A/N OK, for anyone reading or following this story-no, I had not abandoned this story or fallen off the face of the earth. It's just between a new job (yay!) and the holidays, I had no time- plus my muse went into hibernation. I hope people are still interested. I believe we're getting to the home stretch now, so bear with my erratic posting schedule.

To Caroline from Australia-yes there will be closure. That was actually the main point of writing this story to begin with.

And of course, because I HAVE to say it, I don't own Bones. I wish, but no. Still don't.

"Seriously, why am I hanging around waiting for this? I could just wait until I know he's here-"

"Agent Booth?" Sweets was staring at me, his head cocked slightly to one side. "Is there a reason you're standing outside my office talking to yourself?"

I straightened up, having been leaning against the door. "I was waiting for you to come back from lunch." I let out a long breath. "I was hoping to talk about my mom.."

Sweets grinned, but that faded when he saw my face. "Of course. Have there been any more difficult conversations, or-"

I interrupted. "Do you think we could do this in your office, Sweets, and not out here?"

Sweets nodded. "Oh, sure. Sorry, you just threw me a little, since you haven't seemed to want to talk about how that whole thing's going-at least not with me so much. Come on in." After we entered his office and got ourselves settled, he leaned forward and asked, "So is there a specific problem or reason that triggered this visit?"

"I just-" I stopped. "I'm not even sure I know. I mean, I found out my mom wasn't the kind of person I thought she was, and I've been talking to people about that. And I want to forgive her and love her like I used to, I'm just starting to feel like maybe I can't. That maybe I'm not a good enough person to do that. I got a call from Reggie the other day-he'd invited Jared and Padme out for a family thing and wanted to invite me. He said he called because he wasn't sure how I would take it if she did the inviting. He was hoping that spending time together would help."

"Did you accept?"

I shrugged. "Told him I'd think about it. I appreciated the offer-and that his heart was in the right place-I'm just not sure I was really ready to do a face to face with her yet. The last conversation was pretty ugly. And I just keep thinking what kind of son am I?"

Sweets shook his head emphatically. "A good one. There's nothing wrong with what you're feeling, Booth. I realize you're beating yourself up over this, but really you shouldn't. It's a very difficult and complicated situation-that means the emotions stirred up by that won't be simple either. Family relationships are rarely straightforward, and your family history is no exception. You've rarely given details about exactly what you and your mom have talked about to me, but given some of your statements, I'm guessing it was very heavy and emotionally difficult. There is no one I know of who wouldn't have negative feelings after that. And those are OK too."

"So the fact that I'm not even sure how I feel about her is OK?" I rubbed my hand over my forehead. "I feel like I'm supposed to forgive her and love her unconditionally, but-."

Sweets looked at me seriously for a couple of seconds. "I understand the role faith and the Catholic church play in your life , Booth. And I would never discount that. But here's the thing. There's no law saying you have to love your mother, or forgive her if she harms you. I realize society emphasizes that we should, but realistically, there are mothers who don't deserve it. I'm not necessarily saying your mom is one of those, I'm just saying that you shouldn't feel like you have to do or feel anything. The pressure that comes from that is a lot, I know. And I believe this situation is difficult enough without you believing you have to feel or act a certain way."

I leaned my head against the back of the chair. "The hell of it, Sweets, is that I want to. I really do. It's just something she said will pop into my head at random moments and I get pissed off all over again. And my head knows it can't be the same as it was-we're not the same people we were when I was growing up. My head knows I have to see the person she is now to be able to have a real relationship with her, but I guess my heart is still sometimes that hurt kid that didn't get why his mom didn't want him-and her explanations haven't exactly helped that part of me."

"I know, Booth. And while I wish I could magically erase that for you, I can't. I will say, though, that I think you're dealing with it remarkably well. You've obviously thought about this a great deal-and I assume you're sharing all this with Dr. Brennan?"

I gave a small laugh. "And you, Hodgins, Angela, Cam, Jared and Padme, Pops, Max."

Sweets whistled. "Wow. I'm impressed."

I glared at him "What's that supposed to mean?"

He held up his hands. "It's just that I know you don't like to ask for help. You're so used to helping and defending others, that asking for help is not something that comes naturally. That's all. Well, I told you that you had a great support system-I'm glad you're using it. Has it helped?"

I paused for a minute before answering. "You know I think it has. I mean everyone has something different to say, but yeah. It's helped. If for no other reason than I can vent. Everyone I've talked to has been really willing to listen-and offer advice too."

Sweets leaned back in his chair. "I told you during the Broadsky case-you've managed to create a life with people who love and respect you. And they are people who you've helped numerous times-this is a chance for them to help you. They want to help you. I'm glad you've let them do it."

I smiled. "Actually, Sweets, I am too."

So there it is-hopefully worth the wait.

The thing about not being obligated to love your mom actually came from my mom, a retired psychotherapist. We had some major issues where we didn't get along at all, and after we resolved a lot of it (my growing up helped lol!) we were talking and that came up. Don't misunderstand, I do love my mom, and she's a good mom. But let's face it, there are mothers out there who don't deserve it. I put that in there because Booth would probably feel pressure of "it's my mom, I have to forgive her". Both because of the kind of person he is and because of his faith. Like he needs more pressure on his shoulders, right? Figured I would have Sweets give him sort of an out.