Greenshade15 had an idea: I was wondering if you can write a story about Christine wanting a puppy and both Booth and Bones getting her one but the puppy ends up being Bones' dog. I was just watching the episode with Ripley and I wish they added a dog in the show. (Here is my twist on this idea. I hope you like it.)

Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews. They are music to my writer's soul.

I don't own Bones. I do own Lester and Brian, so at least something belongs to me.

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Brennan was in her office interviewing a new intern when Hodgins walked into her office carrying a puppy. Seeing the intern, Hodgins decided that he would not interrupt them and walked over to the couch and waited there.

Ignoring Hodgins and his canine companion, Brennan continued to talk to the young woman until she was satisfied that this intern would be suitable.

Standing, Brennan informed her new intern, "You may expect a letter from me with my decision in the next four days with a follow-up email after that."

Nickie Smith, the hopeful intern, smiled and quickly stood up. "Thank you Dr. Brennan."

Turning, Nickie left the office, smiling at Hodgins on the way out of the room.

Hodgins, watching Nickie enter the hallway, suddenly felt old. "Is it me or are your interns getting younger?"

Brennan shook her head and assured her friend. "No, Ms. Smith is 25 years of age. That is the average age of my interns."

Amused, Hodgins asked her, "Aren't you going to ask me why I have a dog in your office?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Brennan replied, "No. If you wish to tell me I'm sure you will."

Laughing, Hodgins stood up and stroked the puppy's head. "Me and Ange were talking it over and we decided that you and Booth need a dog at home right now. I remember you told me that Booth said that he might get Christine a dog some day and I thought since that psycho Combs is running loose it might be a good idea if you borrowed one of my puppies. You don't have to keep him. He's really good about letting you know if someone is outside the house, so if Combs comes around your house like he did Agent Brown's house then at least you'll know it. You can also use the opportunity to see if you really want a dog or not. We want you and Booth to keep the puppy until Combs is put away."

Grateful for Hodgins' kindness, Brennan walked over to where Hodgins was standing and took the puppy from his arms. Holding the puppy, Brennan stroked and massaged his neck and shoulders. "How old is the puppy now?"

Counting the months in his head, Hodgins replied, "He's five months old. You can give him a name if you want to. We've just been calling him puppy. He's half cocker spaniel and half terrier. I don't think he's going to get too big. Me and Ange rescued him and his sister from some idiot giving puppies away on the side of the road. We were afraid of what would happen to them if the owner didn't find a home for them."

Curious, Brennan continued to stroke the puppy much to the puppy's pleasure."Why haven't you given him a name yet?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Hodgins responded, "Ange and I are having a little disagreement about the puppies names. You know if you want to keep him, you can."

Not sure this puppy would do for Booth, Brennan sighed. "I do appreciate the offer, Jack, but I think Booth wants a bigger dog. I will borrow him for awhile though. As soon as Jeffrey Combs is incarcerated then I will give the puppy back to you."

Unconcerned, Hodgins reached over and patted the puppy on his little head. "Sounds like a plan. I'll let Angela know that your taking him for awhile."

Oooooooooooooooooooooo

That evening, after picking up Christine from Day Care, Booth walked over to the Lab, carrying Christine on his left arm, to see if Brennan was ready to go home. Entering her office, Booth saw Brennan sitting on her couch, holding a puppy.

Puzzled, Booth stopped and asked her, "Where'd the dog come from?"

Looking up, Brennan shifted the puppy so that he was firmly on her lap. "This puppy belongs to Hodgins. He wants us to borrow him while Jeffrey Combs is a free man. He said the puppy's acute hearing will be of value to us as he will warn us if anyone is outside our home. We can also use the opportunity to see if we really want a dog in our household."

Staring at the puppy, Booth worried that Brennan was already set on keeping the puppy. "That puppy looks small. What kind of dog is he?"

Her fingers stroking the puppy's ears, Brennan smiled as he yawned. "He is a mix of cocker spaniel and terrier."

Booth stared at Brennan and slowly shook his head. "You do know there is no such thing as borrowing a puppy. Once we have him we're going to get attached to him or Christine is going get attached to him and we won't be able to give him back."

Her smile rather sly, Brennan moved her fingers to the sleepy puppy's front paws and kneeded them. "Yes, I know."

Booth remembering Ripley and how attached Brennan had become to the dog before losing him, decided to leave it up her. "It's up to you. If we keep him, he's your dog not mine. Just so you know that. I don't want a dog, so don't expect me to take care of him either. I think Christine is too young to own a dog, so this is all on you. If you want the dog then he has to be yours."

Aware of Booth's possible motives, Brennan nodded her head, "Yes, if we keep him then he will be my dog. . . I was thinking of calling him Ripley."

Resigned, Booth smiled, 'Of course."

Looking towards the doorway, Booth informed her, "Lester is waiting at the Lab entrance. If you're ready to go home, I'll go home with you. If you're not ready, Lester will take me and Christine home."

Her gaze moving to her watch, Brennan stood up and moved towards Booth. "I have a meeting in twenty minutes. It would be better if Lester takes you and Christine home. Will you take Ripley home with you too?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Booth shifted Christine a little on his left arm and replied, "You'll have to carry the dog out to where Lester is and give him to Lester to carry out to the truck. I'm sure Lester won't mind."

Ooooooooooooooooooooo

After Christine was placed in her seat in the truck, Booth got into the passenger side of the truck and waited for Lester to hand him the puppy.

Lester handing the young dog over to Booth, asked him, "Do you have any dog food at home?"

Shaking his head, Booth replied, "Nope, I guess we need to stop at the store and see about buying some."

Closing his eyes momentarily, Lester muttered, "Great. I just love shopping with you."

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A fluffy chapter.