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"So let me get this straight," Sweets began. He was sitting across from Angela at the Royal Diner. "You went from a deep, meaningful relationship with Hodgins that resulted in a wedding that was put on hold because you were still married to being with Roxie, an old flame that you hurt years ago and have now been hurt back in return, to being with Jared Booth? Agent Booth's brother? Are you serious right now?"
"That about sums it up," Angela smiled, sipping her coffee. Sweets gaped at her.
"I don't get it," he said. "I'm thoroughly stumped by you right now."
"Yea, well, don't be. I'm not some puzzle to be solved," she replied.
"I really think you should consider what we talked about before, about being celibate for a while? I really think it would help you find more commitment in a relationship," Sweets went on.
"Look, I'm just having some fun right now. Jared is too. We both agreed that it's casual. We're not looking for anything serious. When we both move on from this, then I'll consider your no sex thing," Angela said.
"Well, okay, but..."
"I have to go now. Cam texted. We have a new case," Angela cut him off. She got up and walked away, leaving Sweets with the bill.
"Why does this always happen to me?" he muttered as the waitress plopped the receipt down on the table.
The Jeffersonian
Cam fled from the body that was spread out on that cold, hard table. She ignored the looks of her coworkers to each other. She needed to be alone. Shaking and crying, she sat down in her chair in her office. She tried controlled breathing and every relaxation technique she could think of, but nothing was working. Her former fiance was dead. Murdered. Gone. She clenched her fists and stared at the wall. The world was so not fair. She had loved Andrew so much, but he could never give himself fully to her. It was why she had left. Michelle. She stood up abruptly. It hit her like a ton of bricks. Someone needed to tell that girl her father wasn't coming home. Who better to do it than a former mother-like figure? She went upstairs for coffee where she ran into Booth.
"I'm sorry, Camille," he said softly. "I called the hospital, and Andrew has been missing for two days."
"I just...you always have that moment of expectation that someone on that table is going to be potentially someone you know, and when it is, it just hits you so hard..." Cam trailed off. She was fighting off the tears again.
"I can't imagine," Booth said. He really tried not to either. It wasn't something he ever wanted to have happen to him.
"It's been 10 years, but it still feels like yesterday," she said.
"I know."
"What about Michelle? Did he remarry? Is there someone there for her?" she asked.
"No."
"I have to be the one to tell her, Seeley," Cam said. "I raised her for two years. I love her more than anything. She should hear it from me."
"Are you sure? Like you said, it's been 10 years..." he trailed off.
"I'm positive." Cam wiped her eyes and stood up straight. "I'm going to tell her. Then I'm going to find out what son of a bitch did this to him."
Later
"Dr. Saroyan was really upset," Zack noted to Hodgins a little while later in the afternoon.
"You'd be too if a former loved one showed up on your table," Hodgins replied. He was examining particulates that had been pulled off the body. Zack's hovering was starting to annoy him.
"I wish I could know how she was feeling. Then maybe I could help her," Zack mused. Hodgins stopped what he was doing.
"What?" he asked, looking at Zack. "Why are you suddenly so interested in being human?"
"I just...I think it would help, that's all," Zack said vaguely. He turned to leave, not wanting to get too much further into this conversation. Hodgins shook his head at Zack's receding back. He really didn't have a clue what was going on.
"Hey, Zacko," Max said, coming up beside Zack out in the hallway. "You're holding out on me."
"There's nothing to tell," Zack replied.
"Oh, come on," Max said. "I don't buy that."
"I'd rather not share..."
"We had a deal! So did you get the date or not?" Max prodded. Zack stopped abruptly, making Max skid to a halt.
"I did," Zack said.
"Hey! That's great," Max said. "Why so glum?"
"I don't know if it went well," Zack replied.
"Give some details. Maybe I can tell you," Max suggested.
"We went to dinner, like you advised. We talked mostly about work..."
"Oh no," Max said, rubbing his face.
"She kept touching my leg with her foot, and I wasn't sure what to do with that," Zack went on.
"Oh, Lord..." Max muttered.
"Then when our cab dropped her off, she kept staring at me funny. I thought maybe I was boring her, so I said good night and left her at the door."
"Zack!" Max practically bellowed. "You moron! She was giving you the signal!"
"What signal? I don't understand," Zack said.
"The touching, the look, the everything! She wanted you to kiss her," Max said.
"Oh," Zack said, swallowing. He had completely missed the signals.
"Look, I've got a group of kids to tour around today, so I gotta go, but you and I are going to talk more about this, okay?" Max said.
"Okay," Zack agreed. Max patted his shoulder and left. Zack felt like an idiot now. How could he have missed the signal? He was a smart guy. He probably blew it with Perotta. He only hoped that Max's advice could save him.
Brennan & Angela
"You're going to hypnotize someone?" Brennan asked. Angela had just finished telling her about what she and Sweets were about to do with a potential suspect who swore he had gone to the event to forgive Andrew for the death of his wife.
"Should be fun," Angela grinned. "I'm just doing the drawing." She gestured to her pad of paper.
"I see," Brennan said, looking back down at her paperwork. Edison was doing a remarkable job, much to Zack's chagrin.
"Have you slept with Booth yet?" Angela asked suddenly. Brennan froze. She looked up to see Angela's questioning face. She hoped her hands weren't shaking too much.
"No. We're partners. There is no sex involved," Brennan lied. She felt bad lying to her best friend in a way, but she and Booth had promised each other to keep their relationship a secret. They didn't want it to get scrutinized and observed, especially since they were doing so well. She wasn't about to blow it now.
"That's too bad cos, honey, Jared is amazing," Angela emphasized. "I figure Jared's a Booth. Booth is a Booth, so it should be the same. Mind blowing."
"I wouldn't know," Brennan said, feeling her face grow hot. She did know.
"You're missing out," Angela sang, walking away with her famous grin that she liked to give when something really delighted her. Brennan sat there thinking about Booth until he literally walked into her office.
"Hey," he said. "Time for lunch?"
"I have a better idea," Brennan said.
After "Lunch"
"Oh, wow," Booth said, lying beside her on his back. They were in the Egyptian room after having a serious round of sex. Brennan had always heard Angela talking about that place, so she thought she'd try it out to see.
"Definitely," Brennan agreed.
"You sure nobody can just walk in here?" he asked.
"I propped a chair against the door," she winked.
"You're so smart," he said, kissing her. "What made you think of this anyway?"
"Angela was talking about how sex with Jared was..."
"Ahhhh! La la la!" Booth cried.
"What?" Brennan asked, startled.
"Bones! I do NOT want to hear about what my brother is like in bed," Booth told her adamantly.
"Oh," Brennan said. "I see your point. That would be uncomfortable."
"Exactly," he nodded.
"Well, she just asked if I had slept with you since it should be mind blowing, and it got me thinking that I did want to," she smiled. She noticed Booth's expression. "What?"
"You just told me what my brother was like in bed," Booth said.
"No, I didn't," she argued.
"In a way, yes, you did," he said. "Oh, God."
"If it helps, I think you're better," Brennan said.
"Bones! Stop talking. Right now. Just stop," Booth said, covering his face.
"Sorry," she winced. "I'm not good at this."
"It's all right," he said, hugging her. That was the one reason he loved her. She was blunt by nature.
"I feel bad for Cam," Brennan said sadly. "I couldn't imagine if you ever came across my table like that."
"Why would you assume I would die first?" Booth asked.
"It was hypothetical..."
"Okay, so hypothetically, why would I have died first?"
"You think I would die first?" Brennan asked, affronted. "I am capable of taking care of myself. You've been shot a few times more than me. You're higher risk."
"All right, all right," Booth said. "I take it back." They looked at each other and started laughing hysterically. Booth had an idea then and reached for his phone, turning it on record to capture them laughing.
"What are you doing?" Brennan asked, noticing suddenly and hiding her face.
"I'm making a video of us in case one of us dies or, God forbid, forgets one another," Booth said simply. "Then we have this memory."
"How could I forget you?" Brennan asked. "That makes no sense."
"Can you just go with me on this one? Please?" he countered.
"All right," she caved. "What do I do?"
"Tell me you love me," Booth said.
"But..."
"Temperance," Booth said sternly. She squirmed. She didn't like video recordings.
"I, Temperance Brennan, love you, Seeley Booth forever and ever," she said, kissing him hard. "I believe it's your turn now."
"Mine won't be so formal," he joked, "but I really do love you, Temperance. More than anything." They kissed again, and he shut his phone off and tucked it away while they began to show each other just how much they loved one another.
Max & Cam
Cam was in her office staring at a photo of Andrew, Michelle, and herself. They were all smiling and laughing about something. She touched it softly, feeling her throat begin to burn.
"It's always hard to lose the ones we love," Max's voice interrupted, making her jump.
"You scared me," she said, holding her heart.
"Sorry," Max said, coming in and sitting on the edge of her desk. "Looks like a lovely memory."
"It was," Cam smiled ruefully. "It was Michelle's birthday, and one of Andrew's relatives had made a rather amusing joke that we couldn't stop laughing about."
"And how is Michelle?" Max asked.
"I don't know," Cam admitted. "She didn't want to talk to me."
"I imagine if she's anything like Tempe, she will harbor feelings of hurt and abandonment over you leaving her at such a young age," Max said simply. Cam gaped at him.
"I left because it was for the best," Cam started to argue. Max held up his hand.
"Maybe so, but to her, you left. You left and you never came back, and you never gave an explanation for leaving. I regret not giving a reason to both Russ and Tempe when my wife and I took off on them. We believed it was for their benefit and for their safety, but in the end, it only made them hate us," Max told her.
"I don't think Dr. Brennan hates you," Cam said. "She willingly put her life on the line to get your charges dropped."
"Maybe not now, but I'm sure there were times she did," Max replied. "You have to be gentle with Michelle. Show her that you are there for her and won't leave her again. You're gonna have to stick it out to the end this time."
"I see," Cam said. Max reached over and patted her hand.
"You'll figure out how to do it," Max nodded. He stood to leave.
"Max," Cam called. He turned. "Dr. Brennan forgave you and loves you. Do you think Michelle can do the same for me?"
"It depends on how you handle things right now," Max responded. Cam just nodded slowly, understanding. She looked back to the picture in her hand with renewed determination. She was going to make things right.
Jared & Angela
"He actually remembered what she looked like?" Jared asked, surprised. "Wow. I never held much stock in hypnotism."
"Me either, but that's twice now I've seen that it does work," Angela replied.
"What was the first time?" Jared asked. They were at her apartment. Jared was finding himself really enjoying being around her. She was so alive and full of zest that he desperately craved for himself.
"Well, it was to help find my husband," Angela told him.
"Oh," he said, even more surprised. "You're married?"
"Not anymore. We got divorced. You see, I met him in a different country and jumped over a broomstick with him, thus making us married. I hadn't seen him since, and I needed to find him to divorce him so I could..." she stopped abruptly.
"So you could what?" Jared prompted. He could tell it was something big.
"So I could marry Hodgins," Angela responded. She looked at him, waiting for a response.
"Wow, you are a busy girl," Jared said. "But you were with Roxie when I met you. How did that happen?"
"I broke up with Hodgins because we learned we couldn't trust each other. Roxie was involved in a case a while ago, and we used to date years ago, and she wanted to rekindle that."
"But then she left you?"
"Yea..." Angela said. It was like she was hearing it for the first time, her trail of love interests.
"Well, good thing we bumped into each other then," Jared smiled. "We both walked into this knowing it's not serious."
"We did," she agreed. But was that what she really wanted? Something not serious? Was there something wrong with her?
Cam
It was a couple of days later, and the case had been solved. A jealous nurse who wanted Andrew all to herself. Cam shook her head. If only he had figured out a way to love someone fully without seeking it elsewhere at the same time. She was now sitting here across from Michelle, and she was about to offer her a place to stay.
"So, Michelle," Cam said clearing her throat. "You are alone now."
"Dad has a cousin in Chicago or something," Michelle replied.
"Oh. Well, you see. I thought maybe you could...um, live with me," Cam said. Michelle's face was unreadable. She slid her half of the salt/pepper shaker across the table, giving Michelle a knowing look. Then Michelle abruptly stood up and ran upstairs.
"Oh," Cam said to herself. This was stupid. The whole thing was stupid. Michelle was obviously still angry with her for leaving. Cam stood up and started to leave quickly when Michelle called out to her.
"Where are you going?!"
Cam spun around. In Michelle's hand was the other salt/pepper shaker. She went over to Cam's and linked them together. Then she turned to look at Cam.
"I want to come live with you," she said. Cam gasped in surprise. Michelle threw herself into Cam's arms, and they cried and cried and cried together.
Hodgins
"I can't believe Angie is dating Jared," Hodgins said bitterly. "What could she see in him?"
"I don't know," Zack said absently. He was thinking about Perotta. Seeing Edison with his girlfriend made him realize he could have what they had if he just let himself loosen up a little.
"What's up with you?" Hodgins asked. "You're like...lightyears away from this conversation."
"I have to go," Zack said abruptly. He grabbed his bag and took off from the office. Hodgins was confused. He saw Max give Zack a high five on the way out. What on Earth was going on? He shook his head to himself. When he heard the laughter, he felt his heart twist. He looked up to see Angela hanging off of Jared's arm, no doubt heading somewhere to have sex. Hodgins clenched his jaw so tightly he felt like his head was going to explode. He slammed down the tray he was holding so hard everything rattled, and a few things hit the floor with loud clanging and clattering. In the silence after, Hodgins looked up to see Angela looking at him just before she rounded the corner. He turned his back so she wouldn't see his face. Let her wonder. He wiped at his eyes angrily. He should have known that it was never going to come back around where he could have another chance with her. It was too late.
"Dr. Hodgins?" Edison asked, peering inside. "Everything okay?"
"Just fine, Clarke," Hodgins managed to say.
"All right," Edison said. He knew when to leave someone alone to endure their grief.
Max
He laughed as Zack took off running. They had talked the day before about how to look for certain signals and that Zack shouldn't just give up on Perotta after one fumbley date. He hoped the kid was on his way to see her and make up for it. Max caught movement out of the corner of his eye, and he glanced over to see Seeley Booth walking out of Temperance's office with an expression on his face that looked familiar to Max. He was also flipping something in the air and catching it.
"Case all solved?" Max asked, startling Booth.
"Yea," Booth replied, recovering.
"Such a hard one for Cam," Max noted sadly. Booth just nodded. He looked uncomfortable for some reason. "Everything all right?" Max asked.
"Huh? Yea, oh yea," Booth said. "Just had a thought. I'll see you later." Booth lifted his hand up in a farewell as he left. Max stood there wondering why Booth had looked so happy earlier. He crept to Brennan's door and peered around carefully. She was sitting at her desk and staring off into space with a dreamy look on her face. It seemed too coincidental. Max pulled back and walked away, making a note to talk to her later.
Zack
He pounded on her door rapidly. He hoped she was home. If she wasn't, he was afraid he'd lose his nerve forever. To his relief, he heard movement from inside. The door opened, and there she stood.
"Zack?" she asked, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"I needed to see you," Zack replied. "May I come in?"
"Of course," Perotta said, moving to let him enter. He stopped at the edge of the entryway, and she closed the door, looking at him expectantly.
"I've been advised that I missed a signal," Zack began. "More than one signal, in fact, and I'm here to make it right."
"A signal?" Perotta asked, her eyes twinkling. "Whatever do you mean?"
"Apparently, according to my source, when you were looking at me on your doorstep, I was supposed to kiss you," Zack explained. Perotta giggled. She loved how Zack was so literal about everything. She moved closer to him.
"Well, your source was correct," she said.
"I want to try again," Zack offered.
"How so?" she asked, cocking her head.
"Let me take you out tonight. We can do it all over again," Zack suggested.
"I have a better idea," Perotta said. She stepped closer still. Zack swallowed. If this was a sign or not, he didn't care. Without waiting for her to explain her idea, he closed the space between them and pulled her into a kiss that left them both breathless and sparkling with electricity afterwards.
"You read my mind," she whispered. He kissed her again. The feeling was incredible, and Zack couldn't believe it took him this long to discover how to feel this way to begin with.
A Week Later
The resounding explosion and vibration made Booth throw Brennan against the wall and shield her with his body. She buried her head into his chest. The smoke started rolling out from the room they were a few feet from.
"What the hell was that?" Booth asked, angry. They turned to see Nigel-Murray and Hodgins come out of the room coughing and waving at the smoke. They could see a demolished dummy behind them and a cannon not far away from it.
"We should go before lockdown," Brennan suggested. Booth grabbed her hand, and they fled the scene, passing Cam who was marching towards the boys. Zack wasn't far behind her.
"You two are so grounded," she said. They looked like sad puppies at her comment.
"We're sorry," Vincent said.
"Sorry doesn't undo the damage, Mr. Nigel-Murray," Cam said curtly. She turned on her heel and marched away.
"How come you didn't invite me to watch?" Zack asked, annoyed.
"Thought we'd spare you getting grounded. Someone needs to still have some kind of freedom around here," Hodgins said, shrugging.
Brennan & Booth-Later
"Man," Booth said, shaking his head. "I couldn't imagine losing my fiance like that. He must be so devastated."
"Mmhmm," Brennan replied. She wasn't really paying attention. Booth looked over at her briefly before turning back to the road.
"You okay?" he asked her.
"Yes. I'm just thinking about...nothing," she finished, switching gears.
"You're thinking about what it would have been like if you'd been accepted to work in that institute," Booth finished for her.
"How did you know?"
"I just know. Look, that place is creepy. Gives me the heebiejeebies, and you, you aren't creepy," Booth explained. "You don't belong there. You belong where you are right now."
"Thanks, Booth," Brennan said, smiling a little.
"Things still going okay with your Dad working there?" Booth asked, changing the subject.
"I believe they are. He makes it a priority to bring me lunch every day if I don't already have plans," Brennan chuckled.
"That's nice," Booth said.
"How's Parker?" Brennan asked. "I haven't seen him in a while." She wanted to change the subject off of her father. He had attempted to confront her about having a relationship with Booth a few days ago, and she had lied severely. She was still feeling bad about it.
"He's great. He's busy with after school activities. I get him tomorrow for the weekend," Booth added.
"That sounds wonderful," Brennan commented.
"Maybe we could come and utilize your pool?" he asked hopefully. "Parker asks me every time he's over if he can."
"Of course! I'd love you to," Brennan answered. Booth made an exuberant gesture with his arm in response. He didn't mention that Parker kept hinting that he wanted Brennan to be Booth's girlfriend. Booth wasn't ready to tell him just yet. He worried that Jared might be picking up on it, but luckily Jared had been distracted lately with Angela. Booth wasn't sure how that relationship was going to end, and he hoped his brother remembered what he had told him.
Jared & Angela
"Who throws a frozen turkey?" Jared demanded. "Anyone knows it would just bounce." He was sitting beside Angela in the staff room as she held ice over her eye.
"They seem to be antsy lately about doing experiments," Angela replied. "It's fine. Just a flesh wound."
"Let me see," Jared said, tugging at her arm. She lowered it, showing the bruise around her eye. Jared winced.
"It's that bad, huh?" she asked. Then she sighed.
"I'm really sorry, Angie," Hodgins said, poking his head into the room. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Hodgins. Just get back to whatever it is you were doing," she said, waving him off. Jared gave him a glare before Hodgins disappeared.
"I saw your Dad stalking him earlier," Jared told her.
"What?!" she cried. "Oh my God! This is terrible."
"I think Hodgin's will be fine," Jared said. "Just give him a frozen turkey."
"Okay, stop that," Angela said. "It was an accident. He didn't intentionally throw a frozen bird at my head. I was stupid enough to stand by and watch. If anything, it's my fault."
"Okay, okay," Jared said. "I'll stop." He reached over and tucked her hair behind her ear. "I just care about you."
"I know," Angela said. It was worrying her. She didn't want him falling in love with her or getting deeper feelings than they agreed on. The problem was, she was experiencing deeper feelings for him as well. The whole thing was unsettling. She wasn't sure what to do.
"I gotta get going," Jared said suddenly, sensing the mood was changing. "I'll see you later?"
"Yea," she said. He gave her a quick kiss before getting up and leaving. She sat there holding the ice pack and wondering just what exactly was happening here.
The Next Day
The case was over. Booth was still feeling a bit shaken from almost having his brain turned into pudding from the high pitched noise in that room they had been locked in. If he hadn't fired his gun, they'd both be dead. Sensing this, Brennan reached over and squeezed his arm. They were waiting for Parker at the Royal Diner.
"I just keep thinking, what if I had died? What would Parker have thought?" Booth said suddenly.
"But you didn't," Brennan reiterated.
"I know, but what if I had?"
"Don't ask 'what if.' It only makes your head spin in circles," Brennan warned. She had ample experience of this. She looked down at her phone. Angela had wanted to meet later, and she sensed her friend was in need of support.
"Dad!" Parker called, rushing over.
"Hey, buddy!" Booth said, picking him up into his arms tightly.
"I got picked for a team today and we won!" Parker said excitedly.
"That's great!" Booth exclaimed. Parker settled into the chair beside him.
"Hi, Dr. Brennan," Parker said. "Dad said we could use your pool!"
"Parker," Booth scolded.
"Yes, you can," Brennan said, giving Booth a look. "It'll just be the two of you, though. I have to meet a friend."
"Oh," Parker said, disappointed. He wanted her there with his dad. He felt if they were around each other enough they would get together.
"Next time," Brennan promised.
"Angela?" Booth asked as she stood up.
"Yes," she answered. She waved goodbye, resisting the urge to kiss him. She knew it would only create unnecessary reactions from Parker. She looked back at the door and watched as they huddled their heads together and were laughing about something. Her love for Booth felt intensified just then. She wondered what it would be like to have his child, to see him interact with their child like that. Shaking her head, she continued on her way to meet Angela. She found her friend looking depressed at the Founding Fathers.
"Hi," Brennan said, sitting on the stool next to her.
"Hi back," Angela replied.
"What's wrong?" Brennan asked.
"I think I'm in love with Jared," Angela blurted out.
"Oh," Brennan said, taken aback.
"I know! We said casual. It's been a little over a month, and I'm feeling like I am falling in love with him. What am I going to do?" Angela asked, panicking.
"Have you spoken with Jared about it?" Brennan asked.
"No. I don't want him to freak out," Angela replied, shaking her head.
"Maybe he feels the same way," Brennan suggested.
"That makes it worse!" Angela spluttered. "We were not supposed to do this! We were just having fun!"
"Perhaps you are searching for more than just fun," Brennan said softly.
"I'm in way over my head here," Angela said. "Sweets is right. I should be taking time off of sex and relationships. I'm a mess."
"You're not a mess. You feel things. There is nothing wrong with that," Brennan reassured her.
"Yea, well, I'm feeling too much these days. It's scaring me."
"Are you going to break up with Jared?" Brennan questioned.
"I don't know. I don't know! We have so much fun together, and he's been incredibly sweet. I can't just dump him. I don't want to dump him," Angela lamented.
"May I suggest just slowing things down then? Take time to see where this is going?"
"I know where it's going," Angela replied. "I'm not sure I like where it's going. But then again, I look back at my track record, and I always bail when it gets serious. There is something wrong with me."
"No. I think it just scares you," Brennan pointed out.
"How do you do it? "Angela asked suddenly. "Stay at arm's length from everyone? Keep from getting into a deep relationship? Look at Sully. You let him go because you didn't want to pursue that level of depth in a relationship."
"I don't want to talk about Sully," Brennan said. "Look, you just have to figure out what you want. It's not about me and what I'm like. This is about you. You need to decide if you want to pursue things with Jared further than they are or decide to part ways."
"I know. Thanks for coming. I needed this," Angela said, hugging Brennan. She didn't really feel much better, but she knew she needed to figure out what she wanted. Brennan simply confirmed that for her.
Zack
Things with Perotta were going very well. Zack had to admit that she was slowly teaching him how to be less literal. He had never been with a woman that was so patient with him before. They were currently on another date at a movie theater. Perotta had reached for Zack's hand as the scary scene splashed across the screen. Zack felt like he could actually protect her if it came down to it. He'd never felt that way towards a woman before either. What was happening? He looked over at her, seeing her face tense with fright. He pulled her into his arms and let her bury her face in his shoulder. Then he shrieked in fright at the next scene, making them both jump. They looked at each other and started laughing.
"How about we go do something that won't make us wet ourselves?" Perotta suggested.
"I agree," Zack said. They got up and left. How could he have thought he could sit through a scary movie? Absolutely ridiculous idea.
Jared & Angela
"Hey," Angela said, coming into Jared's apartment. "We need to talk." She sat down on the couch.
"Oh, that is never good," Jared said, grinning. He sat down next to her.
"Are you falling in love with me?" she asked bluntly. Jared sat there, taken aback.
"I...well...um," he stuttered.
"You are," she said.
"I wouldn't necessarily call it love," Jared argued. "I feel deeply for you."
"I feel deeply for you too," Angela said. This caught him off guard.
"You do?" he asked.
"Yes, and I think we need to slow it down here. I'm not ready to dive into something serious. We agreed on that before," she pointed out.
"We did," he agreed. "So what do you suggest?"
"Going on dates. Getting to know each other slowly and not just always having sex," Angela suggested. "I'm not saying we should break up, but I think we should definitely dial it back a bit."
"Sounds good," Jared nodded.
"Are you sure? Or are you just agreeing with me to shut me up?" Angela asked with a hint of a smirk.
"I'm sure. You are right. We are diving in too deep here, and that is only going to end badly," Jared told her. "One of us is going to panic and bail, thus hurting the other person, and that doesn't sound ideal to me."
"I'm so glad you agree," Angela breathed, leaning back onto the couch.
"So what do you want to do tonight?" Jared asked.
"Let's go to a movie," she suggested. He grinned. That was easy enough. He held out his hand, and she took it, letting him pull her up.
"Is it still okay for me to kiss you?" he asked. "Or should we hold off on that too?"
"Let's pretend this is our first date," she said slyly. "We'll see what happens."
"All right," he winked. He let her go ahead of him, checking her out as he did so. This was going to be fun.
A Week Later
Booth leaped out of the way as the ladies went crashing around him and Brennan to beat each other for the dress that was in their size. He gaped at them.
"Now you see why I feel the way I feel about this type of stuff?" Brennan asked.
"Yea, okay, this part," Booth agreed reluctantly. "Because this is ridiculous. Weddings are about love and commitment not just about the dress. Ah!" he shouted as another woman elbowed him on her way past.
"You're gorgeous," the owner said to Brennan. "Your size is over there."
"I'm not getting married," Brennan replied curtly. "Probably not ever." Booth looked over at her, surprised.
"Really?" he asked.
"You know this already," Brennan told him. "Marriage is pointless."
"It's not pointless!" Booth argued.
"It..."
"Are you here for a reason?" the owner asked, cutting them off.
"Yes," Booth replied, showing her a picture. "Meriel Mitsakos. She had a fitting her recently."
"Oh yes," the owner said, looking at it. "She caused quite a scene here. Anya ended up slapping her. I fired Anya of course. I don't tolerate that kind of behavior. That and Meriel was going to sue."
"Can I have Anya's information please?" Booth asked. The owner obliged and went to get it. Booth picked up a dress.
"You seriously never thought about wearing a dress like this?" he asked Brennan, who snorted.
"No. White implies virginity. That I have not had since..."
"All right, all right, all right," Booth said, stopping her. The dress was yanked out of his hands by another woman, who scowled at him.
"Are you upset?" Brennan asked.
"What? No. I just was curious as to why you hate marriage," Booth answered.
"I don't hate it. I just don't believe in it," Brennan shrugged.
"Will you ever change your mind?" Booth asked. She pondered this for a moment.
"There is a chance," she said slowly. "Only because I never thought I'd be in a serious relationship with anyone before, and I am."
"Ah," Booth said, grinning. He went to give a smart alecky comment when he saw Daisy. He froze.
"What?" Brennan asked. Booth swiveled her to see Daisy standing in a wedding dress and hugging the man in front of her.
"Isn't she dating Sweets?" Booth asked.
"I thought so," Brennan replied.
"Oh, God," Booth moaned.
"What?"
"We can't tell him," he said.
"But..." she started.
"Here you are," the owner said, handing the paper over to Booth.
"Thanks," Booth said. He grabbed Brennan's elbow and steered her out the door.
"Why can't we tell Sweets?" Brennan asked.
"It'll kill him. It might be nothing," Booth said. "I don't make it my business to destroy relationships."
"I'd want someone to tell me if you were cheating on me," Brennan pointed out.
"I would never do that to start with," he answered hotly.
"How do you know?"
"Because I just do!" Booth snapped.
"Put yourself in Sweets' shoes," Brennan said. "You'd want to know." Booth grunted in response and didn't say anything else. He knew she was right. He just didn't want to admit it.
Two Days Later
"So he made a fake picture to make her say 'Date' and then runs her down with his car when she rejects him," Booth repeated out loud. It was really bothering him. They were sitting and having a beer together.
"Twice," Brennan added. "I can't believe Hodgins is using this site."
"Hey, he's lonely," Booth said. Just then, Wendell and Hodgins came into the Founding Fathers with girls on their arms.
"Or not," Brennan said, smirking. "We should go. Wouldn't want him to feel uncomfortable having his boss in the room."
"Sounds good," Booth agreed. They left discreetly and got into Booth's car.
"I should have listened to you," Brennan said. "About Sweets. I almost ruined their relationship by opening my mouth."
"You thought you were doing the right thing," Booth replied. "It's all right."
"It almost wasn't all right," Brennan pointed out. She sighed heavily.
"What is it you always say to me?" Booth asked. "'Don't do the what ifs cos it will only make your brain hurt.'"
"I don't phrase it like that," she argued.
"Close enough," he dismissed. "Come on. We owe Sweets a dinner on us."
Cam
Cam was having dinner out with Michelle when she saw Zack and Perotta walk by the window holding hands. Cam choked on her salad.
"Are you okay?" Michelle asked, looking concerned.
"Huh? Yes," Cam replied. She stared after the pair. Michelle craned her neck to see what Cam was looking at.
"You know them?" Michelle questioned.
"He works at the lab. I just didn't know he was dating anyone," Cam replied. "Stupid of me to react so strongly." She looked out the window again to see Brennan walking with Booth, and when Brennan stopped to check her phone, Booth kissed her cheek. Cam choked again.
"What now?" Michelle asked, laughing. Cam shook her head. It had to have been her imagination. Booth and Brennan were not together. She would have picked up on that. She watched as they carried on together laughing and talking animatedly. No. Booth did not kiss her. He had simply leaned over to see her phone too. It had been the trick of the street lamp. She cleared her throat and kept her eyes on her salad. No good came out of watching passerbys on this particular evening.
Wasn't sure how to end this chapter. Thanks for sticking by me and waiting for the update. I will try to update weekly, but I am starting work again, so I might not get to as easily. I am, however, going to have so much fun with the next chapter! Thanks for reading!