Thank you for reading my story.

I don't own Bones.

Ooooooooooooooooooo

Pulling up in the driveway, Booth parked behind his wife's car. "So what do you think of the house, Bub?"

His gaze roving over the yard and house, Parker opened the passenger door. "It's nice Dad. The pictures you sent me really didn't show me how big the house is. I like it."

His hand on the door latch, Booth assured him, "Believe me it's bigger than it looks. Bones and I are reminded just how big it is every time we clean it, but we wanted a house big enough for a bedroom for you and your future baby sister or brother."

Running around the back of the truck, Parker waited for his father to open the hatch so he could retrieve his luggage. "I'm glad you're doing good Dad. I was worried about you."

He felt bad that his son had had to worry about him. Pulling the two bags from the back, Booth handed one to his son and closed the hatch. "We talked on the phone every day, Parker. I made sure you knew what was going on once I was out of the hospital."

His pace matching his father's slow steps, the boy followed his father to the porch steps. "I know. I wanted to come back and see you sooner, but Mom said I had to wait until Christmas break. She said you were in therapy and needed time to recover so . . . anyway, I'm sure glad you're okay now."

Booth allowed his son to proceed him up the steps. "Bones is home so the door is probably unlocked. Yeah, I'm doing great, so you don't need to worry about me."

Entering the house, Parker was aware that his father was wheezing a little. Giving Booth a concerned stare, he decided to ignore it and looked around the living room. "This is neat Dad. I like it."

The door firmly closed, Booth grinned. "Your room is upstairs." Pausing, Booth shouted. "Hey Bones we're home."

Stepping out of the kitchen, Brennan walked over to where Parker was standing and kissed him on the cheek. "Welcome home, Parker. We're very excited that you could come for the holidays."

Glad to see her, Parker dropped his bag and hugged her. "Thanks for letting me come, Bones."

Her arms around her step-son, Brennan returned his hug. "You can come anytime, Parker. This is your house too."

Pleased that Parker was happy to be there, Booth walked over to the staircase. "Come on, I'll show you your room and then I'll give you the fifty cent tour."

Releasing Brennan, Parker picked up his bag and followed him. "Cool."

Ooooooooooooooooo

In the basement, Booth allowed Parker to use the remote to find something on TV to watch. "We're going to go out for lunch in about an hour, so don't get caught up in a movie."

The National Geographic channel now on, Parker placed the remote down. "It's weird to think you don't work for the FBI anymore. Do you miss it?"

An honest answer the best one, Booth nodded his head. "Sometimes I do . . . I loved going out in the field with Bones, but I hated the paper work and some parts of the job sucked. I like where I am now and I get to see Bones every day at work, so it's cool. We're going to go to the Jeffersonian while you're here and I'm going to show you the parts most visitors don't get to see. They have some really cool stuff average people hardly ever see. We have things like shrunken heads and ancient weapons and stuff I don't understand, but they're pretty cool anyway. We'll take Bones with us so she can explain what we're seeing."

Excited, Parker stared in wonder at his father. "Wow, I didn't know they had stuff like that. Thanks Dad."

Ruffling his mop of hair, Booth smiled at his son. "You're welcome. I want you to see what a cool job I have."

Growing quiet, Parker admitted, "I'm kind of glad you don't work for the FBI anymore, Dad. It was kind of dangerous. We saw on the news how these two Scotland Yard detectives were killed while they were trying to stop a criminal from doing something and Mom told me that she used to worry about you when they would mention that someone from the FBI was hurt on TV because she knew you had a dangerous job and it could be you. She's glad you aren't doing that anymore and I guess so am I."

His arm around his son, Booth hugged him. "Hey, you don't need to worry about me anymore, okay? I've got a great job, a great wife and a great kid. Everything is great."

"Great!" Laughing, Parker leaned against his father. His attention drawn to the TV. "Cool. . . Orcas."

Ooooooooooooooo

That evening, Booth made sure the doors were locked tight and the windows were completely shut and locked before walking upstairs. Opening Parker's bedroom door, he leaned in and found his son asleep, a book propped open on his chest. Smiling, he closed the door quietly and walked down the hallway to his bedroom. "Hey Bones, Parker is out like a light. I knew jet lag would catch up with him sooner or later."

Placing her journal on her lap, Brennan smiled at her husband. "The way he was yawning during dinner, I was afraid he was going to fall asleep on his plate."

Amused, Booth laughed. "No kidding." Grabbing a pair of boxers and a t-shirt from his dresser, he walked towards the bathroom. "I'll take a quick shower." Pausing in the doorway, Booth glanced back at Brennan. "I thought we'd go pick up Pops tomorrow morning instead of after lunch."

Brennan thought that was an excellent idea. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. We can eat at the Diner for lunch before coming back here."

Leaning against the door frame, Booth frowned. "Are you doing okay? You haven't had any more spells have you?"

"Booth." Soberly, Brennan shook her head. "I was ill during the party because I was foolish enough to skip a meal and had drunk very little that day. I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me."

Dropping his boxers and shirt on the sink inside the door, Booth reentered the room. Sitting on the bed next to her, he placed his hand on her thigh. "Look, I worry, okay? That's what I do. I'm not trying to smother you or anything, but besides Parker and Pops you're all I have in this world and I want you to be well. So yeah, I'll worry when you feel faint or you're sick."

His words sincere, Brennan leaned over and kissed him, stroking his face. "I'm fine. If I'm ever really sick I promise I will tell you, but I'm not sick right now. I'm fine. Okay?"

His lips bare millimeters from her lips, Booth murmured, "Okay." Kissing her, he stood back up. "Want to join me in the shower?"

Her eyes lighting up, Brennan scooted off of the bed. "I thought you'd never ask me."

Oooooooooooooooooo

Later that evening, Booth slid out of their bed, found his boxers next to the bed and put them on and stood up. Moving quietly over to the doorway, he opened the door and slipped out of the room. Walking down the hallway, he opened the door to Parker's room and watched his son sleep for a few minutes. Satisfied, he closed the door and walked downstairs to the kitchen.

Retrieving a bottle of water from the fridge, Booth popped a couple of Advil into his mouth and washed it down with some of the water. Rubbing his right knee, he shook his head. "I wish I really was great."

His bottle soon empty, Booth stood up and walked back upstairs. Careful not to make any noise he entered his bedroom and sat down on the chair near the closet. Staring at Brennan as she slept, he smiled and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the late evening.

Oooooooooooooooooo

So let me know what you think of my story. Thank you.