Late Nights and Early Mornings

Important A/N: Same chapter as before, I just screwed up the names. The new one is now titled Mario and Go Karts, as it should be.

6:30 the next morning

"Morning." Booth said when he knocked on her apartment door. It actually came out as more like "Mrgn", and the reply was something like "Mwf". Neither of them had had coffee. Brennan had returned home at nine, early by her standards lately, and had spent two hours packing before going to bed. Then, after spending an hour tossing and turning, she called Angela to ask her advice on the dress.

"What?" the answer was fuzzy with sleep and annoyed.

"Ange, I need your help. I'm going to a party on the weekend and I don't know what to wear."

"Bren?" There was a loud thump. "Ow. Okay, Bren, I just fell off the bed, so I'm awake now. I thought you said you were going to a party this weekend."

"I did."

"And you didn't tell me?"

"Well he didn't tell me about the party until yesterday."

"HE?" It was more than half a shriek. "Who? And when, where, how did you meet him? And when do I meet him? And why the hell didn't I know about him? Why haven't I met him? How did you meet a man without my help? This is a man we're talking about here, right?" Brennan heard a groan of protest in the background.

"Yes, Ange. A man. Hodgins introduced us."

"Ow." She heard a man say, quite distinctly, then furious whispers. Her hunch had been right. "She said she was awake! And now I am too. Thanks." She heard.

"So?" Angela was back.

"It's a long story and we're leaving at 6:30 tomorrow."

"Why?"

"Better question: why are you calling?" she ignored Hodgins.

"His parents live in Pittsburgh."

"HIS PARENTS!" That was a shriek and a half.

"Oh my good god! Call her back when the sun is up!"

"Angela, he just said that his mother like to throw parties. 'Loves any excuse to throw one', actually. He said I needed a dress. What does that mean?"

"Men are useless. You'll have to take several. Hmm. The red halter, and the dark blue knee-length, and the black dress."

"Wait, which one?"

"Oh. Good question. The floor length one. And the backless one. And that black top!"

"Dresses, Ange. And can we narrow it down, please? To two? I don't really have room for any more."

"Okay, okay. The new black and the purple."

"Okay. Thanks, Ange." She unpacked the green dress she had been planning to take and put the black and purple ones in its place.

"Now when do I get to meet him?"

"Um, after this weekend or something?" she said. "Look, I have to get up early. Bye."

"Good luck. And remember,"

"Do anything you would do." She finished her friend's sentence.

"I don't know what that means." Angela shot back before turning off the phone. It took another hour before Brennan could fall asleep.

She was asleep when Booth pulled into the coffee shop drive thru, but he ordered hers anyway. He knew how she liked it, and if she didn't wake up, they'd just have to stop again. Parker was asleep, after staying up almost all night excited at the prospect of seeing his grandparents, as Booth had predicted. After taking chewable Gravol, he was now asleep in the backseat, surrounded by a pillow, Gameboy, puzzle, colouring books, and some snacks to keep him happy.

AN: Since the last chapter was so short and this one is too, I thought I'd post this tonight. And not to sound churlish, but you can like something but still point out flaws! Thanks to all who have/will review. It makes me very happy.