A/N: Good news/bad news – you decide. I was a little slow getting this chapter posted because I was trying to fit a lot into it. I finally decided to break it into 2 chapters though, so you get this one now, and should get the next one Friday (as it's close to complete).

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing Bones related except my imagination.

"OK, Sweetie . . ." Angela began as she strode purposefully through Brennan's office door and came to a stop in front of her desk. " . . I don't know what the hell put a bee in your bonnet today, but you have been acting like a first class bitch and it's got to stop. You have been moody, short tempered and dissatisfied with everyone around you all day. So. Tell me. What's wrong?"

Brennan scowled and glared at Angela, who simply glared back, nonplussed, one eyebrow cocked higher than the other, arms crossed, and tapping her toe. Brennan's first impulse was to tell Angela to mind her own business and go away. But, she conceded to herself, Angela was basically right. She had been a moody bitch all day and about an hour ago she'd completely overreacted to a minor faux paus by one of the other scientists and verbally flayed him. She assumed that was the event that finally sent Angela in here to soothe the proverbial dragon. Maybe talking would make her feel better.

Angela knew she was right on the money that something in particular was bothering her friend when Brennan's posture relaxed from her initial defensive position to a more resigned and relaxed pose. Brennan closed her eyes and leaned her head back against her chair. "It's just . . . I find I am very stressed at the moment Ange. I know I was out of line with my comments to Dr. Randolph earlier and I'll apologize to him."

"Hmmm. That'd be a good start Bren, but this is more than just simple stress. I've seen you juggle the demands of 10 normal people and not let it get to you like this and we don't have anything major going on around here right now anyway. There is something specific that you are fixating on that's bothering you and you and I both know you'll feel better after talking it over with me. So, spill it Sister."

Why fight the inevitable? Pretty soon, everyone would know. "It's my book" she responded tiredly.

"Your book?" Angela was surprised by that answer. In the past, Brennan had reacted to the pomp and circumstance surrounding her books with remarked disinterest and an almost comical obliviousness to what anyone else would have embraced as a major achievement. "What, exactly, about your book has you storming around here acting like the Wicked Witch of the West?"

"It gets released Friday."

"So?"

"Today's Monday."

"So? she say's again as though her best friend wasn't giving her total crap for answers. If you're worried no one will buy it, I promise you'll sell at least one copy to me."

Brennan smiled at her friend fondly. Angela was always there, offering her support in her own unique way. "No need Ange. I have a whole box of freebies that just got delivered to my home yesterday which I can distribute as I see fit, although I'm supposed to wait until after they're released on Friday. Here, I'll give you a copy. I brought one with me" she said, reaching over for her messenger bag that sat on the floor by her feet and extracting a brand new, fresh off the presses, first edition copy of her new novel and offering it over to Angela. "Just don't let anyone know you got it early."

It was the arrival of the books on her doorstep yesterday that had prompted her disagreeable mood. In her mind, she'd known the publication date was imminent, but the appearance of the box of books had progressed the book release from some hypothetical future scenario to a more immediate, this is really happening, actuality that she knew she'd have to confront and deal with. To put it mildly, she was freaking out over the prospect.

This was the first book Brennan had written that Angela hadn't read while it was in the draft stages. No, this one was all Temperance Brennan and that terrified her too. While she hadn't consciously recognized it at the time, sharing her stories with Angela, even before she shared them with her publisher, had provided her with a certain sense of security and confidence in what she wrote. She trusted Angela and knew Angela wouldn't let her produce or publish something that wasn't true to Brennan's belief system, at least, not without grilling her about it first. Brennan realized that she had missed Angela's insights and she felt vulnerable about how the people she was acquainted with were going to respond to this latest effort.

Moving to the same side of the desk as Brennan and propping her hip on the edge as she admired the cover of her new book, Angela implored her friend again. "Why are you worried about this book? You know it'll do great."

Brennan snorted. "That's what has me worried." At Angela's look of puzzlement, she just responded "Read it. Just . . . read it, then let me know what you think. In the meantime, I'll try to tone down my grouchy attitude."

It had taken Angela two days to finish the book. Monday night, she'd only managed the first couple chapters before pregnancy exhaustion had overwhelmed her and she'd fallen asleep with the book open on her lap. Tuesday night, she'd gotten completely sucked in to the riveting story and hadn't been able to put the book down until it was done, well after midnight. Which is why Wednesday morning, she slept in and didn't get to work until shortly before lunchtime, at which time she promptly strode in to her best friend's office once again.

Angela thought she finally understood. She knew enough about Brennan and what kinds of thoughts Brennan had been entertaining in her mind at the time she was writing the story to piece together the general picture of what this book meant to Brennan and why she was feeling so anxious. Angela wanted to hear it from Brennan though, in Brennan's words.

"Hey Sweetie. Hope you don't mind if I interrupt, because I am. I finished reading your book and you did an amazing job with this one. I've no doubt it will be going straight to the top of the best-sellers list in no time. Now, how about you finish telling me why releasing this book has you so worked up?"

Brennan looked up at her friend, taking a moment to transition her thoughts from the paperwork she'd been focused on to the topic Angela wanted to discuss. "It's extremely personal Ange. It's . . . revealing." She swallowed nervously. "A lot of people are going to read this book and make some judgments or assumptions about me that I'm not sure how to respond to."

"This book . . . and your concerns . . . this is about Booth, isn't it?" Brennan didn't respond. She just stared back at Angela with a heartbreakingly lost and confused look that made Angela want to just wrap her in a hug.

"Does he know?"

"Sort of. Not really. I told him it was different from my other stories but there's no way to really explain how until he reads it himself."

"You love him, don't you Sweetie?"

"Yes. I believe so." Sadly, Angela thought Brennan sounded more dejected than excited at finally making that admission.

Angela wasn't sure how Booth would react after reading the book. Anyone who knew Booth and Brennan, knew anything about their relationship, and suspected that Brennan used Kathy and Andy as surrogates for her and Booth would interpret this novel as a declaration of love from Brennan to Booth. For the last several weeks, Angela had noticed Booth's solicitous behavior towards Brennan and thought he was acting as though he was trying to win her favor. She'd actually been considering cornering him and asking him what his intentions were because if he wasn't finally getting his act together and trying to start something meaningful with Brennan, then he was just setting her up for a major heartbreak, and Angela couldn't sit by and just watch that happen. Although, she may be too late now. Thank God Hannah was out of the picture or this would've been a real disaster in the making.

"My advice, Sweetie? Talk to him again before the book comes out and make sure he understands what to expect. Don't let him be blind-sided by someone else who reads it before he does and then teases him about it. It'll make you feel better, which in turn will make all of the rest of us feel better too" she teased.

Brennan nodded her head. She knew Angela was right.

And that is how she came to be sitting in her car, outside Booth's apartment later that evening. She'd been sitting there for at least 15 minutes, trying to get up her nerve to go knock on his door. She was fairly certain he was home as she could see the lights on in his apartment from the street, so she had no good excuse not to follow through on Angela's advice and go see him. Finally, she got out of her car and started up his stairs. C'mon Tempe. Don't be such a hen. You've faced much scarier things than Booth before.

When Booth opened his door, he was obviously surprised to see her. She couldn't resist giving him a quick head-to-toe once over and ruefully acknowledging the sudden surge of dopamine and serotonin in her system. He was dressed comfortably in a pair of white athletic socks, sweat pants, and a form fitting T-shirt which accentuated the breadth of his shoulders and the musculature of his upper body. He'd obviously showered recently as his hair was still damp, minus its usual styling gel, and she could smell the tang of his body soap mixed in with his natural scent. She wanted to just step forward and tuck her nose into the hollow where his neck met his shoulders and nuzzle him, but, she didn't. She couldn't. It wasn't who they were.

"Bones," he smiled genuinely. "Come on in. What brings you over? Can I get you a drink?" and he started walking towards the kitchen, leaving her to follow.

"No. No, thanks Booth. I'm not planning to stay long."

Booth had been so pleasantly surprised to see her that he hadn't really taken the time to study her body language when he first let her in, but now that he took a few seconds to do so, he could tell she seemed anxious. "Oh. Everything OK there Bones?"

"Yes. I . . . I just wanted to give you this." She extended her arm holding out to him the copy of her newest novel that she had been clutching tightly to her chest. "It's my latest book. The one that'll be out in a couple days."

"Wow. Thanks Bones. That's uh, that's sweet of you. Usually you make me wait until it's in the stores, like everyone else."

"Yes. I know. Officially, I'm not supposed to start handing out copies until the book is formally released, but I gave a copy to Angela a couple days ago and she suggested I go ahead and give you your copy now too." She paused to take a breath before making eye contact. "I hope you'll read it and I hope you'll enjoy it Booth." You have no idea how much I hope you'll like it.

Booth looked down at the book in his hands then up at his partner's apprehensive face. "Bones, I've read all your books and I've enjoyed every one of them. I'm sure I'll like this one too. Thank you."

"OK then. That's all. Good night." Brennan abruptly turned and headed for the front door.

"Wait." Booth hollered as he chased after her. "Are you sure you don't want to stick around for a bit? Maybe have a drink and watch a little TV?"

Brennan turned at the door and looked back at his hopeful expression. Part of her wanted very much to stay and spend some time with him as he suggested, not sure whether this might be one of her last opportunities to do so. She didn't expect Booth to be angry or upset once her feelings for him were in the open, but she was concerned he might feel it necessary to distance himself from her in order to keep their relationship on just a professional level. She was tired of hiding and tired of pretending and in some respects, she was glad the six year farce would be coming to an end. Her biggest fear was that he would forego spending time with her outside work and limit their interactions to impersonal topics and situations for the sake of maintaining their professional relationship while deliberately keeping his distance so as not to give her false hope for anything more personal.

"Not tonight Booth." She smiled softly "But next time you ask, I'll be ready." As she closed the door behind her, Booth tried to decide whether or not her words held a double meaning.

Booth walked back into his kitchen and saw her novel sitting on his counter. He had to admit, he was curious as to why she was in such a tizzy over this book. He poured himself a scotch and decided to read a couple chapters. There was nothing terribly exciting on TV tonight anyway.

As he settled into his recliner and opened up his book, his eyes were drawn immediately to the dedication before the first chapter. This book is dedicated to Seeley J. Booth, my partner and so much more. You're the standard for me. Underneath that, she'd signed the book with a short personal message that read "Seeley, I meant every word I wrote. – Temperance."

A/N: As always, comments are welcome. Til next time ...