And once again-in case it wasn't clear-I don't own Bones.

Bones and I walked in the front door and saw Pops and Max at the dinner table, playing dominoes.

"So who's winning?" I asked, putting my keys on the counter.

They both looked up, and answered at the same time, "I am."

I rolled my eyes. "Of course."

Pops stood up. "So how did it go with your mom, Shrimp?"

I shrugged. "It went OK." I hesitated, then continued. "I just feel like she's still avoiding answering some stuff. I've tried to make it as clear as I can that I need to know everything, but-"

Pops patted my shoulder. "Maybe she just doesn't know how to tell you."

"Or doesn't want to tell you in front of me." I turned to see Bones standing there with her arms crossed in front of her.

"Well, that's not an option, Bones. You were there when I told her that." I looked at Pops. "But I do think you should be there at some point. You must have your own questions."

He nodded. "Yeah, I do."

Max coughed, drawing everyone's attention.

I sighed. "Let me guess. You have an opinion on this."

Max held up his hands. "Me? No, no. Just wanted to let you know Christine's down for the night and I'm out of here while you deal with family stuff. Want to walk me out?"

"What are you-twelve?" But I did walk him to the door.

He turned. "I wanted to tell you I also made sure your grandfather took his meds. Didn't want to say that in front of him-I know he's a proud guy."

"Thanks, Max. I appreciate you taking care of both of them."

He shrugged. "Christine's my grandkid, and I like your grandfather. He's a good guy."

I smiled. "Yeah he is. The best."

After Max said 'goodnight' and left, I walked back to see Bones and Pops sitting at the table-apparently ready to jump into a game of dominoes. I walked behind Bones and put my hands on her shoulders.

Pops looked up. "So now that my babysitter's gone, you want to tell me how it really went with your mom?"

I stared. "Um-"

Pops laughed. "What, you think I couldn't figure out part of the reason Max was here was to make sure I didn't wander off or forget to take my medicine?" He shook his head. "I'm not an idiot, son."

Bones reached across the table and took Pops' hand. "No one believes that you are, Hank. It is simply that we worry about you here alone, when we're working. At the retirement community you have someone to take care of these things. Booth and I just wanted to ensure that happened here. We thought Max might be the best choice." She stopped and turned her head towards me. "Perhaps it was not such a good idea-"

"Temperance." Pops' voice was gentle. "It's fine. I know I've given you some reason to worry in the past." He sighed. "It's just hard to get old and realize you can't do everything you used to. Not to mention I've always hated asking for help."

Bones gave me a sideways glance. "If it makes you feel better, Hank, Booth has the same problem when it comes to asking for help."

"Hey!"

"Well, you do, Booth."

"Says the queen of compartmentalization."

"I-"

Pops broke in. "You two are more fun than TV when you get going, but back to my original question about the talk with your mom."

I sat down and put my head in my hands. "I don't know what to think anymore, Pops. Apparently she told Reggie and his kids about us, told them why she left. She said they all hoped we'd meet each other, but I still don't get why she couldn't have come forward sooner if that's what she really wanted. Like I said, I think she's kind of skipping past a lot of parts, and my gut says those are the parts I need to hear." I looked up. "I think we all need to face her. I can't work through this if she's not willing to meet me halfway on this. I don't want to be the only one feeling like I've been turned inside out after these conversations."

"You don't know that she isn't, Shrimp." Pops held up his hands as I started to say something. "Don't get me wrong. I can't justify what she did-both in the past and the fact that she doesn't want to open up to you now. I'm just saying you have no way to know what she says or does or feels at the end of your chats. And as for not telling you everything, parents tend not to necessarily tell their kids everything. Probably a holdover from when they were little and you wanted to protect from the world." He looked at me and I could have sworn I saw tears starting to form. "The way I wished I could have protected you and Jared."

"Hey, Pops." I took his hand. "That wasn't your fault. The way Dad was wasn't your fault. I don't know what it was that made him that way, but I know the kind of guy you are. You took me and Jared in-you didn't have to do that. You loved us, made sure were safe, taught us right from wrong-trust me. Whatever made Dad the kind of parent and husband he was, it had nothing to do with you."

"I agree, Hank," Bones said. "Booth is a wonderful man and father, and I believe he learned those sorts of behaviors from you. If you worry about what kind of parent you were, look to Booth. You raised him, and you know the kind of man he has become."

Pops smiled. "He is a wonderful man, isn't he?"

I flushed a little as both of them smiled at me. "Ok, now that we've all established how terrific I am, where do we go from here?"

Pops' face got serious. "You need to confront her about holding back. If you really think she is, and I trust your instincts-"

"His 'gut' has proved to be remarkably accurate, I must admit."

"-then you need to tell her that. Make her understand what's at stake here." He shook his head. "I guess I just don't understand her. Maybe I never really knew her. I don't know. I don't understand why she went about this whole thing the way she did. I don't understand how she could have told her future stepkids what was going on but not her kids. " Suddenly Pops looked tired. "I don't apparently understand anything about her anymore, and I don't like it."

Bones and I looked at each other, and then Bones said softly, "Why don't you go ahead and head off to bed, Hank. It's been a long day for all of us I expect. All of this has taken a toll on all of us and I believe there is still a long way to go before there will be any real resolution. There is no reason for us all to suffer physically as well as emotionally."

Pops grinned at me. "Well, she's certainly a prettier babysitter than Max, that's for sure."

I grinned back. "Amen to that."

He stood up. "All right, I'm off then. But Seeley," He gave me a long, serious look. "I want to be there next time you talk to her. I think you're right about her answering my questions, plus I figure a little extra emotional support couldn't hurt."

"You got it Pops."

After Pops had gone off to bed, Bones and I just sat at the table.

Bones stirred after a few minutes. "Booth?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you really feel that your mother has been less than forthcoming with you?"

I leaned back in my chair. "If I answer that saying I'm using my gut, will I get a scientific response on how there's no quantifiable evidence?"

She gave me a small smile. "In this instance, given that we are dealing with human emotions, which very often are not the least bit scientific, then no."

I was silent for a couple of seconds. "Yeah. I think she's glossing over some stuff. I don't know what-if I knew what, I could ask her specific questions. Hell, half the time I'm not sure what questions I want to ask."

"Perhaps if you talked to Sweets-"

I turned my head toward her. "You want me to talk to Sweets. You hate psychology-you think it's a soft science."

"I still do." She pressed her lips together for a minute. "However, I will admit that there have been some times when his insight has been useful, and he is a friend. I just think he might be able to help you in this particular instance. Plus," she sighed, "he is better at dealing with emotions and telling when people are lying or withholding information-he has proved that in interrogations."

I smiled at her. "You've come a long way in that department since we first met, Bones."

"I do have a very steep learning curve, Booth."

I laughed. "You do indeed. So," I leaned forward, "Dr. Steep-Learning-Curve, best two out of three in dominoes?"

This chapter and probably the next one or two following) will be building up to major confrontation with Booth's mom. Yes, I plan to include Brennan and Pops when they talk to her. (Woman has no idea what she's in for.) She has a lot to answer for, and I think it may take more of a group effort to make her realize how much damage she's done to Booth. Plus Booth has a tendency to be more conciliatory, while Brennan and Pops tend to be the type to tell it like it is-and I think Marianne needs a serious dose of reality into the little dream world she seems to have created for herself.

As always, reviews and suggestions are welcome. I actually have over 50 reviews now! (Ok, compared to some stories, that's not a lot, but considering when I first posted I wasn't sure anyone would want to read it, it's a big deal for me.) To all those who have reviewed, followed, or marked as favorite, I appreciate it more than you know. You have all been wonderful in supporting a new fanfiction writer!