Well, we've finally come to the end of this series. I'm really going to miss dropping in on the Booth family every now and then. I've really enjoyed writing Christine's life and I'm quite sad to be leaving her now, but it's the right time. In this final chapter, Christine and Michael are heading off to college to make the first step into their future. Reviews for this chapter and the series as a whole would be very welcome, and always replied to if possible. Thank you.

*Just a little note. As I've said before, I'm from Scotland, so my knowledge of US colleges is very limited. I looked at the websites of the Ivy League schools and picked the one that I felt would suit both Christine and Michael, while not being an obvious choice like Harvard or Yale. I'm sure many of you have opinions about these schools, some of you have probably attended them. Please note that my choice was not based on any particular feelings or knowledge I have about these colleges, I just picked one, so if you're not a fan of it, I hope it won't distract you from the story itself. I know how much loyalty colleges can inspire in their students and alumni!

Eighteen-year-old Christine Booth smiled at the computer screen as she browsed through the websites of the colleges she had applied to for what felt like the hundredth time. Having inherited a great love of science and academia from her mother, along with her considerable intelligence, Christine had been dreaming about attending college for years, and now it was only a few months away.

After receiving their SAT results, she and Michael had spent weeks together flicking through prospectuses, social networking pages, college websites, and having numerous animated discussions with their parents in order to decide which schools they wanted to apply to. Given that they were both academically gifted and had parents who were very well off, they had restricted their applications to the Ivy League. In the end, they had narrowed down their choices to a list of four each.

Christine had applied to Brown, Cornell, Princeton and Yale. Michael had also opted for Brown and Cornell, but had decided on Dartmouth and Harvard as his other choices. Despite applying to all these colleges, they both had their hearts set on attending Cornell together. At first, their parents had been concerned that their still developing relationship was having too great an influence on their decision-making. Brennan in particular had urged her daughter to think rationally about her choices, and not allow her emotional attachment to Michael to cloud her judgment. After some discussion however, both she and Michael had successfully convinced their parents that, although attending college together was something they really wanted to do, it was the academic courses on offer at Cornell that had proved to be the real attraction.

Along with the social and sporting opportunities available, Christine was drawn to the impressive science departments at the university, and was planning to go on to major in physics. She had thought long and hard about which branch of the sciences she wanted to pursue. Having watched her parents deal with death since she was a child, Christine was determined to chase life and all its possibilities. She had considered medicine, but felt that she would much rather apply her passion for science directly to research and development. The idea of making a career out of conducting experiments and generating innovative theories was very exciting to Christine. Needless to say, her mother had been delighted with her decision, and had begun to talk enthusiastically about all the discoveries she could make and the exciting opportunities she would have. Her father had simply hugged her and told her how proud he was to have such an intelligent and driven daughter.

Michael had also been attracted to Cornell's science departments, particularly the Molecular Biology and Genetics division. Christine smiled and looked at the framed picture of herself and Michael that she kept on her desk. She could still remember the look of passionate determination on his face when he had explained his reasons for wanting to pursue genetics.

Due to a rare gene that had been present in both his parents, there had been a twenty five percent chance that Michael could have been born with Leber Congenital Amaurosis; a condition that would have resulted in blindness. Michael had been lucky to avoid this, but he knew that others hadn't been so fortunate. He had also spoken of the many other genetic conditions that as yet had no cure, and his desire to dedicate his career to research that might help alleviate the sufferings of those afflicted by them. If Christine hadn't already been in love with Michael before hearing his impassioned speech, she would have fallen hard for him in that moment.

Christine thought back to the day they had first begun their relationship. It had been almost four months ago now, and those months had been the happiest of her life. She chuckled to herself as she remembered the reactions of she and Michael's parents to the news that they were now a couple. Leaning back in her desk chair, Christine allowed the memories to wash over her.

Swept up in the whirlwind of emotions that came from kissing Michael for only the second time, Christine had barely registered the sound of the front door opening - until Angela's voice had pulled her abruptly back to reality.

"Oh my God, you guys are so cute together! I knew this would happen eventually!"

Christine had blushed furiously and tried to look anywhere but at Angela's face, while Michael had almost fallen off the porch swing as he leapt backwards from Christine.

"Mom! What the hell?"

Angela had grinned broadly, not looking the least bit apologetic about intruding on her son and his new girlfriend.

"Well, Michael, this is what happens when you wait years to tell someone you love them and then kiss them right outside of my house."

Michael had gone slack- jawed at his mother's bluntness, while Christine had turned to him in dismay.

"Did everyone know how you felt but me?"

Michael had started to reply, but was interrupted by Angela, who had hustled forward to pull Christine to her feet and into a fierce hug.

"It doesn't matter, sweetie. All that matters is that you know now. I'm so happy for the two of you!"

"Thanks." Christine said, still feeling very flustered by Angela's sudden appearance.

"Hey," Michael had stared at his mother with barely disguised annoyance, "speaking of happy, it would make me really happy if you would go back inside and leave us alone!"

Unperturbed by her son's irritated tone, Angela had released Christine and grinned at Michael. "I will in a minute, I just need to let your dad know about this first!"

Before Michael could stop her, Angela had stuck her head back inside the house and yelled up the stairs for Hodgins.

Christine had blushed a deeper shade of red while Michael had just shaken his head and rolled his eyes skyward.

"He'll be right down." Angela had informed them.

"Great!" Michael replied sarcastically. "Why don't you invite the neighbors round to join us, too? Or better yet, hire a skywriter!"

Angela had only chuckled at her son's obvious exasperation. A few seconds later, Hodgins had appeared on the porch.

"What's going on, Angie?" He asked, suddenly noticing Christine. "Oh, hey, Christine."

"Hey." Christine muttered, still grappling with her embarrassment.

Angela had turned to her husband, a grin still evident on her face. "I called you down here so that I could tell you the wonderful news. Our son has finally gotten his act together and he and Christine are now a couple! Isn't that fantastic?"

Hodgins turned to Michael, a grin matching that of his wife's forming on his face.

"Seriously? That's awesome!"

Michael had sighed and addressed his father. "Yeah, it is awesome. But what would be even more awesome is if Chris and I could actually be alone right now."

Hodgins had chuckled at his son's directness, while Angela had raised both her hands up in surrender.

"Okay, okay, we get the message! Come on Hodgins, let's leave these two lovebirds to it!"

At that, Christine had gotten rapidly to her feet, feeling far too awkward and embarrassed to stay any longer.

"Actually, I should head home now. My parents will be wondering where I am, and I should probably tell them about ..." she gestured towards Michael, blushing again, "you know."

"Oh I already called your mom, Christine." Angela had happily informed her. "She was delighted when I told her!"

Christine had been slightly mortified to hear this, while Michael had glared at his mother, his voice betraying his utter frustration with her.

"Oh my God, you're unbelievable!"

"What?" Angela had feigned innocence, "I can't be happy for my son?"

Hodgins had stepped in then. "Let's go, Angie. I think we've embarrassed them enough!"

Michael had smiled gratefully at his father, as he stepped forward and took Christine's hand.

"I'll go back with you. Your dad's probably gonna want to give me the 'I used to be a sniper' talk now that we're together. Might as well get it over with now. Plus," he turned to look back at his parents, "I think I need to get away from here before mom invites the whole neighborhood round for a celebration party."

Angela had scowled affectionately at him while Hodgins steered her back inside, grinning at the teenagers.

A short walk and a bus ride later, Christine and Michael had arrived at Christine's house.

When they walked through the door, they had been greeted by a smiling Booth and Brennan. Booth had stepped forward first, kissing Christine on the forehead and shaking Michael's hand with much less force than he had Aaron's, Christine had noted with relief. Brennan then pulled her daughter into a hug, telling her how happy she was for both of them. Christine drew back and smiled at her mother, and while the two talked amongst themselves, Booth had gestured for Michael to step into the kitchen with him.

Christine pulled herself back from her memories for a moment, turning her head to look at the picture of her and her father on her bedroom wall. She had been about nine years old, and they were both dressed in sports clothes, having just finished a family game of soccer. Booth had his arm slung around his daughter's shoulders, and they were both grinning happily at the camera. When Michael had later told Christine what Booth had said to him the day they had become a couple, she had felt an overwhelming rush of love and affection for her father. Still gazing at the picture, Christine replayed the scene in her mind that Michael had shared with her.

Not bothering with the pretence that he had used with Aaron, Booth had simply stopped and turned to Michael once they were in the kitchen.

"Okay, listen, Michael. I've known you your whole life, so I can't intimidate you because you already know I was a sniper, and I can't threaten you because you know I would never hurt you. But, I will say this. I know how amazing it feels to have been in love with your best friend for so long and then finally get to be with her. So, all I'm gonna say is cherish Christine and what you have together, and don't try to rush anything. You have the rest of your lives to be together if that's how things turn out. You're both still young and you're gonna make mistakes, but if you're honest about how you feel and always have each other's backs no matter what happens, then you'll get through whatever life throws at you."

Booth had smiled then and clapped a hand on Michael's shoulder.

"And hey, for the record, Christine couldn't have picked a better guy, and I know you'll treat her right."

Knowing Booth as he did, and how fiercely protective he was of his daughter, Michael was humbled by Booth's faith in him. Smiling and nodding gratefully in acknowledgement, Michael had then followed Booth back into the living area where the women they loved were waiting for them.

Pulling her thoughts back to the present, Christine turned her attention back to her computer screen, which currently displayed the homepage for Cornell's Physics department. Christine allowed her mind to wander, as she imagined how wonderful it would be to go there with Michael in the fall.

)()()()()()()()()(

Several weeks later, Christine sat on her bed, an envelope clutched tightly in her hands. It was finally here. After waiting for months to find out if her application to Cornell had been successful, the result was now in her hands – albeit still unopened. Although she and Michael had already been accepted into several of their chosen universities so far, it was Cornell that mattered most to them, and they had promised each other that they would wait until they could find out their results together.

The sound of the doorbell ringing downstairs caused her to jerk her head up. Jumping to her feet, Christine threw open her bedroom door and rushed downstairs - barreling past both her parents who were standing in the hallway - and pulled open the front door. Michael stood there, holding his own envelope, smiling nervously at his girlfriend. Beside him stood his very impatient looking parents.

Booth and Brennan walked up behind their daughter to greet their guests.

"Hey, Michael." Booth said cheerfully, smiling at the other visitors. "Ah, I see you brought Angela and Hodgins too."

Michael's face took on an exasperated expression as he replied. "They followed me here! I did not bring them!"

Hodgins turned to his son and prodded him in the shoulder. "That's only because you refused to open the damn letter at our place!"

Angela smiled apologetically at Christine and her parents while addressing her irritated husband. "Michael wouldn't open his results without Christine. It's sweet really, isn't it, Jack?"

Hodgins rolled his eyes and sighed, nodding his head begrudgingly. Booth and Brennan smiled at each other, understanding Hodgins' frustration, having spent the last several hours waiting for Christine to learn her results as well.

"Well, why don't you guys come in so we can all finally find out?" Booth said as he gestured for the three of them to come inside.

Once everyone was standing in the hallway, Christine turned to address the group.

"So, Michael and I have talked about this and we would really like to open our letters in private upstairs without all of you hovering around and staring at us." Christine paused as she looked into four incredulous faces. "You know, like you are now."

"Oh for God's sake!" Hodgins threw his arms up in frustration.

Angela placed a calming hand on his arm. "Honey, have some patience. This is really important to them and it's their choice how they want to find out."

Michael smiled, for once thankful for his mother's interference. "Thanks, Mom."

Christine turned to her own parents as she gestured upstairs. "Do you guys mind? We won't keep you waiting too long."

Pushing aside his own impatience and apprehension, Booth smiled at his very nervous looking daughter. "Sure thing, Stapes. You two gone on ahead."

Smiling gratefully, Christine grabbed Michael's hand and pulled him upstairs and into her room, shutting the door securely behind them. Sitting down side by side on Christine's bed, both still clutching their letters, the two nervous teens turned to look at each other.

Michael spoke first. "You ready?"

Christine took a deep a breath and nodded. "Yeah."

"Okay, on three." Michael said, placing his fingers against the envelope seal while Christine did the same.

"One. Two. Thr –"

"What if I haven't gotten in?" Christine blurted out suddenly. "I know I have my other choices, but my heart's set on Cornell and I want to go there with you."

Michael smiled reassuringly and put his arm around her shoulders.

"Chris, it's going to be okay. You will have gotten in, I know you will. But we really need to open these now, or I think our parents are gonna break down the door!"

Sure enough, muffled movements could be heard from outside the door, their parents evidently having lost patience with waiting downstairs.

"Hurry up in there!" Hodgins' irritated voice called out.

"Just give them a minute, Jack!" Angela hissed back.

"Hey, you two better not be doing anything other than opening letters in there!" Booth piped up.

"Booth, I think it would be highly unlikely that Christine and Michael would engage in any sexual activities while their parents were standing just outside the door." Brennan chimed in.

"Mom!" Christine was completely mortified.

Booth was equally horrified. "Jeez, Bones! I didn't mean stuff like that!"

A look of confusion crossed Brennan's face. "Then what were you referring to?"

"Well, you know, just ..., like ...," Booth stuttered uncomfortably, before abandoning his attempted explanation and yelling through the door. "Oh hell! Would you two just open the damn letters already!"

Michael and Christine chuckled nervously, before looking intently into each other's eyes. Squeezing her hand briefly, Michael mouthed the countdown. On 'three' they ripped open their letters.

"YES!"

"Oh thank GOD!"

The two relieved and excited teenagers leapt to their feet and hugged each other fiercely. A moment later, the door burst open as their equally relieved parents ran forward to congratulate them.

Brennan pulled Christine into a tight hug, her eyes brimming with tears. "I'm so proud of you, Christine. I had every faith in you."

"Thanks, Mom." Christine said, pulling back to accept a hug from her father as well. "Congratulations, Stapes. I'm really proud of you, too."

Next to them, Michael was receiving similar hugs and praise from Angela and Hodgins.

Meeting his eyes, Christine smiled at Michael through tears of joy and relief. They would be going to college together. Suddenly, the future seemed even more exciting than before.

)()()()()()()()()(

About four months later, Christine stood in her room surrounded by nearly filled boxes and several open suitcases. Today she was heading off to college, and she was packing the last of her things before she and her parents headed to Cornell. Michael and his parents would be following in the car behind, and they had planned to stop somewhere over night along the way to break up the journey.

"Need any help?" Christine smiled as she looked up to see her parents standing in the doorway.

"No thanks," she replied, "I only have a few more things to pack and then I'll be all set."

Booth nodded and put his arm around Brennan's shoulders as they watched their daughter rush excitedly about her room, gathering up the last of the things she wanted to take with her.

Brennan suddenly took a deep, shaky breath. Looking down, Booth realized that his wife was crying softly. Turning her away from the door, Booth told Christine that they would be right back, before taking Brennan's hand and leading her down the hallway and into their bedroom.

"You okay, Bones?"

Brennan nodded and wiped at her eyes. "I'm fine, Booth. I don't know why I'm getting so emotional. Logically, I knew that Christine would leave to attend college eventually, and I know that we can easily maintain regular contact with her while she's gone. It's just ..."

She threw up her hands in frustration at her inability to articulate her feelings and looked down at the floor.

"Hey," Booth said gently, stepping forward and cupping her chin in his hand, forcing her to look at him. "It's perfectly normal to feel this way, Bones. Christine's all grown up now and she's leaving to start a whole new chapter in her life. I felt the same with Parker and I feel it now too. You wouldn't be a good mom if you weren't at least a bit upset that your daughter was moving out."

Brennan nodded. "I know, you're right of course. I'm just really going to miss her, that's all."

Booth smiled tenderly and pulled her into his embrace, raising one hand to stroke her hair. "Yeah, I'm gonna miss her, too. But I'm sure we can convince her to come home every once in a while to visit her parents."

Brennan smiled and stepped back from her husband. "We should go and help Christine take her things downstairs."

Booth nodded and leant forward to kiss her. "I love you, Bones." He whispered once they parted. "We did a good job with her, she's gonna be just fine."

Brennan nodded. "I know. I love you, too."

While her parents had been talking in the other room, Christine had been gathering up the last of her things. Surveying the room to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything, her eyes fell on the four objects that still lay on her bed.

The embroidered purse that Parker had given her for her sixteenth birthday. He had called her a few days previously to wish her luck on starting college, and to tell her he was proud of her. Picking up the purse, she ran her fingers over the stitched flowers, smiling fondly at the memory of the day it had been given to her, before gently placing it into the last of the open boxes.

Next, she picked up two framed photographs. One, a picture of her and her grandpa, the other a picture of her and her parents. It had been almost three years since she had found out the truth about her grandfather's past, and what he and her grandmother and put her mother through. Although Christine was no longer able to look at him with the same wide-eyed innocent devotion that she had as a child, she still loved her grandpa deeply, and would always think of him as well as her mother when she did science experiments at college. Despite the skeletons in her family closet, Christine knew just how lucky she was to have them, and wouldn't change a single one of them for anything in the world. Carefully, she placed the pictures into the box on top of the purse.

Smiling, Christine turned to the last item on the bed – the bracelet Michael had given her for her sixteenth birthday. Looking back, it was so obvious to her now how he had felt about her even then. At the beginning of their relationship, she had often told him how much she regretted not realizing sooner, since they could have been together for much longer than they had been. It had taken some time, but Michael had eventually convinced her that she hadn't been ready to see it then, and that all that mattered was that they were together now. Christine was so happy to be taking this huge step into her future with Michael by her side, and knew with absolutely certainty that they would do themselves and their families proud. Slipping the bracelet onto her wrist, Christine closed the final box and laid it down by the door.

Just then, her parents came back along the corridor. Although she noticed the slight redness in her mother's eyes, Christine opted not to mention it. Instead, she smiled at both of them.

"I'm all packed now. Should we start loading up the car? Michael, Angela and Hodgins should be here soon."

"Good idea, Stapes." Booth said as he stepped forward and grabbed the two suitcases off the bed. Brennan and Christine followed suit, each picking up a box and heading downstairs.

Half an hour later, the car was packed and Michael and his parents had arrived. While everyone waited outside, Christine ran back upstairs to make a final quick check of her room before they left.

Pushing open her door, Christine took a last look around. Her room seemed smaller somehow, and not just because much of its contents were now down in the car. Despite the excitement she felt about finally starting college, Christine couldn't help the rush of anxiety that surged through her when she thought of leaving her childhood home. It was normal to feel that way, she knew, but it didn't make it any easier. Seeing that there was nothing she had forgotten, Christine took a deep breath and nodded to herself, before closing the door and making her way back downstairs.

)()()()()()()()()(

A few days later, Christine and Michael found themselves on the Cornell University campus. They had already checked into their dorms with their belongings, and now all that was left to do was to say goodbye to their parents. Given that her father and Hodgins had already found several excuses to delay their departure, Christine was quite certain that their parents were having more trouble letting go than she and Michael were.

They were standing out in the parking lot, and Booth was checking the oil in he and Brennan's car for the second time, while Hodgins was making Michael check and re-check their car to make sure that he hadn't left anything. Finally, Brennan turned to her husband.

"Booth, I am certain that you have sufficiently checked every system in the car several times now. I think it is time for us to leave."

Sighing, Booth reluctantly closed the hood of the car. "Yeah, I guess."

Angela spoke up. "Us too, Jack. I'm pretty sure Michael hasn't left anything in the car, unless you want him to take the gas tank."

Hodgins chuckled nervously, trying his best to cover his reluctance to leave his son.

Christine and Michael smiled at each other, before stepping forward to their parents. Angela pulled Michael into a fierce hug, rapidly firing off advice about cooking, laundry, and other such knowledge that mothers attempt to impart to their freshman children.

Next to them, Brennan was doing much the same thing. "Now, don't forget, Christine. Try to eat three meals a day, including plenty of fruit and vegetables. You will need your energy to get through all your work and classes. Try and get at least eight hours of sleep a night, too."

Christine pulled back from her mother, smiling. "Mom, I know you have to say all these things, but this is college, there's gonna be plenty of late nights and junk food, you know that."

Brennan sighed and nodded. "Yes, I do. Although I did not partake in the reckless and irresponsible behavior I observed amongst my peers whilst I was in college, I would not expect you to do the same. Enjoy this experience, Christine, but don't forget why you're here. You have the potential to be an exceptional scientist one day, and your journey begins now."

Brennan brought her hand up to tuck an errant strand of hair behind Christine's ear. "I know you will excel here, Christine, but please remember that I love you, and I will always be proud of you no matter what you do."

Christine smiled tearfully and hugged her mother again, grateful for her support and reassurance.

Turning then to her father, Christine could tell that saying goodbye was hard on him, too.

"Are you okay, Dad?"

Booth took her hand and smiled. "Yeah, Stapes, don't you be worrying about your old dad, okay? Now, you know you can call us anytime day or night if you need us, right?"

Christine smiled indulgently, allowing her father to repeat what he had already said to her many times before.

"Right."

"And you can come home for visits anytime you want, your mom and I will always be there for you."

"I know, Dad."

Booth sighed as he prepared to let his little girl go. "And you know we love you and we're gonna miss you so much, but that we're also so proud of you for getting here. Your family will always have your back, Stapes, don't you ever forget that."

Eyes tearing up again, Christine hugged her father tightly. "I love you too, Dad."

Stepping back, Christine looked over at Michael, who was attempting to extricate himself from the death grip his mother had on him.

"Mom, Mom, you have to let me go now. I promise I'll take care of myself."

Angela sniffled. "I know, I know! You have to indulge your mother, Michael! My little boy is going off to college!"

Chuckling, Michael allowed her to pull him into one final hug, while Hodgins clapped him on the back.

Finally releasing him, Angela stepped back and Michael walked over and took Christine's hand.

"You ready to go, Chris?"

Christine smiled up at him. "Yeah, I think so."

Turning to their parents, who were all attempting to keep their composure, to varying degrees of success, Christine and Michael said their goodbyes.

Taking one last look and exchanging final 'I love you's', the teenagers turned and walked hand in hand back towards the main campus.

Angela rested her head against Hodgins' shoulder as he slid his arm around her waist, while Brennan moved to put her arms around Booth as he pulled her against him. Together, the four friends watched their children, the new generation of scientists, as they walked towards their future.

And there they go! Sadly, that's all for this series. I have been asked about a sequel, and, although I currently have no definite plans for one, I'm not going to rule it out. I have grown very fond of Christine and Michael, so I may catch up with them in the future and write a new series. I appreciate every review I've received, but I would like to say a special thank you to those of you who have consistently reviewed this story, whether all the chapters or just a few. I'm very grateful for your continued encouragement and all your kind words. On that note, I would love to know what everyone thought of this chapter, and of the series as a whole, so please hit the blue button and let me know your thoughts. I normally like to reply to my reviews as soon as I get them, but I'm going away for three weeks on Monday, so I won't be online as much. I promise I will reply to them all eventually though. Thank you so much for reading.