Summary:

Seeley Booth and Temperance Brennan are actors. He's the ultimate teen heartthrob all grown up, riding a wave of success after starring in a number of films and a popular tv show about vampires; she's a young broadway starlet looking to make a foray into television. They have both been cast as leads in the new television show, Bones. Yes, he's handsome and she's beautiful...and no, this is not a story about Emily and David.(Although I might make some allusions to both their careers). I know it sounds a bit ridiculous, but give it a shot. The other cast members will make an appearance as well-Dr. Daniel Goodman, director of the new series; Cam Saroyan, the producer; Jack Hodgins, Booth's agent and publicist; Angela Montenegro, artist, singer, matchmaker extraordinaire, and Brennan's best friend. Don't worry, we'll see Zach, too. Can't promise anything on Sweets. Sorry, but his shrink speak and gun toting are pissing me off right now. However, you can look forward to meeting Gordon Gordon Wyatt, everyone's personal chef and confidante, known for handing out the most delicious food and advice :)

Chapter 1

I...Don't Know What That Means

'There are some things a girl just shouldn't have to live without, and Seeley Booth is one of them.'-Angela Montenegro

Temperance Brennan sighed heavily as she stepped in to her apartment and deposited her bags on the floor. It had been a long day. Endless, really. A four hour delay in departure due to inclement weather; a twelve hour flight cramped into a corner seat with a rather large man slumped over the armrest, snoring into her ear, and a wailing baby bouncing on a lap across the isle; another half hour spent arguing with the personnel at baggage claim who had misplaced one of her bags; and finally, eight hours at the studio, four of which were spent shaking hands and smiling so widely her mouth hurt. Ofcourse, she had managed to catch some (fitful) sleep on her way from the airport to the set. In the worst traffic, it was a twenty minute drive. Oh well. Atleast she wouldn't have to deal with the jet lag.
As she collapsed onto the couch, she ran a hand across her face. Good. It hadn't melted off yet. It had been a while since she'd been under the blistering Californian sun. Her stomach grumbled loudly, a pointed reminder that she hadn't eaten anything all day. A glance at her watch confirmed it was nearing eight, and she knew she should probably order in some dinner. She hadn't even had the time to stock up on groceries yet. Temperance groaned. Suddenly the only thing she wanted was to do was put on her favourite pair of pajamas and crawl into bed. Except she didn't have her favourite pair of pajamas. Oh no. Those just happened to be in the small suitcase that the airline had 'misplaced' during the journey, sitting right on top of a small pile of clothes where she'd hurriedly stuffed them just before leaving. And she couldn't get under the covers just yet-the bed wasn't made up and the whole apartment was probably covered in a layer of dust. She'd have to tidy up a bit first. Well, no use in putting off the inevitable. Temperance Brennan did not procrastinate. Idleness would not help her achieve the lofty goals she set for herself. She made to stand up, but the fatigue of the day hit her like a ton of bricks, and she slumped back onto the couch. She huffed and leaned back against the cushions, reasoning that the day couldn't possibly get any worse, so there really wasn't any-the shrill ringing of her house phone interrupted her thoughts.Oh no.*Ring ring ring*.No.No.NO.Tempe pushing herself off the couch, she reached for the receiver.

'Hey, Ange.'

'Bren! Her best friend's loud squeal made Brennan flinch. Oh my god, I have missed you sooo much! How did you know it was me?'
'I don't have many nighttime callers, Angela. And you're the only person who knows I'm in California.' Brennan smiled in spite of herself. She may have been too exhausted to deal with her Angela's exuberance right then, but it felt good to talk to her friend again. 'And I've missed you too.'

'Please tell me your excuse for not calling me yet is that you had Hugh Grant or some other British hunk stowed away in one of your suitcases and-

'I only just got back from the studio, Angela.' Brennan chuckled tiredly, 'And I can assure you that there are no men in any of my suitcases. Although the incompetent airline employees seem to have lost the one in which I'd packed my robe and other nightwear that would be appropriate for this weather. ' Frowning, Brennan paused for a moment before she continued-'Are you aware that the logistics of fitting a grown man into a-

'It was a joke, Bren.' Angela answered distractedly. 'Back up a minute. Those airheads lost one of your bags? And Mr. Snuggles was in it?

'I don't think I'll ever understand why you insist on speaking about my bathrobe as if it were a live human being. And while they do work for an airline company, I doubt any of the staff members responsible for misplacing my luggage have...'She trailed off at Angela's sigh. 'Oh. You were being facetious.''

Angela laughed warmly. 'Well yeah, Sweetie, but I've missed you in all your literal glory, so I'm gonna let this one slide. When do I get to see that gorgeous face of yours?'

'Well, I'll come by first thing tomorrow before the final audition. I'm too exhausted to go out tonight, and I've got to clean the apartment, too.' Brennan looked around the seemingly spotless living room before continuing, 'Everything seems to be in place, but I haven't been here in weeks so there must be a lot of dust accumulated-'

'Do you see a fleck of dust anywhere, Brennan?'

Confused by Angela's challenging tone, Brennan looked around once more. 'Well, no, but I haven't-'

'Oh, but I have. I knew you'd be home late so I borrowed a key from your landlady and tidied up a bit. I also know you probably haven't have eaten a thing all day, so I stocked up the fridge for you.'

Brennan felt a surge of gratitude towards her friend. She really was too tired to do any cleaning herself, and she hated when the place was dirty. 'Thanks, Ange. You didn't have to do that.'

Angela waved her off dismissively. 'Psh. It was no big deal. And hey, you'd do it for me.'

Brennan smiled. 'Yes, I would.'

'So how'd it go today?'

'Well, the director called me personally after watching my audition tape and said he thought I was perfect for the role, but I'm not sure I'm going to get it. He's asked me to come back tomorrow to audition with one of the other leads who's already been cast.'

'Brennan, that's great! He actually said you were perfect for the role? That means you've got it in the bag. We've got to celebrate.'

'I don't know, Ange. He sounded kind of...apprehensive...about something.'

'And since when do you read people so well?'

'I'm just saying it might be a little too early to start celebrating. There are a lot of other actors who have tried out for this part, Ange. And most of them have more experience than I do when it comes to television.'

'Yeah, but none of them are as talented as you are', Angela replied loyally. 'The director said you were perfect for the part, sweetie. You're going to get it.'

'I hope so, Ange.'Brennan chuckled at the confident tone, and then remembered she had made a mental note to ask her friend something earlier that day. 'Oh, and Ange?'

'Yeah?'

'Who is Seeley Booth?'

Silence.

'Ange?'

Still no answer. Brennan was beginning to wonder if the call had gotten disconnected when Angela's voice carried over the phone line.

'I'm sorry, sweetie', she began in a soft, controlled tone, 'but it sounded like you just asked me who Seeley Booth is.'

'I did. Mr. Goodman mentioned he was quite popular, and you watch a lot of television, so I assumed you would know him . I'm supposed to-'

'Brennan!' Angela exclaimed, managing to sound shocked, incredulous, and almost angry at the same time. She took a deep, calming breath. 'Honey, I know you've lived under a rock for the past decade or so, but you cannot possibly tell me that you've never heard of Seeley Booth.'

'I've never heard of Seeley Booth. Well, atleast I hadn't heard of him until this morning.'

'Never? Not once? Not one single time?'

'That's what I said, Angela.' Brennan huffed, a little frustrated with her friend's inability to comprehend that simple fact.

'Alright, alright, I'm sorry. It's just...wow. OK, hold on a second. She took a deep breath. 'You know what, it's not that big a deal. I mean it is, but...Alright. We can fix this.'

'Angela, what are you talking about? Fix what?'

'Don't interrupt me, Brennan. We have some serious damage control to do. Do you still have that DVD player you've obviously never used?

'Yes. Why? I don't understand how that's relevant to this conv-'

'Great.' Angela ignored her. 'Should I bring some wine? The store was all out of red when I was stocking up your fridge this afternoon.'

'

Angela...'

'Brennan...'

'Angela, you are not coming over right now.'

Look, Brennan. I don't care if you're jet-lagged, or indisposed, or 10 months pregnant. I am coming over there right this minute with a stack of DVDs and you and I are going to sit through atleast four of them before you even think about getting any sleep. OK?'

'Angela, you can't be serious.'

'Trust me, Sweetie. It's for your own good. You'll thank me later.'

I highly doubt that. Why is this so important, Ange?'

'It's important because you can hide under that rock of yours all you like but there are some things a girl just shouldn't have to live without, and Seeley Booth is one of them.

Brennan rolled her eyes. 'Angela, I've managed just fine for the last 26 years, I think I'll survive another day.'

'Nuh uh, Brennan. As my best friend, I refuse to let you live in the darkness any longer. Besides, I haven't seen you in forever!' Angela whined petulantly. She smiled at Brennan's sigh of resignation and then squealed. I promise you won't regret it, Sweetie! Today, I'm going to introduce you to the 180 pounds of gorgeous that is Seeley Booth.'

Brennan groaned and made a last ditch attempt to reason with her friend. 'I'm going to be introduced to him tomorrow in any case, Ange-'

Angela was hearing none of it. 'No, no putting this off for any longer. Be prepared to enter the wondrous world of vampires, Brennan. See you in ten!'

'I...don't know what that means.' But the only response she got was a little click that signified the end of the call, and the incessant beeping of the dial tone that followed.

A/N: Sorry I've had to post so many edited versions of the same chapter, guys. For some reason every time I upload the document a few words get swallowed up in the process. While I have your attention, I'd really appreciate some comments or feedback on the story. I know I just posted the first installment less than 24 hours ago, but a lot of people have alerted it already, and so far I've got only one review. Should I keep going or is this worse than the screenplay for It's a Boy Girl Thing?

So give me some love, people! Or hate. Hate's fine, too. There might just be a chocolate-covered Booth waiting for you in the next few chapters if you're good, though. That's all I'm saying.