Part XX

Later that evening, Hodgins found Angela where he had seen her everyday for most of that week: Sitting next to her computer, looking through file after file of love letters and photographs.

"Hey, Ange."

"Hey, Hodgins."

"Find anything yet?"

Angela looked up and smiled at him. "Whoever these two people were, they were definitely trying to be secretive. They never use names, never name places. Nicknames, code names..." She sighed and sat back. "I'm getting a migraine."

Hodgins smiled sympathetically, "Sorry. Hey, I got you something."

Angela sat up, "I thought we said no gifts?"

"It's a holiday, Angie. Lighten up."

OK, Valentine's Day should count as a holiday, right? Besides, she had been considering getting him a Valentine, plus they were friends... "What did you get me?"

Hodgins walked over and sat on the edge of her desk, then pulled out a card from his back pocket. It was tucked into an envelope with 'Angie' written on the front.

Angela took the envelope and opened it up, The front page had two ladybugs and it said, "Be My..." Angela turned the page and on the inside it said "Love Bug." She smiled, "Cute, Hodgins."

"Hey," Hodgins laughed defensively. "I thought it was appropriate. Although, they didn't draw the Coccinella septempunctata very accurately. But I thought it was cute, too," he grinned flirtaciously. "So, did you get me something?"

Angela smiled, "I'll tell you what. I'll go out and scoop up the first dog mess I see and bring it back in a Ziploc bag for you."

Hodgins seemed to consider the offer, hiding the smile from his face, "Is it a fresh one or one of the crumbly white ones?"

Angela laughed at him. "Which would you prefer?"

"Eh... somewhere in the middle."

Changing the subject, Angela asked, "Where are we going to dinner on Saturday?"

"L'Auberge Chez François."

Angela's smile disappeared, she crossed her arms and tiled her head to one side, "That's way too expensive, Hodgins."

"You're joking, right?"

"No. I mean, I know how much money you have, but that doens't matter. L'Auberge Chez François is a place that you take someone you're dating."

"It's Valentine's Day, Ange. Did you think I'd take you to Chick-Fil-A?"

Angela sighed, "Fine, but I'm ordering something cheap."

"Nothing's cheap on that menu. They don't even have a menu."

"Then I'll ask for water."

"Just water?"

"Yes."

"You realize that they charge you for the water, right?"

"Fine. But... Fine."

Hodgins grinned at her and stood up. He walked out of the office leaving Angela thinking. Why was it so difficult to stay friends with this man? Maybe they were making it difficult on purpose. They could be friends. Bren and Booth have been just friends.

"Ha. Yeah, right," she muttered to herself as she got back to work.

Sorry for so few updates today. Today's been a busy day. I thank you all for your comments & compliments!!

Up next: A disgusting revelation in the case! (And some classic B/B bickering!)