A/N: Working on this one for a while now, this chapter's mainly set up, but keep with it and a promise it'll get more exciting!

I don't own anything- just playing :)

Prologue

January

Angela stared at the picture that had been taken just three weeks prior. It had been a rare occasion; just about everyone from the Jeffersonian had come out to celebrate- even Clark Edison, Brennan's intern who loathed mixing work and play, had joined in the festivities and had worn a Santa hat almost all night. Though that probably had more to do with how many eggnogs he'd had than anything else. The group had been large and boisterous, the kind of night Angela loved. She'd made everyone pose for the picture, and while some of them had complained, they all looked genuinely happy to be together. She couldn't believe how much had changed. She touched the face of the young girl in the center, her breath catching as her eyes teared. Now looking at the picture she could see what she had missed that night. A shadow in the girl's face, a ghost in her eyes. As if she had known what was coming.

VVVV

October

Max was relieved they finally found someone for him to work with, usually the applicants ran screaming when they found out who they'd be working closely with. Not that he didn't understand their… apprehension, but publicly at least, he was found 'not guilty'. Shouldn't that count for something? He wondered if the newest applicant had heard all the gory details yet, or if over their lunch break she would mysteriously decide to quit after someone in the cafeteria informed her of his issues with the legal system. He scrutinized his new assistant, as if sizing her up for a con. She was physically small, not much bigger than the kids they would be looking after, but she had a quality about her that he couldn't quite pinpoint. Something that said she could handle herself, and he mused, handle corralling a bunch of ten year olds. If he were planning to con her, she'd be a definite challenge. It piqued his interest. Her soft brown eyes were friendly, but slightly wary. Of course that could just be his imagination; to Max, if you weren't wary you were naive. She reminded him of someone, but before he could put his finger on exactly who, she introduced herself.

"I guess you're Mr. Keenan? I'm Samantha Kline. The security guards at the front desk told me to report to you after I got my badge and clearances taken care of." She looked at him expectantly.

"Hey Sam, call me Max. If we're gonna be working together, we might as well cut the formalities, right?" She smiled softly and nodded. "We'll be working with some great kids let me tell you, but that doesn't mean they won't give us a run for our money now and then."

"I'm pretty good with kids, I'm not worried about that part of the job." She hesitated for a second before rushing ahead. "To be honest though, I'm a little worried about the science aspect. I'm not an idiot but I can't say I'm all that knowledgeable on the subject." She held her breath waiting for his response.

"What subject would that be exactly?"

She looked confused but answered, "Well… Science…In general." Max barked laughter but took pity on the girl when she flinched slightly at his outburst.

"Let me guess, you didn't get straight A's in your chemistry and biology classes and that makes you think you don't have a firm enough grasp on science. Tell me- what do you know about tornadoes?"

"Tornadoes? Well they happen when warm moist air is trapped beneath cool dry air and then is pushed upwards. If it rises rapidly enough it spins around a central funnel and creates a tornado." She held herself a little straighter, pleased that she knew the answer, but was visibly prepared for… something. Max wondered what kind of man Sam expected him to be and decided to go out of his way to be friendly.

"See? You're already prepared for today's lesson! Relax! You'll be terrific." He grinned at her and clapped her on the back. "C'mon, I'll give you a tour of the place."

"Thanks, I mean I've been to the museum plenty of times, so you really don't have to."

"The museum? That's just the boring stuff. I happen to be related to one of the higher ups over in the legal medical lab. That's where the fun stuff happens. The kids won't be here for another hour or so, I'll introduce you to everyone over there."

"You're daughter's Dr. Brennan right? The woman who was honored for figuring out what happened to that mummy?" She blushed and glanced at the floor, " I.. um.. Googled you when they told me who I'd be working with." Max's eyes went wide.

"And you still decided to come and work with me? I'm impressed. Not many people would." Sam drew herself up to her full height and looked him in the eye.

"I wanted the job and with everything I read about your case, I don't have anything to worry about from you." Max chuckled to himself. He knew exactly who Sam reminded him of now- his late wife Ruth, back when they had first met. The connection warmed him to her even more and he was suddenly looking forward to the coming months. He could tell he would have to approach her cautiously or she would close herself off. He remembered all the things that had happened to his wife that had eventually formed her into the fierce, protective, strong wife and mother she turned out to be. He looked at Sam and saw that she had that same look of iron in her expression and understood that she was already stronger than she should have to be. He smiled warmly at her.

"Well you're right about that. C'mon let's go meet my famous daughter."

VVVVVVV

December…

Sam knocked softly at the office of Angela Montenegro.

"Hey Ang I grabbed you a latte on my way in this morning. I feel like crap and I didn't even drink anything, so you must be feeling…"

"Oh Sam you're a goddess that's exactly what I'm needing right now." Angela gratefully took the extra large latte and leaned against her desk. Usually she enjoyed her office and it's stark contrast to the rest of the lab. While it was still professional and functional, her office definitely had personality- colors, pictures, and life everywhere. Today of course, with her massive hang over, her office just looked… loud. Walking out into the main area of the lab wouldn't be any better though, it's steel surfaces gleaming harshly with the bright lights were not going to be pleasant today. "I know it's a drag to be twenty when you want to go out and have fun, but today sweetie, today be thankful you can't drink. I can still feel the beat of the music pounding on my temples." She groaned and closed her eyes.

"That's not just your hangover, I can still feel it too. That place was intense! I loved it but I think I'll need some time to recuperate before doing that again. Of course if the same door man is there next time we should just turn around! The way he kept staring at me I didn't think he was ever going to let me in. I know I look young but I don't look under eighteen do I?" Angela laughed, then grimaced holding her temples.

"Honey, Brennan says all the time how much your 'cranial facial structure looks like that of an adolescent'. Trust me, when you're forty you'll be glad you look younger."

"Maybe. It didn't exactly help move things along last night when she pointed it out in scientific terms to the doorman. He acted like she was offending him or something. Next time you're doing all the talking. It's like you can magically bend any man to your will. I have to admit, I'm jealous."

"It's called flirting sweetie, though from time to time it does produce a little magic." Angela grinned mischievously. "I wish Bren would've stayed longer- that tall guy really wanted to get to know her better. And I don't mean conversationally."

Sam laughed, "Yeah but I bet she's feeling a whole lot better than either of us about now," Sam glanced at her watch and sighed, "The kids will be here soon I should go. They're all going to be extra crazy today, I can feel it in my bones."

"Good luck with that. I'll be here if you want to stop by and go to lunch. I'm hoping for a case free day where I can just sit at my desk and fantasize about painting the whole room black." Sam laughed and walked out the door saying,

"Yea that'd be great. I've been meaning to ask you a few questions about that last project you did. Remind me later when I'm frazzled and brain dead."

A few minutes later Hodgins walked in holding a skull with tissue depth markers scattered over it. He put it on the desk and stood next to her chair. She leaned on her arm and smiled up at him. His eyes matched their lab coats and you could practically see them across a football field.

"Girls night out huh? I would be jealous but you don't look so good right now." His eyes twinkled with barely contained amusement. "I take it you had a good time?"

"I'm trying not to think about last night Jack" He leaned down close to her face, his eyes locked on hers, glancing surreptitiously at her lips once or twice.

"As I recall, I was especially adept at helping you overcome your 'morning after' symptoms." His voice had dropped an octave or so. Angela's mind went from concentrating on her throbbing temples to concentrating on the throbbing in a completely different area of her body. She tried to keep her breathing even as her heart sped up. With one sentence Jack had made her swoon. Swoon!! Damn Sweets and his stupid experiment! She had taken it this far though, and would see it through to the end, whenever that was. She allowed regret to slip into her eyes as she gazed back at him and smiled softly. Jack straightened and returned it with a sad smile of his own. He cleared his throat. "Dr. Brennan wanted me to bring this to you- it's another Jane Doe from limbo. Get to it when you can, there's no rush."

"Jack.. I.." She stopped, struggling for the words.

"It's okay Angie, I get it. Doesn't mean I won't keep trying, but I get it." He walked out of her office, leaving her longing after him. What was her problem? Things had been great with Jack. He made her laugh, there was tons of chemistry, the sex had been fantastic, and she'd always felt comfortable with him. Even when they weren't together he was a great friend. She didn't know why she was so hesitant about starting their relationship again when her body was practically begging for it. They had started dancing around the subject about the time Booth had his surgery. Jack had made his feelings more than clear. Maybe she'd ask Sweets about it later. Of course she was months into his last piece of advice and it was still driving her crazy. She might not be able to take any more of Sweet's special brand of helping. Angela sighed and turned her attention to the skull. At least it was in tact and had no obvious signs of trauma. Angela found it easier to do her work objectively if she didn't have evidence of pain and suffering staring at her the entire time.

VVVVVV

Dr. Temperance Brennan gazed at the tissue markers Mr. Fischer had set up on John Doe 3973.

"The tissue depth around the mandible looks a little thin to me but otherwise you can send it over to Angela." Colin sighed dramatically and muttered something about never finding perfection in life. Brennan took this to be one of those times where a response wasn't required and returned her attention to her computer. Twenty-five new emails from just this morning, each demanding varying amounts of her attention. When they were working on a case, especially if it was high profile, she could get away with neglecting the more menial aspects of her work. No new cases had cropped up recently, an anomaly in itself considering the D.C. area's homicide statistics were growing every year. Of course, no new cases for the Jeffersonian didn't mean there was a sudden drop in homicides, simply that all the victims could be easily identified. For the last week they'd been going through boxes from limbo and identifying some of the staggering amounts of Jane and John Does. Brennan knew identifying the remains was important, all families had a right to the closure that she hoped she could provide. She always had a sense of satisfaction whenever they were able to identify the remains and find a next of kin. Brennan should know better than anyone the need for that closure, her own mother's remains had been waiting in limbo just a few years ago. Still, it was hard to feel that same sense of urgency and excitement that came when she was working an open homicide case. The entire team had to work quickly and efficiently, one mistake being the difference between catching the killer and the case going cold. Open cases often required her to accompany her partner to various places, her searching for evidence, Booth searching for that indefinable piece of the puzzle that would set him on the path the truth. Brennan smiled as she remembered their argument years ago as he tried to define what 'gut feeling' meant. It had been an incredibly frustrating conversation. She remembered scoffing at him, her blood hot under her skin. Years later, there was still zero scientific basis for hit 'gut feelings' but the quantifiable data continued to mount as his feelings often proved to be correct. It had been mystifying at first, how often Booth was right when he followed his instincts. Eventually Brennan became aware that his skill had nothing to do with abdominal organs but rather his uncanny ability to read minute clues in body language and facial expressions. In their years of working together Brennan liked to think some of his abilities had rubbed off on her. She grimaced. Well a little bit anyway.

Paying little attention to the emails she scanned on her screen, Brennan groaned inwardly as her computer pinged- announcing that she had yet another email. She quickly recognized the sender though, and opened the message happily.

Bones- Where are you? I'm buried in paperwork over here! Come dig me out and we'll grab lunch at the diner. –B

Booth,

You know perfectly well where I am considering you knew you could contact me through email. I'm beginning to see your point about technology; your email was the first (and only) correspondence I enjoyed reading all day. Angela, Sam, and I will be at the diner around 1pm. See you there?

She left the signature blank as she always did. He called her Bones, which always made her feel wanted somehow, but calling herself Bones made her feel uncomfortable, as if she were asking for the extra connection. She couldn't sign it Temperance or Dr. Brennan because she was a little nervous that eventually he would begin to call her one of them. SO in the end she always left it blank, letting him infer as he wished. Her cell phone vibrated and she flipped it open.

1pm is fine. check w/ang 2 make sure its ok?

We had girl's night last night. Testosterone is allowed at lunch. Brennan had to wait a few minutes as Booth was no doubt fumbling with his phone. She finally became impatient and hit his number on speed dial. He picked it up on the first ring.

"I already told you to come what's the hold up? You love the diner."

"Well, I just want to make sure no one was planning to discuss any girl issues. You know, three women together, no men?" He paused, not able to elaborate further but knowing she was still confused, "Will you just run it by Ange and make me feel better?"

"Fine I still don't see what this is about but I'll go talk to her now." She flipped her phone closed without saying goodbye, slightly annoyed that a simple lunch was being so unnecessarily complicated. Angela was sketching the face of a Jane Doe Hodgins had delivered earlier that morning. Brennan was surprised when Angela looked up from her sketch as she approached. Usually she went so deep into her work Brennan had to call her name a few times to get her attention. A phenomenon Brennan could identify with.

"Sorry this is taking so long. My mojo is on the fritz today." She leaned back in her chair looking frustrated.

"Because of last night?" She'd left early but had heard from Hodgins that Sam and Angela had stayed quite late.

"No Sweetie, well.. partly yes- but no mostly it's Sweets."

"Sweets?" Brennan was surprised. Apparently there was discord all around her that she was unaware of.

"Well it's Sweets' experiment. Really it's Jack that's bothering me." Ahh.. That made slightly more sense.

"Hodgins is bothering you? I thought you two were getting along well recently. Really well."

"Getting along? Angela snorted ruefully. "Yea we're 'getting along' just fine. I don't know what my problem is." She chewed on her lower lip, "it's just that- it's… it's complicated." Brennan stared at her friend trying to come up with something to say that would ease her tension. She was definitely not the person to be having this conversation with. If it were anyone else she'd tell them to talk to Angela. She didn't even understand the problem. Angela wanted to be with Hodgins. Hodgins wanted to be with Angela. It was really very simple, they were the ones making it difficult. Apparently Brennan had been silently confused for too long because Angela shook her head as if to clear it. "Sorry Sweetie. What did you come in here for?"

"Booth wanted me to ask you if it was alright that he joined us for lunch. I told him it was fine but he insisted I ask you though I'm not really sure why."

Angela laughed, "Yea just tell Booth we'll try not to contaminate him with an estrogen-fest. His manhood is safe" Brennan narrowed her eyes and shook her head, but left without asking for clarification.

Booth,

Angela says your manhood is impervious to an estrogen party?? I'll assume you understand this and will explain it to me later.

Booth grinned as he read the message. He could picture his partner's face clearly, her eyebrows drawn in exasperated confusion. Booth had to read the email twice before he could sort out the intent of Angela's message through Bones' garbled message. Got it- no need for girl talk, men were allowed. He checked for a signature, it had become a game he played with himself. She probably didn't even notice but she never signed her name when she emailed him or wrote him notes. As if she had complete confidence in his ability to recognize her thoughts as purely Bones'. And he always did. He admitted to himself that it was strange to find a sense of intimacy from a blank space. He'd earned that intimacy though, worked hard breaking through her walls when they became partners years ago. He'd also had to break down some of his own. She'd gone from a very professional 'Regards, Dr. Brennan' to 'Brennan' to nothing at all. Every time he read a message from her he glanced at the bottom first- just to reassure himself.

VVVVVVVVV

R/R give me some motivation to type faster!!