brennan acted hurt by his acquisitions. "But I have no idea how to get him out of that thing."

Russ let out a laugh, "That's okay, I didn't either at first."

Once all the bases had been covered concerning Kade, Russ and Amy left for their date.

Kade wasn't at all the trouble Brennan had expected. He rarely cried and when he did, she was amazed at how easily he was soothed with just a pacifier and a slight push of his swing.

She and the girls enjoyed their night to the fullest. Haley insisted on Candy Land while the threesome waited for the pizza. Two games, so each girl could win. This headed off any arguments and Temperance was pleased at how soon she figured out that trick. Pizza was always a favorite hit. After all you can't earn the title of favorite aunt if you always insist on healthy food. To round out the evening, Twister was on the agenda. The carpet in the living room floor provided cushion for the mishaps that seemed to plague the game. By the end of the game all three girls were laughing so loudly Temperance barely heard the doorbell. With kisses and hugs, their night had come to an end.

Temperance closed the door to her now empty home. It was time to return to reality; no more running.

Just as she turned the latch, a knock filled the silence.

Well...??? Is it worth going on? I mean it's already written, and I could have an update by tonight or tomorrow. Just let me know what you think. :)