A/N: I decided, after a lot of thought, to write a sequel to 'Ladies Choice' since I got a few requests for one. It'll have two parts like the last one, so please enjoy!

Like a Date?

After narrowly avoiding Hodgins and his disgusting maggots, Angela made it inside Brennan's office before realizing she'd forgotten to bring back lunch for her friend. From the look on her face, though, Angela was certain she'd let it slip her mind as well. Her friend was staring at the phone as though the device had suddenly developed a mouth and was spouting poetry. She looked up at Angela's entrance.

"Were you with him just now?"

Angela tried to contain her smile. "Yep."

"So you know?"

"I know. And I just have to say, I'm thrilled."

Brennan held up a hand to cut her off. "I must be insane," she mumbled.

What? Insane? No way. More like completely sane for the first time since she'd met Booth. Angela, in a mild panic, hurried to reassure the anthropologist that she had, in fact, made the right choice.

"You won't regret this Bren, trust me. The guy is great on a date; take it from me. Now, I'm going to come over to your place tomorrow evening to help you pick out what to wear."

"Ange, slow down. I'm sure he's a wonderful date, but I really don't think, given our professional relationship, that this is a good idea. I think I may have agreed to this on impulse. I should have thought it through more."

No, no, no! Not good. The plane was on fire and losing altitude fast.

"Impulse huh? Lemme ask you something. What was the first thing that went through your head when he asked you?"

"Well, when he asked if I was free for dinner, my first thought was…" Here it comes. She was going to say that she was filled with excitement that he would ask her out and that her mind had immediately jumped to the possibility she'd been thinking of for so long, but had never voiced or admitted. Angela leaned forward in anticipation.

"that he'd already made reservations and was reluctant to cancel them. I then decided that I would oblige."

Angela felt a frown coming on. Then she perked up, remembering a bit of the one sided phone conversation she'd heard. "And is it a date? In your mind?"

She shrugged, a sign of indifference when, judging by her face, the situation was anything but.

"He said it could be, if I wanted it to be."

"He thinks it is."

"Hmm," she said simply, her eyes still riveted on the phone.

"Anyhow, you are keeping this date, or outing, or whatever the hell you wanna call it. I will be over tomorrow night to help you pick out an outfit, and you will have a great time." That said, she left her friend's office, heading to her own, where she sat at her desk and thought, not really getting any work done.

A knock on the door startled her. "Come in!" Hodgins entered, looking like she'd stood him up on prom night.

"Hey, I thought you'd wanna see the maggots."

"Whatever gave you that idea?"

"I don't know. I mean, they're kinda cute, and you like cute things."

"I like cute, fluffy things; there's a difference." She looked him up and down. He was kinda cute. Kinda. And kinda fluffy if you focused on his hair. She shook her head. No. Booth was wrong. Wrong with a capital W-R-O-N-G.

"What?"

Angela met his eyes. "What, what?"

"You shook your head."

"Inner musings. Believe me, I don't think you wanna know."

"So, how did your big date go with Booth?"

"It was fun, but we decided to be friends. He's going out with Brennan tomorrow night instead."

"Really? So, I guess this means you're single now, huh?" Oh god. Was he hinting at something? Since she wasn't oblivious like Booth, she knew he was.

"Actually, I have a few prospects," she said vaguely, just to head him off. She was so not interested in Hodgins.

"Oh." His demeanor visibly deflated, but then he straightened up, asking, "Like who?"

Oh, no, this was going from bad to worse. Angela wracked her brain, but it was frozen. She couldn't even come up with any made up names. Hodgins was waiting. She said the first thing that popped into her head, inwardly wincing as the name came out of her mouth. "Zach."

"Zach?!" He looked incredulous, as well he should.

Thinking fast, Angela plastered a smile on her face. "Yea. He's got that 'I'm so innocent and naïve' thing going for him. I like it." Eww. But, if it would keep Hodgins at arm's length, it might be worth it. Maybe.

"Ok, I can see it." He looked like he was thinking the exact opposite.

"In fact, I was thinking about asking him out. Maybe joining Booth and Brennan." Wow. The prospect of a double date with Zach. Maybe she'd come down with something between now and then. Like the flu or a flesh eating virus of some sort. No, that was just being mean to Zach. Just because she wasn't attracted to him in the least didn't mean she found him repulsive. He was just Zach…the one of them whom she'd never imagined in anything resembling a romantic relationship. Doing so was just weird. Almost as weird as her and Hodgins. Damn Booth for planting that idea in her head.

"This I gotta see," Hodgins commented and waited patiently for her to lead the way out of her office and to Zach. Angela briefly considered that this was taking it too far. She should just tell Hodgins that she wasn't interested in him in that way, and be done with it. Unfortunately, that would also mean admitting she'd lied about Zach. And that just wasn't an option at this point. She could suffer through dinner tomorrow night, and then simply explain to Zach and Hodgins that it wouldn't work. Yes, simple as that, and no one would be the wiser.

"Hi Zach," she began. He turned to her, giving her his full attention, completely in the dark about what she was about to do. "Look, Booth and Brennan are going to dinner tomorrow night and I was wondering if you wanted to go with me and we could join them."

"Like a date?"

Angela gave him a little smile. "Yea, like a date? Whaddya say?"

"All right. That sounds like a pleasant way to spend an evening." He looked shell shocked. Poor guy. Probably the last thing he'd expected her to say. And then came the guilt. She'd been expecting it, so it wasn't a surprise. Zach, the poor unwilling pawn in her sick game to keep Hodgins at bay. She'd make sure he had fun, fun without giving him the wrong idea of course. And, as an added bonus, she'd be present for Booth and Brennan's big date. Yes, best to look on the bright side. Now, to get the couple's ok.

She called Booth first, asking him directly if it would be all right if she and Zach accompanied them.

"Zach? But I thought…you and Hodgins…Zach? Really?"

Angela sighed. "Yes. Zach. Really. Is it ok? I mean, I know you wanted the evening to be just you and Brennan. I'd consider it a big favor."

"It's fine. I'll just see if I can get us a bigger table. I know one of the assistant managers, so maybe I can swing something. I'll call you and let you know, but make sure it's all right with Bones first." She could tell he was anticipating future dates with Brennan. If he hadn't been, no way he'd allow her and Zach to be there. She only hoped he was right. After hanging up the phone, she ventured back to Brennan's office to find her typing at her computer furiously, and still sneaking the occasional glance at her phone.

"Expecting a call?" she asked innocently.

"No. I'm still debating on calling him and cancelling tomorrow night."

Angela maneuvered them over to the couch. "Don't you dare! You'll have a good time and remember, it's just a date. The first of many I hope."

"Ange…"

"A date Bren, not a marriage proposal. Keep that in mind, ok?" Images of herself in a bridesmaids dress at Brennan's wedding floated through Angela's mind and she mentally shooed them away. Someday, not now, but someday.

Brennan pondered her words for a moment then concluded, "You're right Ange. A date is not indicative of marriage or anything resembling a commitment. It's just two people enjoying each other's company."

"Exactly. Two people. Or four."

Brennan's eyebrow shot up. "Four?"

"Yea, you know, like a double date. You and Booth and me and Zach." She plastered the same smile she'd given Hodgins on her face, awaiting Brennan's reaction.

"You and Zach are going out on a date?"

"Hopefully with you and Booth. Are you ok with that?"

"With you and Zach? I suppose, if it won't affect his work performance."

"I don't think anything could affect Zach's work, and I meant are you ok with us going with you guys tomorrow?"

"Sure, it might take some of the pressure off."

Angela latched onto that statement. "Pressure?"

"Yes, despite the fact that this is a casual date, certain things are expected at such events and if more people are involved it would lessen expectations."

"Certain things like…deep conversation, kisses good-bye with the promise of more, hand holding, possible dancing...things like that?"

"For example."

"And if we weren't going, would you conform to those expectations?"

"If it felt right. Otherwise, I'd try to resist."

"You cannot resist Booth. If he tried anything, you'd be putty in his hands, believe me."

"If you say so."

"You would! Even the mighty, independent Temperance Brennan wouldn't be able to resist the charms of Seeley Booth!" She giggled and gave her friend a playful nudge with her shoulder.

"Perhaps you're right. There is something about Booth. I can't quite put my finger on it."

"You got that right. The man has charisma, that's for sure."

"That's a good word for it."

"Thank you." Angela grinned and nudged her again. "So, we'll all go out tomorrow night and have a great time and then you and Booth will conform to expectations and share a romantic kiss good night." She said it matter-of-factly, as though any other outcome was an impossibility.

"Whoa Ange, don't get ahead of yourself."

"Come on Bren, look me in the eye and tell me you don't want that to happen." A pause while she waited for Brennan to do as she asked. "Aha! You can't!"

"I wouldn't be averse to a kiss taking place, as long as the outing goes well."

"Date, Bren, it's a date. And don't worry, it'll go beautifully."

"What about you and Zach?" A sly smile appeared on Brennan's face. Angela paled ever so slightly.

"What about us?"

"Are you going to conform to expectations as well?"

"Oh, you mean…" Ugh. The very idea of kissing Zach and getting all romantic with him was just wrong. "I don't think so. This is just a test. Dipping my toe in the water that is Zach, so to speak." Yea, that would work.

"I see."

Angela glanced out the window, and sighed, seeing Hodgins hovering over his newly hatched maggots. Alone. And, again with the guilt! "I gotta go. I've got some maggots to look at." She grimaced and stuck her tongue out in distaste. She received a smile from Brennan, and then left the office.

"Ok, Hodgins. I give in. Let's see the newborns."

"Yes! I knew you'd give in."

"How could I not? Babies are babies, after all. No matter how gross and vomit inducing they are." She rolled her eyes and accepted Hodgins' proffered hand, allowing herself to be pulled to the table. There were worse things.

A/N: Hope you liked it! Next part will be the date. Thanks for reading!