A/N: This is my first story that I've posted on this site. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

I based this story on the last line of the preview for the 3x16 episode. There are spoilers for the 3x15 ep.

Disclaimer: Of course I don't own Bones, if I did I wouldn't need to write fan fiction, I could just make Booth and Bones do what I want.

TELL ME WHAT TO DO

Booth's POV

KNOCK KNOCK

Booth sighed as he heard someone knocking at his door. He didn't even need to get up to know who it was, maybe if he ignored her she would just go away.

KNOCK KNOCK "Booth open up, I know you're in there."

No such luck, dammit! Well, I can wait her out. He sank back into the couch, closed his eyes and drank his beer. Booth really didn't want to talk to her. Earlier today, at a crime scene, Bones has asked for his advice and he had put her off. He told her that they could discuss Sully's proposal of an extended vacation later. Then he proceeded to avoid the subject for the rest of the day. Booth had known she would call, that's why his phone was off. However, he hadn't counted on her coming over. He was lost in his thoughts so he didn't here her let herself in until the beer was yanked from his hand and smacked down onto the coffee table.

"Hey!" he protested. Opening his eyes, he saw Bones standing in front of him, hands on hips. "I was drinking that."

"I could see that Booth" her blues eyes were snapping "Why didn't you answer the door? You know I wanted to talk to you today and you kept postponing, well no more!"

"I'm tired Bones. Can't we please talk about this another time?" Yeah, like never!

"No we can't, I'm supposed to meet Sully in an hour. I have to give him an answer."

"Well then what are you doing here? Go meet your boyfriend." He told her sarcastically.

"Booth please, I don't know what my answer is." She sat down on the coffee table, her knees up against his. "Tell me what to do." He just stared at her for a minute not believing the innocence in her eyes. He stood up quickly and went to grab another cold beer. Can she really not see how hard this is for me? Can't she tell how I feel? How this tears me up? Obviously not. Oh God! What do I do? Be her best friend you idiot, now quit talking to yourself and get back in there.

Booth went back and resumed his previous seat across from her. "Okay Bones you win, let's talk." She smiled and let out a sigh.

"Thanks Booth."

"First let me ask you why you want to talk to me about this."

"You're my best friend." Her voice sounded as if she was saying 'duh!' "Besides, I already know what Angela would say, so there was really no point in going to her." After a brief pause she continued, "So anyway, as I was telling you earlier, Sully asked me to go on an extended vacation with him. For one year."

"How do you feel about it?" Please say that the idea repulses you.

"I don't know, part of me thinks it would be okay. However, A WHOLE YEAR, wouldn't it get boring after a while?" Not if you were with me Bones! "Also, Angela talks about the stages of a relationship, that after the extended vacation comes moving in together. This would be living together, for a year anyway. I don't know that I am ready for that." I'm definitely not ready for you to do that!

"Listen, I think that this is more than just worrying about a vacation or moving in. You need to just think about it some more and make up your mind." There that seems reasonable.

"I can't make up my mind, that's why I want you to tell me what I should do." Booth sighed.

"No Bones, I'm not telling you what you should do." Her face fell and she pleaded with him.

"Please Booth." Booth got up and walked towards the door.

"Bones, you have about 45 minutes to think about it, you're a big girl you can make a decision on your own." She followed him to the door but stopped and turned to face him.

"Yes Booth, I can make my own decision, but I was really hoping for your input. I value your opinion. Why won't you tell me what to do or help me make a decision? I don't understand. You are my best friend, why won't you do this for me?" She sounded close to tears, she turned away from him to leave and Booth stopped her by putting his hands on her shoulders. I can't believe I'm going to do this! He thought to himself. He stepped up close to her back and put his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder. She relaxed back into his embrace.

"Bones, don't leave yet, fine I'll help you. However, I will not TELL you what you should do. You have to make up your own mind okay?" his voice was low and rough.

"okay" she told him softly. Neither of them moved, except for Bones raising her hands to rest on his forearms.

"Are you in love with Sully?" Please say no, please say no, please say no he chanted over and over in his mind until she spoke.

"I don't know what it means to be in love."

"I don't know if I can explain it well Bones, it's a feeling you have with and about someone." He took a deep breath. "Okay let me try making a list to help you understand."

"Lists are good Booth." He chuckled.

"Someone that you are in love with will make you laugh. It's someone that you can tell anything to or talk to about anything because you know they won't laugh at you, make fun of you or judge you. It's someone who knows you, the real you, the one deep down inside even the scary bits and they're not afraid and you won't worry that they'll leave. It's someone who you want to know you, especially the scary bits and you're not afraid to tell them about the scary bits. It's someone that you can really trust without question. Someone that you don't have to pretend with, you can be yourself. You don't have to act like you think that they want you to act. It's someone you have a physical chemistry with, but it's not the most important thing to either one of you. It's the first person you want to tell when something good or bad happens. It's the first person you want to tell a funny or a sad story to. And even though, you don't need a someone to make you feel happy and complete, that's what the person you love will do. They make you feel complete, like you found the missing part of you when you didn't even know you were missing anything. The person you love will feel the same way about you. It's someone who will always put you, your happiness and your well being first. It's someone who you can't stop thinking about when they're not around."

"That's a lot to expect of one person Booth. I feel some of those things. He makes me laugh and the chemistry is there, but I know that I don't feel the rest of those things."

"Well then Bones, you need to decide what you want to do."

"What do you think I should do?" Booth groaned.

"Bones, please. I can't tell you what I think you should do. I refuse to tell you. You need to make up your own mind. Now these are rhetorical questions. Do you think that you will ever feel those feelings for Sully? Have you ever felt those feelings for someone? If you can answer those for yourself, you'll know what to do. But I won't tell you what you should do, your decision needs to be YOURS. If I gave you my opinion, that's what it would be, MINE. I won't let what I think or feel about it be a factor." Even though I want to tell you to say no. Even though I want you to be mine. Even though I want you to take that vacation, but with me. "Now Bones, you need to go and make up your own mind."

With his last words, he kissed on her cheek and released her. Reaching around her he opened the door and gently pushed her out the door, closing it softly behind her. Booth watched her through the window in the door as she slowly made her way off his porch and towards her car. Bones stopped half way, turned and looked at him for a second, then resumed her walk to the car. When she got to the car, however, she didn't get in. He saw her get her cell phone and make a call, turning around to lean back against the fender.

bb-bb-bb-bb-bb-bb

Angela's POV

"Hey Sweetie." Angela said as she answered her phone. "Are you on your way to see Sully?"

"No not yet, I'm in Booth's driveway." Angela held in her squeal. She was happy for her friend to be having fun with Sully, she deserved it. However, Angela knew that Brennan's near and dear was Booth. They belonged together, they were a perfect match. She knew that Booth had feelings for his partner. The other day, after solving the murders like the ones in Brennan's book, Booth had seen Sully and Brennan making up in her office. The look of sadness that came across Booth's face told the tale. Angela also knew that her friend had feelings for him, but was in denial. Brennan wasn't going to admit anything, she was terrified, hence the 'safe' relationship with Sully. Angela decided to not push her own agenda this once, worried if she pushed right now, she wouldn't get the outcome she wanted.

"So what are you doing at Booth's?"

"I came to ask him if I should go on the vacation with Sully, but he wouldn't tell me what I should do."

"Oh!" Good for you Booth! "So what did he say?"

"He asked me if I was in love with Sully and I told him that I didn't know what it means to be in love, then he explained to me what it means. Now I'm more confused than ever. I like Sully, but something is holding me back. I just wanted Booth to tell me what I should do, I mean he is my best friend, he wouldn't point me in the wrong direction. Sorry, Ange." God! Does she even hear what she's saying.

"That's okay honey, I know that I've been replaced as best friend and I'm fine with. Just so I remain a close second I'm happy." She teased "Listen I know that you are COMPLETELY aware of how I feel about you and Booth vs you and Sully. Before you say anything just listen to me. I'm not pushing any agenda, I'm trying to help you. You need to turn around and go back in there and make Booth tell you."

"Tell me what?" Brennan was confused.

"Make him tell you why he won't give you his opinion, why he won't tell you what to do. I know if he gives you an honest answer, then you will be able to make a decision on whether to go with Sully or not." Angela's voice was calm and rational, so Brennan took her seriously. Ange's voice always had that tone when she was being serious. "Just like Booth is wanting you to make your own decision, I want you to come to some realizations on your own. But Honey, you really need to get Booth to tell you why. I don't mean that he should tell you what to do, rather, tell you why he refuses to give his own opinion. Now go in there and talk to him." Angela had hung up as soon as she finished talking.

TBC

---------------------------------------

Please press the button below and let me know what you think.