(The Maiden in the Mushroom)

Thank you for reviewing my story. I appreciate it.

I really don't own Bones.

Oooooooooooooooooooo

You are cordially invited to the Booth/Brennan household this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. for a barbeque and viewing.

Puzzled, Angela looked up from the invitation and gave her friend an odd smile. "A viewing?"

Her hands filled with invitations, Brennan smiled using what she hoped was an enigmatic smile. "Yes, I can't give you the details at this moment since Booth and I would like to keep it a secret. You will find it interesting . . . Booth says you will."

Her curiosity now ramped up, Angela tapped the card with her index finger. "Why 2:30? That seems very precise. Normally your invitations say noon when it comes to barbecue."

"Again, I am not at liberty to say at this time." She still had other invitations to deliver and Angela was causing unnecessary delays. "If you do not wish to come at 2:30 you can forgo the viewing but you can still partake of the barbecue. I hope you come for the viewing, but you obviously don't have to."

Clearly her friend wanted her to be at the viewing and Angela could see that on her face. "No, we'll be there at 2:30 . . . a viewing huh? This isn't going to be a dead body, is it? Like a mummy or something that's been dead forever?"

"That would be interesting, but unfortunately I don't a mummy at the moment that I could show you." Brennan hated to disappoint her friend. "Perhaps I could arrange a special viewing for you at the Egyptian Exhibit. Dr. Wilkins has two very interesting mummies on loan from the Egyptian government that he is preparing to display."

"No, that's okay." A forced smile on her face, Angela placed her hand on Brennan's upper arm and gently squeezed it. "Whatever you're going to show us will be fine. Thank you."

"You're welcome. I have other invitations to deliver." Her cards in order of office layout, Brennan moved towards Cam's office and hoped that her supervisor wouldn't be as talkative as Angela.

Oooooooooooooooooo

Saturday arrived and everyone invited to the barbecue and viewing were there before 2:30 in the afternoon. They had spent the rest of the week trying to get Brennan to tell them what they were going to see, but she didn't budge and neither did Booth. When those two wanted to keep a secret, nothing could pry it from them, much to everyone's annoyance.

The television was on the wall above the fireplace, so Booth was certain that everyone would have the opportunity to see the show. He had placed extra chairs in the living room, just in case and he was ready for the viewing.

Hodgins studied Booth and found the agent to be in a very good mood. "So, Booth what are we viewing today? Did Dr. B do a documentary or something?"

"You'll see." Booth had kept their secret for four days now and he wasn't about to blow it just fifteen minutes before the show began. "We have beer and Cokes in the refrigerator and I popped some popcorn if you want some."

Since Booth wasn't going to spill the beans, Hodgins, Angela and Sweets moved into the kitchen to retrieve a drink and a bowl of popcorn. Caroline was saving her appetite for barbecue so declined a drink or popcorn. Wendell retrieved a Coke from the fridge, but skipped the popcorn. He could smell delicious aromas coming from the barbecue grill on the patio and he refused to fill up on popcorn.

Cam entered the kitchen and asked Brennan if she needed any help, but her anthropologist declined. Brennan had everything prepared and once their viewing was done, they would be able to eat a late lunch.

A loud whistle drew everyone into the living room. Standing near the TV, Booth held the remote in his hand and waited for everyone to settle down. "Okay, the viewing starts in . . ." Checking his watch, Booth smiled, turned to face the TV and turned it on. "Now."

The first scene they saw was a court room setting and the words 'Judge Trudy' appeared on the screen.

"Judge Trudy?" Caroline was not amused. "You want me to watch this trash?"

"Come on Caroline, we only want you to watch a few minutes of the show." Booth walked over to where Brennan was standing holding Christine in her arms and placed his arms around her shoulders. "It'll amuse you."

Not inclined to believe him, Caroline crossed her arms against her breasts and scowled at the screen. "Merde, that barbecue better be damn good, Seeley Booth."

The show unfolded and soon they were seeing a renter arguing that her pet goldfish was allowed in her apartment since there was nothing in the renters' agreement against it. Several heads turned to stare at Booth and Brennan, but they knew that the pair wouldn't explain and they turned back to watch the show.

Soon, they heard Judge Trudy complain about talking in her courtroom and Booth and Brennan stood up in the court.

"Oh, you didn't tell us you were on the show." Sweets found it fascinating. He watched the Judge Trudy show once in a while because of the clear neurosis displayed by the participants.

Soon the judge tried to get Booth and Brennan ejected from the show and Booth pulled his badge from his belt and held it out at arms length. "Special Agent Booth. This here is my partner, Dr. Temperance Brennan and we're here to ask you a few questions about a murder. The show broke to a commercial and when it came back, Judge Trudy explained that her assistant had been murdered and the FBI was looking into it. In the meantime, the court was still in session.

Hodgins clapped his hands then whistled with two fingers held against his lips. "Now that is the best Judge Trudy episode I've ever seen."

Amused, Caroline nodded here head. "I'll bet Trudy was very cooperative with the FBI. That was nice Booth. I know she didn't murder the assistant, but it would have been a great way to close down that nonsense."

Cam stood up and smiled at her friends. "You two really looked nice on television. I hate that show, but it was worth watching Judge Trudy almost swallow her tongue when you said you were there to ask about a murder. Loved it."

Proud of his moment in the sun, Booth turned off the television and tossed the remote onto the coffee table. "No one screws with the FBI not even Judge Trudy . . . I'm surprised they kept our part in the show."

"Not me." Sweets laughed. "That was ratings gold. Now they've had a real FBI Agent on the show and you guys proved that the security guard was the murderer. People will tune in just to see if anymore weird stuff happens."

"He's right, I may have to start watching it again." Angela found the whole thing to be just delicious. "So, we were invited for barbecue?"

Moving towards the kitchen, Booth called out to his guests. "Grab a plate, fork and knife from the counter and meet me on the patio. We have brisket, hamburgers, a couple of hot dogs for the kids, corn, zucchini, mushrooms and grilled onions. Bones has a salad too."

Brennan placed Christine in the pen with Michael Vincent and moved into the kitchen. "We will be signing autographs for anyone that wants one."

All eyes on her, Brennan laughed. "Gotcha."

Ooooooooooooooooo

Let me know what you think of my story. Thank you.