Day 12: Video games rot your brain.

"You're cheating."

"What? How am I cheating? You're the trained sniper."

"That has nothing to do with this! And I don't know. I don't know how, but you are. Damn it!"

Booth threw his controller onto the coffee table as Brennan killed off his character in a hail of overambitious gunfire and ungracious laughter.

"That's two games for me, Booth."

"I know, Bones."

"You've only won one."

"I'm aware of the score, okay?"

One week ago, Booth had left Brennan and Parker alone together. For two hours. He had come home to Brennan gleefully perusing the various high powered arsenals in Parker's latest video game, under the eager encouragement of his son. Two hours. In two hours, Parker had managed to reawaken every dormant bit of gun lust residing in her and successfully turned her into a raging killing machine.

"I'm very good at this."

"Stop it."

"What? I am."

"Can we do something else now?"

"But I'm enjoying this."

"I'm going to kill Parker," Booth muttered. "What the hell was he thinking."

"We were bonding, Booth. I thought you would be happy."

"I'm never happy when you're waving around a loaded gun, Bones. Never."

Brennan leaned over to playfully kiss his cheek, and then in a series of rapidly tapped movements, Booth's character was blown to pieces again.

"No! Come on!"

Booth's protest mixed with Brennan's victorious laughter. "Three. I've won three now."

"I wasn't even paying attention that time."

"I believe that's not in any way my problem."

"Video games rot your brain, you know. Hasn't anyone ever told you that before?"

"That sounds less than scientific, but it would explain why I'm doing so much better than you. You've been playing these games for a very long time."

"Funny. That's funny, Bones."

"I thought so."

She laughed again and Booth fought against his own smile. "Did Parker teach you how to do this?"

"Do what? No! Booth, that's not fair."

It was her turn to protest while Booth loudly celebrated his triumph. "Not bad, huh?"

"Show me," Brennan demanded.

"Not a chance."

"I would like to stop playing now."

"As soon as I start catching up to you. That's awful convenient."

"Video games rot your brain, Booth. I have your best interests in mind."

"Pick up the damn controller, Bones. We're just getting started."