We're back! Let's get to the aftermath of the dangerous situation in the previous chapter. Can Russ start to redeem himself?

Chapter 19

The next morning, Elena woke Brennan up. "You have to go study," she whispered, and Brennan nodded. They both got dressed and went downstairs.

"Booth stayed with us to keep us safe," Brennan told her daughter. Elena curiously walked over to the couch and tapped Booth's nose.

Booth's eyes snapped open and when he realised who was standing next to him, he smiled widely. "Good morning, princess!" Booth wrapped his arm around her and pulled her on the couch with him, landing her squarely on his chest. "How did you sleep?"

Elena pushed herself into an upright position on his chest. "Okay," she said. "Mommy needs to study. We have to eat breakfast."

"Yes," Booth agreed. "Why don't I help you make breakfast, so that Mommy can study and after we've had breakfast, we can both do the dishes?"

"But I dry," she told him.

"Yes, darling. You can dry."

Elena looked at him. Wasn't she already Uncle Russ's princess? She got off his chest and went into the kitchen to point out where everything was.

Brennan told Booth, "I'm going to call Russ and tell him about last night. If he asks, do you want to talk to him?"

"If he wants to talk to me, I will," Booth assured her. He followed his daughter into the kitchen and lifted her to sit on the table.

In her study room, Brennan picked up the phone and called Russ. Eventually, he picked up.

"Morning, Tempe." Russ was exhausted. He had spent another night at home alone with Emma while Amy stayed in the hospital with Hayley and he had just been getting ready to go back to the hospital after he'd dropped Emma off at school. "I'm sorry, but I don't have much time."

"How's Hayley doing?" Brennan asked him first.

"She's still in the hospital. Amy stayed the night, I haven't talked to or heard from her yet. Look, Tempe, was there a specific reason why you called? I really don't have much time." Seeing the little girl so sick and miserable in the hospital broke Russ' heart a little bit more each day. He couldn't stop thinking about finding ways to earn more money to get Hayley to more specialised doctors, and to find more sponsors for scientific research. He just needed Hayley to live and be happy, so Amy and Emma could be happy, too.

"Someone broke into our house last night," Brennan told her brother. "He was standing over Elena and me with a knife."

"Oh my God, Tempe! Are you okay? Is Elena okay? What happened?" Russ was angry with himself. He knew it was impossible, but he should have been in two places at the same time. His family needed him, too.

"Apparently a policeman has been monitoring our house specifically. He was there on time and he saved us. He even stayed the night to make sure we were safe, since the lock's broken." Brennan left Booth's name out on purpose, wondering how Russ would react to that.

"A police officer? Who, Temperance? And please don't tell me it's that Booth guy. I don't want him in my house."

Brennan sighed. "Russ, it was Booth and if it weren't for him, Elena and I might be dead. She was so scared she wet herself. She was only able to sleep after Booth reassured her he'd keep us safe and made her hot chocolate. Elena's heart-broken since you aren't here. She thinks you don't love her anymore. She's slowly warming up to Booth. He's her father and he wants to be there for her. Isn't that exactly what you want for her?"

"You can't trust him, Temperance. Don't get me wrong. I am grateful that he was there and that he protected you, but ... I don't know, Temperance." Russ let out a deep sigh, knowing he couldn't keep pretending to manage two families simultaneously without hurting one or both of them. "I trust you, Temp. And if you think you can trust him, that's good enough for me. Look, I really have to go, okay?"

"Maybe you should just talk to him," Brennan said, ignoring the fact her brother was in a hurry because this was about Elena.

"Why Temperance? Why would I talk to him? I told you, I'm grateful that he got it right today, but his history of not getting it right is much longer."

"Russ, it was a misunderstanding. He disappeared because his grandfather needed him. Booth took care of him for four years. Doesn't that say something good about Booth's character? He's loyal. And now that you'll be going away more and more... we need him, Russ. And I really need your approval to be with him, because you gave up your life for me and Elena and my loyalty lies with you. Please, Russ."

Whenever his sister said 'please', it was important. "Fine, put him on, but I don't know what you want me to say to him."

"Just ask him what you want to know. Thanks, Russ. I really appreciate this." Brennan put down the phone and walked into the kitchen. "He's agreed to talk to you," she told Booth, relieved.

"Okay." Booth walked into the study, closing the door behind him. "Russ? This is Booth. Thank you for agreeing to talk to me."

Russ didn't need small-talk and got to the point. "What happened?"

"A burglar broke in and entered the house. I was patrolling the streets. When I noticed that the door had been opened, I went in to investigate. I found the suspect standing over your sister and your niece with a knife in his hands. The door was unable to be locked after the break-in, so I stayed with them."

"Thank you for being there with them when they needed someone. I want to be home soon, but ..." Russ ran a hand through his hair, "Hayley's condition isn't really improving. She's stable now, so that is good, but I won't be home for at least a week."

Booth gathered his courage and spoke up. "They can't stay here for a week without you, Russ. They are both exhausted. Your sister is a the end of her rope and Elena is miserable. Let me take care of them. I don't blame you for not being here. I understand, but I am here. Let me help. I don't think Temperance should ask you for permission, but she respects you and values your opinion. She won't let me stay or even consider staying with me or going home to meet my family, unless you approve."

Russ' first instinct was to say no, but the man was right, his sister had been following his advice without ever disregarding it. "I agree with you," Russ told the other man in a softer voice. "Can you put her back on the phone, please?"

"Yeah, sure. Russ... Thank you for supporting me. That means a lot."

Russ sank down on the couch. "Yeah. No problem."

Booth walked back into the kitchen, where Temperance and Elena were fixing breakfast. "He wants to have another word with you."

Brennan rose and wished everything had gone okay. "Russ?" she said as she picked up the phone.

"Temperance, I talked to him. I think you shouldn't stay alone at the house. At least not until I get back. It would make me feel better if he could stay with you. Also, he hinted at visiting his family? I think that might not be a bad idea. Just make sure you take your own car and that he takes his so that you can go home if you don't want to stay there or if he tries to trick you or something. I'm not saying he will, but just... be careful, okay?"

"I'm always careful, Russ. Since I've had Elena, I mean. Thanks so much for talking to him. I promise I won't do anything that you wouldn't want us to. But I do trust him. Can you please give my best to Amy and the girls? I wish I could help, but I have my finals this week."

"I will. Good luck, Temperance. I'm sorry, but I really have to go now."

"I understand. We love you, Russ."

"Temperance, wait a minute." Booth had told him that Elena was miserable and Russ knew he was at fault where his niece was concerned. "Before I go, can I talk to Elena? Just a minute or two. Please make sure she knows I don't have much time."

Brennan's lips curved into a smile. Finally. "Okay, I'll get her." Brennan put down the phone and hurried into the kitchen. "Guess what, Uncle Russ wants to talk to you," she smiled and picked up Elena. She carried her daughter into the study and sat her down on her lap, then handed her the phone. "He only has a few minutes," Brennan told her little girl. Elena took the phone. "Uncle Russ?"

"Hey princess. Are you okay, Elena?"

"Mm, yes, okay. And you?"

"I miss you. I'm sorry I've been so busy, Elena. Hayley is still in the hospital, so I won't be home this week. Do you like Mommy's friend?"

"I miss you, too, Uncle Russ. Mommy's friend is very nice, he's a policeman and he caught the bad man that was in our house. He also makes hot chocolate."

"That's good, princess. Amy and Emma and Hayley told me to say hi. They miss you, too. I'll be home as soon as I can, princess."

"Uncle Russ? Do you still love me a lot?" Elena asked quietly. "Or maybe a little bit less?"

"Oh princess... I love you just as much as ever. You know what, we will make a deal, you and me. Okay? I will call you every night before bed. Is that okay?"

Elena nodded. "Okay. And then you give me goodnight kisses through the phone."

"Yes. I love you to the moon and back, little one," Russ told her seriously. "Do you still love me, princess? Or maybe a little less?"

"No, I love you a lot," Elena said, "Even when I'm sad."

"I don't want you to be sad, honey. I'm sorry I made you sad. I will call every night, okay?"

"Okay. You have to tell Hayley and Emma I give them kisses so they won't get sick."

"I will. Will you give Mommy a big kiss for me?"

"Okay." Elena turned her head and kissed her mother. "I did it. Bye, bye."

"Bye bye, princess." Russ heard the dialtone and sighed. Wow, that was intense. But they were right. He couldn't be in two places at once and maybe – maybe – they could give this Booth guy a chance after all.

After she ended the conversation, Brennan gave her daughter a big kiss. "Well done, sweetheart. Do you feel better now?"

Elena nodded.

"Good. Let's go back to Booth. Mommy needs to make exams today, so Angela will come to play with you. You could make a painting together."

That prospect brought a smile to Elena's face. "Yes, I'm going to express myself, just like Angela taught me!"

Brennan chuckled. "You go and express yourself, sweetheart. I'm sure you're very good at it."

Elena nodded her head. "Very," she assured her mother.

After the phone call, they all finished breakfast and Booth gave Brennan and Elena a ride to Angela's. Angela was the only other important female in Elena's life, and the little girl loved her exuberant aunt. Angela would no doubt be able to distract the little girl from the events of that night, and give her some room to vent. Brennan and Booth went back home together, where Booth made sure Brennan took an hour to get focussed on her exam for that day. Meanwhile, Booth fixed the lock in the front door. They had an early lunch together and then Booth offered to walk Brennan to the exam hall.

"I'd love that," she smiled nervously at him. "I just want to pass this exam. I've passed everything else, I don't want to start failing now that it's most important not to."

"I have never seen anyone study with so much focus and dedication as I have seen you do the last hour. I'm sure that you'll pass your exam. How long do you think the exam will take?"

"About three hours," she replied. "I'm really nervous."

"Do you know the what if game?" Booth proposed.

"No, I don't. What is it? Is it applicable to this situation?"

"Yes. It is. Okay, What is the worst that can happen?"

"I fail." They put on their coats and stepped outside, locking the door behind them.

"Okay," Booth linked arms with her. "What if you fail?"

They started walking towards her university together. "Then I have to take the exam again. It's right after I plan to graduate."

"Okay, so you would have more time to study if you have to take it again. What if you would have to take the exam again?"

"Then I can't graduate early and I can't start a job that will help me support Elena." He had a calming effect on her; her brain was starting to slow down.

"Okay, what would happen if you can't graduate early and if you can't immediately find a job to provide for our daughter?" Booth stopped her and turned a bit, so he was looking directly into her eyes.

She finally saw his point. "I'd have to ask you to help us," Brennan said.

"No. You wouldn't have to ask me, I would help anyway." He continued to look at her, giving her some time to come to the right conclusion.

"So... maybe I shouldn't worry so much," she said carefully. "Because we've got you now." She smiled at him and took his hand.

"Exactly. So, the worst case scenario isn't so bad after all, huh?" he smiled at her.

She stood on her toes and kissed him. "I'm happy you're here."

"Me, too. Will you call me when you're done? I'll come pick you up." They arrived at the exam hall.

Brennan heaved a sigh of relief. Suddenly she noticed what a beautiful day it was. A blue sky with a cloud here and there. Not too cold. "Thanks so much, Booth." She embraced him. "I'm going to do my best and we'll see what comes out of it."

"Exactly." He kissed her cheek. "I really hope you'll call me when you're done. I'd love to spend the afternoon with you."

"I will. I promise." He'd managed to centre her in mere minutes. He gave her confidence. "I have to go inside." She took a deep breath.

Booth pulled her in his embrace and whispered in her ear, "No matter what happens, Elena and I are proud of you."

She closed her eyes and let his words sink in for a moment. "Okay. I'm ready." She pressed a kiss to his lips. "You'll be here when I'm done," she smiled. Her feelings for him were quickly gaining strength, and it felt wonderful.

"Yes," he kissed her cheek, not wanting to overwhelm her, "I will be. Good luck. I have faith in you."

They let go of each other and Brennan waved at him before disappearing through the doors. She was smart. She'd read everything, it would be a matter of digging in her memory to find the answers.

Booth watched her get inside. Her posture was better. She held her head high and her shoulders were relaxed. He watched her until she was safely inside. Booth sent up a quick prayer, asking The Man Upstairs to help her keep her cool and then, he left for the office. He had a punk to interrogate.

Have your feelings towards Russ changed yet? We hope so! Next chapter: family time!