"We can waive the waiting period if you petition a judge. You'll just have to go down to the courthouse to find a judge that's still there. Don't wait too late in the afternoon though; most judges leave early if no one's around," the woman behind the counter said, "You need the license, this petition form and here are the forms for a legal name change."

"Oh, I don't need those," Brennan said, pushing the name change forms back to her.

"You don't?" Booth asked.

Sensing the need for yet another private conversation from the prying, eavesdropping ears of the woman, she pulled Booth aside one more time.

"I don't want to change my name," she told him.

He shook his head. "I still don't understand, Bren. You're gonna have to give me more than the fact that you don't want to."

She sighed. Brennan wasn't quite sure how to explain this to him. She knew he would probably be hurt that she didn't want to take his name and she also knew this was something they should've talked about when they first got engaged.

"Well…what do you call me?"

"Bren," he answered.

"What does everyone else call me?"

"Bren," Booth answered again.

"I just don't think I should change…who I am. I haven't been Temperance since I met you. Plus, I don't really want to have to submit a change for my doctorate either. And, I-ˮ

Booth cut her off. "Bren, I get it. I just wanted to know why. You're an independent woman. Trust me, I know that. I just wanted to know."

She smiled at him and went back to the counter. The woman stood up suddenly, afraid of being caught eavesdropping on the young couple.

"We don't need the name change forms. Thank you, though," Brennan said to her, snatching the other papers off the counter.

"Okay, Booth, you know this city better than I do. Where's the courthouse?"


They hurried down to the courthouse and Booth, becoming extremely impatient and excited, asked everyone they saw where a judge's chambers were. The courthouse was a large building, historical and regal. The giant staircase wound up the height of the building, seemingly never ending.

"Booth, he'll know," Brennan said, pointing in the direction of a security guard. Booth winked at her and jogged over to the guard. They conversed and Booth returned soon after with a big grin on his face.

"Come on, I know who we can talk to."

Booth pulled Brennan by the hand up several flights of stairs until she stopped half way up the last flight.

"What's wrong?"

Booth knew that look she had. She was processing something, something important.

"We need witnesses, Booth. The judge won't marry us without witnesses."

Booth bit his lip in anticipation. He started pacing on the steps.

"Pops and Jared?" he suggested, sounding hopeful.

"Jared won't get out of the hospital for a few days."

"Jack and Angela?"

She shrugged. "We could call them. But even by the time they get here, it'll be late."

"Shit." He sat down on the steps and put his head in his hands. "So much for my great idea. I had no clue we needed witnesses."

Brennan sat down next to him and placed her head on his shoulder.

"We might as well wait until Jared's out of the hospital," he continued.

He turned and kissed her forehead gently. They could hear footsteps coming down the stairs from behind them.

"You kids okay?" The voice came from an older, balding man who oddly reminded Brennan of Hank.

She gave him a slight smile. "We're fine. Sorry if we're in your way." Brennan stood up to allow the man to pass.

"No, no. Not at all." He spotted the papers Brennan was holding. "You kids are getting married?"

"Trying to," Booth answered, his head still down. He was disappointed in himself. He wanted this to be perfect for Bren.

"Seeley Booth? Is that really you?"

Booth looked up at the man but didn't recognize him. Both Brennan and Booth looked very confused.

"Booth? You know him?"

Booth shook his head. "I'm sorry, sir. I don't…I…"

"Hank and I went through the service together. Son of a bitch saved my life a few times. I knew you when you were little. I'll be damned, you grew up fast. You sure do look like your old man. How is your dad anyway?"

Booth cringed at the mention of his father. "He's fine, I guess. Haven't seen him in a long time."

The man nodded, realizing he said something wrong. "Sorry, where are my manners? I'm Walter Henderson," he told them, holding out a hand for Booth to shake.

Booth took his hand and then introduced Brennan.

"Follow me," Walter said, walking back up the stairs where he came from. Brennan shrugged and Booth motioned for her to go ahead of him. He stuck close to her, his hand on the small of Brennan's back as they tagged along behind Hank's old friend. Walter was making small talk with Booth as they walked back to his chambers. When they reached the small room lined with bookshelves, Walter took his seat behind his desk and told the couple to take a seat in the chairs opposite him.

"Rangers, huh?" Walter questioned Booth, noticing the tab on his fatigue jacket.

"Yes, sir. Seventy fifth Ranger regiment, first battalion."

"You want me to sign that waiver?"

"Yes," Brennan spoke up, "But we need witnesses."

Walter nodded. "You two don't look like you're dressed to get married."

"We just got back from Guatemala, sir. I was on a mission and Bren was doing research for her next dissertation. Pops and Jared got in a car accident so they sent us home."

Walter looked a little shocked. "They're okay, though?"

Booth nodded. "Pops is fine. Jared's gonna be in the hospital for a few days but he'll be fine, too."

"Good, good," Walter muttered, taking the petition form and signing it.

"Ms. Brennan, why don't you call whoever you two want to be your witnesses and have them come down tomorrow with you. We'll have this license signed by this time tomorrow."

Brennan opened her mouth to correct him on the incorrect title but Booth shot her a look.

Please, Bren, just please don't be rude to the guy who's going to marry us, he thought.

She closed her mouth and took the phone Walter was handing her. She dialed Angela's number and waited for her to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Jack! Hey, it's Bren. Is Angela around?"

"She just got in the shower. I thought you were in Guatemala?"

"Got back early. Listen, are you guys doing anything tomorrow?"

"Well, Angie and I were going to take another trip to New York. We're gonna leave tonight. Why did you come back early?"

"It's a long story. I'll tell you when I see you. Can you and Angela stop in Philadelphia on your way to the city?"

"Uh…yeah, I don't see why not. Why are you in Philly?"

"Like I said, I'll tell you when I see you. What time do you think you'll get here?"

"Well, we're planning on eating dinner and taking off so we can probably be there by seven or eight tomorrow morning. What's going on, Bren?"

"Jack, can you and Angela be our witnesses?"

"Witnesses for what, Sweetie?" Angela had taken over the phone. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, of course. Why would you ask that?"

"If you're calling me, it means you're back in the states. Early. There is only one thing that would tear you away from your dead things and that's Private Studly. Is he okay?"

"Yes, Booth is fine."

"Then why are you home early?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow. So will you?"

"Sweetie, words. Speak. Will I what?"

"Will you and Jack stop in Philadelphia and be our witnesses for our wedding?"

"Booth's back too? Wait, like bridesmaid and groomsman witnesses or…"

"No, no ceremony. Just a judge, Booth and I and you and Jack. So will you?"

She sighed. "Of course, sweetie. We'll be there. But, Brennan! What happened to a real ceremony?"

"It'll happen," Brennan reassured, "Look, I'll tell you when I see you tomorrow. Meet us at the courthouse downtown, okay?"

"Sure, sweetie. I'll see you in the morning. Will you do me a favor, though?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Make sure Booth's in his good uniform and you wear that cute sundress I picked out for you the last time we went shopping."

"It's white…oh! I see the significance! Good idea, Ange."

"I know. I'm pretty much a genius. I'll see you tomorrow, Bren."