If there was ever a chapter that you could probably skip of this story, it would be this one. I think it's cute and romantic but it's definitely a filler romantic chapter versus an action, driving the plot kind of chapter.

After dinner, most of the family left to their respective homes. This only left Bones, Annie, Emily and Paul who sat around the living room talking. Leonard was shocked at how easily Annie seemed to have slipped into the group. He tightened his arm that he currently had around her shoulders and she leaned into him.

"Alright, alright," his mother said suddenly, causing everyone to quiet down. "I think it's time we find out how right for each other these two truly are." Annie felt Bones tense.

"Ma, we really don't have to. No one passes that test you've made up," he insisted. Annie looked in confusion from Leonard to Emily and back.

"Oh hush, it's your grandmother's tradition and you did give that girl your grandfather's ring," she insisted. Annie unconsciously began to twist the ring on her finger.

"I don't mind," she said aloud. Leonard looked at her. "I don't believe in no-win scenarios," she quoted. Bones drew in a deep breath and sighed.

"Wonderful," Emily replied. "Well Annie, the game is simple. There are three questions: two firsts and a last. You have to use as much detail as possible and obviously you can't lie. Naturally, Leonard has to answer them, too. Sound good?" Annie nodded. "Well, alright then. Question One: the first time you met Lenny, what was the first thing you noticed?"

Annie almost laughed aloud. It was a day she would never forget.

"Well, he looked embarrassed. He had just run into me in the quad and he was bending over to pick up my papers. Then he was surprised when the papers flew out of his hands and confused when he realized I had done it," she said.

Bones relaxed a little. He knew his mom would accept that but he was shocked when she didn't stop.

"He had his medical book and notebook in his right hand. His knuckles were white because he was gripping them so tightly. And his hair was just slightly disheveled almost as if he had run his hand through it in boredom during a class. His red uniform was perfectly pressed but he looked like he hadn't shaved in a few days and when he apologized, his brown eyes twinkled with sincerity and concern. That was the first thing I noticed."

"Well I'll be, that was mighty impressive, Leonard do you care to answer back?" Paul asked. Bones was still in a bit of shock but he swallowed shallowly and began.

"The first thing I noticed was how small she was. She was almost six inches shorter than me and tiny as all get out. She looked frightened of everything and embarrassed. And then, when the papers and books flew back to her, she didn't look proud of herself like I thought she would. She looked shy and the way she stared away from us made her look even smaller," he answered.

Annie couldn't help but nod knowing how nervous and shy she had felt that day. Leonard looked down at her leaning against his side.

"But she was beautiful." Annie looked up at him. "She had her curly hair pulled back away from her face but a few strands still lingered out of sort and although she looked nervous, her eyes looked determined and friendly."

Emily looked knowingly at Paul and cleared her throat, causing Leonard and Annie to stop staring at each other and look at her.

"Alright Lenny, question two: the first time you realized you were in love with her, what were you doing?" She asked.

"I was standing in the medical bay of the Enterprise. It was the first actual mission we had ever gone on and I had just finished dragging one of the cadets that was having a reaction to a vaccine onto a bed. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her wince, only slightly, and grab onto the nearest stable object. I rushed over to check on her and her eyes didn't immediately focus. I got so worried about her in that one moment that I realized that it wasn't just because she was my friend but because I loved her and I couldn't let anything happen to her," he responded.

"Annie?" Paul inquired. "What were you doing when you first realized you were in love with Leonard?"

"It was May of our first year at the Academy. I had been in exams all day and I hadn't eaten or slept for longer than twenty four hours. I was so tired that I wasn't sure I would make it back to the dorms," she began. Leonard tried to remember what she was referring to. He didn't recall her looking run down and it seemed like such an ordinary day for her to pick. "But I remembered that Len had his clinical that ended right about the time I was getting out so I trudged over to the medical building. He looked tired so I pretended to be well rested to cheer him up and I realized I wouldn't put so much effort into just anyone. I was doing it because I already had fallen in love with him."

Leonard was shocked once again. Of course he remembered that day now. He had been up late studying and although the clinical had gone well, he felt like he had drained all of his energy out of him. She had practically skipped up to him and listened as he told her all about the clinical. It had been hours before they finally went their separate ways. He realized now that she must have been exhausted.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked. Annie chuckled and shrugged.

"You needed a pick-me-up," she said plainly and he kissed her.

"Alright you two, last round," Emily interrupted. "We already know Lenny's answer so this one's for you, Annabelle. Think carefully now. Which lasts forever: Beauty, Strength or Love?"

Annie took a moment to think. The answer seemed simple in her mind but she realized they wanted her and Bones to answer the same. She considered choosing the answer he might pick but remembered Emily's warning not to lie.

"Beauty," she answered drawing shocked expressions from the family members. "Love can fade. Strength can fade. Beauty changes but it doesn't fade. A flower bud is beautiful because of its youth, a flower because of its vibrance and even when it wilts, it's still a beautiful creation for a creature who wants to eat it," she explained. She waited for a moment but no one spoke. She looked up a Leonard who seemed to be deep in thought.

"Well, Lenny, I have to say, I never thought I'd see the day," Emily finally said. "But your little lady here finally passed the test!" Emily ran over and hugged her causing Annie to stand up off the couch. Paul hugged her next.

Finally, Leonard seemed to stop thinking and look at her. Annie took a seat again, this time facing him.

"Should I ask what you're thinking?" She joked a little as she asked. He reached out and took her hand in his.

"You never cease to amaze me," he muttered incredulously. Emily giggled a little.

"Lord knows we never expected anyone to live up to Lenny's expectation. Theresa couldn't remember where she met him let alone get to question three!" She exclaimed causing Leonard to tense. "Wasn't she a ride on the Tilt-O-Whirl?" Bones looked over at his mother.

"I thought you loved Theresa. You were all so angry when the divorce went through," he thought aloud.

"Oh heavens, we weren't mad at you for that! We were mad because we'd miss Joanna and then you decided to run off to Starfleet instead of fight for your little girl. That's why we were mad!" Emily answered.

"Ma, it wasn't like I could kidnap her. Theresa's family has always been better off and her choice of lawyer was a prime example of it," he grumbled in response. Emily moved over to her son.

"Of course we know that now. But can you blame us for being upset when you just disappeared to join Starfleet?" She asked. Leonard thought for a moment before shaking his head. "But it all worked out didn't it? Because now you have her," she said nodding to Annie. "And her I will be upset if you let go of." And she left the room.