A/N: Again, we're very grateful for everyone who took the time to leave us a few words, your messages are very much appreciated! In turn, we've written you another chapter, and we hope you'll enjoy!

Chapter 6

When his grandson entered with the groceries, Hank took a deep breath and beckoned him to come over.

Booth put the groceries down on the kitchen counter and walked into the living room. "Hey, Pops. I thought you'd still be asleep." It had been almost two months since Booth had moved in and they had established an easy routine.

"Son, sit down. I've got something important to tell you," Pops invited him. He hoped his grandson would be able to appreciate this after two months of taking care of his old man.

Booth did as he was told and focussed his attention on his grandfather. "What's up, Pops?"

"Remember how you used to tell everyone you wanted to be a hero who keeps everyone safe when you were little? Son, I hope you can forgive me, but I took the liberty of applying in your name to the police academy. I received the letter this morning. They've accepted you. So, now it's up to you."

Booth was shocked and didn't quite know what to say. "Why did you send an application without even telling me?" His voice was soft and gentle, but he could hear the confusion in his own voice. He looked up at his grandfather. "I can't move away, Pops. I don't have money for a studio. Plus, I'm needed here. To help you. You know I don't mind."

Pops shook his head. "It's only half an hour from here by car. If you want to do this, I can get you a car. I can take care of myself a lot better, now. I can't keep accepting your help knowing you're putting your life on hold, Seeley."

Booth sighed, accepting his words. "Fine, I'll go and check it out." He locked gazes with his grandfather. "I'm not saying I'll go, but I'll go see what it's about. And if I go, you are not buying me a car."

"Yes I am," Hank replied decisively. "I have all this money I was going to spend on your college education and now there's nothing I can do with it."

"You can make sure that you have everything you need, Pops," Booth told him as he got up from the couch and walked into the kitchen, where he started putting the groceries away.

"Just go check it out, son. See if it's for you. And have a nice glass of brandy with me."

"Pops," Booth sighed and turned around, returning to the living room. "Didn't the doc make it clear? No more alcohol. We can have a cup of tea or hot chocolate, or whatever you'd like instead."

Hank heaved a deep, dramatic sigh. "All right then. For you, I'll have a hot chocolate, if you'll have one with me."

"Of course I will, Pops." Booth smiled in relief and returned to the kitchen. As he put the groceries away, images of a black and red mask popped up in his head. He had got used to the unannounced trips down memory lane, but that didn't mean he liked them. It made him realise that he had missed his chance with her. Then again, how much of a chance did he really have? Sure, she gave him one of the most precious gifts a man can receive from a woman, but she was also gone the moment she'd woken up. No, she wouldn't have wanted him. A deep breath filled the silence in the kitchen as he reached for the milk. After all, nobody ever wanted a long-term relationship with him. Maybe this was for the best. Maybe that wasn't what God had in store for him.

"You okay, son?" Hank asked Booth when they drank their warm beverage together.

Booth had a sip of his hot chocolate and looked at his grandfather. "I don't want you wasting your money on a car, Pops."

"It's a millionth of what university costs," Hank replied with a dismissive wave of his hand.

Picking up on the fact that his Pops wasn't going to be led astray this easily, Booth tried another angle. "Have you heard from Jared?"

"Of course not. He calls once every two weeks. It isn't time yet." They sipped their drinks. "This is really good. Seeley, are you sure this is what you want? You seem a little distraught at times. I just have a hunch it's about a woman. Am I wrong?"

Booth chuckled and sipped his hot chocolate, wishing he hadn't denied the brandy. "No, Pops, you're not wrong, but it's water under the bridge. A done deal."

"Doesn't look like it from here. You wanna talk about it? Need some grown-up advice?"

"I am not a kid anymore, Pops. Besides, there is nothing to talk about. I saw her once and then circumstances prevented us from seeing each other again."

"What was she like?" Hank fished for more information.

Booth wanted to sidestep the question, claiming that they had only spent a few hours together, but he didn't and answered honestly. "She was shy and yet confident. She knew what she wanted, but I think she felt restricted somehow." Well, of course she'd felt restricted, obviously she didn't have much experience. "I really could have liked her."

"Ah," Hank nodded knowingly. "A magical young lady. She's also beautiful, isn't she? But in a unique way."

"Aren't they all?" Booth countered and then sighed, losing the sarcasm. "No, you're right. She was very beautiful. She had a mask on and she didn't take it off, I never got to see her face."

"A mask? Why was she wearing a mask?"

Booth chuckled. "We met at a masked ball."

"I know you think I'm old, but my memory's still functional. And I'm concluding that you met her on the night I had my accident. We should try to find her, Shrimp."

"I don't know anything about her, Pops. I don't even know what she looks like. Besides, I highly doubt she'll be interested. No," he shook his head, "all I need is some time."

"Well, I won't bother you with it, rest assured. If it's meant to be, you'll meet again." Hank gave his grandson an encouraging pat on the knee. His Shrimp could focus on getting an education, first, and make himself a family, later.

We do realise we're making you wait quite a long time before Booth and Brennan get together (if you've read our other stories, you know we're all about getting them together, so don't worry about them not getting together). Trust us, though, some time is needed to keep the story interesting; we have great plans with it - if we do say so ourselves. We're experimenting with writing fics in a more original, creative way, so that you can't tell from the first chapter what will happen in the fourth, for instance. Well, we hope this reassured you a little, and we'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter!