I realize that I haven't updated The Secret of the Anthropologist for more than a week now, and I'm sorry about that! I'm working on it, but I'm a little stuck on some things, I'll get a new chapter soon hopefully, but finals are approaching and my fun writing time is quickly decreasing. But, I have this nice fluffy story I'm starting for all of you fantastic readers. Since fluff is easier to write than an actual plot, this should be done fairly quickly. I got the idea for this while dress shopping with my younger sister and I saw the most fabulous dress and the daydream stemmed from there. I hope you enjoy it! Any type of feedback makes my day =)

"Hey Booth," Brennan asked hesitantly one afternoon as the partners sat in the diner, "I sort of have a favor to ask you."

"A favor?" He paused mid-bite, a forkful of apple pie dangling inches from his mouth, "What kind of favor?" He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

She sighed, "My publisher is insisting that I attend a function in New York. It's some sort of toity-hoity dinner and apparently if I show up alone I will come across as a social pariah and never sell another book."

Booth ate a few bites of pie thoughtfully before responding, "First of all, the saying is hoity-toity, and second when is this thing?"

"In two weekends, I know you don't have Parker that weekend or I wouldn't have asked," she said taking a sip of coffee while regarding him carefully, trying to figure out whether or not he'd agree.

"I'd have to wear a suit?"

"Yes, and I will have to wear a dress. Which means a shopping marathon with Angela," she cringed inwardly. As much as she loved Ange, spending hours running different stores trying on dresses was not Brennan's idea of fun.

Booth considered this, yes he'd have to wear a tux, but he would be spending an entire evening away from DC with his partner, who would undoubtedly look amazing in whatever dress she and Angela bought. "When would we have to leave?"

"Friday around lunch, we'll get ready there; I'm getting a suite room at the hotel where the function will be held. So we will probably spend the night, the drive back would be too much for one night, but don't worry the suite will have multiple rooms," she trailed off, realizing that she was beginning to ramble. "So do you think you can go?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, "Sure, I suppose that I could. Anything to keep you from being labeled a pariah. Where in New York is it being held?"

"It's at The Plaza, apparently its beautiful there," she shrugged.

Booth choked on the coffee, "Isn't that a little expensive?"

Brennan simply shrugged again, "The company is paying for everything for me, but apparently tickets to the dinner are very expensive. Everything for us gets put on the company's tab, dinner, drinks, breakfast, they're even paying for my gas."

"So, wait, everything is free?"

Brennan nodded, "We even get champagne and chocolates in our room."

Booth smiled, "How could I possibly say no to that?"

"I'm assuming that is a rhetorical question, because it would obviously be quite easy to say no." And with that their conversation slipped back into playful banter for the rest of their lunch.

oOoOoOo

Once Brennan returned to the lab, she headed straight for Angela's office, "Angela I need to find a dress, do you think we could go shopping this weekend?" As much as she hated shopping, Brennan knew that without Angela she would never find a suitable outfit.

Angela smiled, she knew how much her friend hated shopping, "Of course, Bren. When have I ever said no to shopping? That's a rhetorical question," she added as Brennan opened her mouth to speak. "So, what do you need a dress for?"

"A formal event that my publisher is forcing me to attend in New York City, I'm not looking forward to it too much," she sighed. "You know how much I hate these events, but hopefully it won't be too unbearable since Booth will be coming with me."

"Booth's going with you?" Angela raised her eyebrows.

"Yes, apparently it is against social normalcy to attend an event such as this one without an escort of the opposite sex. I don't understand why, though," Brennan's brow furrowed.

"Sweetie, you're bringing Booth as a date not an 'opposite sex escort,'" Angela said with a laugh.

"Is it inappropriate that I invited him? Because I could call him and cancel," Brennan said nervously, wondering why she couldn't just know social rules like everyone else did.

"Bren, no. You two will have fun together," she insisted with a hopeful glint in her eyes. "We can go shopping this weekend. We will find something fabulous." Angela flashed her friend a grin, "We haven't had girl time in like forever. We can do dinner and everything. And maybe the day before you have to leave we can go get our nails done."

"Yeah, Ange, that sounds good," Brennan agreed reluctantly.

"Great! I'll make sure you look fantastic, Bren. Maybe this will finally be the catalyst for you and Booth to stop with this 'just partners' crap, because you know-" Angela was quickly cut off by Brennan.

"I have work to do, Angela," she quickly left her friend's office, not noticing the artist rolling her eyes at the hasty departure.

oOoOoOo

Saturday came quickly, and by four in the afternoon Brennan had tried on more dresses than she could have counted. She was standing in front of a mirror with Angela on a couch behind her.

"That is the dress," Angela said for what must have been the thousandth time, "it's absolutely gorgeous Bren."

Brennan had to admit that the dress she was wearing was beautiful. It was silver with a gem covered bodice and sparkles that got increasingly smaller as they moved down the dress. The gown hugged her curves perfectly. The dress had a knee length slit and was sleeveless, yet still fairly modest. But it was flashy and ostentatious and very un-Brennan, "Ange, it's too… shiny."

"Bren, how many times do I have to tell you? This is not a gala at the Jeffersonian. This is a New York City banquet shiny is acceptable there. You look ridiculously stunning in that gown. I refuse to let you leave this store without it." She crossed her arms over her chest, and Brennan sighed, knowing that Angela wouldn't back down.

"Fine, I'll buy it," Brennan huffed.

Angela grinned, "We'll have to find you some sparkly earrings to go with it. And you need shoes, at least since you're bringing Booth you can wear heels without being taller than your date."

"I told you Booth's not-"

"Your date. I know. He is your 'male escort' or whatever you called it, but You can call it whatever you want, sweetie, but in reality he is your date. Now go change, we have more shopping to do.

Three hours later they finally made it to dinner, shopping bags in tow. Brennan was finding herself more and more apprehensive about her supposed date with her partner.

oOoOoOo

By the time Brennan and Booth were in the car on Friday afternoon her nerves hadn't completely abated. She had spent the entire week with Angela constantly making innuendos, even more than usual.

"Hey Bones, are you all right? You're awfully quiet today," Booth looked over at his partner, who had barely said two words the entire day. She hadn't even asked to drive, he was starting to worry.

She snapped out of her reverie, "Yeah I'm fine. I'm just tired, I think I'll take a nap," she leaned her head back and spent the rest of the trip pretending to sleep.