A/N: I know, I know, another chapter… how annoying am I? lol

This one has a bit of Booth, and more of Kali. Enjoy!

The phone rang as Brennan set down some paints in front of Kali, at the kitchen table. The two of them had thought to do something constructive. Kali had wanted to make a painting for Booth, when he came home, so that he could put it on the fridge. Brennan had liked the idea, and knew of times that Parker had done the same thing. She'd even seen some of his "artwork" from time to time, when Booth had boasted about it.

"I'll get it," Brennan said. "I'll be right back."

She took the receiver in her hand and wandered into the next room. Most of the phone calls she received were information pertaining to soiled bodies, none of which information should be shared with a child of Kali's age, no matter how mature.

"Brennan!" she answered.

"Bones," the voice replied.

Her heart stopped.

"Booth," she sighed. A small smile crossed her face. "How are you?"

"I'm alright," his voice was strained, and she knew he was trying to be brave, but she let him win this round without baiting him, and forcing him to tell the truth. If she was meant to know, he would tell her, she was sure of that. "Listen, Bones, how's Kali?"

"Good," she answered. "She's painting you a picture."

Silence was heard on the other end.

"Booth?"

"I'm here. She's really okay…"

"Yes, Booth. Are you checking up on us?" she said teasingly.

"No," he assured her. "I heard through the grapevine-"

"You talked to a plant?" she frowned.

"No, Bones… people… I heard people talk."

"Oh."

"You'll be getting a letter in the mail in the next few days, or it might already be there."

"A letter?"

"The court is asking you to testify against me, Bones. You knew that I stole Kali and you didn't turn me over, you were withholding information, and that's illegal!"

"I know that, Booth."

"They're making you go on the stand, and you have to tell the truth."

"Could this be detrimental to your case?" she asked.

"I don't know, Bones, probably. But you don't need to worry about that, you need to think about Kali. You need to tell the truth, so that the Judge will be more lenient towards you."

"Booth, I won't-"

"Bones," he said in that warning tone that made her know, he meant business. "Don't argue with me on this. Please… just this time, listen to me when I tell you that it matters to Kali what happens to her. If you refuse to testify, you will be charged and you will go to jail."

"I know how it works, Booth."

"Good," he said firmly. "So you know you have to tell the truth then. Don't lie to them, don't try and cover for me. JUST tell the truth!"

Brennan didn't argue with him again, she knew better than that, but in her mind she had already made a decision and it was hard to change her mind once she made it up.

"I'll bring Kali in to see you tomorrow," Brennan promised.

"Alright, Bones. Kiss her goodnight for me."

"I will," she said. "Goodnight Booth,"

There was a long pause. "Goodnight Bones."

Brennan hung up the phone and returned to the kitchen to Kali. She said nothing about her phone call, and sat chatting with her for a while, as she painted her picture. Her drawing was less adequate than her words, but Brennan still loved the finished project, and was proud to display it on her fridge.

She tucked Kali into bed soon after dinner, and read her a few chapters from one of the storybooks she had purchased that afternoon. Kali listened intently and was extremely exhausted by the time Brennan lay down the book on the bedside table. She kissed her goodnight and remembered Booth's plea to pass on a goodnight kiss.

Brennan brushed the hair from Kali's forehead, and kissed her again. "That one was from Booth," she smiled. "Goodnight Kali."

"Goodnight Bones," she yawned.

Brennan smiled and left the child to sleep.

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