Happy Friday! (Or whatever day it is where you happen to be.) Lots of reviews last time, thanks so much! Keep 'em coming, I love feedback. :)

A few notes on this one... I really enjoyed writing this chapter for several reasons. I won't spoil anything here, but I will say that the information about parenting time and child support guidelines comes from personal experience and a bit of research on how things work in DC. But mostly personal experience. I have frequently had to go after unpaid child support, defend what was right for my child, and stand before a family court judge without a lawyer multiple times. So I tried to keep this as realistic and in character (at least for Booth) as I possibly could. Rebecca's pettiness would never be enough to take Parker from her, and Booth would never try, at least on those grounds.

K, that's all. Enjoy!

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Chapter 11

Brennan checked her cell as she made her way out of Rebecca's office building and saw that she'd missed three calls from Booth. He'd also sent a few texts:

:Hey, answer your phone. I've got both wives coming to the Hoover tonight.

:Everything okay?

:No one at the lab has seen you in an hour, would you PLEASE answer your phone so I know you're not lying dead somewhere?

The last message had come in just a few minutes ago, and Brennan shook her head as she climbed into a cab and directed the driver to the Hoover Building, pressing the speed dial to call her overprotective partner.

"Are you okay?" he asked anxiously, foregoing his typical greeting.

"I'm fine, Booth. I was just in a meeting; my phone was silenced. You really shouldn't overreact like that. It's not good for your health." She heard him release a gust of air across the mouthpiece, and she pictured him running his hand through his short hair.

"Bones, do I really need to remind you what happened the last time no one at the lab knew where you'd disappeared to?" he asked shakily.

Oh… Damn, she thought guiltily.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think to check my phone, and the meeting wasn't case related, so I didn't mention it to anyone before I left. I didn't mean to alarm anyone, Booth," she promised.

"I know. It's okay, I just… I was worried about you."

"I'm sorry. I'm on my way to your office," she assured him. They hung up a moment later, and within seconds of her appearance in Booth's doorway, she was swept into a crushing embrace.

She hugged him back tightly, patting and soothing him until he was ready to pull away.

"Sorry for freaking out, I was just-"

"Don't apologize. It's okay." She placed a quick but tender kiss to his lips and turned the conversation to the case. "So both wives are coming in?"

"Yeah, they should be here any minute," he said, checking his watch.

"What's the plan? Are you going to tell them about their husbands or do you think they already know?"

"Well, that's what we're gonna find out."

Brennan was a little surprised he hadn't demanded to know where she'd been, but then, Booth wasn't really that kind of man. The only reason he'd been upset by not knowing where she'd gone was that he cared about her safety. She sincerely hoped he wouldn't be angry with her for taking the initiative with Rebecca.

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Neither Lila Turner nor Gayle Seaver seemed to recognize one another when Booth put them in the same room at the Hoover, and he decided not to reveal the truth of the situation to them just yet. Brennan thought he was simply stalling to avoid an unpleasant discussion, but Booth argued that if either of them was the killer and got spooked before there was enough evidence to hold them, one or both of them might run.

They headed home for the night, and Brennan resolved to go over the evidence in more detail the following day. Unfortunately, the bathtub full of lye had dissolved much of the skeletal evidence, and she wasn't particularly looking forward to working with Cam to analyze the leftover organic matter.

They picked up some Thai on the way home, and once they were sitting down to eat, Brennan worked up the courage to tell him what she'd done.

"I…I made dinner plans for Friday evening. I hope it's okay," she said, looking both nervous and a little excited. Booth raised his brows speculatively and gave her his best charm smile.

"Oh yeah? You takin' me out on a date, Bones?" She laughed a little and shook her head.

"No, um…I invited someone over."

"Who?"

"Rebecca." The smile slid from Booth's face to be replaced by an expression of shock and confusion. And worry, she noted uncomfortably. "That's where I was this afternoon."

"You went to see her? You didn't bring your gun, right?" The expression on her face when he'd told her about Rebecca's behavior was still fresh in his mind.

"No," she replied, smiling again. "I went to her office, and we talked about Parker. And you. She agreed to discuss a formal custody arrangement, and I suggested that she and Parker come over for dinner. They're coming on Friday, and Parker gets to stay until Sunday." She watched him cautiously, biting her lip slightly as she gauged his reaction.

"Seriously? How…? What did you say?" He had dropped his fork to his plate and seemed to have forgotten his meal entirely, but his eyes were bright with astonishment.

"Well… I pointed out that the inconsistency of the current situation is unfair and unhealthy for Parker, and that he deserves to know that his father loves him and wants to be there for him. She asked if you were planning to take her to court for full custody, and I assured her that you merely wanted to get the current schedule in writing and for it to be followed more reliably. I also assured her that it's never been my intention to come between her and Parker."

Booth was stunned. For five years he'd been trying to convince Rebecca to see his point of view, and Brennan had managed it in the space of one afternoon. He still couldn't quite wrap his mind around it.

"And she agreed, just like that? No arguing or swearing or tantrums? She just agreed?"

"Well…once she was assured that neither of us were trying to take Parker from her, she agreed to discuss things as adults. Whether or not she will actually concede to what you want from her still remains to be seen."

Booth huffed an incredulous laugh and stood abruptly, pulling her out of her seat and into his arms. He seized her lips in a kiss that left her breathless and a little dizzy.

"Thank you," he told her when they'd parted. He held his hand to her cheek and stared back at her in amazement. "I can't even explain… I can't believe you did that for me," he said, his eyes glistening with subdued emotion. She smiled and tightened her arms around his waist.

"I'm pretty sure I've already told you that there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you, Booth." He grinned at her and leaned his forehead to rest against hers. "I'm just glad you're not angry," she confessed in relief. He drew back in surprise.

"Why would I be angry?"

"Well, I wasn't sure if I was overstepping, but since you were already at the point that you were willing to go to court, I figured it couldn't hurt to try."

"I'm glad you did. Honestly, it never occurred to me to ask you, and I didn't think you'd ever want to be in the same room with her anyway, especially after what happened last week."

"Oh," she grinned mischievously, "Yes, that was actually the first thing I addressed." Booth looked simultaneously wary and intrigued.

"I really wish I'd been there to see that."

"Yes, I'm certain you would have enjoyed it. You do like when I behave like a possessive alpha female."

"You didn't actually hurt her, right? Did you flip her over your shoulder and push your boot into her throat until she agreed to behave?" he asked playfully. She rolled her eyes but smiled as they sat back down at the table to finish their food.

"Of course not. I merely informed her that she has already made her decision in regards to you, and…and if she forgets to keep her hands to herself in the future, I won't be using words to convey my displeasure next time."

Booth laughed heartily, easily picturing the shocked expression Rebecca must have had. He gazed at Brennan affectionately and thought for the umpteenth time that he would never stop being amazed by her. She was a constant surprise, in all the best ways.

"She actually did apologize for her actions. And she eventually admitted that I'm a good influence on Parker."

"Holy shit, Bones… I don't know if she's ever apologized to me for anything. At least not since we split, so it's been years." Brennan merely smiled, looking exceptionally pleased with herself.

They cleared the table and washed the dishes together, and it wasn't until they were getting ready for bed some time later that he thought of another question.

"How did you get Rebecca to meet you in the first place?" he asked curiously. That devious smile made a reappearance on her gorgeous face, and he couldn't help but return it.

"I scheduled an appointment under a false name," she replied, climbing into bed. He snorted with laughter.

"What name?"

"Kathleen Reichs."

"Nice. Guess she doesn't read your books, huh?"

"Apparently not," she smirked, turning off the lamp and curling up happily against his bare chest. They were silent for a few moments as their hands caressed one another softly.

"I love you, Bones. 'Thank you' doesn't seem like enough…"

"I love you too," she replied, meeting his warm gaze with a contented smile. "I do, perhaps...have an idea of how you could thank me…"

Booth chuckled and flipped her gently onto her back, capturing her lips with his own.

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The rest of the week flew by with surprising speed, and they solved the case of 'Two-Time Larry' by Thursday. Both of the man's wives had known about each other after all, having met quite by accident at playground for differently-abled children. Since both of their children suffered from brittle bone disease, neither had minded driving a little out of their way to find a safe playground. To further complicate matters, the victim had started an affair with yet another woman and had gotten her pregnant as well.

In the end, it was the discovery of a dental crown that led them to the killer. The building supervisor from the construction site, Pete Volero, had confronted the victim about shoddy electrical work, and the argument had turned into a physical confrontation. Larry's death had been accidental, but Volero had panicked and staged it as a suicide. All three women had discovered him a short time later, and they'd put the body in the tub of lye to ensure a valid life insurance claim.

Booth grew more apprehensive about their dinner with Rebecca as the days inched closer to Friday. He knew that simply getting her to agree to talk was huge progress, but now he worried that she might not show up. Or if she did show up, he wondered if she would be reasonable in coming to an agreement.

Brennan had offered to have a lawyer brief Booth on his options, but he declined, stating that he felt well-enough prepared so long as she was there to help him. Rebecca had the skill to put their agreement into a court document, and he trusted Brennan to be able to tell if his ex was trying to slip anything by him. He and Brennan had discussed things in more detail, and he was fairly confident that he understood what would be fair to ask of Rebecca.

Booth had only briefly considered asking for a fifty-fifty arrangement. He knew that if they went to court, there was a reasonable chance a judge might grant him that, but that sort of arrangement really wasn't practical for them. Rebecca lived in a good school district, and Parker definitely loved his school. There was really no reason to uproot him from his routine.

It was also an unavoidable fact that Booth worked long, unpredictable hours. He and Brennan could be called to a crime scene at any time, day or night, weekday or weekend. Having Parker with them during the week could potentially result in a lot of time spent with a babysitter or in a daycare, and Booth felt that his son was better off with his mother at times like that. Rebecca worked long hours as well, but her schedule was more predictable.

Booth had read every word of the District's parenting time guidelines, and he didn't feel that what he wanted was unfair. However, Rebecca's moods were unpredictable; he knew that better than anyone. So he couldn't help but worry that she might refuse to see his point of view when they came face to face.

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Brennan was cooking that evening, opting to keep things simple with a pan of baked spaghetti. Booth assured her that she'd chosen well and paced nervously around the kitchen while he waited for the doorbell to ring. When Brennan almost bumped into him for the third time, she pushed him onto a barstool and told him to stay there. Booth watched her put the baking pan in the oven and walk back to stand between his parted knees.

"Relax. It'll be okay," she soothed, curving her arms around his neck. Booth smiled at her reassurance and kissed her softly, tightening his own arms around her waist.

"I love you, Bones."

"I love you too," she replied, kissing him swiftly and pulling out of his arms as the doorbell rang. Booth jogged to the front door and opened it, grinning as he was immediately tackled by his five-year-old son.

"Holy cow! Have you been eating your vegetables?" Booth joked, staggering dramatically. "When did you get to be so strong?" Parker laughed, hugging his father tightly.

"I'm not stronger than you, Daddy. That's silly."

Booth chuckled and moved aside so that Rebecca could enter. She was smiling at them but looked every bit as uncomfortable as Booth felt.

"Hi, Rebecca," Booth greeted her politely. "Dinner should be almost ready. Would you like a glass of wine or…?"

"Just water, thank you."

Booth nodded and followed his son as he skipped into the kitchen to see Brennan. He grinned when he heard Parker's exultant 'Bones!' and rounded the corner to see them hugging.

"Can you go wash your hands for dinner and then help your dad set the table?" Brennan asked him. Parker agreed happily and left the room. Brennan and Rebecca exchanged greetings, and Booth got started on the drinks. The tension in the room was uncomfortable, but it was soon broken by the reappearance of Parker, who was eager to help carry the plate and forks to the table.

Dinner was equally awkward, but it passed quickly enough. Parker ate exceptionally well but also made an exceptional mess, so Brennan took him into the bathroom to get him cleaned up. Booth began to clear the table and was surprised when Rebecca got up to help.

"Thanks."

She nodded but remained silent, unsure how to proceed.

"I was thinking we could get Parker set up with the Wii while we talk in the kitchen, if that's alright with you?"

"That sounds fine."

"Do you mind if Bones joins us too? She knows a little more than I do about all of this, but I understand if you'd rather it just be you and I…"

"No, that's fine. I think...she's earned the right to at least listen," Rebecca replied, smiling a little reluctantly. "Besides, I owe her. I already apologized to her, but you should know too that I'm sorry for the way I acted last week. It won't happen again."

"Thank you," Booth answered, genuinely surprised by her initiative. His attention was pulled in the direction of his son's voice, and he headed into the living room to get Parker's video game up and running.

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"I really can't believe she just...agreed," Booth said incredulously, once Rebecca had taken her leave. "I thought for sure I'd have to beg for every bit of it, but she acted like it was all perfectly reasonable."

"That's because it was," Brennan replied, smoothing her lotion over her slender hands. "She's a lawyer, Booth. She understands how the system works, and she probably knows that you could've taken her to court at any point in the past five years and gotten exactly what you wanted. I expect that she was simply relieved you weren't asking for more, so she agreed to your requests willingly."

Rebecca had consented to formalizing the every-other-weekend schedule and had also agreed to follow the District's guidelines for school-aged children in regards to summer vacation and holidays. Booth would have Parker for a week beginning Christmas Day and ending New Year's Day, and he would get three weeks of time with him every summer. Rebecca had looked uncomfortable at the idea of not seeing her son for three weeks, but Brennan had reminded her that the time didn't necessarily have to be consecutive. While Parker was young, they could break up the time into smaller segments, and when he was old enough, that arrangement could change if he was comfortable with it. Rebecca also agreed to set up a Right of First Refusal provision, by which either parent must offer the other an opportunity to care for Parker if they found themselves in need of child care. It was agreed that Parker would remain in the care of his nanny after school, but if there were an emergency, Booth would be called before anyone else. He agreed to do the same in the likely chance that they would be called to a crime scene during Parker's scheduled time.

They had agreed that Rebecca would maintain primary physical custody, but she and Booth would share joint legal custody. Rebecca had also agreed to calculate child support according to the District's guidelines, and it turned out that Booth had been paying a little more than he should have been. He agreed to lower the amount, but he reassured Rebecca that he wanted to help with the bigger things that would eventually come up: sports fees, braces, a tux for prom, first car, college, etc.

Brennan had smiled at his insistence and wondered what he would think of the fact that she had already begun to tentatively put money aside for Parker's education. It wasn't formally set up as such, mostly because she didn't want to go behind Booth's back about it. Brennan smiled at the relief now so evident in his expression and wondered if now might be a good time to bring it up.

"Still," he continued. "Everything has always been such a fight with her, Bones. I've had to argue for pretty much every second of time with Parker ever since he was born, and now…" He released a long sigh and collapsed onto his back, staring at the ceiling. "I just can't believe I don't have to do that anymore."

"I'm glad it went so well. I know you've been worried about the situation for a long time, and I'm pleased that Rebecca finally decided to do the right thing for Parker."

"Me too," he agreed, rolling over to face her when she turned off the light. "Thank you, Bones. I feel so much… lighter. Like a weight has been lifted that I didn't even realize I was carrying. I feel at peace with the situation for the first time in Parker's life, and I know it wouldn't have happened without your help." He pulled her into his arms and stroked the hair back from her face tenderly.

"You don't need to thank me, Booth. I'm just glad you're not so stressed about it anymore. And I'm glad that Parker will have a more consistent routine. He really needs that."

Booth smiled and shook his head silently, feeling dazed by his own luck to have this incredible woman in his life. Brennan leaned in to kiss him but pulled back too quickly for him to respond the way he wanted.

"There's one other thing, Booth. I think this is probably as good a time to bring it up as any…"

"What?" he asked, wondering why she suddenly looked nervous.

"You mentioned to Rebecca earlier that you wanted to help with Parker's college tuition, and I almost said something then, but I wasn't sure whether or not it would make Rebecca angry. I, um… I don't have anything formally set up yet, because I wanted your approval first, but… I've been putting some money aside for Parker's education."

Booth raised his eyebrows in surprise. That wasn't what he'd been expecting her to say at all. If he was honest with himself, his first gut reaction was one of pride. Parker was his son, and the responsibility of his education should fall on his shoulders, not Brennan's. However, that reaction passed quickly as he realized that she had merely done it out of love for his son. She hadn't gone behind his back to conspire with her accountant and make arrangements for Parker without telling him; she had merely been setting money aside for that purpose should Booth agree to it. He was touched at her thoughtfulness and generosity, and he realized that her revelation really shouldn't surprise him at all. It was typical Bones.

"Wow… I'd say you don't have to do that, but I have a feeling that won't change your mind," he grinned. She smiled back, relieved that she hadn't wounded his pride.

"That's correct. I mean, if you were really that uncomfortable with it, then I'd simply wait and give it to Parker as a gift when he comes of age, but… I'd really like to set up a formal trust fund for him, just in case anything happens to me before then-"

"Hey, shhhh. Don't even put that out there, Bones. Nothing's gonna happen to you. If you want to set something official up, then that's fine, but don't do it out of fear, okay?"

"Booth, I'm not afraid of something happening. It just makes logical sense to be prepared for any outcome. I updated my will earlier this year, but I can add an education fund now that I know you're okay with it. Is your will up to date?"

Booth sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. The Bureau required his will to be reviewed twice a year, but he really didn't want to talk about it.

"Yeah, Bones… It gets reviewed every six months. I made you the trustee at the same time I made you my medical proxy. Can we not talk about it right now? I'll let you read through the whole thing sometime, I promise. For now, I really want to focus on other things," he pled.

She thought about arguing with him but decided to let it go. It wasn't exactly a pleasant thing to discuss, and she didn't want to ruin his good mood. So she smiled and rolled her eyes dramatically.

"I suppose that's agreeable," she teased, pressing her lips to the escalating pulse at his throat. He groaned quietly and moved his hands beneath her shirt to appreciate her satiny skin.

"Mmm… Think you can be quiet enough? Parker's right down the hall."

"Hey, I'm getting better about that," she insisted. He snorted a little.

"Sure you are," he placated, allowing his hand to drift into more intimate territory. "Still...seems like a worthy challenge, and I'm not one to balk at a challenge…"

Brennan grinned in silent agreement. Booth most certainly did not balk.

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They passed an enjoyable weekend with Parker, and when it was time to take him back to Rebecca on Sunday, it was the first time Booth could remember telling his son when he'd see him again without feeling like a liar.

That evening, he turned his attention to a different matter. Brennan was turning thirty the following Tuesday, and Booth called Angela on his way back home after dropping off his son. He had a few ideas, but he thought consulting Brennan's best friend would be a good idea.

"Hey, Agent Studly," the artist greeted him smoothly, skipping the traditional 'Hello.'

"Hey, Angela," Booth replied, rolling his eyes a little at her nickname for him.

"You calling to tell me you're dumping Bren to run away with me?"

"Uh, no. Sorry," he smirked at her teasing.

"Good, cause I'd kick your ass."

"She'd do it first." Angela laughed in response and agreed. "Actually, Ange, I'm calling about Tuesday."

"Oh yeah? Got something special planned?"

"Well, last year no one even told me it was her birthday, so…"

"Hey, don't blame me. She's weird about her birthdays; I've never understood why. I'm sure there's a story there somewhere, but she's never explained it to me. Most people enjoy getting presents and having a fuss made over them."

"Yeah, but that's not really Bones…" He narrowed his eyes a little at Angela's suggestion that there might be more to it than social ineptitude, but he continued, "I'm not planning to embarrass her at work or anything like that."

"But you are planning something, right?"

"Of course. I may need your help to make sure she gets out of the lab at a reasonable time though. No later than six, I'd say."

"Don't worry, I'll kick her out the door on time," Angela chuckled. "What are you planning?"

"I'm gonna cook dinner at home, I think. Some jazz, some dancing…"

"Sounds good so far. Don't forget some good wine," she advised. "And maybe a massage...with a very happy ending." Her tone made the implication perfectly clear.

"That's private, Angela, how about you just stick to a wine recommendation," he said sternly. In truth, he'd already planned a massage, and he knew full well how it would end.

"Well what are you cooking?"

"She's been on a mushroom kick lately, so I was thinking mushroom risotto...maybe that chickpea salad she likes."

"Nice. What are you going to eat?" she laughed, impressed by his menu choices.

"I'll live without meat for one meal, Ange. I'm not so good at pairing wine though…"

"Go with a good pinot or cabernet sauvignon."

"Thanks. Anything else you can think of?"

"Gift?"

"I've got that covered."

"And you're not gonna tell me, right?"

"Nah, she can show you on Wednesday." It wasn't that Booth minded her knowing, but he did mind her spoiling the surprise.

"Alright, then. It sounds like you've got it all under control, Casanova."

"Great. Thanks, Ange. I owe you one," he said, expecting a witty retort.

"No. You're good to her. That's all I want from you."

"Thanks," he replied sincerely with a wide smile she couldn't see. They said goodbye, and Booth mulled over his plans again, hoping Brennan would be okay with everything. He hadn't really given it much thought last year until he realized it had passed without mention. He hadn't even known the exact date until they'd gotten together, and he'd been a little disappointed that he'd missed the opportunity to do something for her. It had fallen between their second and third cases as partners, and she'd never brought it up.

To be fair, his birthday had passed in much the same way last November. Still, he couldn't help but wonder at Angela's comment that Brennan was 'weird about her birthdays.' Considering her past, there could be any number of reasons for her discomfort, and Booth wasn't entirely sure he wanted the full story.

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The next evening, Brennan came home with dinner, and they traded details from their workdays as they ate. They didn't have an active case at the moment, but they did have a rather daunting stack of paperwork to complete from their last one.

Booth smiled as she described an argument between Zack and Hodgins, which had resulted in the escape of several of Zack's beetles. Fortunately, they'd all been recovered quickly, but Cam had apparently reacted very poorly, to the mutual amusement of the rest of the team. He felt only mild empathy for his friend; she'd taken the job, after all.

They finished their meal and cleared enough room to start their paperwork, but Booth stopped her before she could do more than bring the stack to the coffee table.

"Hey, can I talk to you about something before we get started?"

"Of course. Is something wrong?" she asked in concern. His expression was very serious, and the abrupt change in his demeanor caught her off guard.

"No, nothing's wrong. I just…wanted to ask you something." Brennan nodded and waited patiently for him to continue. "I understand if you don't want to talk about it, but I want to make sure I don't unintentionally screw something up… Tomorrow's your birthday." Her expression shifted with comprehension, but she didn't look angry with him for bringing it up. "I have some things planned, and you won't talk me out of it, so don't bother trying. But...if you have a particular reason for not celebrating your birthday, I'd like to know. I don't want to inadvertently bring up bad memories…"

Brennan gave him her trademark crooked smile and tilted her head to the side a little. She understood his logic and wasn't all that surprised he'd asked. If anything, she was surprised he hadn't asked before now.

"Nothing you could do would bring up bad memories, Booth. I find that I'm actually looking forward to whatever you've planned."

"Well…great," he faltered, a little confused. "Angela says you're 'weird' about your birthdays, so I figured there was something I didn't know."

"Yes…" She hesitated, wondering if it was really necessary that he hear another rotten foster care story. As far as she was concerned, it was in the past. She hadn't celebrated a birthday since she'd turned fifteen, but her life was different now. Booth had seen to that, and she knew that birthdays would be no exception.

"It's not a nice story, Booth," she confided, cringing a little.

"I figured. I'm still willing to hear it," he assured her, bracing himself mentally. She nodded and gathered her thoughts briefly.

"I turned sixteen a couple of weeks after being placed with the-" She stopped herself, giving him a serious look. "If I say a name, are you planning to hunt them down?" She raised her brows when she realized he was actually considering his answer.

"As much as I might like to, I know you don't want that. So, no. I won't." Booth pursed his lips but waited for her to continue.

"Thank you. Anyway, I was placed with the Campbells a couple of weeks before my sixteenth birthday. They were the ones who eventually ended up locking me in the trunk, but that was a couple months later. At first, they didn't seem all that bad. I'd run away from the last place because no one believed me about the things I reported, and the Campbells seemed okay at first. They had a lot of rules, but rules didn't bother me… That was the fourth family I'd been placed with, so I knew well enough to keep my head down, and I didn't say anything about my birthday. But...one of their rules was that we weren't permitted to give their phone number to friends or...well, anyone. So when Russ called that year…"

"Oh, God." Booth's face was ashen, trying not to picture the scene in his mind.

"Yes. He'd left a message on the machine while everyone was at work or school, and the Campbells thought I'd given the phone number to someone they didn't know. He only gave his name; he didn't say he was my brother. I tried to explain that, but it didn't matter." She stopped there, deciding not to go into detail about the consequences of that phone call. He didn't need to hear it.

"So is that why you never took his calls even after that?"

"Maybe. I think I was mostly just angry with him for leaving. But that incident certainly didn't help." She watched his stony features become gradually softer until there was only remorse and a hint of anger.

"I'm sorry, baby. I'm sorry you went through that."

"Thank you. But it's in the past, and I've moved on from it. I don't mind celebrating my birthday this year. I hope you don't mind celebrating yours either, because I wasn't the only one who didn't share it until after it had already passed last year," she admonished him. He smiled genuinely at her scolding.

"Well, there was a lot going on at the time. We had the Charlie Sanders case, a formal banquet for the Jeffersonian, a stalker to deal with, and of course, my personal favorite-my partner and her best friend starting a fight in a dance club and getting high on meth."

Brennan slapped his arm playfully but couldn't contain a giggle at the memory. Booth grinned at her indulgently and leaned in to kiss her.

"Getting you out of your clothes that night was rough," he complained, allowing his gaze to drop to her cleavage for a moment.

"You don't seem to have any trouble now," she pointed out. He growled slightly and tried to pull himself together.

"Come on, let's get started on this mess. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can go to bed."

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Although they finished their paperwork in record time, Booth was impatient. It didn't help that Brennan was doing just about everything she could to get him wound up. Subtle touching, innocently providing rather spectacular views down her shirt, speaking in her low, sultry voice. By the time they signed the last document, he was very nearly ready to throw her over his shoulder and cart her up the stairs.

"You know, I've realized something about you," he mumbled against her lips once they'd reached the top of the stairs. She kissed him deeply and whipped his shirt off, tossing it to the floor.

"What's that?"

"All those times..." he pulled her shirt off without bothering to undo the buttons, "we did paperwork in your office..." her hands fumbled with his cocky belt buckle, "or one of our apartments…" he unclasped her bra with a skillful twist of his fingers, "You were a tease," he accused playfully.

She grinned deviously at him and pushed his pants to the floor, not attempting to deny it. Booth lifted her slightly and half-carried her to the bed, crushing her lips beneath his. He peeled her jeans from her long, shapely legs and knelt between them.

He gave her no warning but swooped down quickly to run his tongue against the entire length of her cleft. She cried out in shock at the unexpected contact, and he smiled victoriously before burying his tongue between her folds. Brennan's hips moved involuntarily, pushing his tongue deeper, and she moaned appreciatively.

Booth rested completely on his stomach with a shoulder beneath each of her legs, stretching his arms upward to place a hand over each of her breasts. His fingers teased her nipples, pinching lightly, and the pace of her hips increased. He sensed she was close to a release and changed tactics slightly. He captured her clit and sucked the tender flesh completely into his mouth, flicking the tip of his tongue against it.

Her orgasm rocked through her body with the intensity of an earthquake, and the sound of his name on her lips was nearly a sob of pleasure. His ministrations slowed gradually, but it was several long moments before he finally lifted his mouth to smile at her. Booth pressed a hot kiss to her inner thigh before moving upward.

She was still trembling when he entered her, and this time he cried out with her. Brennan grasped his hips urgently and pulled him deeper, meeting every thrust with her own hips. Their rhythm increased steadily until they were both gasping and clutching one another tightly.

"Come with me, Booth. Right… now!"

They shattered as one, clinging desperately to each other as their pleasure overtook them. The exquisite spasms tapered slowly, and Booth kissed her tenderly until the last of the tremors had gone.

Booth glanced at the clock and smiled back at her.

"What?"

"It's past midnight," he explained. "Happy Birthday."

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Chapter 12 will be completely AU and will focus on Brennan's birthday. Since the show has never given us a Brennan birthday episode (which really is ridiculous after 11 years), I used Emily Deschanel's birthday. Approximately, at least. Her bday is Oct 11, if you're interested.

See you Sunday!