A/N: Apparently, not even the words I write are my own. Interesting.
Brennan sat at the sticky diner table, carefully accordion folding her straw wrapper. She finally just got it the way she wanted it, then pulled her straw out of her glass and dribbled water onto the wrapper. The thin paper expanded, mimicking a caterpillar's movements. The childhood pastime still made her smile.
"Hey Bones," Booth said, sliding into the chair across from her. "Order yet?"
"No. I was waiting for you."
"And they say chivalry is dead."
She smirked a little and looked up at him.
"Are you getting pie?"
"Of course I am. Apple. What are you getting?"
"I'm not hungry."
"Then why did you want to meet here?"
"I want to talk to you."
"That doesn't sound good."
"Why not?"
"Because normally people start out hard conversations with the line that they want to talk."
"I can agree with that."
"So what did you need to tell me?"
She sighed a little and cleaned up her water and paper mess.
"I wrote my will."
He just stared at her for a moment, not sure what to say. He was barely sure what she meant.
"Bones, I'm not sure I... I mean, I really don't know what you want me to say to that."
"I don't expect you to say anything. I am just informing you. Cam said I should."
"Cam said...? Bones, you're going to have to fill in the blanks here."
"Working with you had brought to my attention the fact that at anytime, something could happen to me. I wanted to make sure that everyone was taken care of in the event of my incapacitation or death."
"Bones..."
"I'm not finished. If I were in a position in which life support would be the only way to sustain me, I have asked that such support be terminated."
Booth sat back against the chair, his arms crossed over his chest.
"There are other stipulations, but you don't look like you want to hear them. I did want to let you know that I have left you a substantial amount of money."
"What?"
"It is my intention that some of that money could be used to give Parker some academic advantages. Science camps, private music lessons, summer enrichment programs."
"Whoa, Bones, just.... hold on a minute. I don't think I want to talk about this."
"Death is inevitable, Booth. The least I can do is share what I have with the people who mean the most to me. This is an act of care. I'm not trying to depress you."
"Do you like to think about me dying?"
"I... no, of course not. But it is the only permanent thing in life, and must be planned for and dealt with accordingly."
He just shook his head. There was no arguing with her, ever. But especially not when she was this determined. He'd have to sit here and listen.
"I just felt that Cam was correct when she said I should warn you of this."
"Bones, why would you leave money to me?"
"Because. Through working with you I have learned a lot about heart. What I have learned I have written into my books."
"So what, you're paying me?"
"Yes, I suppose in a way I am."
"You know... Rebecca wouldn't like you paying for Parker's education."
"Not my problem. I'll be dead."
"Bones..."
She just smiled and picked up her menu.
"Are you going to order?"
"I thought you weren't hungry."
"I'm not really, but I feel like eating."
"Can't argue with you there."
He watched her over the top of his menu. Bones had a very strong will, one that was best not tangled with. But as much as she didn't want to admit it, stronger than her will was her heart.