4

"Yes, you do." Booth muttered as he opened the door for his partner, "You do care."

"People are always jumping to conclusions without examining the evidence," Brennan replied, evidently still confused about the topic, "Why should the incorrect opinions of others make a difference to what you do?"

"Why are we still discussing this?" Booth groaned, walking around the side of the store to a metal gate which had been propped open with a red brick, and leading Brennan through a narrow alley around the building, not looking around to see what he knew would be intense thought on her face.

He raised his hand in greeting to the young woman who was standing beside a painted white door in front of them. "Just forget it, please?"

"Okay."

"Mr Booth?" The woman smiled, "I'm Wendy," extending a perfectly manicured hand in his direction, "Are you ready?"

Nodding, Booth allowed Brennan to precede him into the building, his eyes firmly fixed anywhere but his partners ass as she made her way up a small concrete staircase and into the apartment, his hand falling back to his side as Brennan stepped out of his reach and they took in the small entrance area, a small coat and shoe rack on the right hand side next to a door that led into a bedroom. Stepping through the doorway, Booth smiled at the room, its white walls and carpet gave a spacious feeling and Parker would love the large white window-seat that overlooked the road below.

"Nice," Booth spoke to himself, knowing that he would almost definitely be upsetting Bones if he chose this place over hers. It was further away from everything, except Parker and that was pretty much his deciding factor. Turning around to see Bones looking pensive, he smiled, not quite reaching his eyes as he considered what she was internally debating. "Let's see the rest," He extended his hand, ushering her out of what he was sure would be Parker's room.

The room opposite the front door was a small family bathroom, a regular sized bathtub on the left, a simple toilet and facing it on the right; a cupboard with a mirror above the sink, all matching in gleaming white to match the white tiles in the walls.

To the left of the front door was the master bedroom, slightly larger than the bedroom opposite, it was very similar but minus the window seat and view of the road. It instead faced a brick wall that had seen better days.

"This is nice," Brennan's hesitant tone floated through the apartment and Booth turned to find her. A small corridor between what Booth had labelled as Parker's room and the bathroom led to a spacious living area with a small galley kitchen tucked away on the right. The white walls once more gave the illusion of larger space than it actually was, and Booth could almost imagine Parker playing there. "It's a suitable size for Parker and yourself."

"Oh," The forgotten realtor didn't realise she had gasped audibly. Since seeing the couple enter the building she had assumed that they were looking to rent this place together, but she was clearly wrong if the woman wasn't moving in with him. Maybe he was gay and she was his girl-friend? She sighed, watching them move around the living area, his hand on her back it really was true; all the good looking ones were gay or taken. This guy was clearly both. "Is there anything you'd like to know about this place?"

"I spoke to the landlord about the rent and utilities, I think we're good." Booth answered, looking up at the young woman with a small smile, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Wendy smiled sincerely, "If you think of anything, just ask for me when you call," She handed over a business card decorated with flowers, then turning away from them.

"Thanks." Booth repeated, a little disarmed by her dismissive manner, "Ready Bones?"

"You can drop me at my office," Brennan replied as she moved to follow Wendy out through the door.

"What? No," Booth protested as he caught up with the two women, not even noticing when Wendy slipped away. "You're going to Angela's after we get Parker," he unlocked the car before they reached it, allowing Brennan a moment to create an excuse as they each entered the vehicle.

"Booth, it's only six-thirty, I have plenty of time to get some work before I need to get to Angela's." Brennan challenged,

"No, we're getting Parker as we're almost at Becca's, and then we're going to grab some dinner before I drop you at Angela's, otherwise you would still be engrossed in your work 'til well after midnight."

Brennan stayed silent, which Booth took as assent before he indicated, moving out into the traffic which had thankfully diminished since they were last on the road.

"I don't work that late anymore," Brennan spoke quietly, turning to look at Booth, "I haven't in quite some time."

"I know," Booth answered, his soft tone matching hers, "I haven't let you."

"Are you trying to dominate my life in order to transform me?" Brennan asked, her face quite serious, making Booth bite back a laugh,

"I'm not trying to dominate anything and I don't want to change you," he spoke firmly, glancing over at his partner, "You've enjoyed getting out of the lab, you can't deny that."

"I do enjoy the alternate experiences," Brennan admitted slowly, watching the road once more,

"It's not alternate experiences," Booth mimicked, "It's living your life, spending time with friends and family."

"I spend time with my family and friends whilst working," Brennan argued, not sure why she was pushing the issue,

"I know, but it's nice to relax, have a few drinks, a conversation about something completely pointless, and see Parker, eat some good food, y'know?" Booth pulled up at the curb outside Rebecca's, turning to see Bones nodding to herself. Grinning at her, he unbuckled his seatbelt, "Back in a minute,"

Brennan watched Booth as he made his way up the driveway, smiling to herself when the front door flew open and Parker ran out, barrelling into his father's legs before being scooped up and thrown into the air, to the boy's obvious delight. She inhaled sharply, feeling the pang of loneliness strike from within at the scene in front of her eyes.

Distracted from her emotional distress by Rebecca emerging from the house, Brennan watched with interest as Booth greeted his ex, smiling at her and exchanging a few words as Rebecca handed over a large blue backpack and kissed Parker on the cheek from where he hung on Booth's back, his arms wrapped tightly around his father's broad shoulders.

Booth certainly made an excellent father, Brennan knew this to be true, no amount of scientific measurement could prove otherwise; Parker loved his father and that love was returned wholeheartedly.

It was something that Brennan couldn't help but wish she could experience with them both.