12-Love Means Nothing

Parker was setting the table while Booth and Brennan made French toast in the kitchen. "Bones, I-" he started, but was cut off by Brennan's ringing cell phone.

"Brennan," she answered. "OK, sounds great. Sure, seven. Bye, Ange." She turned to Booth. "Angela wants us to go over Hodgins' tonight. They just got the Wii, whatever that is."

"Seriously?" Booth asked.

"Yes, Booth, I'm quite serious."

"No, Bones, I mean you don't know what the Wii is?" She shot him a look. "It's a videogame system, but it's…it's amazing. Wireless controllers and everything!"

"Sounds fun," she replied. "Would you like to go with me?"

"Yes, Bones. I would love to go with you." They finished the French toast, and between Parker's chatter and the excitement of going to Hodgins', they had completely forgotten to talk. Or so they thought.

Brennan went home to change and Booth dropped Parker off and got ready for the night. He picked Brennan up at 6:30 and headed to Hodgins'.

"Alright, everyone's here!" Hodgins said excitedly as everyone gathered in the living room. "The game is Wii Tennis and the teams are guys versus girls. Angela and I will demonstrate."

"You better be ready, Hodgie," Angela warned playfully.

Although neither were particularly athletic Hodgins won easily with Angela promising to get him back in a rematch. Next up were Cam and Wendell, and the guys were confident they would win it with the intern.

The girls cheered loudly for Cam, the cheers growing louder as it became 30-0 Cam. Cam scored again, making it 40-0. "Match point," the game sounded, and Cam served a smoking shot that Wendell couldn't return.

"Nice ace, Cam!" Angela shouted as the girls high-fived. The guys had won one game as had the girls. "Come on, sweetie, you got this," Angela encouraged as Brennan took the controller.

"Come on, Booth. Man code," Hodgins said.

Both took a deep breath and started the game. Booth served and Brennan returned, but Booth scored the first point. "15-love," the game said. Booth scored the next point and it became 30-0.

"You got it, Booth!" the guys shouted, feeling confident.

Brennan came back and scored twice in a row. The girls cheered wildly as the guys prayed. Booth scored the next point and the guys jumped up and down.

"It's not over yet, boys," Angela reminded them.

Brennan scored and the girls cheered. "Deuce," the game said. Booth swallowed and raised his arm to serve. Brennan scored and the guys sank farther back into the couch. "Advantage: front team."

"Ah, sweetie, you're gonna win!" Angela shouted.

"It's not over yet," Hodgins remarked snidely.

After a long volley Booth scored and it was back to deuce. Cheers rang out as all contestants were on the edge of their seat, watching the contest while holding their breath. Booth gained the advantage, only to have Brennan bring it back to deuce.

"This is why if they ever had sex, it'd be hot," Angela whispered to Cam, who nodded.

After another ten minutes it was deuce again. "What is this, like the ninth time?" Hodgins asked.

"Don't listen to him, sweetie," Angela told her best friend. She and Hodgins shared a glare as Booth served.

"Advantage: front team."

"Woo-hoo!" Angela cheered.

Booth took a deep breath and served. Brennan whacked a forehand which Booth countered with a backhand. Brennan then smacked a Roger Federer-like slice that Booth just missed. Brennan's jaw dropped in amusement and Angela and Cam cheered and swarmed around Brennan, hugging her and babbling while Hodgins and Wendell slapped Booth on the back and offered their support.

The crowd eventually moved away from the pair and everyone was talking excitedly around the couch. Booth grabbed Brennan's wrist and pulled her to within a foot of him. He leaned close to her ear and she had to fight to keep her eyes open and not let his presence overwhelm her. "Good game, Bones," he rumbled, and she shivered. Her wide eyes met his confident ones, but in a flash he had moved away. They seriously needed to talk.