Chapter 11

A/N: Well, I hope the last chapter wasn't too upsetting. Because this one may be worse. But wait, take a few deep breaths. I have no intention of torturing people Like I said in the last chapter, this is all the necessary back story building us up for the things to come. Sorry, this one is also a bit short. Please review.

The next day, Booth arrived at the Jeffersonian the next day. It was around 1100 am, which would give him just enough time to finish up his business with the case, and then head over to the diner for lunch with Catherine. All he needed to do was get Bones signature of a couple of documents.

'Hey ya Bones!" he said striding into her office. He hoped to get back some of the levity in their relationship. He had missed it over the last few weeks.

She was seated at her desk pouring over a file folder of information, when she looked up. A smile crossed her face and she said "Booth, what brings you here? Do we have a case?" she asked eagerly. His visits to the lab since those discussions with Sweets had been fewer and shorter than usual. He no longer laid on her couch for hours waiting for her to complete paperwork or testing. He chose to spend most of his time at the Hoover in his office.

"Nope, just need to get your signature on a few things." He said flipping open the file he held in his hand, and putting it beneath her nose.

"Oh, ok." She scribbled her signature on the four sheets he requested, closed the cover of the folder and returned it to him. He seemed to be in a good mood, so she thought that perhaps things may be somewhat returning to normal between them.

Feeling this was the case, she felt it was safe to ask him to lunch. "Hey Booth, Angela and I will be headed out for lunch in a little bit, probably around 1 or so. Would you like to join us?" she asked with a smile.

"Ah thanks Bones, but I already have plans for lunch. Maybe next time?" He replied quickly.

"Oh sure." She thought that he looked uncomfortable. He fidgeted with his tie as he answered her, which was a sure sign something was up. Maybe she had been mistaken to ask him to lunch. Maybe their new dynamic did not include meals anymore. Whatever it was, it apparently wasn't any of her business. He bid her good bye, and left the same way he had come.

Brennan and Angela had made a habit of having lunch together the last few weeks. She didn't particularly enjoy eating alone, and since Booth was rarely around, Angela was a natural choice. She had found that she really enjoyed their time together, engaging in a little frivolous gossip. She may be a highly educated scientist, but that didn't mean she didn't like hearing about the latest goings on at the Jeffersonian, and Angela never disappointed. She always had the scoop, as Booth would say, on the latest on dit.

They were casually chatting as they came to the cross walk in front of the diner. The light had just turned green, so she knew there would be a long wait ahead of them. This green was incredibly slow. She was about to say something to Angela when she happened to glance up at the large pane glass window of the diner, the one that held their usual table. There, framed perfectly against the bustling sidewalk sat Booth and Dr. Klein.

She was stunned for a moment. So these were his plans. A crushing disappointment weighed down on her. Why couldn't he have shared this with her? They were, if nothing else, still good friends she hoped. She watched them as they ate. It appeared that they were having desert, or at least Booth was, his usual slice of pie. She saw him move the plate towards the middle of the table. Dr. Klein raised her fork and removed a bite. She seemed to enjoy the morsel, closing her eyes while chewing, a smile spreading across her face. She couldn't see Booths face clearly, but she knew by the way he held his head and the crinkling of the corners of his eyes that he was smiling.

The crosswalk monitor signaled it was safe for them to go. Angela went to step off the curb, but she was staid by Brennan's hand.

"Hey Ange, let's not go to the diner today." She said, hoping to sound nonchalant. There was no way that she wanted to walk into that establishment and have to endure that scene up close and personal. They may be friends, but she didn't need to be wholly involved in his personal life now. She supposed she should be happy for him. They did make a striking couple, and he had seemed to like the doctor. If nothing else she thought mirthlessly, he had finally found someone who obviously shared his love of baked pies.

"What? I thought you were craving their apple walnut salad?" Angela asked confused at the sudden change that had come over her friend. Brennan was anxious about something. Her motions had become herky jerky. She had the look of someone that wanted to be anywhere but there.

"Yeah, you know, I'm thinking that Thai might be better. Let's head back this way." She said, motioning in the direction they had just come from.

"Ok Sweetie, I'm up for anything." Angela said smiling. As they were turning, she happened to glance at the diner window, and saw them. Well this certainly explained Brennan's sudden change in mood. A dark look crossed her face. It was pretty ballsy of Booth to bring another woman, another beautiful woman, to the diner, and then to add insult to injury, to sit at their table. She knew her friend would never admit it, but she was hurt seeing Booth with this woman. There was so much lying just beneath the surface on Brennan, she wondered when and what would be the catalyst to break the surface tension sending the rippling waves of emotion crashing over her friend. It was only a matter of time.