A/N: I was so thrilled with the reaction toward the last chapter! Thank you SO much to everyone who is reading this, and everyone who reviewed! I haven't gotten a chance to reply to you all yet, but I will definitely try my best! I'm really excited about this story, and I really hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bones, just this storyline... :)

Previously:

"What did you want to..." Brennan's statement was cut off when she heard the voice of the TV announcer echo through the otherwise silent room.

"Sources claim that movie legend Cole Myers and his new mystery woman were seen just last night strolling along 6th Avenue. Since then, her identity has been confirmed as Temperance Brennan, an internationally renowned author from DC. The couple were seen cuddling on a park bench..."

CHAPTER TWO

"Bones? What the hell is this?" Booth called from over by the television. His eyes widened as a picture flashed over the screen of this 'Cole Myers' guy with his arm around Brennan as they sat on a park bench. He tightened his grip on his poker chip when he saw the uncomfortable look on Brennan's face in that photo.

For possibly the first time in her professional career, Brennan had absolutely no words. Her eyes widened as the TV announcer continued his lies about Brennan: setting her up like she was some prize that had been won. Sensing she was upset, Angela laid her hand on her friend's arm. Under normal circumstances, Angela would have been thrilled for Brennan and would have congratulated her on such a night, but there was something very wrong here.

"Bren, did you really not know?" she asked quietly, raising a hand to silence Booth who was starting to mutter to himself angrily from across the room.

"He didn't tell me he was an actor! Much less a celebrity –" She started, her voice raising.

"Cole Myers is pretty much as famous as it gets." Hodgins offered, trying to hide the smile that was erupting over his lips. It was so typical for Brennan to be completely unaware that such an A-list celebrity would be hitting on her.

Brennan let out a sound that could have been classified as a growl of frustration before turning on her heel and running for her office. She tuned out the sound of Angela calling after her, and instead ripped out a piece of paper that had been sitting in her coat pocket since the night before.

She slammed the door of her office and grabbed her phone, punching the numbers in swiftly. Please pick up, please pick up.... she repeated to herself. She deserved answers, and she was going to get them.

"Cole Myers' phone." A woman's voice said brightly.

"I need to speak to Cole right now." Brennan said, trying to keep her voice even and not portray the annoyance that was quickly sweeping her system.

The woman all but snickered on the phone. "Excuse me, may I ask who is calling?" she replied.

"This is Temperance Brennan. I am an acquaintance of Cole's."

There was silence on the other line for a few brief seconds. "I'm sorry, but Cole is unavailable at the moment. If you want to leave a brief message –"

Brennan slammed the phone down just as Booth opened the door to her office. "Booth." She said, her voice wavering.

"You never said anything..." Booth began, not walking any closer to her desk.

"There was nothing to say." She said exasperatedly, standing up and walking towards him. "I was at a bar last night and he and I got to talking. We went to get pizza, and that was all. I hardly know him." She protested, and was so relieved to see the understanding in Booth's eyes. Booth knew that she'd never lie to him, and from previous experiences with Brennan's social and cultural naivety, the whole situation was entirely plausible.

Booth let out a deep breath and couldn't help but smirk at the horrified expression that had been plastered on her face for the past five minutes.

"You sure can pick 'em, Bones..." he said, shaking his head.

"That's not funny!" She retorted, punching him gently on the arm.

"Give me that phone number, I'll call this guy and get him straightened out." Booth said as he noticed the crumpled paper in his partner's hand.

"No, just leave it. I'll take care of this. Right now I just want you to take me home, I need to drop my luggage off."

Booth studied her for a minute and then nodded his head. "You're right, but this isn't finished. I'm going to get that guy on the phone and give him a piece of my mind." Brennan looked at him quizzically, so he quickly added "Not literally, Bones."

They walked out of her office and she motioned for Booth to wait for her for just a few minutes. Walking purposefully into the break room, she swiftly picked up the remote control and turned off the dishonest box of photons that was spreading lies about her to her colleagues.

"None of it's true. Now get back to work." Brennan said firmly, crossing her arms and watching as people that she didn't even know smirked at her.

Angela nodded her head. "You heard her! Get out of here. Now."

"Ange, I don't know what to say..." Brennan started, her voice holding a mixture of anger, confusion, and frustration.

"It should all blow over in a couple of days, sweetie. Just let Booth take you home and we'll figure it out later."

Brennan nodded, but before she could leave the room Angela added "Cole Myers though? Nice one, Bren..." she congratulated, waggling her eyebrows.

"What are you thinking?" Booth asked as he walked Brennan out of the lab.

"I need to talk to him." She said blankly, avoiding Booth's questioning gaze.

"Let me do that. If he thinks he can hurt you by putting your name out there..." Booth started, placing his hand on Brennan's back as he opened the door for her which would lead to the outside of the Jeffersonian.

"It's not Cole that did this, Booth. It's the paparazzi..." Brennan said, the word barely leaving her lips as she and Booth were assaulted with a multitude of blinding flashes of light. Booth instinctively grabbed Brennan by the shoulders and protectively shielded her with his body. He swore under his breath as she gasped in shock.

"Tempe! Is it true that you've been dating Cole for months?"

"Is he a good kisser?"

"Come on, Tempe, give us a smile!"

"Who is this guy, Tempe? Does Cole know?"

At this last question, Booth all but snapped. "Everyone BACK OFF!" he shouted as his FBI instincts took over. He gently placed a hand over Brennan's mouth to keep her from shouting as well.

"They're not worth it..." he whispered fiercely to her. She blinked several times in shock, and then nodded her head as Booth tightened his grip on her.

The large crowd of photographers were relentless in pestering Brennan and Booth, and followed them back to his car. Booth opened the door for Brennan and ushered her inside before they could snap any more shots. "Lock it." He shouted to her, before walking around the car to get into the driver's seat.

"Are you jealous of Cole?"

"Come on, hun. What's your name?"

Booth knew the law. He knew that he had no right to assault these photographers, but he had to physically force himself not to place a hand on his gun at that very moment. How dare they speak about his partner like that? How dare they harass her that way?

Booth was about to lash out in frustration when he saw the pleading look on Brennan's face from inside the car. Shooting one last glare at the relentless photographers, Booth got into the SUV and sped off with his shocked and enraged partner.

Little did they know that Brennan's fame was only just beginning.

TBC!

I would really love to hear from you:)

xoRosie