Brennan looked up from Parker to see his father headed towards their table. She got an uncharacteristic feeling of butterflies in her stomach.

*Ok, so he knows, and he probably knows that I know. No reason to feel nervous. It's just Booth.* Brennan tried to calm herself a little as Booth got to the table.

"Hey Bones. What were you and Parker talking about?" he asked, his usual grin on his face.

"Oh, well we were just discussing the possibility of Parker visiting me while you're gone. I told him it was up to Rebecca, but I have no problem with it," Brennan said, unable to not smile back.

"Well that's a great idea Bones! I didn't even think of that!"

"Well, it's nothing to do with me. It was all Parker's idea," Brennan responded.

"Is that ok daddy? That I visit Bones without you?" Parker asked, puppy dog eyes on full blast.

"Yeah Parker, it's great. Now you won't get quite as lonely with me gone," Booth said, hoping Bones would get that Parker needed reassurance from her that Booth would be coming back.

*I hate having to leave him…* Booth thought sadly.

His thoughts were interrupted as their breakfast's arrived at the table.

"Yay, you got me chocolate chip pancakes!" Parker exclaimed.

"Of course buddy. I know they're your favorite," Booth said, laughing as Parker dug into his pancakes like he was starving.

Since Parker was now occupied, he could turn his attention to his Bones.

They made some small talk, and soon Rebecca came to pick up Parker.

Rebecca, Booth, and Brennan discussed Parker visiting the Jeffersonian, and decided on times and dates. After Parker and Rebecca had left, there was a silence for a while. Booth couldn't quite figure out how to broach the subject, and was surprised and slightly relieved when Brennan spoke first.

"So, when you come back, do you think we could meet for dinner?"

"Well, sure. I mean, we eat together all the time, right?" Booth said.

"I mean as a date," Brennan clarified. Booth smiled at her direct approach.

"Yeah, I'd like that."

"Ok."

"Ok."

"So, your dad and Angela?" Booth asked, laughing a little.

"Yeah, apparently they decided we're slow, and they needed to take things into their own hands," Brennan said, "Not that I blame them. It did take us a while."

They had another one of their "moments," but this one was not so rudely interrupted. They just sat there for a minute, then Booth made a suggestion.

"Do want to walk around the park a little bit?" he asked, suddenly ready to leave the diner but not ready to go home. Brennan nodded, and they got up and Booth paid the check. Brennan, for once, did not argue over who got to pay the check. They walked to a little park nearby, holding hands.

*I don't know why we're holding hands…it just feels… natural, I guess,* Brennan thought, wondering why she felt like she was suddenly in high school again. They just walked around the park for a while, until Booth realized he had to go. He stopped Brennan and moved to stand in front of her, still holding her hand.

"Bones…I have to go now. But I will be back, soon."

"I know, Booth. I know."

They just stood there for a second, before Booth stepped forward, letting go of her hand to cup her face. He lightly brushed his lips across hers, before she took the initiative and deepened the kiss, not wanting to let him go quite yet. Too soon, though, he pulled back, and they walked back to their cars and, with one last goodbye kiss, Booth got into his SUV and drove away.