Hiatus is making us (at least me) fanfic refugees... Reading & writing (or trying to write) are the ways I use to go through the drought. So here you are a little piece, basically conversational, that I think is the first of various.

This one is a conversation between Angela & Brennan, almost all dialogue, but we can also see, in italics, Brennan's thoughts. Just hers.

Thanks to Monisse that convinced me that I was not the only one to whom the fic made sense... :)

Oh!! The timelime of the story is after ep100. This one is very imprecise, that's true, but I only think in spoilers , so you're warned.

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Signs Of Fear

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"Are you sure you're ok, sweetie?"

No, I'm not. Not sure, nor well.

"Of course, Ange, I'm fine."

"You don't seem to be fine, Bren. You look tired and upset."


I feel a very uncomfortable aching in the chest every time I breathe, and a burning in the pit of my stomach anytime I think about them. Obviously I'm aware that it is all due to a sudden hormone unbalance. But it's not as if I can stop it.

"I guess this case is being more stressful than I had though." It's not a lie. It really is stressful... and disturbingly painful.

"I see. Maybe you should talk to Sweets."

Yes, of course, how is it that I hadn't thought of that? Talking to the kid, I mean Dr. Sweets, about my physical emotional responses to an absurd external stimulus. As if I wanted him to know what have triggered them.

"I don't think that would help me. You know I don't feel comfortable with..."

"With what, Bren, with psychology? With Sweets knowing YOU? With telling the truth once and for all?"

"I don't know what that..."

"Oh, no, sweetie. Don't fool me. Not this time. You always get your own way, you'll leave me hanging, in mid sentence and just walk away. But not this time. You're gonna listen to me even if you don't like it."

"Angela..." No, please, I don't think I can bear it now.

"Shut up, Bren. You are scared."

"No, I am not..." Why do people say I'm scared if I've proved once and again that I'm more than self sufficient, independent and...

"Oh, yes, sweetie, you are. I can't say if it's of your own feelings or of this new thingy Booth has."

"I..." Dammit, I am. Of course I am.

"Try to deny it again"

I can't. It'd be a blatant lie. I don't like lying. But to expose the truth... Which is the truth, anyway? I'm not certain of anything anymore. Or am I? Oh!! Yes, I am.

"You're wrong Ange, I'm not scared about my feelings." Well, maybe a little, but I can get over it .

That's not the point.

"Oh, c'mon sweetie."

"No, Angela, I know what I feel and I'm not scared of that." I'm scared of having to forget everything I feel, of not being able to live it, of having to settle for the second best. Of losing him.

"Oh.. OH!... But... Oh, Bren. You should really talk to him"

"I've told you I'm not comfortable..."

"Not Sweets, Booth."

Oh!

"Booth? Why should I talk to Booth?" I need to say something case related to distract her attention

"We haven't had any developments in the case that he'd need to know. And he is probably busy right now." Oh! Why did I add that last sentence? I hope it didn't sound as strained as I think it sounded.

"Busy, Bren?"

She noticed. Of course she did.

"Well, he has a life, today is Friday... I'm quite certain that he is… busy" Why is it that I can't use another word? Oh, yes, because if I think of what it may mean, the heartburn and the pressure in the chest will come back.

"Yes, and the only reason I'm telling you to call him is to talk about the case."

"What else could we be talking about?" As if I didn't spend more time of what is usual (and standardly accepted) between just-partners with him.

"Yes, what else?"

"Right" But I wonder... if Booth is going lately with his brain, shouldn't I go with my gut?

"...Just let me tell you something, sweetie. You better use your brilliant mind to make a decision soon or it may be too late."

It is already too late

"I don't know wh..." I don't know if I can.

"Sure, sweetie, sure."

Let me know what you think, if this format "dialogue+one side thoughts" is confusing, if you liked it...

And anyway, thanks for reading.