A/N: the songs for this chapter are "I Think I Love You" by Tony Romeo, and "Tainted Love" by Ed Cobb. No copyright infringement intended.

This morning

I woke up with this feeling

I didn't know how to deal with

And so I just decided to myself

I'd hide it to myself

And never talk about it.

Brennan sat at her office desk early the next morning, trying to work on her notes for the new case without much luck. She was becoming quite frustrated as she tried to enter the information on her computer. So many errors….I really need to pay attention...I wonder what Booth is doing this morning…. No matter how hard she tried to concentrate on the work she was doing, her mind kept drifting back to the conversation she'd had with Booth the night before. Booth says he loves me, and I believe he really thinks he does….but what exactly does that mean for us? And what do I feel for him? I'm still not sure...but I'd like to explore the possibilities. Both of them had been in relationships with other people...relationships that had failed miserably. Why would this relationship be any different? Is it worth the risk to our friendship and work relationship?

Brennan smiled to herself as she continued to type. The thought of adding a different aspect to their relationship was as frightening as it was thrilling. This feeling is similar to riding a roller coaster...slightly scary, but very exhilarating... Her heart rate had accelerated, her skin had flushed, and her body began to produce copious amounts of adrenaline when she thought about him. If thinking about Booth creates this type of startling physiological reaction in me, how will my body react to actually being in a romantic relationship with him? She giggled as her breathing rate increased. It seems that thinking about Booth makes me slightly giddy and it obviously affects my ability to use my mental capabilities logically. Based on her observations, it seemed her body would react quite favorably to being close to Booth, but perhaps she needed to investigate further. Research into that subject would definitely be pleasurable…

"Sweetie?" Brennan turned to Angela with a wide eyed look of surprise. Angela, laughing quietly at Brennan's expression, came into the office and sat down opposite of her. "I'm sorry, Brennan...I didn't mean to startle you. You must have been really concentrating on your computer. What are you working on so diligently this morning?"

"It's alright, Angela. I was just trying to complete my case notes from yesterday." Brennan sighed as she looked back at her computer monitor. "This will probably be a difficult case for us to work on. The remains were badly damaged, and given the age of the victim…" Brennan sighed as she shook her head at Angela. "Booth was quite upset at the crime scene...the child was probably the same age as Parker is now."

Angela nodded as she listened to Brennan's explanation, but her observant nature had noticed that something else might be going on with her friend as well, and she decided to press for details. "So how was it, going back out in the field with Booth? Did it feel awkward to work with him again after so long?"

Brennan glanced down at her keyboard as she tried to avoid making eye contact with Angela. "It was fine. You know we've always worked well together. What's that expression? Like remembering how to ride a bicycle? It was easy to pick up where we left off…"

"Really, Brennan? What I know is that you haven't always worked well together with Booth. There was a lot of tension between you two before you left for the Caribbean with Sully, remember?" Angela watched to see what her friend's reaction would be, grinning as she saw the slight blush on Brennan's cheeks. "So I take it that things are going better now, right? All very professional and detached, I bet." Maybe be professional, but definitely not detached. Angela arched her eyebrow at Brennan and laughed. "I think the personal aspect of the relationship has improved also, judging from your smile and the way your eyes are sparkling."

"Angela...Booth and I are good friends, but our personal relationship has nothing to do with our partnership…" Brennan focused on her computer's monitor, hoping that she appeared calm. She wasn't in the mood for Angela's prying questions.

"Whatever you say, Sweetie…" Angela paused before continuing. "But if it was me, I'd be grateful for a second chance at a relationship with Booth." Seeing that she wasn't going to get the reaction she wanted from Brennan, Angela rose from her chair. "I'm going to try to complete a facial reconstruction for the little girl this morning, but since the skull was damaged it may take awhile. I'd better get going. I'll talk to you later when it's finished, okay?"

I don't know what I'm up against.

I don't know what it's all about.

I got so much to think about….

"Angela...wait." Brennan chewed her lip, trying to decide how much to tell her friend. "It may be none of my business, but I, um...I was wondering if you know why Booth and Cam broke up. I had always thought they had a good relationship. That's part of the reason I left with Sully. I felt like Cam would take care of Booth's emotional needs, and he'd be happy in a committed romantic relationship."

Angela glanced back at her friend with a questioning look. "You really don't know?"

Brennan shook her head. "When I left, I thought they were happy together. I didn't keep in touch with Booth while I was in the Caribbean, and I didn't call him when I returned because I thought they were still together." Brennan grimaced as she shrugged her shoulders. "I felt like Dr. Saroyan viewed me as a threat to their relationship for some reason, so I left them alone. I was surprised when I found out that they had ended it…."

Angela sat back down and grinned at Brennan. "You were right, Sweetie...Cam did view you as a threat to her relationship with Booth. I guess she figured out how much Booth loved you, even when he was sleeping with her. She wanted more from him than he could give her...she wanted all of him, body, heart, and soul, and she didn't want to share any part of him with you. He wanted more from her, too…if he couldn't have a committed long term relationship with you, he wanted that with her, but she didn't want to be pinned down in a relationship like that because she knew he didn't love her like he loved you."

"That's really confusing, Angela...why would she think Booth was in love with me? He never gave any indication that he felt that way. He said we had to avoid crossing that line….we had to remain professional. That's why I started dating Sully."

Angela gave Brennan a sad little smile. "Sweetie, Booth has probably been in love with you from the first day he met you, but it probably seemed to him like maybe you weren't interested in him that way. He was protecting himself from getting hurt, I think...maybe he thought he could get over you if he was with Cam, but it didn't work." Angela sat back down in her chair and grimaced as she recalled what happened. "About two weeks after you left, Booth and Cam had a really loud argument in the lab. She'd made some stupid mistakes on a high profile murder case because she was in a rush to complete things, and it cost Booth a conviction. He called her on it, and she retaliated by saying some really awful things about how he did his job. She said he was incompetent, and that he was too busy mooning over you to do his job right. I guess Booth also took exception to what he viewed as unkind remarks that Cam had made about you, and he yelled at her...he told her to get over it….that she just needed to accept that she'd never be able to take your place as the top scientist in the lab or as the woman he loved. You can imagine how that went over…."

Brennan was horrified. "Why would he say something like that in front of everybody? That's….that's unbelievable. Booth would never act like that. He'd be in control of himself…of his emotions..."

"I don't know...I don't know exactly what Cam said, but I guess whatever it was, it caused him to go ballistic. It was all very awkward. Anyway, a few weeks after that blow up, Cam took a job running a big hospital in New York City, and Booth stayed here pining away for you. I felt so sorry for him. I guess he thought he had ruined his life by letting you leave..."

"Angela, I thought he wanted me to leave...he told me to go with Sully." Brennan blinked back a tear, thinking about how badly she had been hurt by that...Booth hadn't asked her to stay...he wanted her to go away.

"He was trying to be unselfish...he thought that you just needed a little coaxing to follow your dreams of love with Sully." Angela saw the confusion on Brennan's face. "I know it's confusing, Brennan, but the reality is, Booth loves you, and I think you love him, right? So, whatever he's offering you, you'd be crazy not to take him up on it. Trust me on this, alright? Think about it. He's worth taking a chance on. Now….I'm going to go work on that reconstruction. See you later." Angela left to go to back to her office.

Brennan sat looking at her computer screen, trying to understand everything Angela had explained to her. Finally, she exhaled slowly and smiled. Maybe it was time to take a chance on Booth.

I think I love you, so what am I so afraid of?

I'm afraid that I'm not sure of

A love there is no cure for…..

oooooooooo

Now I know I've got to run away

I've got to get away

You don't really want any more from me….

Tainted love, oh, tainted love….

Booth strolled absentmindedly through the bullpen, slowly making his way toward his office. He knew he was a bit late coming in today, but after being out in the field all day yesterday he'd decided to take an extra hour this morning. He waved and nodded to the other agents before stopping in the kitchenette to fix himself a cup of coffee. He stood stirring his coffee, staring off into space, thinking of Bones, when his pleasant thoughts were interrupted.

"Hey, Agent Booth…"

"Yeah, what is it, Charlie?" Booth turned to walk toward his office.

"You've got a visitor this morning...a real good-looking visitor if you know what I mean." Charlie grinned and winked. "And, by the way, Cullen said he wanted to see you some time today….something about your partner."

Booth took a sip of coffee and grinned back. He didn't expect Bones to show up at his office this early...he'd expected her later, after she'd completed her preliminary work on the skeleton. Maybe I've convinced her to take a chance on me. God, I hope so….He quickened his pace to his office and threw open the door.

"Good morning. You're running late, I see."

"Cam….what are you doing here? I told them downstairs not to admit you…" Booth stood with his arms crossed over his chest, rigid with anger as he glared at her.

"I told the agent at the front desk that we were old friends, and that I had some information for you. He was very helpful…" She laughed as she sauntered over to Booth. "I came to see you before I go home...my vacation is over, so I'm on my way, and I want you to come with me." She smiled as she smoothed his tie down over the front of his shirt. "Take a week off and come stay with me. We could have so much fun...we might even get around to leaving my bedroom." She reached up to kiss him, but he pulled away and quickly moved to sit behind his desk.

Don't touch me, please…

I cannot stand the way you tease...

"I've already explained this to you, Cam. I'm really sorry that I hurt you. I didn't mean to do that, but things can't go back to the way they were." He stared at his hands and shook his head. "I'm in love with Bones, and I guess I was even when we were together. You have every right to hate me….I deserve it. But I've lied to myself and to everyone else for too long. You should be with someone who really loves you, Cam….who wants to do everything for you...someone who loves you without wishing he was with someone else. You deserve that, and I can't give it to you. Even if we keep seeing each other, I'd always end up wanting Bones instead of you…."

To make things right

You need someone to hold you tight.

And you think love is to pray…

I'm sorry I don't pray that way…

"Booth…" Cam sat on the corner of the desk and leaned over him. "Do you really think you can get that crazy woman to love you the way you love her? She's heartless and cold...and not just a little bit strange. I wouldn't be surprised if she turns out to be mentally ill…"

"Stop, Cam, alright? Bones is a wonderful person, but you'll never know that because you're too busy trying to put her down." Booth pulled a file out of his desk drawer and began reading. "I have work to do...so, if there's nothing more….I hope you have a safe trip home."

"Listen, Booth...I've had enough of your shit!" Now thoroughly enraged, Cam got up from the desk and stood to face him. "Don't you remember how good we were together? It was so wonderful...you'll never have that with Dr. Brennan."

Booth sat back in his chair and glared at Cam a few seconds before a small smile played across his lips. "Now I get it. I know what's going on…this isn't about us or me at all, is it? You just hate the fact that I'm in love with Bones. If it was anyone else, you'd be gone already, but you can't stand it now because it's her...you know she'll always be better than you at everything." He nodded as he looked at his file again. "Well, she may never love me like I love her, but you know what, Cam? She did beat you this time. So, it's time for you to make a graceful exit before I call security."

The love we share

Seems to go nowhere.

And I've lost my light,

For I toss and turn, I can't sleep at night….

oooooooooo

Brennan walked purposefully across the bullpen on the way to Booth's office. She hadn't called ahead, but she knew he'd want to see the most recent information Hodgins and Zack had gathered from the particulates and the isotope studies of the child's skeleton. She reached the door of Booth's office and stopped suddenly. Booth had a visitor….

"Oh, hello, Dr. Saroyan." Brennan paused, pinching her lips together and feeling slightly awkward. "Um, I'm sorry, Booth...I didn't know you were busy. Here's the newest information we have on our young Jane Doe. I guess I should have just sent the file over by courier. I'll leave it here with you and you can email me later today if you have any questions. Goodbye, Booth."

"Wait. Don't leave, Bones. Cam isn't staying." Booth moved toward the door and, taking Brennan's hand, ushered her into his office.

"Good morning, Dr. Brennan. Well, isn't this sweet?" Cam gave them both a fake smile. "You and Booth working together again, just like the old days. I'm glad to see that you've managed to worm your way back into being Booth's partner." Cam smirked at Brennan as she sauntered toward the door. "Be careful of working with Booth, though...he's a real heartbreaker." Cam stopped and turned back toward Booth. "So that's it, right, Booth? Another pretty face comes along, and you forget about me like I'm yesterday's news? That's all this is...pure, unadulterated lust. You can't wait to get her into your bed...just another conquest for Seeley Booth." Cam stood with her hands on her hips, tapping her foot. "I suppose you're going to tell me you love her with all your heart, and she's everything you've ever wanted, but I remember you saying those same words to me just a few months ago. Fine. Good luck with this one." Cam nodded toward Brennan. "You're gonna need it. She's a cold, heartless bitch…." Cam laughed hoarsely as she choked back her tears. "He'll tell you the same thing, Brennan...that he loves you, and he wants you forever, but don't believe him...he's a liar. He just wants in your pants, and once he's finished with that and he gets what he wants, he'll on his merry way again."

A warning growl started from Booth's throat. "Cam…", but Brennan held up her hand to interrupt him.

"Dr. Saroyan….I realize that it's uncomfortable for you to be in this situation. Ending a relationship is often unhappy for the participants involved. However, there is no logical reason for you to be so disparaging of Agent Booth. The fact that he prefers my company to yours may just be a matter of brain chemistry...it could be that our pheromones are more compatible. However, even if it is true that all Booth wants is to have sex with me, it is truly none of your business. Your relationship with Booth has ended, most likely because of your disagreeable personality, so I suggest that you take Booth's suggestion and leave now, before I become angry. Trust me...I'm as much of an alpha female as you are, and I'll do whatever I need to do to guard my territory from interlopers."

Booth sat stunned as he realized what Brennan meant. "Wait...I'm your territory? As in I belong to you?"

Brennan didn't respond to his question. She was too busy glaring at Cam. "I believe it's time for you to depart for New York. Don't bother returning to see if Booth is available, because I can assure you, he won't be." Brennan stepped aside so Cam could go through the door. "I won't say it's been good to see you again...I don't like to lie. But I will say 'have a safe trip.'" Brennan pulled the door closed as Cam stormed out. Brennan turned back to Booth and pointed to his desk. "Now, about the file….the particulates show that the child lived in New Jersey…."

I only want to make you happy,

And if you say, 'Hey, go away I will,

But I think better still I'd better stay around and love you.

Do you think I have a case? Let me ask you to your face…

"Bones, that was amazing…." Booth was grinning from ear to ear as he tried to speak in coherent sentences. "I mean, really, really amazing….so you…you really want me in your territory? Jesus, that's wonderful..."

Do you think you love me?

I think I love you….

He was interrupted by a sharp rap on the door frame. "Director Cullen, good morning. You remember Dr. Brennan, right? She's working with me on our Jane Doe case...you know, the little girl whose remains we found in Delaware yesterday."

Cullen nodded to Brennan. "The agency appreciates you giving of your time to fill in as Booth's partner, Dr. Brennan. I know you're usually very busy." He turned back to Booth. "There's someone I need you to meet, Booth." Cullen motioned to the bullpen as a petite blonde woman entered. "This is your new partner...Special Agent Payton Perotta."

One more chapter soon...