Chapter 2: Showtime, Part 1

With a turn of the key, the engine of Arastoo's car came to a halt. He and Cam sat in silence for a moment, each taking some time to get their thoughts and emotions together.

Arastoo could hardly contain his smile. One day in the lab a while before their brief breakup, he had told Cam that he wanted to tell the whole world about their then-secret relationship. Though the sentiment had been intended for that situation, he felt strongly that it still applied here. Arastoo would shout from it from the rooftops if he could; Camille Saroyan had proposed to him for goodness' sakes! He knew that he needed to get himself under control before they went inside, or he would ruin the announcement before it happened. On top of that, it was clear that Cam was nervous; his excitement could not be making her feel any better. If anything, she would start to feel bad for feeling nervous. So, Arastoo decided to keep his child-like jubilance under wraps for the time being. Apparently, though, that was easier said than done.

Cam, on the other hand, was a mess. She had always made it a point to keep her work life and her personal life separate. That was how she liked things, thank you very much. With that distinct separation, life stayed just a little bit less messy... Then again, who was she kidding? Her coworkers at the lab had come to be some of her closest friends. She wanted to tell her friends about her engagement to Arastoo, but doing so would inevitably bring it into their workplace discussion. She would not be able to go a day without hearing about her wedding until it actually happened… but was that really such a bad thing? After all, she was excited, and Arastoo seemed over the moon. Besides, would a little extra friendly attention really be that bad? Keeping up the boss appearance to her closest friends got tiring sometimes… For once, she decided, she would let it herself slip out of her boss persona; let her friends be her friends, regardless of work positions. Dr. Saroyan and Mr. Vaziri can wait, she thought to herself. Tonight is about Cam and Arastoo, and the rest of our friends who are excited about being on TV. Now, if only her rapidly-beating heart and tied-up intestines would get the hint.

With those decisions in mind, Cam and Arastoo took steadying breaths and turned to each other. Upon seeing that they had done exactly the same thing at exactly the same time, they laughed aloud.

"You ready?" asked Arastoo as gently as he could muster. Remember, she's nervous. She needs your support right now.

"As I'll ever be," she responded with a smile. He and the others are excited, don't ruin it by being a nervous, fidgety mess.

…

"Hey guys," Angela smiled at them as they walked in, a full champagne glass in each hand. "So, I figured that if celebrities drink champagne and watch their stuff on the big screen the first time through, we should do the same." With that, she thrust the drinks into their hands and sauntered back over to the others. They had taken Angela's plush couches and chairs from one side of the room and placed them in front of the screen of the Angelatron.

"Um, Angela? This is really great and all, but-"

"Relax, Cam," Angela cut in before she could finish. "I put apple cider in Arastoo's glass. I may be a little 'under the influence,' but I didn't forget about the whole 'no alcohol' thing."

"Thank you, Angela," said Arastoo, taking Cam's hand and walking her over to the couch. They occupied one corner of the couch while Angela took the other. Hodgins' wheelchair was nestled between the couch and the armchair on its left where Brennan sat. Booth stood behind her with Aubrey, the former keeping one eye on Christine and Michael as they colored at Angela's desk. Hank slept soundly in a playpen near his sister.

"Okay, now that everybody's here," said Angela. "Let's do this thing!" A series of whoops and hollers were let off across the room. Cam and Arastoo shared a look. He put his arm around her shoulders and she nestled her head into his chest.

Here we go… they thought simultaneously.

…

For the most part, the showing went off without a hitch. Booth and Brennan continued their "debate" about "gut versus science" in short bursts, making the others laugh softly and shake their heads. The room went silent during the part of the show when the tragedies of the decade were recounted; it was around that time that a box of tissues made its way around the room. Finally, it was time for the ending montage. Everyone in the room seemed to duck their head in embarrassment when their respective responses came up, which only added to Cam's nervousness.

Arastoo's face came up on the screen, and Cam's hands started to shake. She clasped them in her lap to keep Angela, who hadn't moved from her nearby perch on the other end of the couch, would be unable to see them. Her gaze stayed fixed on her hands, even when one of Arastoo's hands came to rest there. He had done it to reassure her, yes, but also to quell his own nerves. He hadn't been at all nervous going into this, but now he could feel his heartbeat becoming rapid and his breath becoming shallower.

Their little audience gave an "aw" at Arastoo's answer, cringed when Cam showed up and he went off on the camerawoman, and finally…

"I love you. I-I love the way you protect me, and I love the way you fight for me, and I… I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Cam squeezed Arastoo's hand in both of hers, and he responded by planting a kiss on her temple.

"Wait, are you asking me if I'll-"

"Marry me." Cam shut her eyes tightly as a series of gasps sounded across the room.

"U-uh…" Arastoo moved his eyes away from the screen, looking at anything besides the people moving their heads between him and his digital counterpart.

"Yes?"

"Yes, yes of course!"

There was a moment of silence as their figures kissed on screen. Suddenly, a pause symbol popped up on the screen, covering digital Cam's right ear.

"So,uh…" Cam started nervously, opening her eyes. She and Arastoo looked at each other for a split second before turning towards the others.

"…surprise?" Arastoo finished lamely.

A/N: So, that was a long chapter… with a cliffhanger. Please, don't shoot!

Thanks to anyone that has reviewed and/or followed the story so far. Don't hesitate to give me input on things you liked, hated, or maybe just wished were a little bit different... Like I said last time, I enjoy knowing these things so that I can further improve my writing. Thanks, and see you next chapter!