Phil Boyce sat opposite his old friend Chris Pike in the booth of the higher end diner they had met in. It hadn't started off very cordial, given how Phil had had to read his friend the riot act over his treatment of Leonard, but once they'd got that out of the way, talk had turned to reminiscing and catching up, with much careful avoidance of the awkward topic until Chris admitted Jenna had been avoiding him ever since Friday night.

"Can't say as I blame her," Phil said bluntly. "What you did was not in the bounds of your duties, friend of the family or not."

"You didn't see her after the break up, Phil," Chris weakly defended. "She was a wreck."

"Leonard was too, in his own way," Phil sighed. "He never told me much, but putting the pieces together, he acted even more reclusive during that same time. Did you see the way her eyes lit up at the sight of him? Doesn't look like his presence really disturbed her at all."

"No, it sure didn't," Chris admitted, running a hand through his wavy gray locks. "And That freaked me out. Phil, I'm terrified. I don't want her getting hurt again and worse—it happening publicly, if the media would get word of them."

"How do you know he's going to hurt her?" Phil asked bluntly. "People grow over time. I can tell you honestly, I think Len's really ready to try again. I know, you love her like she's your own daughter, but every dad has to learn to let go eventually. Jenna's an adult and you've got to let her make her own choices. Stop projecting your own bad luck in the romance area on her."

Chris glared for a brief moment, but the truth of what Phil was saying finally sank in, and he deflated.

"Sometimes I really hate you, Phil," he grunted. "You know me too well. I suppose I owe her an apology."

"And Leonard, too," Phil reminded him. "Better yet, you should come down to San Fran sometime and attempt to get to know the man. You'd like him if you'd just give him a chance."

"I'll think about it," was all Chris said, but inside he knew he would probably end up doing just that. First off, he needed to talk to Jenna.

Jenna, meanwhile, was giggling over Bones's funny anecdotes in between the shameless "eye-sexing", as Gaila would put it. The chemistry they'd had was definitely still there after five years and Jenna was had no intention of resisting it. She realized just why she hadn't had any other serious boyfriends since Bones—no one could measure up to him.

"So, how do you handle all this fame and celebrity?" He asked suddenly. "It must get old not being able to go out for a drink without paparazzi tracking your every move."

"Yeah, but I knew what I was signing up for when I chose this life," Jenna said frankly. "I have strong support from my family and friends that keeps me grounded and sane; also, a very good security system. I don't do stupid stuff to give the tabloids any fodder. Goodness knows they love to spread enough garbage as it is."

"I bet your guard dog manager helps scare them away too," Leonard commented. "He looked ready to damn me to the fiery pits of hell last night."

Jenna groaned and laid her head on the table for a minute, shaking her head and trying not to laugh.

"That's Chris for you. He's normally not that bad. Once he realizes I'm not backing down on us, he'll get used to it."

"If you say so," Bones said skeptically.

Jenna couldn't blame him. Chris had been ridiculous. He'd just have to get used to her and Bones being an item. There was no way around it.

"I told my mom about you," she said finally.

Bones's awesome eyebrows went up.

"Oh? What did she say?"

"She hopes she'll get to meet you sometime. Her only concern is how you'd handle the publicity if we became a couple and it went public."

"Welp, that's a good point. I'd just have to rely on your expertise and soothing company to keep me sane. But I don't know how that would all work anyway—seeing each other with our distance and schedules."

"Now, now, Bones," She chided. "Where there's a will there's a way! You're not nearly as far away as you were. We'll figure this out."

"I sure hope so, because we have a lot of catching up to do."

He said this with just the barest hint of suggestion in it along with an eyebrow wiggle and Jenna was reminded of those lazy days on the beach when he'd whisper stuff that would make her blush and she'd respond by kissing him in random places which would have him going red in turn. Ah, those were the days.

Bones asked her about what she'd been up to in the last five years and she talked about her recent projects and passions. Time went quickly as they chatted, only interrupted by the buzz of Bones's phone.

"That's Phil," he announced, after a quick glance. "He says they're on their way back here. Chris picked him up. You'd better scram if you want to avoid another scene."

Jenna sighed, beginning to gather her things. She didn't want to go, but Bones needed to get ready to go home and she really didn't need another Chris hissy fit right now.

For a few moments, they just stood and stared at each other, reluctant to say good bye.

Finally Jenna stepped forward and embraced Bones, resting her head in the exact spot she used to do when they cuddled on the beach.

"Take care, Bones," She said, thrilling that he still smelled the same. "I'll be in touch."

"You too, Jen," he said, hugging her back. "So Glad I listened to Phil instead of being a stubborn mule. May have to come back again. You're just too pretty and charming to stay away from."

"I'll be eagerly anticipating such a day," Jenna whispered, reluctantly letting go of him and donning her hat and sunglasses again. "G'Bye!"

With a wave, she left the restaurant and Leonard heaved a sigh and headed back upstairs. Yep, he could not help but be head over heels for that woman, that much was sure.