This chapter is dedicated to my friend Andy, the inspiration behind this 'secret' idea, he wanted to know something I had said; he just wouldn't let it go. He still won't, but I refuse to give in.

(Spoliers for those who haven't seen 3x09)

This Chapter is named after The Beatles' With A Little Help From My Friends.

Chapter 3- With A Little Help From My Friends

"What! Why do you want to know Booth?"

"Because, it was obviously about me, why else would you have shut up so quickly."

"What are we in, the 4th grade?"

"Fine, But I know there's something going on and inquiring minds want to know, so spill."

"Fine, But it's not because Brennan's unconscious, or because I have a tendency to gossip or even that you just took your shirt off. No it's because I believe it's the right thing to do."

Booth smirked and tipped his head down slightly to hide his expression.

"Ok we…You know what. I can't tell you, It would be braking a confidence with my best friend, it wouldn't be ethical."

"Oh come on! You're frickin kidding me! you just said it was the right thing to do!"

"A girl's allowed to change her mind, and Brennan did seem rather adamant on the subject."

"Are you toying with me?"

"What! No! Of course not… yeah ok a little."

"Ha I knew it!"

"You know what if nothing else at least this has taken your mind off how miserable you were when I came in here."

Booth looks down at his sleeping partner; he sits back down beside her and cups her hand in his once more. Angela looks on, with a small smile on her face. 'If only these two could see it, see what we see everyday, the love, the devotion, the unwavering faith they have in each other.'

Booth brings Brennan's hand to his mouth, without even thinking he places a feather light kiss on the back of her hand. Angela feels like someone has just tugged on her heart a little, she watches as Booth closes his eyes as his lips linger over the skin on the back of Brennan's hand.

"That's what we were talking about."

"What?" Booth puts Brennan's hand down gently and turns to the artist.

She draws up a chair and sits next to Booth.

"That's what Brennan and I were talking about, she's afraid Booth, because your relationship is changing, but that's not what scares her, it's the fact that she wants it to." Booths eyes light up and a wave of relief washes over him, a pleasant change from the fear and guilt of earlier.

"She's freaked out about the kiss isn't she?"

"What! You guys kissed! How! When! Why didn't I know about this?"

"It was just mistletoe Ange, Caroline blackmailed us into it. She said the only way Bones' family could have their Christmas was if Bones and I kissed, on the lips."

'I'll have to remember to send her a thank you gift.' Angela mused before turning her attentions to Booth.

"Was there tongue?" Angela's eye brows shot up suggestively as a playful smile graced her face.

"Angela!"

"Sorry, It's just, this is huge!"

"It was just mistletoe Ange."

"Right and you're telling me you didn't want to kiss her? Don't you dare lie to me. You know I'll know."

Booth sighs as he glances once again at his sleeping partner.

"It's complicated Ange. So ok, I may have enjoyed it and yes it may have lasted longer than was required but…" Booth thinks carefully about what lie would sound most convincing, but then see's the scowl on the artists face as he knows that she knows what he is thinking. He lets out a frustrated breath and contorts his face as he struggles to express his emotions. Angela sees the struggle he is having and decides to help him out a little.

"Ok, I understand this is difficult for both of you. But you had to know this would happen eventually. You could cut the sexual tension with a knife when you two are in a room."

"Ange, Bones is my partner."

"So, what does that matter? You guys are soul mates, you belong together. Don't tell me you haven't thought about it?"

Booth sighs again as he decides to concede.

"Ok, you're right I have thought about it. A lot, maybe too much. I need help Angela" His voice drops to a whisper. "I think about her all the time and not just at work. I think about her in the shower, literally Ange, I think about Bones being in my shower with me." His tone has become rather eccentric now and his face has become more emotive. "I roll over in my bed and wish she was there, when I go to the store I pick up fat free milk because I know she prefers it. I think about what our kids might look like. Our kids for goodness sake! She's in my dreams every night without fail, and when I wake up and realize I was dreaming, well… I honestly don't know how much longer I can take it."

Angela's mouth was now hung open, she had expected him to just admit he liked her but this, this was more than she bargained for.

"It's your turn to speak Ange."

"Yeah, ok, right, so, erm, wow, so you're pretty much head over heels in love with her."

"Pretty much, yeah." Booth laugh turns into a strange whining sound as he puts his head in his hands. "Ahhhg why can't life ever be simple?"

"What would be the fun in that?" Angela said with a playful tone.

"This is serious Angela. What am I going to do.?"

"Erm shot in the dark here but, Tell her?"

"I can't do that, what about our partnership."

"What exactly would be different here, would you suddenly not be able to do your job, if you were dating Brennan?"

"No, but…" he began to object but was cut off by Angela.

"Then what the hell is the problem!?" Angela's hands shot up by her side to emphasise her point.

"It's…"

"Complicated. Yeah yeah yeah. I know. Geesh you're like a broken record." Angela rolled her eyes as she spoke, then turned to Booth with a deadly serious expression. "Ok Booth. Since blackmail seems to be the only thing you respond to I'll make this real easy. Either you tell Brennan how you feel, when she wakes up, or I do. It's your choice. And trust me I won't be leaving out the bit about the shower."

"Angela that's not fair!"

"No what's not fair is that my best friend is lying on a hospital bed, after nearly dying. And the man who loves her more than she could possible know is too afraid to tell her as such. You're a coward Seeley Booth. A coward and a liar." Angela rants on at him as his face grows in shock. Her last statement had clearly got to him.

"I'm not a coward or a liar, I just wanted to protect her, our friendship our partnership."

"It's too late now you're in too deep, you're playing with fire and the only way you're not gonna get burned is to tell her, everything."

"But…"

"No! No more buts you have 3 days Booth, 3 days and then I am telling her myself." With that Angela rises from her seat and heads to the door. "I'll be back later, call me if she wakes up, and Booth don't forget, 3 days, ok? That's it."

Booth swallows the lump in his through as he nods his agreement. He turns to his partner once more and reaches his hand out towards her face, wanting nothing more than to gently stroke her cheek. He withdraws his hand quickly as realization dawns on him.

"Oh I'm so totally screwed."

Angela's playing hard ball, what do you think? Next chapter may take a little longer because Christmas is crazy busy.