Disclaimer: Bones belongs to Kathy Reichs, Hart Hanson, and Fox.
A/N: As per special request, Akane Nyx, this one is for you. Thanks again for being my first request.
Story 2
Subterfuge Is Artful
After quickly comparing the photo on the DMV printout to the woman across the room, Angela set a timer on her cell phone for 15 minutes. "Showtime," she whispered, as she mentally prepared herself for battle.
"Dammit," Angela cursed!
As her purse fell to the ground, seemingly adding insult to injury, its contents scattered across the café's highly polished floor.
Immediately, she dropped to her knees. As she practically crawled beneath her target's table to retrieve her belongings, she received the opening she had been hoping for…
"Need some help?"
"No, I got it, Angela called as she began to slide out from under the table. Thankfully, I travel light, but thank…"
Angela paused when she became eyelevel with the target's foot. "Oh my God, I love your shoes," she exclaimed!
As their eyes met for the first time, the target smiled.
"Thanks, I got them online from Zappos."
"No kidding! Zappos is one of my favorite retailers."
"Mine too. At my height, it's really hard to find cute shoes, but Zappos hasn't let me down yet."
"I know what you mean, I wear an 11½."
"Me too."
They shared a smile.
"I'm Angela by the way," she said as she extended her hand.
"Tessa," the target replied as she accepted it.
As Angela got to her feet she quickly scanned the café.
"Boy, it's really packed in here today."
"Would you like to join me," Tessa offered?
"Really?"
"Please," Tessa replied, as she made a sweeping hand gesture towards the empty chair across from her.
"Thanks."
"So, you're a FBI agent," Angela asked as she sat down?
"What makes…"
"The FBI's Top 25 Unsolved Murders," Angela replied as she pointed to the closed book that was lying in front of Tessa.
"Oh, Tessa said as her cheeks turned a pale shade of pink. No, I'm a corporate lawyer, my boyfriend is a FBI agent."
"Small world, Angela said as she pulled a muffin out of her purse. I work with an FBI agent."
As she pulled the plastic wrapper off of her muffin, she continued…
"He's gorgeous, but taken of course. His name is Seeley…"
"Booth," Tessa asked?
"Crap, this really is a small world. You must be the girlfriend."
"Guilty," Tessa replied with a grin.
"Well then, your good taste obviously exceeds shoes."
"Thanks."
"No problem," Angela said before she took a bite out of her muffin.
"May I ask you something Angela?"
"Sure."
"How long have you been working with Seeley?"
"For a few weeks now," Angela replied.
As Tessa took a sip of her coffee Angela said, "May I ask you a question?"
After Tessa swallowed, she replied before Angela could even ask, "Five months."
"Actually, I was going to ask how the G-man was outside of work, but if you guys have been together for five months, then he must be exactly the same."
"Which is," Tessa prompted?
"Great," Angela easily replied.
"That he is," Tessa said as she glanced down at her low fat muffin.
"I'm sensing a but," Angela softly said.
As Tessa's eyes snapped back up to her face, Angela held up a placating hand as she said, "I'm sorry that was nosy, it's an occupational hazard I'm afraid."
Tessa's raised an eyebrow.
"I'm an artist," Angela clarified.
After Tessa nodded, they lapsed into an awkward silence.
Just when Angela began to worry that she might have pushed Tessa too hard, she spoke…
"There is a slight but."
Angela stayed silent, allowing for Tessa to set the pace.
"I just wish that he was a little more open."
"How do you mean," Angela asked as she shifted forward in her seat?
"Well for an example, I know that he's dedicated to his job, but he never talks about it."
"Hence the book," Angela asked with genuine sympathy?
"Hence the book," Tessa confirmed.
Turning a complete 360, Tessa suddenly asked, "Wait you're an artist?"
"I'm a forensic artist," Angela replied.
"Do you work with Dr. Brennan?"
"Yes," Angela replied, as she checked the time on her watch, from the corner of her eye.
"What's she like?"
"Dedicated. She and Booth have that in common, it's probably why they're so good together."
Before Tessa could say another word, Angela's phone went off.
"Sorry, I have to take this, it could be work," Angela said as she pulled her cell phone from her purse.
After hitting a few buttons to silence the ringing, Angela announced, "And it was." She sighed.
"I'm sorry, but I have to go, Angela said in an apologetic tone. "It was a pleasure meeting you though Tessa," she added as she held out her hand.
"You too," Tessa absently replied.
As Angela walked away, she couldn't help but smile. Clearly, there was trouble in paradise. And now, among Tessa's other concerns, thanks to her, they're so good together comment, Tessa would most likely become even more intimidated by her best friend. But honestly, she had every reason to be. Booth was still up for grabs! She couldn't wait to get back to the Jeffersonian to tell Brennan the phenomenal news.
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this one, because no joke, it was harder than hell to do. Which is code for please review. Up next will be my rendition of Little Black Dress for Volitan. If there are any more requests, as always I'm all ears.