Thanks for the reviews. Interestingly, many people were intrigued by what was in Booth's wallet and by the coffee stain. I know what I think they are, but if anyone wishes to make a suggestion, I'm willing to reconsider!

All sorts of entertainments can be found between friends

Fun and Games

Again, Booth looked pleased to see them, and this time Brennan found it came more naturally to bend over him and give him a kiss. He held on to her arm for a moment. "I really do appreciate all you've done for me, Bones," he said.

She gave a weak smile. "Hey, that's what friends are for, remember?" She felt like she could almost hear the dismissal in his voice, as he prepared to take back responsibility for his son.

Brennan dumped the bag on the bed. "Here's your clothes," she said. She pulled something out of the bag. "And I thought we might be able to use this this afternoon."

Booth looked down at the box. "Frustration?"

"Yes. It's a fascinating game. It lives up to its name; it's amusing to think of a game that has the purpose of fraying tempers and creating annoyance, rather than being a pleasant pastime, but I found it rather entertaining. It might help keep Parker occupied for a while. He seems to enjoy it."

Booth smiled at her and she felt pleasure flood through her body. To cover her embarrassment, she got the game out of the box and placed it on the tray. "So, you want to play?"

"I'm green!" Parker cried.

"I'm red," Booth answered.

"You can't be red, Daddy. Dr. Bones is red."

"Oh, that's alright," Brennan said, conceding Booth's right to choose his colour first. "I'll be blue."

Eventually the pieces were set out and the game began. Parker was always eager to pop the die for everyone, and proved surprisingly good at getting sixes. Booth allowed Parker to move his red counters as well as his own green ones, but insisted on checking his counting each time; Parker had a habit of miscounting if by doing so he could land on someone's counter and send them back to base.

Booth got a five, and told Parker to move his front counter, but Parker refused. "You're not 'llowed to land on me, Daddy," he explained irritably. "Dr. Bones says so."

"Why you –" Brennan cried. "You told me it was Daddy's rules."

Booth grinned. "He's not above cheating," he explained apologetically.

"Yes, I've noticed that. And he's not above using his big brown eyes and charming smile to get what he's after, either." She bit her lip, realising that what she had said applied equally to the boy's father, but Booth chuckled and didn't seem to take offence.

"Well, Bones," he said. "We men have got to make the most of our natural good looks, you know."

She swatted him playfully. "By the way," she said. "I saw a squash racket in the wardrobe. Do you play?"

He nodded. "I used to play a lot, but the guy I used to play against got transferred, and I haven't sorted out another partner yet."

"I'll play you," she offered. She felt embarrassed when he hesitated. "It's okay, stupid idea," she backtracked.

"No, it's okay, Bones, I was just considering my chances of playing you at a competitive game and escaping unscathed."

She looked at him, mustering up a look of scorn. "Don't worry, I'll give you a three point advantage," she offered.

He just smiled, and whispered in Parker's ear. Brennan suddenly started noticing that father and son were working together against her; they'd pass up on opportunities to land on each other's counters, but would both land on hers whenever they could. Again and again her counters got sent back to base, while they both travelled round the board. She felt herself getting absurdly worked up about the game. Maybe Booth noticed, because he eventually said, "Come on, Parker, we'd better play fair." But it was too late for her to have any chance of winning, and she conceded defeat before she became too frustrated to stay in the room with them.

"So, still think you're getting out tomorrow?" she asked, forcing herself to sound casual.

Booth nodded. "It's all looking that way." He helped Parker set the pieces up again. Brennan looked down at the board. Suddenly, the last thing she wanted to do was to play another game. For a few minutes they had been relaxed and happy together, but she had had a harsh reminder that it was father and son against the world. She excused herself for a moment and wandered out of the room, leaving Booth and Parker setting up for another game. When she came back in, she noticed Booth looking a little sheepish.

Parker took her by the hand and led her back to her chair. "I'll help you, this time," he whispered in her ear, and to Brennan's pleasure this time she and Parker managed to keep Booth trapped in his home area for most of the game. He laughed, and took it in good spirit, but was starting to hit the die cover with slightly more force than necessary as he tried in vain for a six.

"You'll have fun with Parker and his bike then," she said, remembering what Parker had planned for the weekend.

"What's that?" Booth looked up, confused.

"You're meant to be helping him learn to ride his bike, apparently," she reminded him.

"Oh, I'd forgotten." He sat silently for a moment, thinking. Then he looked up at her. "I think that might be left to you, if that's okay," he said, regretfully.

"Me?" Brennan couldn't understand what he meant by that.

"Sorry, Bones, I've been assuming here - you will be okay to stick around for the weekend, won't you? I'm still not going to be up to much for a few days, and I won't be able to use my arm very much. I could really use the help."

Brennan felt her heart beat faster. She couldn't possibly stay. It was hard enough to hide her feelings for Booth now; what would it be like with a whole weekend in his company? She would never be able to work with him again. What she needed to do was spend the weekend working in the lab during the day and writing her novel at night. That way her feelings could be put back under control before she had to work with Booth again.

Parker put his arms round her neck. "Please stay, Dr. Bones," he said.

Brennan forced a smile. "I'd be glad to stay," she said.

"Are you sure? We're asking a lot of you, giving up your weekend, but I just don't know how I'd manage otherwise."

"No problem, honestly. Uh - what about sleeping arrangements though? You'll be wanting your own bed back. Shall I just come round during the day?"

Booth looked down at Parker. "It sounds to me like Parker's bed is going empty every night," he said. "You could sleep in that, if you'd like. It might be easier than coming and going all the time."

"I could do that," she said slowly, her mind churning. Her heart was turning somersaults in excitement at the thought of staying the weekend with Booth, if only to help him care for Parker, while her mind was throwing insults at her for pushing the boundaries of her friendship even further.

Just for once, she decided to listen to her heart, and not her head. Besides, Booth needed her, and she couldn't let him down, could she?

As ever, please let me know what you think!