Disclaimer: Bones belongs to Kathy Reichs, Hart Hanson, and Fox.

A/N: Special thanks to BonesnBooth for keeping me honest, and to csimesser1 for keeping me encouraged.

Chapter 24

A Family Tradition, Part Two

"Booth I need you to lift your end a little bit higher, so I can tilt mine."

"Good enough," Booth asked in a slightly strained voice as he complied?

"Perfect," Max grunted.

After they made it up the stairs, they headed straight for the third door on the right.

"Where do you want this," Max asked as they entered the baby's room?

"Against that wall," Booth said as he tugged on his end to indicate the desired direction.

After they had pushed it against the wall, Booth said, "Looks good."

"Solid Oak," Max replied as he ran his hand over its smooth surface.

Booth nodded.

Max cleared his throat.

"So, about those seven boxes…"

"Yes?"

"Do you need any help unpacking them?"

Booth grinned.

"Absolutely."

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The third box that he opened was filled with framed pictures.

Booth pulled one of Parker, Bones, and himself out of the box.

He smiled as his thumb traced over her cheek.

As soon as he placed it on top of the entertainment center, Max stopped working on the bookcase that he had been assembling.

"She looks so much like her mother."

Booth looked over at him.

"I wasn't surprised by that, given that Christine looked just like her mother, it was probable that her genes would be dominant over mine."

As if he had never spoke, Max went back to working on the bookcase.

Sensing that he needed that distraction, Booth didn't say anything as he took another picture out from the box.

A few minutes later Max continued…

"Christine's mother didn't like me at all, she thought I was a bad influence."

Max chuckled.

Booth froze.

The underlying sadness in Max's tone, hadn't failed to catch his attention.

Slowly, Booth turned around so he could see him.

Max kept working as he said…

"Which wasn't anything I hadn't told her myself, over and over again, but we were in love, and even though things turned out the way that they did, I don't regret a single second of the time that we had together. Christine was the love of my life, as I suspect that my daughter is yours."

"She is."

Max nodded, but he didn't look up.

"Could you kill for her?"

"Yes."

Finally, Max stopped working on the bookcase.

Suddenly cold blue eyes, locked on steadfast brown.

Sadness turned to steel as he pressed, "Without hesitation?"

Booth took a step towards him.

"Max taking a life should never be easy or casual, but if Temperance's life was in danger, to protect her, I could and I would kill for her without a second thought."

Max's eyes warmed as he smiled.

"Fair enough."

Max secured the last shelf.

"Where is this going?"

"Over there," Booth said as he pointed.

After Max put the bookcase in the corner he asked, "What's left?"

"Just these two boxes that need to be brought upstairs to her office."

Without another word Max grabbed one of the boxes and headed towards the stairs.

Booth shook his head as he picked up the other one.

"Score one for cautious optimism," Booth muttered before he followed Max upstairs.

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"Thank you for your help today," Booth said as they headed back down stairs.

"My pleasure."

When Max cleared the last step, he glanced at his watch.

"It's getting late, I should get going."

"I'll walk you out."

As Booth followed Max to his truck he said, "I think you should stay. I know Bones would love to see you."

"Can't," Max said as he swung his door open.

"Would you do me a favor though," Max asked as he leaned over the driver's seat to grab a tape from the passenger's side.

"Sure."

'Make sure she watches this first," he said as he handed the tape to Booth.

"Will do."

"Thanks."

Booth watched as Max got into his truck.

"Bye Max."

"See you later," Max replied as his truck roared to life.

Max allowed for Booth to take a few steps before he called out, "Hey Booth?"

"Yeah," he called back as he turned around?

"Take care of my daughter, she means the world to me."

"Me too Max."

Satisfied, Max gave a nod before he pulled out of the driveway.

Booth watched until he couldn't see the truck anymore, then he smiled as he whispered, "Score two."

A/N: Sooo what's on the tape? If you really want to know, then stay tuned for part three. PS reviews tend to make me update sooner. Double PS, consider it a belated birthday present (I turned 22 on the 26th).