A/N: This is in response to the Booth Express challenge, 'a secret', and the only rule was it couldn't be B&B confessing their love for each other. So the first part is Angela discovering Brennan's secret. If you're nice and feed musie with some reviews, I will post part two, which is almost done.

Right There, In Black and White

Angela came waltzing into Brennan's office and stopped short. It was empty. She sighed, wondering where her friend might be. She really needed to talk to her about their date. Instead of the movie they were going to see, Angela wanted to check out a new club that was opening. She knew one of the bouncers, so they were definitely going to get in. That called for a wardrobe change. Besides, she knew if she didn't remind Brennan again, she'd try to weasel out by saying she forgot about it. She just didn't know what was good for her. Good thing she had her best friend Angela around to make sure she got out once in awhile.

Angela opened the top drawer of the desk in search of paper and pen to leave her a note. Pulling out a pad of paper, she spotted something interesting. The title page of Brennan's last book had been torn out and folded in four. Angela glanced toward the door before picking it up and opening it. What she read brought a huge grin to her face. Oh…my…God, she thought as excitement rushed through her. Refolding the paper and tucking it into her pocket, she left the office, the note she was going to write forgotten.

Later that evening

Brennan answered the door in her robe. "You're early," she told Angela as she let her in. Angela dropped her bag on the table by the door.

"I thought you might need help choosing an outfit," Angela said, excitement vibrating in her voice.

Brennan rolled her eyes. "I'm perfectly capable of choosing an outfit," she said, leading the way to the bedroom. She stopped in front of the closet.

"I know that, sweetie," Angela said. "Let's just say I'd like to give the outfit my final approval."

Brennan pulled out a pair of black slacks and a scoop-necked burgundy top. "This is what I was going to wear."

Angela looked thoughtful. "Hmmm," she said, turning and rifling through the closet. "Wait a minute, what's this?" she asked in a hushed voice, pulling out a crystal blue v-necked top of a shimmering material. "You've been holding out on me," she accused with a sly smile.

Brennan sighed. Of course Angela would zero in on the flashiest item in her wardrobe. "I was going to take that back. It was an impulse buy, I just loved the material and the color—"

"Goes beautifully with your eyes," Angela finished. "Don't you dare take it back! It's perfect, Bren, you've got to wear it." She held it up against her friend and gasped at the effect. Brennan's eyes became an even more brilliant blue next to the iridescent material.

Another sigh, this time resignation. "Fine. Whatever you say. Now, go on, I want to get dressed."

Angela grinned and left the room, fairly bubbling with excitement. This was going to be so great!

Twenty minutes later, Brennan came out putting her earrings on. Angela's smile was huge as she looked her up and down. "You look stunning!" she exclaimed.

Brennan laughed huskily. She'd never seen Angela so excited. "Thanks. So, what's this about a new club?" she asked, turning to gather her purse and keys. Angela stepped closer to her and shoved a piece of paper in her hand. Brennan frowned as she recognized the title page from her book.

"You were in my desk?" she asked, stunned. She had forgotten all about that note. She had almost thrown it away several times, but somehow she could never make herself do it.

"I came by your office earlier, but you weren't there, so I was going to leave you a note. I opened the drawer to get some paper and found it." Angela's eyes searched Brennan's. "Did you mean what you wrote?" she asked softly.

Brennan glanced down, slowly, gingerly, opening the note. "Yes, at the time—" she said softly, her lips twitching as she read it.

"Are you saying you don't any more?" Angela pressed. Sometimes Brennan had to be pushed to face reality.

"No! I mean, yes…dammit, Ange, it isn't that simple! He's never…he told me once that there was this line that partners can't cross…but I thought we were going to die and I wanted him to know---" she finished on a hoarse whisper.

Angela reached out and squeezed her arm. "So why did you keep it?" she asked gently.

"I'm not sure. I guess to remind me not to give up, no matter how hopeless a situation might seem. I never meant him to see it," she said softly, looking up at Angela with a sheen of tears in her eyes.

Angela sighed. "Hodgins and I are together because you never gave up hope. And because after what happened, after nearly losing him, I knew we'd figure out how to make it work. Life is too short and uncertain to waste on 'if onlys'." She studied her friend, watching her process everything in that damned logical mind of hers. "I think you should show it to him," she urged firmly.

Brennan's eyes flew wide with shock. "No! No way, Ange," she said, stubbornly shaking her head, folding the note and shoving it into her bag.

Frustration made Angela's voice rougher than usual. "Promise me you'll think about it," she demanded.

Brennan almost groaned. She could be so determined at times. "Okay, fine, I'll think about it, but I don't think it's a good idea. What if he doesn't feel…?"

Angela grinned in triumph. "Oh, don't worry, he does. Trust me," she said slyly, linking her arm through Brennan's. "C'mon, let's go."