Surprise! Not an epilogue after all! I didn't want to give it away XD. I really, really wanted to write this alternative ending because I loved both ways the story could have ended. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it! ;) I hope it doesn't ruin the original story for you.

Alternative Ending

July 2000

Brennan was lying in bed and trying to go to sleep when her phone rang. She looked at the clock. One a.m., that was usually never good. She wondered if it was Cam. She didn't really have any family left aside from aunt Beth. She rolled over and picked up the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Temperance, it's me."

"Booth?!" Brennan exclaimed, sitting up boltright. It was the first time she'd heard his voice in three years. She had been beginning to think he was dead.

"Temperance..."

His voice was wrong. All wrong.

"Booth? What's wrong?" Brennan asked, frightened. "Is everything okay?"

"It's Teddy."

"What happened?"

"It was so fast."

"Booth..."

"He...he's gone."

"What?! Booth, what are you saying?"

"Teddy's dead."

"Oh my God, Booth. Where are you?"

"I'm still over here. It just happened."

"Booth, are you with anyone? You shouldn't be alone right now."

"They're sending me home," he told her.

"Okay," she responded.

"I'll see you soon." Then he hung up. Brennan stared at the phone in her hand. She felt worried for Booth. He had sounded awful. And Teddy. Teddy was dead. Oh God. Brennan started to cry. She couldn't get the image of him out of her mind. Poor Claire. This was going to kill her. Brennan was dreading what was to come.

...

A few hours after landing on American soil, Booth stepped inside the Desert Inn casino with thirty five dollars in his pocket. He had decided to come here before going home. He wasn't sure what he was going to accomplish, but he knew he didn't care. Teddy was gone. Drinking as coping wasn't an option, not after seeing the way his father was on alcohol. No, Booth decided if he was going to use something as a coping mechanism, it was going to make him some money. He was supposed to meet Brennan, but he was putting it off. Seeing her was bittersweet. He needed her, but he didn't want to be reminded of the whole "just friends" fiasco they were currently in. The last three years had been quite busy, and every time he went to send her a letter, he couldn't do it. If she didn't want him, then she could do without him. Now, he was regretting that decision very much.

"I'm doing something crazy, Teddy," Booth said as he went towards the tables. "Just like you asked." He already knew Teddy would respond with a "not like this" comment, but he didn't care. Teddy had left him, and he was going to do his best to cope.

...

"Argh, Booth, pick up!" Brennan muttered, hanging up her phone. Why wasn't he answering at the house? She was worried about him. He was devastated over Teddy's death, and the funeral was tomorrow. He was supposed to meet her so she could bring him home, but he wasn't there. Something was wrong. She had no idea where he was or how to find him.

...

Booth couldn't believe it. He had just won ten thousand dollars. People were slapping him on the back and congratulating him. It was a very big high, and he loved it. He wanted to keep going, but he was unsure of what game to do next. Then, he decided to call Brennan.

"Booth!" she exclaimed. "Where are you?!"

"I'm in Las Vegas," he answered cheerfully.

"You're...where?" Brennan asked. "I'm confused. Earlier you could barely function...now you're...are you at a casino?!"

"I just won ten grand," he answered proudly.

"Oh...wow," Brennan said. It sank in, then, what he was doing.

"I'm feelin' lucky," he told her, looking around and scanning for his next game.

"I really think you should get out while you're ahead," she said.

"Are you crazy?! With this kind of luck, you don't just walk out," he scoffed.

"Booth," Brennan said gently. "This is not a good idea. Your best friend just died. You shouldn't be doing anything addictive right now."

"I am not an addict," Booth snorted. "If I was an addict, I would barely be sitting here talking to you, would I? I'd be playing nonstop."

"Booth, please, walk away," Brennan begged. She could hear the hurt and anger in his voice. The grief.

"All right," he said after a while. "I'll walk away."

"Thank you," she said. "Please come home."

"Teddy wanted me to do something crazy, so I did," Booth said quietly.

"Okay. I'm glad you did, but please, just come home," Brennan replied.

"I'm leaving right now," he said. "I'll see you tomorrow. Am I picking you up?" He wasn't looking forward to it. He knew Teddy's parents and Claire were beyond devastated. He didn't know how they were going to move forward in life.

"It's okay. Michael is going to take me."

"Michael?" Booth asked, taken aback.

"My...boyfriend."

"Oh."

"I didn't know if you were even still alive, Booth. You never called or wrote me."

"I know. No, it's okay. Is he nice to you? Does he treat you well?"

"He is and he does. He's...older."

"Older?"

"Well, my professor actually."

"You're...okay I can't handle this right now," Booth said, gripping the phone tightly in his hand. Brennan was dating her professor?! His mind was racing. Teddy was gone and now she was gone. Of course, she wasn't really gone in that sense, but it felt like it in that moment.

"Booth..."

"Goodbye," he said, hanging up. He clenched his fists together hard until his nails dug in. Everything was falling apart. A small part of his brain started to blame himself then. If he had kept in contact with her, would she have decided to date this guy? He would never know. He downed his drink and headed back to the table. Booth was determined this time. The first two games went well, and his high was incredible. Booth wasn't thinking about Teddy or Brennan dating her professor or anything. His mind was blank, and he was just fine with that. Then, it all went wrong. Booth lost all his ten grand and then some. He spent all night trying to get it back, maxing out his bank account in the process. He felt hollow inside. Brennan was going to be so upset. He didn't know how to face her. He left Desert Inn feeling like a huge failure. Teddy would have been so disappointed in him. A part of him didn't care, though. This was how he was dealing with his grief, and it was better than drinking himself to death. He managed to get a flight home in order to make the funeral. A piece of him wished it would crash so he would just die and be away from it all.

...

The guns rang out, and Booth felt each shot strike him in the chest. He watched as Teddy's parents each put a rose on his coffin. Claire could barely do it for crying. Booth clutched Brennan's hand as they began lowering Teddy into the ground. He should have been watching him better. He should have been able to save his friend. This wasn't fair, not fair at all.

"Do you want company tonight?" Brennan asked. She wasn't sure what she was offering. Before it could have been intimacy. Now, she had a boyfriend, so it would have to be friendship only, something she knew Booth couldn't stand.

"No. I just want to be alone," he answered. He wanted more than just her company, and he wasn't going to get it, so why bother?

"You're not going to gamble again, are you?" she questioned, looking worried.

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Temperance, I'm sure."

"Okay. I trust you," she said. He avoided her gaze. He knew if she fully looked at him, she'd know he was lying.

...

He paced the house. Hank was quiet, knowing it wasn't going to help to add his two cents in. Finally, Booth couldn't take it anymore. He went outside and started walking, breathing hard. Where he was going, he had no idea. In the end, he found himself standing below his safe haven in the back bush where he and Brennan had spent the night together all those years ago. Booth couldn't help but think about it. She had been right. He wasn't the same person now as he was then, and he felt ashamed suddenly. He had let his trauma change everything about him. He'd become angry and bitter. No wonder she wanted to back off on their relationship. He hoisted himself up and sat on the floor of his tree house, feeling his eyes start to burn. Teddy was gone. He couldn't believe it. The memory of holding him while he died was trapped in his mind forever. It had happened so fast. Booth knew there was nothing he could have done, but he still felt guilty anyway. He started to rock himself back and forth. He needed to figure out what he wanted to do next, but he had no idea where to start. He wanted Brennan, but he knew better than to go to her. She was dating someone. He wasn't about to mess that up for her even though the guy sounded like a jackass. He rubbed his face hard. He shouldn't have let her go. He shouldn't have agreed to put their relationship on hold. He had been crazy to think no one else would want her the way he did.

...

Brennan had tried calling Booth, but Hank said he wasn't there. It was almost midnight, and Brennan was starting to worry. She decided to go looking for him, so she slid out the door. Her feet led the way, but she wasn't even sure how they knew where to go. She found herself on Hank's property where she had hid away with Booth that fall of 1994. Instinct told her that's where she would find him. When she approached the tree house, she could hear heavy sniffing coming from inside. Without making a sound, she pulled herself up the sketchy ladder and poked her head through the hole in the floor. There he was, hugging his knees, rocking and crying. It made her flashback to when he had lost it in his bedroom that day.

"Hey," she said. He jerked his head up, seeing her there. He instantly started wiping at his eyes.

"Hey," he responded.

"It's okay to cry you know," she pointed out. She pulled herself inside and sat across from him.

"I just...I sit here and all I can think about is what if I'd been faster? What if I'd seen that guy in time? What if it had been me who was killed?" he started. "Then I think about Claire and how she's going to go through life missing him with every fiber of her being, and how fair is that?"

"Not fair at all," Brennan agreed. She felt her heart pounding. She was very glad Booth hadn't been killed. It would then be her missing him with every fiber of her being and not knowing how to carry on with life.

"Have you talked to her? Claire?"

"No. She left the graveyard pretty quickly," Brennan answered.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do now," Booth said quietly.

"Do you want to go back over there?" she asked hesitantly. She watched him inhale and exhale slowly.

"No," he replied. He met her eyes then.

"No," she repeated.

"I'm finished with the war. I should have been finished before, but my rage took over and made me want revenge on every bad guy in the world. I messed up everything..." he broke off. He wanted to tell her that he'd messed things up with her, but he didn't want her to feel bad.

"You didn't mess up everything," Brennan said softly.

"I lost you," he pointed out. "That's messing things up pretty badly if you ask me. Also, if I hadn't gone back, Teddy wouldn't have either. He'd still be alive."

"Teddy made his own decision, Booth. You didn't force him to go with you. His death is not your fault. And you didn't lose me. We agreed..."

"I know what we agreed to," he cut her off. "Don't remind me. How is your boyfriend anyway? I'm sure he'd be upset that you're here with me this late at night."

"I don't care," Brennan said fiercely. "You're my best friend, and you need me. I will always be here for you no matter what."

"Thanks," Booth nodded. He didn't know what else to say. Brennan didn't want to tell him just yet, but Michael had been rather cruel over the phone when she said she wasn't coming back that night. He basically made a mockery of her friendship and went on about how people die and you just gotta move on. Maybe a different version of herself would have gone with that, but this version of herself disagreed with him very strongly. She didn't much care for this version of Michael. He was always competing with her and acted condescending at times.

"Booth," she started, inching over to him.

"Yea?"

"You were there for me when my grandfather died. I...I want to extend the same for you," she finished carefully. She wondered if he would understand what she meant. He blinked. Then he started to laugh a little.

"You're sweet, but no. You're with someone else..."

"I broke up with him," she blurted out. He was taken aback.

"But I thought..."

"He's mean and insensitive and quite frankly, he's a narcissist. It wasn't going to work out," she finished. She was almost right beside him now.

"I see," Booth nodded slowly. She took his hand in hers gently.

"I understand if you want to be alone," she said. "Just tell me."

"Were you with him?" Booth asked. He couldn't help it. He had to know.

"Sexually? No."

"Oh. Why not?"

"He wasn't..." she hesitated. Booth waited a moment, but she wasn't saying anything.

"Wasn't what?" he pressed. He watched her swallow hard.

"He wasn't you," she finally concluded.

"You dated for how long?"

"Only a few months."

"That must have frustrated him."

"It did. That's another reason I ended it."

"I'm sorry."

"You're so not sorry," Brennan pointed out, seeing his smirk grow on his lips.

"All right. You got me," he laughed. "I'm not sorry to see that bastard go."

"Are you going to be all right?" she asked him then, changing the subject back. "Do I need to worry about you gambling again?"

"No," Booth shook his head. He squeezed her hand tightly. "When I'm with you, I don't feel the need to gamble. It was a crazy thing I did, and I don't want to do that again."

"Do you want to come over?" she asked. "I can make you tea or something."

"Is that snake still there?" Booth questioned. He hated that thing.

"No. I had to give him away after Grandpa died," she replied. "He wasn't allowed at school, and your grandfather didn't want anything to do with feeding him."

"Thank God," Booth shuddered.

"You really didn't like him?"

"Not at all."

"That's too bad. I think he liked you," she smiled.

"Probably sizing me up to see if I'd fit in his mouth more like," Booth corrected. She burst out laughing then, and he couldn't help but smile too.

"Come on," she said, tugging on his hand. "Let's get you inside." It was starting to rain now, and they got soaked making their way to her place.

"I'll get you a towel," she said, going up the stairs. Booth followed her. He wasn't going to waste anymore time. Too much time had been thrown away as it was. She was digging in the bathroom cupboard when he came in behind her.

"Here...oh," she said, turning and jumping a little when she saw him right there. He took it from her and tossed it away.

"I don't need it," he told her. His face was incredibly close to hers.

"What do you need then?" she asked quietly, studying his face carefully. He slid his hands onto her waist under her shirt like he had all those years ago before boarding that bus, his fingers gently stroking her skin.

"You," he murmured. Brennan felt the familiar fluttering when he kissed her. His skin was cold, but his mouth was warm. He pressed against her, and she could feel his heart hammering in his chest. To her, it felt like they'd never stopped from the first time. She was glad she hadn't done anything with Michael now. It would have tainted the experience for her. They broke for air after a while, and Brennan shivered as he kept running his fingers over her.

"I love you," he said. "I've always loved you. I'm sorry I didn't say it sooner."

"It's okay," she replied, shaking her head. "You probably would have scared me off."

"I know," he agreed. "Are you done with that now?"

"I believe so," she nodded.

"If I could erase the whole dating Rebecca in high school thing I would..."

"Mood killer," Brennan pointed out, laughing.

"Sorry, sorry," he laughed back. "I just...I wish I had waited for you."

"Well, here we are now," she said, tilting her head. He kissed her again, cupping her face. She gripped his wrists with her hands. The world stopped spinning for the moment, which Booth was grateful for. He was home. He wasn't going anywhere.

...

Hank had figured out where Booth had went, and so he had gone out to check on Booth when he saw the two of them going back to her place. He grinned to himself, feeling the rain beat on his face. He looked up.

"You see that, Charlie? They finally figured it out," Hank said, starting to laugh. He'd give anything to have old Charlie boy down here with him to share a much needed toast over their grandchildren finally getting together, but he knew Charlie was still watching. Hank went back home and pulled out the scotch, pouring a glass. He raised it up, making a silent toast before downing it. At least he could still have the celebratory drink even if he was all alone.

June 2001

"There's my girl," Booth said proudly as Brennan made her way to him after the graduation ceremony. Hank was there too, and he was beaming widely.

"I can't believe I'm a doctor," Brennan said, excited.

"Dr. Brennan. It's perfect," Hank grinned.

"You worked so hard," Booth said, kissing her lightly. "I bet you're relieved it's over though, huh?"

"I am. It's been a long journey. Did I tell you I have a job interview in D.C.?"

"Yes, three times now. I love how excited you are. Now, let's take you out for a celebratory dinner before we help you clean up your dorm," Booth said, grinning. Hank had pulled some strings and had gotten him an opportunity with the FBI in D.C., so he was glad they were going to be together while starting their new careers.

"I just have to return these," she said, gesturing to her robe and cap. Michael approached them then, and she stiffened.

"Congratulations," Michael said, shaking her hand. "I knew you could do it."

"We all did," Booth commented. He put his arm around her neck subtly.

"Hm yes," Michael said. "Well, good luck out there. You'll need it."

"She'll be just fine," Booth answered.

"Stand down," Brennan said, putting her hand on his chest. "Thank you, Professor. I know I'll do well." Michael didn't say anything else as he walked away.

"Douche bag," Booth muttered.

"Stop," she laughed, pushing him a little.

"He looks like he's a slick one," Hank noted.

"Well, it doesn't matter now," Brennan said. "I'll be right back. No fighting." She kissed Booth before surging through the crowd.

"I'm glad you two figured it out," Hank said, clapping Booth's arm.

"Me too," Booth agreed. He saw her head bobbing among the crowd and smiled to himself. Their journey was really just beginning still.

January 2002

"Happy Birthday," Booth said, handing her a pack of envelopes. Brennan took them and recognized the handwriting on the front.

"Where did you find these?" she asked. She remembered putting them away back in 1998, but she couldn't find them when she was going through the house to prepare for selling it.

"I found them wedged between the drawers of your desk," Booth said. "I was waiting for a good time to give them to you."

"Well," Brennan said as her phone rang. "I guess it's as good a time as any." She put her hand on the phone and hesitated.

"He tries every year," Booth said to her. "Give him a chance."

"It...it's too hard," Brennan said. "What if he leaves me again?"

"What if he doesn't?" Booth pressed. Brennan felt her heart racing. Then, she shook her head.

"I can't."

"All right," he said, pulling her into his arms. The answering machine came on, and Russ's voice echoed through their semi unfurnished apartment.

"Maybe next year," she said, her voice muffled by his chest.

"Okay," he agreed. She released him and took the letters written by her mother to her father, heading to their room to read them. It had been a no brainer to both of them that they would live together in D.C., and Booth was loving this apartment. Brennan had published her first book, and it was taking off really well. He just knew things were going to be all right.

July 2002

"Two years ago today, life changed," Booth said. He and Brennan were standing in front of Teddy's gravestone.

"I think he'd be proud of us," Brennan commented.

"I know he would be. He always told me to get my shit together and be with you already," Booth said.

"Always blunt," Brennan smiled.

"Yea."

They stood for a little while longer, the wind rustling their hair.

"We should go. Hank is probably wondering where we are," she said.

"He knows, but you're right. Onward and upward," Booth said, slinging his arm around her as they walked away. He never stopped thinking about Teddy.

"Hello!" Hank exclaimed when they arrived. "How are you?"

"Good," Brennan smiled, hugging and kissing him.

"Never better," Booth grinned. "Hey, Pops." They hugged hard. Brennan felt a wave of nausea hit her then, and she fought it down. This had been happening lately, and she wasn't quite sure what it meant for the first while. Now, she was late, and she really wanted to use the bathroom.

"Excuse me," she said, slipping away. Booth didn't even notice. He and Hank were chatting up a storm about the Flyers. She unwrapped the test and completed the instructions. She sat on the edge of the tub after, waiting.

"Did you fall in?" Booth asked, knocking. She was startled out of her thoughts.

"I'll be out in a minute," she replied.

"All right," he said. She heard his steps move away. She looked up a the ceiling, thinking about how their lives were right now. She was working for the Jeffersonian Institute, and he was with the FBI. She loved working with ancient remains. She knew he loved catching the bad guys. How would a baby change things? She knew right away her trip to South America was off. She wasn't going to put herself in a risky situation if she was expecting. The clock showed that time was up, and she breathed in and out slowly. This was it. This was the big moment...

"You sure you're all right?" Booth's voice asked again. She stared at the stick. Her hands were shaking. She tucked it into her pocket and opened the door. His grinning face looked back at her. Then he grew serious after seeing her face.

"Temperance?" he asked, touching her cheek.

"I think I might have the flu," she lied.

"Oh no," Booth groaned. "That sucks. I'm sorry to hear that." He pulled her into a hug.

"Don't get too close. I don't want you getting it," she said. Her mind was racing. If she told him she was going to have a baby, he was going to propose, and she wasn't sure if she wanted that right now. Sure, she'd thought about it, but she didn't know if they were ready for that yet. Hell, were they ready for a baby?!

"Do you need to lie down?" he asked.

"No, no. I just need to sit still for a bit," she answered.

"Okay," he said, leading her to the living room. They were staying the night there before heading back to D.C. the next day. Brennan knew she had to tell him, but she didn't know how.

...

"Let's go for a walk," she suggested after dinner. Her mind was consumed with telling him. She knew she had to do it now before they went home.

"Are you sure? You're feeling up for that?" he asked.

"I think the fresh air might help," she told him.

"You guys go. I'll clean up," Hank said.

"We'll do it when we get back," Booth reassured him.

"No, no. It gives me something to do," he said, waving them off. "Go on." Brennan led the way. She knew just where she wanted to go now.

"This place is still here," Booth said, surprised when they approached the tree house. "I thought Pops would have taken it down by now."

"Is it safe?" she asked, looking at it.

"I think so," he grinned. "I'll go first." He climbed up and helped her up after him. It was still sturdy. She cuddled in next to him as they listened to the night falling around them.

"You're sharing your germs," he teased, holding her tight. She twisted so that she was sitting on his lap then.

"I'm not sick," she told him. He cocked his head, confused.

"Then why..."

"I...I'm pregnant," she cut him off. His mouth hung open for a full twenty seconds before he closed it. She pulled out the stick to show him.

"Wow," he said, looking at it. "I mean, you're...wow. Is it reliable?"

"I'll go see my doctor, but they are fairly accurate," she nodded. He looked back at her again.

"Will you...?"

"Don't," she said hurriedly, placing a hand over his mouth. "Don't propose to me. I don't want a baby to make that decision for us." He removed her hand gently, a smirk on his face.

"I was going to ask will you be all right with not going to South America now because I know you'll have decided not to go because of this, but good to know where you're at," he teased.

"Oh," she said. She was a little surprised that she was disappointed he wasn't going to propose. This was odd to her.

"When the time is right, I'll ask," he said to her softly. "Don't worry."

"Okay," she agreed.

"We're gonna be parents," Booth grinned hugely. He pulled her in and kissed her heartily. Brennan started to feel it sink in then. They were going to be parents. She was having a baby. Their lives would be so different now.

April 2003

"Booth," Brennan said, clutching at her baby bump. His face rounded the bathroom door, looking at her with concern.

"What's wrong?" he asked. He could tell from her voice that something wasn't right.

"I'm...I'm having contractions," she said. The pain was getting more severe with time. He came into the bathroom then, joining her on the edge of the tub.

"Time to go?"

"Not yet."

"You're in labor, honey."

"I'm not going until they are at least five minutes apart," she said. "I am not just going to go in there and sit when there are things I can be doing around here."

"Like what?" he asked, watching her struggle to her feet. He followed her out to the living room.

"Like my new novel. I can work on that. I can also help arrange details surrounding a dig in South Africa."

"It's time to have this baby, Temperance," Booth said, taking her hands in his and making her stop for a second.

"I just...there's so much to do..." she trailed off.

"It's time to go," Booth said urgently, squeezing her hands. She met his eyes, and he could tell she was afraid.

"What if I'm not a good mom," she whispered. He pulled her in close.

"That is a ridiculous statement, and I know you're scared right now, but we're in this together, okay? You and me. I'm not going anywhere," he promised.

"This...this is where I really want my mom," she whimpered. Her mom would be able to tell her what to expect. Her mom would be able to comfort her.

"I know, I know," Booth soothed, rocking her. "But you've got me. I know I'm not her, but I'm still here."

"I think...I think it's time to go," Brennan said, grunting in pain. Booth rubbed her back slowly until she got through it.

"Get to the car," he instructed. "I'll grab the bag. The car seat is already set up."

"You're so...prepared," Brennan gasped.

"We all knew this day was coming," he teased. He kissed the side of her head. "Now, let's go bring a baby into this world."

June 2003

"Are you sure you should be working just two months after giving birth?" Dr. Goodman asked. Brennan was examining remains.

"He's in the daycare. I will go to feed him at his scheduled times. There's nothing to worry about," she shrugged. Goodman gaped at her.

"I really think..."

"I'm only working two days a week," Brennan cut him off. "I am going crazy at home not working, so this was a good compromise."

"What does Booth think?"

"He says I've lost my mind."

"I concur."

"You mentioned an intern, Dr. Goodman," Brennan said, changing the subject.

"Yes. Mr. Zack Addy. I think you'll be pleased with his work."

"Dr. B? I was told to tell you that your son is crying," Hodgins said, interrupting. Brennan looked at him. He was still fairly new, and she hadn't realized his personality on paper versus in person would be so different. He was growing on her, though, but very slowly.

"Very well. I'll return," Brennan said, taking off her gloves and heading towards the daycare. Her cell phone rang then.

"Hey," Booth said in her ear. "How's it going? You sure it's a good idea for you to be working?"

"It's like you're all in cahoots against me," Brennan sighed. "I'm fine. I'm on my way to feed him, and I'll go back to work."

"He's two months old, Temperance."

"He's fine!"

"I just..."

"It's two days a week, Booth. Drop it."

"Okay, okay."

"I'll see you at home."

"All right," he agreed. "I love you."

"I love you too. Bye."

Brennan found her little man lying on his back with a squished up face, crying. The daycare worker was doing her best to soothe him, but it wasn't going so well.

"Hi, baby," she said, picking him up. He stopped crying and gurgled at him. She smiled. She did miss him very much, and maybe she was crazy for working so soon, but she wanted to prepare herself for when she would have to leave him five days a week.

"He is so adorable," the worker said, smiling. "You're so lucky."

"I am," Brennan agreed. She went to feed him then. She reflected on his birth as she held him close. Booth had been way more emotional than she had been on the outside, but she had been almost falling apart with emotion on the inside. As they held their son for the first time, Brennan couldn't help but feel in awe of this little being she and Booth had created.

"Would it be all right if we name him Parker?" Booth had asked, touching the baby's cheek softly.

"I love it," Brennan had answered. It was a reminder of Teddy, but not as sharp. There was just one thing.

"Could we name him Charlie Parker Booth?" she had asked, looking at him. "My grandfather did save me after all, and without him, I probably wouldn't have met you."

"Yes," he had agreed. "It's perfect." Booth had kissed her then, and she knew everything would be all right. Hank had had tears in his eyes when they told him Charlie's name. He had told them her grandfather would have been so honored.

Now, she burped Charlie and got him settled back with the worker.

"I think I'll finish early today," she said, her finger still in Charlie's clutches. She didn't want to leave him.

"That's all right," the worker smiled. "We'll see you soon."

August 2004

"What do you think about partnering with me to solve murders?" Booth asked her. They were at the Royal Diner. Charlie was in the stroller next to them, which Brennan was pushing it back and forth with her foot as they ate.

"I'm intrigued," she nodded. She had settled back into her job now, and Charlie was in day care full time. He was now 16 months old.

"I have this cold case that I'm trying to solve."

"Gemma's?"

"Right. You remember."

"Of course."

"Well, can you look at her remains? See if I've missed something?"

"I can. Bring them over to the lab this afternoon, and Zack and I will examine them."

"That's why I love you," he smiled.

"I'm sure it's for more than just that," she winked. He laughed.

"All right. I gotta go talk to Jocelyn, but I'll see you later."

"Okay."

He bent to kiss her and then Charlie. He waved as he left the diner. He couldn't help but feel so incredibly happy. His life was perfect. He couldn't ask for anything more. He felt inside his pocket for the box then, and smiled to himself. He had told her when the time was right, and he was feeling as though the time was indeed right.

...

"You want me to draw a face?" Angela asked, wrinkling her nose. "You've only known me for a month. Why me?"

"Because you're very good," Brennan answered. "Please? I will pay you."

"All right. But only because the money will help me get to Paris," she caved.

"Excellent. Right this way," Brennan said, leading Angela to the remains. She saw her new friend fight down the urge to vomit.

"Okay. I've got this," Angela said shakily, pulling out her pencil and pad of paper. Zack had identified everything Booth had already known and then some. Hodgins had gone bananas over the particulates, and he'd discovered something new. Booth hated to admit it, but he was impressed. Brennan couldn't help but smile to herself. Perhaps this partnership would work after all.

...

"Man, if we solve all these kinds of cases, we could be the next crime fighting superheros," Booth commented as they settled in the restaurant for dinner. Angela had insisted on babysitting so they could go celebrate solving the murder.

"I find I'm very thrilled to have helped solve this for you," Brennan smiled. He placed his hand over hers fondly.

"I loved working with you, Bones."

"Ugh, stop calling me that!"

"What? It's cute. It suits you."

"It doesn't."

"You practically live part time with bones. It suits you," Booth argued. He grinned then.

"If you weren't so cute, I'd argue further," she sighed.

"Haha! So it stays?"

"For occasional use. Don't overuse it."

"I can't promise anything, Bones."

"Let's talk about something else okay?"

"Sure thing, Bones."

"Stop it!"

"All right," he laughed. "I'll stop for now. Seriously, though, you wanna be my partner?"

"Of course. Tell them I'm in."

"Awesome!"

Booth started to feel nervous, then, because the next thing he wanted to do was in uncharted territory. He had no idea if she felt the same, and he didn't want to scare her off, but it just felt right. He waited until they were on their in the park before getting the nerve up. He stopped them in front of the water fountain.

"I told you, you can't wade in there," Brennan said, noticing.

"No, uh, that's not why I stopped," Booth said. He looked around, glad that no one was watching. Taking her hands in his, he began. "I love you so much, and I really want to spend forever making you happy. I want us to grow old together and have no regrets. I've loved you since the day you told me to get lost in the school hallway from behind the pages of your book. We've had a rocky road at times, but I believe we're meant to be together." He released one of her hands and sank to one knee, making Brennan cover her mouth, crying. "Temperance, will you marry me?"

"Yes," she nodded vigorously. His face almost split in two from his grin, and he slid the ring on her before pulling her into a passionate kiss.

"There's a story behind that ring," Booth said in her ear after.

"There is?"

"Yea. I found it in an envelope in Charlie's room when we were packing up the house. It had my name on it, and it had a note inside telling me what it was for. Temperance, it's your grandmother's engagement ring."

"Oh!" Brennan gasped, looking at it closely. She had no idea. Her grandfather had never told her.

"See? Even he knew back then that I'd be doing this today," Booth laughed. She rested her head on his shoulder, feeling more tears come. Charlie and Hank had known all along. She wished her grandfather was here right now.

"No rush to get married," Booth said after a while as they walked on.

"I know."

"Just tell me when you're ready."

"I think it won't be long."

"Okay," he said happily. She slipped her hand in his. She had everything she ever wanted in this moment right here. As they continued walking, she knew their journey would still have ups and downs, but they would go through them together, and that was the important thing. She smiled to herself. Who knew that the annoying boy from high school would be her husband? She was very lucky, and she couldn't wait to keep walking this walk with him side by side, hand in hand.

The End

I'm so happy :D lol I hope you were satisfied with both endings. I think this one is my favorite, though. Thank you again for all your support! I have indeed started a new Bones story called The Trust in the Terror if you haven't checked it out yet ;)