Author's Note: Thanks go out to all of you who are reading. I'm sure this probably isn't what you were expecting, but it seemed like the right thing to do. Because really, the Booth we know wouldn't lie about it. Not if there was another way.
Anyway, read again and review if you can please. Thanks!
Booth blinked, his breath hitching and chopsticks hanging in midair. "What?" He asked. It was then that he caught her gaze and proceeded to follow it. He gulped. The ring.
Brennan frowned and noted the way he seemingly clammed up. "Booth?"
The question in her eyes was almost more than he could take but Booth couldn't bring himself to look away. He remembered the conversation with Doctor Weston and fought back the anger at the mere suggestion that he lie to her. There was no way in his mind that lying could ever be an option. The look on her face told him he'd have to come up with something though, as he could practically see her struggling with her own answer.
She tried to come up with another explanation. There had to be another reason for Booth wearing a ring. Brennan rested her head against the pillow and fixed her eyes directly on his. Try as she might, no image of ever attending a wedding ceremony in his honor floated to the surface. "You're married?"
Booth flinched before setting the take-out carton down. "Yeah, I am."
"Oh." Brennan's face fell. She didn't remember even hearing about it and the idea that something she was sure was so completely important to him could slip her mind frustrated her. "Congratulations, I suppose."
At that, Booth couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, Bones."
Her memory was like a fog. She could see some things clearly but after a certain point everything appeared in blips or disappeared altogether. "I don't remember."
His face filled with concern as he watched her brow furrow. She was pushing herself on his account. "Hey," Booth scooted the chair closer and grabbed her hand. "It's okay. These things-" Booth took a breath, contemplating how best to complete the sentence. "they take time, Bones. It's nothing to get frustrated about."
"But it is." Brennan cried. She stared down at his hands, her eyes honing in on the silver band on his left ring finger. "Was I even there? Is that why I can't-"
"Yes," Booth's voice was hallow and cracked. "you were there."
Brennan was silent, stubborn tears gathering on her bottom lids. "You should go."
He nearly gasped at her statement until he began to realize what she meant. "No, I-"
"Why should you be sitting here with me, when you could be wherever with-"
Booth effectively silenced her by placing a finger to her lips. He waited until he was sure she wouldn't speak. "I am here...because I want to be."
"Hey, beautiful." Hodgins wrapped his arms around Angela as she stood out on their patio. He rested his chin on her shoulder and drew in a deep breath. "What are you thinking?"
She smiled and linked her fingers with his as they rested against her stomach. "I don't know. I just-" Angela closed her eyes and simply stood there collecting her thoughts. "I'm just thinking. About everything..."
Hodgins nodded, the stubble of his beard nestling against her cheek. "It's been a rough few days, but everything's gonna work out."
"How do you know?" Angela asked, spinning to face him. "I mean, she can't remember. The past few years are this...haze. Everything that's happened, all that we've been through-"
"Will come back." Hodgins replied with more conviction than he felt. It scared him to think that his former boss would never regain her memory, but he also knew how important it was that she did. "Come on, let's go back inside. It's getting cold."
"I'm fine," Angela insisted with a shake of her head.
He gave her a direct stare and let out a sigh. "Really?"
Angela tilted her head and pulled his hand into hers. "No, but I will be."
Nodding, Hodgins pulled her in for a kiss. "I love you, you know."
Angela smiled and tears created a thin veil over her eyes. She wrapped her arms around him and stood there silently for a moment while the wind picked up a little around them, though she didn't seem to notice. "There's just so much time. This last year has just been..." Angela paused, lifting her head from his shoulder to wipe at her lids. "But you know what?"
Hodgins was taken back for a second by Angela's sudden change in demeanor but he wasn't about to question it. "What's that?"
"We'll make it," Angela nodded, brown hair getting tousled by the wind. "I know that it's crazy to hope for something like that. But I have to, Jack. We have to."
Hodgins pulled her against him as they walked back inside.
Booth stayed as long as he could, simply sitting at Brennan's bedside and talking about one thing or the other. Parker was in soccer and loving it and things at the lab were indeed doing well. Zack had basically become his partner and it took a lot of adjusting and while it wasn't seamless he knew his stuff. Eventually though, sleep beckoned her and she asked him to leave. He had no choice but to listen and knew that she needed the time anyway.
It didn't stop his inability to focus as well the next day though. He went to visit the victim's family and found himself staring at the pictures, thinking of all the time they'd never have with their son. He asked the right questions and was able to offer at least a small semblance that they would find out who killed him he knew his heart wasn't in it. His mind floated to interrogation and interview scenes past and of the way Brennan would often be the one who got someone to admit something, or at the least hint that there was something more to uncover.
He grabbed a bit to eat at the diner, going through the motions and barely thanking the waitress for the slice of pie she gave him before putting his money down and heading out the door.
The rest of the day wasn't that much different than normal. The victim's father was brought in in for questioning and the interrogation room had been set up. Booth went in hoping he'd be able to focus more than he had that morning. After speaking with Hodgins again about the dirt samples and verifying the father's trip records Booth confirmed that the man's 'business trip' was indeed for business, but that he was unaccounted for in the second meeting of the day. Booth continued questioning the man about his whereabouts until finally he caved and admitted to the murder. It was accidental; they gotten into a fight and he'd inadvertently killed him. That of course didn't stop him from trying to hide it, but Booth was relieved to have found the killer and at least solved the case.
Celebrating felt different in a way. Rather than confirming everyone's whereabouts and suggesting they meet at the diner or some other place Booth found himself in search of a parking spot at the hospital.
He had to see her. There was no other option in his mind, even if it meant dodging questions about why he wasn't with his wife or why he hadn't bothered to stop by his house and change after dealing with the required paperwork and arresting the suspect.
Booth practically ran up the several flights of stairs, too impatient to wait for an elevator. His feet found their own way down the corridor until he found the right room number. Pausing just for a second to adjust his tie, he swung the door open only to find the bed empty.
"Where's-"
"They took her for testing about ten minutes ago."
Booth spun, for the first time noticing Cam sitting in a chair against the wall. It took him a second to process her words, but when he did he let out a relieved breath. As he watched her quirk up an eyebrow he could practically hear what she was about to say before the words left her mouth.
"If you're going to wait for her to remember certain details on her own, I'd suggest a calmer entrance next time." Cam replied, hoping he wouldn't take it as an insult.
Booth looked down at his suit and smoothed out a nonexistent crease. "I guess you're right. But when I finished the paperwork, I just-"
"I know," Cam nodded. She watched as he searched the room. "They decided to go for dinner. Angela might come back later but until then it's just me."
"And you're staying because..." Booth knew it sounded kind of rude but he couldn't come up with anything else to say in a moment that seemed incredibly heavy with silence.
"Because I know what it's like to be in a hospital, waiting for someone to come visit me. Granted I know the situations aren't the same, I figured it would be helpful to at least offer a little semblance of comfort." Cam said.
Booth nodded and surveyed the rest of the room. She was fine and was being taken for tests. The team had left for the day, save for Cam who was choosing to stay for a while. Exhaustion from the day was catching up with him and as his eyes settled on the empty bed Booth was suddenly unsure about whether or not he wanted to stay. More than anything he simply wanted to see her, to tell her how things went and simply be there. But after rushing up the stairs only to find she was away left him feeling a little empty. Shaking his head, Booth rubbed the back of his neck as he turned to face Cam. "Could you just tell her I'll see her tomorrow?" He asked, knowing how pathetic he sounded. "Just...after today, and I've yet to tell Parker about any of this."
"How do you plan on doing that?" Cam asked, genuine concern laced through her voice. "He and Brennan were close before, at least whenever he'd come to see you."
"Yeah, I know." Booth agreed. "I should probably tell Rebecca first seeing as I'm sure she'll have something to say about it."
Cam nodded silently before standing up and walking with him to the door. She paused just as he was about to open it. "Are you sure you don't want to stay?"
At that, Booth stared down at his attire and found it reflecting the work of his day. As much as he wanted to see Brennan he also knew what she'd think. "I do, but I need to get going. Just tell Bones I'll stop by in the morning."
He was making excuses and she was perfectly aware of it. It didn't stop her from patting his shoulder in understanding and nodding as he opened the door. "I'll do that, Seeley. But just so you know?" She waited until he looked up to continue speaking. "Just because she can't remember everything doesn't mean Brennan doesn't enjoy you being here. Despite the differences we've had in the past, it's good to see a familiar face."
It was almost eight by the time Booth had showered and eaten dinner but he still found himself driving over to see Rebecca and Parker, not even certain if any words would actually come. He knew his son deserved to know, but actually finding the words was proving harder than he'd like to admit.
He and Rebecca were sitting on the couch a short time later, beers in front of them as Booth stared down at the carpet in concentration.
"He'll understand, Seeley. You just have to calmly explain that while she really does care for him...she's still very sick. She can't remember things right now." Rebecca said, knowing it wasn't much but it was all she had to offer him. "Parker's a lot like you, you know."
"I just-" Booth pressed a palm against his eye and rubbed the sleep he felt pulling at it away. "I want it to be easy. I want to wake up and go there tomorrow, and have this all be over. Have Bones remember everything we have and just...take her home and live."
Rebecca nodded and let out a sigh. "There's not much I can say, but I know you, and I had the chance of getting to know Brennan as well during the last few years. The both of you are strong enough to make it through this."
"I know we are." Booth replied, his thumbnail picking at the label on his bottle before turning to look at her. "Bones is strong, but it's gonna take a lot of work. I'm strong too, but I don't know how I'm supposed to tell Parker that she doesn't remember the fact he's her stepson."
The sound of Parker singing a song about frogs and catching them could be heard from down the hall. Rebecca smiled and placed a hand on his arm. "I'm sure you'll figure it out." Parker's singing became even louder when he shut the water off. "Pick him up tomorrow?"
Booth laughed at the sudden familiarity of the moment and nodded his head. "Yeah," he said as he stood. "Thanks, Becca. I'll see you both tomorrow."
