The skeleton of this chapter was written before the February challenge came up. I thought I'd spruce it up abit and post a chapter before I got to packing.

Thank yous to those who read and reviewed my previous chapter which was posted quite some time ago. Lauwy, 554Laura, angelena76, LoveShipper, MstgSzy, mphs95, FaithinBones, regbride12, GalaxieGurl, Mel1592.

Shotgun

Brennan slid the pan containing her lasagne into the oven, closing the oven door. She had remembered to add extra cottage cheese and bechamel, the only way her husband could enjoy her vege-only version of a meat dish he loved. She set the timer and satisfied with her handiwork, straightened herself, stretching her back. She made her way to the fridge and retrieved a cold bottle of water. Twisting the cap, she was grateful for the cool liquid that slid down her throat.

"Need any help with that dip?" Aubrey asked as he entered the kitchen, intending to replenish his supply of snacks and beer.

"Thank you for your offer of help, but I think I can manage on my own."

"Yeah you shouldn't let him help. I like your dip way better than his." Booth said as he too entered the kitchen.

"The game is over already?" Brennan asked.

"No, it hasn't even started Bones." Booth replied. "We were just watching pre-game stuff."

"Thanks again for inviting me over for Sunday dinner." Aubrey said as he opened the fridge door.

"Yeah isn't the first time Aubrey. And you do remember why I invited you over specifically today right?"

"Yeah, of course."

Brennan gave the two men a quizzical look.

Booth cleared his throat. "So Bones, I was thinkin' I need to get myself a shotgun."

"Doesn't the FBI provide you with all the weapons you need?"

"They do."

"And don't you already have a shotgun with your other tactical gear in the back of your truck?"

"He does." Aubrey said as he munched on a nacho. "I think Booth means one for home."

"For home?" Brennan asked. "Why?"

"I mean just in case. I'd keep it away from the kids of course."

"In case of what?" Brennan asked slightly alarmed. She remembered the weapons Booth had kept hidden from her in their old house. She remembered the C4 in their garage that she knew nothing about.

"Oh hey, don't worry Bones. It's not what you think."

"Booth's not off his rocker if that's what you're worried about." Aubrey added as he took a swig from his beer bottle.

"I'll be right back." Booth said as he left the kitchen. Brennan cast Aubrey a puzzled look. Aubrey shrugged, turning his attention back to the bowl of nachos.

Booth returned shortly, placing his service weapon which he had retrieved from his gun safe on the kitchen counter.

"What are you doing Booth?" Brennan asked. "Are you needed back at the office?"

Booth shook his head. "Nah. Just thought I'd take this out and clean it. I haven't cleaned it in awhile anyway. Can't have it jam in the middle of a firefight, right Aubrey?"

"It is always important to clean your gun."

Brennan watched as Booth swiftly took apart his gun in a few well-rehearsed movements, laying out its parts along with the gun cleaning kit on the counter. And then her brilliant brain connected the dots.

"Booth!" She glared at her husband.

"What? Don't worry, I'm not gonna do anything stupid, just cleaning my gun."

"Booth you promised."

"I don't know what you're talkin' about."

At that moment, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it." Aubrey said.

Brennan warned. "Booth. Behave."

Booth gave his wife his best charm smile. She could hear Aubrey introducing himself as he ushered their guest in. "I'm FBI Supervisory Special Agent James Aubrey. Christine's Dad's FBI partner."

Aubrey re-entered the kitchen, a teenage boy following shyly behind him.

"Look who was at the door guys. This is Jonas. Christine's date."

"Uh it's Jonah, Sir."

"Jonah, of course." Aubrey chuckled.

"So you're Jonah." Booth said, stretching out his arm to offer a handshake. "Nice to finally meet you."

Booth clasped Jonah's hand firmly in his, applying just enough pressure to make the teen wince before releasing him.

"Nice firm handshake. I like that." Booth nodded.

"Christine has told us so much about you." Brennan quickly added, smiling warmly at him. "She's in her room, I'll go get her." She gave Booth a meaningful glare.

"So Jonah," Booth continued as he slowly re-assembled his gun. "You must know that it's my fatherly duty to tell you that if you do anything to upset or hurt my little girl…"

Booth flexed his arm as he pushed the gun's magazine back in place with great flourish. The click sound it made seemed to resound through the kitchen . The sleeve of his t-shirt that fit snugly round his bicep accentuated the well-defined muscle.

"Booth's a great shot. He was a sniper with the Rangers before he joined the FBI." Aubrey added as casually slung his arm round Jonah's shoulder. "You know Christine's like a niece to me. I'd hate to see her upset."

Before Jonah could say another word, Booth continued.

"You'd remember to be nothing but a gentleman okay Jonah?" he asked rhetorically as he placed his gun with more force than necessary back on the counter.

"Yes Sir Mr Booth."

"Nacho?" Aubrey asked innocently, offering the teenager the bowl of nachos.

"No, thank you Sir."

Booth had to supress a grin as he nonchalantly turned to Aubrey. "Now about that shotgun I was thinkin' of buying…"

"Yeah I'd go with you to get one tomorrow if you want."

"Booth…" Brennan admonished as she returned to the kitchen. She turned to Jonah. "Christine will be out shortly."

Fifteen-year-old Christine soon emerged from her room, and Booth was reminded of just how much she looked like her mother.

"Hi Jonah!" She flashed the boy a smile. The turned to Aubrey. "Hi Uncle Aubrey. I didn't know you were coming over today."

"Your Dad invited me over to watch the game together."

"Don't you think it's gonna be a little chilly out tonight? Maybe you should wear a sweater over that." Booth said, disapproving of Christine's outfit.

"It's the middle of summer Dad!"

"You look amazing Sweetheart." Brennan quickly added.

"Yeah you look great." Jonah added.

Booth stepped forward towards the Jonah. Towering over the teenager, Booth spoke softly but firmly. "You remember what I told you all right son?"

"Yes Sir."

"Dad!" Christine frowned at her father.

"I want her home by ten."

"Yes Sir."

"We better go." Christine quickly said, pushing her date towards the front door.

"I'll see you guys out." Aubrey said, trailing behind the teens.

"Booth!" Brennan immediately turned to him the moment the teenagers were out of earshot.

"What?!"

"All that talk about a shotgun? Cleaning your gun… at this very moment?"

"Look Bones, Christine is beautiful all right? She looks so much like you. I was fifteen once too you know? I know what guys that age are thinkin' about. The next time he comes round, it'll be my shiny new shotgun I'm cleaning."

"Booth!"

"I'm not gonna apologise for protecting my little girl. I mean she's growing up so fast, I still remember when you were pregnant with her and now she's going out on dates…"

Despite her chagrin at his overprotectiveness, she remembered fondly how he was when she was pregnant with their daughter. She smiled. "Christine is very fortunate to have you as her father. Though I do caution against going overboard with your protectiveness. You don't want to scare her potential mates away."

"Potential mates? Bones what are you talkin' about? She's fifteen."

Aubrey chose this moment to re-join Booth and Brennan in the kitchen.

"Don't worry, I reminded Jonah again of the consequences of getting too handsy with Christine."

"So that's why Booth invited you over tonight."

"What? Booth invited me over to have dinner and watch the game."

"I find that hard to believe."

Aubrey shrugged as he made a hasty exit. "I'll get back to the game."

Booth held up his gun. "I'll go put this back in the safe." He pressed a kiss to Brennan's lips as he made his way out of the kitchen. "You got used to me protecting you, Christine will too."

This is probably not an original story premise but I was inspired by a comment my husband made as he looked at our teenage daughter one day. I believe his exact words were, "I need to get a shotgun."