Chapter 2

Brennan kept looking at her watch and realized she was going to be late after all. Her bus was running late.

"Come on Bren. Let me give you a ride home. You can still make curfew if we leave now."

Letting out a sign she knew he was right. "Well if you are sure you don't mind. I would greatly appreciate it."

"Naw come on."

Once they were inside of his truck he tried to start up a conversation with this beautiful young lady. "Have you lived around here long?"

"No I haven't actually. I just moved here. I will be attending college here as well."

"So do you have a boyfriend?"

"No"

"What do you um do in your spare time?"

"I don't really have a lot of spare time. I work after school and on the weekends."

"What do you do?"

"I went into the army right after high school. During my time I took classes where I could and now that my time is up I'll be going to school to get my degree."

"That's fascinating. In what field will you be pursuing?"

"I'm going into law enforcement. I want to become an FBI agent."

"How about you?"

"I'm going for a double major in anthropology and forensics."

"Have you already enrolled into college?"

" I actually begin in a couple of days. My paperwork took a little longer to process than what I had anticipated. I wanted to be back in time to start along with everyone else but I was assured I wasn't going to miss much just intro to the classes. I'm sure I can catch up."

"This is my house right here on the left. Thank you for the ride home you really didn't have to but thank you anyway."

"It's no problem at all and your welcome."

She paused with her hand on the door handle before she turned around and looked at him, "Seeley I admire you for what you have done you know going into the service, serving your country and pursuing your dream. I hope everything works out the way you want it to."

With that she exited the truck and walked up to the front door. When she reached the door she looked over her shoulder and saw that he was still waiting. She smiled at him as she entered into the house.

He waited until he saw a light come on, one that he presumed was to her bedroom before he put the car into the gear and drove off.

When he got home his dad was sitting outside on the front porch drinking a beer. Booth walked up and sat down next to his dad. "She got home ok?"

"Yeah, she finally let me drive her."

"I'm glad your home son. Everyday I prayed we would never get that phone call. So umm when do you start classes?"

"I start in a couple of days. I'm going to the campus tomorrow to look around and get my schedule."

"You know your more than welcome to stay here until you graduate. There is no need to rush anything."

"I know dad but I just want my own place. I already have a job lined up, in fact I have to go and check in tomorrow. I have to get my schedule first so we can work around school."

"Well how about you give it a month or two to get your bearings and then you can start to look for an apartment?"

"I don't know dad." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Give your mother this son. You've been gone for a little over five years, two of those years she hasn't seen you and barely talked to you. Now you are talking about moving out as soon as you get home. Let her see you, get use to you being home. She needs this."

"Okay dad I'll give it at least two months."

"Thank you son. I'm going to turn in now. I have an early day tomorrow."

"Yeah I think I am to. I have a lot of running around to do tomorrow."

"Good night dad."

"Night son."

"Sweetie, how is it having that hunk of a brother of yours home? He has really built up some muscles."

"Angela can you stop thinking about boys for one minute?"

"Your brother is not a boy. He is all 100% man."

"And to old for you. Isn't that what he's always telling you?"

"Hey Bren!" Bethany yelled across the way.

"Hi Bethany…Angela" she said was less emotion.

Angela just smiled a weak smile in her direction.

"Here Seeley said you left this in his truck last night. HE didn't know when you would need it so I said I'd give it to you this morning."

Taking the book from her friend she smiled and said, "Thanks, I thought I left it at your house last night. I didn't want to call back in case you were sleeping and I didn't want to disturb your parents so late."

"Naw its no problem they are use to calls coming in late. Angela has no regards to the time. She just calls whenever the mood strikes."

"Hey!" Angela pretended to look offended.

"Well I would like to think I'm more considerate than that. I have to stop at my locker on my way to class. Tell Seeley I said thanks and I'll see you in class."

"What was she doing at your house last night and what was she doing with Seeley?"

Rolling her eyes at her friends' jealous streak, "We were working on our assignment and he gave her a ride home since the bus was running late. She didn't want to be late for curfew."

"Why couldn't Jared or you have driven her home."

"I'm not having this conversation with you."

A few months later and everyone had settled into a routine. Bethany was still juggling her friendship with Angela and Brennan. They learned to tolerate each other but they were not going to be the best of friends. The three were at the library studying when Angela decided that was a perfect time to grill Bethany about her date.

"So tell me everything! What's he like? Did you guys kiss? How is he? I bet he's as good as he looks. How did you get him to ask you out anyway?" She squealed with excitement.

"Angela please keep it down."

"I'm sorry I'm just busting at the seams here. Come on stop stalling and start dishing."

Bren stood up and went to go look for a book. She has had enough of Angela's badgering. While she was gone Booth came in and saw his sister and her friend sitting at the table.

"Hey do you mind hanging out for a little longer, I have to go and look for a book?"

"Go ahead I still have to finish up here."

"What are you doing with this book? Its from the college library."

"Oh that's Bren's. She's over in the stacks."

"How did she get this book from the college library? This is the book I needed, now I know who checked it out."

"She's always getting them. She said they are more informed than the ones the public library has."

"So Seeley would you mind dropping me off at home once we're done here?"

"No problem Ange. I'll be back in a minute Beth."

"He is so hot! And don't think I forgot you never answered any of my questions. I won't give up until I have all of the details."

"Hey what are you doing Bren?"

She had just returned to the table and began packing up her books and study materials. "I've done all I can do for today. I need some other books from the campus library. David is going to give me a ride over and then take me home. I'll talk to you later."

"Oh wait, my mom wanted me to ask you if you had any plans for Thanksgiving? We aren't doing anything special but your welcome to come over."

"Thanks but we are going to North Carolina for the holiday. Please thank her for considering me."

Just as Booth was getting ready to approach the girls he saw a boy walk up and put his arms around Bren and guide her out of the library.

"Who was that with Bren?"

"Oh just some guy that likes her. He's a freshman at the college."

"Why do you ask Seeley?" Angela asked

"Just asking Ange. You guys ready?"

"Yeah what's the rush?"

"I have a date tonight."

"Ok well come on we don't want to make you late for your date."

"I'm not ready to go home so you can just drop me off with Beth."

"Are you going to invite your girlfriend over for Thanksgiving?"

"She's not my girlfriend. We've just been hanging out and no I'm not inviting her over."

Once they arrived at the Booth residence Angela was back at her digging again. "Bethany why do you hang out with Bren so much?"

"She's nice Angela. You just need to give her a chance."

"She doesn't seem to be that much fun. And she doesn't try to be nice to me."

"Wait have you told her about you and Will?"

"No I haven't and she hasn't asked."

A couple of hours later Bren and David was walking out of the movies with his arms slung around her shoulders and she was smiling at something he said, when Booth and his date almost walked into them as they are entering the movie theatre. "Bren what are you doing here?"

"Hi Seeley, I'm on a date. Seeley Booth this is David Boreanaz. David – Seeley Booth. He's one of Bethany's brothers."

"Hello David" Booth said with no emotions

"Seeley…haven't you seen you around campus?"

"You probably have."

His date pinched his arm for being left out. "Oh I'm sorry…Rebecca this is Bren and David."

"Its nice to meet you." Said Bren

"Yeah you to." Rebecca noticed the way Seeley looked at Bren when he first saw her.

"Well we should get going. Nice seeing you again."

As the couple walked away from Booth and Rebecca he said, " Wait Bren, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Yeah sure. Excuse me for a minute David."

"I was in the library earlier picking up the girls when I saw you had the book on forensics. I was wondering when you are going to be finished with it?"

"Oh I have no academic use for it. I was just reading to gain more knowledge on the subject. I can return it tomorrow and then you can check it out. I hope I didn't hinder your studies in anyway."

"No you didn't hinder anything. We were just given the assignment and I wanted to get a head start."

"So you can meet me tomorrow at the library around 3?"

"Yeah I'll meet you there?"

"Good night Seeley."

"Night Bren"

"Who is she another ex-girlfriend?" Rebecca asked snidely

"No she's like 17. She's one of my little sisters friends. Do you still want to go and see the movie or just stand out here and pout?"

"Whatever!" She said then she walked up to the front to get the tickets.

As time continued to pass Seeley and Bren continued to grow as friends. She continued to see David and he of course continued to see Rebecca. New Years Eve was fast approaching so he decided to have a little get together at his place. Bren and Bethany went over to help him decorate and set out refreshments and snacks. The girls left to go and get ready and agreed to meet back at the apartment around 9:30.

"Hi Booth"

"Hey Bren, David. Come on in."

"Bethany and Will are around here somewhere. You know where everything is so have fun."

"Thanks"

"Hey you made it!"

"Yes. I didn't know so many people were going to be here."

"Will you want to grab a drink?" asked David

"Yeah sure. Would you ladies like something to drink?"

"Yes thank you."

"Come on Bren let's dance!"

Laughing they started dancing on Booths makeshift dance floor. Bren and Bethany were having a good time. After they finished dancing they met up with their dates and enjoyed the rest of the evening. Everyone partnered up with their dates and joined in counting down to midnight.

"..2. Happy New Year!"

David picked Bren up and brought her down to his lips, "Happy New Year beautiful."

"Happy New Year David!" She said just as he brought his lips to hers. Just as they parted she noticed Booth watching them and she mouthed Happy New Year to him. He gave her a slight head nod before he turned back to his friends.