A/N: Thanks for the reviews. They make my day! This chapter has a lot of fluff and this story has one chapter left. Enjoy!

Chapter 13

June 17, 2010

Superior Court of the District of Columbia

3:13 pm EST

"And that's when we figured out that the oxygen to the room had been shut off and we would soon suffocate," Hodgins said, answering Ms. Julian's question. He had been on the stand for about thirty minutes now and was becoming emotionally exhausted after reliving the nightmare that occurred two months ago to the entire courtroom. Looking over at the defendant's table, he glared at Ms Taffet and Mr. Sanders, who he now knew was the Grave Digger's accomplice. While Hodgins felt vindicated that Sanders existed and he was right about the Grave Digger having an accomplice, he was mad that he was right for perhaps the first time in his professional career. Because him being right this time almost cost him his life and the lives of his friends. He moved his gaze from the defendants to said friends. They had rarely been apart since the incident had occurred and although they hadn't told anyone yet, Hodgins was quite certain that they were together in a more than professional capacity. After all, he had been there with them during their captivity and had seen what had transpired between them, although he had tried to give them some measure of privacy. They were sitting next to each other behind Caroline, their shoulders barely touching but it would be hard to measure any space between them.

"What do you remember after that, Dr. Hodgins?" Caroline asked him, interrupting his thoughts. He focused himself back to his present location.

"Um, not too much. When 10 am came around, Agent Booth took a quarter and started tapping out an "SOS" message onto the exposed wire from the speaker. We were hoping that Judge Brewster would hear it and we would somehow get some help. After about ten minutes, though, Agent Booth began to tire because of the lack of oxygen. I mean, we were all feeling it at that point but because Agent Booth is bigger than Dr. Brennan or myself, he started to feel the effects before us. After that, it all becomes very…fuzzy. I must have passed out because the next thing I remember was waking up at the hospital a couple of hours later," Hodgins finished, ready to get off the stand but knowing he still had to face the questions from the defense attorney.

He wasn't expecting much from them though. This case was pretty much a done deal. In the two months since their capture, the Jeffersonian team along with the FBI was able to go over the note that Hodgins found in his pocket and find physical evidence to tie Sanders to the case. That, combined with the realization that William Burton and Harrison Sanders were, in fact, the same person sealed the case as far as anyone involved, including the defense was concerned. They had tried to get a plea bargain in the beginning but Caroline was so convinced that they would be convicted, she refused. She had consulted them before the going ahead with the trial, wanting to make sure that they would be emotionally ready for the trial to take place. After discussing, they all decided that it would probably be a cathartic process to testify and face the people that not once, but twice had buried them in what could have been their final resting place.

"I have no further questions at this time, Your Honor," Caroline said, returning to the prosecution's table. Hodgins was the last of the three to testify. Brennan and Booth had both testified earlier today and you could tell just by looking at them. They both looked they had just been through the wringer and Hodgins had no doubt that he currently looked the same way. They were ready for this case to be over and for their captors to have their sentence.

Hodgins turned his gaze toward the defendant's table, waiting for the questions to come. Brennan and Booth had only gotten a couple of questions so he wasn't expecting much but he wasn't looking forward to it either.

The defense attorney stood up, cleared his throat, and said, "The defense has no questions for this witness, Your Honor." Hodgins released a breath he didn't even know he was holding. Looking at the judge to confirm that he could really step down, he got up, discreetly using the sides of the chair to help him stand on his shaky legs, and walked over to the spot on the bench beside Booth and the aisle. He really wanted to go sit next to Angela but she was down at the other end of the bench and he didn't want to step over people. That was another thing that had changed over the last couple of months. While they were not together in the traditional sense of the word, they were best friends again, something that they both realized they used dearly since their broken engagement. She had really taken care of him when he got home from the hospital and he wasn't sure where he would be mentally if she hadn't been there. They both knew that they were heading toward being together again, but for now were enjoying their friendship and just being their for each other again. He looked down toward her and she gave him a small smile and a nod, making him feel like he was floating.

"Counsel," Judge Watson asked the defense. "Do you have anything else before we adjourn for the day?"

Hodgins saw the defense attorney look toward his clients and when he got two cold looks in return, sigh and stand up. "No, Your Honor," he replied.

Judge Watson shook her head before picking up the gavel. "Okay, then. We will resume at 10 am tomorrow morning, when the defense will be prepared to present their case-"

"You Honor," the defense attorney interrupted. "My clients do not wish to present any evidence. We are ready to go to a verdict."

Hodgins looked at Booth and Brennan, all of them communicating the same shock. They had assumed that the defense would try something to keep his clients out of federal prison for the rest of their lives. But looking at Sanders and Taffet, Hodgins saw them nod to each other and realized it wasn't the defense attorney that was calling the shots in this trial. Looking back toward his friends, he made eye contact with Booth and noted that he had seen the same thing, the hardened look in his eyes and the clenching of his jaw telltale signs. Brennan, seemingly oblivious to what was going on between Taffet and Sanders but very much in tune to her partners increasing anxiety, put her hand on Booth's knee, gently squeezing before softly running her thumb over his patella. Hodgins was not surprised to see Booth relax almost instantly. He turned his head to look at her and while Hodgins couldn't see the look that passed between partners but he did see Booth discreetly take his right hand and entwine his fingers with hers. Hodgins knew he was smiling like an idiot, but he couldn't help it. He was glad that it looked like his friends finally got their act together.

"Very well, then," Judge Watson said, drawing Hodgins' attention back to the trial. "Then we will resume tomorrow morning to hear closing statements. We are adjourned." She then banged the gavel and the courtroom began to bustle with people standing and starting to talk. Hodgins stood as well, looking down the aisle at his friends. Booth and Brennan were no longer holding hands but were still standing close. Booth nodded to him and Hodgins got the message, walking out of the courtroom, knowing that they were all following him.

Once outside on the courthouse steps, Hodgins closed his eyes and let the June sun wash over him, warming his tried bones. He felt a hand on his back and opened his eyes to see Angela standing behind him, her soothing presence doing a lot to ease his frazzled nerves. He gave her a tried smile and looked to see that everyone was there.

"Man, am I glad that is done," Booth started, still standing close to Brennan. She looked as exhausted as he felt. Hodgins figured now they all needed a good nights sleep, hoping uninterrupted by nightmares.

After a couple of moments of silence, Cam finally said, "Why doesn't everyone go home and get some rest? We don't have any active cases at the lab and this was a trying day for all of us."

Hodgins looked over at Brennan, who, as he expected, immediately started to argue. "But I have World War I soldiers-" Cam was about to cut her off when Booth playfully slung his arm around her shoulders.

"Come on, Bones. It's a beautiful day outside. I just got rid of that stupid cane, we just got done testifying, life is good. Let's go enjoy," Booth told her, not removing his arm. Brennan looked like she was about to protest but then her and Booth made eye contact and Hodgins could tell that they were in the middle of one of their annoying eye conversations again. He looked to Angela and saw her studying those two like he studies bugs under his microscope. He knew she was suspicious of their relationship and wanted desperately to know what was going on. Hodgins laughed suddenly, making everyone look at him. Blushing for a moment, he said. "You know what? Booth's right. Let's go enjoy. In fact, Angela and I were going to go to this concert on the Mall tonight. The National Symphony is playing for free; people bring blankets to sit on and picnic baskets and have a good time. Anyone want to join us?"

Booth and Brennan made eye contact again before Brennan responded. "We'll be there, Hodgins. Sounds like a good distraction before we have to come back here tomorrow for he verdict." They were quiet again at the reminder of the unpleasantness they had just relived. Cam made some excuse about spending the evening with Michelle before heading off to her car. After making plans with Booth and Brennan to meet up that evening, Angela and Hodgins walked toward the diner, hoping to get a bite to eat. As they walked around, Hodgins couldn't help but appreciate the fresh air around him and the wide-open space that the outdoors provided. Once this trial was over, he was going to take some vacation time and take Angela out to the property that his family owned in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where there wide open spaces everywhere.

June 17, 2010

The National Mall

7:15 pm EST

Brennan sat, watching as the sun began to set and the vibrant hues of orange and red streaked across the sky against the light blue background of the sky. It had been a long day and although she was tired, the buzzing of all the people around her kept her awake and gave her a pleasant burst of energy. The Mall was crowded but they had managed to find a nice spot near the back of the audience. The evening was cooler than they expected so Brennan was currently waiting with Angela for Booth and Hodgins to get back from the car with their jackets. Sitting on the soft blanket, surrounded by all of these people, Brennan couldn't help but feel content. She had spent a nice afternoon with Booth at her apartment, writing her book while Booth sat with her on the couch watching whatever sports team was on, his arm around her shoulders, absent mindedly running his hand across her deltoid. When she had realized that he would be spending a lot more time at her apartment in the near future, she had finally bought a television. They had been together now for two months, ever since she left the hospital and had not told anyone yet, though she wasn't sure she was fooling Angela. But they had decided to tell their friends tonight, both of them tired of restricting themselves in front of their friends. Because while it had been nice to have the relationship to themselves for the beginning, they were both ready to move forward. Brennan was slightly nervous but after talking about it with Booth, she knew that they would be happy for them. She was really hoping that Angela didn't ask her about it now though; she wanted Booth to be there when she found out.

"So, sweetie," said friend began, just sitting down after returning from the restroom. "How was your afternoon with Agent Studly?"

Brennan gave her a good-natured glare, which just made the artist smirk even more and Brennan belatedly realized that she had just confirmed Angela's suspicion about whom she spend her afternoon with. Sighing and realizing that it wouldn't do any good to lie, she told her the truth.

"It was fine. We just hung out at my apartment. Booth watched the game and I worked on my book," Brennan told her, deciding not the mention the part about the kissing on the couch after the game ended. She could tell that her answer did not satisfy the artist and anxiously waited for Booth to get back so she wouldn't have to face the interrogation by herself. She smiled when she saw him and Hodgins walking toward their position, careful to avoid stepping on anyone's hands and avoiding the children that occasionally run across their path, laughing and trying t chase down fireflies. When Booth looked up, he smiled at her; the smile she knew was just reserved for her. She automatically smiled back, glad that he was returning. The warmth in his eyes automatically made her feel warmer in the cool evening. He looked absolutely sinful this evening. He was wearing a dark pair of blue jeans with a black T-shirt and the green jacket. She loved seeing him out of the suits and in casual clothing and out of the suit and not in any clothing, she thought as she blushed a little. He still walked with a slight limp from the burn injury that he suffered while they were in captivity but had healed remarkably well and was able to get rid of his cane a couple of days ago. He was now seeing his physical therapist twice a week to get him back to full speed again. She became nervous again though when she thought about telling Angela and Hodgins about their relationship because while they had decided to them about it, the 'how' had not been decided upon. Apparently, though, Booth had already thought of that.

"Hey, babe," he said, leaning down to give her a quick peck on the lips. "I got your jacket and Hodgins here got us some more to drink. I'll put it in the cooler." As Booth went to put the extra water and beer in the big blue cooler that they brought for the evening, Brennan glanced over at Angela to see her mouth wide open. Some would use the phrase "jaw on the floor" but Brennan knew that this was anatomically impossible, as even if the jaw were to unhinge, the skin and muscle attachments would prohibit such an action. But it was as close to an analogy as she could think of in this instance. Hodgins wore no such shocked expression, sitting down beside Angela and giving her a small smile. Brennan smiled back, quickly put her jacket on, and looked up to see where her boyfriend went.

She noticed that he was repositioning the cooler so that it was on their blanket, near the back of it. He then sat down with his back against the cooler, which Brennan thought was a smart move considering his back problems. But then he did something that surprised her. He sat with a leg on either side of her and slid his arms around her waist, pulling her so that her back rested against his chest and her head found a comfortable resting place against his shoulder. She snuggled closer into him, feeling completely content and turned her head up to give him a kiss on the lips as a thank you and placed her hands on his, entwining their fingers together and giving them a squeeze. Glancing back at Angela, she began to laugh at her friend's still shocked expression.

"You okay, Ange?" Booth asked and Brennan could feel the question rumble through his chest against her back. It made her shiver slightly and she knew Booth mistook the shiver of desire for coldness as he tightened his hold on her.

This seemed to snap Angela out of her trance. "When did this happen?" she asked in a much more calm tone that she was expecting. Brennan glanced up at Booth and made eye contact. She could see him telling her that she could tell Angela.

"We have been together for about two months now," Brennan began and instantly saw a look of hurt flash across her friend's eyes. "I'm sorry we didn't tell you sooner but we wanted to keep it quiet for a little bit. With all the chaos from the trial and with both of us healing, we wanted to keep it quiet and figure out everything that was happening between us before announcing it to our friends," Brennan finished, hoping her friend would understand. Booth gave her hand a squeeze, giving her the silent support she loved. She watched as Angela's face softened and a smile overtook her features.

"I'm really happy for you two, sweetie. But you owe me a serious girl talk," Angela told her. Brennan gratefully nodded to her and settled back more firmly in Booth's embrace, getting ready for the concert to begin.

As the night continued and the soft strands of Copland echoed through the night from the makeshift amphitheatre, Brennan couldn't help by sigh in contentment. As she felt Booth place a soft kiss on her head, the thoughts of the trial slipped from her mind and she for once stopped thinking and relished the feeling of being in the arms of the man she loved.

A/N 2: So what did you think? Please let me know and leave a review!