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Chapter 13

"Just wanted to check on Ben's progress," she stated.

He gave a sigh, "You never give up. I swear you two are just alike."

"I'll take that as a complement," she grinned awaiting his answer. "Well?"

"It's not good," his voice stressed as he rubbed his hand around his neck. "His red blood cell count is low and his white blood cell count is high. The treatment isn't working."

Brennan took a deep breath, "Okay, so what do we do now?"

He had to smile. This was a team of fighters; a team of winners.

"There's a new combination of drugs that has shown some very promising results," he stated. "That's our next step."

Brennan began firing off questions about the drugs, dosages, case studies, statistics, and so on. Cole was very impressed. He was more accustomed to the docile parents who nodded in complete shock. The aggression was nice.

Brennan's hand flew across a post-it as she jotted down the information. She knew Cole was the best, but she trusted her team. Ben would beat this. She would make sure of that.

"When will you start the treatment?" she asked looking up momentarily.

"Tuesday morning," he answered.

"Have you explained this to Ben?" she questioned.

He shook his head, "No, I thought it might be better if we did that together."

"I agree," she nodded.

Cole had a plan. He had Ben's best interest at heart, but timing could also benefit his personal goal.

"No time like the present?" he asked.

Brennan nodded.

He walked along side her offering support with his hand in the small of her back. When they reached the still open door, he guided her into the room. Cole knew his actions were being watched.

Brennan moved across the room to stand beside the chair Booth currently occupied. Cole stood behind Brennan placing his hands on her upper arms. His hands began to move ever so gently across her velvet skin as he spoke.

"There's something we need to discuss with Ben," Cole's "doctor tone" came out in full force.

Booth read his point loud and clear. Even though he didn't like the idea, he also knew he couldn't afford to lose any battles. He stood to leave, but felt Brennan's hand rest on his shoulder.

"There's no need to leave Booth," she commented.

Moving away from the uncomfortable position, Brennan sat on the bed beside Ben.

"Ben," she said her voice soft and low, "the medicine doesn't seem to be working, but there's something new that Dr. Andrews would like to try."

"What do you think?" Ben's voice shook.

"It looks promising," she answered not adding the fact that she would investigate it further.

Cole prodded in on the intimate conversation, "I thought we'd start Tuesday."

"Could we wait til Wednesday?" Ben pleaded.

"The sooner we start the better," Cole replied.

Ben's eyes drooped as his head turned in Brennan's direction.

"I know it's a lot to ask and all, but would there be any chance you could be here with me Dr. Brennan," his voice quivering. "If you can't, I'll understand."

"There's nowhere else I'd be," she smiled as a grin tugged across his face.

"Really?" he asked.

"Really," she answered.

Cole felt certain that his goal of excluding Booth had been accomplished.

"Mr. Booth," Ben spoke, "I sure can't wait to talk to you again. Do you think you could come back and visit sometime?"

"You name the time and place, buddy, and I'll be there," Booth smiled as he patted Ben's knee.

"Just like that?" awe filling Ben's voice.

"Just like that," Booth stated as a matter of fact.

Ben looked up at Temperance and wiggled his finger for her to come closer.

Whispering in her ear, he asked, "Would it be okay if he came on Tuesday to keep us company?"

Brennan whispered back in his ear, "Whatever you want."

Booth smiled as he watched the interaction between them. He missed his family.

When the pair broke from their secret conference, both were wearing ear to ear smiles.

"Mr. Booth?" Ben questioned.

"Yeah," Booth responded.

"Would Tuesday be okay," he inquired.

"Just so happens," Booth began, "Tuesday just opened up for me."

Everyone was smiling; everyone that is except Cole Andrews. This might not have turned out like Cole planned, but it was working perfectly for Ben.

After adding a few comments, Cole excused himself while Booth, Temperance, and Ben chatted away. Before long the afternoon had slipped by and it was time for Booth and Brennan to leave.

"We'll see you Tuesday, okay?" she told Ben as she ran her hand across his smooth head.

"Okay," he yawned in return.

"Get some rest, buddy," Booth patted his knee as he followed Brennan to the door.

Once in the elevator, Brennan turned her attention to Booth.

"Thank you," her voice barely above a whisper.

"No need to thank me Bones, it was all my pleasure," he commented; charm smile in full effect.

No words were spoken between the pair until they had reached her car.

"I need to go by the lab," she stated sliding into the driver's seat. "I can take you back to your car or you can come along."

Booth gave a shrug, "I don't have anywhere to be. If you don't mind the company, I'll tag along."

"That's fine," she replied pulling out of the parking space.

After moments of silence, Temperance finally asked the one question that had been on her mind since Booth had returned.

"Have you been to Parker's grave?"

Booth hung his head in shame, "No."

"Can I ask why?" her grip on the steering wheel tightened.

"I'm afraid," he said.

"Of what?" she questioned.

"That he won't understand," his voice was low.

Her tone was filled with concern, "Why wouldn't he understand?"

"Do you think he'd let me explain?" he queried never removing his gaze from the passing scenery.

She didn't answer; she didn't know how to answer him.

Wheeling into the Jeffersonian parking lot, they exited the car and made their way toward her office.

"So, what are we doing here?" Booth inquired.

"I want to be sure about this new treatment Cole wants to begin, so I'm putting in a few calls. The numbers are on my computer here," she replied.

Retrieving the sought after information, Brennan found Booth sitting in the upstairs lobby overlooking the platform.

"Whatcha doing up here," she asked taking the last few steps.

"Just thinking," his reply non descriptive.

She sat down beside him.

"I'm sorry, Booth," she whispered.

He gave her a confused look, "About what?"

"About Parker," she tried to suppress the tears.

Placing a hand on her knee, his voice was soft, "What happened was not your fault. Believe me."

"Yes it was," she pleaded. "I should have protected him."

"Bones," he began, "you did all you could do. I know that. You loved Parker and he loved you. I know you would have died for Parker; you almost did."

"But if he hadn't been with me…" her voice trailed off.

"They were after me," he finally confessed whether she was ready to hear it or not. "They wanted to hurt me; make me pay for what I did to their brother. The only reason you were involved was because you were with me because of the love we shared."

Brennan's eyes were wide with shock, and it took a minute before any recognizable form of language could escape her lips.

"How...?" was the only word she could mumble.

"How did I know?" he asked.

She answered with a nod.

"Because that's where I've been. Cullen gave me a deep uncover assignment to infiltrate the group. New hair color, eye color, accent, the works. It was the hardest and easiest assignment I've ever done," he stated; void of any emotion. "Two obtainable goals: revenge and protection."

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