Chapter 10

Angela walked into the Hoover and headed for Booth's office, but it was empty. After waiting for 30 minutes, she decided there was someone else she'd rather talk to.

Sweets looked up as his office door opened. "Angela, this is a surprise. Can I help you with something?"

Angela shut the door behind her and sat down in one of the chairs facing him. "We need to talk."

Sweets sighed. "You know, I do have a secretary. She takes appointments."

Angela ignored him. "Have you seen Booth?"

"I think he's in a meeting with Cullen and Caroline. Why, is something wrong?"

"Did you know that Booth has a girlfriend? I mean, I know he's very private, but I can't believe we didn't know that."

A look of realization crossed Sweets' face and he cleared his throat. "Actually, I did know that. I ran into them at dinner one night. She seems like a very nice....Oww!" He rubbed the arm Angela had just punched. "Was that really necessary?"

"Yes.... you had it coming anyway, since you're responsible for my current situation of sexual frustration. Booth has a girlfriend, and you've met her? How could you keep that to yourself?"

"Angela, it wasn't my place to tell anyone else. Agent Booth is entitled to a personal life." He watched as Angela crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows. "Ok. Based on your behavior I'm going to assume that Dr. Brennan also knows now, correct? And she's upset?"

"Since you're so well informed, did you know that Booth and Brennan kissed last night?"

Sweets leaned forward. "What, again? Wow, that complicates things."

Angela's mouth dropped open. "What do you mean again? They've kissed before?" She saw Sweets hesitate, and she glared at him. "Spill it, baby shrink."

"It was a long time ago, the Christmas when Dr. Brennan's family was still in jail, and there was mistletoe." Sweets pulled back out of Angela's reach and held his hands up. "That's all I know, I swear! They both said it was no big deal, but I suspected that it affected them more than they let on. Do you know exactly what happened last night? I don't really see Agent Booth kissing one woman while dating another, even if one of them is Dr. Brennan."

"I don't know exactly, but Bren said she kissed him. She also mentioned being tired, on medication, and that it was somehow an accident."

Sweets nodded. "She's rationalizing, which is to be expected."

Angela shook her head. "I know Bren... if she kissed him it was because she wanted to. She can rationalize it however she likes, but I don't think rational is working for her today. She's really upset.... and then Booth comes by and tells her he has a DATE tonight.... his timing stinks, that's all I'm saying."

Sweets folded his hands together under his chin and considered how much to reveal. "If I had to guess, I'd say Agent Booth has been feeling guilty about dating, even though he has every right to. He and Dr. Brennan are not involved romantically, but I think he feels that his first obligation is to her regardless. If something happened between them last night then his resulting guilt would have prompted him to reveal his relationship with Rachel."

"Rachel, huh?" Angela thought about this for a minute. "Look, I like Booth. I personally think he's the best thing that ever happened to Brennan, but if he's not careful Bren will have a trip booked to the other side of the world before he can figure out what's going on here."

"To be honest, I wasn't surprised to see Agent Booth out with another woman. I've been waiting for something like this. He and Dr. Brennan have had a "surrogate" relationship with each other, and at some point it was to be expected that one or both of them would test the boundaries of that relationship."

Angela wrinkled her brow. "You mean by sleeping with other people?"

Sweets leaned forward. "No, you're missing my point. I think Agent Booth is testing his emotional boundaries. Really the only thing missing from his relationship with Brennan is the physical side. Now since this is the most emotionally complicated relationship Brennan has ever had with a man, she might not see that, but it's my belief that Booth recognizes it on some level."

Sweets made a good point, but she still wasn't ready to let Booth off the hook. "I see your point, but Brennan is really handicapped when it comes to this kind of thing. If she made the first move, accidental or not, and he rejected her then he may not get another chance."

Sweets grinned. "Oh I doubt he rejected her, further adding to his confusion and guilt. Also, Dr. Brennan probably would have been able to rationalize it better if he had." Sweets shook his head. "Trust me, whatever happened last night affected both of them. I doubt Booth will walk away from this, but he'll probably feel that he needs to deal with his situation with Rachel first."

Angela sighed and stood up. "Fine, I won't kill him.... yet. I'll work on Bren and I'll just leave Booth to you." She winked at him and walked out the door, leaving Sweets to wonder how he was supposed to broach this subject with Agent Booth without getting shot.