Once Again please note that the characters herein are NOT mine. I just wanted to bring them out to play for a little while…They belong to the FOX network and the creators of Bones, and I promise to return them when I'm done with them…

It hadn't been long into their meal together before Parker's attention was lured back to the impressive robot that his father had given him. Now seated awkwardly beside her partner, she and Booth watched over Parker, who it seemed had situated himself on the floor away from the table to test out his new robot.

The only problem was that Temperance couldn't ignore the burgeoning anxiousness in the pit of her stomach. Though she was touched by Parker's request, as well as by Booth's invitation to stay, she wasn't sure what to say to him now that they were actually seated so close to one another and sharing her first Christmas meal in over 15 years. But one thing was certain…she had to say something.

"Booth…," she started timidly, "I'm sorry, I know that you probably had plans for you and Parker this afternoon. And I know that it's probably not often that you get to spend time with him." Then looking down shyly at her plate, she tried unsuccessfully to hide her self-consciousness, "To be honest, I'm not really sure why he asked to me stay."

He was quick to reassure her, "Obviously Parker saw something in you that he liked Bones. To tell you the truth, I was surprised that he took such a liking to you so quickly." Noticing the unmistakable hurt in her eyes he was quick to stop himself, "I mean pleasantly surprised…it was a good thing don't get me wrong…"

"It's alright Booth. It's not exactly a state secret that I'm no good with kids."

"Bones, that's not what I meant," he comforted, "I just meant that Parker doesn't warm up to everyone he meets so quickly. He never really took much of a liking to Tessa." And once the words were out he immediately realized the awkward meaning behind them; the last thing he'd wanted was to make her any more uncomfortable.

"I uh…I don't mean that you and I uh…I mean I didn't mean to imply that we…or that he should…well you know…"

She sat watching him in amusement as he tried to wriggle his way out of his endearing verbal slip-up.

"Are you always this articulate?" she teased.

He chuckled through his clumsiness as he glanced over at his son, who it seemed was still enthralled by his new toy. "What I think I'm trying to say is…that it's been difficult between me and Rebecca, and I know that's made it harder for him. And I hate that."

Then very sadly he added, "I think on some level he knows that she's making it so difficult for me to see him. And I wonder if it's not affecting him more than he lets on."

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize…I mean I didn't know that you were having such a hard time." Then scoffing sardonically, "Then again I didn't even know that you had a son before two days ago…"

Looking over at her almost ashamedly Booth sensed the disappointment in her voice, even if she refused to acknowledge its existence.

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I should have told you about Parker sooner."

"Forget it Booth. You were never under any obligation to share that part of your life with me. Your personal life is your business."

"Yeah but still…we're partners right?" Looking over at him softly she listened intently, "And partners tell each other things."

Nodding her head meaningfully she added, "…builds trust?" alluding of course to an exchange they'd shared earlier in their partnership.

The reminder of their early conversation, and also the knowledge that she'd taken his words to heart, urged a smile to pull at the corners of his lips. Her reciprocation of the gesture implied much about their burgeoning friendship, and perhaps also a little something about their growing closeness.

She considered him thoughtfully, "Well if it's any comfort, I think that what you've described about Parker's behavior is a natural response given your circumstances."

Clearly the topic of Parker was an extremely sensitive subject for Booth, and the weariness and sadness that he must have felt over the entire situation was evident in his expression. As she reached over to cover his hand with hers she drew his attention.

"Booth…Parker is a very lucky little boy. And," she emphasized, "he's very smart…I mean look at him over there trying to figure out what makes that robot tick?" To her relief that elicited a laugh from him.

Then becoming more serious she continued in her attempt to reassure her partner, "And as his father, you're determined to be there for him in whatever way you can."

Turning soft eyes over onto her, Booth's tender smile teased her relentlessly as she tried her best to focus only on her words and ignore the way his smoldering gaze made her insides quiver.

"I think I know you well enough Booth to know that you're not going to let anything get in the way of your doing what's right. You'll figure it out."

Her confidence in him was inspiring, and before he knew it he felt himself close his fingers around hers and hold her hand tighter.

"Thank you," he told her quietly, reverently. The sensation of her fingers tangling with his was maddening as suddenly they'd been drawn into this moment that neither one of them knew how to deal with, nor was sure they wanted to escape.

From the very beginning of their partnership, their attraction to one another was as unmistakable as it was unprotected. They'd even somewhat convincingly managed to pretend that they weren't bothered by each other's outside romantic partners. In short, they'd spent the better part of the last several months compartmentalizing their feelings. And now, suddenly it seemed, that neither one was sure that they could ignore their attraction any longer.

Looking deeply into her partner's eyes, Temperance wasn't convinced enough in her own resolve to resist any advances he made.

The air between them had become inexplicably charged.

And that's when she realized…he was closing the distance between them…

…oh god she could almost feel him now…

His hand slowly crept up the side of her neck, tangled in her hair...her eyes slipped closed…

He was only…a breath…away…

"Daddy, it's broken!"

Parker's exclamation pierced between them, and then...just as suddenly as the moment had arrived…it had fleeted away…

Their disappointment was evident…but then, so was the knowledge that they'd almost made a display of themselves in front of Booth's four-year-old son. Smiling tenderly over at his partner Booth slid his hand from its position on her neck until it lied just under the line of her chin.

"We'll finish this later…," he promised her quietly, and the warmth that radiated throughout her entire body at the sound was electrifying.

Booth leaned around the side of the table to get a better look at his son, "What's that champ?"

"It won't work anymore," Parker's disappointment over this latest tragedy was clear.

"Oh well we can't have that! Here," standing up out of his chair Booth sat beside Parker on the floor and grunted, "let me have a look at this thing."

"Can you fix it daddy?"

Studying the intricate design of the toy robot Booth tried his best to sound convincing, "Um…have we found a robot yet that daddy couldn't fix?"

Temperance grinned when Parker seemed to seriously consider his dad's question.

"…No…"

"Well then…," Booth stated matter-of-factly. Then turning the robot over in his hands he scowled at the contraption all the while oblivious to his partner's affectionate stares. Or at least that's what she'd thought…

"Say Bones…you wouldn't happen to know anything about how this thing works would you?"

Doubting that she could offer any assistance when it came to the mechanics behind Zach's robot creation, she still moved to join them. "Well I'm not sure, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to take a look."

As she situated herself beside Booth on the floor, she crossed her legs in front of her Indian style. Scooting slightly to get more comfortable she seemed completely unaware of Parker's immediate intention to move from beside Booth and into her lap. After having seated himself in the crux of her legs, Parker seemed completely content in his new position.

Booth looked on in amazement as his son made himself comfortable with Bones, who he noted was genuinely surprised by the gesture. In a moment of admiration it only took an instant for him to recognize that since her consent to stay, she'd become gradually less and less awkward around his son. And now it seemed, she was quickly becoming Parker's best friend.

"Tempe, make it work!" the boy demanded in frustration.

"Well, let's have a look…" Booth handed her the robot without any further comment; clearly he was still processing the rapid progression of his son's attachment to her. Awed as Bones and Parker sat together trying to solve the puzzle the robot posed, Booth suddenly found himself reconciling that his son's immediate attachment to Temperance Brennan was not unlike his own.

"Ah ha!" Booth's quiet reflection was broken by her exclamation.

"What?" he prodded. "Did you figure out why it won't work?"

"I think so. Booth could you hand me my bag over there?" she pointed in the direction of the table.

Quickly retrieving her purse he returned to the floor beside them, "Inside there should be a small toolkit with a mini-screwdriver in it," she explained.

Looking over at her quizzically he dared ask the question as he hunted for the item, "You keep a screwdriver kit in your purse?" Pulling the mini-toolkit out he handed it over to her, their fingers as they brushed together supplied a reminder of their familiar earlier spark. Immediately trying to lighten the moment he opted on the side of obnoxious humor, "Where do you keep the hacksaw?"

"Ha ha, very funny," she tilted her head in explanation and lifted her brow, "the screwdriver is in case I need to tighten the screws on my reading glasses." Then with a little shake of the four-year-old in her arms she grinned when she successfully elicited a giggle from Parker, "or for fixing robots."

Booth couldn't help but smile at the scene before him. "Oh, so now you're going to tell me that with that little screwdriver you're going to make that robot work?" The incredulousness in his tone was quickly amusing to her.

"Of course," she grinned to herself, "Parker you want to help me?"

"Yay!" She took that as a 'yes'.

"Okay. Put your hands here and hold the robot really really still okay?"

"Okay."

Slowly turning the screws on the outside panel she instructed her partner again, "Booth, reach back into my purse and pull out the remote garage door opener?"

He did as he was told and she grinned knowingly, "Now what?"

"Open it up and hand me the batteries."

Ugh! How had he missed that?!

To his surprise, and overall relief she neither prodded at his bruised ego nor laughed at his expense. She simply continued on in her pursuit to remedy the problem before her. Smiling his gratefulness he did as he was told, handed her the batteries, watched as she replaced the spent ones with the newer ones, and then as she replaced the panel to screw them back in place.

"Okay Parker, now hold it still again okay?"

"Okay Tempe." Once again she worked to replace the screws in their intended positions and tightened them accordingly. Once she was finished she set the robot back on the floor in front of them.

"Alright, let's see if that worked. Go ahead Parker, give it a shot."

His excitement renewed, Parker told the robot to "Go!" And nearly instantaneously the robot it sprang into action, much to his enthusiasm. Bouncing up and down in his Tempe's arms Parker declared for all of Wong Fu's restaurant to hear…

"Daddy! Tempe makes a great Mommy!"