AN: I can't promise I'll be updating every day like the first half of this story... but, this chapter was just betaed and ready to go, so enjoy.

Chapter 34: Don't Screw This Up

On Monday morning, Temperance Brennan entered the Jeffersonian unable to keep the smile from her lips. She'd had the most perfect weekend in as long as she could remember. Plenty of quality time with Booth, a few hours with Parker, which culminated in the boy riding his bike around the park without training wheels for the first time, more rest than she'd had in weeks (despite the quality time with Booth) , and a drive to work in a beautiful car.

That smile turned to a groan when she entered her office to find Angela perched behind her desk, ready to attack. Knowing her best friend's skill for dragging out information and feeling slightly guilty for the trick she'd played, Temperance sat on her couch and sighed.

"Fine, Angela, what do you want to know?" The artist practically squealed and ran toward the couch, handing Temperance a coffee as she landed, clapping her hands in anticipation.

"First, I will forgive you for telling me you hated Booth but only if you tell me how much it's not true. How was it, Bren? And I do mean it." Temperance smiled and sipped at the coffee.

"I do not hate Booth. I am thankful that he's recovered from the car accident and glad that I stayed in South Carolina as long as I did. I was there when he woke up, Ange."

"Awwww, that's so sweet! But how was the drive. Almost five hours, right?"

"Yeah, we took it slow. You already know about the car…"

"Yes, was he surprised? Did he like it? Of course he liked it…" Angela rambled, thankful for Temperance's sudden willingness to talk.

"He loved it. We spent the weekend at his place, had Parker for awhile on Saturday, but mostly stayed in… talking."

"Sure, Sweetie, 'talking.' How many times did you 'talk'?"

"Ange!"

"Bren! Tell me everything!" the artist demanded.

"It was amazing, Ange. I mean, you know about the physics already-"

"Chemistry, Bren, its called chemistry. But go on." Angela's eyes shone brightly and she grasped Temperance's hand, urging her to continue.

"Okay, we have chemistry. But there's something else; I just feel safe. I don't know how to explain it. Like I don't need to worry that he's going to leave when I want him to stay or stay when I want him to leave or what to say or do or not to do…"

"Awwwww."

"It just feels right. I don't know, maybe it's my hormones taking over."

"Maybe you're pregnant."

"What? No, Ange. I'm on fail-safe birth control. I am not getting pregnant. Besides we already discussed this."

"Already? When?"

"During dinner on Friday. We feel the same, for now at least. We're just going to spend time together, with Parker, with our friends, and leave it at that." Angela grinned like an idiot, unable to speak coherently.

"What Ange? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"It's just… you're saying 'we.' Three days and you're already a 'we.' You're right, Bren, this is right." She suddenly turned serious. "Don't screw this up." Temperance gaped at her best friend, unwilling to believe what she had heard.

"What? Angela!"

"I'm not saying Booth won't screw up either, but hear me out. Talk to him. Listen to him. Don't freak out without explaining why you're freaking out. Show him that you love him, even if you can't say it. Got it, Sweetie?"

Temperance simply nodded and took a deep breath, thinking ahead to how much work lay before her. Finishing her coffee, she gathered her resolve, ready to tackle each new challenge, ready to begin work again. I won't screw this up, Seeley, I promise, I won't.

END Chapter

A/N: Okay, I had a coach in college who would seriously come up to us before every match, poke us with a finger and say "Don't screw this up." Those four little words and angry poke haunt me to this day.

BN: My volleyball coach would say that, too. Of course, we were 2 and 6, so I guess we kinda let him down. Eh. His problem, not mine. OH! And I got a shiny metal for volleyball tonight :) Just thought I'd let y'all know (I'm super excited about it). Anyways, I am betaing the next chapter right after I finish typing this (and send it to Kraze). So now y'all are all saying, "Shut up, Katie, and get the next chapter betaed. Gosh." Yes, I know. But I also know, deep down inside, that y'all love my beta notes. They make you smile – even if it's on the inside. That still counts. Anyways, I will shut up now and beta the next chapter. Reviews make the world go round :)