I really appreciate all the alerts and reviews :) I feel loved! Here is the next little bit!

"Sweetie…"

Brennan glanced up from her computer monitor as the forensic artist sauntered in and sat down on her office couch.

"Angela, I am quite busy, so unless this is pertinent information relevant to our current case, I am going to have to postpone whatever conversation you are hoping to have."

"Yeah, yeah Bren. I have heard it before."

In a brief moment of shock, the anthropologist's mouth fell open at her friend's candor; however, she quickly recovered.

"What can I do for you Angela?"

"Sweetie, this is not about me. I am simply giving you the opportunity to share whatever may be on your mind. Perhaps something regarding a certain knight in shining FBI standard-issue body armor and his blonde reporter girlfriend?"

"Angela, there is nothing to talk about regarding Booth, or Hannah for that matter. They are happy in there personal relationship and Booth and I are working together in the same professional capacity as always. What could there possibly be to discuss?"

"Cut the crap Bren. And this is not just the pregnancy hormones talking. I am tired of this! When are you going to learn that you have people that love you, that are here for you and that you can talk to? It is ok! What you are feeling is ok! And don't pretend you don't know what I am talking about; you are sad, you are hurt and jealous and angry. You love someone and they are with someone else, it is normal to feel the way you feel!"

Brennan raised her watering eyes to meet Angela's, and instantly the artist closed her mouth, regretting the harsh tone the conversation had taken. She stood up, and walked over to her friend, engulfing her in a supportive hug.

Allowing herself a moment of vulnerability, Brennan rested her head on her trusted friends shoulder.

"I am dealing Ang. I am dealing with this the best way I can, and the best I can do is to walk away and let him be happy. I am trying to work with him in a professional capacity and remove myself from the rest of his world. It is not easy, in fact most days I feel so lost that I don't know which way is up. But this is reality. I am not the cold fish that everyone thinks I am, but I am starting to think it would be better if I was."

"Brennan, look at me." The scientist raised her head. "You can not live your life keeping all of these feelings to yourself. And if you think that by keeping Booth at an arms length, you are going to be able to 'work with him in a professional capacity' you are crazy."

"I am a genius, Angela. I am far from clinically insane."

"Hyperbole Bren." Angela deadpanned. "You are keeping all your sadness and anger tucked inside and if you don't start talking to Booth about it, things are going to implode. We all see it, and feel it for that matter. The tension is ridiculous and the only two people who can do anything about it continually ignore that it even exists."

"Angela, while I respect everything you are saying, there is nothing to do. And perhaps if everyone could simply work in a professional manner, like Dr. Edison is constantly requesting, none of these problems would exist. None of these problems would have ever existed. So, if we could please get back to work on this case, there is a young girl, who deserves our best, she deserves justice."

And just like that, the artist had been dismissed. Conversation over. But Angela knew that it wouldn't last long, things had to change. For the life of her, though, she could not figure out how it could possibly change for the better.

As Angela left, Brennan contemplated their conversation. She knew that Angela was right. Things were noticeably different in the lab. And although she was personally grateful on some level for the distance Booth had imposed, especially since her declaration, if she was being honest with herself it had been difficult adjusting to the loss.

For now, she had decided to be content creating boundaries in her relationship and interactions with Booth. As she had told Angela, her relationship with him will have to exist in a strictly professional manner. Starting immediately.

~~~~~~~~~~~B&B~~~~~~~~~~~~

Booth had given her time and space. He had waited all day for her to call regarding any finds on the victim's remains.

Nothing.

The next morning he repeatedly checked his phone for any messages or missed calls from her.

Nothing.

By the afternoon he was beginning to get concerned.

'You could go to the lab and see for yourself' He considered. 'You have been avoiding the lab for months for a reason you idiot, and it certainly hasn't been easier for you to be around her since that night. '

As he internally debated the best way to approach his partner and somehow remedy the direction things had been taking, his phone rang. Elated, he answered without even checking the screen.

"Booth."

"We have cause of death and Angela has identified the victim."

"Cam?"

"Were you expecting someone else Seeley?" Cam responded, allowing herself a brief smile at his surprise.

"No, no. You found cause of death, that's great." He paused, waiting for Cam to elaborate. She didn't. "Okay, I guess I thought Bones might be calling to update me instead. I haven't heard from her since the remains were transported to the lab, which isn't like her and I was concerned."

"Dr. Brennan informed me that she had discovered cause of death and asked that I fill you in."

"Why wouldn't she just call herself Cam?"

"While I was not informed of a reason, Dr. Brennan may have stated that 'all case related conversations with the bureau and its employees' should be handled by me."

Booth's face went red with fury. 'The bureau and its employees!' All he could hear was the blood rushing to his brain and his hand clenched around the phone.

"So Booth, as I was saying. The victims name is Rachel Halquist, she…"

"Cam, forget it. I am coming; you can fill me in when I get there."

"Booth I am not so sure that is a good idea."

But it was too late; he had hung up and was halfway to the parking garage before she could even finish her sentence.