Open your eyes
Summary: At a party, Bones surprises her colleagues with a hidden talent. How many more secrets does Bones have – and how many does she even know about?
Chapter 1 – A Birthday
"Happy Birthday Ange!" Temperance Brennan smiled and pressed a neatly wrapped parcel into her friend's hands. Angela eagerly tore of the wrapping paper to reveal a scented candle.
"Sorry if you don't like it," said Brennan awkwardly. "The receipts in the box if you want to exchange it."
"Sweetie, there is no way I'm exchanging this, its way too nice!" said Angela with a grin.
Brennan smiled shyly.
"So, you're coming to my party tonight, aren't you?" Angela asked.
But before Brennan could answer, her assistant, Zach Addy, and Jack Hodgins burst through the doors of the lab, whooping and cheering. They came over to Angela and Brennan and plonked party hats on their heads.
"What the hell are you doing?" laughed Angela.
"Merely getting into the spirit of things, my dear lady," said Hodgins in an awful British accent.
"Isn't it a bit early to be drunk?" Brennan asked.
Hodgins began to laugh, but stopped when he realised she was being serious.
"Oh, don't worry Doctor Brennan…" began Zach.
Angela interrupted him. " It's just Hodgins' weird sense of humour sweetie,"
She said reassuringly.
"Oh. Sure." Dr. Brennan muttered, embarrassed.
At that moment, Agent Booth strolled in. "Hey." He said. "Happy Birthday by the way, Angela."
"Zach, have you finished cleaning those bones yet?" asked Angela. "I need the skull back so I can try and reconstruct the face."
Booth wandered over to the little group. "Here." He said, leaning over Brennan, who was looking through a microscope at something, and handing Angela a small bag. She reached in and pulled out an exact replica of the candle Brennan had given her.
Looking up, Brennan moved hurriedly to block her candle from view, but Jack Hodgins was too quick for her. He snatched up the candle.
"Hey, looks like great minds think alike, huh Booth? And this ones from you, isn't it Brennan. Hey, don't deny it, I can see the label."
Brennan blushed and tried to find words. Mentally, she cursed herself. Damnit Brennan, you had to put a nametag on. Typical.
Meanwhile, Booth, for once at a loss for a quick comeback mumbled "Um, yeah… I guess so…"
"Isn't it hot in here?" commented Brennan innocently.
Angela looked over. Without her knowing it, Brennan's cheeks had turned flaming red!
"Uh…Yes… It is …Actually…" said Angela, hastily trying to cover for her friend. "Why don't we go outside for a minute?" she gabbled, "Just us girls…Ok?" Angela knew it wasn't very convincing, but she had to talk to Brennan and it most definitely could not wait.
Outside, Doctor Brennan regarded her friend with confusion. "Why did you send me outside?" she asked, "You could have turned the heating down."
"Sweetie," said Angela incredulously, "I can't believe you thought that was the heating! You blushed because of Booth!"
"Angela, you know I don't blush for anyone, even for… I mean, especially not for Booth. And you can return my candle, that doesn't bother me."
"Ok," said Angela firmly. "We need to get some things straight. First, I am not returning either of the candles, but if I did, it would be Booth's."
"Why not mine?" Brennan was genuinely confused.
"Because you're my best friend." Said Angela with a smile. "And that's also the reason I had to get you outta there. If Hodgins noticed you blushing, you would never hear the end of it."
"Thank you." Brennan smiled. Then her face turned back to one of puzzlement. "I still don't understand why you said I blushed because of Booth though."
"Because. You. Like. Him." Answered Angela, as if stating the blindingly obvious.
"What? No! Angela, Booth is nothing but a friend to me. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, absolutely nothing is going on with me and Booth, and nothing will happen. No friends with benefits, nothing!" Brennan was close to yelling, her voice rising in annoyance.
Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Brennan's words echoed silently in her head. Oh my God, did I just yell at my best friend? What have I done? She thought guiltily.
Then, "I'm sorry," said Angela quietly
"No, I'm the one who should be apologising," said Brennan softly. "I also should have realised that you're my friend and were only trying to give me some advice. I'm sorry Angela. Forgive me?"
"Of course," said Angela warmly. "So how about this party? You wanna come?"
Dr. Brennan hesitated for a moment, then "Sure." She said, with a smile.