Spoilers: Nah.

Disclaimer: Yadda, yadda, yadda.

Author's Note: Okay, so not as fluffy as the last chapter, but this chapter actually had to deal with some stuff that was...somewhat serious, so...Yeah. Thank you to everyone who reviewed! You were all very sweet, and you all came up with some interesting comments that really did help me a lot with this chapter! Thank you!


Brennan wandered out of the bathroom and quietly snuck into her bedroom. It felt strange; to sneak into her own bedroom, but looking at Parker, curled up, basically drowning in her blankets, it also felt pretty good. She chided herself at this thought as she continued to rummage in her dresser for her pyjamas.

She drifted back into the bathroom, listening for the dull sounds of the TV as she did to make sure Booth was occupied. She left the bathroom, not even glancing at her reflection. Booth wouldn't care, anyway, and she didn't; it was her house, after all.

Returning finally to the lounge room, she saw Booth sitting comfortably on the couch, a coffee in one hand, and the TV remote in the other, feet resting on the coffee table in front of him. She rolled her eyes. Maybe it wasn't her house after all.

"I see you've made yourself at home, Booth," Brennan said, startling Booth slightly.

He smiled to himself at her appearance; her hair was pulled back half-heartedly, bits flying everywhere. She was wearing plain grey pyjama shorts that came just above mid-thigh, blue socks and a university sweater at least twice her size. To him, she looked adorable. And sexy. It took him a while to find his voice.

"Care to join me?" Booth said cheekily, motioning to the couch.

"Why, Booth, how very chivalrous of you to offer me a seat on my couch in my apartment," she said, only half joking. Booth laughed quietly before holding up his coffee mug.

"Want a coffee?" he asked in the same tone as before. Brennan smiled, barely refraining from throwing the nearest hard object at him. Hospitality: Brennan-style, she quirked inwardly. Booth nodded as he got up, grinning at her silently as he passed into the kitchen quite naturally, as if it were an old habit he was completely unaware of.

Brennan watched for a second in amusement as he pulled out a mug, the coffee and the milk without a second thought. She had to ask.

"Booth, when did you become so well acquainted with my kitchen?" Brennan asked, one eyebrow raised. Booth grinned at her again as he poured the coffee.

"Well, I had some time while you were at work..." he lied. Brennan shot him her I-see-right-through-you look. "Okay, I got hungry. But, to be fair, I've been here for..." he searched for a clock, "five hours," he finished after spotting the clock on her oven. Brennan's eyes widened.

"Why didn't you just call me? I had my phone on," she stated plainly, simply curious. Booth looked at her as if he'd never even considered calling her.

"I...I don't know. I suppose I figured that you would be home before, you know, midnight. You shouldn't work so long, Bones," Booth stated as he had many times before, fully aware that it was still not sinking in. If at first you don't succeed...he had convinced himself. He walked back into the lounge room after putting everything back in its respective home and handed her the coffee.

"Speaking of which; why were you at work so late? We don't have any cases..." He let the question hang as he sat down next to her, muting the TV and reclaiming his coffee.

Brennan blew on her coffee. "I was writing. Kathy and I are growing apart, lately, because I never have any time to write her." Brennan paused, laughing slightly. At Booth's questioning look she explained. "When Rebecca called, she called from your apartment. I thought she was you, so I told her off for calling so late and interrupting my writing." Brennan laughed again, and Booth joined in.

"Good," he said simply, grinning. His smile faded a little. "I suppose that brings me to why I'm here..."

Brennan sighed. "Yeah, I suppose it does. I would like to know why you're playing hookey," she added, attempting to lighten the quickly sinking mood. Booth smiled weakly.

"I don't really know where to start. It's my weekend with Parker; first time I've gotten to see him properly in a month. Work, and...you know." He made an all-encompassing hand gesture. "It's hard, not seeing him. And then Rebecca calls and says that she wants to take Parker to California, of all places, for the whole weekend. I tell her he's not going, that it's my time with him..."

"What did she say?" Brennan asked quietly, calmly, so as not to upset him more than necessary. Booth looked into his coffee and pulled a face.

"She threatened to file for sole custody," he spat. Brennan could tell that the words hurt him more than he let show. She knew how much he adored Parker, and how much it would crush him if Parker was gone. Brennan put a hand on his forearm, as she had that day in the cemetery.

"She won't do that, Booth. She knows what Parker means to you, and you to him," she stated firmly. He looked at her, brow furrowed, looking very much like a lost child. Brennan smiled weakly at him. "She won't, Booth." Booth sighed, regaining a little of his composure.

"Yeah, I know. It's just...the thought that she really could, you know, and I'd be basically helpless. I mean, look at me: single man, high-risk job, works long and unpredictable hours, no family in the area..." Booth looked away again, jaw clenched.

Brennan rubbed her thumb on his arm, sighing, at a loss as to what to say. She had no idea. She knew anything she said would be little consolation; she didn't know what he was going through because she didn't have children, or anyone else dependant on her. After about five minutes of silence, she settled on the logical, lawful side of the argument.

"You're going to have to call her, you know," she stated. Booth looked up at her, resignation on his face.

"Yeah," he breathed. "I know. I should do that now, really. Before she sicks the hounds on us," he deadpanned. Brennan smiled.

"The phone's on the bench over there," she said, nodding towards the kitchen. "I'll be here. Take your time," she said encouragingly. "I never use my home phone, anyway, so the phone company will be happy to finally be able to charge me something," she added as Booth began dialing. He chuckled, happy to be distracted as the phone rang.

Brennan heard only snippets of the conversation; "Parker...we're fine...not now...Rebecca, for the last time...please...Parker...Bones didn't know..." Brennan started as she heard her name. Figuring Booth must have been explaining where he was, she turned her attention back to the novel she'd found on the coffee table, Catch 22. After at least half an hour, Booth came back into the lounge room, looking extremely relieved, a smile on his face that he was probably not even aware of.

Brennan looked at him as he stopped about a metre away from the couch, staring at her. "What's the verdict?" she asked casually, knowing exactly what it had been, if his smile was any indication. Booth smiled wider.

"You're cute when you're reading," he stated simply, grinning. Brennan choked in surprise. Booth suddenly seemed to remember himself.

"What?" Brennan gasped. "Booth-"

"Sorry, I'm just happy!" Booth interrupted, before she could begin telling him off. "Rebecca finally saw my side of the argument, I suppose. Either that or you said something very persuading to her earlier..." he suggested, quirking an eyebrow. Brennan laughed.

"That's great, Booth, I'm happy for you. And no, I didn't say anything to her about you, because then I didn't know you were cowering in my apartment," she scoffed jokingly. Booth sat back down, pointing a finger at her.

"I'm not 'cowering', Bones. Men like me don't 'cower'." He paused for comedic effect. "We hide in a manly fashion," he finished, making Brennan laugh. After a little more banter and too much coffee, Booth turned to Brennan.

"Thanks, Bones. I don't mean to put you out, and I know how you like your privacy and all..." As he trailed off, Brennan waited, sensing that he wasn't finished. She was right, and he soon continued.

"I just...I didn't know where else to go. I got scared," he admitted, smiling a little. Brennan smiled warmly.

"It's okay, Booth. Really, I don't mind. Just..." Brennan trailed off, thinking. Booth looked at her curiously. He hoped she wasn't going to tell him to leave. Or ask me to vacuum, he thought sourly.

"Just what?" Booth asked, pulling her back into the conscious world. Brennan looked up, though carefully avoided Booth's eyes.

"Just where are we going to sleep?" Brennan finished, blushing lightly. Booth's face lit up, and Brennan looked at him, shocked.

"I have an idea about that!" Booth said a little too loudly. Brennan's stomach flitted; she hoped he was going to say what she thought he was, at the same time as hoping he wasn't. On the one hand, if he did, she knew she'd have to refuse, which would be near impossible, and might hurt him.

But if she agreed...she didn't even let herself go there. But if he didn't suggest that, then she knew deep down that she'd be disappointed.

Talk about your Catch 22's, she thought wryly, looking at the book in her hands. More like a catch 99. She finally realized that Booth was probably waiting for her attention, so she looked reluctantly at him.

Booth looked at her, as if weighing possibilities. "Well...actually, never mind. You decide," he said a little too quickly. Brennan looked at him, slightly shocked, slightly annoyed and very relieved.

"Why don't you go sleep with Parker, if that's okay, and I'll take the couch?" she suggested. It was truly a question; she was leaving it up to him. Booth looked torn.

"I don't want to put you out, Bones. I said earlier that you'll never know I'm even here...I don't want to take your bed!" he said quietly. Brennan rolled her eyes.

"Do you have a better suggestion? Parker's already asleep on my bed, anyway, Booth, it isn't like you're in the way," she amended, smiling to soften her words. And convince Booth. Brennan hoped this wasn't one of those times when he could see right through her.

"Are you sure? I can move-"

"Yes, I'm sure, Booth. Don't move him; he's in an unfamiliar place as it is, it would be hard for him to wake up in another different place. Trust me, it's not a good feeling to wake up and not know where you are," she added almost inaudibly. Booth nodded, not pushing the subject any further. He knew it was hard for her to talk about, and she'd only get mad at him.

This weekend was not going to be easy if she was mad at him. "Okay," he agreed finally. "But tomorrow night, I'm on the couch," he said, getting up. Brennan looked at him, stunned.

"Wait. Tomorrow night! Who said anything about tomorrow night?" Brennan asked a little louder than necessary. Booth only laughed in response as he disappeared down the hallway, irritating Brennan slightly. "Booth!"


So, what does everyone think of chapter two?