"Thanks again, Ange." Brennan knelt down and kissed her daughter's forehead for the sixth time since she had slipped on her shoes, "You don't know what this means to me."

"Go get her daddy!" Angela held onto her hands as Maggie stumbled toward her mother, "Hold up girl, you gotta stay here. It is bed time and I don't think your fake ID has arrived yet."

The child began to slightly whimper but with the glare in her mother's eyes, the crying soon ceased. Within moments she resumed her playing, ignoring the fact that her mother was once again leaving her.

"Her pears are in the fridge…" Brennan stormed out of the kitchen carrying a sippy cup full of juice, "If she…"

"Bren, I can handle it." Angela took the cup and steered her friend toward the door, "I watched her last week, remember? We will watch a little Rocky then invite some guys over. We'll party all night and be sleeping soundly when you get home."

Brennan's eyes suddenly went wide. Usually Booth was the one she went to with social cues and without him she was at a loss.

"I don't think Hodgins…" Brennan turned around in the doorway.

"I was kidding sweetie. We will eat dinner, play a bit then pass out by nine. You know she has always been a good sleeper." Brennan's eyes locked on her child and she visibly flinched, "I was kidding…" Angela reiterated, "Now go and get her family."

With a slight nod Brennan made it out her door without another incident. As soon as the door shut behind her the totality of her circumstances fell heavy on her heart. She knew she was doing the right thing for her child but was she really doing the right thing for herself? Sure she probably shouldn't have given up on their relationship as readily as she had but his words seemed to always cut her like a knife. And telling her he didn't love her while she was carrying his child was just enough to push the already shattered woman over the edge.

Her feet finally steadied under her as she wobbled down the two flights of stairs toward her car. It seemed like it had been years since she had dressed up for any man and in reality, it had been. Her short black dress was tight and taunt in all the right places. She knew he would love it. He had said so many years ago, that was if he would remember their first date at all.

She remembered it just as though it was yesterday. The dress, the shoes and most importantly the fact that all she had on underneath was the necklace he had given her for her birthday months before. Except this necklace was different. If she was going to bear her heart to the man who loved her, he deserved to know the truth. She had never forgotten and her ring was a perfect addition to show how much she actually remembered. The nerves that began to rise up mimicked those she felt that night with a slight twinge that she had left her daughter for the second time in the same number of days.

She always hated leaving her daughter for the fear she would miss something important. Maggie was ever evolving and ever moment she was different from the last. Soon she found herself parked in the parking lot at the strip club. The dingy exterior sent a shiver down her spine. She had no qualms with climbing down into the dirtiest pit for her remains but walking around a place crawling with sexually transmitted diseases was not something she was willing to do on her only free Saturday in the foreseeable future.

She slowly strolled into the club as the music pushed back against her form. The base practically pushed her back out the door. As her heels hit the title, the catcalls and whistles started. Her eyes went wide as everyone except the man she was there for watched her every move. Even though he was surrounded by beautiful women his eyes lay sternly affixed on his bottle, darting swiftly from the bottle to his phone and back.

Her pace picked up as wondering hands roamed around her very scantily clad body. Soon she found herself standing behind the man of her affection. Her long, nimble fingers stroked his shoulder sending him out of his stupor.

"Seeley…" She purred, laying a firm claim on the man in question.

"Yes, sweet little thing?" He looked up, practically choking on his beer. "Tem… Bones." He gasped, "What are you doing here?"

"I can guarantee she is not here for the ladies." Jared snickered, "You didn't tell me you two were together."

"We're not." Booth tried to force the words out but the pain that was written all over them was evident to everyone in the room.

Brennan's eyes fell as she quickly stepped in front of the two men. Her eyes looked up at her partner then quickly fell. Did he not love her anymore?

"She's giving you those eyes bro." Jared slammed back the last of his beer, "Those mommy eyes. You sure you didn't knock her up?"

"I got super sperm." Booth slurred, "I can knock any woman up just by looking at her. They are THAT good." He smiled, rolling his bottle between his fingers, eyes fixated on her palms.

Jared eyed Brennan before smiling sweetly at her. Placing his empty bottle down on the table he leaned forward, running his hand down her very short dress and down her legs.

"Damn Tempe, even after all these years you look hot. You look well…" He licked his lips before placing a firm grip on her thigh, "You sure you don't want her, Seels?"

Booth looked up at his partner then at his brother. Did he really want her to date anyone else? No but that didn't stop the ache from the signs pointing to the fact his chance with her had gone.

"I'm going to go grab another round." Booth stood in front of his partner, "You want one, Bones?"

Brennan just shrugged, with the way he had been ignoring her she wasn't sure how long she was going to be there. Booth placed his hands on her hips to move around her and both partner's shuttered in response.

"I… I know what you want." The words caught in his throat as he released his partner and for the second that their eyes met, she full heartedly believed he did.

"Sit, Temp, sit." Jared slurred, tapping the now vacant seat.

Brennan looked up at her partner to see him ordering the drinks and quickly sat down.

"So… I know you, you did not come here for the women. Why did you really come here?" Jared spoke frank, sizing her up.

"I just need to talk to my partner." She slightly smiled at him.

"And you couldn't do this at work on Monday? Shouldn't you still be at work… working with people whose families could care less if you find the killer because they are older then dirt?" He barked. He knew the look in her eyes; she was going to ruin his night out with his brother. Sure they had been doing this every weekend for months now but tonight he thought he was going to actually get his brother to look at a woman but after her showing up he knew the only woman he would be looking at would be her.

"I… I just couldn't."

"Couldn't what?" Booth set two beers and a glass of wine on the table before staring at his partner in his seat.

"Nothing, bro." Jared smiled.

Brennan quickly stood and walked around her partner so he could sit back down. Her eyes darted from the brothers, unsure if to sit or stand.

"Come over here, Tempe. I got a free seat." Jared grinned, patting his lap.

Brennan eyed Jared before sitting on her partner's lap. His body suddenly jerked up and responded to her presence. His hands locked on her hips, pulling her deeper onto his body. Her checks began to redden at his undeniable attraction to her.

"I think you embarrassed the poor girl." Jared grinned, faking hurt at her choice in brothers.

Booth glared at his brother, releasing one hand to grab his beer and pulling it to his lips. His free hand wrapped around her body, locking her into place on his lap.

"So what brought you here, Tempe?" Jared turned to the partners, knowing glint in his eyes.

"I need to talk to Booth…" She fumbled through her words, suddenly shy.

"I know when I am not wanted." Jared smiled, standing and walking to the bar.

"You need to talk to me?" His voice was soft and wavering.

Brennan nodded and tired to turn into his lap but his grip was too tight. He relinquished some control as she turned against his body and a small moan passed over his lips. As soon as she had turned to slightly face him his arm wrapped tighter around her body, keeping her from fleeing.

"Why couldn't you tell me at work?" He lifted his hand, moving a strand of hair away see her face, "What is so important that you need to tell me now?"

Brennan fumbled with her hands, suddenly nervous but as his free hand was placed over hers the nerves suddenly stopped.

"I… I have a secret."