Spoiler: "The Con Man in the Meth Lab" (This probably won't make much sense unless you've seen it.)

A/N: I'm still blown away by "Con Man!" That was such an amazing episode and a huge step forward for Booth and Brennan. It was so nice to get a little bit of Booth's background, which is obviously quite painful. This is my first post-ep, an extension of the final scene (not that it needed it!), so let me know what you think!

…

Piece of Cake

"Do you need time… and space?"

I looked up into her hopeful gaze and softened a little. I was still hurt and angry that she'd believed I was a loser, even if it hadn't lasted long, but I knew she was trying to make it up to me.

I smiled. "Just some time." I jerked my head slightly, inviting her to sit with me. No matter what, she was still my Bones.

She sat. I sulked. She held up a piece of my birthday cake and produced two forks. I took a bite of cake and she followed suit. For some inexplicable reason, the intimacy of the gesture made me want to confide in her.

"My dad drank." My fucked up family was a painful subject, but sitting there with Bones, I opened up for the first time. Avoiding her penetrating eyes, I continued.

"Jared…" My lips curved in an ironic smile. "Jared's always had a knack for getting into sticky situations. I can't tell you how many times I had to sneak him through our bedroom window, or forge our dad's signature on his report card, or pick him up from the bar at 3 am."

"Always the protector…," she pointed out. I nodded without looking at her.

"Our dad… He had a temper. The drinking only made it worse. He had a short fuse, so I tried really hard not to make him mad. Jared wasn't so careful. As the older brother, I wanted to keep-keep the peace." I cleared my throat as my voice broke with emotion. "I-I couldn't always keep Jared out of trouble, but I could usually keep my dad from finding out about it."

"So you would take the blame." It wasn't a question. I nodded again.

"I just wish Jared would have learned to keep himself out of trouble. Maybe it's my fault for always protecting him…" I finally turned my head to look at her.

There were tears in her eyes. It shouldn't have surprised me. When she was hurting, it hurt me. I should have known it worked both ways. Still, I was touched by her reaction and the way her voice shook when she finally spoke.

"You did what you thought was right. You always do, even if it means taking the fall." Her eyes burned me with their intensity. "You're a good man, Booth." I watched a single tear trail slowly down her cheek.

We studied each other for a long moment. I reach out and caught her tear before it dropped from her chin. I had to swallow the lump in my throat before I could respond. "I promised myself my son would never have to worry that I don't love him. That he can make mistakes, we all do, and it won't change the way I feel about him." She nodded in silent approval. We sat quietly looking at each other.

I cleared my throat again and tried to lighten the moment. "Are you gonna eat that cake?" I motioned to the forgotten pastry.

Knowing what I was trying to do, she smiled affectionately. "Yes!"

I grinned. "Not if I eat it all first!" In a flash, I stabbed at the cake and started gobbling it up. Laughing, she playfully jabbed at my fork with her own. A flurry of utensils ensued until a single bite of cake remained.

We eyed the aftermath of our battle and then looked at each other warily. "You know, it is my birthday, after all… So, really, I should get the last bite."

Her jaw dropped open in protest. "Well, yes, it is your birthday… but you ate more than me. So logically, I should get the last bite." I smiled wickedly and my hand darted out to snatch the prize. "Hey!" She huffed in mock exasperation.

Victorious, I held the fork up to my lips. She shook her head, amused. Meeting her eyes, I slowly extended my fork out to her. Her smile widened and she opened her mouth to accept the bite.

"You have cake all over your face," she teased. On a sudden impulse, I leaned in and planted a big, sloppy kiss on her cheek.

"So do you."

"Booth!" She swiped at her face and my laugh echoed into the cool night.