"The Object of My Affection" - Chapter 13
Title: Object of my Affection
Author: Shannon - shannyfish
Disclaimer: I do not own “Bones” or its characters, Fox does. This is merely for entertainment purposes only.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Booth and Brennan must struggle with not only the Grad Students trying to take Zack’s old position, but also help get through a tragic end.
Warning: Post Season Three - “Pain in the Heart”. Would take place during Season Four, probably mid to late. Warning! Do not start reading this unless you plan on reading all…like…one hundred chapters (it might be that many…might not…). This will be an epic/saga-type fic and shall include all kinds of fun plot twists. The rating of this story will most likely fluctuate, FYI.
Chapter 13 - “Hard Start”
Author’s Note: There is a HUGE chapter coming up…so keep reviewing and you shall get to it sooner!!! Mind you, I’m working on writing chapter 18 now…or 19…can’t remember off the top of my head. Again, if you want to see the chart of characters (cuz I have pictures picked out) e-mail me directly and I will invite you to my wiki!
*~*~*
Brennan’s Apartment
It was late, she hadn’t heard from Booth. Cam had come by the lab when she was leaving and told her that Rebecca was worse. In her professional opinion from what she knew, Rebecca wouldn’t make it. And if she did, it would be a miracle. Cam had also brought by a duffel bag with clothes for Booth, figuring that he’d tear himself away from the hospital and come by and visit Parker and that that way he’d be able to change into some clean clothes.
Brennan found herself wanting a miracle as she sat on her couch forgetting the book in her hands. All she cared about was Booth and Parker. She knew from personal experience that not having a mother was hard. She always felt like a piece of her was missing, that she wasn’t whole. She didn’t want Parker to have to feel that way.
Parker was asleep in her guest room. It had been a long day and he had been exhausted. Too exhausted to ask about his parents…and for that, Brennan was grateful. As much as she was a firm believer in telling the truth, even to children, she couldn’t tell Parker. All she could tell him was, “Your dad will be here soon, Parker”. After that, she’d find a way to distract him.
Laying her head against the soft cushion of the couch and setting the book on her coffee table, she told herself that she’d rest her eyes before getting up to go to bed. She let her eyes close and relaxed. Before she could even realize it, she was asleep on the couch with all the lights on.
A knock pulled her from her sleep; she pulled herself to her feed and shuffled to the door. Peering through the peep hole, her eyes widened slightly at Booth’s figure in her hall. She unlocked and opened the door. Brennan stood to the side to let him in. She rubbed her eyes, but still watched him. He didn’t look well. He needed sleep. She closed the door and locked it before silently following Booth to her couch.
Brennan knew. She didn’t want to ask to reinforce what she already knew. Rebecca was dead.
He sat down and she sat down next to him. “Rebecca’s…” he tried, but found himself unable to say the words and breaking down instead of saying the words he’d practiced in his head on the way over. He’d promised himself that he wouldn’t break down, but it seemed like his body had decided otherwise.
The sight of him was enough to bring tears to her eyes. He looked horrible and even more so with the tears flowing down his face. She wrapped her arms around him wanting so badly to merely comfort him. She was always the one hugging him when she was scared and now she found herself scared for him. He cried and she held him. Brennan wished she could make things easier for Booth, but she didn’t know what to say or do. It was advice that she’d normally get from him or Angela. It wasn’t an option at the moment. Brennan just hoped she could know what was the right thing to do.
After Booth’s tears had dried, he was laying in her arms with his head against her chest. Brennan’s arms were wrapped securely around him, her head laid across the top of his. His breathing had calmed and when she looked down, she saw that he was asleep. She moved and effectively woke him up, “You should get some sleep in a bed,” Brennan told him gently. She took his hand and gently pulled.
He didn’t move, but just stared at his partner. He was so confused; he didn’t know what to think. “Temperance,” he said softly.
“It’s only sleep,” she told him. “You really need it.”
Booth looked around for a clock. Time had gotten past him, but it was still dark out.
“It’s four-twenty.”
“What?”
“The time.”
Booth just nodded and got to his feet. He watched her turn off all the lights and then followed her to her bedroom. “Parker,” he said suddenly realizing that his son was there.
“He’s asleep,” Brennan informed him as she stripped out of her slacks. “He’s fine.”
“Maybe I should sleep in with him,” Booth said suddenly feeling a bit uncomfortable.
“We’re both adults,” Brennan reminded him as she turned off her alarm. She stripped down to just her camisole and panties.
“I know, but-”
“You’ll wake Parker,” she told him. “He shouldn’t find out now…just wait…”
Booth nodded and then suddenly wondered why he felt so awkward. Brennan had seen him naked before and it wasn’t like he planned to do that now. He stripped down to his boxers and undershirt before following Brennan’s lead and pulled back the covers and getting into bed. He watched her turn off the bedside lamp. She rolled, so that they were facing each other.
“Sleep,” she whispered before closing her eyes.
*~*~*
Brennan’s Apartment
The smell of coffee pulled Booth from his sleep. He realized three things in a flash. He didn’t put the coffee on, he didn’t know where he was, and he wasn’t alone. He could feel a warm body lying next to him. Carefully, he rolled over just a bit to see that it was Brennan. And then, it all flashed back to him and he suddenly felt sick. Rebecca was dead. He was going to have to tell Parker. How was he going to do that? How would he still be able to work and take care of Parker? He rolled back onto his back and stared up at the ceiling.
“You put on coffee?”
Brennan’s voice was tired and he remembered she hadn’t been in bed when he arrived. So, who was making the coffee? “Automatic? Or did you teach Parker to make it?”
“No…” Brennan said slowly as they both sat up.
Booth tumbled out of bed and to his feet. He hurried out of Brennan’s room and towards the kitchen to make sure that Parker was okay. He came to a complete halt when he realized Parker was in the kitchen, but not by himself.
“Sleepover?” Angela asked with a highly amused smile.
Booth quickly retreated back into Brennan’s bedroom and shut the door. “Your apartment has been invaded by squints.”
“I forgot…Angela and Hodgins are making dinosaur shaped pancakes,” Brennan said and then yawned.
“How’d they get in?”
Brennan shrugged, “Angela has a key.”
“I don’t even have a key,” Booth said feeling slightly less important.
“There’s never really been a need for you to have a key,” Brennan told him matter of factly. “I don’t have a key to your house.”
“You’ve gotten in before just fine without a key,” Booth reminded her.
“Do you want to shower first?” Brennan asked as she pulled out a pair of soft grey yoga pants out and pulled them on.
“I guess-” Booth said and then let his voice drop off.
“What?”
“I’m going to have to tell Parker,” Booth told her.
Brennan nodded, “After breakfast.” She left the bedroom and saw that breakfast was just about ready. She pulled Angela to the side and quietly explained what had happened and why Booth was there. She didn’t want her to say anything to Parker, but also didn’t want Booth taunted. Once they were updated, she smiled at Parker and then picked up a duffel bag from the living room. She returned to the bedroom to find Booth looking very confused and trying to pile up his discarded clothes on her bed. “You shower first,” she instructed and pushed the duffel bag into his hands. “Cam brought it by…she said when you came to visit Parker you might want to shower and change.”
“Thanks.”
Brennan nodded and made sure he knew where the shower was before going in search of what she was going to wear. Once she’d picked out something, she left it on her bed and went out to join Parker, Hodgins, and Angela. She didn’t want Booth to rush. He hadn’t really slept or showered in some time and Brennan just hoped that it would make him feel a tiny bit better.
Angela had obviously told Hodgins, the look on both of their faces told her that. They weren’t giving Parker any clues, though. They were both interacting with Parker. Brennan wished there was another way…that they’d managed to save Rebecca. She just didn’t know how Booth would bear it, let alone tell Parker.
“Why don’t we start breakfast?” Angela suggested.
“But what about my dad?” Parker asked.
Brennan sat at the table with Parker, “He said it was okay to start without him.”
“Really?”
She could hear concern and worry in his voice. “Yeah, we’ll make sure we save him breakfast if he’s not out soon.”
“So, who wants eggs and dino pancakes?” Hodgins asked in a bright voice trying to lighten the mood.
“Oh! Me!” Parker shouted excited.
*~*~*
Brennan’s Apartment
Booth hadn’t joined them for breakfast, so Brennan had volunteered to go check on him. She took a cup of coffee with her. Brennan found him washed and dressed sitting on the end of her bed. She didn’t say anything, but sat and handed him the cup of coffee.
“Was breakfast good?” Booth asked as he took the coffee.
“Yes,” she answered evenly. “But Parker’s worried about you.”
“There’s no need-”
“He knows something is wrong, Booth,” Brennan explained. “He’s not stupid.”
Booth took a long sip of his coffee and then sat there for a moment before speaking up. “I don’t know how to tell him.”
“I could tell him-”
“No,” Booth said quickly. “I’ll do it. I should be the one to tell him.”
“You should.”
“But how, Bones?”
Brennan shrugged, “Is there anything reassuring you could tell him to ease the grief?”
“What? How could I possibly do that?”
“You’re Catholic-”
“Don’t go bashing Catholics again, Bones. I’m really not in the right mind set to be tolerant.”
“My intention isn’t to bash,” Brennan quickly clarified. “Doesn’t the fact that you believe that she’s in Heaven with God relieve some of your pain?”
Booth looked at Brennan silently for a moment before wrapping an arm around her and kissing the side of her head. “Thank you,” he said gently.
“For what?” she asked confused.
“For helping me figure out a way to reassure Parker,” Booth said. He still didn’t like the idea or the thought of telling Parker that his mom was gone, but it was something that he’d have to do. It was necessary in order to start the healing process and Booth was ready for the pain to slowly ebb away.
“Are you ready to tell him?” Brennan asked quietly.
“Yeah.”
His voice didn’t assure her, but she wrapped her arm around him for a moment before getting up, “I’ll have him come in here.” She stopped and turned around to look at him. “Booth?”
“Yes?” he asked, his head lifting a bit.
“We’re all here for you. Just remember that.”
“Thanks.”
Brennan turned and left her room to retrieve Parker. She hated what it was doing to Booth. He really looked like the world was ending. But it wasn’t and she was determined to take care of them both until Booth was able again. Parker was waiting and all eyes fell on her. Why did life have to be so unfair? Certainly Booth didn’t deserve it.
“Is my dad going to come out and eat now?” Parker asked.
Brennan smiled a small smile. Parker was so concerned for his father. She found it adorable. “I think your dad could really use a hug right now,” she told Parker quietly.
“Okay,” he responded quietly and quickly disappeared into Brennan’s bedroom.
She watched as the door closed and took a breath to hold off her tears. She didn’t understand why she felt like crying. She hadn’t been close to Rebecca, so why did she feel that way? It was confusing to say the least.
“Sweetie,” Angela spoke up.
Brennan crossed her arms over her chest and turned to face Angela and Hodgins. She closed the distance between them. “I really don’t know what to do or say in this situation,” Brennan admitted.
“Just be there for them,” Angela told her. “You’ve been doing just fine this far.”
“Why do I feel like crying?” Brennan asked. “It’s so confusing.”
“Booth hurts, so you hurt,” Angela tried to explain.
Hodgins nodded, “You two are close, that’s what happens.”
Brennan just nodded. That didn’t make her feel any better. She wanted to be in control of her emotions.
“We’re going to go,” Angela told Brennan. “We put Booth’s breakfast in the fridge, but if you need anything-”
“Anything,” Hodgins emphasized.
“Just call. Okay?”
“Thanks,” Brennan told them and found Angela’s arms wrapped around her.
Angela whispered into Brennan’s ear, “You take good care of them.”
“I will,” Brennan promised. It was an easy promise to agree to and one she had already intended on keeping.
*~*~*
TBC…