The Promotion
Chapter 4
"Bren…." Angela began, placing her hand on Temperance's arm, her facial expression somber.
"I don't know why I am feeling so upset about this Ang, logically, I know that it was unrealistic to believe that our partnership would last forever, and its not like I am never going to see him again, but I feel like he's abandoning me" Temperance said in a quiet voice, her eyes moist with unshed tears. She swallowed hard and took a deep breath.
Before Angela could console her, her friend went on: "And its not like I can tell Booth how I feel, because then he won't accept the position, and this position is a great opportunity for him, so I have to make it seem like I am all for it, you know?" she said, and sniffed, and looked up at the ceiling, willing the tears that had formed in her eyes to defy gravity and not fall.
"What about this new partner business? What did Booth say about that? Do you know who it will be?" Angela wanted to know, trying to move on to safer topics for now. Clearly her friend wasn't ready for the "go jump Booth now" conversation.
Temperance sniffed again, and stood up, pushing the chair across the hardwood floors in a loud scrape, she crossed her arms and began to pace the kitchen of her apartment. The sun was in the process of going down, and with all the blinds open, and draperies stacked to the side, the orangeish glow poured into the spacious area.
"I don't know…I have a call in to Cullen right now, and Booth doesn't know who it is either, at least not yet. It's all really up in the air until he either accepts or turns down the position. I guess I am going to have to wait and see" Temperance said, and sat back down in the kitchen chair she'd just gotten up from. She leaned her head in one hand and huffed out a breath, looking away.
"I don't know. Maybe I should have Zack go out in the field with this new FBI Liaison…." Temperance trailed off, staring off into space, apparently thinking aloud.
Startled, Angela's mouth fell open, and her eyebrows rose "Zack? In the field? Sweetie…..that SO wouldn't work on so MANY levels" she declared in a firm voice. She picked up her coffee cup and swallowed the rest of the contents in one long gulp. Angela set her mug back down and waited for Brennan to say something.
Not receiving any response from her friend, she decided to shake things up a little bit…
"Well, what if this new partner turns out to be a total hottie, or someone you could, you know…hook up with like Sully?" Angela suggested, one eyebrow arched a playful smile on her face.
"Angela!" Temperance laughed, smiling now "I need to stay professional with my dealings with the FBI, and besides, I don't have time in my life for that right now, I am perfectly happy—"
"---with my life right now as it is" Angela interrupted and finished for her, rolling her eyes with an irritated sigh. "Right, I know this song and dance" she replied in a somewhat sarcastic tone.
"Listen Bren, I gotta go. Jack is taking me out on a cruise tonight on the Searay. But for the record, I think that you should be careful in what you decide, you don't want to let that big hunk of FBI get away from you" she rose, and gathered her bag and jacket that she'd draped over the back of the kitchen chair. Angela shrugged in to her jacket and slung her voluminous purse over her shoulder.
"You going to be alright sweetie?" Angela asked, a note of concern in her voice. She stood beside the apartment door, one had on the knob
Temperance rose, and embraced Angela in a warm hug. "I'll be fine. Thanks for listening. I needed it Ang"
Temperance closed the door and locked it. She leaned against the closed door and chewed her lip thoughtfully. Decisively, she reached into her pocket and withdrew her cell phone. Staring at it intently a moment, as if trying to make a decision. Finally she dialed the number and waited.