Did you miss me?
Hey guys! So, I've never actually written a Bones fanfic/oneshot before but I couldn't get this out of my head. I don't know where it came from (okay that's a lie, I was reading Johnlock fanfic :). But btw if you're in the Sherlock fandom the military ones are really good!). But anyway, I was inspired and just HAD to write this. So let me know what you think. :)
Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything to do with Bones.
"Why did you let that guy get away?" Angela asked, flailing her arms as she approached the bar.
She had left Brennan only a few minutes ago so that she could talk to the guy that was so clearly hitting on her. In fairness it was completely on brand for Tempe to ignore or disregard any guy that came her way.
But Angela didn't understand how or why she did it, when to her, it seemed like she exactly have a flourishing social life outside of her work environment. They were her friends, of course, but Angela couldn't help but wish she would do a bit more of the 'glug, glug, woohoo' she went on about. Plus, that guy was at least a 9. But she had sent him packing.
"Because I'm not interested," her best friend shrugged. The two of them had met around a year ago but had become fast friends. They had both joined the Jeffersonian at the same time and had sought each other out in a workplace largely dominated by men.
"But you're never interested," she practically whined, even putting on a slight pout.
Bren laughed softly.
"I'm not looking to be in a relationship Ange."
"That doesn't mean you can't have some fun though," she retorted, sending back a wicked smirk.
"I'd rather not, I have work tomorrow," Brennan said, taking a sip from her beer.
Angela sighed, admitting defeat. Temperance Brennan was the most stubborn person she'd ever met and no amount of coaxing would make her loosen up a bit unless it was on her own terms. And she seemed content with her life. Which was why Angela would always let it slide; her friend may not always be happy, but she was content, that's all that mattered.
She hopped up onto a bar stool, ordering another cocktail, when Hodgins ran up to them.
"We're doing a karaoke contest, you guys wanna join? Zach's been forced into it; it's gonna be hilarious," he laughed impishly, eyes sparkling.
The two women shared a look, deciding they would like to see this.
"10 bucks says he's actually a good singer," Angela betted.
"I'll take that action. 20 bucks says he sounds like a parrot," Hodgins grinned, sticking out his hand.
She gave him a disapproving look but shook it anyway.
Zach argued that since he had decided to participate in the first place, he shouldn't be forced to go first on top of that so Hodgins bit the bullet.
"Hey, it's all for a good cause."
He grabbed the mic and queued the music.
The starting notes to Hot Blooded belted out of the speakers along with Hodgins' awfully hilarious screeching.
"Well I'm, hot blooded," he screamed into the mic, full of joviality.
The rest of the group (a few co-workers had tagged along) burst into laughter but it didn't take long for everyone to join in, complete with air guitars and out of key singing. Laughter bubbled through Angela as she looked around but it died on her lips when she saw the stricken look on her friend's face. Right before she took off, disappearing out of the door.
Xxxxx
Temperance should have known that something would have gone wrong today. She had woken up missing Booth more than she cared to admit, even to herself. She tried to dampen these feelings, knowing that it wouldn't do her any good and the rational side of her was telling her that it was only 5 months, 12 days, 4 hours and 23 minutes before she would see him again. That was fact. So why couldn't she control the burst of nostalgia and the ache in her chest from hearing that song?
Xxxxx
Angela rushed out of the bar and took a few seconds to assess where Tempe might have gone before she saw her sitting on a bench a few feet away.
With hurried movements, she made her way over and sat down, staring at her concerned and confused. The strong woman in front of her had tears in her eyes. She never cried. Ever. Something was wrong, and she had no idea what.
"Bren? What is it? You can speak to me," she said.
Tempe shook her head, lower lip set as firm as possible as if she was trying to will away her emotions.
"Don't worry about it Ange. I'm completely fine."
"No. I know what fine looks like. This isn't fine," she gestured to her.
Brennan went quiet again, looking off into the distance, fondling with the pendant on her necklace that she wore all the time.
"I just… It's that song. I have memories, that's all."
Angela nodded sympathetically, knowing that was all the information she was likely to get.
"Well we don't have to go back in there. Unless you want to see Zach embarrass himself," she smiled, trying to ease the atmosphere.
"I thought you bet he'd be good," she smiled back.
"Only to help his dignity. And try to put Hodgins in his place."
Angela smiled to herself when she saw the tension dissipate out of Brennan's shoulders.
They remained in silence for a minute until Angela followed Brennan's silent lead to head back inside, standing up to follow her.
She would look out for her just like she always did, but the next few days she would be especially protective of her friend.
Xxxxx
In the next few weeks that followed, Brennan remained in some sort of funk. She didn't necessarily seem upset, but there were times where she spaced out into another universe that took her minutes to get back from. Sometimes Angela caught her gripping that pendant for all she was worth and occasionally, she thought she detected a tear in her eye.
This was especially prominent when they were investigating the death of a soldier who had been killed in Afghanistan. While Angela would typically feel downcast at these cases anyway, she hadn't seen Brennan show emotion. She always prided herself on looking for the empirical truth, filing emotion away so that she could do her job. So why was that case an exception? Even Goodman seemed to go easy on her and Angela couldn't place a reason as to why.
So today, she watched discreetly over her, as if she would be able to extract information through some form of telepathy. She had tried asking, multiple times, but she just clammed up and twirled that pendant round with her fingers. Angela had never seen what was inside it but assumed it was given by a loved one or had a picture of a loved one within it. She didn't want to pry, it seemed especially personal, so she left it. But telepathy or brainwashing or mind-reading wasn't working so she retreated back into her office to map out the skull.
But before she could get there, she spotted a man walking through the glass doors. And she couldn't help but notice how goddamn hot he was. Even Brennan wouldn't say no to this one. His dark brown hair was cut military style, as indicated by the rest of his clothing, he had a sharp, angular jaw and rich brown eyes that glinted under the unflattering lighting. He wore military issue boots and fatigues, an army green t-shirt with dog tags still around his neck.
He appeared to be looking for something and being the diligent citizen she was, she waltzed up to him.
"Can I help you with something? I'm Angela Montenegro, I work here."
"Seeley Booth," he smiled with bright white teeth, "Do you know if Bones is here?"
"Who?" she laughed. She would definitely remember if someone here was called Bones.
"Right," he chuckled, scraping his left hand across his cheek and she couldn't help but notice the wedding ring. Damn.
"Yeah she hates being called that by anyone but me. Let me try again. Do you know if Dr Temperance Brennan is here?" he grinned, pride evident in his voice.
Angela's jaw dropped. How had she not known about this guy.
"You know Brennan?"
"Well I'd hope so," he chuckled, "I am married to her after all."
He held up his hand as evidence.
"Holy shi-"
"Booth?!" Brennan shouted from the platform; her surprise evident.
The man in front of her looked up and gave her an earth-shattering grin.
"Bones!"
He held out his arms wide as Brennan ran into him and he scooped her into his chest, gripping her in a bear hug. Angela stepped away and leant back against the wall as Hodgins came up to her, holding a beaker of sludge.
"Who's this guy?" he asked out of curiosity.
Angela just shook her head and indicated for him to stay put and see what would happen.
Xxxxx
She couldn't believe it. He was living and breathing right in front of her. She was wrapped in his safe embrace once again after missing him for a year and a half. He was alive, he was alive. She thanked all the Gods she didn't believe in and clutched onto him tightly, basking in how solid and real he was.
Booth pulled back from her slightly only for him to lean straight back in and touch his lips to hers. A fire sparked in her and she smiled happily into his lips, letting hers battle with his as she threaded her hands through his soft, brown hair.
It was like coming home.
He was home.
She eventually drew back for air and rested her forehead against his, looking into his beautiful eyes she had fallen in love with years ago.
Booth grinned manically.
"I love you Bones."
"I love you too Booth."
He swept her up again into a euphoric hug and kiss, spinning her round.
She laughed joyfully and kept her arms around him before her rationality kicked in, furrowing her brows.
"Booth, why are you back so early?" she asked, scanning his features.
His silence told her all she needed to know.
"You got shot? Where? Are you okay?"
He cut off what would surely become a tirade of questions by smiling softly and putting a finger over her lips.
"I'm alright Bones, I promise. I was shot in the abdomen, which I learned was the right lumbar region, you should be proud of me for that by the way. It was barely a scratch, it doesn't even hurt, but they seemed to think it was enough to send me home. Not that I'm complaining," he grinned.
"Rationally I know you're telling me this because you don't want me to worry about you, but I find myself just being thankful that you really do appear to be okay," she said quietly, staring at him meaningfully.
He shook his head slightly.
"God I've missed you," he breathed.
She stepped into his arms again, fitting snugly into his chest, resting her head on his shoulder.
Xxxxx
Hodgins and Angela looked on in utter amazement.
"You're seeing what I'm seeing right?"
"If you're seeing Brennan being hugged by a soldier who she's apparently married to, then yes," Angela replied.
"She's married?" Hodgins whisper-shouted.
"Wow, you think you know a person," he said comically.
"Shut up, you're just jealous," she said accusingly, swatting his arm.
"Ah yes, I too wish that I had a hunk of a soldier to be married to," he said sarcastically.
"Don't we all," she groaned.
He rolled his eyes.
The couple in front of them seemed to finally be aware of them and were looking at them strangely.
"Bones, why are these people who I don't know watching us?" Booth whispered.
Brennan merely raised her eyebrows slightly, indicating to them the very same question.
Finally, Angela just decided to be blunt.
"You're married?"
A smile split across her friend's face as she nodded.
"For how long?"
"Nearly two years," she said softly, staring up at her husband who leant down to kiss her cheek.
Everything started to click in Angela's head. The refusal of dates. That pendant of hers. All those times she was away from work days at a time…
"Hang on a second, so all those times you were away doing research…" she trailed off at the end of her question.
"I'm research," Booth smirked.
Brennan slapped him lightly on the chest, giving him only a slightly accusing glare.
Hodgins couldn't help but laugh. Angela grinned at the thought that her best friend really did have a life outside work. And a hot one at that. Just because he was taken didn't mean she couldn't appreciate.
"Why didn't you tell us Dr B?" Hodgins eventually asked.
Brennan shrugged.
"I suppose that I thought you wouldn't believe me. I am aware that I can be socially awkward and not pick up on cues and hints so I assumed that you believing I could be married was a statistically improbability. And I couldn't use my marriage as a reason for shooting down all the men who hit on me,"
Angela thought she saw Booth's arms wrap even more protectively around her.
"without it sounding like an excuse. Besides, I like keeping Booth to myself, it's a nice feeling," she admitted.
Booth smiled at her, drawing her in for a drugging kiss, hot enough for both Hodgins and Angela to look away.
Once they parted, Angela heard Booth whisper, "Wanna go home?"
"Yes," Brennan breathed.
"Wait what about the case?" Angela yelled after them.
But it went unnoticed as the two of them practically ran out through the doors, hands interlocked.
Thanks for reading, I hope it was worth your time. :)