Thank you a lot for your wonderful reviews people... here we go, the next chapter is ready. I know my updates take a bit longer than usual now, but I am kind of busy, I hope you understand ;) Okay, here we go... chapter 9...


Chapter 9:

Temperance Brennan was just about completing her paperwork, when a sudden wave of sickness hit her. There was no way out, she had to go to the bathroom. She quickly walked out of her office, hoping that nobody would speak to her on her. She was pretty sure that opening her mouth to talk would be a very bad idea right now.

Miraculously nobody seemed to take notice of her...In fact it even was as if people were intentionally ignoring her, which was strange. The urge to vomit was getting stronger and she quickened her pace. Every theory about why people may ignore her, eluded her... she only had one goal. When she finally opened the door to the bathroom, relief came over her.

A few minutes later she had washed away the bad taste in her mouth. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and wondered how she was going to keep her pregnancy a secret for the next few weeks. Her frequent trips to the bathroom were bound to raise suspicions. She could tell people she had the stomach flu... which would be an excuse for one week, not five or six. She could only hope, that the sickness was going to get better with time.

The door opened and Brennan quickly straightened herself. "Sweetie." The sound of Angela's voice let her relax. "Hey, Ange."

"Feeling sick?" Angela asked, careful concern in her voice. Brennan only nodded, but after a moment she added. "It's better now."

Angela smiled gently. "Tell me, when you need me, okay?"

Brennan nodded. "Sure... Ange... Uhm...what did you tell people... they practically ignore me."

Angela's eyes widened. "Do they? Ah, well... they know about you and Booth, but Cam told them not to look at you as if you were a circus animal, just because you finally hooked up with him. So I guess it's just kind of... withholding the curiosity."

Brennan frowned a little. "Oh... okay. I guess I better get used to... people's reactions, right?"

"Uh-uh." Angela gave her another thoughtful look. "People will notice that you are pale and use the bathroom more often, Bren."

Her best friend sighed. "I know. I hope it gets better soon. I can't tell people I have a stomach flu forever..."

"I am sure it will get better soon, Sweetie... it's all about positive thinking, right?" Angela tried to sound encouraging.

Brennan's snort told her what she thought about positive thinking and Angela grinned to herself. "Zach is working on new remains from limbo, Bren, there are some interesting scrapes on the skull, maybe you want to have a look at them."

"Are you trying to cheer me up or distract me?" Brennan gave her friend a suspicious glance while drying her hands.

Angela grinned. "Both, I guess. Is it working?"

Brennan smiled back. "Yes. Thank you, Ange. And sorry if I am going to be obnoxious..."

"I'll let you know as soon as you are... now come, let's get some work done before Booth drags you out of the lab for lunch." Angela winked at her.


Booth was trying to concentrate on the paperwork in front of him, but he often caught his mind wandering off to Temperance Brennan. And how gorgeous she had looked, as if glowing, when she had been lying beside him after making love.

She had occupied his thoughts before... he had thought that he would be less distracted by her now, but instead it had become worse. Because Instead of wondering how she looked underneath her clothes, as he had done before, he now was easily able to picture her without clothes on, and oh, that sexy tousled look of her after they had spent hours in bed... not sleeping of course. Talk about distraction.

He sighed and willed his thoughts back to the file in front of him... He had given Cullen the first, quick résumé, but he still had to finish the detailed report. A glance at his watch told him that he had one hour left before picking up Brennan for lunch.

'Better hurry, buddy', he told himself. 'Not a good idea to let a pregnant woman wait.'


Zach looked at Dr. Brennan, but quickly averted his gaze, when her eyes met his. She let out a deep sigh and finally said: "Please... if you want to ask something, Zach, do it. This staring and not saying a word is driving me insane."

Zach fidgeted a bit, but then he blurted out: "You and Booth are a couple now."

Brennan's eyebrow rose slightly. "Yes. I was aware of that, Zach."

"Dr. Saroyan said that I am going to the crime scenes with Agent Booth now." Zach continued.

Brennan nodded. "For now. Cullen is not too happy with us. Is there a problem, Zach? I thought you would be... proud to be in charge now." She gave him a confused look.

"Oh. Yes. I have no problems with going to a crime scene... but... you went with Booth to question suspects and arrest them. I doubt I well be of help in things like that. I am not trained in self-defence like you." Zach stated.

Brennan tried to picture Zach with Booth, arresting a suspect. And failed. It just was... an impossible scenario... and Zach's company would not make Booth's situation any safer.

She gave Zach a gentle smile. "You won't have to do that, Zach. Booth is training another agent for the next few weeks, he is going to accompany him to question suspects and all that. Don't worry."

"Oh. Good." Relief showed on Zach's face. "That's good." He murmured.

"Is there anything else?" Brennan asked, knowing that Zach still had something to say.

"I... I hope you and Agent Booth are going to be happy together." The younger forensic anthropologist finally stammered.

Surprised she just stared at him, but then hurried to answer. "That's... thank you, Zach. I certainly hope so, too." Somehow, the exchange had been awkward, and they both hastily returned their attention to their work.

Angela, who had witnessed the scene, had to smile to herself. Those two were just too funny and adorably clueless when it came to emotional things.

It was like watching penguins in the desert – completely out of their territory.

She chuckled and continued with the sketch she had been working on.


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