AN: This story has been following me around since the episode aired. I decided to write it just to get it out of my head, but it ended up asking for rewriting and correcting. Over and over again. It's not an obssesion, but it's pretty close. There are a few more chapters in my hard drive that I keep reviewing.

Disclamer: C'ome on, we all know I don't own Bones.

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Well, well, well... she had no idea of what the hell was going on. She did not know why she had to leave. She just had to. She just couldn't be there. So she left. She could deny it, but she usually followed these impluses even when she had not explanation for them.

She heard Perrota's steps right behind her, maybe 10 feet away, no more than that. As Perrota closed the door, said "Now that's awkward"

Brennan kept walking, but she knew Prrota was right. She frowned. And when they reached the street, Brennan turned around and asked "Agent Perrota, why?"

Not expecting that, Perrota babbled. "Well, you were so... sure about not understanding why Booth is so protective of you that I assumed..."

What was she talking about? "No. Why was that awkward?" Brennan asked.

Perrota was taken aback by that "Oh..." So this wasn't a why are you here, I'm gonna start a cat fight thing. She looked at Brennan like she had done before in her office "You really don't know, do you?"

Brennan felt inept. "If I did, why would I ask?" The only way she had to cope was to make the other person feel as inept as she.

Widening her eyes and glancing arround, Perrota pondered. Was she really asking that? Should she answer? "Ok, well..." But no, it made no sense that Dr. Brennan didn't understand "Are you sure you don't get it?"

This was getting annoying "Yes, I am sure. Why was that awkward? Because I know I felt odd, uncomfortable, but I don't know why. Do you?"

"Don't you have a friend, some one that can explain this to you?" to say that perrota preferred having her eyes spooned out to having this conversation would be the understatement of the century.

Brennan frowned again "I would normally ask Booth... it doesn't seem to be an option in this oportunity."

"No, I'd say it isn't..." Perrota sighed. She didn't want to be the one that said it, she didn't want to explain it. However, one more look at Brennan's puzzled face made her decide. It was time to be the bigger person, to help another woman. Sisterhood, right? "Ok, maybe we should have a drink to talk about this."

"I don't need a drink" a straight answer, that's what she needed.

"But I am going to need a few." She placed one hand on Brennan's shoulder an lead her to the nearest bar, which conviniently was around the corner.

From his window, Booth saw the entire scene. Nothing good could come from this. Though his back didn't hurt much, he popped another vicodine and sat there waiting to see them again, to see them come back, to their cars, to his place, he didn't know which one was best.

Sitting at the bar, shot of vodka in hand, Perrota held her glass, Brennan mimicked her for some anthropological reason, and they emptied them.

Then Perrota asked for two beers and once they had them, she spoke. "Why was it awkward..."

"Yes." Brennan took a sip.

Perrota sighed "Well, for me, it was awkward because... as you may have noticed, I am atracted to Agent Booth."

"Yes, I've realized... you asked if his eyes tinkled, you stare at him a lot, and, well, you just brought him food, so yes, I can assess that you find him atractive" Proof, that she understood.

This woman was really clueless, Perrota thought "Ok, and I'd like to..." How to put it "Try out, you know, see if he likes me, see if he's interested"

Brennan nodded, and sipped again. This situation was starting to feel awkward too.

"So, tonight, I felt expossed, you know? Like my feelings were out there, and that's embarrassing"

"But you wanted your intentions to be clear, am I right?"

"Yes... but I didn't expect you to have your arms around Agent Booth..."

Brennan was puzzled again "I was realigning his back"

Perrota smiled, sipped and looked at Brennan again "Yeah, right..." She rolled her eyes, looking for the words "But you looked... let's say shocked that I was there"

"It did take me by surpriese" as much as she hated to admit, it was the truth.

"Yeah, well, you also seemed annoyed, as if you didn't want me to be there, pretty much like you did in the lab... because you don't want me in either"

Brennan pursed her lips, again, truth had been told, she simply had to own it "I don't, sorry, I don't know why... but it's clear to me that I am not comfortable when you are around"

"Fine, I don't really care. As long as it doesn't affect my work, you can feel whatever you want" Perrota stated it as the fact it was.

"I don't want to feel that way, I actually..."

"Fine, whatever... we're trying to make you see why you felt awkward."

"Yes, please" Brennan replied. She looked as if she was going to take notes for an up comming test on the subject.

Again, Perrota stared at her "You really don't see it... it's amazing, really..." But they had a point to make so she continued "Well, knowing as you do that I am romantically interested in Agent Booth, and feeling the way you do about me, you felt exposed."

A deep silence followed "I don't know what you mean"

This was stupid, Perrota really didn't want to be the one that spelled it out, she kind of feared Brennan's reaction "You're jealous of me"

"I am not!" For Brennan it was a Pavlovian response: you love Booth, no, I don't, you're attracted to Booth, no, I'm not, you're more than partners, no, we're not.

Perrota shook her head "Not me, Peyton Perrota in particular, me as a person that... might interest Booth, in an un-partner-like manner"

"I am not following." Puzzled face again

"You don't want him to be with another woman" There, she said it, as plain as possible.

"That's not reasonable. That would... make Booth happy, and I want Booth to be happy"

"Yeah, sure... you want him to be happy with you"

"No, I don't" Pavlov could have used her in stead of the dog.

"You know, if you had all the answers we wouldn't be sitting here, so, start listening" another long sip "You don't want any woman after Booth, and you don't want him to want any other woman"

That was nonsense "But I told him about Agent Pritchard"

"Who's that?" Was there yet another FBI woman after Booth and she hadn't heard about it?

"The British Inspector we met in London"

She smiled "Ok, she is in London, even if Booth liked her..."

An expressionless Brennan interrupted "Oh, he did" She remembered quite vividly the last look he had directed to her.

"Even so, she lives across the ocean... there's no way they would be serious... you see? You don't care as long as there's no real threat."

"I don't feel threatened" Brennan stated after a snort.

"Yes, you do. As long as Booth is single, you're fine, because you're still the most important person in his life. And you want to be the most important person in his life, what you don't want is other people knowing that. That's why it was awkward for you, because you don't want me or Booth to know you feel that. To be honest, I didn't until just now, the way you've been acting, you had me fooled"

"What?" Brennan was in shock, deep shock, she didn't know she felt like that.

"A normal person, a person who knows how she feels, would have never admitted that Booth's eyes don't tinkle at every woman, even less say that it is a sign of sexual interest."

"But they don't, and it is" after a short silence "and I am normal"

"I didn't mean it in a bad way." She took a moment "You are... very particullar. In fact, I believe you're rather selfless, generous, honest... but you can't help what you feel, and sometimes, feeling are... selfish, you know?"

Brennan gathered the info "Your hypothesis is that it was awkward for me because I didn't want to show either Booth or you that I want to be the most important person in his life, or that I don't want him engaged in a relationship with another woman, because I don't want to be selfish... just to state your vission" Had the lightening been better, her blushing had been vissible.

"Yes... I still can't believe you don't see it" Perrota started to feel fascinated.

"I see your point, I don't I agree" Brennan was considering it, though.

Jeez, this woman! Was science the only thing she got? "Ok, you're a scientists, let's try the Socratic method, ok?"

She hesitated "O... K"

"Are you in a relationship?"

"No"

"Why not?"

"Because, I am trying to consider the advantages of monogamy, and I have yet not found one person that fullfills all my needs."

"Ok, and why haven't you found that person?" Perrota let slip the fact that most people do not consider monogamy, they just go with it.

"Because... there isn't... Booth says there is a person you're meant to spend the rest of your life with, but I have not found said person... and Booth thinks that one should not engage in relationships unless one thinks there's a chance it's with that person"

"And why you take Booth's advice in this matter?"

"Because he's usually better at these things than I am"

"So is Sweetes, would you take his imput into consideration?"

Ok, that was true "Well, no..." She started "Booth is my friend"

"Ok, can we say that you trust his oppinion because he's your friend and he has a better knowledge on human relations?"

"Yes, that's a fair assumption"

"You trust him more than any other person?"

"I'd have to say I do"

"And why do poeple take other's advise?"

"Because they aknowlegded someone's expertise in a matter" haven't they stated this already?

"Ok. Do you believe Dr. Seroyan is better at these issues than you?"

"Yes, I'd say she has"

"And Ms. Montenegro, is she better with feelings than you?"

"Angela? of course, she's much better."

"Would you say they are your friends?"

She had to think that. Angela, yes, friend. Cam?... Well, not at first, but now... "Yes, sure, they are my friends."

"And what does Angela say about you dating?"

"She is usually in favor, except the time I went out with Jared"

"Jared...Booth?"

"Yes."

"Oh...k...yeah, I can see why she was against..."

"So was Cam"

"Oh, really... well, you seem to have very good friends, Dr. Brennan" And why the hell couldn't they be explaining this to her?

"What does that have to do with..."

"Nothing, nothing at all... let's get back on track... so you would say that both Dr. Seroyan and Ms. Montenegro are better than you when it comes to... people and relationships, and feelings"

"Yes, they are."

"And they are your friends, right? You trust them"

"Yes, I do..."

"But you don't follow their advise about relationships, which is to go out with people... other than Booth's brother"

"No, I guess I don't"

"No, you don't guess"

"Ok, I see you're stating a fact, you're right, I don't follow their advise... you have good logic, I must say" Brennan said it with the tight lips she used when loathing the statement she had to say.

Perrota was determined to get the truth out, she wasn't going to endulge digressions such as Brennan complimenting her "Yeah... but you do follow Booth's advise not to date people, regardless of who they are"

"Unless he is the one I am suppose to spend the rest of my life with... which I think is irrational, but in general, yes, I'd say I follow Booth's advise"

"Which is not your natural inclination, right?"

"Well, my natural inclination would be to... let's say engage in fulfilling relationships, sexual or otherwise, for as long as they are fulfilling. So you are right, I go against my rational and natural inclination, even when people as capable as Both agree with me, in favor of Booth illogical theory of..." Oh, no... like a bucket of cold water "That, that's not... my reassoning is not logical."

"Do you know why?"

"Hum... no."

"Because it has nothing to do with logic"

"I beg to differ..."

"Well, Doctor, you don't get to differ. You get to listen now, because I've done all the possible disecting of your situation and you still don't seem to understand... It's really... unbelievable... I mean, you are a woman, you know how men feel about you..."

"Well, I know that I am appealing to some men... I've been told that I fall into the parametres."

Parametres? Couldn't she just say I know I'm hot? "Oh, you're impossible.... Can I get another shot?" That last part was told to the bartender.

"The other lady too?"

"Yes, you know what, leave the bottle"

Brennan snorted "That's somethign Booth'd say"

God, everything kept on coming back to Booth with this woman. Perrota poured the shots and ordered "Drink it" They both did. "I am going to lay the facts for you, ok?" As if she hadn't done it already.

"Ok"

Another set of shots

"You, a rational person, who trys to take logic to every aspect of your life, follows, as you just said, irrational advise from the man you trust the most, just because you trust him. And you have irrational reactions towards women that might get in his... life. So, you are irrational when it comes to this man. And do you know what can make you act irrationaly?"

"Being stupid?" Were all of the IQ test wrong?

"No, no, no, no, no."

"Alcohol?"

"No, alcohol would just free whatever you're holding back, good or bad... Feelings, feelings make you irrational. And, do you know what's funny?"

"No"

"If you just... knew what those feelings are, if you just named them, it would be less irrational. You'd be able to understand why you don't like me, or why it was awkward today, or why you're fine with British agent, or why you shouldn't have gone out with Jared Booth"

"That isn't funny and doesn't make any sense..."

"Well, it's not supposed to"

"But you just said..."

"What I mean is, don't seek logic where there's none, and you'll see that not logic is ok, it's rational to be irrational in irrational matters" With that Perrota emptied her beer.

Brennan was frowning, thinking hard, it made no sense, but, apparently, it wasn't supposed to?

"Well, Dr. Brennan, I have said more than enough... and you got this from me... God... Consider it a return on your twinkling eyes coment..." She got up, looked at the bar tender and said "She'll get the tab, she ows me at least that" To Brennan again "You're on your own now."

Brennan watched her go, then looked back at her glass and poured another shot. Could Perrota be right? Could she be selfish enough not to want Booth happy? Did she have a reason to be selfish? Were there feelings? She didn't like feelings. This was all very confusing. She drank her shot, even though she knew alcohol never made things less confusing. Her bottle of beer was half empty, or half full, depending on how you looked at it, she thought. Potato, tomato... she drank it slowly, ideas flying in and out of her mind. She poured her fifth shot and drank it. She shut her eyes hard. Ok, now she was fairly bubbley. Not drunk, yet. But she didn't know if she wanted to get totally drunk.

"Can I take the vodka with me?"

"As long as pay it, sweetheart, you can do whatever you want"

So she paid, let the sweetheart slip, got the bottle in her purse -those were the advantages of oversized bags- and walked out. It was a clear night. She turned around the corner. Perrota's car was gone, not that she was looking for it, she just noticed. Brennan's steps were a little slow, a bit dragged, maybe not quite straight. She shouldn't drive, she thought. But she didn't want to leave her car there, right in front of Booth's appartment. This was all very confusing. Her phone rang.

"Brennan"

"You shouldn't drive"

"Booth? How...." She looked up and he waved from his window. "It's creepy, you know?"

"Hey, I'm just looking out for you" She could see the grin on her face.

She smiled that lop sided smile he got when he grinned. "How's your back? Did I fix it or make it worst?"

"It's much better, thank you"

"Good... I'm sorry I hurt you before."

"Don't worry, Bones."

"But I do" Alcohol induced freedom of speech.

"Aw... you do?"

"Of course I do, you're my partner." Honest answer.

"Yeah..." that tone in his voice was new. "Hey, why don't you come up, sober up before you get behind the wheel?" That was more Booth.

It was the reational thing to do. "Yeah... though I still have my vodka..." she said shaking the bottle up to him.

"Ok, Bones" He laughed a little "Then come up and get hammered"

She turned the cell off and, with a final half smile up, she went into the building.

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Well, that's all for now. Let me know what you think. Seriously, please, review, it makes may day even if it's "you shouldn't touch a keyboard for as long as you live" . Should I continue or delete the rest of it from my computer?
Thanks for reading!