A/NThis is based on a prompt by KlingonGal8489, who wanted to see Jared's reaction. Not sure if this is exactly what you had in mind, but it's what my brain came up with.

Buckle up, ladies and gentlemen-this could be rough going for Booth, given the relationship and history between him and Jared.

Obviously-usual disclaimers-Bones doesn't belong to me, etc. (I assume everyone here knows that already, but you know-safer to get it out there.)

Reading the comments and reviews (and thank you all for that!) I wasn't the only one who was unhappy with the way the situation with Booth's mom was handled on the show. Good to know.

Great, I thought to myself. My Saturday is now officially shot all to hell. First my difficult conversation with my mom, now I have to deal with Jared. Moving to the living room, I parked myself on the couch.

"Yo, Seeley, you still there?"

"Yeah, I'm here. Sorry about that. I was..sort of in the middle of something."

"Hey, if it's a bad time, I can call back."

"No, no it's fine. It's just been kind of a weird day."

"Everything OK?"

I've been debating what I should tell Jared from the moment I agreed to talk to mom about the past. It's a past that affects him, too-but we've never really talked about Mom leaving. Plus I don't actually know if Mom has contacted Jared-I would assume she would have invited him and Padme to the wedding, but I didn't see him there-and I have no idea what's going on in Mom's head. The original conversations we had when she returned, have played over and over in my head for a while, and I just don't know that I trust her to have told Jared everything-or maybe anything at all.

"Jared, have you heard from Mom at all lately?"

There was a moment of silence, and then the answer. "Yeah."

My hand tightens on the phone. "When?"

"The first time was a couple of months before she got married to the guy. Padme and I were in India, so we couldn't go. Haven't met the guy, but Mom said he was a really great guy."

"The FIRST Time-I'm assuming there was more than one time." Not a question-somehow I knew this was a certainty.

"Well, she sent me a postcard when she was on her honeymoon."

"And that's it?" I could see the next answer coming-but I wasn't sure I wanted to hear it.

"Seeley-"

"Mom called you after she and I talked."

"She was pretty upset and stressed out."

I gave a short laugh. "I bet."

"Meaning, what, Seeley?" He was starting to sound a little angry.

"It apparently doesn't occur to either one of you that I might have been upset, too? Did she tell you what we talked about, or did she vent about unfair I was being?"

"That's not what she said, man. And no, she didn't go into details about whatever the two of you said."

"I let out a long breath. "How much has she told you about her new family?"

"Not much-just the guy's name, he's nice-couple of kids."

"She didn't mention that she helped raise those kids while we were getting smacked around by Dad?"

"No," Jared responded quietly. "She just said she'd known him for a while-but if she was raising his kids I assume that she knew him longer than she implied. And why exactly are you giving me a hard time about this?"

"Look, I didn't mean to take this crap out on you, Jared. And Mom shouldn't have dragged you into it."

"She didn't drag me, Seeley. And OK maybe she should have been more forthcoming about details, but I don't get why this is huge issue for you."

I had no answer for him. All I could think was he was siding with HER about this. I don't understand. He lived in the same house I did-how could he NOT feel at least a little bad that while we lived with an abusive drunk, she was out getting this wonderful new life. Yes I have my own fantastic life now, but I had to deal with some very disturbing stuff to get there. And so did Jared. So how can he OK with this. Absolute anger swept over-for the second time today. I hate feeling this-I hate how remembering everything brings this…rage out. It's this feeling I'm trying to work through, and Jared's "it's not that big of a deal" attitude is pushing buttons.

"You don't know why this is important to me," I said slowly. "Really. You did live in the same house I did, right? You did go through some of the same stuff I did? And the thought of Mom leaving us there while she took off and found some seemingly perfect family to raise doesn't bother you?"

"Ah, Saint Seeley. Holding everyone else to standards that almost no one can live up to. Doesn't it get old being on that pedestal. Or it must get old when people screw up and fall off that pedestal. Can't you ever cut anyone a break?"

"Don't lecture me about how I get to feel about this. I'm the one who took most of the hits when we lived with Dad. You know how often I took beatings that he meant for you? I told Mom I get why she left-and I do. But she left us in that house, Jared. Dad could have killed us for all she knew. Maybe I just feel she shouldn't get off easy on that-not when she had other kids she was taking care of. We were lucky only because Pops took us in. Do you know I told a shrink once that if it hadn't been for Pops I would have killed myself?"

"Jesus, Seeley." Jared's shocked voice penetrated the fog of rage I'd managed to build up. "Why didn't you ever tell me that?"

"I'm the big brother, remember? I'm supposed to protect you-not the other way around."

"And you always have, Seeley. I know I've never really thanked you for any of it. Hell, when I was drinking I didn't even appreciate it. Maybe I'd just taken it for granted after so many years. I just thought you'd be happier to have Mom in your life again. Me-I don't know. I think you were always closer to her anyway. We keep in touch, but I have to admit we've never really talked about anything much-at least nothing really important."

"Maybe it's time we both did. Look, I wasn't necessarily trying to give her a hard time. She approached me about talking about this stuff-I wasn't going to lie and tell her everything was fine. Because it isn't. At least not yet. I'm hoping eventually it will be fine, but I'm tired of putting a good face on this."

"I wasn't asking you to. You do enough of that."

"Hell, Jared-for a minute I thought we could have one conversation without arguing more than once. Can you for one time just come out with what you want to say? I've had a really horrible Saturday so far-I'd rather not add a major fight with you on top of everything else."

"I'm just saying you have a talent-and a hell of a lot of experience-in pretending everything's OK. But the 'white-knight' syndrome you have-it doesn't let people help you. God knows how Temperance manages. People aren't her thing."

"Bones does just fine helping me through everything-good or bad-that happens to me. Don't talk about her like that. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me."

"Look I didn't mean anything by that. I like Temperance-I do. And I know she's good for you. It's just her forte is science and facts, that's all."

I gave out a long exhale. "Sorry. It's been a really rough day. And I know you like Bones. It's just everything seems to be rubbing me the wrong way today."

"I get it, man. Look if I talk to Mom and she says anything, I'll butt out and tell her to talk to you, not me. Hey, Padme and I will be in DC next week for a few days-how about all of us get together for dinner or something."

"Yeah, that sounds good. I'll let Bones know. Call me when you're in town and tell Padme I said 'Hi'."

"I will. Take care of yourself, Seeley."

We disconnected, and I sat there staring blankly ahead for a minute. I just felt completely emotionally exhausted-it was too much. Too much all at once to deal with. Frankly if I had to deal with any other confrontations today, I'm going to totally lose it.

Suddenly a plate with a piece of pie and a fork appeared in front of me.

"You look like you could use this-or would you prefer alcohol?" Bones' quiet voice made me look up at her. She was frowning slightly so I gave her a small grin. Based on the fact that she was still frowning, it didn't seem to be a convincing one. Taking her hand I pulled her down next to me. She leaned her head against my shoulder and I put my arm around her shoulder.

"I'll be fine, Bones. Really. Time, remember? And I absolutely want a taste of this pie." I took the fork and speared a bite. Pausing, I moved the fork in Bones' direction. "Come on, you know you want to try this. Just a bite…"

"Booth!" she said, laughing as she did her best to avoid the piece I aimed in her direction. "How many times have we talked about my not liking pie!"

Sitting there listening to Bones discuss cooked fruit, and pie being too sweet, I started to feel as if I could get through all of this turmoil.

Because the woman I loved understood, and would go through it with me.

I had intended to make the conversation with Jared more angry, but somehow my muse went this direction. (Although I suspect more Jared conversations will happen in the future, so you never know.) I think Jared would have matured since his first appearance on the show, where I seriously disliked him. But he got involved with someone grounded and stopped drinking, so I think it made his perspective clearer.

I have to say, though, I think he will always be something of a flake and a lightweight. That may come from having been protected for so many years-it means he didn't really have to face up to anything serious. I know during the "Hero in the Hold" he did what he had to save Booth, but notice he only did it after Brennan confronted him.

The show never referred to Booth's mom having contacted Jared, but I personally think she would have wanted both of her sons at her wedding. Even going by Booth's comment about her wanting the stamp of approval on her new life, I would think she'd want both of her kids to approve.

Ah, the things the show occasionally just leaves open...