CHAPTER 1

"What do we do now?" Brennan inquired, half smiling at Booth.

The two of them stood frozen in their spots at the altar and looked to the minister, who smiled broadly at both of them. They slowly looked back to the church full of people, trying to figure out what exactly to do next. Zach and Cam stood close by on either side of them, glancing around nervously.

Angela's father was the one who finally stood to address the crowd. "Well, you all heard what my daughter said. Go and enjoy the reception. There is plenty of food and cake for everyone. Unless, of course, the two of you are planning on tying the knot," Angela's father said as he turned to Brennan and Booth.

"Knot? What knot?" Brennan asked, genuinely confused.

"It's an expression, Bones, it means 'to get married,'" Booth explained to her.

"Oh. Well, we couldn't possibly get married. We would have had to apply for a marriage license in advance," Brennan replied, logically.

Booth stared at her, his eyebrows raised and a look of astonishment on his face. The minister, Angela's father, Zach, and Cam (as well as the rest of the congregation) could not take their eyes off of the two standing at the altar.

"What?" Brennan asked when she noticed the look on Booth's face.

Booth's eyes grew wide as he opened his mouth to speak. "Do you want to get married?" he asked, pretending to be joking.

Brennan's face contorted. "What? No. I was just simply stating the fact that it wouldn't be possible right now," Brennan replied as her eyes widened at the last two words she had just spoken "…or…ever," Brennan replied rather unintelligently as a wave of crimson fell across her face. It suddenly dawned on her what exactly the situation was. Had Booth just really asked her to get married? No, he couldn't have. And did she just say not "right now?" She suddenly realized that they were arguing in front of Angela and Hodgins' guests and she was embarrassed, which is something that did not happen to Temperance Brennan very often.

Booth narrowed his eyes and smiled the same grin he had sported only a few minutes earlier when Angela and Hodgins had left.

"Right, everyone to the reception!" Angela's father broke the tension that had risen. "I guess I'll try to track down my daughter," he added, speaking only to the wedding party as he turned to leave.

All of the guests rose and a wave of chatter flooded the tiny church. Zach and Cam approached Booth and Brennan.

"I think we'll head over there. Are you two coming?" Cam inquired.

"Yeah, we'll be there in a minute," Booth replied.

Zach leaned in towards Booth. "I really do want to know how much it hurts to get shot," Zach told him.

Booth wrinkled his face and stared at Zach, whose gaze was unwavering. "Uh, we'll talk about it at the reception," Booth finally replied when he realized that Zach was serious. Of course, Zach was always serious.

Zach and Cam followed the rest of the guests out of the church, leaving Booth and Brennan alone with the minister.

"Do I need to stay?" she asked them, a smile on her face.

"Uh, no. Sorry about all of this," Booth replied, smiling sheepishly. Brennan remained frozen, her eyes narrowed, indicating she was deep in thought.

"Are you sure? Because there ARE ways around the marriage license thing," the minister said, chuckling slightly.

"No, no. We're fine. Thank you," Booth replied quickly as he pulled Brennan away from the altar. She followed in his grasp.

Brennan's mouth was half open and her eyes were still narrowed.

"Did you just ask me to marry you?" she asked Booth bluntly.

His eyes grew wide yet again. "What? No, I was just joking around. You know, trying to lighten the mood since the bride and groom abandoned all of us," he replied, a bit too quickly.

Brennan was not convinced and her facial expression did not change. "Because you know I don't believe-"

"In marriage, got it, Bones. Now, how about that reception?" Booth said as he maneuvered her quickly out of the church.