Hey, everyone. Thanks to you who are reading and to those of you who added me to your updates! Don't be afraid to tell me what you think!
Also, sorry if these chapters seem like fillers. They kind of are, but not for long. =D
And yes, this was written when Cliff Lee pitched for the Phillies. =)
9-BrotherLee Love
Booth came out rubbing a towel on his wet hair and sat next to Brennan, who was watching the game while chewing her lip. He knew she was thinking. "What's the score, Bones?"
She glanced to the left corner of the screen. "One-nothing Phillies. Chase Utley hit a homerun," she said proudly.
"Hey, just like you," Booth said. Brennan nodded and turned back to the screen.
"There are still some things I don't understand," Brennan said hesitantly.
"OK, like what?"
"Well for one, how does the man behind the plate decide when the player is out?"
Booth chuckled. "That guy's called the umpire, and when you get three strikes you're out. If you get four balls before you get three strikes, you walk to first," he explained, trying to remember how he made Parker understand so he could explain it in the same way to Brennan. She nodded. Just then Derek Jeter grounded the ball to second and Chase Utley threw him out.
"How come he's out?"
"When the player tags the base with the ball before the runner gets to it, the runner's out. If not, the runner's safe." A lot more explaining went on as Brennan realized that the rules of baseball were very complicated.
"Alright, Bones, let's see what you've learned," Booth said after the game was over. Brennan looked at him and, although it was a simple challenge, he could see that she was taking it seriously and she was ready. "How many men on the field at once?"
"Nine."
"Right. Who was the starting pitcher tonight?"
"Cliff Lee."
"Good. Now…let's see…who's my favorite Phillie?"
She thought for a minute, then her eyes lit up. "No fair," she said softly. "You never told me."
He leaned closer. "Guess." They were in very close proximity as she thought.
"I don't know. Who's your favorite Phillie, Booth?"
"Uh, you know," he said in a low voice as he stared into her eyes. "Um, it's…um…." He was completely distracted by her and couldn't think of anything else. "Chase Utley!" he finally said in triumph. She nodded, as if accepting a fact.
"Did you ever want to be a baseball player, Booth?"
"Yeah, a little bit. Every boy does."
"Does Parker?"
"He loves baseball, but ever since you got him into science I don't think so," Booth laughed.
"I'm sorry." Brennan couldn't understand if Booth was genuinely happy or if he was actually disappointed that his son didn't harbor the dream of being a professional athlete.
"For what, Bones?"
"It must be difficult to see your child not be interested in something you are."
"Bones, no, that's not what I meant. Parker loves baseball, and I want him to do whatever he wants to do. Within the law, of course." Brennan realized, not for the first time, how caring and genuine a person Booth really was. "Tell you what," he said, interrupting her thoughts, "I have Parker this weekend, and we'll go see a Phillies game."
"Really?"
"Sure thing, Bones." They both grinned and settled back into the couch, at which point Booth awkwardly cleared his throat.
"Thanks for teaching me about baseball," she finally said as she lightly patted his knee.
Booth gulped. "No problem," he said a little shakily. He couldn't help thinking about what it would feel like to have that hand slide up a foot or so…
"Booth?"
"Huh? What? Sorry, Bones."
"I asked if you wanted a drink."
"Oh, yeah. I'll come with you." He got up blushing and tried to get his thoughts in order as he trailed his partner into the kitchen.
