So I'm going to write a little one-shot of Hodgins finding out about Angela being pregnant. I would have put it in this story but it just wouldn't fit. It will be up later today or tomorrow (hopefully).

Thanks to musicnlyrics for dealing with my crazy mind lol

I don't own anything that is recognizable

Chapter 3

The large open room is filled with the buzz of conversation and ringing phones, FBI agents weaving their way through the hive of desks. In the middle of it all Booth is leaning over his small desk, filling out a form from the seemingly endless pile in front of him. He scrawls his signature at the bottom and throws down his pen, leaning back in his chair with a sigh. Its times like this, with his hand cramping that he feels like filing a suit of false advertisement; being a cop is supposed to be all about car chases and getting the bad guy. He smiles to himself at the thought of what Brennan's response to that would be.

He picks up his cell from its spot on the desk, scrolling through until he pulls up his favorite picture of his girlfriend. It is a fairly recent picture, taken the previous month on a random weekend. She is sitting on one of their kitchen chairs, her laptop balanced on her long bare legs. Her shoulder length auburn hair is tousled and she is clad only in one of his shirts, the material wrinkled. But his favorite thing about it is the look on her face, an excited and happy smile after passing an online quiz about the Smurfs cartoon. It was after taking that picture that he started his proposal planning.

Feeling it burning a hole in his pocket, Booth pulls out the silver ring he had finally found after searching over a dozen stores. He holds it between his fingers, watching the light sparkle off the diamond shaped sapphire in the middle. It is a classic design almost identical to the diamond ring his grandmother was given many years before. Looking at the piece of jewelry, knowing what it represents makes his stomach tighten with longing and fear of rejection. The ringing of his desk phone pulls him from his thoughts and he closes his fist around the ring as he answers.

"Agent Booth," he says, placing the ring back into his pocket.

"Booth, in my office now," the gruff voice of his superior has Booth instantly straightening in his chair.

"Yes sir," he says as he stands up. He hangs up the phone with one hand and grabs his jacket off the back of his chair with the other.

Inside his office, Deputy Director Sam Cullen looks down at the file in front of him and shakes his head in distaste. Hearing the knock on his door he doesn't even bother to look up to call out his invitation of entrance. After a few moments of silence he finally looks up, closing the file and tossing it aside.

"Sit down Booth," he points at the pair of chairs in front of him, picking up another open file from his desk. "You were the lead in the April Wright case. Do you remember it?"

"Yes sir," Booth says in a somber tone, recalling not only the sad circumstances of the case but also the dark place he was at that time. "Over two years ago seventeen year old April Wright was found beaten to death with a tire iron in a federal park. Evidence pointed to Howard Epps who was convicted and is on death row."

"If that's the best you can remember I suggest you reacquaint yourself with the details," Cullen says as he leans his arms on his desk, his voice not betraying how impressed he is at how the young agent had handled that case.

"Sir?"

"Howard Epps' new lawyer is filing for an appeal."

"What? They can't be serious?" Booth says in angry disbelief. "Sir, I did everything by the book-"

"It's his constitutional right, not a reflection on your performance as an agent," Cullen interrupts a little harshly.

"Yes, sir," Booth says, his leg bouncing slightly in agitation.

"It probably wont go to trail but if it does it wont be for months," Cullen sighs, closing the file and then looking sternly at the younger man. "The damn lawyers will be asking you questions soon though. Be prepared."

"Yes, sir." Recognizing the dismissal Booth rises and leaves.

Too frustrated to sit back at his desk Booth instead takes his lunch early and leaves to pick up Brennan. After texting her to find where she is, he finds a parking spot at the college and uses the walk to her classroom to help himself ease his dark mood.

The Epps case, as he thinks of it in his mind, was the first case where he was the lead investigator and it was more challenging than he expected it to be. He clenches his hand for a second as he walks; he really doesn't need to be reminded of that time. It was the case he closed just before he left for Vegas, the weight of that case added with the emotions of losing his grandmother becoming too much for him. He refuses to see this news as an omen of his proposal.

He feels his tense muscle start to relax as he reaches her classroom and he stays a few feet away as students exit. He nods with a smile to familiar faces, this not being the first time he has waited for his girlfriend after class. The final student walks out and Booth waits a few moments for Brennan to exit, rolling his eyes when she doesn't and stepping forward to enter the room.

Almost instantly he tenses again. Brennan is standing at the podium in the front with her bag over her shoulder, talking to Michael Stires as the professor hovers close to her. Walking over Booth sees Brennan's eyes lighten up at something Stires says and has to control the urge to run over and smash the smile off the man's face. Seeing movement from the corner of her vision Brennan turns and smiles at her boyfriend.

"Hi. You're here sooner than I thought," she tells him, accepting his longer than usual kiss and his arm around her waist.

"Traffic was light. Professor Stires," Booth nods at the other man, standing up as tall as he can.

"Agent Booth," he returns a patronizing smile on his face that sets Booth's teeth on edge.

"Michael and I were just discussing my thesis," Brennan tells him. "He is being very helpful."

"Well, you barely need my help," Michael compliments her, looking Booth straight in the eyes with a smug look. "She's brilliant. I've taught her well."

"Yeah, well she's always been brilliant," Booth says through a forced smile. "You ready for lunch, babe?"

"Yes. Thank you for the suggestions Michael," she says over her shoulder as Booth guides her out.

"Anytime Tempe," he says, smiling at Booth when he looks over his shoulder.

The drive together is mostly quite, Booth concentrating on the road as Brennan flips through a forensic anthropology journal she has in her bag. Seeing an interesting fact she feels Booth would appreciate Brennan looks over, frowning at the tight clench of his jaw. Closing the journal she shifts to face him better.

"Did something happen at work?" she asks, surprising him.

"What makes you ask that?"

"You seem very agitated, almost angry," she replies, sounding slightly worried.

"It…It's nothing. Work is fine," he says with a sigh. Wanting to keep their lunch enjoyable he sends her a small smile. "I'm stuck at the desk today. You know I hate paperwork."

Brennan tilts her head as she looks at him; her face scrunched in what he calls her 'squinty' face. He shifts a little in his seat, a little uncomfortable with her look. Though she still has trouble reading other people she knows him and Booth is highly aware of that.

"You shouldn't be jealous," she says bluntly, remembering her conversation with Angela.

"What?" he glances at her in confusion as they pull into the parking lot of Wong Foo's.

"Of Michael."

"What? I am not jealous of Stires," Booth laughs off as he parks, hoping his bitter tone doesn't creep through.

"I'm his top student, we share a love of science. Michael and I are practically colleagues," Brennan continues, stepping out of the car and waiting for him to walk around the large SUV.

"Yeah, I know and that's great," Booth says as casually as he can, placing his hand on her back as they walk. "But I am not jealous Michael, alright?"

"Good. Because I'm in love with you," she says softly, stopping to face him as they enter the dimly lit restaurant. "I don't want you to ever doubt that."

"I wont-I don't. Hey," he places his hand under her chin, a gesture that has become a habit between the two that they both love. He smiles into her eyes, his other hand resting on her hip. "I wake up everyday feeling like the luckiest guy in the world because I know you love me. And I love you right back. I have no doubts about that."

"If you weren't bothered by Michael then something happened at work," Brennan speaks in the same soft voice, grabbing his wrist when he lowers his hand and piercing him with her eyes. "Tell me."

"A murderer that I arrested is filing for an appeal and it…it bothers me," he admits, hoping she won't ask for the details of the case. "I know he did it and the fact that he thinks he wont have to pay for it…"

"You're good at your job," she soothes him, their fingers linking without thought. "Justice will be served."

Booth nods his acceptance, feeling a little better at her words. But he doesn't want a somber mood to hover over their lunch so he smiles, tilting his head as his eyes twinkle at her. "'Justice will be served'? Maybe we should stop watching those action movies."

"Booth," she smiles, pushing against his chest. He captures her hands and leans forward, kissing her deeply.

"Awww." A voice from behind has them breaking apart to look at Angela's smiling face. "You know, if you're going to have a noon-er it's traditional to go home first."

"What's a noon-er?" Brennan asks, though she thinks she knows when her friend's eyebrows start to wiggle.

Booth looks down as he cell begins to ring. "It's work. Damn it."

"You probably shouldn't have taken an early lunch." Booth just gives her a look and steps away as he answers.

"Let's sit down," Angela suggests, leading the way to a table. "Hey, Sid."

"Ladies," the large man nods from his spot at the bar, tilting his head with a small smile towards Angela.

"Booth's here too," Brennan informs him, pointing behind her.

"No problem, food will be right out," he says, still with that mysterious smile.

"Did you tell Booth?" Angela asks in a soft voice, leaning close to her friend.

"No," she answers with wide eyes. "Of course not. Why?"

"Nothing, forget it," Angela smiles, shaking her head. "I told my dad."

"What did he say?" Brennan chuckles.

"He was happy," she laughs a little, still surprised that at how normal he reacted. "Hodgins got a package from him today. Cigars and top of the line beer. Not that I could have any."

"Why? You don't drink beer anymore?" Booth jokes as he joins the pair.

The best friends exchange wide-eyed looks, smiles playing around their mouths. "Um…"

Booth looks between them, a grin spreading over his face. "No…"

"And he just got it," Angela chuckles, her face glowing with happiness.

"Hey, congratulations!" Booth laughs as he stands, pulling her to her feet for a hug. "That's so great!"

"Thanks. Listen, Hodgins wants to have this big dinner to announce it" Angela pulls back, looking at her two friends. "So you have to act surprised when he tells you, okay?"

"Promise," Booth chuckles, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "You're going to be a great mom."

"Thanks," Angela smiles fighting back to tears that always seem ready to fall these days. "And I'm sure the baby will love being babysat by their Uncle Seeley and Auntie Bren."

"I bought the baby a onesie today," Brennan admits with a small blush.

"Really?" Angela laughs, completely surprised.

"Yes. I saw it and…couldn't stop myself." She reaches into her bag, a large smile on her face. "It's very humorous."

She holds it out to allow the others to read it, her blue eyes bright with anticipation of their laughter. Two stick figures are on the front, the picture identifying them as atoms, dialogue boxes floating in between. The first atom thinks he lost an electron and when asked if he was sure the reply is yes because he is positive.

"Do you get it?" Brennan asks when they don't laugh. "He's positive. It's very funny."

"I get it," Angela shakes her head with a smile, taking from her friend. "It's cute, thanks Bren."

"Hodgins will love it, I'm sure," Booth chuckles.

As Sid arrives with their food and congratulations for the expectant mother, Booth leans back with his hand settling over place the silver ring rests in his pocket. His smile stays in place, for he is happy at the news but he mentally sighs, pushing back his plans to allow his friends to celebrate. He looks over at a smiling Brennan and thinks one word: soon.

Okay, I don't know when I'll have the next part up. My family does this cookie exchange things (have been for almost 20 years!) and the competition is fierce. Wish me luck!