Never written Bones, barely ever written fanfic, and this is unbetaed, but I read an excellent story by lerdo and this popped into my head and demanded to be written. Hope she doesn't mind that I semi-borrowed an idea. And I hope you like reading it. :)

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Their last case had been a difficult one. Military, foster kid, a story that hit too close too home for both of them. Bones had had a tough time of it, he knew, but she'd been great with him when he'd been broody and snarky over the course of the case and he'd not really given much back. A trip to the diner didn't seem enough – he bought her coffee all the time anyway. Dinner wouldn't cut it this time. He wasn't about to let her drive the car, either. A token of appreciation was in order, but unlike with Jasper and Brainy Smurf, he didn't have any bright ideas.

Shopping was awful. But in this case, worth it. He paid for the present with barely restrained glee, a bounce to his step and silly grin that earned some strange looks from the gum-chewing teenage girl working the cash register. Despite the odd look, he practically skipped out of the place, and headed straight to Jeffersonian to intercept his partner.

"Hey Bones." He grinned as he leant against the door frame, and she looked up with a start. She was cute when she looked surprised. Hell, who was he kidding? She was cute all the time. No, not cute. She was… giving him a slightly confused and exasperated look.

"Booth? Booth, are you all right? I just said your name three times and you didn't appear to hear me. "

"Sorry. Nah, I'm good." Smooth, Seeley. Just don't blush. "So, how are doing? This was a tough one." Sensitive. That was better. Than daydreaming about her.

"I'm fine, Booth. I know this was difficult for both of us, but I've found the new chapter of my book that my publisher wants by Monday to be ample distraction."

"Well, I'm here to distract you some more. Eaten yet?" Segue. Nice. To give her the present now or later, though?

"No, I think I'll just order in. I'd like to finish this soon." Of course she did. Her squinty tendencies were part of what he loved about her, but he also considered it his job to save her from herself.

"Nope. You can write about me some other time. Right now, we're going to the diner." Yeah, he was alpha male. He knew she loved it, really – couldn't complain because it had saved her arse numerous times. Same thing.

"Booth, how many times do I need to tell you, Andy's character is not at all based on you and…"

"Bones, no matter how many times you tell me, I still won't believe it. Now come on, get your coat on and let's go."

As she stood up, albeit reluctantly and with a dramatically annoyed sigh, he noticed she had removed her boots and socks whilst sitting at the desk. Perfect. He walked over, picked them up, and handed her the boots, but throwing the sock across the room.

"Booth, do you have some particular problem with my socks or have you simply gone insane?" Insane. Crazy. Yeah, about her. God, he really needed to shoot the voice in his head.

"No, you don't need them. You need tbese." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of socks. And grinned. Like a lunatic. He would be saying hail marys for the thoughts of her in those socks alone… though he wouldn't be confessing that particular image. It was too good to share.

She laughed, and it was like music to his ears. She rolled her eyes, and it turned him on.

"Booth, are those skeletons?"