Brennan privately pondered the shift in her relationship with Booth throughout Parker's game. Booth, who was coaching, was busy shouting encouragement and direction and managing what seemed like several thousand little, blue-shirted boys in a very competent manner. But occasionally he would pause, stare at her in the stands with his eyes gleaming and a slow smile would spread across his face. Brennan felt his smile warming every cell in her body, although she knew it was simply her body's hormonal response to the promise that smile seemed to make, it felt like something more than anatomy and physiology courses could explain. She had a brief, irritating thought that it was probably something psychology courses discussed. "The human organism has a complex central and peripheral nervous system, which could explain any number of physical sensations and responses to stimuli." She murmured reassuringly to herself. The little boys in blue shirts were now bouncing and hopping exuberantly around Booth. He was tousling heads and gently pushing them toward one of the mothers who had snacks for them.
Booth glanced back at her again, grinning and mouthing "We won."
She smiled back at him supportively. Booth's team was now dispersing among the parents holding orange juice and granola bars. Booth made his way up to the small stand of bleachers where Brennan sat. He plopped down beside her and, as easily as he had always touched her, pulled her against him with one arm and lacing their fingers together in his lap.
"Congratulations on the win." Brennan said.
Booth chuckled. "Thanks, Bones. The Yankees got nothing on my Bobcats." He looked down into her face and his smile softened. He bent and caught her lips with his in a brief but firm kiss. She responded instantly. He pulled back dazedly and shook his head. "I gotta find my kid and…other things…before…" He stuttered to a stop when Brennan tugged his face back down to hers and pressed her lips fervently against his. Just as brief as the first, they pulled apart and Booth laughed. "You are hell on my priorities." He said.
"Reprioritize." Brennan said firmly.
"Ohhhkay, let's get going. Where's my kid? What's my kid's name?" Booth joked. He stood and called. "Hey, Parks, let's go buddy. Mom said that you're having lunch with your Grandma so I gotta get you back."
The little blond Booth stampeded back to his father with another small blond boy in tow. "We won, dad! This is Brandon." Parker crawled up the bleachers and plopped down against Brennan in a fair impression of his father. Brennan felt that something she always felt when Parker Booth drew close to her – some sort of opening up inside of her. She placed a gentle hand on his head and smiled up at Booth.
"Proud of you, Parks." Booth replied. His chest swelling as he watched his son cuddle against the woman he loved. "But, I already know Brandon, remember? I'm your coach."
"Meet Brandon's mom." Said a comfortably curvy blonde woman, hurrying up behind the boys. She was laughing. "I asked to meet you but couldn't keep up with these two. Normally Brandon's dad has him on Saturdays but this week…" She broke off with a shrug. "Anyway, I'm Trish, Brandon's mom. You're Seeley Booth, Brandon's coach." She shook Booth's hand. She turned to Brennan and shook her hand as well. "You must be Parker's mom. Trish Stein."
"No, I'm Doctor Temperance Brennan." Brennan said matter-of-factly. "Parker is Boo -…Seeley's son."
Booth rolled his eyes. "Trish, this is my girlfriend, Temperance."
"Doctor Bones is our girlfriend now." Parker piped.
Trish laughed. "I apologize, I just assumed. Anyway, just thought I'd introduce myself. It was nice to meet you, Seeley, Temperance."
"Thank you. It was a pleasure to meet you too, Trish." Booth replied. Brennan nodded.
Trish put a hand on her son's small shoulder and led him away murmuring "Doctor Bones?" to herself and laughing.
They dropped a bubbling Parker at Rebecca's apartment twenty minutes later. Rebecca smilingly listened with half an ear to her son's account of the game, while shrewdly watching her ex-boyfriend and his work partner. Something was different. Brennan asked to use the restroom and Rebecca pointed the direction then rounded on Booth.
"So what's going on, Seeley?" She asked.
"That's none of your business, Rebecca." Booth said firmly.
"It affects Parker, it's my business. Why is your partner going to our son's Little League games?"
"You know about my apartment. I'm staying with Bones until things are back in order. I invited her along today." Booth hedged.
Rebecca sighed. "I'm not stupid, Seeley." She said in a tone that held both exasperation and old affection. "Doctor Brennan is a good woman. And I'm not blind. You're in love with her. Is it serious?"
"Geez, I mean…it's just barely starting…" Booth said guardedly.
Rebecca raised her eyebrows wryly.
"It's serious." Booth said softly.
"Of course it is." Rebecca said gently. "You've been waiting around for her for the better part of a decade. Well, this may surprise you, but I'm happy for you. I like her and, God knows, Parker loves her." She smiled.
Booth gave a small smile. He shifted uncomfortably. Brennan returned to the room and, as usual, without sensing the emotional gravity in the room said "Let's go buy a bed."
Booth turned crimson. Rebecca snorted with laughter. Brennan looked confused.
"It was nice to see you again, Doctor Brennan." Rebecca said, recovering first.
"Thank you, Rebecca. You should call me Temperance." Brennan said politely, smiling.
"Thank you, Temperance. I'll see you next week?" Rebecca said, casting a sly glance at the still mute Booth.
"I don't know. We'll see." Brennan said, now starting to sense some undertones she didn't understand in the situation. Booth grabbed her hand and tugged her out the door.
"Bye, Rebecca." He said.
"Bye Seeley, bye Temperance." Rebecca replied, eyes still brimming with laughter.