Again sorry for the delay and as always thank you for the wonderful response this story continues to get! One we go…

Even though it had been over 20 years, it didn't take Booth long to recognize his father among the dozens of other people in the room. His stomach clenched as he realized that he had no idea what to say to this man. What on earth was he doing here?

His dad locked eyes with him. There was no turning back now. He took a deep breath and slid into the seat across from the aged version of himself. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you wanted to meet at a bar," he quipped before he could stop himself.

"Nice to see you too, Seeley." Booth gritted his teeth at the sound of his voice and shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"Alright, let's just get this over with. What was so important you couldn't tell me over the phone?"

"I'm dying, Seeley," his father said without preamble. Booth shook his head and laughed humorlessly.

"This is something you could've told me over the phone." Booth shocked himself with his words, but he couldn't deny their truth. "You never had to tell me anything. I never would've known the difference. So why are you here? What do you want?"

"I'm dying," he repeated as if this was the answer Booth was looking for. "I want to spend time with my son before my number's up. Is that so hard to believe?"

"So you just want some quality time before you kick the bucket? Well, I'm touched," Booth bit sarcastically. "It won't be anything like when I was growing up, though, Dad," Booth warned in a voice filled with years of pent-up hatred. "I'm not a kid anymore. I'm not very much fun to knock around these days, because now I hit back."

"I'm a changed man, Seeley." The older man pulled something out of his pocket and slid it across the table. Booth recognized it almost instantly, having a similar one himself, albeit for a different accomplishment.

"A five year chip?"

"And I got that three years ago. I haven't had a drop to drink in eight years."

"Yeah, I can do the math. So, what? You think you can just show up after not hearing from you for half my life, announce that you've been sober for a few years, and expect a fucking welcome wagon?"

"Of course not. But I want to get to know you, Seeley. And your family. I want to meet my grandson." Booth's eyes flashed with anger at the mention of Parker. "And I hear you have another kid on the way. If I'm lucky maybe I'll live long enough to meet my second grandchild too."

"How did you find out about them?" Booth asked in a dangerous voice, his eyes narrowed.

"You're a big shot at the FBI, son. I pay attention to the newspapers. I've spent the last ten years or so following your career. An article last week said you and your partner, that scientist, are having a baby."

"Don't talk about Bones," Booth warned in a low, serious voice. "Don't talk about our baby, and don't talk about my son. You'll see them over my dead body. You lost your right to be part of my family a long time ago."

"Can't I earn it back?" The sincerity in his father's voice made Booth falter for just a second. "I don't know what I can do to prove to you that I'm a changed man. I want to make things right before I die, Seeley. That's all. You don't have to forgive me, that's not what I'm asking for. I just want to get to know you. I wasn't a good father. I wasn't around when you got older, and I know that's my fault. I just want to know who you are before I'm gone." Booth studied his father's face.

"Have you talked to Jared?" he finally asked.

"Yeah." His father broke eye contact. "He doesn't want anything to do with me. You're all I've got left, Seeley." Booth shook his head in disbelief. Did he think he owed him something? Booth didn't owe this man a damn thing. But, if he were being honest with himself, there were things he wanted to ask him. Things he needed to get off his chest. And if he was really dying, he was running out of time.

"How long?"

"What?"

"How long do you have to live?" His father shrugged.

"The doctors say 4 to 6 months. It's my liver." Booth chuckled hollowly and shook his head again.

"I'm shocked."

"Cancer in my liver," his father clarified. "But I'm sure I didn't do it any favors over the years. It's up to you, Seeley. I just want a chance to talk to you every once in a while." A thousand images flashed through Booth's mind at once. Getting a punch to the jaw for standing between his dad and younger brother. Getting his head slammed into the wall for not cleaning his room well enough. Being told he was a worthless piece of shit by his father on the day of his mother's funeral. Being lifted onto his father's shoulders when he couldn't see the parade. An affectionate pat on the shoulder after he helped build a new bookshelf. Standing with his father, his eyes full of wonder, cheering as the Phillies won the World Series.

"Give me a couple days to think about it," Booth finally said. "I'll call you." It was a promise, and one he intended to keep. He got up, suddenly consumed with an overwhelming desire to hold Brennan close and tell her how much he loved her. He knew he wasn't his father. He had known that for a long time, but he couldn't shake the feeling that staring at the older man was like looking in a mirror. In more ways than one.

I had some trouble with this chapter, so I hope it turned out okay! As always, tell me what you think!