A/N

I started this forever ago, but have only just got round to beginning to finish it. It's going to be a 2 shot, my own personal therapy to make up for the mess that was the last 3 minutes of the 100th...gets me mad all over again just thinking about it!

Anyway...it starts a bit angsty but never fear, Angela is here! It's going to have a very happy ending! xD

Part 1

Angela Montenegro was angry. Actually, angry didn't even cut it. She was 'jump up and down, wave fist in the air while threatening to shoot someone with Booths gun' angry. And the person responsible for her anger? One Dr Temperance Brennan or in this case, one drunk Dr Temperance Brennan. This was the third Friday night (or should she say Saturday morning) in a row that Angela had received a drunken phone call from her best friend asking to be picked up. Which is why she found herself driving to a crappy bar, in a shitty neighbourhood at 4 o'clock in the morning?

Now, Angela would be the first to admit that she has enjoyed the occasional...well, frequent night out getting drunk in a crappy bar somewhere. And in the past, it may even have been Brennan that picked her up after said night out, but this was getting ridiculous. Brennan wasn't the type to get drunk regularly and Angela knew something was troubling her friend but no amount of prodding and poking would get it out her. She was locked up tighter than Fort Knox. Angela had tried the previous nights to try and get a drunken Brennan to share her woes with no luck so far, but as the saying goes 'third time lucky'.

Angela parked up outside the club and made her way towards the bouncer she was now well acquainted with. The club was closing up at this time so he let her in with a smile and a nod towards the bar. As she made her way towards Brennan she realised her friend was serenading the bar staff with a fascinating interpretation of the classic, Living On A Prayer...again. As mad as Angela was she had to smile, it wasn't often she got to see Brennan in such a...frivolous mood.

The closer she got though, the less amused she became; because now she was closer to Brennan, she could see that tonight her friend was the worst she had been. The previous times Brennan had been drinking were nothing compared to this, and Angela couldn't help but wonder what had set her off this time. She could see Brennan's eyes were wide and dilated, her make-up was mostly rubbed off and her hair was looking a little wild. She bared no resemblance at all to the normally put together Dr Temperance Brennan.

As soon as Angela had finished this thought Brennan looked up and spotted her and let out a very un-Brennan like squeal and jumped off her bar stool, knocking it over in the process.

"Angeeeeeeeeela"

The next thing Angela she was on the floor with a giggling Brennan on top of her. Apparently to see Angela was to hug her!

It took her a few minutes but eventually (and with the help of the bouncer) Angela managed to get Brennan back on her feet and led her towards the exit. With one last exuberant wave goodbye to the bouncer by Brennan, they made it outside into the night air, and Angela led her slowly towards her car.

By the time Angela had gotten Temperance settled in the car and convinced her that wearing a seat belt was necessary, it was 4.30am, and Angela's patience was nearing an end.

"Brennan, leave it!" Angela said loudly, as yet again Brennan went to remove her belt.

Brennan froze in the act and looked at Angela's stern expression, giggling suddenly at seeing her normally bubbly friend looking so serious. At her laugh, Angela rolled her eyes and started the car, slowly pulling out into the road and making her way to Brennan's apartment. Ten minutes into the drive, Angela glanced over at Temperance, slightly worried as her previously chatty friend was silent. Her brow furrowed in worry as she saw her staring blankly out of the car window, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. She returned her gaze back to the road and started to plan her new strategy. The past few weeks her friend's pain had been almost a tangible thing, and with today's antics...she wasn't going to be fobbed off now. Before the night...well morning was out, she was going to find out what was wrong with Temperance Brennan...even if it killed her!

While Angela was thinking this, Temperance mind was whirling a mile a minute as she looked back over the last few weeks. She hadn't been herself...she hadn't felt like herself and she didn't know how to get back her previous...contentment. Because she had been content, regardless of what people may have thought...she had been happy in her little world of facts and logic...no emotions muddying the...waters? Yes, she nodded her head slightly, no emotions muddying the waters. And now? Now one man...one stubborn, frustrating, infuriating...wonderful, loyal, gorgeous man had ruined it for her. In one night.

Both Angela and Temperance remained silent for the rest of the journey, caught up in with their own thoughts. Before either of them knew it, Angela was pulling up outside Brennan's apartment and turning off the engine, the sudden silence seeming to echo throughout the car. They sat silently in the car, neither sure how to break the silence. Temperance, because her alcohol induced haze was wearing off and she was feeling embarrassed about her behaviour...past and present. And Angela, because...well, she was trying to figure out how to talk her way into Brennan's apartment. In the end, Angela went for blunt honesty, figuring that it would be appreciated.

"Bren" she said suddenly, causing her friend to glance at her. "I'm coming up."

Temperance was silent for a moment before turning to face her best friend. She knew what she would be agreeing to and this time...this time she was ready to talk...she hoped. She looked Angela in the eye and nodded, causing Angela's eyes to widen in shock. This time, she thought in part shock and part growing excitement, this time she might actually find out what was wrong with her friend.

No more was said between the friends, and they both made their way slowly towards the apartment building, Angela grabbing Temperance's arm as she stumbled, the alcohol in her system making its presence felt. They made their way gradually to her door, the ride in the elevator being completed in silence. Temperance trying frantically to organize her thoughts into some kind of sense, becoming more and more frustrated as her normally brilliant mind struggled. Angela saw the look on her friends face, and knew she needed to let her work through whatever was going on in that big brain of hers on her own...for the time being at least.

They arrived at Temperance's apartment and Angela couldn't help but smile as she watched her friend attempting to put the key in her lock. She gently covered Brennan's hand with hers and removed the key, before opening the door and leading her in, shutting the door behind her. She waited for her to be settled on the couch before disappearing into the kitchen.

Temperance sat still on her couch, waiting somewhat impatiently for Angela to return. Now she had finally made the decision to tell her best friend about what was troubling her, she wanted to do it immediately. She winced as she heard a crash from her kitchen and a muttered oath from Angela before she appeared around the corner, carrying a jug of cold water and two glasses. She settled them down on the table and poured them both a glass, before handing one to Brennan and settling herself next to her on the couch, turning her body so she was facing her.

She took a sip of the refreshing drink and signalled for Brennan to do the same.

"Drink up Bren...your only chance of avoiding a hangover!" she said with a smirk.

Temperance took a tentative sip of her drink before placing her glass back on the table. She expected Angela to question her but she said nothing, just stared at her waiting patiently, waiting on her to talk. Brennan let out a heavy sigh before picking up her glass again, no hesitation this time as she finished the drink quickly before pouring herself another one. Angela knew an evasive tactic when she saw one but just sat back, content to wait her out.

Temperance finished her second glass of water then sat back, turning to face Angela, ready to being this...painful conversation.

"Ange...you've probably noticed I haven't been...myself lately." She said causing Angela to smile, both of them being aware of how much of an understatement that was.

Brennan sent her a wry smile.

"I want...no I need to tell you something. About a night...nearly four weeks ago now...with Booth." She said, her voice breaking on his name.

Angela sent her an encouraging smile, and leant over, patting her lightly on the knee.

"He...we...in Sweets office...there was a moment..." she was babbling now, her thoughts all over the place. She stood up quickly, dislodging Angela's hand in the process and started to pace in front of the couch.

"He told me...and I said...then he..." she ran a hair through her hair in agitation, frustrated in her ability to express what she was feeling.

"Sweetie" Angela said softly, but her friend continued to pace. "Sweetie" she said, louder this time causing Brennan to glance at her.

"Sit down" she saw Brennan start to protest "Please Bren...sit down" she followed this with a pleading look.

Temperance looked at her friend and sighed, knowing she couldn't say no when she asked her like that. She sat back down slowly and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Angela edged closer to her until their shoulders were touching lightly, and laid a supporting hand on her arm.

"Bren...start from the beginning...please"

And Brennan did. She talked her through the meeting she had with Booth and Sweets. She told her about their first case together, and ignored the stifled squeal that came from beside her when she mentioned her and Booths kiss. She paused when she got to the confrontation after the meeting, and only managed to continue after receiving a squeeze of encouragement from her friend beside her.

Angela's heart broke for her friend as she listened to her as she recounted the conversation with Booth. His declaration to her...her desperate refusal. The pain in Brennan's voice as she explained her reasoning... the fact that she thought she wasn't good enough...that she would only hurt him in the end. That her heart wasn't big enough. Temperance almost whispered that part and it physically pained Angela to hear. Her friend had a bigger heart than anyone knew...and as she listened to Brennan tell her what Booth said, her eyes flashed in anger. How could he? His lack of acknowledgement of what she said was basically an agreement that she wasn't good enough...that she would hurt him...and at that moment Angela had never wanted to hurt someone so much. That he reduced her friend to this mess...it made her so angry!

Angela was so lost in her thoughts that she missed some of what Temperance said, but next thing she heard was her friend saying in a broken whisper "He said he needed to move on" before she broke. The tears had started falling, so silently that Angela hadn't noticed, but as she leant round to encase her friend in a much needed hug, she spotted her face. Tears were streaming down Brennan's face and as their eyes met what little composure she had left and she collapsed into Angela's arms, heartbroken sobs wracking her fragile frame. Angela hugged her tight, murmuring meaningless words of comfort as she fought back her own tears. They stayed that way for a long time, only moving so Angela could lean back, pulling a still sobbing Temperance with her as she got comfortable. Eventually her friend quietened, and she glanced down to see her eyes had closed and she was sleeping, tear tracks visible on her face.

Angela glanced at the clock and saw it was nearing 6am. She gave up any thought of leaving she may have had and leant back slowly, making sure she didn't wake the sleeping woman in her arms. When she was comfortable, she closed her eyes gently, and allowed herself to slip into a much needed slumber.

A/N

As always, let you know what you thought...and let me know if you thought it was total rubbish! It's always good to know these things! ;)