Author's note: Hi, everyone. This is my first Bones story, so please be gentle. I originally intended this as a one shot, but it got too long. I also know that Father's Day is over, but I couldn't resist. Please let me know if you'd like me to continue. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Bones, but I'd really like to borrow David Boreanaz for the day. I promise to return him more less intact...

Chapter One

"How do you spend Father's Day?"

Seeley Booth looked up from his pie in surprise. His partner's question caught him completely unawares. He stared at Brennan's face for a minute watching her expectant expression fall into one of embarrassment.

"Sorry. It's none of my business. I just wondered," Brennan said softly.

Of course, Booth thought. This is Bones' first Father's Day with Max in over fifteen years. She probably has no clue what to do. Booth covered her small hand with his larger one. He smiled warmly when Brennan looked up at him.

"Bones, it's OK. You just surprised me." Booth looked thoughtful for a second. "Last year, Parker surprised me with breakfast – cereal, he's too little for appliances – and a card he'd made himself. Then we spent the afternoon at a ball game."

"Sounds wonderful. Do you have any plans this year?"

Booth's face fell. "With everything that's happened lately, there hasn't been time to plan anything. I figured we'd wing it this year. As long as I get to spend the day with him, it doesn't really matter what we do. It's not the trappings and activities that make Father's Day important, Bones. It's spending time with your dad, letting him know that you love him."

Brennan shifted slightly in her seat. Whenever Booth extolled the virtues of social interaction, it always made her feel slightly uncomfortable and out of touch with the rest of humanity. She hadn't been part of a loving family in so long. Now her family was back in her life, largely due to the man in front of her, and Brennan found herself at a loss as to how to proceed. How do you reconnect with your long lost family? Especially when your other family – your work family – has been so recently torn asunder by betrayal? The forensics team at the Jeffersonian was still reeling from the news about Zack.

Booth, as always, seemed to read her thoughts. "Hey, Bones, I know this may not be the best Father's Day to reconnect with Max, but it's the one you've got. I'm sure he'll love whatever you come up with."

Brennan smiled. "Thanks, Booth."

"Anytime, Bones."

Later that night, Brennan sat in her apartment pretending to read one of her anthropology journals. After reading the same sentence twelve times, Brennan shut the journal with a snap. Spending time, Booth had said. Up until recently the only time Brennan had spent with Max was in the visitors' lounge of a federal penitentiary. Since Max's trial she'd only seen Max a few 

times, all of them awkward. While Max was in prison, she knew where he was; he couldn't disappear. Now that he was free there was no guarantee that the ever-nomadic Max Keenan wouldn't run off again. Brennan pushed that thought away. Max was here now and she was determined to make the most of it. Inspired, Brennan picked up the phone and called Russ.

"Hello?" said Russ's sleepy voice.

"Russ, it's me."

"Tempe? Do you have any idea what time it is?"

Brennan looked at her wall clock; her face fell. "I'm sorry, Russ. I had no idea it was so late."

"It's OK, Tempe. What's up?"

"I was wondering what we should do about Father's Day," Brennan said.

"I haven't thought about it. I'm assuming this has to do with Dad."

"Yes. I thought that since this is our first Father's Day as a family we should spend it together. You, me, Dad, Amy and the girls," Brennan said uncertainly.

She could practically hear Russ's grin. "I think that's a great idea, Tempe. We should invite Booth too."

Brennan furrowed her brow. "Booth? Why Booth?"

"He's practically family, Tempe. Plus he's got a kid too. What? Does he already have plans?"

Brennan considered lying for about a nanosecond. "No, he doesn't."

"Good. Why don't you call him and see what he says?"

"OK, good night, Russ."

Brennan hung up and sighed. Why was the idea of inviting Booth so…disconcerting? Logically, Russ's suggestion made sense. Booth was a father. She had suggested a Father's Day activity. Ergo, they should invite Booth. Maybe they'll have plans, Brennan thought as she dialed Booth's number.

The FBI agent picked up on the first ring. "Bones, what's wrong?"

"Wrong? Nothing."

"Then why are you calling at one o'clock in the morning?"

Brennan immediately sounded apologetic. "Oh, Booth, I didn't realize it was that late. It can wait until morning."

"Nonsense, Bones. I was still awake." Awake from what he didn't say. He'd been lying awake for the last hour; the dream was still fresh in his mind. A birthday party. Happy, smiling faces. A scream of terror that accompanied his single shot. Booth shivered and closed his eyes.

"Booth? Did you hear a word I just said?" Brennan asked worriedly.

"Sorry, Bones. Must be more tired that I thought. What were you saying?"

Brennan sighed. "I was saying that Russ wanted me to invite you and Parker to our Father's Day get-together."

"Russ? What about you?" Booth asked suspiciously.

Brennan paused. The silence hung heavy over the line for a second. "Of course I'd like you to come. But if you have other plans…"

Booth smiled to himself. Sometimes she could just be so damn cute. "We've got no plans. What'd you have in mind?"

"Honestly? I have no idea. Family gatherings haven't been a big part of my life in well…ever. Do you have any suggestions?"

Booth tapped his finger against the phone thoughtfully. "I'm assuming you're including Russ's family in the body count?"

"That would be correct."

Let's see. Me and Parker, Bones and Max, Russ, Amy and their daughters. Eight people. A light bulb went off. "I know just the place."

"Where?"

"Sorry, Bones, but it's a surprise." He paused. "Just have all your people at your place by seven on Sunday. Parker and I will come and pick you up."

"But, Booth…"

"No 'buts.' This is what you get for waking me in the middle of the night," Booth said jokingly.

Brennan huffed. "But you said you were already awake!"

Booth laughed. "It was a joke, Bones. Always so literal. Live a little, Bones. I'll see you on Sunday."

Booth snapped his phone shut. He couldn't wait to see the look on Brennan's face when she found out where they were going. Suddenly feeling a lot happier than he had twenty minutes ago Booth laid the phone aside, curled up and slept peacefully.

To be continued…