Note: Post Doctor in the Photo, pre-Daredevil in the Mold

What if: Booth & Brennan ran into one of her one-night stands?

AU? Yes

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Of all the days for Bones's car to break down.

It had been ages since they'd driven to a crime scene together – too many broken dreams had made sitting together in a car uncomfortable at best – and he'd gotten used to having the car to himself. No one messing with his radio station, no lectures about his morning donut, no having to drive across town to the Jeffersonian.

No Bones, looking at him like he'd kicked her puppy.

But this morning, he'd been in the shower with Hannah when his phone rang, which meant that he didn't get the message for 20 minutes. That meant that when Bones's car wouldn't start, he was the only one still around to give her a ride.

It wouldn't have been either of their first choices.

So here they were, making stilted conversation and wondering when they'd lost the friendship that had once been so strong.

There was a coffee place about a block ahead. They pulled near, and he spotted a free parking spot, almost directly in front of the door.

It was fate.

He signaled and pulled over, muttering "coffee" in response to her inquiring look.

As he was about to open his door, his cell phone rang. Rebecca.

Bones slid out as he picked up the phone, saying, "I'll get yours today". A second later, her door shut quietly behind her as he answered the phone.

Five minutes later, he'd worked out his weekend plans with Rebecca and he was on his way into the coffee shop, hoping he was in time to convince Bones to add a donut to his order.

His hand was on the handle of the door when he noticed the man standing next to her.

He really didn't want to go over there and listen to some doofus hitting on his partner, but he did want that donut. He opened the door and walked in, only noticing once he was inside the shop that she had a tray with two coffees in her hands. He started towards her, anyway.

And heard her laugh.

He loved Hannah. They lived together, Parker liked her, and they were building a life together.

But he … cared about Bones, too, and Lord knows she had poor taste in men.

He squared his shoulders and walked over. "Hey, Bones."

She started, obviously surprised to see him, even though she'd known he was just outside. "Booth!"

They stared at each other for a few seconds, then he deliberately held out his hand to the doofus. "Seeley Booth. I'm her partner."

"Kevin."

He nodded curtly. "You have a last name, Kevin?"

"Booth!" Bones was looking more than mildly annoyed. "You are not running a background check on Kevin."

He pasted an innocent look on his face. "No idea what you're talking about, Bones."

She glared at him, then turned back to Kevin. "We have a case." She gestured at the door, as if the mere existence of a world outside the coffee shop proved her point. "It was good to see you again."

"You too", Kevin replied. "I'd really like to see you again, Temperance, but the ball is in your court. You have my number."

"Yes", Bones agreed. "Perhaps we can get together this weekend."

"I'd like that."

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He kept looking at her, shooting her sidelong glances as he drove.

It was disconcerting.

When he'd come into the coffee shop, there had been an expression on his face she hadn't seen in over a year. She'd almost thought that he was going to pick Kevin up and throw him through the nearest window.

It had been a ridiculous thought. Obviously Booth wouldn't throw a complete stranger though a window.

Well, not unless the stranger was threatening him in some way.

Still, there had been something about him that radiated power. The last time she'd seen him act like that, she'd thought he was jealous, but that obviously wasn't the case. He'd moved on. He loved Hannah now.

"You know that guy?"

He didn't ask the question, so much as bark it at her. She looked at him, noticing his set jaw, the way his hands clenched the steering wheel.

"We've met before."

"You're dating him."

It wasn't a question, just a flat, emotionless statement.

"We went out once."

"Are you going to see him again?"

She turned away from him, focusing on the scenery going by, wondering how far they were from the crime scene. A moment went by before she answered. "Maybe."

They drove in silence for a few minutes, until Booth spoke again. "He just wants to get you into bed, you know."

"He already has." Her reply was quiet, but the vehicle jumped as he tightened his grip on the wheel.

"You slept with him." His voice was low, almost a hiss, as he turned the vehicle onto the gravel path that led to the scene. She nodded in reply.

"Wow." He laughed bitterly. "He must be something special, to get you into bed on the first date."

The vehicle pulled to a stop and she opened the door. Before she got out, she looked at him one last time. "No", she answered. "He's no one special. That's why I could sleep with him on the first date. There was nothing to lose." She slid out and the door clicked shut behind her.

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I shall again duck behind a large barricade.