Suezanne: Although a time skip is a great idea, I think there are a few more stories that I need to write with in this story.

Kaaayyytteee: Although that was an interesting suggestion and I did see the episode you're talking about, my story, although technically takes place after season four is AU to season five. Besides I feel like with that story line there is too much for me to mention and I don't want to open up that can of worms. But thank for the suggestion. Bones and Hodgins were buried in season 2 and Booth was buried in season 4.

Rochelle Templer: AH you approve. I am so happy you liked the chapter. I'm glad you liked the pacing. The sense of urgency, as you called it, was real. I'm grateful that you are enjoying this story as much as I love reading your and writing mine. Also thank you for the advice and you got her daddy spot on. Hopefully you'll like this chapter. Also thank you so much for all your help with Sweets all the things you suggested will come into play soon.

Disclaimer: After 43 chapters I still do not own Bones


Chapter 44

Slow and Passing

March was well into the end of its first week when Sweets was finally released from the hospital. As Jackie told me, he had barely spoken two words to her the whole ride back to her place. Once they got to her apartment he kissed her cheek and thanked her, in a voice so soft only a mouse could hear.

As the first week of March headed into the weekend; my parents headed to D.C. Both our parent! Holly and Frank agreed to stay at a hotel not to far from the house. My parents of course, insisted on staying with Jack and me on principle.

I found this extremely annoying. So did Jack! He and Angela were angry at first for being forced to come back from their honeymoon way earlier than expected. Eventually they forgave me, two whole days after the fact.

The twins went up to New York to stay with Saph a couple of days before coming down for the wedding with her. So my parents, and Zack's parents, and we, all went to Wung Fu for dinner.

I thought the idea was a bit awkward, but it was Holly's idea and she was so sweet in asking. How can you refuse your soon-to-be mother-in-law?

Zack and I sat in the corner of the booth with my mother on the edge and my father outside the booth due to his wheel chair. Zack's parents sat next to him with Holly next to Zack and Frank next to her.

"Where are the menus?" asked Frank when he saw that the girl who seated us did not give us any.

"You do not order here, Dad." said Zack. "Sid, the owner is, as Agent Booth says, gifted. You are supposed to sit here and let Sid bring your food to you."

My father huffed and said something about menus. I did not hear. Sid walked over standing all chubby infront of us. He bowed and smiled.

"Welcome." he said. "Your food should be here soon."

"Thank you, Sid."

"…Zack Addy, right?" asked Sid and Zack nodded. "Good to see you back here." Something told me he did not simply mean back in the restaurant.

We all remained silent and sure enough, soon after Sid left, our food was brought o us. Exactly what we wanted! I had never seen my father look so stunned before that night. My mother had a salad, Holly had noodles with shrimp, Frank had a big fish on his plate, and Dad had a burger. Zack and I had gotten the same thing: rice with beef, veggies and delicious teriyaki sauce. So it was more Japanese than Chinese. Who was I to argue? Along with our food came the drinks, mostly water with the exception of Holly getting iced tea and me getting a soda.

Finally Holly spoke. "I should suggest this place to your siblings." she nudged Zack.

"That would be a great idea." said Zack faking enthusiasm. I didn't even know he knew how to fake.

"Have you guys thought about where you're going for your honeymoon?" asked mom. My mouth was full. She waited until I swallowed so I could answer.

"We decided to go to Israel. There is a new dig in Jerusalem and the government there, is looking for a brilliant anthropologist and an equally brilliant Archeologist to: identify, date, catalog, and, of course, dig up all sorts of goodies." I said excitedly. Our parents did not share our fervor! (A/n does this sound like a typical squint honeymoon or what)

"Why would you want to go there?" questioned dad. "That sounds like work, instead off a honeymoon."

"This way we get the enjoyment of doing our job for the Jeffersonian as well as an excellent, and nearly free honeymoon." stated Zack. "It's brilliant."

"Don't worry." I said. "We'll be good and promise to do everything one is, anthropologically, expected to do during a honeymoon." My parents paled, Holly and Frank just chuckled shaking their heads. Mom joined them as Dad continued to shake his head.

"Well…if this is the kind of honeymoon you want…" trailed off Holly.

"Have you thought about kids?" asked my mother after a pause. There it was. The almighty, question! That which defined our entire future as a married couple!

"Yes, we have thought about children." replied Zack. "As Althy stated we have no choice, but to procreate in this family." Apparently both sets of parents found Zack's comment incredibly funny. The four of them broke out laughing, gasping for air.

"You sure got us spot on, son." said Frank patting Zack on the back, through Holly.

"Now where will you be living after the honeymoon?" asked Dad.

"Well…we thought we'd stay where we are now, until we find a house or apartment close to work." I said unsure of what else to say. My father made a note of that on his iphone. Why a man at his age needed an iphone was beyond my understanding.

We finished up the meal with our dads insisting on paying the bill and went over to a bar to sit and relax.

"Honey you ate so much." fussed over mom. "How are you going to fit into your wedding dress? You know I was a two when I got married."

"And I'm a two." I replied. "I already bought my wedding dress. Do not worry, mom. Everything is going to be okay."

She was silent for a moment. Before shrugging it off and sipping her drink. "You will never guess who's coming to D.C. next week." I said suddenly remembering.

"Who?" asked Mom

"Felix Dower, the author of Dirty Bones, Grey Stains, and Bloody Nightmares." I was excited.

"Your favorite author?" asked Zack. I nodded.

"He's having a book signing at the Smithsonian this weekend."

"I read his latest book." said Holly, "What was it called, Frank?"

"Bitter Body?" said Frank shaking his head.

"That's it. It was a wonderful book." said Holly, "Would you mind if I came with you?"

"Of course not," I said happily. "Mom, what about you?"

"Oh fiddlesticks, I don't want to miss a chance for us, girls to have a little fun." said mom. I laughed.

We parted with Holly and Frank and headed home. The night was upon us casting its gloomy shadows onto the city.

The house was quiet. Angela and Jack were not home. "Jack mentioned he wanted to take Angela on an overnight yacht ride. It's so romantic." Romance was overrated, I thought.

"Well, this was fun." I said grabbing Zack's hand. "We'll see you tomorrow…maybe, if we don't have to go to work." Zack nodded quickly as I pulled him up the stairs.

Before I could change I fell onto the bed exhausted. "Way…too…much time…with…parents." I mumbled into the pillow.

"Surprisingly, things went smoothly, unlike I hypothesized." I shook my head and pulled out from the pillow. "I think our parents enjoyed themselves."

"Well…I think we should enjoy ourselves, don't you?" it took him a second to comprehend what I was saying. My hands came around his neck and I pulled him towards me.

"If you insist…."

"And I do."

When Zack and I woke up the next morning we decided to repeat some of what occurred last night. As we began repeating my mom, not knocking, entered my room. Zack and I dived under the covers, completely red.

"Mother, do you ever knock?" I shouted from under the blanket.

"I'm your mother. There is nothing either of you have that I have never seen before." Although my mom couldn't see it my face went from pink to scarlet.

"That does not mean we wish for you to see us that way." explained Zack.

"Oh, I'm sorry dears. I had no idea you were so shy." she said shaking her head. "I just came up to tell you to come downstairs for breakfast, also the twins arrived twenty minutes ago." she walked out of the room and we got out from under the covers.

"What a way to start the morning." I said. Zack smiled.

"I believe your mother said something about coming downstairs." said Zack. We got dressed and walked downstairs.

Andora and Adam were sitting on the counter, while my parents and Jack and Angela sat at the table drinking coffee and eating waffles.

"Good morning." I said.

"Morning." said Jack.

"Althy, Jackie called. She says she needs you to come to her apartment as soon as you can….something about Sweets." said Angela. I nodded.

Jackie had called me two days before my parents arrived. She spoke of Lance's withdrawal from everyone. He hardly spoke; he merely nodded or shook his head. Mostly, Jackie said, he starred at pictures of his parents. It hurt Jackie so much to see him that way.

"I have to go." I said and ran back upstairs to get my notes. Although I shouldn't have done it, I began an analysis of the good doctor. His adoptive parents died prior to meeting Booth and Brennan…within one week of each other. That had to be tough for a guy who had to grow up at the age of five. Now all these issues with his father. This was the breaking point. This was where he could no longer control his memories and the empty feeling that had hounded and picked at him for the past twenty something years.

I got to Jackie's apartment in no time and saw the horrors of Jackie's and his nightmares. The house was a mess and Jackie sat on the couch, unable to comprehend the situation.

The door was open when I arrived and when Jackie saw me she had a look full of hope on her face.

"Thank god." she said and pulled me inside the apartment.

"Where's Sweets?"

"He…he's in the kitchen…."

Jackie was right. She had made him French toast, a favorite, according to Jackie. But he did not seem to care. He just sat there picking at the food on his plate.

"Hello Lance." I said and he looked up at me briefly.

"Morning, Dr. Calloway." There it was. He was not an adult. He was a child. This was going to be difficult and this was going to take time. His voice was small and quiet. He attempted to sound the same as he was prior. But he wasn't. I dropped my bag in Jackie's office and walked back to her.

"Can you help him?" she asked. I gestured for her to sit down.

"I don't like to sugar coat things, that's not who I am. So I'll be frank. This is going to be hell." she nodded. "First thing I'm going to need is to get Booth to pull some strings."

"What kind of strings?" she asked.

"Due to the trauma Lance suffered when he was young, I can rationally assume that he received psychological help in order for him to heal mentally. I can also deduce that this inspired him to become a psychologist himself. I need Booth to get me Sweet's medical records."

"So…will you take him on…as a patient…if you do, you can legally request his medical records." I nodded slowly. She hugged me. "Arigato Althy, Domo arigato."

"I still need Booth to find this psychiatrist." I said. "This is going to be a long day…."


SO as you can see I was fairly blocked during the course of this chapter. But then I thought about it and I realized someone had to help Sweets. So I asked Rochelle for a little help and she was absolutely brilliant in helping me out with her fancy ideas. So this is it for this one; the next chapter will be hell…