Author's Note: This is the end. Oh, my friend, this is the end. The end... the end... the end...
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EPILOGUE
OUR LEGACY LIVES ON
*
Legend remains victorious in spite of history.
-Sarah Bernhardt-
October 30th, 2010
Survivor's Colony, Vermont
"Dad, look!"
Parker dashes across the colorful ground, dry leaves crunching under foot. Blond curls bounce and sway in the breeze. He shrieks with delight when the kite catches a particularly playful gust, fluttering high above them.
"I see it, bud," Booth laughs, standing on the adjacent hill, watching his son below. Jeans, t-shirt, and dark coat bedeck his form, the collar upturned to protect his neck against the tame chill. A blast of air hits his legs, and he watches as Emma and Haley dash squealing down the embankment for their cousin. Begging a turn at the kite. Parker hands off the spindle graciously to the youngest sister first, and they're off.
Booth smiles when he feels her slip her hand into his. He glances over at her briefly, smiling down at her over the tops of his sunglasses. Her hair is gilded by the autumn sunlight, radiant as ever. She returns the endearment, the ring on her finger cool against his skin. Ever remindful.
He'd said, "Marry me," soft as a pin drop. Scared silly, no matter how outwardly confident.
"Of course," had been her answer, sure as ever. Amused that he might, after all this time, doubt her response. A year ago, even two, if situations had been different, he may have been surprised. As would she. But not now. Now, it's just known. This is them, this is who they are. Booth and Bones. Seeley and Temperance, yes, but not really. Always Booth and Bones. They'll grow old together.
Little will change, but not them. He drops a kiss to her temple, and she still blushes. He teases her, she pokes his ribs. They laugh. She hasn't told him yet of the burgeoning bump around her midsection that's still humble an discreet, but soon. She will.
And soon, a legacy of their very own.
They keep smiling, heads tilted up towards the sky, watching the kite soar. The children whoop and laugh below them, almost drowned out when the large humvee roars up beside the two adults on the hill. "Let's go, big brother!" hollers Jared, beckoning him to the metal bed in the back where others clutch at the sturdy frame.
This is routine. Once a week, a group will go out hunting, gathering. Searching for fellow survivors. Sometime's just looking. Embracing the world that's become quiet and beautiful again.
Booth shoots a crooked grin at his sibling, turning his attention back to the kids below. "Parker, girls, time to go see Grandpa Max!"
This doesn't deter their fun, and they gallivant their way up the hill, panting and giggling. Two of the neighboring home's border collies dart into the commotion, bouncing happily around the children. Their carefree barking carries over the hill. Parker and the girls have already been promised a puppy when the time arrives by the Neville's. The church bell sounds in the distance at the far end. When the three bubbling masses dash past them and scurry down the road into the more quietly suburban part of the haven, the two partners jog for the truck.
Some passengers seem surprised when Brennan bounds up into the bed beside them, but Jared elbows them back into line. Booth chuckles and nudges away the passing look of annoyance on his partner's face. Snatching up a rifle one of the men hand off to him, he smirks at his brother, "Jared, get Bones a gun." Brennan lights up at his words, delighted when the younger Booth passes an automatic down to her. "Pleased?" her husband asks, settling beside her as the truck roars back to life and they're on the move.
She sticks her tongue out in retribution, but nestles closer against him and away from the wind that whistles through the open back of the vehicle. He digs a second pair of gloves from his pocket and hands them to her when she's finished tugging her scarf tighter around her neck.
They share a smile.
The gates of the colony close behind them. Hopeful of their journey. Awaiting their return.
Somewhere down the line, in spite of it all, I think I can became: I knew I could.
In 2009, a deadly virus burned through civilization. Pushing human kind to the edge of extinction. Dr. Temperance Brennan dedicated her life to the discovery of a cure, and the restoration of humanity. Seeley Booth accompanied her on this quest for recovery. Protected her, guarded her with his life. On August 25th, 2010, at approximately 6:37 am, she discovered that cure.
This is who they are now, this is who they've become. And their love will endure, until they're no more than headstones, memories and stars in the sky. Partners, heroes. Not the last of a kind.
We beat the Infection, salvaged a race. In the harrowing experiences I faced, lived through with him, I found myself. Defined myself. I learned things I'd never considered possible and stood against, triumphed, over every facet that would see me fall. Fail. I survived, with him. With this man who has become more to me than I could ever have foreseen. This man who has fought with me and by my side for so long, I can't recall a life without him. This man, whom I love. I am proud, honored, to call him Partner. We're a team, and this new race is our legacy.
We are legends.
Be sure to check out the author's note, coming up.