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Booth decided to pop in and see Angela and see if she knew what was behind his partner's strange behaviour of late.

He made his way to Angela's office where she was working on her computer.

"Hi Ange," he spoke quietly as he didn't think she had heard him enter.

"Hi Boothy-licious!"

"Got a sec?"

"Sure....what's on your mind?"

He checked over his shoulder to make sure that Bones wasn't within hearing distance. "Have you noticed anything bothering Bones of late?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not sure....I can't get a handle on it... but something's not right and whatever is wrong she's not talking to me about it."

"I haven't noticed anything....but I could sound her out if you like?"

"Well if you get the chance....you know... if it comes up.....that would be great, thanks Ange,' he said as made to leave. 'Gotta go, gotta try and talk Bones into coming for a drink this afternoon, it's been forever since we've had the opportunity.....she's had one excuse after another lately."

Angela paused and thought about Booth's last statement......Brennan had been using excuses to avoid having 'alone time' with Booth....hmmm... and by the sound of it avoiding him big time!

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"Hi Sweetie."

"Hi Ange."

"Sorry I'm late." She looked around, "Is it just us this afternoon? No Booth?" Angela had assumed that when Brennan had asked her for a drink this afternoon Booth had finally been successful in getting her to go for a drink.

"No, it's just us." She replied with a small smile.

"Is everything okay with you, Sweetie?" Angela searched her face looking for anything amiss.

"I'm fine," she replied unable to meet Angela's piercing look.

"Brennan...."

"I'm fine, Angela." she answered forcefully.

Angela ordered their drinks and then sat back and waited. She watched the emotions flickering across her friend's face and quietly waited for her friend to unload.

The drinks arrived quickly, and Brennan still hadn't said a word. She rested her head in one hand, while the other hand made slow circles around the top of her wine glass. She watched her fingers going round and round one way and then reversing the circles anti clockwise on the glass. She eventually stopped and looked up.

"I have a problem....a situation and I don't know what to do about it!" she finally said.

"I assume this predicament involves Booth?"

"How did you know?" she questioned.

"He's worried about you, Sweetie."

Temperance sighed. She went back to tracing the wine glass with her index finger.

"Do you want to talk about it Bren?" Ange asked.

Temperance looked up and stared into her friends eyes. "I really would Ange, but as awkward as it is going to be I think I'm going to have to either a) discuss it with Sweets or b) talk to Booth about it first."

"Okay. Perhaps soon honey? And you know I'm always here if you need me."

Angela thought that this was a very telling development. Whatever was bothering Brennan was intimate, between her and Booth...... and it looked like she was going to take the first step.....maybe....just maybe.... after all these years....

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