The Reunion

A/N I'd meant to post this earlier, but had to go out of town unexpectedly this weekend, and it needed more work by the time I left. I hope the story is worth the wait.

Brennan pulled into a parking space, shifted into park and turned off the ignition when she heard Christine from the back seat. "Is this the hospital? Can we see Daddy now?"

She turned to face her daughter. "Yes sweetie we're in the parking garage, almost there. Now remember you'll need to talk in your soft inside voice, and no running. There will be a lot of people here, and some of them don't feel well, so we don't want to disturb them."

"Okay Mommy." She nodded her agreement as she disconnected the buckles to release the harness of her carseat while Brennan stepped out of the car and removed Hank from his carseat. The baby had fallen asleep on the drive and didn't awaken even as she shifted him to rest on her shoulder. Brennan's observations told her that the children hadn't sleep well through the night and both Angela and Hodgins had had a rough night with them.

Once she had Hank secure in her arms she grabbed his diaper bag, closed the door and went around the car and let Christine out. She took Christine's hand to lead her on their walk. Christine clutched her bunny in her other arm. She'd started carrying the bunny with her everywhere she went once she realized her father was missing.

They entered the elevator and Brennan instructed Christine on which button to press. Christine asked many questions as they rode the elevator then walked through the walkway to the hospital. All questions that had already been answered on the car ride to the hospital, but Brennan answered them again; understanding her daughter was just anxious and asking questions was easier than worrying.

Once they entered the hospital lobby Christine fell silent. Shed looked around and clutched Brennan's hand tighter. They reached the bank of elevators and since the up button was already lit they waited with the others already gathered. With a ding the elevator doors to the right of them opened, and entered with the other waiting passengers. She once again instructed Christine on which button to press. As the elevator rose, stopping on two other floors before reaching the one they needed Brennan began speaking.

"Sweetie, Daddy is doing well, but he's still very tired and weak. His injury still hurts him, but I don't want you to be worried. He is much better and getting stronger all the time, you'll just have to be gentle with him right now."

The elevator doors dinged open. They'd reached their floor and Brennan started forward, leading Christine past those staying on the elevator. Christine looked up at her and responded. "Okay Mommy, I promise I'll be gentle." And as she looked around the corridor she added. "And quiet."

When they passed the nurses station Brennan fired a fierce look at the charge nurse she'd already had a run-in with regarding the baby making this visit. The nurse, who had rounded the corner to confront them at their approach changed her mind and stepped back behind the counter.

Hank finally began to wake up as they reached the door to Booth's room. He lifted his head and looked around in confusion, then gave a happy squeal at seeing his father. At the same time Christine rushed forward stopping short when she reached the side of the bed. Seeing the wires and tubes had stopped her in her tracks. She glanced back at her mother who smiled encouragingly at her.

The sound of Hanks voice woke Booth from his nap. He looked around groggily then smiled upon spotting his family. "Hey it's Battleax Hank and Princess Christine. I've missed you both so much."

The small voice from the side of his bed replied. "Hi Daddy. I want to hug you but…" she trailed off looking around, not sure how to reach her Daddy.

Brennan recognized her dilemma. "Just one second sweetie, let me get things set then I'll lift you next to Daddy." She set the diaper bag on the floor under the chair, and shifted Hank further back on her hip as Booth shifted over to the side slightly in bed being careful to minimize his pain. Brennan lowered the side rail and then put her arm around Christine's waist and lifted her to sit on the side of the bed.

"Okay sweetie you can swing your legs up so you can sit or lay alongside Daddy. Just don't touch Daddy right here." Pointing to Booth wounded side. "This is where his wound is, but this side of Daddy is fine."

Booth reached around her with his left arm to help her shift around and slide up next to him. "Here you go Princess." Then he smiled down at her. "Hi there." The entire time Hank continued to babble laughing and waving his hands at his father.

Booth looked up to HanK and replied "Hi to you too my little bruiser."

"I wish I could set him on the bed with you too, but he's just too young to understand that he couldn't kick or slap. You'll just have to both be content with talking to each other."

"That's fine Bones. Thank you for bringing them." He paused and smiled. "And thank you for battling Nurse Ratched to allow both of them to visit."

Christine shifted her head to look up at him, and getting his attention looked him in the eye. "Daddy, I'm so glad that you're safe now and that you'll be able to come home soon, but I have to tell you that you're not allowed to do that again. Don't disappear and don't get hurt again. You make me and Mommy and even Hank worry when you do that."

Booth looked into her very stern face and had to chuckle. "You are just like your Mommy." He said before he kissed her on her forehead. "I promise I will not disappear again, and I will be careful not to get hurt. I love you all and I don't want to worry you."

She nodded happily then, and laid down resting her head on his chest, and fell asleep almost immediately.

Brennan smiled at the two of them. "I don't think she's slept much since your disappearance." Then looking at Hank who was rubbing his eyes and starting to nod off. "Neither has this one, and I don't think the short nap on the way here was enough for him."

"That's fine I'm happy to just lay here and watch them sleep." With that he let his head fall back onto the pillow and his eyes drifted shut to join the children in slumber.