"Tell me what happened sweetie."
"We were just going to have some pizza at my place, and I finally figured out what you were trying to get me to figure out. So I called him on it, and he said that he's absolutely in love with me. Then I kissed him and then he kissed me and then one thing led to another and—"
"And then?" Angela asked with one eyebrow raised.
"We kissed for a few more minutes on the couch. Then I called you. Then we ate the pizza. Then I went to bed, and Booth stayed up doing whatever it was he was doing. And this morning I made breakfast, Booth drove me here, and when I was getting out of the car we had this really passionate kiss, I swear it was one of the best kisses I've ever had. And now I'm here talking to you."
"So you guys just made out for a while. That's all? I was hoping you were going to tell me something interesting had happened." Angela flashed her smirk.
"You mean like sexual intercourse? No we didn't get to that."
"Hang on. Rewind. When Booth said that he was in love with you what did you say?"
"That's what I did wrong. I do love him. A lot," she sighed, "But when he said just came out and said it like that with no hesitation I thought it would be cliché like a movie if I immediately said it right back. You know like 'I love you! And I love you too'. And with Booth I wanted it to be more than a Hollywood fairytale and be real." Angela could tell Brennan was serious. She was making that face where she looked like she was about to cry and sneeze. Whenever she talked about her parents or Russ or the Truth she had this face. "It's been too long now. I ruined it."
"No sweetie, don't say that."
"What am I supposed to do Ange? If I tell him now he's going to think I felt guilty and I don't really mean it. I don't want to screw this one up."
"I think you need a man's help with this one. Go ask Jack."
"Hodgins? Really?"
"This is out of my hands."
***
"So you and Booth, huh?" asked Hodgins as he slumped into the chair in front of Brennan's desk.
"Yes, it would appear so, but our relationship has no future if you don't help me."
"You did try Angela first right because she's usually the one to go to about these things?"
"She told me to get a man's help."
"Let me guess…he said he loves you and you didn't say it right back and now you don't know when to say it."
"Yes, exactly. How—"
"How did I know? It's the average advice I would give to any man in a brand new relationship. However, I would normally give it to the man, but in your case it seemed appropriate that it would be you asking, not Booth. My advice, if I bared my soul to the woman I'm in love with, and I put our partnership and friendship on the line I wouldn't care where or when she said it back just as long as she told me. Go tell him Dr. B."
"First I have a murderer to catch."
"What? By the where and the when I meant right now. Do you have any idea how much agony he's in wondering if you feel the same way?"
"Never let your personal life get in the way of your work, Jack."
"Zack!"
"Yes Dr. Brennan."
"How does the bullet wound look?"
"I made several molds of the wound and then reengineered the original wound from those. I gave the final to Angela who's working on it right now. Until we figure that out I think we learned everything we can about the remains."
"Even the eye sockets? We're still not sure if it was in fact a key that was used to remove the eyes."
"I'm still working on it."
"Then we haven't learned everything we can."
"Sorry Dr. Brennan."
"Brennan, I did it. You better love me for this," smiled Angela walking into the office, "It was a military grade handgun, and the round matched the one recovered from your jacket."
"Have you matched it to a gun?"
"That's more of an FBI thing, so I'll send the information to Booth right now. Did Hodgins' advice help?"
"I'd rather not talk about that until this is all over, but yes it did help. I know exactly what I need to do."
