Author's Note: Wow, my reviewers are simply amazing. I read your reviews and I just about die of happiness. Seriously, every single one of you makes my day. Even those that just drop one word. It's perfect. Now, I usually won't update this soon (I know, "this is soon?", but I do have school to worry about), but in honor of the coinciding events of my seventeenth birthday and the day Bones returns to TV, I wanted to give you something. So please read, enjoy, and leave me a little something.

Okay, I know this is a long note, but I have just one more thing. I'm kind of a dork, so I posted this last night, remembered I wanted to save it for the morning, and took it down. Well, the website still told people I had posted, so some of you are getting updates back to back. Sorry for any confusion. Now I'm done. Enjoy!

No Exception

Chapter Three

Their relationship was unconventional at best. They worked together and argued ninety percent of the time. Each knew how to push the other's buttons and succeeded at it quite often. Yet even through all of their frustration, they had the utmost respect for one another. It also helped that they felt the other was attractive. Like opposite ends of magnets, they came together.

Booth showed up at the Jeffersonian around nine one morning with Brennan at his heels. The way their conversation flowed told Angela that they had not just run into each other at the door. She did nothing to hide her satisfied grin.

"I'm telling you, Bones, dinner at a restaurant that requires one to dress up is not a bad thing," he said, pausing his footsteps to look over his shoulder.

"I don't see the point. We always go out right after work. Do you expect me to change in the restaurant's bathroom?"

"Absolutely not. I expect you to not be working. I expect you to be at home getting all primped, or whatever it is you girls do. I expect you to be waiting for me to come pick you up."

"Booth, I never take a day off."

"I've noticed." He frowned and turned to face her completely. "I was hoping maybe you'd start to change."

"I have a job Booth. It has its demands."

"Believe me, I understand job demands. I work for the FBI. But, Bones, you've got to let your hair down once in awhile and let me take you out."

She opened her mouth, perhaps to say something about her hair already being down, but he jumped in before she could speak.

"You took a break for David." It was a low blow, one that he probably shouldn't have used, but she was stepping all over his mood.

Her brow furrowed and her lips pursed. He stared hard at her, never taking a break to blink. A few paces behind them, Angela watched on in amusement. Brennan appeared to be folding, but suddenly her eyes sparked a devilish look.

"Fine, Booth. If I can get Cam to give me the day off to go out to dinner with you, I'll go." She cocked her head slightly, acknowledging her victory and sauntered off to her office.

Booth exhaled through his mouth and glanced at Angela who had a sympathetic look on her face. He checked to make sure no one else was round and mouthed "talk to her" to the artist.

She nodded and waved before heading deeper into the building.

Booth stayed just a moment longer, hoping maybe Brennan had changed her mind, but soon found himself retreating into the morning light.

Angela found her best friend typing speedily on the computer. The woman had gone straight to work without even opening the curtains. Angela scurried over to let in the sunshine.

"He was just trying to be nice," she said.

"I'm aware of that. To the contrary of what it may seem, I know Booth fairly well."

"Then why'd you blow him off? The man wants to spend money on you. Any reasonable girl would jump at that."

"I'm also aware of that. Look, Ange, you can't tell him, but I've already got a day off. For once I'd like to be the one who plans things without him knowing."

"And to think the two of you didn't get together sooner." Angela chuckled and left her friend to sort through e-mails.

Booth spent much of his day completing overdue paperwork. It was a tedious job, but one that had to be done. He checked out at three, hoping to catch the last half of a good basketball game. His answering machine was blinking when he arrived home.

"Hi, Seeley. You probably don't recognize my voice. It's been years since we talked, but—"

She was wrong. He did recognize her voice. In fact, it was unlikely that he'd ever forget it.

"—it's Katie."

Katie Haas. The one girl he'd actually liked in his pre-war days. Sure, he'd dated others, but she was, well, special.

"You know, the girl that couldn't help but make googly eyes at the boy who loved his guns."

They'd been quite the duo. More than once after they broke it off he'd realized that if they'd been living in the forties, he probably would've married her.

"Listen, I'm going to be in town in a few days, so maybe we can catch up. What do you think?" She rattled off her phone number and said good-bye.

He replayed the message once more, trying to get a sense of her tone. He found a pen and some sticky-notes in the kitchen drawer and scrawled down her number. He stuck it to the fridge and retired to his couch.

The next evening, Dr. Brennan exited the Jeffersonian sooner than she had in many years. She supposed it was the hidden girl in her that made her want to surprise Booth. She figured he'd be excited enough for them to enjoy a nice dinner. She'd even beg him to let her pay, though she was almost sure he'd refuse.

She strolled into his office with a big smile. "Hey, Booth. I was thinking…" she stopped when she noticed he was on the phone.

He waved her in and continued his conversation. "It won't be a problem. We've done fine for this long." He listened to the person on the other end, but tossed Brennan a quick grin.

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"You know I'd let you all stay at my place, Katie, but we'd be too crowded. No, he's with his mother. It's my girl." He winked at the woman in the chair, who shifted once more.

"Cute, Katie. Look, I've got to go, but I'll see you tomorrow." He replaced the receiver and looked at his companion. "This is a nice surprise, Bones."

"I thought maybe you'd want to get some dinner."

"Of course, but it's only five-thirty."

She rose. "Oh, well, if you're not ready, I can always come back later."

He crossed to her and rested his hand on her shoulder. "Hey, hey, relax. I'm just stunned you got off this early. Don't get me wrong; it's a good thing."

"Good." She smiled and allowed him to place a hand on her back as they exited. They reached his car when she asked, "Who was that on the phone?"

He averted his glance and unlocked the doors. "She's an old friend."

"Must be a good one; you were going to let her stay with you."

"I'd do that for just about anyone, but I didn't want to make you uncomfortable. You know, three strange people staying where you sleep occasionally can't be all that fun."

"You didn't have to do that. I can sleep at my apartment while they're visiting. I don't want to be in the way."

"Bones, we're more than work partners now, so I'm going to think of you first."

She picked up on a playful vibe in the air and buckled her seatbelt. "When has it ever been different?"

He slipped on his shades. "Okay, you're sleeping on the couch." He smiled at her laughing response, and was glad that the subject had been changed. The last thing he needed was for all the women in his life to clash. Katie Haas was bound to throw a wrench in the whole process anyway.

More to come! I promise. Now please review as a special birthday treat to me. And of course, to get those Booth-filled dreams. This was unbetaed, as always, so just let me know how to fix those mistakes. Thanks so much.