(After the Change in the Game)

I don't own Bones.

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It surprised the hell out of him when he found out that Brennan loved to pull practical jokes on him. They'd been together for several weeks when he'd discovered that there was more to his Bones than met the eye. Peel back that serious scientist layer and there was definitely someone who loved jokes waiting to pounce on him.

After a long day, he'd arrived home to find his girlfriend in bed asleep. He'd been called in to handle a bank robbery across town and after tracking the robbery suspects down and making an arrest, Booth had finally found his way home. He was starving and after checking the fridge he'd found a small casserole with his name written on a label sticking to the plastic wrap covering the dish. Surprised and pleased at the thought of Brennan making him something special, he'd eagerly removed it from the fridge and popped the dish into the microwave.

The tantalizing aroma almost too much for a man who hadn't eaten for the last fourteen hours, Booth eagerly removed the dish from the microwave once it looked like it was hot enough. His stomach rumbling in protest, he'd grabbed a fork and sat down at the kitchen island. Saliva building in his mouth, he had to swallow before he took a bite of the enticing dish before him.

Once the first bite was in his mouth, he found the taste odd, but the melted provolone with the crushed tomatoes were so good he was willing to overlook the taste of the meat. Booth knew that Brennan liked to experiment in the kitchen and he put it down to some odd spices she was trying out.

Hungrily, he ate the entire casserole and felt full at last. The cold beer he'd had with his food had also hit the spot and he was in a very happy mood. Satisfied, he'd washed the casserole dish and fork and placed them on the drain board next to the sink. Tossing the empty bottle in the recycle bin, he turned off the lights in the kitchen and made his way to his bedroom. The room silent except for the sound of the air conditioner running, he leaned against the doorjamb and watched Brennan sleep for a few minutes, still in awe with the fact that he was in a relationship with her.

She stirred on the bed and pulled the blanket up to her chin, keeping her eyes closed the entire time. "Are you going to stand there and watch me sleep? It seems a terrible waste of time to me."

Moving across the room, Booth stopped next to the bed, removed his shoes and slid onto the mattress next to her. "I didn't mean to wake you up."

Her eyes now open, Brennan smiled at him. "I heard you come in and the smell of the casserole heating in the microwave kept me awake. I've been waiting for you to come to bed."

Unable to stop himself, Booth leaned closer and kissed her, his hand resting on her stomach. "I have to take a shower . . . want to join me?"

Quickly closing her eyes, Brennan let him know that wasn't going to happen. "I'm comfortable, Booth and I'm very clean. I don't need or want another shower."

Disappointed, Booth kissed her once more. "Okay Miss Grumpy, I'll be back in a few minutes." Once out of bed, he retrieved a pair of sweat shorts from the dresser and walked towards the bathroom. "Oh hey, thanks for the casserole. It was good."

Curious, Brennan opened her eyes and sat up. "So you liked it?"

Wary, Booth stopped in his tracks and turned to look at his partner. "Yes? . . . Why wouldn't I like it?"

With a little bit of nonchalance, Brennan shrugged her shoulders and tried to keep from smiling. "I made it with tofu."

His eyes mere slits, Booth pursed his lips together and noticed the way she hid the lower part of her face with her right hand. "There was no meat in that dish?"

Slowly, Brennan shook her head. "No, it was a vegetarian dish." Unable to stop herself, she laughed. "Gotcha Booth. You claim you don't like tofu and you ate tofu tonight."

Uncertain how to respond, Booth stared at her and finally realized that she had played a joke on him. "Did you play me? . . . You played me. What the hell, Bones. I've told you I'm a meat eater and I'm not going to give up meat for you or anyone else."

Her tittering laugh escaping from her, Brennan shook her head. "The other day you told me I would never be able to make you eat tofu and I took that as a challenge." Laughing once more, Brennan happily asked him, "How much did you eat? I bet you ate all of it didn't you? That is very funny because I did make you eat tofu, Booth. I made the dish with ingredients you like and you were unable to stop eating it. That's very funny."

Not amused in the least, Booth shook his head. "Ha Ha, Bones, very funny." With a slight shake of his head, he cocked his head to the side. "Just remember, you started this Bones."

Her smiled now gone, Brennan tried to understand what he meant. "I don't know what that means."

With a gleam in his eyes, Booth gave her a grim smile. "It means little Miss Practical Joker that what goes around comes around." Turning, he entered the bathroom and closed the door behind him.

"Wait . . . what does that mean, Booth?" Concerned that she was missing something, Brennan called out, "Booth what does that mean?"

The door suddenly opening, Booth leaned into the room shirtless. "It means that since you played a joke on me I can play one on you. Better watch your back Bones." His chuckle rather ominous, he closed the door once more.

Her eyes riveted on the closed door, Brennan realized that she may have started something she shouldn't have. "Well, I didn't foresee that."

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