Chapter 4 -Betrayal

AN: One more adjustment to time line, gravedigger has happened however the news of Hodgins wealth was not revealed to anyone. Not Booth not Angela, get it none of the squints know.

Hodgins walked into the Jeffersonian Tuesday Morning fresh from his ski trip and went to his station with the intention of catching up on whatever work he had missed while away. Upon arrival he saw that he had a message saying Dr. Brennan would like to see him in her office at his earliest convince. He went to her office and knocked on the door.

"Dr. B, You wanted to see me?"

Brennan looked up from the box she was packing. "Yes come in Hodgins." Before she could say anything else her cell phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and put it down without answering. She seemed lost in thought for a moment.

"Dr. B what did you want?"

"Oh yes" she said like she was just remembering he was there "I wanted to inform you that I will be leaving the Jeffersonian for an undetermined length of time. There will be a replacement forensic anthropologist here during my absence. We are hoping to get Zach Addy back once he returns, but until then we need another replacement. If I decide I do not want to return after five years, either Zach or the replacement will be offered tenure."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"First, out of courtesy. Second I know about you and the Cantilever Group. As you are one of the biggest Medico-legal lab donators and an employee, I would like to enlist your help in choosing who the replacement is going to be."

"Sure thing Dr. B, I'd be glad to help. But why are you leaving?"

"You'll find out soon enough." was her vague response.

Hodgins knew to let the subject drop for now. "When would you like to go through the candidates?"

"I made a copy of the applications we already have in for you to go through. Just mark which ones are your favorites and we'll meet Thursday afternoon along with Cam to come to an agreement."Brennan's cell phone went off again. She did the same thing as last time, glance at the caller ID and not answer.

"You know you can answer that I don't mind."

Brennan flashed him a small quick smile that almost looked more like a grimace. "It's not that Hodgins I just really don't want to talk to them right now."

"Who?"

"I guess 'soon enough' is now." Brennan muttered to herself. "Booth and Angela."

"Why not?"

"Betrayal."

"Betrayal of what?"

"I walked in on them Saturday morning."

"Walked in? But Angela didn't work on Sat- Ohhh. I'm sorry Dr. B."

"Why?"

"I was trying to find you about the case when I overheard you and Angela talking last week."

"So you know." It was more statement then question.

"I know."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"You never said anything about knowing how rich I am. Why?"

"It's yours to tell."

"You just answered your own question."

"No I didn't I answered yours."

"The answer applies to both."

"Oh"

"Well I should get to work."

"Okay.... and Hodgins?

"Yeah?"

"Please don't tell anyone anything yet."

"Sure thing. You out on the platform today?"

"I think I'm just going to stay in my office. I have some phone calls to make, plus I need to pack up some things, maybe work on my book."

"Alright. I'll see you later." With that Hodgins left her office and got to work. His anger was slowly growing at Angela and Booth did. He was not sure which of the two to be angrier at. Both of them deserved it. Angela knew how Brennan felt and slept with Booth may not have known how Brennan felt, but sleeping with the best friend is a pretty good way to ruin any chances of any guy getting together with a girl.

The only thing preventing hodgins from blowing up at either was that Brennan didn't want them to know she was leaving yet. He knew they both would find out how much damage this had really caused soon enough.

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Angela arrived at the Jeffersonian in time to see Hodgins go into Brennan's office. She went into her own office wondering why Hodgins was talking to Brennan so early. It wasn't about a case since they had not received a new one yet. Maybe it had something to do with a limbo case or he was just checking to see if anything had to be done. About half an hour later she noticed him leaving Brennan's office with a stack of folders and a slight scowl on his face. She watched the scowl darken as he set to work.

Normally she would just go and talk to Brennan about what had happened in her office to make him scowl but that was no longer an option. She could go talk to Hodgins himself but she had a feeling he would not be very receptive to her right now.

She wished she could talk to Brennan but seeing that she wouldn't pick up the phone she doubted that she would talk about what happened in her office. Angela realized yet again how badly she had screwed up. Brennan was her best friend and she did one of the worse things possible, if it had happened two months ago it might not have been so bad, but after that talk last week, there was no denying how screwed up everything is now. She knew Brennan's past and how hard it is for her to trust anyone. Yet she still betrayed her trust and slept with the only other person Brennan trusted. And to make it worse she knew Brennan was in love with him.

Angela decided that she should at least try to mend the bridges that she burned and headed to Brennan's office. Right before she knocked and revealed her presence. Brennan's desk phone rang.

"Brennan...Hi Dr. Ferras . Thank you for calling me back so quickly... I wanted to inform you that I would like to accept your job proposal to teach at the University.... For at least one year maybe longer, we'll see how it goes... I'll be flying out next week, on Friday.... I'll meet you in your office Tuesday at 9 a. m.....I'm still looking for a place.... a house on campus? That sounds great.... We'll talk about the winter quarter schedule when I see you and sign the contract for one year.... If I decide to stay longer we'll work out a new one so I can still travel for my digs.... Alright I'll see you two weeks.... Have a good day Dr. Ferras."

After hearing Brennan hang up Angela went back to her office. She thought Brennan might leave for a few months, teach a semester or go on a short dig, but not for a year or longer. She decided to call Booth and let him know what was happening. He didn't answer so she left a quick message saying that she had something to tell him and it was important.

After hanging up her phone she leant back in her chair and let out a sigh. She had a feeling things were going to get worse before they got better. That is if it ever would.