DISCLAIMER: think really hard about this one, why would I be writing these if I owned the show???hmmm??

A/N: Hello my darlings!!! This is the second chapter and hopefully it turns out a little longer than the last one. Sorry about that, I pulled an all-nighter and wrote that before school winces. Yeah, so just keep reviewing and pray that the plot bunny keeps delivering me lots of good story eggs! Chant with me now round the campfire, "Plot plot plot plot..."

His feet pounded against the sand as he sprinted towards where he had seen the puff of smoke burst from the layer of earth that held a certain blue-eyed woman prisoner. A burning pain flickered through his legs and his lungs begged for air, but his mind wouldn't let his body stop until finally he slid to a stop in the designated place. He wasted no time for breath. His hand dug furiously through sand, ignoring the sharp sting of it in his eyes and against his face. He didn't allow himself to think until he felt her slim hand gripping his. His mind screamed, she's alive. She's going to be OK.

Air had never tasted so utterly sweet to her lungs before the moment when Booth pulled her out of that car. She was momentarily crushed by his weight as he collapsed on top of her, but he quickly moved off of her after her weak warnings to save Hodgins. By that time, the whole group had arrived to help dig the entomologist out of his cage. It was only after he saw that they had him out, did she see Booth crawl back over and rest next to her. Brennan heaved herself up into the sitting position and looked into the deep brown orbs that showed concern and relief at that instant.

"Hi," she rasped as her shoulder shook slightly with soft laughter. His face broke out into one of the heart-gripping grins as he joined her with a soft chuckle of his own.

Hodgins eyed her wearily and wondered if she was going to tell him now that she had almost lost the chance to. Meanwhile, he had other things to focus on- like the fact that Angela now had her mouth on his. The ends justify the means, right?

She felt him settle in the pew next to her as her eyes continued to scan over the quiet milieu of the church. There were candles flickered softly and pushing their colored light from their holders; each a remainder of a person's tribulation. A reminder of each person's pain.

He had lit the one in the center of the back row for her. Booth couldn't help but steal a glance at his partner next to him. His mind was still screaming at him, she's safe! She's OK! The corners of his mouth twitched upward slightly at the thought out of pure joy. Things would be able to go back to- what? Watching her slip away from him more and more as he spent all of his time with Cam? The smile disappeared at that moment and his eyes clouded over with thought.

She could tell that something was on his mind. He had that look. Squaring her shoulders, she turned towards him and opened her mouth to speak.

Say it.

"Booth-"

I've been lying to you.

"Yeah, Bones?"

"I'm-"

-a profiler, not a vegetarian, a fan of television, not a squint, a Christian. SAY IT!

"What?"

"I knew you wouldn't give up," she sighed after a long moment. Damn you.

"I knew you wouldn't give up," he echoed with a half-grin slicing into his previously serious features. She couldn't help but smile too as she watched the tension melt from his face. The good feeling only lasted a moment before a feeling of guilt and betrayal wrapped her in an unwelcome embrace.

It was nearly three a.m. and Brennan was still busily hunched over the body when Hodgins emerged from the lab on crutches. He eyed her suspiciously before sliding his ID badge through the scanner and hobbling up the stairs to join her by the table.

"Hey, Hodgins," Brennan replied distantly as she lightly traced a marking on the teenaged boy's rib. "How's your leg?"

"Hurt like hell," he grinned, easing himself into an office chair. "Have you told Booth?"

"Subtle," she muttered sarcastically. "No, not yet."

"Dr. Brennan-"

"Oh, would you stop calling me that?" she sighed with a slight laugh.

"All right, Bones-"

A death glare cut him off.

"Tempe?" Hodgins suggested.

"Yeah, only without the long 'e' on the end. That sounds dumb. Tempe or Bren," she said with a definitive nod of her head. She straightened her back and looked at him.

"Anyway, when are you going to tell him?"

She slumped down into a chair next to Hodgins and quickly spun around once before stopping again.

"I tried, but I don't think I can handle betraying him."

"Technically, you've been betraying -though it doesn't really qualify as that- from the beginning."

"What's the blunt version of that? You giggle while you say it and run over my dog?"

"Sorry," he winced. They were silent for a long time before he spoke again.

"Does Angela know?"

"Somewhat. She doesn't know about the FBI part, but she does know that I'm not really this nerdy."

"That's good."

"Cam will freak out and fire me," she smiled wryly.

"She won't fire you," he said encouragingly. "She'll probably sit there with that look on her face."

"Oh, the 'I'll pretend to give a crap but only a little bit' face?"

"Exactly!"

"Oh, that face, I know it well," Brennan said in her "Shakespeare" voice, dry and lightly brushed with an English accent.

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Hey, guys! Thanks for the reviews!!! I really appreciate you guys taking time out of your day to make mine better!! Anyway, I should have a new chapter up soon, but no guarantees seeing as how my English teacher loves to assign projects. Just kidding, I always take time to write a little Brennan and Booth. Hehe...

"Plot plot plot plot..."