A/N Still don't own Bones-everyone who reads these stories knows that, right?

It was 2:30 in the morning and I was sitting on the couch, a laptop and a glass of Scotch on the coffee table in front of me, and a notepad in my lap.

"Booth?" Bones' quiet question from the doorway. "Why are you down here and not in bed?"

I turned my head toward her. "Bones. Just couldn't sleep. You should head on back to bed. No reason both of us need to be awake at this hour."

She walked behind the couch and started massaging my shoulders. "I find that I do not sleep as well if you are not there with me." She hesitated. "I assume that you are having difficulty sleeping because of the situation with your mother. Perhaps if you, Hank and I had not spent hours on the lists Sweets suggested-"

"No. I think it was a good idea. It helped me organize my thoughts a little bit more. And I'm grateful to you and Pops for helping me with it. I guess it's just the thought of going into all this stuff and the details with her-" I stopped.

"I know, Booth."

I tipped my head back to look at her. I took her hand with one of mine and with other I patted the spot next to me "Come here."

She let go of my hand and went to the spot I'd indicated. She put her head on my shoulder and I put my arm around her. "So what are you doing? I thought we'd finished going over the questions you wanted asked."

"We did. I guess I'm just trying to get my ideas and questions in some sort of order. I-I guess I just thought that might help me when I actually talk to her, you know? Because I have to tell you Bones, I'm really nervous about this particular conversation."

"Because of what her answers might be."

"Yeah." I swallowed. "I want to know and don't want to know at the same time-does that make sense? I only-I need to know and she needs to tell me. It's just there's a part of me that knows this is going to be bad, and I feel like a kid who just wants to hide with the blankets over his head until it goes away."

I caught the look Bones gave me and smiled. "I don't mean literally, Bones. And I know I have to have this conversation-for all of us. She can't keep putting on blinders, and I can't either. Not if we want to have any real relationship. Or any relationship at all. I can't pretend that the way she handled coming back was OK. And if I want to be a better man than my dad, I have to let go of all this. Because there's a lot of anger at bitterness at her right now, Bones. A lot. The more I talk to her, the worse it seems to get. That's the opposite of what I wanted. So yeah, we have to clear the air."

Bones put a hand on my knee. "And if her answers aren't what you want? Or more hurtful than you expected?"

I sighed. "Then at least I have the truth to deal with. Whether that means I don't have any kind of relationship with her, or whatever. I just can't take the fact that she won't tell me everything-I need to why, and what it is she's holding back. We agreed to honest answers, but then she isn't willing to give me those-and those I have gotten I've had to practically drag out of her. God knows I don't like talking about my past, but we shared that past at some point. We should be able to talk about it. I should have been willing to talk about it when she came back. I-"

"Don't, Booth. Don't blame yourself for this. If she had really been willing to discuss it, she would have tried harder. If she has not been completely forthcoming in her answers, that is not your responsibility, it is hers. All you can do, Booth, is ask the questions now that you want the answers to, and insist on complete answers. Complete, honest answers. Then you can make whatever decision about moving forward that you need to."

"And you'll be there."

She frowned at me. "I wouldn't be anywhere else Booth. You know that. Hank will also be there for this conversation. And we will be more than willing to ask our own questions if you find that you can't think of what to say. However, I have confidence in you Booth. I know this is difficult, but you an excellent ability to question people. You can be very good at pressing an issue when necessary. You've listed the questions and explanations you want. You will have support there. " Bones twisted to face me and put her arms around my neck. "You will have people who love you there-people who support what you are trying to do. Remember that. Hank and I are on your side on this. Always. No matter what happens or what answers she has."

I found myself wondering, as I often do, how this I managed to find this terrific woman, a woman who trusted me enough after everything that had happened to her to allow her guard down enough to love me. Me, Seeley Booth-former ranger, former gambler, former sniper, and all-around screwed up guy.

"I love you Bones, and I'm glad you're with me on this. I wouldn't want anyone else watching my back."

She smiled. "We're partners, remember? Watching each others' backs is what we do." She glanced at the stuff I had on the table. "So are you about done with-whatever you were doing here? Because it's very late, and you need your rest."

"Yeah, I'm done. I guess I was just getting my ducks in a row for when I talk to mom."

Bones' eyes lit up "I know what that means now-do I get to be a duck this time?"

I laughed. "Yeah, Bones, you're definitely a duck this time."

Short chapter this time-mostly wanted to emphasize Booth and Brennan supporting each other.

I'm assuming the people who read Bones fanfiction have watched the show and understand the duck reference-if not, watch the pilot where Brennan blackmails Booth.

The title of this chapter says it all-next up we have talk with Mom. I've been updating pretty regularly, but it may take longer for those chapters to come. It's pretty intense stuff-LOT of issues/questions to touch on. Bear with me-I want to get those chapters right-for myself, but also the wonderful people who are reading this story. You guys have been great, and deserve the best.