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The truth is not found in science, or on some unseen plane, but by looking into your own heart.
For the truest truths are what hold us together, or keep us painfully, desperately apart.
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As Caroline left Brennan's office, she still couldn't believe that the doctor had actually followed through with her crazy stipulations.

Knowing Seeley Booth as long as she had, Caroline figured out quite a while ago that he had taken a particular liking to one, Dr. Temperance Brennan, and vice versa. But, if either of them were called on it, they'd deny it vehemently and go into some rigmarole about how they were "just partners". "Just partners" didn't head down to Louisiana at the drop of a hat to help clear the name of their partner, who was accused of being some sort of a Voodoo murderer, or fly down the best prosecutor in DC to defend her. "Just partners" don't go smashing up cars of the aforementioned prosecutor to chase after their partner's criminal relatives, conveniently getting there just a little too late to actually apprehend them. And last, but definitely not least, "just partners" don't call in favors from archbishops and psychiatrists to get aforementioned family members reduced jail time. If she had a dollar for every time she heard the phrase "just partners" from either of them, she'd have bought her own damn boat and sailed off to somewhere tropical by now…

So when Dr. Brennan had approached her about writing a recommendation letter, so that her father could have a Yuletide gathering of the Brennan crime family, she figured she'd have a little fun. After all, she still did owe Booth for the car incident. Brennan might have gotten under her skin from time to time, but more often than not she liked her, so she told the good Doctor that she would help her out, under one condition - she'd have to kiss Seeley Booth, on the lips, for at least five seconds. Times were few and far between that anyone could make that woman squirm or throw her off guard, so she planned on taking full advantage of this situation. The odds of a follow-through were zero to none, or at least so she thought.

When Caroline showed up at the Jeffersonian that afternoon, she was prepared to tell Dr. Brennan that letter was written and that all the arrangements had been made, since all along she had never expected Dr. Brennan to actually go along with her crazy scheme…

But that was before.

As soon as Caroline entered the office, she noticed a very nervous looking FBI Agent and a very flustered scientist standing near each other under some mistletoe, causing her puckish side to take over once again. She was curious to see how far she could push them and which of them would stop the ruse before they actually had to kiss. When neither of them conceded and Dr. Brennan grabbed on to Agent Booth's lapels, pulling him towards her, she stared at them, mouth agape and speechless. Long after the five steamboats had sailed, when they were still caught up in the moment, Caroline started to feel a bit like a voyeur. What was supposed to be an awkward, short peck on the lips—mostly as a way to get back at Booth—had turned into quite a bit more. Which is why, as soon as Brennan had gotten the validation from her she needed—did the doctor really even have to question if that was enough steamboats—she turned and walked out of the office as quick as she could, leaving the two to awkwardly dance around each other.

"Like kissing her brother? Who does she think she is, Angelina Jolie?" Caroline half muttered to herself, while walking through the halls of the Jeffersonian, not realizing that she wasn't alone.

"Oh please, no. Tell me that she wasn't caught kissing her brother again?" Angela asked as she fell in step alongside Caroline. "I mean the first time was bad enough, even though I could kinda see why, her being with Billy Bob and all, but now? If Brad were eating cookies in my bed, I most definitely wouldn't toss him out." She paused, then quickly added, "Hypothetically speaking, of course."

"Angelina?" Caroline asked confused. "No. No, Dr. Brennan."

"Wait, what? Brennan was swapping spit with Russ?" Angela immediately walked in front of her and placed the back of her own hand against Caroline's forehead, stopping the attorney mid-stride. "Now I know that Brennan may be very experimental when it comes to certain things, but I'm pretty sure she'd draw the line at making out with her brother..." Looking around, Angela spotted a place to sit and motioned for Caroline to follow her. "Are you feeling okay? Maybe you should sit down for a few minutes."

"Thanks, cher." She said, sitting down next to Angela.

"Now, explain to me again what you saw happen with Russ?" She questioned, quirking her eyebrow.

"Booth," she stated.

"Booth and Russ?!" Angela appeared to be even more confused now than she had been a few seconds ago. "Caroline, are you sure you didn't bump your head or anything? I mean, first, you think that Brennan is pulling a Jolie and now you want me to believe that Booth has gone all 'Brokeback Mountain.' Honestly, I could never really see Booth swinging that way but-" She paused, lost in through for a second. "But, on the other hand, Russ is in jail and he is quite the hottie, so ya never know. I have heard that prison changes a man, if you know what I mean." She winked. "That would account for that look on your face though since I know that I'd be in shock if I saw Booth going at it with some guy too..." Angela trailed off, dreamily. "Actually, that would be kinda hot." She smirked.

"What are you ramblin' on about?" Caroline asked, finally starting to come out of her haze. "Sorry to ruin your fantasies there, cherie, but I'm pretty certain that there are no goings-on between Booth and Russ or Dr. Brennan."

Did Booth have to deal with this all the time, Caroline wondered. No wonder he was going out of his mind and helping to set criminals free.

"I was referring to the lip lock between Booth and that scientist partner of his. Goin' at it like two teenagers-" Before Caroline even got to finish her sentence, Angela was on her feet, hands on her hips and her mouth gaping.

"Booth and Bren?! They did what? When?"

"Kissed. About five minutes ago. I just left Dr. Brennan's office. I guess she really does love her father if she was willing to-" As Caroline began to explain, instead of listening, Angela headed out of her office and straight to Brennan's.

Her friend had quite a bit of explaining to do.

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I'm planning on adding on at least one more chapter - after all we need to find out what Angela's reaction is going to be, don't we - but there is a possibility that I'll add an additional chapter or two as well. We'll see how things go, I guess.

Thanks for reading. I'm venturing into territory I'm not used to - writing for Angela and Caroline - so any feedback is greatly appreciated. :)