In the Blink of An Eye
By LizD
Winter 2011
Chapter 6
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Brennan stormed into Sweets' office while he was in session with someone. "I need to understand grief," she stated.
The agent on the couch took in interruption as a sign from God that he could leave. Sweets called after him saying that they were not done; the agent never looked back. He turned to Brennan. "We need to talk about boundaries," he stated. "And about respect, privacy and waiting your turn."
"Grief," she repeated. "I need to understand."
Sweet relented. "Fine, sit down." She did. "I assume this is about Rebecca and not about something else."
"Yes," Brennan said.
"There are generally thought to be five stages of grief," Sweets started.
"Yes, yes. I know the stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. That is not what I am asking."
"Then what -?"
"Parker confronted me last night asking all kinds of questions. He wanted to know how his mother died ... details of what physically happened in her body to cause her to die. He asked me to do the autopsy. Then he asked about cremation. He wanted to see her body. Then he asked about the afterlife."
"Wow." Sweets sat back. "That was some conversation. What did you say to him?"
"I told him the truth."
"The truth according to Dr. Brennan?"
She scowled at that question. "I told him what happened to the body of someone who dies of an epidural hematoma. I told him that an autopsy would probably not be necessary but agreed to do it if it was needed. I told him that many cultures believe in cremation."
"What did you say about the afterlife?"
"I asked what he thought."
"Very good Dr. Brennan. You will make a fine psychiatrist one day."
"If you're just going to be insulting, I will get a book on the subject."
"I was trying to give you a compliment."
"Why did he ask me? Why didn't he ask Booth?"
"Well, it would be my guess that he knows you, trusts you, and knows that you won't lie to him."
"Booth doesn't lie to his son."
"Booth evades the heavy topics to cause himself the least amount of discomfort."
She shook her head.
"Dr. Brennan, I need to ask you something. This is off the topic of grief but it is relevant. What is the status of your partnership with Booth?"
"I don't understand the question."
"I have noticed, everyone has noticed that the relationship between you and Booth is a bit ... shall we say ... strained since your return. I am not sure how to attribute that: the time away, Booth's new girl friend, or maybe the feelings you have for Booth and he has for you."
"Booth and I are fine."
"Dr. Brennan, you two are everything but fine. Not five weeks ago you had so overly identified with a case that you nearly got yourself killed. Before you left for Maluku, you never would have done what you did without Booth. Five weeks ago you completely shut him out - you shut everyone out."
"Does Booth tell you everything?"
Sweets laughed. "Not even most things."
"I don't want to talk about me; I want to talk about Booth - Parker, Parker Booth."
"Freud would call that a slip ... he even named it after himself suggesting that your misspeak was actually not at all; rather it was your unconscious desire to talk about Booth."
Brennan stood up. "I'm going to get a book." She started for the door.
"Wait, wait," he called after her. "Come back." She turned and waited. "Honestly, I will tell you what I know."
Brennan sat down and listened to Sweets discuss the effects of the loss of a parent on a child Parker's age and how best to help him deal with this grief appropriately. He again complimented Brennan on her responses - direct and honest to direct and honest questions. He told her that Parker needed
answers now; the concrete ones at first and later there will be more spiritual. He told her that he might experience some guilt that he didn't do something correctly that caused her to die. Typically for boys Parker's age they understand death. They have seen it on TV and in movies and video games. Maybe an animal or an older relative had died to expose them to the concept close to home. Brennan pointed out the Parker mentioned his Uncle John. Sweets went on to say that the research had shown that children between the ages of nine and twelve may experience feelings of helplessness and that may interfere with the drive for independence that typically accompanies that age. He went on to say that Parker was fairly advanced for his age, and that teenagers often look outside the family unit for support. Particularly in Parker's case because his family unit was completely lost; he would have to move into his extended family. Booth was a weekend father who would become the full time custodial parent. That would change their relationship. He suggested that a watchful eye be kept on him as he deals with his friends at school, there maybe be feelings of alienation. He may try to take on a larger role in the household to fill in for the loss of his mother, so it will be Booth's responsibility that Parker still gets to grow up doing all the things a kid should do. In the end, honesty and lots of open conversation, really listening to what he is saying was the best advice he could give.
"Finally, remember that he is a child. You may discuss something once or twice but he may need to talk about it a number of times in order to process it fully."
Brennan listened to all Sweets had to say. "Thank you," she stood to leave again.
"Dr. Brennan," Sweets called. "Can we talk about your ... partnership with Booth?"
"You think I am over stepping my relationship boundaries with Booth because of Hannah."
"You two have always been very close. So close that I interpreted that as love." Brennan bristled. "For many years you have been surrogate mates for the other. It is natural that you would want to help Booth through this process."
"But he's in a relationship now," Brennan finished his comment. "I know that Dr. Sweets. I am very aware of what Booth feels for Hannah, and what he doesn't feel for me."
Sweets found that a very interesting comment.
"I know I missed my chance with Booth, but that doesn't mean that I don't care about him anymore. Or that I shouldn't want to help him through a crisis. I know my place. We are still friends ... and partners for the moment."
"For the moment?"
"Booth may choose to leave the FBI in order to provide Parker with a home. In that case our partnership will be effectively over."
Sweets wanted to ask how she felt about that but knew he wouldn't get an answer. "There are a number of agents with families, Dr. Brennan."
"Booth will be a single parent."
"What about Hannah?"
Brennan wasn't about to answer that. "Thank you for your time Dr. Sweets. Next time I will knock first." She left leaving the door open.
"Or call and make an appointment," he called after her.
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Booth had a vicious morning with Sherry. The only good thing was that Sherry liked Brent so they were off making all the arrangements. Booth's big task was to contact the lawyer. He had his copy of Rebecca's will, but he needed to make sure that nothing had changed and to verify with his lawyer and hers that Sherry's didn't have a case to make.
Booth's lawyer was a bit like Caroline - NO NONSENSE. She cut straight to the chase: a single parent, a field agent with the FBI who had irregular hours and repeatedly got into dangerous situations with a live in girl friend of less than six months who was also rarely home would not look good on paper. Sherry could make a case that a stable home life with stable parents and an established family unit would be more suitable. The fact that she is a blood relative will factor in but that does not trump Booth's paternal rights. The fact that Rebecca's will clearly states that Booth be given full custody weigh's in his favor as well, but cases that were built on thinner grounds have be brought before a family court. She further suggested that Booth should do everything in his power to keep that kind of decision away from a judge. It was not good for Parker and he could lose.
That left Booth with a lot to think about. He began questioning what was right for Parker. Booth didn't care about quitting the FBI. He would find work; that was not an issue. Security consulting would actually be more lucrative and would have better hours. The better money would be in overseas consulting, but that of course was out of the question. He also didn't need to leave the FBI. He had turned down several promotions in the past so that he could stay in the field. It might be time for him to look at one of those positions again. He had years at the FBI, there was no reason to lose that history. He could be a director, administrator, maybe a trainer. The drive to Quantico every day would be a bitch, but it wasn't the right time to sell the house. He needed to protect Parker's investment.
The work thing aside, he knew he could provide a home for Parker. He and Hannah were working toward getting married. She would probably not want to move in right away. She could keep the apartment and they could date - like normal people. Booth had begun to feel that things were moving too fast with Hannah anyway. He felt her pulling away, not acclimating to her job and living in Washington D.C. He believed it was only time that she needed, but maybe a little space was good too. It wasn't just for her sake. He might need to step back, slow it all down for a minute.
They had met in very strange circumstances: a war zone was really no place to begin a relationship. They were still all about the adrenaline and sex. The future they talked about was never further than the following night. They talked around subjects - got close and then diverted to the bedroom and that was only on the rare occasion when they were actually in the same time zone for more than two days. Hannah was away more than she was home. She seemed to like being a nomad. That was fine for Booth, but Parker needed someone with a bit more stability.
He needed to talk to Hannah. He hit the speed dial on his phone and waited. Brennan's voice mail came on the line. He was confused. He had planned on hitting 4 Speed Dial, not 2. He hung up without leaving a message and tried again. Hannah picked up. She was on her way to a meeting but she had two minutes.
"Well this is a longer conversation than two minutes, so I should wait," he said sadly.
"No, no, babe. Tell me what's going on," she encouraged.
"Rebecca's sister is here. They were very close. Anyway she thinks that she should take Parker. She has a husband and three other kids all around Parker's age. The kids all go to private school and are on track for an Ivy league education. They live in a huge house in Westport Connecticut. Very stable, very white bread - her husband is an accountant; she doesn't work. My lawyer thinks that she could make a pretty compelling case if it went to court."
Hannah was silent for a long moment. "Seeley are you expecting that you will be Parker's custodial parent now?" She was shocked. It never occurred to her that Booth would become a full time parent.
"Of course. He's my son."
"Yes, of course he is. And you're a great father, but are you really prepared to take on that role full time?"
"You don't think I can do it?"
"You can do anything you set your mind to, babe." She paused. "But is that really what is best for Parker? Private school, an ivy league education? Those are big in the grand scheme of success in life."
"I couldn't let him go to Connecticut."
"You would see him as much as you see him now. The trains, the shuttles ... it really wouldn't be that different."
Booth was silent.
"It's just something to think about."
"The service will be on Friday."
"What time, we are flying back in on Friday."
"It will be around three."
"I should be there by then." She pulled the phone away for a moment and spoke to someone else then she was back on the line "Look, Seel, I need to go. I'll call you tonight, we can talk more then."
"Sure."
"Love you, babe." With that she was gone.
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Booth never felt more alone in his life but that only lasted a second. His phone which was still in his hand rang - the Caller ID said BONES. The picture was one he had taken of her leaning over the remains of someone, he couldn't remember anymore. But he had always admired her intense focus. It served to make her beautiful face, appear more beautiful.
"Hey Bones." He said forcing some cheer into his voice.
"What's the matter? You sound odd."
"Strange comment coming from you," he responded playfully.
"I missed your call. I was just checking on some results. I have cause of death for the first victim and we should have the ID within the hour." She paused briefly. "Sorry, I shouldn't be bothering you with this."
"It's fine. Nice to know the world hasn't come to an end."
"Parker?"
"Was going to get him out of the house, do you want to meet us for a late lunch?"
She hesitated.
"Say, the diner in an hour?"
"Sure."
He wasn't sure he should broach the next subject with her and the phone was probably a bad choice but it was weighing heavily on his mind. "Sherry thinks that Parker should go live with her and her family in Connecticut."
"I'm not sure who Sherry is."
"Rebecca's sister."
"Oh."
She was silent. Booth needed to force her to give an opinion. "What do you think about that?"
"She is probably grieving and wants to hang on to her sister for as long as she can. Parker is an extension of Rebecca - at least in the sister's mind. In many cultures - actually all over the animal kingdom - the siblings of a dead parent take the children in and raise them as their own particularly if it is the female parent who is dead. It keeps the family bloodline stable and keeps the child rearing with the females."
"So you think it's a good idea," he prompted.
"You would never allow that," she stated simply.
Booth smiled. She was right. He would never allow that. "She could provide him with a two parent family, siblings, private school and an ivy league education."
"I can't imagine that anything could replace you in Parker's life. He has been raised in a single parent home, without siblings and he is very bright in spite of his public school education. You would never consider this as a viable alternative nor do I suspect would he. Why are we talking about this?"
With her usual pragmatic view of the world, Brennan just cut straight through all the bullshit. "We aren't." Booth's loneliness was gone. He had a village.
"You might want to bring Parker by the lab before we go to the diner. Hodgins is doing one of his experiments and the males here seems pretty excited. I'm not sure I understand all that they are doing, but ultimately, something will get blown up. The experiment should test our hypothesis of how the car exploded."
He loved how she could just move on to the next topic after so easily dismissing the first. As Parker would say - Bones is awesome.
"We're on our way."
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A/N: Gotta love Bones. She doesn't play too much in the grays and shadows of the world. She calls 'em like she sees 'em. Think Booth got a real eye opening moment there, but it may take one more to push him over the edge.