"The Object of My Affection" - Chapter 15
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 15 - “Placement”
Author’s Note: You are getting very close to getting to the extra long chapter… Keep reviewing!!! You could have it by Monday if there’s enough…and then you will be practically caught up with where I am J
*~*~*
Brennan’s Apartment
“I don’t understand why they would do this,” Brennan told Booth from the bathroom as she changed into her pajamas. Booth and Parker were still staying at her apartment, so she’d made some adjustments to her routine to make things easier for Booth.
Booth sighed as he sat on the edge of Brennan’s bed and stared down at the papers in his hands. He’d have to go to court tomorrow. “They’re not trying to be mean. They probably just think they’d be able to raise Parker better than I can.”
“But you’re his father,” Brennan said emerging from the bathroom. She didn’t understand why Booth wasn’t more upset.
“They mean well, Bones.”
“But you’re a good father, Booth. I know that you always wanted to spend more time with him. You never work when you have your time with him. He’s the center of your world.”
“He’s a big chunk of it,” Booth agreed as he stared at Brennan.
Brennan frowned, “Don’t you think you could be a good father all the time?” She thought so, and she thought that Parker would greater benefit from living with Booth full time rather than with his maternal grandparents.”
Booth shrugged, “I just don’t know how to be able to be a great dad to Parker and an F.B.I. agent.”
“You know we’ll help you, Booth.”
“I just…”
“Look, did you talk to Caroline?” Brennan asked.
“Yeah,” Booth told her gently as he stared down at his hands as he twiddled his thumbs.
“So?” Brennan pushed and sat down next to him. She really wanted to help him. What did she say?”
“Just basic stuff.”
Brennan waited and then stared at Booth for a moment when he didn’t respond. She expected him to tell her, so why wasn’t he? “Come on, Booth,” Brennan said. “Why aren’t you telling me what was said? I’m your partner.”
“I know,” Booth sighed. “Look, you know how Caroline has this obsession with us?”
“I don’t understand.”
“Christmas. The kiss.”
“She said she wouldn’t help you unless you kissed me?”
“No, not that,” Booth told her.
Brennan frowned and was curious. What could Caroline Julian possibly want from them in order to help Booth keep his son? She was a mother; didn’t she understand Booth’s position? “Then what?”
“Caroline suggested…that we…get married,” Booth finally said the last.
“What?” Brennan blurted out shocked.
Booth finally pulled his head up and turned to look at her. “Caroline only suggested it because being married would be a big pro.”
“So,” Brennan said quietly and evenly. “We get married.”
Booth just stared at Brennan in shock. “What?”
“If it’ll help you keep Parker, Booth, then I’ll marry you.” Brennan reached out and took his hand. She squeezed his hand lightly and stared into his shocked chocolate brown eyes, “I’d do anything for you.”
Anything.
He’d do anything for her. She’d marry him. The shock still felt fresh as he stared into her bright eyes. She was beautiful and…she’d do anything for him.
“Is it that hard to believe?” she asked after several minutes of Booth staring at her in silence.
“No.”
“So, we’ll go down to the court house early in the morning and get married,” Brennan told him.
“No.”
“But Booth-”
“I can’t make you-”
“You’re not making me,” Brennan told him. “I want to.”
“You’re not wanting to for the right reason.”
“What right reason?” Brennan asked. She thought that the reason she was doing it was the right one. Booth was her partner and her best friend and there wasn’t anything in the world that she wouldn’t do for him.
“Like being in love with that person,” Booth started to explain.
“I love you,” Brennan told him matter of factly.
*~*~*
District of Columbia Family Court
“This judge may not even let me speak on your behalf,” Caroline Julian told Booth as they walked with Brennan and Parker. The judge requested them to chambers for a more informal atmosphere.
“I still feel better knowing that you’re there,” Booth said. Caroline had told them that the informal atmosphere was most likely done for Parker’s benefit. The judge wanted Parker to attend, but didn’t want to freak him out with just losing his mother. Booth wasn’t sure how to feel about it. He was starting to wonder if he should have turned Brennan down on her offer.
When they arrived at Judge Emilio Santez’s office Lydia and Murray Stinson were already inside chatting with the judge. Caroline didn’t like it. She wasn’t familiar with this judge and for all she knew the Stinsons were buddies of his. “I’m Caroline Julian representing Special Agent Seeley Booth.”
“This is supposed to be an informal meeting,” the judge spoke up.
“Do you mind if I sit in just the same?” Caroline questioned.
“If you like.” The judge watched as the woman took a seat and then looked to the two adults and the young boy, who was starting to look scared. “You must be Agent Booth and Parker?”
“Why are we here?” Parker asked as he looked up to his father and clung to his leg.
Booth frowned and kneeled down in front of Parker, “I told you.” His voice was quiet and he hoped calming. “We have to talk to the judge. He’s responsible to make sure that you’re taken care of.”
“That’s right,” the judge spoke up. “Why don’t you give everyone a piece of candy, Parker?” he suggested and pushed his candy bowl towards the edge of his desk.
Parker looked to his dad, who nodded, and then back to the judge before finally moving.
The judge put on a smile for the child before looking to the mystery woman, she looked familiar. “And you miss?”
“This is my partner,” Booth informed the judge.
“You look familiar,” the judge told her. He pulled on his silver wire rimed glasses and peered through to try to get a better look.
“Doctor Temperance Brennan,” she told him. “I work as a forensic anthropologist for the Jeffersonian. We work with the F.B.I.”
Parker was still passing out candy, but decided to chime in. “My dad calls her Bones.”
“Ah! I own your books,” the judge said. “They’re brilliant.”
“Thank you,” Brennan told him.
Judge Santez was happy that he’d cracked the familiarity. “Doctor Brennan, could I ask you a favor?”
“Of course,” Brennan said.
“Would you mind taking Parker outside for a few minutes?”
“Sure.”
Parker didn’t have to be told, he was immediately out the door with Brennan.
He waited until the door was completely closed before speaking up. “Now, we’re here to discuss the custody issue of Parker Booth. I will speak with Parker in a few minutes once I know that I have all the facts.” Emilio opened the folder on his desk and started to read it to himself silently. “Parker Booth was formally in permanent custody to his mother, Rebecca Stinson. There was no issue of revoking any visitation rights to the father, Seeley Booth. The custody issue is now up in the air because of the recent death of Rebecca Stinson, for that, I am truly sorry. You have my sympathy.”
“Thank you,” Lydia said.
Santez continued, “Mr. and Mrs. Stinson, you’re both retired and living in Virginia?”
“Well, mostly,” Lydia spoke up. “I do help out at the school from time to time. Murray does repairs at the youth center.”
Santez nodded, “And have you thought of the impact that your grandson would have on your lives and your retirement fund?” He liked to make sure that they’d thought of everything.
“Of course,” Murray said. “We had our book keeper check our funds. We are just fine to support ourselves and Parker.”
“And we have enough room,” Lydia spoke up. “We have two rooms for Parker: a bedroom and one perfect to be converted into a playroom.”
“That’s very thoughtful,” Santez said.
“The schools in our area are also very good.”
Santez nodded and then folded his hands in front of him and stared at the couple. “How do you feel about Agent Booth visiting Parker?”
Lydia frowned, “I really don’t think that would help. I hate to say it, but I think that sometimes Agent Booth can be a bad influence…and not married,” she added at the end and shook her head.
Santez made some notes and then turned his attention to Agent Booth. “You’re single, Agent Booth?”
“Yes, Sir,” Booth responded.
“How do you plan on being there for your son while working for the F.B.I.?”
Caroline pulled a piece of paper from her briefcase and handed it to the judge.
“What is this?” Santez asked as he looked over the chart.
“It’s a schedule,” Booth explained. “See, the squints I work with-”
“Squints?”
“They’re scientists…it’s a nickname,” Booth said. Once the judge seemed satisfied, he continued. “Someone will always be there to pick up Parker from school.”
“How do we know these people are trustworthy?” Lydia asked.
Caroline pulled out a folder and handed it to the judge. “A file on all of them, including signed permission for us to share this information with the Stinsons to review their credentials if they so wish. They have also all been cleared by the F.B.I.”
“What if you can’t make it on your day to pick up Parker from school?” Santez asked. “Or if you have to go in in the middle of the night?”
“Angela Montenegro has agreed to come to my house, so that Parker can remain in his normal routine and environment,” Booth said.
“What about your gun?”
“I have a gun safe.”
The judge nodded, “Do you have room for your son?”
“Parker already has his own room at my house,” Booth informed him.
“Have you looked into schools in the area?”
Booth nodded, “There’s an elementary school located near the Jeffersonian Institute. I already have a packet for registration.”
“That’s very good, Agent Booth,” Santez said. “And now do you feel about the Stinsons having visitation of Parker?”
“They’re his grandparents,” Booth explained. “They can visit him anytime and I’m sure Parker would be interested in spending weekends with them now and then.”
“Even though they do not want to send you the same courtesy?” Santez questioned.
Booth looked over at Rebecca’s parents, “They mean well. They’re just trying to do what they think is best for Parker.”
Santez nodded and made additional notes. He looked at the occupants of his office, “Can you please wait in the hall and send Parker in?”
*~*~*
Judge Santez’s Chambers
“This is a tricky situation,” Judge Santez told the group. “I’m awarding temporary custody of Agent Booth. This custody situation will be reassessed in eight weeks to determine a more permanent custody situation. Agent Booth, we’ll send someone out to your home in a few weeks to check on things. Just to look out for Parker.”
“I understand,” Booth said calmly.
“What does this mean?” Parker asked.
“You’re going home with your dad,” Santez said.
*~*~*
TBC…