Here is the next chapter!! I hope you like it! It is long because this story is just writing itself which is great. Thank you all for your great reviews and I hope you will continue to read my story and review!!! Thanks again!!!

Strangers

Chapter 3

Temperance was already fast at work the next morning when Angela decided she wanted to stop by to talk to her friend about their conversation the day before.

"Good morning sweetie."

"Morning Ange."

"I have been thinking."

"About?"

"About your mystery man in New York. I see the way your face lights up when you talk about him. I think you should try to find him."

"Seriously Ange, I don't think that is a great idea. I'm sure he is married with children by now. I would only cause trouble. He probably doesn't even remember me. I barely remember him."

"Sweetie, I know you had it hot for him. For all you know he is the true love of your life."

"Even if I wanted to get in touch with him I don't remember his name or anything about him."

"Well you said that your friend Maggie met him. Talk to her, see what she remembers, maybe she knows a name or something that can give you a clue. The least you could do is ask her."

"What if she doesn't remember or it leads me to a man who doesn't remember me."

"The way you talk about the weekend I am sure he has to remember. And what if you don't do this? Maybe he has waited for you, hoping to find you someday. What if he is your true love Bren."

"True love? You know I think that true love is just endorphins….."

"Sweetie!!! Love exists, you just have to find it! And if you aren't going to give you Agent in shinning FBI issued body armor a chance…you might as well see if this other guy is still available."

"I'll think about it. Now can I get some work done please?"

"Sure. Just don't forget. At least call and talk to Maggie. You might be happy you did." Angela turned to leave Temperance alone in her office.

Temperance turned back to her desk to resume her work. She was working on the next chapter of her novel that she had to give to her publisher by next week. She had already pushed the deadline back twice and really couldn't do it again. Something about her conversation with Angela yesterday made her get that feeling back. Like love was really possible and she could have it. She had brushed it off knowing it was non-sense but somehow it stuck with her. Then her conversation today gave her hope, maybe this man had waited for her.

What am I saying? There is no way he waited for me. This is ludicrous thinking." She shook the thought off then tried to get back to work.

Thirty minutes of going back and forth and being frustrated because she couldn't concentrate she gave in. She went to close her office door and then to find her friend's phone number.

"Yes, I need the number of a Maggie Carlson in New York, New York please. Okay great thanks." She hadn't spoken to Maggie in about five years. They had kept in touch until her friend got married and then she moved to New York. They had drifted apart from there.

She got up the nerve to dial the number and was about to hang up when she heard the familiar voice on the other end of the phone. "Hello?"

"Maggie?"

"Yes, who is this?"

"Hey, this is Tempe."

"Temperance Brennan, I haven't heard from you in so long. It's great to hear from you. How have you been?"

"I've been well."

"Yeah, Ms. Best Seller. I have read all of your books and keep meaning to get in touch with you but with the twins I have had my hands full."

"Twins?"

"Yeah, Roger and I have 3 year old twin girls. They keep us on our toes. It's so great to hear from you Tempe. Are you married by now?"

"You know I don't believe in marriage. It is an antiquated ritual that only servers to confirm mail dominance in an already male dominate society."

"Of course of course, I just thought that maybe you had met someone to change your mind after all this time."

For some reason when Maggie said that Temperance's thoughts wondered directly to Booth. She immediately shook that thought out of her head and got down to the reason for her call. "No I haven't. I did call to ask you something though."

"What's that?"

"You remember that time we went to see your family in New York?"

"Of course, how could I forget? What about it?"

"Well you remember that guy I met?"

"Oh my gosh, of course I do! Mr. Hott Stuff. I still don't see how you let that one get away. He was yummy. I was a little jealous if I do say so myself."

"Well, do you my chance remember his name or anything about him."

"Uh, let me think. That was so long again." She paused for a moment to think "Of course, it was Seeley. I remember that because it was like mom's name, Celia."

Suddenly Temperance's mouth went dry as she dropped the phone. At the mention of that name from her friend it all came flooding back to her. That kiss, the night they spent together making love, the way he looked at her. How could she not have remembered it was him? Granted, that was twelve years ago but his was Booth, her partner. Surly at some point in time she would have remembered this. How could she not have known? Had she not been sitting down she would have collapsed.

Then her thoughts went to him. What if he remembered and didn't say anything about it because it didn't mean anything to him. What if he didn't even realize it was her. So many thoughts ran through her head that she didn't even hear the knock on the door.

Booth had seen her sitting at her desk but she hasn't acknowledged his presence so he walked in. "Hey Bones."

Temperance didn't answer so Booth walked around to her and put his hand on her shoulder to bring her out of her reverie. At the touch of his hand sparks shot through her bringing her back to consciousness. When she realized it was Booth standing in front of her she jumped up and stepped back.

"Geez Bones. You okay?"

"What? Oh…yeah….I'm fine…."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am sure."

"Okay, well why is your phone on the floor?" He said pointing at the phone.

Temperance realized that her friend was still on the phone and she quickly picked it up. "Maggie?"

"Tempe, thank God. I didn't know what had happened. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I am fine, I am just at work so I have to go."

"Are you going to explain what all this is about?"

"I will call you back later. I have to go." Temperance slammed the phone before Maggie could say anything else.

"Are you sure you are okay Bones?" Booth questioned as he took a step towards her "You look a little pale."

"I told you already that I am fine. Quit asking. Now what do you want Booth?" Temperance once again backed away from him. The feeling she felt resonating from him made her feel faint. If she was honest with herself, she always felt that around Booth but now she knew what it was like to have him hold her. To make love to him. And even though she didn't believe in love that was what it was with him 'making love.' That was a term she hadn't used since she was with him so long ago. No one else even came close to him. Now she was nervous and didn't know what to do.

"Can't I come by to see my favorite forensic anthropologist?" He asked giving her his charm smile.

He must have learned that charm smile since then because I sure don't remember that.

"Sure Booth. Have a seat." She said pointing to the couch across the room.

Booth gave her a strange look but went to sit on the couch thinking she would follow. When she sat at his desk he wondered what was going on but didn't want to ask her again and take a chance at making her mad.

Angela then walked into the office and up to Temperance "So sweetie did you take my advice and call your friend about your hott guy?"

"Hot guy?" Booth piped up.

"Yeah she met some guy a long time ago and….." Angela was cut off by Temperance's hand over her mouth.

"Angela and I were just going to get a cup of coffee. We will be back." Temperance basically pushed Angela out the door and Booth just looked at them.

She is acting weird today.

Angela turned to her friend on there was to the break room "What the heck was that about?"

"You can't say anything about the guy to Booth."

"Why not? You scared he will be jealous?" Angela asked grinning from ear to ear.

"No it's not that, it's just…."

"Just what?"

"Just I don't want him to think anything about how crazy that I am for liking some guy after all this time."

"So you do care what Booth thinks!"

"No Ange."

"Well did you talk to your friend?"

"I couldn't get a hold of her."

"You are lying and I know it!"

"Okay okay but keep your voice down."

"So what happened? You have to tell me sweetie."

"Okay okay but you have to promise to keep this just between you and me. If it got out it would ruin everything."

"What are you talking about sweetie?"

"I spoke with Maggie."

"And?"

"And she remembered his name."

"That is great sweetie! Now you can find him. What was it?"

"That's the problem. I know who he is."

"How is that a problem? Who is he? Do I know him? Is he married?" Angela was talking a mile a minute before Temperance finally stopped her by saying the one thing that put Angela into just as much shock as it had her.

"It was Booth." Temperance covered her ears for what she knew was about to come.

Angela let out the loudest squeal Temperance had ever heard her make.

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