Note: This is what I had in mind when I started this series.

Characters: Booth and Stephanie

Disclaimer: I don't own them

Brennan walked into the restaurant and looked around for Max. She was early, and it was a surprise to see him already seated at a table across the room. As she walked closer, she noticed that Max wasn't alone. Sitting beside him, their hands clasped together on the table, was a pleasant-looking older woman.

Her steps slowed as she walked closer. Finally, she drew to a stop beside her father. Max stood and threw his arms around her as Brennan stood there, arms at her sides. "Honey! It's so good to see you. I'd like you to meet Maxine. We met at a Computers For Seniors class.

Brennan's brow furrowed. "But Dad, you're very familiar with computers."

Max smiled at her as he sat down. "That's why I was teaching the class, honey."

Brennan hung her bag over the back of her chair and sat down. "But isn't that unethical? The teacher dating a student?"

Maxine spoke up. "No, dear, it's just a community interest class. And I very much enjoyed it." She and Max exchanged a besotted look while Brennan's mind raced, trying to process the idea of her father with a girlfriend. Needing some emotional space, she picked up her menu and pretended to be engrossed in it.

Their server was attentive and luckily their food arrived quickly. As they ate, Brennan forced herself to make stilted conversation with her father and his date.

Despite the best efforts of all three of them, it was a relief when dinner was over and their cheque arrived. Brennan insisted on paying, then said goodnight, claiming that work was waiting for her at home.

However, when she got home, she didn't work. Instead, she sat on her couch, a glass of wine in her hand, mentally reviewing memories from her childhood – her mom reading her a story, her dad showing her what happened when they vinegar with baking soda, her parents cuddled together on the couch late at night.

Finally, Brennan got up and went to bed. It took her a long time to fall asleep and, when she did, she woke almost every hour, finally falling into a deep sleep just before the alarm went off.

Exhausted, she dragged herself out of bed. She trudged through her morning routine and went to work. It was going to be a long day.

* * *

Booth had just turned his computer off and had his keys in his hand when Caroline bustled into his office.

"Good afternoon, Booth. I need the Patel case file."

Booth glanced over at the pile of case files sitting on his desk.

"Can it wait until tomorrow, Caroline? I was just leaving for the night."

"Can it wait? Do you think I'm here because I need to see your pretty face? Of course it can't wait."

Booth tossed his keys down on the desk and started thumbing through the case files. He was almost at the bottom of the pile when he remembered – that case file was still with Brennan at the Jeffersonian.

"I'm sorry, Caroline, Bones has that file."

"Well go over there and get it, cherie. It's important."

Booth picked up his keys, giving up on the idea of going home to shower, shave, and change clothes before his date. If he made it to the Jeffersonian and back in 45 minutes, he'd be at the restaurant on time.

Traffic was heavy, but he still managed to make it to the Jeffersonian in fifteen minutes. He parked outside the employee entrance, lights flashing, and practically raced to the Medico-Legal lab. He found Brennan working on the computer in her office.

"Hi Bones, how are you doing?"

She looked over at him as he stood at the doorway. "I'm fine, Booth."

Booth could tell that something was bothering her, but he knew he didn't have much time. Making a mental note to ask her about it later, he said, "Caroline needs the Patel file."

Brennan turned away from him and picked up the file sitting on the desk, then stood and walked towards him. "Here you go, Booth."

Relieved that she had been able to locate it so quickly, Booth took the file. "Thanks, Bones, you've saved my life with Caroline!"

Brennan reached out and put her hand on his arm, a hopeful smile on her face. "Hey Booth, I'm pretty much done here. Do you want to meet at the diner for dinner after you get the file to Caroline?"

"I'm sorry, Bones, I have dinner plans tonight. I'll see you tomorrow, OK?"

Booth turned and rushed back to his car, trying to forget the look of pain on his partner's face.

* * *

Booth couldn't remember the last time he had been on a first date.

There had been a time when it had been easy for him to meet women. He had dated regularly. He had been in long term relationships. Over the last few years, that had faded away to be replaced by spending time with a woman he wouldn't let himself touch. After his surgery, he had been so sure that he loved Brennan – but everyone they knew seemed to think he needed to give it time, so he waited. As he did, he realized that they were right. Brennan trusted him implicitly. If he was wrong about his feelings, he could destroy her.

Despite how close he felt to Brennan, she wasn't there when he got home at the end of a long day. She wasn't there when he woke up in the morning. He couldn't plan a romantic getaway with her or argue about whose turn it was to take out the garbage.

Friday night, there had been a going away party for another agent who had quit his job to move to Australia. It was a big gathering full of colleagues, friends and family. Stephanie had been there, and Booth had enjoyed talking and flirting with her. At the end of the evening, he had asked her to have dinner with him.

As he pulled into a parking space, he wondered if he had made a mistake. He took a deep breath before walking through the door with a minute to spare. Stephanie was waiting for him in the vestibule.

Before long, they were seated around a cozy table. The dim lighting helped add to the intimate atmosphere.

To Booth's relief, the conversation was easy and engaging. They ordered their meals and, as they did, Booth noticed that she was ordering a dish with meat in it.

Their food arrived and, as they ate, they discussed the latest movies and TV shows. Several times, Booth found himself surprised that Stephanie understood his comments without needing them to be explained.

Eventually, the waiter brought the bill. Booth reached for it, saying "My treat." He was surprised again when she just smiled and said "Thank you" without arguing.

They stood and walked out of the restaurant together. When they reached Stephanie's car, she smiled at him and said, "You know, there's a great pastry shop down the street. Why don't we go there for dessert?"

Booth looked at her but all he could see was the hopeful smile on Brennan's face when she asked him to dinner – and the hurt look when he turned her down.

His hand reached into his pocket for his keys as he said, "I've had a nice time, Stephanie, and you're great – but I have to go. I'm sorry."

He was in his car and out of the parking lot before she was able to move.

Hmm. Booth should turn around and go back, right? If you disagree, feel free to drop me a review and let me know. :)