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Chapter 15

Of course Booth's given reason for taking her out to lunch was not his main concern. Granted he didn't want Cullen to kill him, but more importantly he wanted to spend time with her and keep her mind off Benjamin as much as possible. However, the latter was foiled by the ringing of her cell.

"Brennan," she answered sliding into the booth opposite her partner.

"Ethan. Hi," alarm suddenly filling her voice.

Within a matter of seconds, the conversation was over and Brennan was scooting her way out of the booth.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Booth fired off the questions.

"We've got to go," she shot back.

Brennan could move faster in heals and a skirt than any other woman he knew. She could also shoot death rays from her eyes so he didn't take time to enjoy the view. She was already buckled into the passenger's seat as Booth opened his door.

"Hurry up!" her patience were running low.

Booth fumbled with the keys as he climbed into the SUV.

"You need to tell me where we're going," the urgency was quite contagious.

"The hospital," she snapped.

"Why?" he asked pulling out of the parking lot. "Is something wrong with Ben?"

"There very well could be, but more than likely there's gonna be something wrong with a particular pediatric oncologist. Sirens, Booth!" she urged.

Worry crept into Booth's mind, but part of him felt more alive. He had his power driven, bossy partner back and if the situation had been different, he'd been the happiest man on earth.

Booth whipped the SUV into the no parking zone at the front of the building. Brennan was out the door before the ignition was cut off. Hurrying to keep up with her, Booth was at first grateful she chose the elevator, but soon realize it was just another place for her to take out her frustration. Pacing the small boxlike structure and then repeatedly hitting the button wasn't bettering the situation.

"Temperance," he soothed as she passed in front of him, "whatever it is, it'll be okay."

Before she had time to respond, the elevator doors pushed open. Moving quickly to the nurses' station, she eyed Emily.

"Where is he?" Brennan demanded.

"Wow, word travels quick," Emily commented. "He's in the lounge."

Making her way down the hall, Brennan turned to see Booth at her side. She burst into the lounge completely surprising Cole as he cleared out his locker.

"What in the hell do you think you're doing?" fury seeped from her lips.

"Not that it's any of your damn business, but I'm clearing out my stuff," he snipped.

"And just when were you planning on telling me?" she glared.

"Temperance," he cooed sarcastically, "I had no idea you felt that way about me."

Booth shoved his fists into his pocket resisting the urge to knock Cole on his ass.

"You know damn well what I mean," she snapped, "What about Benjamin?"

"I've turned my case load over to Dr. Davis. He'll be making all decisions related to my former patients until a new doctor is brought in," he shrugged.

"We need to discuss Ben's treatment with Dr. Davis!" she ordered.

"No," he stated. "You have no legal right to know about his medical condition or treatment. It's not like you're his mother. In fact, I'm not sure you'd exactly be mother material.'

With the last syllables of Cole's sentence, Booth's fists were around his collar pressing him into the lockers.

"Look," Booth sneered, "It must be devastating knowing you'll never have her. Just be thankful you get to breathe in her presence."

"Booth!" she tugged at his arm, "let's go find this Dr. Davis!"

Booth reluctantly released his grip on Cole, but followed her; her hand sliding down into his. The pair made their way to Benjamin's room hoping on the off chance Dr. Davis might be making his rounds. The twinge of disappoint that tugged at Brennan's mind when she didn't see Dr. Davis was washed away as she watched Ben's tiny hand reach for the orange juice that towered above him on the food tray. Crossing the room in just a few strides, Brennan picked up the juice box and titled the straw. Ben's smile spoke volumes. He knew Temperance loved him not because she was his mother, but because she chose to love him.

Brennan looked at the tray and then down to Ben.

"Would you like some help?" she asked.

Ben nodded.

As Brennan cut the crust off of the PB&J, Booth had settled himself beside Ben's bed. The two were lost in a conversation about kites when Brennan handed Ben half the sandwich. Ben took a large bite as Booth continued to talk about flying kites at his lake cabin.

"Canwegotheresometime?" Ben's question was muffled by the food in his mouth.

"You bet," they answered in unison. The pair glanced at each other and smiled.

Halfway through Ben's lunch, Dr. Davis made an appearance. Brennan wasn't sure how Dr. Davis would address her relationship with Ben. Cole was correct; legally she didn't have any rights.

"Good afternoon, Benjamin," Dr. Davis commented. "How are you feeling?"

"Okay," Ben replied.

"That's good," he answered. "Well everything seems to look fine so I won't keep you from your company."

"Um…excuse me Dr. Davis," Brennan spoke up. "I know that Dr. Andrews had made arrangements for Ben to begin a new treatment tomorrow. Are you planning on following through with that?"

"Actually Ms…"

"Dr.," she interrupted, "Dr. Brennan."

"Actually Dr. Brennan, I'm not allowed to discuss the patient's ongoing medical treatment without parental consent. However, knowing Ben's situation I can tell you that I feel it is best to stay with the treatment that has been administered in the past."

"Why?' she questioned. "Dr. Andrews testing showed that it wasn't working."

"Dr. Brennan," he answered, "I do not have to support my reasoning to you nor will I. And seeing that you don't have legal custody of the patient, this conversation is finished."

With that, Dr. Davis turned to leave.

Defeated. That was the best word to describe Brennan's appearance. Ben's shinny personality was suddenly clouded as well. The pain that welled up in Booth was overpowering. He was going to fix this. He wasn't going to let anyone hurt his family.

Booth stood up and beckoned Brennan to the door.

In a whisper, he asked, "Is this what you really want?"

"He means the world to me Booth," she murmured as a tear slipped down her cheek. "Why?"

"I thought I'd give Caroline a call. Maybe she could pull some strings. If you were his foster parent, you'd have legal right," he stated reassuringly.

"Thank you," she smiled.

Booth stepped out in the hallway and pulled out his cell phone praying this would work.

Sorry this chapter took me a little longer than normal to post. I hope I haven't lost any readers. Please let me know you're still out there. :):) Hope you enjoyed.