Author's note: thanks to those who have read and reviewed the first chapter. I truly appreciate your feedback!

Disclaimer: Bones and all the characters therein are owned by FOX, Hart Hanson and Kathy Reichs. Bet Me belongs to Jennifer Crusie. Thus, anything you recognize doesn't belong to me.

Chapter Two: The Game

When Booth got to work the next morning, the sun was shining through the windows in his office at the J. Edgar Hoover building, the smell of coffee permeated the room. He sat down behind his desk, ready to start on the boring part of his job, namely the paperwork, when Hodgins knocked on his door, a visitor's badge clipped to his shirt. Booth beckoned him to come inside.

"Nice going last night. Tell me you won," Hodgins smirked.

"What are you talking about?" Booth said, feigning innocence.

"Our bet. Tell me you won it."

"Sure. You saw me leave with Bones and you heard her say it was a date."

"You're right, you're right, I should have had faith in you, man."

"You should," Booth said as he turned on his computer.

"So, did you win both bets? Did you two finally sleep together?"

"What? Of course we didn't."

"Oh," Hodgins nodded with a grin. "Well, you've still got three weeks."

"Hodgins, I didn't agree to that part of the bet. Just the dinner date."

"I know, which is why I only brought the thousand dollars anyway," Hodgins replied as he pulled the wad of money out of his pocket and handed it to Booth. "Here you go, you've earned it."

Booth eyed the money Hodgins was holding out to him. "That's actually a thousand dollars?" He knew Hodgins was rich, but to him it was a lot of cash.

"Yes, take it."

Booth reluctantly accepted the money. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. Treat your son to some nice toys or take Brennan out again."

Booth just nodded.

"So, how did it go?" Hodgins continued as he went to sit down across from Booth, pulling his feet up on the desktop. Booth gave him a glare and he quickly sat upright.

"It went fine. We went to Wong Foo's, had dinner, talked, then I walked her back to her car."

"Did you kiss her goodnight?"

"I kissed her cheek, actually."

"Hmm, I don't know if that counts. If it had been a real date, you should've at least kissed her on the mouth."

"Well, you said there were no stipulations."

"Damn, you got me there. I should have thought about that longer," Hodgins said as he stood up. "Well, enjoy the money."

"I will."

"And remember, you've got three weeks left," Hodgins said right before he left the office so he couldn't hear Booth's protests.

BBB

Later that day, Booth drove over to the Jeffersonian Institute, even though there was no new case and no paperwork to go over with his partner. He just wanted to see her. Also because he didn't know if Brennan had found out about the bet yet. Perhaps Hodgins had told Angela, and if she knew, everyone would know, including Brennan. If that was the case, his partner might insist on getting either an apology or five hundred dollars.

He walked into the lab, swiped his card and climbed the steps onto the platform where he found the Squints hard at work. Brennan and Hodgins were huddled over skeletal remains, deep in discussion. Angela was drawing a face on her clipboard and Zack, who was closest to Booth, sat behind a microscope. He looked up from his research.

"I heard you struck out," Zack said to him.

Booth's head shot in his direction. "I asked her to dinner and she went. Then I walked her to her car and said goodbye. I did not strike out, Zack."

Zack frowned. "So, there are women who you can't get."

"Of course, Zack. But that's not the point. I didn't strike out, because I didn't try to get her. Bones and I are just partners."

When Zack returned to his work, apparently satisfied with that answer, Booth looked over at his partner, who didn't seem to have overheard their conversation. Perhaps he could ask her to lunch tomorrow, since it was the weekend and they shouldn't be working. At least, he wasn't going to and he would try to prevent her from working on limbo cases in her free time, as well.

Having finished her discussion with Hodgins, Brennan headed over to Booth, asking him if he was there because they had a case. He told her they still didn't.

"Well, I don't suppose you're here just to watch us work."

Booth laughed. "No, I'm not. I came to ask if you wanted to meet Parker and me for lunch tomorrow. You know where Cherry Hill Park is?"

"I've heard of it. Why there?"

"Parker plays softball there tomorrow. There's a picnic area on the north side. I'll meet you at the first table tomorrow at noon."

"I haven't actually said I was going yet."

"Pretty please with a cherry on top?" Booth pouted.

"A cherry, huh? Clever," Brennan laughed. "Alright, I'll be there."

"Great, I'll see you tomorrow then," Booth said as Angela approached them and he decided it was better to leave, wanting to dodge any questions she had for him. "Bye!"

"Okay, I had trouble overhearing your conversation," Angela said, standing next to Brennan now. "What was he asking you?"

Brennan shook her head at her best friend. "I'm going to lunch tomorrow with him and Parker."

"Great, that prevents you from spending your weekend at the lab. Where are you going?"

"Cherry Hill Park. Parker plays softball there."

"What time?"

"Noon."

Angela nodded, then raised her voice and called Hodgins. He came over to them. "You and I are having lunch at noon tomorrow in Cherry Hill Park."

Brennan's eyes widened. "What? Angela, no."

"We'll be at a safe distance. Don't worry."

"Ange…"

"It's a public park, sweetie. We have every right to be there."

Brennan groaned, knowing she couldn't refute that argument, and went back to work.

BBB

After dropping Parker off at the softball field, where his team was about to start their warming up, and whishing him good luck, Booth grabbed the cooler from his car, stopped by the charity hot dog stand for the main course and went to meet Brennan at the picnic table he'd told her about. She wasn't there yet, so he threw an old blanket across the massive teak table, put the basket on it and then sat on top of the table, awaiting her arrival. It was a beautiful day and the park was thick with shade trees.

Brennan came into the park through those trees, following the curving crushed gravel path. Her stride was long and loose as she came toward him and she smiled at him as she drew closer. Booth offered her his hand to help her up on the table. She hesitated and then took it, boosting herself up beside him on the table.

"Hi," she said and he grinned at her.

"Hi. Thank you for coming."

"Thank you for inviting me," Brennan said as she dropped her bag on the bench below them. "Where's Parker?"

"Over there, with his team. They've just started warming up," Booth said and pointed in the general direction of the softball field. Then he dumped the bag of wrapped hot dogs out on the blanket and handed her one. "Have a hot dog while we talk."

"Hot dogs?"

"Yeah, they're very softball, don't you think?"

"I suppose. I've never been to a softball game before."

"Well, hot dogs go pretty much hand in hand with any kind of sporting event."

"Good to know," Brennan said as she unwrapped it and took a first bite. "It's nice."

She leaned over to take another bite, keeping the sandwich over the waxed paper to catch the drippings. The fact that she had to lean over to do so, had Booth looking down the v-neck of her shirt. He couldn't help it. He was drawn in and saw a lot of lush round flesh in tight black lace, making him a little lightheaded.

Trying to get rid of his impure thoughts, Booth picked up his own hot dog. "So, when was the last time you had one of these babies?"

Brennan seemed to think about her answer. "Probably before my parents disappeared."

"Well, that's a long time ago. You never had one after that?"

"Can't remember if I did."

"You should come with us more often. Parker and I have them almost every time we're here," Booth said and handed her a can of soda.

"Thanks," Brennan said, taking the can from him and putting it next to her on the blanket. She finished the last of her hot dog and then licked a smear of ketchup off her thumb. Booth almost lost his train of thought again. "You'd have to invite me," she said when she'd wiped her hands on a napkin.

"I will if you can get through this day alright."

"Way to advertise it, Booth. You think I won't enjoy myself?"

"I certainly hope you will. But I know you don't like sports, so I don't have my hopes up too high," Booth replied. "How about dessert?" He pulled a waxed paper bag from the cooler. "Doughnuts. At least I'm sure you like those."

"Looks good," Brennan said. She took a sip of soda from the can. "Booth, I know you and Parker enjoy sports, that's why I'm willing to give it a try. Besides, I'm here, aren't I?"

"Yes, you are." Booth smiled, handing her a doughnut. "You know, this isn't just a doughnut," he said, tearing his own in two pieces, the chocolate icing and glaze breaking like frost, the tender pastry pulling apart in shreds. "This is a chocolate-iced Krispy Kreme glazed. This is the caviar of doughnuts, the Dom Perignon of doughnuts, the Mercedes-Benz of doughnuts." He licked his lips then took a large bite.

Brennan laughed. "I don't know about that, but it is good."

"It's Parker's favorite, too, so I promised him we'd save him one."

"I can understand why you both like them so much," Brennan replied after having tasted her own doughnut. "I normally only eat the plain ones, but I have to admit that, although they're a little sweet, they are heavenly."

"I'm glad you agree."

Booth watched as she popped another piece of doughnut in her mouth, her lips closing over the sweetness. Her face was beautifully blissful, her mouth soft and pouted, her full lower lips glazed with icing. As she teased the last of the chocolate from her lip, Booth realized he had never seen her this way before and he loved it. More so, he realized he loved her. He breathed deeper and before she could open her eyes, he leaned in and kissed her, tasting the chocolate and the heat of her mouth. She froze for a moment, but then kissed him back, sweet and insistent, blanking out all coherent thought. He let the taste and the scent and the warmth of her wash over him, drowning in her. And when she finally pulled back, he almost fell into her lap. Her shirt was rising and falling under quick breaths, her blue eyes flashing, wide awake, her lush lips parted, open for him.

Booth's eyes were as dark as the chocolate on the doughnuts and Brennan panicked as he leaned close again. We're definitely crossing lines now. She put her hand on his chest to stop him, but he picked up another piece of doughnut and slipped it in her mouth. The heat of her mouth dissolved the icing as she closed her eyes and the tang went everywhere, melting into pleasure. When she opened her eyes, he leaned forward again and kissed her softly, his mouth fitting hers so perfectly that she trembled. She tasted the heat of him and licked the chocolate off his lip. She felt his tongue against hers, hot and devastating, and when he broke the kiss, she was breathless and dizzy and aching for more. He held her eyes, looking as dazed as she felt.

"More," she said and he reached for the pastry, but she stopped him. "No, you." She grabbed his shirt to pull him closer and he kissed her hard this time, his hand on the back of her head. She fell into him and then she felt his hand on her waist, sliding hot under her shirt.

Someone squealed nearby and they immediately pulled apart. Standing next to the picnic table were Angela and Hodgins, with grins on their faces, as Booth and Brennan looked like two deer caught in the headlights.

"Sorry for interrupting," Angela said sheepishly.

Booth coughed, his face flushed. "We were just having dessert."

"As partners I predict," Hodgins grinned.

"Yeah…"

"Dessert?" Angela said, looking down at the table, then at Brennan. "You're eating doughnuts?"

"What are you? The calorie police?" Brennan laughed, but looked somewhat guilty.

"No, you can eat all the doughnuts you want, as long as you fit into your bridesmaid dress," Angela told her. "Wait, wait… We're talking about pastries here? We just caught you making out! That's what I want to know more about."

"What I would like to know is what the two of you are doing here?" Booth asked, then looked at Brennan. "You invited them?"

"They invited themselves, I'm afraid."

"We came to watch your son play softball of course," Hodgins said.

"Although we've probably already seen the most interesting thing of the day," Angela added. "Can I just say… finally!"

"That's nice, Angela," Booth said, then looked at his watch. "The game is about to start, so why don't we head over to the field and find ourselves a place to sit?"

"Sounds like a plan," Hodgins said.

"You two can go ahead. We'll clean up the table first."

"Yeah, that'll give you some more time to kiss," Angela teased, but grabbed her fiancé's hand nonetheless and took him with her. "We'll see you there."

Both knowing they needed to talk, but at the same time not knowing where to start the conversation, they left it for what is was and silently packed up the cooler. They took the cooler and the blanket back to Booth's car and then headed over to the softball field. They joined Angela and Hodgins on the bleachers and waved at Parker.

Angela, who sat in between Hodgins and Brennan, leaned closer to the latter. "So, is he a good kisser?" she asked in a whisper.

"Yes," Brennan answered. Pretty good. Very good. World class. Phenomenal. Woke me right up. Plus there were the doughnuts, which were amazing. She thought about Booth again, all that heat and urgency. It was hot and unexpected and forbidden. They were partners. They couldn't do this. Shouldn't have done this. She knew all of that, but still felt a shiver run down her spine.

Angela smiled. "Really? I knew it."

"Just for that minute or two. I kind of enjoyed it." A lot.

"So, what happens next?"

"I don't know, Ange. We're just partners."

Angela rolled her eyes. "Oh for heaven's sake, would you stop that? Obviously you're much more than that. Bet or no bet…"

Brennan's eyes widened. "Hodgins told you, didn't he?"

"Yes, he can't keep anything from me. That's why you were so angry at the bar, right?"

"Yes, but then I thought I could use it to my advance. You know, make Roger jealous by asking Booth to be my official date for the wedding…"

"Yes, I know, the copyrights of that idea still belong to me."

Brennan smiled. "I guess they do."

"So, what does all this mean?"

"Honestly, I don't know. We'll have to see."

"Well, that's something."

"I think it's Parker's turn to hit the ball, so we should watch him, Ange."

"Alright," Angela said, giving up her inquisition with a sigh.

Parker batted the ball and ran to first base while they all cheered him on. When the next hitter got ready for his turn, Booth glanced over at Brennan. He'd had no intentions of kissing her—no real intentions anyway—and then he'd jumped her, some insane impulse shoving him into her lap. And she'd been no help. She should have slapped him silly and reminded him of the line he had drawn. Instead, she had wanted more, egging him on.

Now, he didn't know where they stood. Even less so than before they had crossed the line. It was confusing. She was confusing. They were confusing. And he was probably to blame for that.

Feedback is greatly appreciated, so don't hestitate to let me know what you think!

Chapter three will probably be up some time tomorrow...