A/N: Michael is 11 Christine is 6

Christine was outside playing with her neighborhood friends like she did most summer days. Michael didn't have neighborhood friends, but on occasion Christine included him. Whenever that didn't happen Booth or Brennan played with him. Christine climbed on a stool at the counter and picked up half of her ham and cheese sandwich. "Mommy, is Michael retarded?"

"Christine DO NOT say that word ever again. Where did you hear it?"

"Kelly's brother said that Michael was then he started laughing… so is he?"

"Michael is not retarded, Christine. He just has difficultly doing things, but once he learns things his incredibly smart you know that. Brandon should have never said that he's retarded."

"Is it a bad word?"

"Yes and no. When you refer to a person, especially one who is disabled as retarded it's a bad word. When you use it to describe something like the growth was retarded due to lack of sunlight it's not so bad."

"Oh." Christine took a bite of her sandwich. Booth came up behind Brennan and kissed her cheek.

"Daddy, can I ride bike?"

"Yeah, finish your lunch then we'll go."

"Okay."

"Christine do you want to come?"

"I'll ride to Kelly's, we're gonna play dolls again."

"Okay."

Twenty minutes later Booth was walking beside Michael's bike as he pedaled down the sidewalk. They had just dropped Christine off. "Where do you want to go?"

"Ice cream…"

Booth chuckled, "pedal on…" Booth sent Brennan a text, 'he wants ice cream. We're going…want anything?'

Brennan replied, 'Enjoy. I'll take some coconut in a medium cup. Can you get Christine the chocolate marshmallow that she loves?'

'Sure.'

Over an hour later Michael was pedaling back by Kelly's house, Brandon was outside with his friends, " he's so retarded he has to have his daddy walk beside his bike like a baby…." They all laughed. Booth waited until Michael was past the driveway before he said anything

"Michael, go the rest of the way home by yourself, you can do it. Put your bike in the garage go inside and give the ice cream to mommy and tell her I'm at Kelly's house. Tell her Christine is fine."

"Okay." Booth put the bag of ice cream in the basket on Michael's bike and watched as he pedaled toward their house that was four houses away. Booth walked up the driveway and onto the porch and rang the bell.

"Seeley, are you here for Christine?"

"No, Dianne, she can stay as long as you want her to. I'm here to talk to you about Brandon."

"What did he say now?"

"When Christine was over before lunch she heard him say Michael was retarded. She asked Temperance if he was. Once Bones heard where she heard the word from I thought she was going to lose it. I was willing to let it go, because kids say stuff, but when Michael was riding his bike back home just now he said it again. Thankfully Michael didn't hear him or if he did he didn't realize the comment was directed at him."

Dianne walked out onto the porch and down the steps. "He's in the back hold on….." she went around the side of the house. "BRANDON MATTHEW PORTER GET OVER HERE!" Brandon walked over to his mom. "did you call Michael retarded?"

"Maybe…"

"Did you or didn't you?"

"I did, but it's not a big deal it's not like he understands what I said…'

"Brandon I can't believe you. I raised you better than that! He may or may not understand what you said but there are plenty of people around him that do. It is also mean and disrespectful. You know better than to say things like that!"

"But mom he talks weird and what 11-year-old do you know that can't ride a bike by themselves?"

"I remember a time not so long ago he didn't talk at all… he's improved so much…"

"For the record Michael can ride his bike by himself, but it makes him anxious to do it. I walk along and we talk about stuff and it gets me a little exercise which keeps Temperance off my back a little and allows me to have ice cream and pizza on occasion…"

"Brandon you're going to apologize to Michael immediately."

"He can apologize to me; I don't think Michael heard him…"

"I'm sorry I called Michael retarded, Mr. Booth."

"apology accepted, but don't do it again the consequences will be great if you do."

"I understand."

"Thank you."

B&B

Michael parked his bike in the garage and grabbed the bag of ice cream and headed inside. He saw Brennan in the kitchen. "mommy." she turned and took the ice cream from Michael.

"Did you have fin on your bike ride with daddy?"

"Uh-huh. Daddy at Kelly house. Christine fine."

"Okay." Brennan reached over and undid the buckle on Michael's bicycle helmet. "Go put your helmet on your bike then wash your hands so you can help me make noodles for dinner."

"Yummy." Michael headed for the garage.

Brennan smiled and stuck Christine's ice cream in the freezer before getting a spoon and eating her own.

Brandon walked back to his friends in the backyard.

"Seeley, I'm sorry Brandon said that Michael is retarded, he knows better than that. I don't know what's gotten into him, the last month or so he's been a pain in the ass. I think a lot of it has to do with Steve working so much. He hasn't been home much lately. I'm not making excuses…"

"I know. If you need help with him…or Kelly… don't hesitate to call us…"

"Thanks. I need to get back inside, I told the girls they could make slime…"

"Oh boy! Have fun with that…"

"I will. I'll send Christine home by dinner."

"Sounds good."

Booth walked home and smiled at Michael's bike parked in its spot in the garage then went in the house.

"Daddy, we make noodles!"

"I see. You're doing a great job. I need to talk to mommy for a minute." Brennan dried her hands and walked over to Booth.

"Is every everything okay Booth?" Booth pulled her into the laundry room.

"Yeah. As we went by Dianne's place coming home from the ice cream place Brandon called Michael retarded…"

"That kid…."

"Yeah. Michael didn't hear him or if he did he didn't realize that the comment was meant for him. I sent him home and Dianne and I talked to Brandon about it. I don't think he'll do it again…or at least I hope not…."

"That's good I guess. I never thought he'd call Michael or anyone else names…especially that name."

"I know. Dianne said he's been a pain in the ass lately since Steve has been working so much… not that that's a reason to call somebody names but…"

"Yes…"

"MOMMY!"

"I need to get back before he flours the kitchen."

"Yeah. I'll start the sauce…"

"Good."

"MOMMY"

"I'm coming Michael!" Booth leaned in and kissed Brennan.