A/N: A series of hurt focused one-shots. Some may be connected. Originally published as a one-shot several years ago, I'd like to see where this goes as a series.

The Parent in the Partnership

Nothing compared to lunch at the diner. Not entirely true, Booth thought, as an array of sinful scenarios danced quickly through his mind, but nothing compared to lunch at the diner with his son and his partner. While Sunday evenings usually left him feeling exponentially lonelier than Sunday mornings, Booth was just happy to have regular time with his son.

Though still tense at times, Booth's relationship with Rebecca had strengthened, and while they would never be the family he imagined they could've been almost half a decade before, Booth was just happy to have regular time with his son.

And then there was his partner.

Bones was an intoxicating mix of strength and spice, like his favorite single-malt Scotch. Taking her at face value, a cheap, poorly blended version of her true self often turned people off at first sampling. But, if you took your time, let her mature while you acquired your connoisseur's palate, she would leave a deep burn in your chest, and the mere act of consumption would make a person dizzy with lust. She had tasted many men in her life, but she had never been enjoyed, and Booth knew she was meant to be savored.

It was with this heady flavor in his mouth that he found himself still euphoric, even after returning Parker to Rebecca and Captain Fantastic. With a slight chill in the early autumn air, Brennan sidled up to Booth, and he was instantly warmer, hot, and hard, if he was to be honest with himself. Close enough to her that all he smelled was vanilla, Booth was lost in sweet smelling desire, when Brennan's voice broke his reverie.

"Brent would make an excellent father to Parker, should you meet your untimely demise".

Clinical. Clear. Concise.

But then she continued.

"Anthropologically speaking, your alpha-male status makes you more desirable to females, but your courageous and aggressive nature will most likely lead to your death. As such, while you may be ideal to mate with given your symmetrical features and bone structure, you are ill suited to be an actual father to an offspring.

"Brent, however, maintains a respectable career in the Coast Guard, and is much less likely to perish during Parker's formative years. As such, he seems to be an excellent choice as a father figure for Parker, which, I assume, is why Rebecca chose a man like him as a daily parenting partner, and turned away from a life with you".

Choosing this moment to assess that her body was warmed to an optimal level, Brennan pulled away from Booth, and, in close to forty years, Booth had never felt colder.