I have no idea how long we stood there. Eventually he kissed the top of my head and pulled back. I could tell he was trying to look into my eyes and I let him. My brother had always been good at reading people and I knew he would understand.
"Look at you, Tori," he had genuine tears in his eyes. "You're all grown up. The last time I saw you, you could barely reach my shoulder."
"A lot can happen in five years Seeley."
"I've missed a lot haven't I?"
"You have no idea."
"Have you at least been keeping out of trouble?"
"Nope."
"Did you even try?"
"In the beginning perhaps, but its hard to remember."
"Still a smart ass I see."
"Hey, I'm still mad at you! Therefore you have no right to call me an ass."
His phone rang, "It's my partner, I have to take it."
I moved around his desk and took a look around. He obviously was very good at what he did for them to give him all these accommodations. He had pictures and trophy on the walls and shelves. Not very many books that I could see, but my brother had never been the intelligent one of the group.
He hung up and turned to me, "Look I have to go and talk to my partner. I'll drop you off at my apartment."
"Can't I just call Jared to come and get me?"
"That's a bad idea."
"Why? He still lives in the city right?"
"Yeah, but he started drinking again." There was a look of almost pain on his face when he said this.
"Dammit! Are you serious?"
"Yeah, sorry."
"What is wrong with this family? Are the Booths cursed or something?"
"I don't know."
"Well I don't really want to go to your apartment alone right now. I would probably end up breaking something. Can't I just come with you?"
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not? I'll be a good girl and quiet and all that jazz."
"Because then I would have to introduce you to everyone and it would be awkward."
"I'll stay in the car."
"Not in a parking garage you won't."
"So your options are taking me with you and have an awkward moment or stay here. What will it be?"
"Well…fine you can come, but be quiet and don't say anything inappropriate."
We walked down to his black SUV and started our way to wherever his partner was. I knew who she was, but I didn't know exactly what to expect.
"So what does your partner know about me?"
"Nothing. Why?"
"Wait, so does she know I even exist?"
"Not exactly."
"You have got to be kidding me! You didn't tell her that you had a little sister?"
"Well would you? I mean that I didn't know how to explain it." Nice recovery there with the last sentence.
"It's not that hard. You didn't have to explain the circumstances, all you had to say was that you had a little sister."
"You don't know Bones though."
"Wow I feel really loved right now. Thanks Seeley for not viewing me as important."
"I never said that! You should know that you are important to me."
"Really? For the last five years I have gotten a total of like ten letters from you and every time it was just you telling me to keep my nose clean."
"I've been busy."
"So busy that you can't write to your little sister? What happened to your motto?"
"Look, its just complicated ok. I don't really want to get into it right now."
Right then we pulled into the parking garage and I decided to let it go. For now that is.
A/N: This is kind of a longer chapter and I know that it is mainly filler stuff, but I thought it was an important bridge. Next chapter is when they meet Bones I promise.
Reviews and PMs are great and I really like to know what you guys think. Thanks!