AN: I know, I know. I do not need to start another project. I know! But what am I supposed to do when I wake up with this idea running around in my head? Let it go into the ether? I think not. So, here we are.

This will not be a multi-chapter fic, just a place for random O/S all about Max's Adventures in Babysitting to be updated as ideas occur to me. What can I say - Max and one-shots go together like peas and carrots! Enjoy!

SPOILER: Baby Girl Booth's name is used.

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"Brennan." Anchoring the phone against her ear with one shoulder, she continued to thumb through the cover art suggestions her publisher had just messengered over.

"Hi, honey." Max's voice held the same smile it always did when he talked to his daughter. "I got your message - what's up?"

"Dad!" She let the illustrations fall to her desk and sat back, eyes closed in relief. "Thank you for returning my phone call so quickly. You know," she couldn't resist adding, "it would be much easier to reach you if you'd purchase a cell phone."

She could almost see him shaking his head. "Can't do that, honey. You know the government can track those things."

Her heavy sigh came through the line. "You're beginning to sound like Dr. Hodgins, Dad."

"Nah, he's just paranoid," Max disagreed. "I know exactly what the government can do. Someday I'm going to sit him down and explain just what-"

"Please don't do that, Dad," Brennan exclaimed in alarm. "It would only make him worse. Anyway," she changed the subject, "that's not why I wanted to speak with you." She paused for a moment. "I have a favor to ask of you."

"The answer is yes," Max responded.

Brennan removed the phone from her ear and stared at it for a few seconds. "I haven't told you what the favor is," she pointed out.

"You want me to babysit for Chrissy, right? The answer is yes."

Another heavy sigh reached his ears. "Why do you and Booth insist on calling her that? Her name is Christine, which is a perfectly lovely-"

"Honey?" Max interrupted. "Babysitting? Remember? Do you have time to lecture me right now?"

She glanced at her computer and took note of the time. "No, I don't. I will, however, make a point of revisiting this sub-"

"Honey?" Max just managed not to laugh out loud.

"Right." She pursed her lips in frustration. "Yes, I did call to inquire if you would be available to babysit for Christine tonight. I know it's short notice but . . . "

"You need me so you and Booth can go to Cullen's retirement dinner," Max broke in again. "No problem. I'll be at your place by 6:30. Is that good?"

"Yes," Brennan nodded even though she knew her father couldn't see her. "Angela was going to take care of her but-"

"Michael has an ear infection and is still running a fever. Yea, I know, poor kid."

"Yes, and although I know his ailment isn't contagious-" She paused abruptly. "How is it you already know all of this?" she asked suspiciously.

"You're my daughter," Max responded and once again she heard him smile. "I keep up with what's happening in your life."

A few moments of silence followed during which Brennan fought a silent, internal war with herself about the advisability of pursuing that topic further. "Never mind," she muttered, "I don't want to know."

On the other end of the phone, Max nodded as if he had heard her mental conversation. "It's really better that way, honey. So, I'll see you at 6:30, right?"

Her shoulders heaved. "Yes, that is acceptable. Thanks, Dad."

"I'm always here for you, Tempe." He clicked off with a cheery goodbye.

She was still staring at the silent phone when it vibrated in her hand and Booth's name appeared on the display.

"Brennan."

"Hey. Were you able to reach your dad?"

"Yes. I just spoke to him, actually."

"Is he available tonight? Did you explain the situation?"

She paused. "Technically, I believe he explained the situation to me."

"What?"

"Never mind. He'll agreed to be at our house at 6:30."

"What's going on?" Booth asked, his voice laced with suspicion. "Wait, do I want to know what's going on? What am I talking about," he grumbled. "It's Max. Of course I don't want to know."

"I believe that's best," Brennan agreed.

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I love Max. I do, I do, I do.