A/N: During the Partners in the Divorce because it's my opinion that Booth probably need a little more reassurance than Sweets gave him.
Max Keenan walked into the Royal Diner and saw the man he thought of as his son in law sitting at the counter with a cup of coffee in his hand and an untouched piece of apple pie in front of him. Booth not eating pie. This wasn't good. Taking the stool next to the agent, Max turned over his own cup and asked without preamble "Who peed in your cornflakes?"
Booth turned in surprise, he'd been lost in thought and hadn't seen the older man come in. Hoping to avoid conversation, he replied "No one. I'm fine." and took a bite of the pie.
"Don't try to con an old con. You reek of the firing range, I've been watching you for five minutes and a) you didn't notice and b) that's the first bite of pie you've had. So, something or someone is definitely irritating you. Given that I'm not in the best of moods myself, I suggest you just come out with it and save us both the trouble."
"Why are you in a bad mood?" Booth decided deflection was worth a shot.
"I miss my daughter and granddaughter." Max replied bluntly. "I got to spend pretty much every day with 'em for three months. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that it's all over, but I miss them." He studied the agent as he spoke, noting the increase in tension in the younger man. "Since my loss is your gain, why aren't you happier?"
Booth clenched the mug tighter in his hand and stared straight ahead. Max watched the muscles in the younger man's jaw tighten and could almost hear the teeth grinding. "Oh my god!" Max said in horror. "You're upset they're back? But you were so glad when Tempe was cleared! You've changed your mind? Don't tell me you found someone else? You did, that's it isn't? "
He was interrupted by Booth banging his fist on the counter. "Shut UP Max!" He spit out. "I can't believe you would even think that. Having them back is all I wanted for 3 damn months. What kind of asshole do you think I am?"
Max did his best to not shiver at the look in the agents eyes. He had misread the man and was well aware that a pissed off Booth could be hazardous to ones health. He held his palms up, "I'm sorry. Obviously I jumped to the wrong conclusion. So why don't you tell me what's wrong and set me straight."
"Nothing's wrong. Bones and Christine are back. We're great. Bones has been regaling me with tales of life on the run. Sleeping under bridges, working as a short order cook, trying carousels and surviving just fine without me. It's all good." He tried and failed to not sound bitter.
"And you were stupid enough to believe her?"
"Bones doesn't lie." The agent started poking at his pie.
Max let out a sigh. "You're right. Tempe doesn't lie, but it sounds like she left out some things too."
"Like what?" Booth snapped.
"Like the fact that I must have printed out 6 copies of the baptism picture because it disintegrated after she kept folding it in her pocket and taking it out to look at the three of you being happy. Like the nights I heard her lulling Christine to sleep by telling her stories of her daddy and how much he loved the both of them. Or the nights I could hear her sobbing into her pillow. Or the time I walked in on her reading the hotel copy of the Bible. When I questioned her about it, she said that you found comfort in it and thought she'd try and see if it worked."
Booth just stared at him.
Max took a sip of his coffee, "You know, it's a damn good thing you two found each other. No sense in ruining two other lives with the level of subborness you guys are capable of. She told you the parts where she was strong, because she needs to convince herself that she is still the same independent woman she was before you. But, she was miserable without you Booth. She loves you, and she missed you as much as you missed her. And it killed her to know that she had hurt you by taking your daughter away."
Booth looked the older man in the eye and knew he was telling the truth. He felt the knot in his stomach start to unravel. He rubbed his hand over his face as he tried to process what he'd just been told.
"So are you done being dumb?" Max asked with a grin to soften his words.
Booth let out a small chuckle and said, "Yea Max. Thanks. We'll figure this out."
"Glad I could help. Just am a little surprised that you needed this spelled out to you."
Booth chewed on a bite of pie as he contemplated his reply. "Sorry. I've had women leave in the past, this is the first time anyone's come back. Guess I had to learn."
Now it was Max's turn to feel chagrined. The agents response had been matter of fact, but Max knew the pain behind the words. He just nodded.
Booth started eating his pie with enjoyment. Between bites he said, "Come over for dinner on Sunday. I know they miss you too."
"I'd like that very much son."
