A/N: For anyone who was as confused as Dr. Brennan at the end of the last chapter, don't feel bad - I have two teenage brothers, which is the only reason I'm in the loop about such things. The following is short but sweet (just like me?). Enjoy! -tc

A DS was, apparently, a handheld electronic gaming device, and true to Booth's word, it kept Parker completely occupied for several hours, all the while making bizarre electronic noises that were only mildly distracting. Brennan couldn't help looking over every few minutes anyway to check on the small figure sprawled face down on her couch, his serious features a mirror of his father's. When she looked up at 4:30, Parker had fallen asleep, his head threatening to slide off the edge of a cushion while his back rose and fell gently. Brennan pulled an extra sweater out of her closet, pried the child's fingers off his game, and tucked him in before creeping out of the room to find her best friend.

Angela was in her office, sketching intently. She looked up at Brennan's knock. "Hey, Bren. Don't tell me you lost the kid already."

Temperance glared. "No, he's sleeping." She sunk down in a chair and buried her face in her hands. "Ange, how did I let him talk me into this?"

"I don't know, hon. Although, if I had to guess, I'd say he either set the puppy dog face on you until you broke down, or gave you that devilishly handsome grin and embarrassed you with a bit of sexual innuendo."

The heap of brown hair on her desk moaned. "Both."

Angela just smirked. "He totally wants you. Good thing you're too stuck on him to notice ... ow!"

Tempe was still holding the notebook in case a second attack was needed. "Would you please let go of this obsession with my sex life? Booth and I are not going to end up together. Today's little drama should be evidence enough of that. Booth is completely devoted to his son; it's obvious that whatever woman he chooses would be expected to give him more children, and he deserves that – the big family, house in the suburbs, toys on the lawn. It'll make him happy. And that's just not me, Ange. I've seen way too much of this world to want to bring another child into it. Besides, you know me – I'm a reclusive workaholic. Last night, while Booth was probably watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Rabbits and making popcorn with his son, I was sleeping at the lab. With dead people. Our lives are completely incompatible, and I don't see how that could ever change." She frowned and waited for her friend's snappy reply.

Angela just stared, open-mouthed. "Oh my God." She leaned forward, chin on her hands, and seemed unable to speak for almost a minute. "Oh my God, Bren, you've really thought about this. You, Booth, the Big Picture. All along I thought this was just about chemistry and some sweaty sex fantasies, but you're seriously into him."

"Angela!" Tempe got up to pace the office, completely exasperated. "Were you listening to a word I said? Because first of all, you're the only one having sex fantasies about the two of us-" because a handful of clearly unwanted dreams don't count, she told herself, "-and second of all, it doesn't matter whether I've thought about the future, because as I just finished explaining to you, it's not going to happen!"

"Future?"

"What?"

"You just said future."

"You said it first."

"No, I said Big Picture. You said future."

"Ange, what's the difference?"

"Big Picture is what's happening now. Future is what you want to happen."

"I don't want anything to happen; I just told you that!"

"No, Tempe, you said nothing could happen. It's okay to want things that might never come to pass, y'know."

"I know that, Ange."

"Do you, sweetie? Because I look at you, and I see a woman who's been incredibly successful because she knows how to get what she wants. Smart, works her hot little ass off, kicks the crap – intellectually or physically – of anyone who gets in her way. And I love that about you, Tempe, you know I do. But I'm just wondering ... what if there's something the amazing Dr. Temperance Brennan wants, but can't study or fight or reason her way into? You're so good at meeting your goals, but what about dreams? What do you dream about, Bren?"

And since the only dream that was coming to mind happened to feature a very handsome and very naked FBI agent, Brennan decided to cut her losses. "I should go make sure Parker is still asleep."

"Mmmhmm," replied Angela knowingly. "Oh, and Bren?"

"Yeah?"

"They're turtles. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Although kids these days are more into SpongeBob."

"Huh?"

"Just trust me. Go check on your future stepson."

"I hate you, Ange."

"Love you too, sweetie."