Here's another two-part story. This idea just sort of came to me, so I decided to write it down and see what happens. Enjoy!

Brennan's in her office at work, sitting at her desk, putting the final touches on a report for an upcoming court case. The day has barely begun, but here she is, at the lab. She snuck out early before Booth and Christine were awake. Today's a special day. It's her daughter's first birthday, which is precisely why she's at work so early. Start work early, get out of work early. Plus she has a surprise for Booth, which requires her to sneak out in the middle of her work day, so she wants to get as much done before she has to leave.

There's a knock on her door and then Angela walks in with a cup of coffee and a muffin. She sets them down on her best friend's desk and raises an eyebrow. "You're here early."

"As are you," Brennan replies, picking a piece off her cinnamon muffin. "I know why I'm here this early, but what's your reason?"

"I come here early sometimes to draw or paint. It's quiet. I can be one with my art. I find it's easier to deal with what we do every day if I start my day with paper and pencil or paintbrush."

"I like to start my day with a cup of coffee or tea and a muffin," she jokes, smiling proudly. "A dismembered body is next on my list."

Angela laughs. "Yeah, well."

"Can you keep a secret?"

Angela eyes her suspiciously, smiling. "What kind of secret?"

Brennan just raises an eyebrow and smiles right back.

"Oh, it's big and good. I love those kinds of secrets. So tell me."

Brennan motions with her finger for Angela to come closer to her and then cups her ear. She whispers something to her best friend and then leans back. "I know Booth doesn't like secrets or surprises very much, so I'm nervous. Do you think he'll be angry with me?"

Angela laughs. "Really, sweetie? Booth is not going to be angry with you. He'll be the opposite of angry. Trust me. Honey, you better get some sleep 'cause you won't be getting any sleep tonight. I can tell you that." She winks, smirking.

Brennan lets out a breath. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." Angela pauses. "The party's at four, correct?"

Brennan nods. "Yes."

"We'll be there." Angela smiles and walks out of her best friend's office.

Brennan turns back to her computer, feeling better about her surprise than she has been since she initially thought about it after a daydream she had while not being able to sleep one night.

It's around 10:30 AM and Brennan's moved on to bone storage, diving into identifying some of the remains she's been meaning to examine for a while. She's interrupted by a knock on the door and when she turns her head, she smiles at her intruders. "Booth, how'd you sneak her by the guards and Cam? You know she's not allowed in the lab."

Booth just smiles and walks over to her, adjusting Christine on his hip. "You were gone pretty early this morning, Bones."

She nods, taking Christine from Booth. She fixes the birthday tiara that's situated on the top of her daughter's head and gives her a kiss. "Hi, honey."

Christine smiles and kicks her legs. "Ma-ma," she jabbers, reaching up to touch her bedazzled crown. She pulls it off and flails her arms up and down. "Ma-ma."

Brennan hoists her daughter higher on her hip and nods. "I see your crown, Christine. It's very beautiful." She looks at Booth. "I left early because I want to be home early."

"Very logical."

"I thought so." She bounces Christine and turns around, facing the exam table. She picks up the skull and shows it to the toddler. "A more pronounced mastoid process, a large eyebrow ridge, and a sloping forehead all suggest the victim was male."

Booth rolls his eyes. "I hate when you do that."

"Do what? Explain the fascinating characteristics of the human skeleton to our daughter?"

"Yeah, that. She's probably gonna grow up to be some psycho serial killer now."

"That's absurd." She presses a kiss to the side of Christine's head and sets the skull down into place. "Her mother is a highly skilled Forensic Anthropologist, the best in the world, and her father is an FBI Special Agent, objectively the best in the DC area. It's inevitable that she'll be exposed to human remains and crime on a daily basis. If that causes her to turn into a serial killer then you and I are powerless to stop that from occurring, so my explaining the human skeleton to her won't make a difference."

"Thanks, Bones. You're still not a very reassuring person."

"You're welcome." She smiles and sets Christine down, holding her hand as the toddler marches in place, still clutching her tiara, a grin on her face that showcases her protruding baby teeth.

Christine walks towards the boxes of bones lining the walls from floor to ceiling and opens one. She reaches inside and grabs a bone, holding it up. "Ba-ba."

Brennan quickly takes the bone from her daughter and puts it back in the box, shutting it. She scoops her up, setting her on her hip. "No, honey." She sticks the tiara back on her daughter's head and repositions her hands. She looks at Booth and twists her mouth. "You should get her back to the daycare center. Kids are highly curious at this age and we can't take any chances. Plus, she might accidentally swallow a bone. There's a reason babies aren't allowed in the lab." She pauses. "Though, it was nice to see her. I left before she was awake."

Booth nods and takes Christine from Brennan, hoisting her in the air, suspending her above his head and lowering her slowly, kissing her on the cheek when she's close enough for him to reach. He sets her on his hip and looks at her. "Wave buh-bye to mom. We'll see her later."

Christine flails her arm, imitating her father's action. She babbles and kicks her legs, a smile plastered on her little face.

He steps closer to Brennan and lowers his head, pressing his lips against hers, in a warm, delicate kiss. He pulls back and smiles. "You missed out on pancakes this morning. I was going to make French toast, but that's your favorite, so I thought it'd be cruel to cook your favorite breakfast when you weren't there to enjoy it."

"That was sweet of you."

"It was, wasn't it? I guess that means you owe me."

"I guess it does."

"Wait, you're not gonna argue with me?"

"No. I have a surprise for you and I'm pretty positive that after you see it, we'll be considered even."

"What surprise?"

"Do I need to remind you what the word surprise means?"

He sighs. "Can I get a hint?"

"No. You'll have to wait until Christine's birthday party."

"But you're sure I'll like this surprise?"

"Angela reassured me that you will. I trust her opinion. She's good with people."

He smiles. "I can't wait." He pauses. "Lunch at the diner? 1:30?"

"I can't. I have something I need to take care of during that time."

"My surprise?"

"I'm not telling." Her smile gives it away, though.

"Then I guess I'll see you at home unless a body turns up between then and now."

She nods and waves to Christine. "Bye."

"Bye." He walks out of the room, heading back upstairs.

Well, there you go. Part One. What'd you think?