The trial had begun, and everyone was working later than normal to make sure that all the evidence was catalogued and all the paperwork complete. Brennan sat in her office at her computer, typing up the notes she would use during testimony the following day. She looked up from her monitor to see Angela standing in her doorway.

"Hey, Angela, I thought you would have gone home by now," Brennan said, swiveling in her seat to greet her friend.

"I'm on my way out now. Mind if I come in?" Angela asked hesitantly, sidling over to Brennan's couch. Without waiting for a response, she sat down with a sigh. "This has been a really rough week for me, Bren," Angela finally confided.

It took Brennan a few moments to process Angela's statement, and then realization dawned on her face. "Oh, Angela, I'm so sorry. I've been so caught up in this case and in my own personal life, that I've forgotten how much this thing with Hodgins must be affecting you…" She trailed off, dismayed at her own lack of perception when it came to her friends.

Angela just smiled, and waved aside the idea that she was somehow disappointed in Brennan. "It's okay—I remember how distracted I was right after Jack and I first slept together. It's that post-coital bliss thing..."

"But Sully and I haven't slept together yet, remember? So that means it's going to get worse?" Brennan asked anxiously.

"Much! Although the pre-coital condition is pretty bad too…" Angela laughed. "Give your new G-man time—he may turn out to be your magic G-man…"

"That is a reference to an old 'Heart' song, isn't it?" Brennan asked, smiling.

"You got it, Sweetie," Angela grinned wickedly.

Growing serious again, Brennan took Angela's hand. "You know, I completely support Hodgins. Yes, he made a mistake, but it doesn't affect the quality of his work or the fact that I think of him as a person of superior ethical character. I think we should just go ahead and get through the case, and all of this can be forgotten."

"Oh, Sweetie, I don't think it's going to be that simple," began Angela, "You see, Jack thinks that the only solution to this is for him to resign his position here at the Jeffersonian."

"What? That's crazy… why would he do that?" responded Brennan in shock. "Jack is one of the best scientists we have here. I won't let him do it."

"Yeah, but Cam might. She has to think of her position, and the reputation of the Jeffersonian. But I think Jack's jumping the gun by volunteering to give up his position. He, on the other hand, has a different opinion about that. He thinks that it's the manly thing to do. He thinks that it will impress Booth." Angela wrinkled her nose in disgust as she finished. "I just don't understand men and their thinking…"

"Hodgins is worried about impressing Booth?" Brennan repeated, trying to get her facts straight. "Booth was barely even allowed back on the job. He's under psychiatric evaluation for shooting a clown—well, not a real clown—but he did discharge his weapon in a public place without reasonable cause. What I'm saying is I don't think it's Hodgins that necessarily has the problem!" Brennan laughed, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Shooting a clown? And he's seeing a shrink?" Angela's eyes opened wide. "Should you even be telling me any of this?"

Brennan glanced down, abashed. "No, I probably shouldn't be telling you any of this. I really am terrible about knowing when discretion should be applied in a situation."

"Well, that may be so," Angela replied, her lips in a tight line, "But I'm glad you told me. Now I'm even angrier than before! Besides, you heard what he said about Jack and Clarissa Bancroft—a complete and asinine fabrication, just to make Jack look bad."

"Yes, Booth was completely out-of-line. Not only was it a false accusation, but it didn't even hold up logically. How would tampering with the evidence facilitate a sexual affair with the victim's wife? That made no sense to me at all," Brennan laughed again. "Poor Booth, he's been under a lot of stress recently… and did you see those boring ties he's been wearing?"

"Don't try to make me feel sorry for the guy," Angela warned, "I'm not in the mood for charity right now."

"Okay, let's not talk about Booth anymore. How are you and Hodgins?" Brennan asked, changing the subject.

"Better than ever," Angela said, smiling broadly. "You have your magic G-man, I have my magic G-spot man—hits it every time… and speaking of Jack, I think he's waiting for me, so I'll be going now. Thanks for asking about us, Bren."

"Sure," Brennan replied, "That's what friends do. And don't let Booth get to you—he has issues that he's trying to resolve right now."

"Nice try, Brennan," Angela responded sardonically as she got up to leave. "Nice try…"