Angela sways into Brennan's office and leans against the door jamb, her friend doesn't even look up from her notebook.

"Sweetie, what you up to?"

"Um, nothing, I'm just researching something for the next chapter of my novel."

"You research?... There was me thinking you just knew everything about everything without having to ask."

Brennan glances up from the monitor to throw a bemused glance at Angela.

"Cam not keeping you busy enough Ange?"

"Plenty busy… I just, I was wondering if we could talk?"

"Sure… about what?" Brennan folds the notebook down and focuses on Angela. Angela hooks a thumb over her shoulder.

"Could we talk somewhere else? I don't really want anyone to walk in on us."

Brennan gets up from her seat frowning, she nods and makes her way to the door. "Lead the way."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Booth shuffles into Cam's office as she closes the door behind him. She walks around to her desk and seats herself offering a seat to Booth.

"So, Seeley. What's this all about?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Angela leans against the wall in the deserted office corridor. Brennan waits patiently for Angela to begin with her arms folded across her chest.

"I think I'm gonna quit Bren.. With all the changes that have happened around here lately, I don't know if I can adjust."

"What? Don't leave Angela. I know it's hard, trust me I know it's hard."

Angela shakes her head sorrowfully. Voices drift softly through a ventilation shaft and Angela holds back a smirk.

"Angela. If this is about Cam…" Angela holds up her hand and keens her ear to the shaft.

"Sweetie did you hear someone talking? It sounded like Booth…"

"No."

Another muffled voice drifts through the shaft and Angela nods her head ecstatically. "You had to have heard that."

"I did… we shouldn't eavesdrop."

"Must be coming from Cam's office. I think they are talking about you."

"What?" Brennan stands close to Angela as they listen into the conversation taking place in the next room.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Booth looks at his hands nervously as he braces himself for the upcoming conversation. Cam raises an eyebrow at him as she waits for his answer.

"Seeley, I wasn't born yesterday, I know you didn't come here to talk to me about how I'm getting on with Dr Brennan. What gives?"

"You're right. I came to talk about us….. We can't happen Cam. It's no use."

"You're ending things with me again? Didn't we have this conversation a month ago?"

"You're right we did. But I want to be honest with you. I need to get my reasons out in the open if I'm gonna be able to put this behind us once and for all. I can't afford any more slips."

Cam folds her hands and leans back in her chair with a sardonic smile. "That's slightly narcissistic of you Seeley."

"I know… but just hear me out?" She nods her acquiescence. "It's Bones."

"You're in love with her."

"Yeah. I am."

"It's not news, everyone here knows it."

"Everyone but her. I never wanted to hurt you Cam, but I can't afford to screw this up. I never wanted to feel this way for her, but I do. Lately I've been on this self destructive path, trying my best to ignore what I feel, and I've been selfish, because I could have potentially hurt you along the way."

She laughs and leans forward. "Come on Seeley. It's me, I'm a big girl now. It'll take more than you to break me."

He holds up his hands in defence and nods in acceptance. "I've told you this in good faith, please don't use it against her in any way… this is all me."

"I won't. I know that I come off as being hard on her, but I think sometimes she needs, even enjoys, the challenge. She has my utmost respect."

"Thank you. I hope this won't affect our working relationship?"

"Not at all."

He nods and pushes himself up from his chair, a grim expression setting across his face. She frowns.

"I think you are supposed to look relieved now Seeley."

"I would be, if I didn't have to face the same conversation with Rebecca."

"I hope she's worth all this trouble, you're making a very dangerous move by confronting Rebecca with this. You're jeopardising time with your son."

"She's worth it."

He smiles and turns and leaves.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Angela glances at her friend who has slumped back against a wall. Brennan has a confused look on her face, holding back a smile Angela places a hand on her shoulder.

"Come on Bren, we should get out of here."

Brennan nods and allows Angela to guide her away from the scene of their crime.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Booth waits outside of Brennan's office and watches them come into view anxiously. His heart sinks as Brennan meets his eyes and then drops her own to the floor. She brushes past him and over to her desk. Angela holds back slightly.

"Hey Bones."

"Hi."

She lowers herself carefully into her desk chair and glances at him quickly from the corner of her eye. Angela taps his arm and floats past him into the office.

"Hi to you too Booth."

He blushes and nods "Sorry, Angela. Hey."

"We don't have any further results for you Booth."

"No, I know. Cullen is happy to wrap up the case, we've concluded that the guys had a fight.. things got out of hand… I just thought I'd say hey, I was in seeing Cam on some business."

Angela grins mischievously. "Was that personal business Booth?"

He coughs uncomfortably and Brennan tries to appear more engrossed in her notebook. Nodding he shoves his hands into his pockets.

"Anyway ladies, I see that you're busy, so I'll catch you later.. I have somewhere I need to be son anyway."

"Bye."

Angela looks up at him and grins waving enthusiastically, Booth rolls his eyes and exits. After he has disappeared from sight Brennan looks up to meet her friend's concerned gaze.

"You ok Sweetie?"

"I don't know. I wish I'd never heard any of that."

"Isn't this good news? He's in love with you Bren… and despite that fact that you continuously deny it, you're in love with him too. I don't see where the problem lies."

"God this is so complicated." She holds her head in her hands. Angela pushes herself up from the sofa and Brennan's head shoots up. "Where are you going?"

"It's after five, I'm going home, that's what normal work loathing people do Bren. Besides, I have a date tonight."

Brennan suddenly resembles a lost child, a panic expression crossing her features. "I need to talk this over, I need to know what to do."

Angela walks over to her friend and leaning down places a soft kiss on her forehead. "You already know what to do sweetie, you just need to build up the courage to do it…. I'll call you tonight."

Brennan watches her friend walk out of the office and closes her eyes trying to calm her over worked mind.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Oh no… what will Brennan do?

Thanks for all the reviews guys, the continued support keeps me going. We're not far from the end of this story, so keep with me.