"I really need to get out, Brennan. Please come with me…I need you sweetie. And Booth too! Bring him. We can all just have a good time and forget everything."

Unable to put up a fight against a distraught Miss Montenegro, Brennan conceded. "Fine Angela. I will go out with you tonight. And I'll call Booth for you, but I won't promise anything."

"Thanks Brennan."

As Angela walked out of Brennan's office, Bones flipped open her cell phone and used speed dial to call her partner.

"Booth."

"It's me. I gave into Ange and we are going out tonight. You know she's been having a hard time since she and Hodgins broke up. Anyways, she wants to invite you to come with us."

"She invited me?"

"Yes. I told her I'd call you for her. I told her you probably wouldn't come…"

"Sure, I'll go."

"Really?"

"Yeah, why not? I haven't been out in a long time. Could be fun."

"I will see you tonight then." Brennan hung up the phone, wondering how the night would play out.

--

"Booth! You made it!" Angela ran right to Booth, engulfing him in a hug, causing him to lose his balance slightly. He looked at Brennan with a confused expression. Bones shrugged with amusement at Angela's enthusiastic display of affection.

He released himself from her grasp. "Of course I made it Ange. How could I refuse hitting the town with two beautiful women?" He gave her a wink before turning his attention to the other woman in attendance. "Hey Bones." Allowing himself to look at his partner, he was surprised to see how good she looked. "You look nice."

Angela leaned up close to Booth's side and gently nudged her elbow into his side. "Hey! What about me?"

"Hey! You look nice too," he said, rubbing his assaulted ribs.

The three of them sat together, conversing lightly while nursing a few drinks. Brennan and Booth had started talking quietly with each other, unintentionally excluding Angela. Starting to feel the pain she was trying to keep away, Angela grabbed Booth's arm and dragged him up. "Dance with me Booth!"

"What?…Ange!," is all he managed to say before being dragged to the dance floor. He looked over at a laughing Brennan, pleading with his eyes, begging to be saved. No such luck, as Angela grabbed him again, taking the lead, forcing him to dance to the fast-paced music with her.

"Come on Booth! I'm not gonna bite!" she laughed. He started to relax, telling himself that he came out to have fun.

As the pace of the music slowed, Angela approached her dance partner, positioning themselves for the slower style of dance. He smiled uneasily at Angela, trying to hide his discomfort.

Brennan sat in her party's booth for most of the night, alone. She watched as Angela and Booth danced song after song together. Occasionally they would fight the crowds to get back to the table for another drink, but before she knew it they were gone again. A couple of guys tried to sit with her and keep her company, but she quickly dismissed them as she tried to relocate the familiar pair on the dance floor. It was very strange watching Angela and Booth together. She hadn't expected tonight to go the way it was. She was contemplating going home when she could hear their voices, laughing and teasing each other about who was tiring who out.

"I'll be right back guys!" Angela shouted as she headed towards the ladies room.

"Hey Bones!" He greeted her as he slid in next to her on the seat.

"Hey Booth. You seem to be having fun."

"Yeah I am. I told you it's been awhile." He flashed her a charm smile. "You don't seem to be doing much dancing."

"I've danced a little Booth. Anyways, I enjoy watching."

"Turned the nightclub into an anthropological study, Bones? Seriously, you need to dance with me."

Brennan was happy that he had finally asked her to dance, but before she could reply, Angela had returned, grabbing Booth's arm and leading him to the dance floor. Booth shot her a look of apology before he was lost in the crowd.

She stayed out of loyalty to Angela and wanted to make sure her friend made it home safely. She was going through a tough break-up and she would do whatever it took to make her friend feel better. And apparently that meant sitting in a hot, crowded bar, alone, wondering about her best friend's apparent sudden interest in her partner. Bones waited for 45 minutes before they returned.

"You guys ready to go?" she asked.

"No way! I'm having too much fun!"

"Oh. Well, I think I am going to go home now."

"Awww….ok. Thanks for coming out with me sweetie." Angels engulfed Brennan in a hug goodnight.

"No problem Ange."

"Oh…Bones, do you want a ride home?"

"Sure…" Brennan started to reply before she was interrupted.

"No way G-man! You can't leave me now! We have more dancing to do!"

Looking at Bones, then at Angela, and back at Bones, Booth was truly torn. He didn't want Bones to leave by herself. But it was obvious that Angela was highly intoxicated and would need help getting home.

Brennan saw his obvious internal conflict and tried to help him out. "You should stay Booth. Take care of her for me."

"Have a good night." She gave him a smile before walking out of the club.