I don't own Bones or any of these characters, except the one I made up.

Time flies when people are busy. Russ had thought that the next few months would move by slowly. But before he and everyone knew it, it was August and they were at Jared and Padme's wedding. It was a traditional wedding, with the priest, vows, and church. Though Booth wasn't there, Jared had pointed out Parker to Russ and Parker ended up dancing with Emma at the reception. He also was able to avoid the one person from the Tempe's work, her boss, Cam. He did have a chance to meet Hank Booth, though; it became very clear how much influence Hank had over Jared, and by the sounds of it, Booth, too. Despite the fun that everyone was having, Russ and Amy left about eleven because Emma and Hayley were almost falling asleep in their chairs.

Then about seven months after she left for her year long trip, Tempe called up Russ and told him that she was coming back to the United States several months early, and that she probably wouldn't be returning to Indonesia. Even still, after seven months, Russ went to visit his sister. She talked incessantly about her time on the dig. She told him about how the dig was a bust and that she was happy to be back and working with Booth. Russ couldn't help but notice the glint in his sister's eyes when she mentioned Booth. So when she casually mentioned that Booth had met someone while he was in Afghanistan, Russ to bite his tongue from asking if she was okay.

Of course, while visiting Tempe he had to see Jared. He walked into Wong Fu's and immediately saw Jared.

"Still in the honeymoon phase?" Russ asked as he sat down next to his friend.

Jared smiled before answering, "Yeah, Padme and I are doing great. She's stuck grading papers today. She told me to tell you hi. How are Amy and the girls?"

"Good. There good. How'd Booth do in Afghanistan? Tempe told me he was back." Jared's head dropped as he closed his eyes and let out a big sigh.

"My brother's an idiot."

Russ immediately knew this conversation was going to relate back to Booth's girlfriend, but decided to play along. "Huh?"

"Remember how we decided that Tempe and Seeley were idiots for leaving each other when they were so close?"

"Yeah. First time we really talked about them as a couple. You said Dr. Saroyan was expecting them to get together soon."

"Well, now there's a new problem in the way."

"What?"

"Some reporter chick named Hannah. I had dinner with Seeley and pops last night and he mentioned her like twenty times. Pops asked how serious he was about this girl and he said 'serious as a heart attack'. Last time my brother said that was when he and Rebecca were dating. Rebecca's Parker's mom."

"She and Booth were serious, huh?"

"He asked her to marry him… though that might have more to do with the fact she was pregnant with his more than love."

"So, he and Hannah are the real deal," a disappointed Russ sighed.

"You don't seem too surprised."

"Tempe mentioned her. Didn't have a name or profession to attach to it though."

"Should have guessed that she would know about Hannah."

"Do you think Hannah will be around for a while?" Russ asked. He knew how much Tempe cared about Booth, and would try to keep him happy. But he had also seen the disappointment in her eyes when she mentioned the woman.

"It's a long distance relationship for now. Seeley might be dedicated, but if they stay separated for more than a month, Seeley's going to fall for Tempe- again."

"Are you two meddling in Booth and the Bone Lady's love life?" Sid asked as he brought them food.

"Not really a love life at the moment, but yeah," Jared answered.

"You serious? They've been flirting since the first time Booth brought her in here. I would have thought they got together years ago."

"You and the rest of DC. And now Booth's got a girlfriend, that's not Tempe."

"And you said they were serious as a heart attack?"

"That's what Seeley said."

"I give it six months tops more before the Bone Lady inadvertently gets between the two of them."

"When was the last time you actually talked to Tempe or Booth?"

"I dunno. It's been a while. But people don't ever fall out of true love; and from what I saw a few years ago those two won't ever get rid of each other. No matter how many people they see."

"You think so, Sid?" Jared asked.

"I'd bet this joint on it." Sid indicated his restaurant.

"I know you're good with food; what's your track record with couples?"

"My personal one, not so great. Seeing couples in other people, about ninety- eight percent if the Bone Lady and Booth aren't together yet."

"I'll make you a deal," Jared started. "If Seeley and Tempe aren't together in one year, Russ and I get a free meal."

"And when they are?"

"What do you want us to do?" Russ asked wearily.

Sid thought only for a minute before answering, "Bring the happy couple here. As you pointed out, I haven't seen them in a while. And you two pay double for your meals." The three men shook on the deal; though they all hoped that one man would be correct.