Author's Note: I apologize for the delay, normal life tends to get in the way.

For all purposes here, Parker is about nine in this story. He was five in season three and following thus, he would be nine three years later. I hope his reaction and everything following seems at least a little age appropriate. Also, I'm bringing someone back for the purpose of this story. Where he was, what he was doing in the years between now and when this story is based will be explained some as well as possibily hinting a little at what his actual purpose in the story will be.

You guys know the drill. Read. Love. Review. Or at the least, the first and third.


Parker listened intently to his father until he stopped talking. Focusing intently on the hole in the left sleeve of his sweatshirt, he tried to think of what to say. "So she really doesn't remember?"

Booth heard the fear laced through his son's voice and shook his head. "She does, Park. Some things. But right now, there's a-" Booth licked his lips, pondering the one question that had racked his mind all night; How do I phrase it in a way he'll understand? "There's a part of her brain that's...it's sick. But Bones is still the same Bones. She's still the same person she was before."

"Then how come you said she doesn't remember us?" Parker's bottom lip trembled and tears threatened to fall from his eyes.

"Hey, bud..." Booth reached over to wipe the tears away. "She does remember, Parker. Trust me, Bones remembers you." He nearly bit his tongue, because though he knew she did he knew it wasn't in the capacity Parker would have hoped for. "Just...not the way you or I do right now."

Parker nodded with his frayed blond-turned-brown curls bouncing against the sofa cushion before turning to Booth. "When will she remember?"

Booth sighed and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. He might have been wondering the same thing, but the last thing he wanted was for Parker to worry about it too. "The doctors are doing everything they can, and Bones is too. We just gotta wait it out. This isn't like when you're home sick from school for a few days. I know you know that, that you've been to see her. But it's just-" He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "It's different now that she's awake."

"Does that mean I can't see her?" Parker asked, the idea of not following what he'd come to know as something he did on Saturdays, a visit to see Bones and then for ice cream-even though he knew the ice cream was because his dad thought it would cheer him up-to be faltered by whatever it was that was happening.

"I tell you what, bud. I know if I asked she'd probably want to see you. You were her favorite junior squint, remember?" Booth poked his son in the side, wanting to see if nothing else that he would smile again. He didn't want to be making big promises to him not knowing how she'd react, but the least he could do was try. "And of course you could go over to Jack and Ange's, if you wanted."

That fact seemed to cheer Parker up as he happily nodded. They talked of what he'd do there and of the other things he wanted to do in the days he'd spend with Booth, but eventually other matters happened to occur. Like the fact that he had homework, even on the weekend. "Do I really have to do it now, Dad?"

Booth laughed and ran a hand through Parker's hair, happy that for the moment his worrying had subsided. "Yes, you do. If you hurry up we'll have time to throw the football around before we go grab some lunch."


The doorway looked a little different, and the plants in the garden had definitely changed, but the majority of the Jeffersonian looked basically the same from the outside as it had when he'd last left it. That being several years before, he felt incredibly awkward standing and staring at the glass doors seemingly calling out to him. It was irrational and he probably shouldn't even be there. But he was in D.C. again after the publishing of his third book and the thought occurred that he should go back to check on a few of his former patients.

"You know those doors usually work better if you actually walk up and open them."

Startled by the voice suddenly sounding right behind him, he spun around quickly to face whoever was behind him. His face suddenly turned into a smile with just a hint of curiosity mixed in when he saw who his was. "Angela," He said. "hello."

Angela smiled, nodding a bit awkwardly. "It's been a while, Sweets."

He nodded and flicked his gaze from her to the gardens and fountain behind her. "I suppose it has."

She was only there to pick up a file she'd forgotten to take it home, but he was obviously there for a reason. "Why are you here, Sweets?"

Sweets nearly laughed at the way she crossed her arms until he realized he'd probably be better off if he told her. "I wrote another book. Well, it's my third but-" He shook his head and smiled. "The next stop in the book tour is here in D.C.; after leaving here to start my own practice a couple years ago I neglected to keep in contact. I was just hoping I could see how things were...holding up."

Angela rose both eyebrows and drew in a deep breath. She knew it would take some talking but she was pretty sure that with assurance that he was her responsibility Sweets would be granted access past the security. "For that, Doctor Sweets..." She patted his back and started leading him to the doors. "You're probably going to want to sit down."


The day hadn't gone exactly as planned. Parker's 'homework' as it turned out was an entire report that required research at a library and just so happened to be due on Monday. Rather than finishing it up, playing football in the backyard and heading to the diner to grab a bite, the two ended up spending nearly an hour at the library finding the books Parker needed and writing down the information. They still went to lunch even though it was later than they planned.

Still, Booth's original plan to spend time at the hospital had been tipped a little by the realization that he had to tell Parker. Not that he wouldn't of course, but that everything was happening to quickly scared him a little. His son was old enough and mature enough to understand some things but others would take more time.

Rather than sticking to the plan they had before, Booth suggested that maybe they go visit Brennan on Sunday rather than Saturday. He'd visit her while Parker was at Angela and Jack's (playing with the latest gadgets Hodgins was working on), and hopefully gauge what some of her reaction might be. It might not be exactly what the doctor recommended or the best scenario, but it had to be what worked.

Booth arrived at her hospital room shortly after dropping Parker off and they fell into the sense of ease they had before. It wasn't exactly the same of course, but they were both trying. Brennan informed him about the tests and therapy they were trying on her. Medications and questions they were giving and asking, and her own beliefs as to how far along she'd come in just the short time. Eventually conversation drifted to his day and what he'd been doing. He started telling her about Parker and what he was presumably doing at the Hodgins estate at that moment.

"He's...seeing Angela and Hodgins?" Brennan asked.

Booth nodded. "Yeah, I guess Hodgins built some new robot that can say all sorts of phrases, pick things up. Basically the kind you buy in stores but made from home. And slightly more squinty."

Brennan blinked her eyes and laughed a little. Her mind tried to focus on the situation and she smiled sadly. "I feel like I've missed so much."

"Don't worry about it, Bones. It'll come back." Booth assured her and gave her hand a squeeze.

Brennan's grip on his hand was stronger than before, and improvement, but she still had a while to go. "You're married, Angela and Hodgins are practically Parker's family...according to what you've told me. Cam is acting as if we are close friends, and I appreciate the gesture, I do..." Brennan closed her eyes and focused on the way his hand felt against hers. "I just want to remember."

"I want you to." Booth replied. It wasn't a lie at all and the honesty in his voice made him sound vulnerable. He didn't care. "It's gonna come, Bones. You gotta believe that it will."

"My doctors keep telling me the same thing." Brennan told him.

"It's the truth. Positive thinking goes a long way. You're already improving as far as health goes and I know there are other things to be done but that's just it." Booth replied. He stopped speaking and looked at her. "You don't have to do it all. Let us...you know. Help."

Brennan shook her head. "That's just it, Booth. You can'thelp. The last...however long of my life. It's nonexistent at this point. Who I was, what I was doing. Cases, relationships, my novels; everything that I did in that time doesn't have any bearing on who I am at the moment. As much as I'd appreciate you telling me every detail, I know that it can't happen."

Booth nodded and was for once grateful that Brennan was being stubborn. Some things had to be learned on her own.


He was in the SUV checking his phone for messages when he got the one about stopping by the Hoover building to sign off on an important report that needed to be turned it. It was stupid and he should have done it the day before but he'd put it off. Which was exactly why Booth found himself riding the elevator to his office, walking down the hall, and opening the correct door.

He hadn't exactly been expecting someone sitting on the other side. To be correct, he had been expecting someone. Just not exactly the someone he was seeing.

"What the-"

"How long has it been, Agent Booth?" His former therapist was currently sitting in his desk chair.

Booth frowned and shrugged. "Three years or so, I guess."

Sweets nodded and clicked the top of his pen. He'd been writing notes to prepare what he wanted to say to the agent.

Booth was quiet as well until everything apparently fell into place. "But you know that, don't you?"

"I know a few things pertaining to the past few years. Apparently I left town before the relationship between you and Doctor Brennan took a rather interesting turn." Sweets quirked an eyebrow. "That's not to say that I didn't see it coming, though I wish I had been here."

"Sweets-"

Sweets held a palm up and knew he had further to go before actually reaching his point. "I also realize that maybe things haven't gone exactly as planned recently."

Booth looked between Sweets and the door. "Who let you in here?" He asked.

"I'm only stating facts relayed to me by someone else, Agent Booth. If you feel like talking I'd be more than welcome to schedule in some time for you while I'm here." Sweets offered, hoping that it would help.

"I don't need to talk about anything. I just came by to sign a few papers that need to be filed. I'm going to pick up Parker from Hodgins' place when I leave. That's it." Booth replied, shrugging it off as he continued to stare at the sight of his and Brennan's former therapist sitting comfortably in his office chair. "Could you just get out of the chair?"

"You don't want to talk?" Sweets asked, though he knew it was all a cover. "I suppose I should have expected that. I just can't believe you two couldn't tell me. Married?" He smiled but it soon faded and was replaced with a look of concern. "Then of course there's the reality that Doctor Brennan, your wife, is currently hospitalized for-"

"Sweets." Booth crossed his office in a few short steps. He braced his hands against his desk. But it stopped there. Booth could have said something angry at him or even something nice if he chose. Instead he found the file he needed on his desk, flipped it around to face him, and signed the document inside. He handed the pen back to Sweets and sighed. "Nice seeing you, Sweets."