A/N: Michael is 19 Christine is 14

Brennan had just dropped Christine off for her first day of eighth grade now she was on her way to Booth's office with their traditional first day of school cinnamon rolls. She dropped into the empty chair across from Booth's desk, he looked up and smiled at her. "How'd your drop off go?"

"Good, Christine said goodbye to me when I handed her lunch to her."

"Progress."

"Yes. How was Michael?"

"Really good. This was the first day of school in fifteen years he didn't death grip my hand when we went to his classroom."

"That's great! I can't believe he's technically a senior this year…"

"Me either. It's kind of bittersweet though I keep thinking of Parker's senior year all the things he got to experience…all the college visits…"

"Yes, it used to make me sad that he didn't go to a normal school, but after Christine started first grade I realized there was no way he'd be able to keep up and be successful without being heavily medicated. After that I was just happy he had somewhere to go to school that allowed him to learn at his own pace and a place where he felt safe and was accepted for who he is."

"Me too."

"Sometimes I wonder if he realizes why he doesn't go to the same school as Christine?"

"He knows. We talk about it sometimes usually on the first day of school. He understands that Christine doesn't have the issues he does and doesn't need the help he needs so she gets to go to a different school. I don't think it bothers him that they don't go to the same school. I mean he'd probably love to see her in the hall or have her walk him to class sometimes but…"

"Yes, I didn't realized you two talked on the way to school. When I pick him up he doesn't say much in less he's excited or hungry." Brennan chuckled and drank some coffee.

"Yeah it started in third grade, it took him almost the whole drive to say two sentences. Now we actually have conversations. I don't even notice the broken or missing words anymore."

"Me either, it's just the way Michael talks. If he ever started talking normally it would be very strange for me to hear."

"Me too. Are we going to let him graduate from speech this year?"

"Yes, Patti is retiring in March, he wouldn't do well with a new therapist. He doesn't do that well with Patti still."

"Yeah."

"When I went to the parent meeting the other day at his school they gave me information for the adult program. I don't think I want him to go to the adult program, it's life skills he needs them, but I want him to do something different. The adult program is in the building across the street. He might get confused with the change because it isn't that much of a change."

"I know."

"I don't know what he would do, but I'd like for him to do something he truly enjoys for once. He's gone to school for fifteen years, most of it was a struggle, he deserves a break."

"I agree. What about seeing if the Jeffersonian needs someone to scan the tickets for the IMAX films or the lectures it would be easy for him to learn and you'd be two floors away. I can be there in 10 minutes."

"I think he'd like that. I'll talk to Janet about it soon, if she doesn't need him maybe she'll know of something else he can do."

"That would be nice. We need to find him an art class since it's his favorite part of school besides lunch."

"I'll talk to Angela she might know of an art class that he could take."

"Knowing Angela if she doesn't know of a class he can take she'll teach him herself…."

"Michael would love that."

"So would Angela." They finished their cinnamon rolls and Brennan headed to the lab.

B&B

With a month left of the best school year of his academic career Booth and Brennan sat Michael down while Christine was at Kelly's house working on a project.

"Michael, dad and I want to talk to you about something."

"Okay." Michael sat down on the couch; Brennan sat next to him Booth sat on the arm of the couch.

"You know school is almost over."

"Thirty-three days…"

"That's right , theirs only thirty-three more days until school is over. When school starts back in September you won't go to school anymore…"

"NO!" Michael tried to get up to pace the room, Brennan held on to him.

"Michael, remember a few years ago when Parker graduated from high school and we had that big party for him?"

"Uh-huh."

"Well, you're graduating high school this year, that means you get your own party and you don't have to go to school anymore."

"NO! Want school!" Brennan smiled slightly and kissed the top of his head.

"Michael, mom and I thought you'd like to go to a job every day instead of school."

'Work?"

"Yeah, you'd go to work like mom and I do. Would you like to do that?"

"Yeah."

"Good. They need someone to scan the tickets at the museum for their IMAX movies and lectures. Do you think you can do that?"

"Yeah.'

"Good. You have to go to the Jeffersonian on Friday and have an interview with Janet about it…."

"What that?"

"An interview is when you go talk to the boss about the job you want and in a few days they'll will call you to let you know if you got the job..."

"N0!"

"Michael, she knows talking isn't easy for you. You'll do fine, mom will be there…"

"NO!"

"Sweetheart, dad and I know you can do this if we didn't we wouldn't have looked into it for you."

"NO!"

"Why don't you want to go?"

"I scared…"

"Aww sweetheart, it's okay to be to be scared. Would you feel better if we practiced your interview?"

"Uh-huh."

"We'll start practicing tomorrow."

"Okay."

"What do you want to do now?"

"Swing…"

"Okay have fun. You can take a snack with you if you want."

"K." Michael left the room and headed to the backyard.

Are we doing the right thing, Booth?"

"Yeah, he'll be nervous and scared for a week or so, but once he gets into a routine he'll love it. He needs experiences beyond New Horizons."

"Yes, I know. I'm scared too, fifteen years ago, my goals for him were get him to say mommy, daddy, Parker and grandpa. Yes, no, and more, Start a limited conversation with us and go to preschool three days a week without melting down. I never thought he'd really graduate and I'd be practicing interview skills with him."'

"Bones, he's done all that and more. He blew every prognosis we got from all the specialists we took him to as a toddler out of the water by kindergarten. Him getting a job is the next natural thing. He's really going to love the art class Angela set up for him."

"I know. I'm so proud of him, you have no idea how much… I'm also scared too he's an adult that cannot completely function on his own. What is going to happen to him when we're not here anymore?"

"Angela and Hodgins are the kid's guardians if something happens to us. Parker told us he'd take both of them if he needed to. You know he'll make sure that Michael and Christine have everything they need or want. The bulk of our wealth is in a trust that is set up for Michael to be taken care of for the rest of his life. Everything will work out. We've planned for his future as much as we can he'll be fine. It will take him longer than most to deal with us being gone and he'll likely need a lot of help from his medications, but with Parker, Christine and whoever else is in his life by then he'll get through it." Booth kissed Brennan.

"I hope that he will. I think Christine will be his caregiver when she's older though, she's better with his needs than Parker is and he calms down better for her. I can't believe Angela knows someone in the Art department at Georgetown who is willing to give him private art lessons once a week… I'm going to wait to tell him about them until after he talks to Janet. He can't handle two big stressors at once."

"Good idea. Angela would do anything for any of our kids, she loves the three of ours like they were her own."

"We're the same with J.J. and Katie."

"Yeah, don't forget I start coaching Katie's field hockey team Tuesday at 6."

"I remember. Katie is very excited and Hodgins is extremely happy you're willing to coach the team."

"I'm excited about it too. I miss coaching sports. I liked helping with Michael's brief stint in Special Needs baseball, it was fun too bad he wasn't interested in it or any other sport."

"No, all he needs to be happy is me, the swing, his drawing supplies and ice cream."

Booth laughed, "Yeah, I wish everybody was that easy to please."

"it would make a lot of things a lot easier…"

"It would at that. I'm going to give Michael ten more minutes then I'll see if he wants to ride his bike."

"Good idea."

B&B

Friday Brennan picked Michael up and instead of heading to Christine's school Brennan headed back to the Jeffersonian. They stopped by Brennan's office so Michael could change his shirt to a button down and one of Booth's ties. "Are you ready, buddy?" Michael shrugged a shoulder as Brennan slipped the pre tied tie over his head and tightened it. "It will be fine; you can do it. After you're done we'll go home, I'm going to make tacos you can help."

"Okay. I like tacos!"

Brennan chuckled and kissed the top of Michael's head, "I know. I'm making them to celebrate you having a job interview, it's a big deal. Dad and I are so proud of you. Dad is getting cupcakes too. Is your tie too tight?"

"No."

"Then let's go. The interview will be almost like we practiced, Janet might ask you a few questions that we didn't practice, but that's okay you can answer them. Take your time and relax."

"K." Brennan led Michael out of her office, as soon as they cleared the lab doors he death gripped her hand. Brennan just let him do it as they made their way to the first-floor theater and Janet's office behind it. "knock on the door and wait until she says you can come in before you open it." Michael nodded and knocked. Janet opened the door a few seconds later. "Michael, Tempe, good afternoon."

"Hi."

"Hello Janet,"

"Tempe, why don't you grab a cup of coffee? We'll be done in about a half hour." Brennan nodded, but to Michael she said, "I'll be right here when you're done with your interview, Michael." He nodded and entered Janet's office as she stepped aside. Brennan stared at the closed door for a few minutes listening for signs of Michael's anxiety taking over, hearing none she smiled slightly and headed to the food court for coffee. After getting her coffee and a chocolate chip cookie Brennan sat down to wait and pulled out her phone and sent Booth a text, 'he's with Janet. he was nervous, but it was normal nervous, not his anxiety. Janet told me they'd be done in a half hour then she told me to get coffee. I'm sitting at the food court waiting drinking my coffee and eating a chocolate chip cookie. I hope he's okay, I stood by the door for a few minutes listening for signs of a meltdown. I didn't hear any.'

Booth replied

'Bones, Michael is fine if he were having any problem Janet would get you. The cookies are the best. When Parker was little and we'd come to see you I always had to get him one. Last time I picked him up from the airport I got him some as I was leaving I think they were his favorite part of his trip home…"

Brennan smiled at Booth's text and was replying when a text from Janet popped up. 'he's doing fine. Enjoy your coffee.'

Brennan smiled and changed her message to tell Booth about Janet's text. A little bit later Brennan finished her coffee and cookie threw away her cup the n went to wait by Janet's office. Ten minutes later the door opened and Michael walked out

"Hey Buddy, how'd your interview go?"

Michael shrugged and reached for Brennan's hand.

"He did great. Michael I will call you in a few days to let you know if you got the job."

"Okay."

"Tempe, I will call you tonight to discuss…"

"Okay, thanks Janet."

"Home now?"

"Yeah, we're going home now. Michael, I'm so proud of you." Michael grinned a little and followed Brennan to her car. Five minutes into the drive Brennan looked back and smiled, Michael was asleep. When she got home, Brennan opened his door and kissed his cheek. "We're home, sweetheart."

"Home?"

"Yes, we're home. When you go inside go to your room and change back into the shirt you wore to school. Put dad's tie on his dresser. After you change your shirt you can help me make tacos or you can take a nap."

"I take nap.."

Brennan loosened the tie and undid the top two buttons on Michael's shirt. "Okay."

Ten minutes later Michael was on the couch in his favorite napping spot, sleeping. A half hour later Booth came home, he quietly entered the kitchen and sat the box of cupcakes on the counter. Is Mikey okay? He hasn't napped in forever."

"Yes, he kept his anxiety at bay, but it tired him out. He fell asleep in the car before I was even down the street from the lab."

"Aw at least he kept the anxiety in check."

"Yes, I'm so proud of him for all that he's accomplished, especially this year."

"Yes, me too."

"Janet said he did great. She is going to call me later so we can discuss it."

"Good. Need any help?"

"You can cook the meat and add the seasoning…"

"Okay."

That night after the kids were in bed Brennan's phone rang, noticing it was Janet she put it on speaker. "Hi Janet, you're on speaker so Booth can hear."

"Great. Michael did very well, he had to start and stop a few times, but he got through it. He's got the job; I'll call him Monday and tell him."

"Thank you, Janet."

"Don't thank me, honestly I'd rather hire someone with a disability than most of the high school kids I see for summer jobs. He wasn't on a phone, he actually paid attention to me. He asked questions."

"That's good. I was worried about him freezing up."

"He didn't freeze up. If he had I'd just would have waited him out. Tempe don't worry about him; I will help him be successful. What most people don't know is I have a son who is blind and has a speech impairment similar to Michael's. My son is harder to understand though."

"Janet…"

"Michael reminds me a lot of Billy. I can only hope that when he graduates from The Maryland school for the blind in two years someone gives him a chance."

"I'm sure he will be successful."

"Yes.. Anyway, when is Michael's last day of school?"

"May 21st. Graduation is the next day."

"He can start June 1st unless he needs more time off…"

"The first will be fine. He doesn't do well with extended time off."

"Good. If you think He needs practice the scanner he can come in anytime."

"Practicing would help his anxiety."

"Good, come in anytime. We aren't showing anything until June 1st. His hours will be 9-5 with an hour for lunch. If working less hours would be better, we can do that."

"No, those hours would be good for him."

"I know you start at 8, he can come in early and help get set up for the day if you think it'd be something he would like to participate in."

"He'd like that. On days he doesn't have school he comes in and organizes my office…"

"Good. He also gets full benefits also. He gets all major holidays off, it's the same schedule that you follow."

"Good."

"He'll get minimum wage with a raise after nine months.

"Great."

"I'm really excited about Michael working with us. Tempe, I know you're nervous, but don't be he might struggle a bit, but we'll help him get through it. We'll supply polo shirts but he'll need khaki pants , black socks and shoes. I don't have him set up to work weekends, I will get a high school kid for that. "

"Thanks , Janet. Working weekends would be too much. It would upset his routine too much."

"You're welcome. I'll see you and Michael on the first. You're welcome to bring him in to practice anytime."

"Thanks, I'll bring him in Tuesday."

"Sounds good. I'll call him Monday and tell him."

"We're usually home by 4:15."

"Good."

They talked for a few more minutes , then hung up. "He did it, Bones, Michael got a job…"

"Yes, I'm happy for him but I'm worried too."

"Me too, but he's going to rock this."

"I hope so. I'll take him shopping for everything on the last day of school. I'm going to take him to the bank to set up an account to deposit his checks into. I know we get ours direct deposited, but I think it would be a good experience for him."

"Me too."

The weekend passed with a family trip to the aquarium and Booth and Brennan secretly planning a party for Michael to celebrate him getting a job.

B&B

Monday afternoon Booth and Brennan were having lunch at the diner, Brennan was toying with her salad. "What's wrong, Bones?"

"I'm nervous about Michael. I know he has the job, but I'm nervous about him finding out and actually going to work. Maybe we should have looked into the adult program though his school."

"We can still do that, but I think working will best for him. He needs something other than school in his life."

"I agree, but I'm still worried…"

"Me too., but he's going to be fine."

"I know…"

Later that afternoon Brennan was driving Michael and Christine home from school.

"How was your day, Michael?"

"Good. Went to art."

"That's fun. What did you make?"

"It supize."

"It's a surprise? "

"Uh-huh."

"Then I'll just wait until you bring it home and show me."

'K."

"How was your day, Christine?"

"Good. I have a ton of homework."

"In what classes?"

"Just English. We have to write a five paragraph compare and contrast essay on anything we want and I can't think of a topic. The rough draft is due Wednesday "

"Mickey Mouse!"

"Mikey, I can't use Mickey…"

"You could compare and contrast Mickey and Mighty Mouse…"

"Who's Might Mouse?"

"A cartoon mouse. Uncle Russ and I used to watch when were little on Saturday mornings. Ask your dad he probably has them on dv."

"Okay."

They'd been home for a half hour when Janet called Brennan's phone, she handed it to Michael. "it's Janet calling about your job. You can talk to her, just relax and take your time."

Michael took the phone, "Hi."

Brennan smiled a little and left the room. A few minutes later Michael walked into the kitchen. "So, what did Janet say?"

"I got job."

"Congratulations Michael. I'm so proud of you. When do you start working?"

"Une 1st."

"June first. What time do you have to be there?"

"Nine."

"Good. You'll be coming to work with me while dad takes Christine to school."

"NO!"

" I know that it isn't what we've always done, but since you and I have to go to the same place it would be better if I took you and dad took Christine to school. I'm sure dad will drop you off on the days Christine doesn't have school."

"K."

"Are you happy about going to work?"

"Uh-huh."

" That's good. You're going to need to get some new pants, socks and shoes to go with the Jeffersonian museum shirt you are required to wear every day you work . I'll take you shopping for them on the last day of school."

"Okay."

"Janet and I were talking after your interview and she said that if you wanted to come practice using the scanner before you start working you can."

"Yeah…"

"I can take you afterschool tomorrow…"

"Okay." Brennan handed Michael a plate with half an apple sliced and covered in peanut butter on it, he carried it over to Christine who was doing her homework at the dining room table. Brennan cut the rest of the apple in to bite size chunks and put them in a bowl and adding a glob of peanut butter, she put a fork in the bowl and handed it to Michael as he walked by her.

"I go swing."

"Enjoy."

B&B

A little while later Booth came home. "Hey Bones, did Michael get his call?"

"Yes, he handled it very well. I left the room, but I heard him talking to her."

"That' s good."

"Yes. He's swinging, but it isn't an anxiety hyped up trying to calm down swinging. It's his normal afterschool swinging."

"That's good. Parker called; he's going to be a little late."

"That's fine, I can hold dinner. The kids had a snack when we got home."

"An apple with peanut butter that Michael gave Christine half of?"

"Yes, he's shared his apple with her since she started kindergarten. I wonder if he'll still do it when he starts working? I never thought I'd say that phrase in regards to Michael…"

"I know, it's hard to believe. I'm happy that he got a job. I think he'll share his apple still." Booth kissed Brennan and headed outside to the swing.

"Hey bud."

"Dad, I got job…"

"Congratulations, I'm so proud of you, Michael. When do you start working?"

"Une furst at 9. I go with mom…"

"That will be fun."

"NO! Want you to!"

"I'll talk to mom, maybe I can drive you two to work and take Christine to school. I always used to drive mom to work before you were born. I enjoyed it."

"Okay." Booth sat on the swing and started swinging slowly. "Are you happy you got the job?'

"Uh-huh"

That's good. Mom and I are very proud of you for graduating high school and getting a job."

"Cwristine?"

"Christine will be happy for you when you tell her you got the job. Parker too."

"Okay."

"I'm going to help mom with dinner." Booth picked up Michael's wrist and pointed to his Mickey Mouse watch. "Come in when the big hand is on the 9."

"K."

Booth went in the house. He washed his hands and started chopping onions. "Michael is upset that I won't be driving him anymore."

"I know. I told him you'd drive him when Christine didn't have school…"

"I was thinking I could drive everybody. Drop off Christine by 7:15 get you two to the Jeffersonian by 7:45 and make it to the Hoover by 8."

"Booth, I'm perfectly capable of driving myself and Michael to the Jeffersonian…"

"I know you're capable, Bones. I miss driving you to the lab…"

Brennan smiled, "you can drive us this summer and when school starts we can reevaluate."

"Okay."

Forty minutes later Michael was setting the table when Parker waked in. "PARKER!"

"Hey Mikey!'

"I work now."

"That's great. Congratulations. What are you going to be doing?"

"I work with mom."

"Cool, what are you going to be doing?"

Michael blew out a breath, "tickets…" then he looked at Brennan. She smiled and looked at Parker.

"Michael will be scanning people's tickets when they enter IMAX films. Sometimes he'll scan the lectures."

"Cool. I'll take you and Christine out for ice cream to celebrate after the dinner."

"Okay." Michael carried five glasses to the table. Christine reached around Michael and put the salad dressings on the table. "Cwristine, I work with mom now…"

"Cool, I'm happy for you."

"Parker take us for ice cream."

"Yummy, I can't wait."

After he helped Michael load the dishwasher Parker took him and Christine out for ice cream.

Booth came over and pulled Brennan to him. "Michael seems happy about working."

"Yes, I just hope he remains that way once he actually starts working."

"He will. We should take the kids on vacation before Michael starts working. He has eight days off."

"Where would we go?"

"Virginia Beach would be nice."

"I wish we could attempt Disney; Michael would love it. Even with their accommodations it would be too much for him."

"I know, I've looked into it every time we've taken them on vacation. Hopefully someday he'll be able to go. Maybe if we went on the off season with just you and me."

"Yes. I think Michael would like the beach as long as we can find a somewhat quiet stretch of beach."

"We can probably get that if we rent a house. We should ask Parker if he and Adison want to come with us."

"That would be nice."

B&B

The next day Brennan picked up Michael and took him to the Jeffersonian so he could practice scanning barcodes. "Are ready for this, Michael?"

"Uh-huh."

"Good. I'm going to walk with you to Janet's office then I'm going to go to my office and work for a little while. When you're done practicing Janet will walk you back to my office, okay?"

"You stay!"

'I can't I have work to do for dad. You'll be fine. once you start working in June you'll be on your own."

"NO!"

"Michael, I have my work to do and you'll have yours."

"NO!"

"Sweetheart, did you think I'd be with you while you worked?" Michael didn't say anything. "It's okay if you did, but I won't be with you. I will be able to help you if you need it at first, but you'll have to do it on your own."

"NO!" Michael started biting his lip and picking at his thumb nail.

"Sweetheart, you're going to do great. Dad and I are so proud of you for getting a job and graduating high school. You can do this, just relax and take your time. Janet understands that you struggle doing things sometimes. She'll help you if you need it."

"NO! You!"

"Sweetheart, I can't I'll stay with you for a little while, but I need to go to my office and do some things to help dad with his case."

"Okay."

They went to the theater; Janet was waiting for them. "Hello Michael."

"Hi"

"I have some tickets for you to practice scanning, but first I thought we'd take a tour of the place so you know where things are."

"Mom stay?"

"I can for a little while then I need to go to my office…"

"K." They started with the backstage area after a half hour Brennan quietly left and went back to her office. Over an hour later Michael walked into Brennan's office. "Mom…"

Brennan looked up and smiled, "how'd it go, buddy?"

"Good…"

"Michael did great, it took him a little while to get the hang of the scanner, but everybody has a hard time with it at first."

"That's great."

"I can do it now."

"That's great, buddy. I'm so proud of you."

"I'll see you next week for more practice, Michael."

"Okay. Home now?"

"Not yet I still have to work for a while. I made you a snack and Angela said you can go use the art supplies in her office when you're done. "

"Okay." Brennan handed Michael a container with an apple cut in chunks and a big blob of peanut butter. He went to sit on the couch. Ten minutes later Michael put the container on Brennan's desk. "I go see Angla now."

"Okay. Have fun."

A while later they came home to Booth making dinner . "Hey Bones. Hey Michael."

"Hello, Booth." Brennan accepted Booth's kiss as he leaned over the counter. "Do you need help with dinner?"

"No. it will be done in ten minutes. Michael, how did you job practice go?"

"Good, I can do it now…"

"That's great. I'm proud of you. Can you set the table, please?"

"Uh-huh." Michael walked to the cabinet and grabbed the plates.

"Great, thanks."

A/N 2: We'll see Michael's last day of school and graduation, their VA beach vacation, his first day of work and a little drama as soon as I write the next chapter….. just wanted to post this port so the chapter isn't so long…