A little idea I had a while ago. Even though I can't promise you to update as regularly as usual, I will definitely finish it at some point. I have no idea how exactly the story will unfold, so if there is anything particular you'd love to read, feel free to suggest.

Borders to be Crossed

I. Washington D.C.

„Three years, I cannot stand it anymore!"

Jack Hodgins smiled softly, as he watched his beautiful girlfriend pacing her office. Frustration was palpable in every twist of her knees, every turn on her heels.

"Calm down, Angie, it isn't as if Booth and Dr. B. quarreling about something is new."

Spinning around, the distraught artist faced the red-haired man sitting on her desk.

"I know, Jack. But did you see it? They were practically getting all over each other. About a burger. A freaking burger! Well," she waved her hand in a dismissive gesture, thinking about Brennan's furiously sparkling eyes and Booth's tensed jaw, "without actually getting all over each other, of course."

"Yes, but it's their way of communication. And even though it drives you, me and everyone else around crazy, they connect to each other on that level."

"Yeah, but there are several other levels they should connect on."

Drawing Angela between his knees, Hodgins let his palms roam over her back in soothing caresses. Her head fell onto his shoulder.

"It's not very mature, but I want to lock them somewhere and throw they key away. I've never seen two people so hot for each other."

"Never?" he smirked. "Not even the one time when we did it in front of your mirror?"

Finally, her lips curved into a knowing smile.

"Okay, maybe one time. But, seriously, those two 'we're just partners᾽ are radiating so much sexual tension that even I can't keep up with that. Whom am I kidding, I don't want to. I love resolving my tension."

She leaned in for a kiss, and Hodgins smiled at his woman lovingly.

"Fine, I get that you're upset. But... how much are you willing to sacrifice?"

Angela wriggled her eyebrows.

"Sacrifice? What goes on in that gorgeous head of yours?"

"Hmm, I'm thinking about locking them somewhere, just in a bigger picture."

"A bigger picture?"

"This sentimental journey through Europe we are planning? What about sending them instead?"

"You're willing to give up our trip?"

"Not 'give up᾽. Just reschedule."

Images of Venice, Paris and Lisbon crossed Angela's mind, but they were quickly pushed away by the vivid picture of her best friend and one very sexy FBI agent burning for each other.

"That is indeed a sacrifice. You're really sure you wanna do this?"

"I wanna make you happy. Even the crazy parts of you. Besides, I can probably write it off against tax. It almost qualifies as a charity project," he joked.

"Aw, that's so sweet. Two weeks together in romantic cities with romantic little hotels could definitely turn the tables for the two of them."

'Or make them kill each other,᾽ Hodgins thought, but he found it wise to keep his mouth shut.

"We can still do our trip next month, Angie. Those cities are unlikely to run away or drown in the water. Except for Venice, of course."

Angela smiled wickedly.

"It's settled, then. Now all we need is a scenario that will make it impossible for Booth and Brenn to back out."

"Knowing you, that won't be a problem, will it?"

"Jack Hodgins, how good are you at acting?"

-BONES-

Sitting in her office, Temperance Brennan could hear every word, as the yelling started. She frowned, unsure if this was one of the times where her best friend might appreciate her intervention. Handling situations like this wasn't Brennan's strongest suit. The furrow between her eyebrows deepened, as she understood what the fight was about. Angela feeling suffocated in a relationship? That was not too hard to believe. Hodgins' mean words about her sexual behavior were, though, and Brennan abandoned her seat, slowly walking towards the door.

Half of the Jeffersonian squints had gathered in the hallway, eavesdropping in open-mouthed shock. The loud "bang" of Angela's door startled all of them, and they quickly jumped apart, as a boiling Dr. Hodgins stormed out of her office, fists clenching at his sides.

Exchanging a puzzled look with Cam, Brennan set herself in motion, knocking at the artist's door gently.

"Ange?"

"Come in."

Brennan's chest tightened, and a rush of helplessness filled her, as she cast a glance at her teary-eyed best friend.

"What has happened?"

Bursting out in sobs, Angela threw herself into Brennan's arms, feeling almost guilty at the other one's sincere concern.

'But as they say, all is fair in love and war,᾽ Angela mused.

This was love and war.

"We broke up."

"I heard that much. Why? Everything was going pretty well, wasn't it?"

"Apparently not good enough. I... I don't want to talk about it right now."

Brennan rubbed her best friend's back, placing a clumsy kiss on her hair. Feeling way beyond her comfort zone, she searched for the right thing to say.

"What can I do for you?"

Angela was very proud of the faked tears which were running down her cheeks, as she lifted her head.

"Get drunk with me tonight. Please?"

"Although I'm convinced that alcohol cannot be a solution, I'll do it if that is what you want."

Nodding vehemently, Angela stated,

"I want it. Please, Brenn, make me forget."

"Of course. Founding Fathers at seven?"

Angela gave Brennan a watery smile.

"Thank you, Sweetie."

Relieved that she had been able to manoeuver the potential minefield, Brennan managed a reassuring nod.

"That's what best friends are for, right?"

'Oh, dear, you have no idea,᾽ Angela thought, as she watched Brennan's retreating form, brushing the dishonest tears away.

The ring tone of her cell interrupted her musings.

"I love you. I have absolutely not broken up with you. You get that, right?"

Angela smiled at Hodgins' tensed voice.

"I get that. But you did a pretty good job breaking up with me. She bought it."

"Hell, Angie, I think everybody did. You know you got the easy end, right? Putting on a show in front of Booth will be harder."

"I have faith in you, Jack. Meet us accidentally at the Founding Fathers around eight?"

"Sounds like a plan. Don't get too used to your single life."

"Oh, don't worry, I'm already looking forward to the make-up sex."

Snapping her cell close, Angela smirked. One done, one to go.

-BONES-

"They what? No way."

Booth yelled into his phone in utter disbelief. Angela and Hodgins broke up? Yeah, and the sun rose in the West.

"Yes way. Dr. Hodgins seemed to be pretty outraged, maybe you should talk to him, Booth."

"Talk? Bones, we're men. We don't talk."

"Fine, then don't talk. But I'm positive that male company could be good for him. He said some pretty rough things to Angela. Booth," Brennan almost pleaded, and he felt his resistance melting away. "I don't know who else to ask. You connect with people in an outstanding. Just like Angela, but that's out of the question at the moment."

"Fine, Bones, I'll try my best."

Ending the call with a sigh, Booth wondered what exactly had happened.

-BONES-

At 8 pm that night, he found himself busy upholding one very wasted entomologist. How could the other one be that drunk already?

Jack Hodgins himself felt nothing but relief when they finally stumbled into the Founding Fathers. He had consumed an appropriate amount of alcohol, but faking a broken heart and severe drunkenness was taking a heavy toll on him.

Entering the cozy bar, Booth cursed as his eyes fell on two brunette women sitting in the corner. One of them seemed to be just as upset as the human burden he was carrying right now. The other one was simply beautiful.

"Hey, mate, we should go. This place is too crowded."

"Duuude, nooo. Want a beer."

Hodgins prepared himself for the roughest part, acting surprised about the encounter with Angela.

"We really should-"

Booth choked on the rest of the sentence because the other man was grabbing his tie.

"There she is."

"I know, man. Let's go."

"Isn't she beautiful," Hodgins whispered heavy-tongued. "I wanna talk to her."

"That's not clever."

Angela chose that moment to "spot" the two men at the entrance, and, unaware of it, Brennan was fighting her partner's battle.

Five minutes later the four of them were sitting around a larger table, Angela and Hodgins staring at each other with red-rimmed eyes, mourning the loss of their relationship. Brennan and Booth exchanged uneasy glances, and both of them missed the gentle nudge Hodgins gave his girlfriend under the table.

Game on.

Angela's hand flew to her mouth in shock.

"Oh my God, I totally forgot our trip."

Hodgins uttered a sigh fraught with meaning.

"Damn, yes. Those lovely places we picked out... Such a shame to forfeit that..."

Booth looked at the other man quizzically.

"Can't you just cancel it?"

Hodgins shook his head.

"Nope."

Angela sobbed, burying her face in her hands.

"All those empty rooms and wonderful cities waiting for us, it breaks my heart..."

Brennan rubbed her friend's shoulder helpfully, thinking about all the times Angela had already mentioned her broken heart tonight, biting her lip not to correct her that the heart was a muscle that can impossibly break.

Hodgins poured some more liquor into four glasses, knowing that the suggestion would sound less suspiciously coming from Angela. After all, she was the emotional one.

Booth grabbed his tumbler, downing it quickly. Hell, this evening was turning into a living nightmare.

Suddenly Angela's face lit up, and she focused her big moist eyes on her best friend.

"Sweetie, you should go on the trip."

Brennan gasped in shock.

"What? Angela, I love you, but no!"

Watching her friend tearing up anew, the anthropologist sighed, reaching for her glass in desperation.

"Brennan, it would mean so much to me. At least all our efforts wouldn't be wasted, then."

"Angela, I'm not going alone on that trip you planned."

The moment she spoke, Booth's foggy mind shrilled in alarm. And he had been right because a second later two pairs of puppy eyes focused on him. Oblivious to the shift in the situation, Brennan tilted her head to swallow the liquor.

"Booth could go with you."

And she chocked, coughing hard.

"What? That's getting more and more ridiculous. Not for all the world Booth would accompany me on a trip."

Angela almost failed hiding a smirk. 'Bingo.᾽

Booth leaned forward on the table.

"Why wouldn't I go on a trip with you, Bones?"

His eyes were glued to her face, and both of them missed the triumphant smile Angela and Hodgins gave each other.

"We argue. We have nothing in common. And you're not spontaneous enough."

Angela and Hodgins leaned back in their respective chairs, knowing that they had won. No way Seeley Booth would not accept a challenge coming from Temperance Brennan.

"So you're the one who wants to act spontaneously? Fine, Bones, let's go on that trip. I'll show you how spontaneous I can be."

Brennan gasped, almost back-pedaling if it weren't for the dangerous darkness in her partner's eyes.

She squared her shoulders.

"Great, it's settled, then. Let's travel Europe together."

To be continued...