Here it is! The second chapter of Mama Bones. I'm not gonna promise another chapter after this. If the muses strike, or if someone suggests something, so be it, but no promises. Besides, school is kicking my six and I don't need too many other distractions. Much love, enjoy

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Temperance quickly smacks the snooze button on her alarm clock when it goes off early Saturday morning. She turns it off and lays back in bed, staring at the ceiling, recalling the changes in her life this past month while waking up.

The past month had been difficult, but they'd quickly settled into a routine. Temperance's work hadn't suffered the slightest, so Cam had no problem with her taking off every afternoon to pick Katie up from school. Only once had Angela needed to pick her up. But the pattern had been set early: Temperance dropped Katie off at school, arrived at the Jeffersonian, completed her work, and left at 4PM to pick Katie up from school. They'd then return to the Jeffersonian where Katie completed her homework while Temperance finished her work for the day. The few times that a case came in late in the afternoon, Temperance sent Zach out to the field for recovery.

Temperance notices movement in the bottom of her field of vision and looks down to see Katie standing in the doorway. Temperance sits up and scoots back so that she's leaning up against the headboard and pats the open space on the mattress beside her.

"What are you doing up so early?" One of the many things that Temperance learned about her daughter: She hated waking up early unless it was absolutely necessary.

"I couldn't sleep. Then I heard your alarm go off. I thought you weren't going to work this weekend?" Katie looks up at her mother with the unspoken question in her eyes.

That was another change: Temperance didn't go into the office on the weekend unless it was absolutely unavoidable - resulting in Zach getting a lot more solo experience.

"I'm not." Temperance remembers why she planned on getting up early. "But I do have to go somewhere else though, and I'd really like it if you came also."

"Okay. Do I have to get dressed up?" Katie's face screwed into a grimace, hoping the answer wouldn't be a yes. One more thing to the list of Katie's dislikes: She positively HATES wearing dresses.

"No." Katie's face relaxes immediately. "But you do have to look acceptable. No field clothes." Temperance refers to Katie's favorite set of clothes: a pair of pants that's missing more fabric than there is left and a long-sleeve shirt that's ready for the rag drawer.

"Okay. When are we leaving?"

"Can you be ready to go by 8AM?" Katie looks over her shoulder to the clock before nodding a yes. "Okay. Better get started then." Temperance fives her daughter a hug before releasing her so they both can start getting ready for the day.

Temperance stops by her dresser to get some clothes for after her shower before continuing on to the bathroom. She stops when her gaze lands on a photo of her with her parents and brother when she was a child. Using her fingers, she plants a kiss on her parents' faces before continuing on to the bathroom.

oOoOoOo

Katie holds her mother's hand as she looks up at the sign above the door to the building they parked in front of:

District of Columbia Department of Corrections

She grips her mother's hand tighter and is reassured to feel a squeeze in return.

Temperance signs in at the front desk, receiving two visitors' passes - one of which she puts around Katie's neck - before continuing on down the hall deeper into the building. Following the various signs, Katie deduces that they're going to the maximum security section. Arriving at a locked door, Katie stops to read the sign with the list of rules and warnings while Temperance signs them in and hands over their bags to be inspected. Once the guard has removed all items that could be considered dangerous, she returns to bags and hits the button releasing the lock to the door with the sign on it.

Just after the door behind them shuts, another one on the opposite side of the room opens. Katie stands by while her mother is warmly embraced by the man that emerges from the portal.

oOoOoOo

"Hey, pumpkin." Temperance fights back tears as she embraces her father. Max looks over her shoulder and sees the young girl standing nervously just inside the visitor's door. "Who's this?" Temperance releases her father and turns to her daughter, beckoning her forward, which Katie does and tucks herself under her mother's arm.

"Katie, this is my father, Max Keenan. Dad, this is Katie, my daughter."

"Nice to meet you." Katie sticks her hand out, but Max doesn't take it, instead he kneels down beside her and studies her intensely, taking all of her in before stopping on her face, staring into her eyes. Katie stares right back. Eventually Max breaks the silence, while cupping Katie's face in his hand.

"You have your grandmother's eyes." Max isn't able to stop a few tears from escaping and he doesn't bother to wipe them away.

"Thank you." Katie stands, unsure of what to say. Eventually she pulls away and takes a seat a few tables away, knowing that Max will have more than a few questions for his daughter.

Temperance helps her father to his feet before taking a seat beside him at a table. Max doesn't take his eyes off Katie while he poses his questions.

"How old is she?"

"Seven."

"Second grade?"

"Third."

"The women in this family always did have beauty that matched their brains."

"Thank you."

"Where's her father?"

"London. Research grant."

"Has he been keeping her from you?" Max can't hide the hard edge that enters his voice, and Temperance notices.

"No. It was a mutual decision that he raise her while I finish my doctorate."

"And now?"

"Now he claims that he couldn't bring Katie with him on this project."

"How long is this project?"

"Five years."

"And after?"

"If he doesn't want her, I won't fight him."

"But if he does?"

"I'm going to fight him every step of the way."

"Excellent. How's Booth?"

"He's good." Temperance immediately goes on edge, sensing the change in her father's voice.

"How's he dealing with Katie?"

"He was shocked in the beginning, And I think he had some difficulty accepting it at the start, but Katie and Parker - Booth's son - go to the same school, so we see a lot more of each other outside of work when the two of them get together."

"So you and Booth are getting along better then?"

"Better than what?"

"Better than before. The two of you had one of the strangest working relationships I'd ever seen It was like you couldn't decide between acting like friends or like colleagues. And you seemed to be acting like friends when you should have been acting like colleagues, but once you could act like friends, you couldn't shake off the atmosphere of the office."

"Interesting theory Dad. I never did take much stock in Psychology."

"What about human nature? Isn't that part of what you study? Humans are biologically driven toward being in relationships with others. Sometimes some just need a stronger push than others."

"So it's human nature for a man and a woman to be together and Katie coming into my life is supposed to be the catalyst for Booth and I to move closer together emotionally?"

"Not necessarily you and Booth. What about the rest of your friends? Angela? Hodgins? The socially awkward kid - Zach is it? How have your relationships with them changed?"

Temperance is rendered temporarily speechless and when she opens her mouth to respond, she sees that her father is no longer sitting beside her, but has joined his granddaughter and is engaging in conversation with her. Temperance remains where she is, allowing the two generations to talk, knowing that they won't be able to do it very often.

oOoOoOo

"That's pretty good." Max sits down next to his granddaughter, interrupting her from the drawing she was working on. "May I?" Max motions to take a closer look. Katie pushes the pad of paper over to him so he can take a closer look.

While she's washing her hands of the chalk she was using, Max closely examines the chalk drawing of the two dolphins arching over the ocean waves in tandem.

"Dolphins always were your mother and grandmother's favorite."

"I know. Mom has this glass dolphin that sits on her bedside table. She said that you gave it to her."

"I did, but her mother bought it for her, it was supposed to be her high school graduation gift. She died three weeks after she bought it." Max stares at the drawing for another moment before sliding it back over.

"Do you want to see the rest of them?" Katie flips to the front of her sketchbook so Max can see the rest of her drawings. The first is a colored pencil drawing of Temperance's mom. "Angela was explaining to me how to interpret tissue markers to match a face to a skeleton." Katie looks up and sees tears forming in Max's eyes, so she continues on, giving him some time to compose himself. "I didn't know whose skull she was showing me at first. It wasn't until later that she told me it was my grandmother. Most of the others are portraits of skeletons, faces that I was practicing on." Katie quickly flips through the first several pages before stopping on a pencil drawing of Zach. Max sees it and immediately bursts out laughing. Zach is looking at a bone through a magnifying glass and his eyes are exaggeratingly large.

"He didn't realize that he's been staring at the bone long enough for me to draw him until Jack came up as I was finishing and burst out laughing."

"It's very good - very accurate." Max flips the page to a posed shot of Jack and Angela.

"Angela made Jack sit for that with her. She said that while it is important for an artist to have a chosen style and medium, it was always important for an artist to be familiar with the basics."

Max flips through the other pages, finding portraits of the others in the lab, scenes of Temperance's apartment, and a landscape of D.C.

"That's from my bedroom window. I couldn't sleep last night, so I drew the nightscape from my window." That's the last drawing before the one of the dolphins that they were originally looking at.

"You're very talented."

"Thank you." Katie stares at the drawing, absentmindedly blending the waves a little before speaking. "Why are you here - in jail?"

"People threatened my family. I did what I had to do to protect them. Unfortunately, the legal methods of warning a person off didn't work, so I had to use an illegal method. I could have escaped, but I didn't want to abandon you mother again. I had to do that once before when she was a teenager, and I didn't want to abandon her again."

"Could you get the death penalty?"

"I could. But I've got a very good lawyer. Worst case scenario is life."

"That doesn't sound too bad. At least then I can still see you."

"Would you still want to see me?"

"Of course, you're my grandfather. Speaking of - what should I call you?"

"What do you call your other grandparents?"

"I never met them."

"As long as its not 'gramps', that just makes me sound old."

"Grandpa, then?"

"Grandpa's fine."

"Okay." Katie looks up at him and smiles sweetly. Before anything more can be said, a guard comes into the room and announces visiting hours are over. He stands by while Max hugs Katie and Temperance one last time.

"See you next time, Pumpkin. You, too, Katie."

"Okay, Grandpa." Katie stands by while the guard escorts Max back through the door he came through.

He looks over his shoulder and sees them each raise a hand in farewell. Once the door is shut, Temperance gathers her things and leads Katie out the visitor's door.

"Aren't maximum security prisoners supposed to be in handcuffs all the time?"

"They're supposed to be in shackles - connected hand and ankle cuffs - but Booth arranged for him to be uncuffed when we visit." They step outside and Temperance stops to take a deep breath of fresh air. Katie stops and looks up at her mom.

"Booth has done a lot for you, hasn't he?"

"Yes, he has." Temperance continues on to the car, clicking the automatic locks to open the doors.

"So why aren't you two together?"

"Because he's my best friend. Now please stop talking about this. I get enough of that particular subject from Angela."

"Maybe there's something to what she's saying, Mom."

Temperance smiles warningly at Katie, who wisely shuts her mouth and silently situates herself.

"So, where to now? Is there anything you'd like to do today?"

"Can we go to the Jeffersonian? Angela said she'd show me how to work the Angelator."

"On a Saturday? Angela probably won't be there."

"She will. She said that she was really behind on all the limbo cases that you went through the week before I came to live with you."

"Oh, and she said that she'd be there today?"

"Yes."

"To the Jeffersonian we go." Once checking, Temperance pulls into traffic and turns toward the Jeffersonian.

oOoOoOo

"Hey, sweetie." Angela greets Temperance as she enters. "Zach didn't call you in, did he?" Katie emerges from behind her mother. "Hi, Katie."

"Hey, Angela."

"Why would Zack call me in? Did we get another case?"

"No, Zach was working on a limbo case. He mumbled something about a problem with the tissue markers awhile back. What are you doing here if Zach didn't call you?"

"You said you'd show me how to work the Angelator." Katie cuts in.

"Right. I did. Give me a few minutes with Brennan and I'll show you."

"Okay." Katie runs off to put her things in her mother's office and is seen moments later heading toward the computer lab with her sketchbook.

"What's up? If she wanted to come in today, she'd have had you here hours ago. What did you do this morning?" Angela follows her friend into her office and shuts the door behind them.

"I went to see my father."

"And you took Katie?! How did it go?" Angela sits down on the couch, expecting the conversation to go long. Temperance joins her, sitting on the opposite end.

"I think it went well. They got along."

"But-" Angela prompts her.

"Do you think I've changed since Katie has come to live with me?"

"How do you mean?"

"Do I seem more 'emotionally open' than I was before?"

Angela is in shock and doesn't speak for a moment. Finally, she speaks. "You definitely don't seem quite so closed off as you did before.

"What's got you thinking in terms of psychology, sweetie?"

"Just something my dad said. It's got me thinking."

"You and Booth are definitely getting along better."

"Katie's waiting for you, Ang."

"Right." Angela takes the hint and leaves Temperance to her own thoughts.

Temperance studies a photo on her desk while she's waiting for her computer to boot up. She and Booth had taken Katie and Parker to the zoo one Saturday with Angela and Jack. The kids had been climbing on some animal statues when Katie slipped and fell and Booth managed to catch her, resulting in both of them crashing to the ground. In his haste to run and check on Katie, Parker tripped over Temperance, who was running over to check on Booth and Katie. This resulted in all four of them ending up in a giant heap on the ground at the base of a giant frog statue. Much to Booth and Temperance's dismay, Jack was quick to snap a photo of the foursome - though none of them knew it until a few weeks later when they found a mass email had been sent to the forensic anthropology department of the Jeffersonian containing the photo.

Her attention is returned to her computer when a tone went off signaling new mail messages.

She quickly reads through and responds to the messages from her editor and various other staff members and supervisors at the Jeffersonian, and sends out regrets to requests for her to speak at different universities and colleges. Reaching the last email, she almost deletes it because she doesn't' recognize the name on the address: KK2JK at mail. com. Instinct motivates her to open it. The message is short and simple.

"Heard from Columbus. Dolphin site, Saturday.

Marco"

Reaching the end, Temperance smiles, realizing who it's from and quickly hits 'respond' with a one word message.

"Polo"

Temperance isn't surprised to see her message bounced back 'Failure to Deliver'. She knows that Russ will still be at their mother's grave site the following Saturday. Quickly she deletes the message and wipes the history of it from her computer.

oOoOoOo

"What's going on with Booth and my mom?" Katie asks Angela as they wait for the Angelator to warm up.

"That is something that this entire office has been trying to figure out for two years, sweetie. If you ever manage to work it out, let me know."

"They obviously care about each other. More from him, I'd say."

"Why would you say that?"

"The look on his face when he first found out about me. It's obvious that he was hurt that he never knew about me - that she never told him. Mom is always saying how close they are and that he's one of her best friends, but he was hurt when he found out about me."

"They've known each other for a long time, probably longer than they'll ever honestly tell any of us. It's surprising that she never told him about you, I'll admit. But one thing I've learned about your mom in all the years I've known her, she tends to keep things to herself."

"How long have you known her?"

"Since college. We shared an apartment while we both attended a small community college in Chicago. She helped me get through my science requirements, and I helped her get through her art and literature requirements."

"And you never knew about me?"

"I was studying art on a scholarship in Italy when she was in Grad school. After doing the math, you were conceived about two months after I left, and I returned about three months after you were born. But even still, I didn't see your mother again until I applied for a job here three years ago. I was just coming out of my interview with Dr. Goodman as she was checking in with his secretary."

"What was she like when she was younger?"

"A lot like she is now. I sometimes wonder if your mother was ever a kid. When her parents went missing, she shut her heart off from the world. She's been very scientific as long as I've known her."

"Is there anyone who can tell me what she was like?"

"You met your grandfather today, didn't you?"

"Yeah, but we didn't have much time together."

"Russ could probably tell you something."

"Russ?"

"Your mom's older brother."

"Where's he?"

"Don't know. A little less than a year ago he helped your father escape the first time and broke his parole. He's been in hiding ever since. Max knows where he is, but I don't think anyone else knows. I'm sure your mom could figure out some way to contact him, but that's something you'll have to ask her about."

"Alright. Are you planning on showing me this anytime soon?"

"Jeez, you are just as impatient as your mother."

"One more thing that I inherited from her."

oOoOoOo

"Where are we going, Mom?" Katie follows her mother out of the car and stops short at seeing the expanse of tombstones in front of her. "Why are we at the cemetery?" Katie looks up and sees her mom staring off into the distance; she follows her line of sight and sees the silhouette of a man standing on a hill in the distance.

"Come on, Katie." Temperance takes her daughter's hand and leads her in the direction of the man.

Coming up behind them, Temperance softly calls out to the man, "Marco."

Russ turns around and visibly relaxes when he sees his sister approaching him. He grins widely and reaches out for a hug, whispering "polo" into her ear. After a long hug, he releases her, keeping her under his arm. When Temperance glances behind her, Russ finally notices Katie.

"Hi." Russ greets her, though doesn't say much more, merely looking to his sister for the lead-on.

"Katie, this is my brother, Russ. Russ, this is Katie, my daughter."

Russ's reaction is much like those of her colleagues, complete and utter shock, though he manages to hide it somewhat.

"Hi." Russ repeats his greeting, slightly warmer, though still tentative.

"Hey." Katie replies, staring back at her uncle, each sizing the other up. It takes Russ a few minutes to realize that his sister is no longer situated under his arm, but has wiggled out and gone to stand in front of their mother's tombstone. Russ remains where he is, and allows Katie to join Temperance at the grave site. Katie slips her hand into her mother's, causing Temperance to break her stare and smile down at Katie.

"Mom, I'd like you to meet your granddaughter. She met Dad last weekend, he claims she's got your eyes, and I have to agree with him. There's definitely a bit of you in her." Temperance stops and smiles briefly down at the tombstone, gathering her thoughts.

Katie shakes her hand out of her mother's grasp and reaches into the pocket of her coat, pulling out a slightly crumpled origami flower. She takes a moment to smooth out the wrinkles as much as she can before placing the flower at the base of the stone.

"Hi, Grandma." She smiles sheepishly before returning to her mother's side. After a moment, they both step back and turn back to Russ, who was waiting patiently a few steps behind the pair.

"I don't suppose that you'd let me treat you to lunch?" Temperance questions her brother.

"Sorry. Dad was pretty insistent that I show up today, but I can't afford to stay in DC for too long."

"Are you going to stop and see the girls?"

"Will you let me?"

"You're my brother, Russ, you know I'll keep quiet about this for as long as I can. Especially right now. You need to go and see them."

"Okay." Russ smiles at his sister before returning his attention to Katie. "Dad was right, you do have Mom's eyes."

"Thank you." Katie smiles slightly.

"But that smile is all Tempe."

"Thanks." Katie smiles a bit more broadly. Russ tentatively opens his arms for a hug, which Katie unhesitatingly enters and warmly reciprocates. She takes a moment to memorize the moment, inhaling her uncle's comforting scent before pulling back and allowing her mother to step in for her own hug.

"I love you." Katie hears her mother murmur in her brother's ear, seeing his grip on her tighten slightly. Temperance eventually steps back, letting Russ go.

Russ walks off, glancing over his shoulder one last time before turning a corner and disappearing from sight. Temperance takes Katie's hand and leads her back to the car. Katie follows silently for only a moment.

"Do I want to know what he did?"

"He helped Dad escape last year, broke his parole in the process. But since Dad is on trial for murder, Russ is wanted as an accessory."

"But Grandpa said that he's in jail for protecting you and Russ."

"He is. Russ had nothing to do with the murder that dad is on trial for, but he did help Dad escape, so he's considered an accessory."

"Oh. Will the drama in this family ever end?" Temperance looks down and smiles at her daughter's attempt at injecting some humor into the situation.

Everything seemed simple now. One could only wonder what would be happening next.