Chapter Two:
"So, Epps is really dead?" Angela questioned, her voice tense as she sought the confirmation.
"Fortunately, even he couldn't survive a five story drop," Caroline explained. "I'm just disappointed I wasn't brought in on this case until now. Serial killer prosecutions are the stuff of dreams for someone like me."
"I'm just glad he's finally off the streets," Cam croaked, her throat still raw from the poison and the ventilator she'd been on just a few days ago.
"Where are Booth and Brennan?" Hodgins asked. The gang had gathered at Cam's to celebrate her release from the hospital, as well as the death of Epps.
"Booth is spending the day with Parker," Cam explained. "They were both really freaked out by this whole thing."
"That explains what Brennan is up to. She called me this morning and said she was going to the park. She must be meeting Booth there," Angela stated.
"Those two should just get into bed and put us all out of our misery," Caroline stated vehemently. The squints tried to shush her, hoping Cam wouldn't be offended by Caroline's unknowing comment.
"What? What's up with you brainiacs?" Caroline questioned their frantic actions.
"They're trying to protect me. Booth and I were dating," Cam explained, interpreting the others' actions.
"Wait, were?" Hodgins asked, picking up on the past tense.
"We broke up earlier this week," Cam explained.
"What, why?" Angela questioned.
"We both decided that workplace relationships can never end well. But I think I've known the whole time that Booth was more interested in Dr. Brennan than me," Cam explained quietly.
Angela could tell that it had not been as mutual as Cam described, her face was much too sad for that. Angela made a mental note to chew out Booth for breaking up with a girl after she just got out of the hospital. But that meant…
"I'm sorry that you two broke up. But, a new year, a new chance, right?" Angela said, upbeat. "Maybe this year will be more productive for our pool."
"Pool, what pool?" Caroline asked.
"Angela and Hodgins created a series of bets on when Booth and Dr. Brennan would get together. They dragged me into it as well," Zach explained.
"You were a fairly willing participant as I recall," Angela pointed out. "Do you want in?"
"You couldn't stop me if you wanted to. What categories are we talking about?" Caroline asked.
"First kiss, first date, and first time sleeping together. We each get to choose two months for each category," Angela explained, amending their earlier arrangement to account for the increase in group size.
"Ten dollars to be in on the kiss, twenty on the date, and fifty on sleeping together. And we have to pay again," Hodgins directed the last comment at Angela and Zach.
"Why? We paid last year, remember?" Zach questioned.
"New year, new money. You don't have to be in if you don't want to," Hodgins reminded Zach.
"But then I lose the seventy dollars I put in last year. The only chance I have to get that money back is to put more in this year," Zach explained logically.
"Exactly," Angela replied. "So, what can I put you down for?"
"Those two take forever to do anything. Put me down for first kiss in December," Caroline stated. "But they'll sleep together soon after that. December for that too."
"Hey, what about taking turns? Everyone should get a fair chance to pick a date," Zach complained.
"First come, first served. At least for the first round, just like last year," Angela replied.
"I say first kiss in August, first date in June, and sleep together in November," Cam said quickly after hearing Angela's rule.
"Kiss in January, date in March, sleep together in May," Hodgins predicted.
"My prediction is for the first kiss to occur in March, the date in August, and for them to sleep together in September," Zach decided after seeing what dates were remaining.
"You guys are so pessimistic. Everything in February. Valentine's Day after all," Angela pointed out.
"Historically St. Valentine's day has no romantic meaning. And Dr. Brennan wouldn't develop a romantic relationship just because convention dictates she does so," Zach explained emphatically.
"I don't really care. Booth would go all out, even if Bren didn't," Angela explained.
"So, do we have to correctly guess all three events to get the money?" Caroline asked, seeking clarification.
"No. You correctly guess the month of the first kiss, you get that money. Same for the other two. If someone does correctly guess all three, maybe we should think of an extra prize, like dinner or something," Angela mused.
As they chose their second guesses, each person thought about how likely any of this was.
"Okay, seventy dollars, my office, by the end of the week," Angela reminded everyone as they went their separate ways.
"Seventy dollars for what?" Brennan asked, appearing at the front door.
"Oh, ah, we're pitching in to get Cam a new TV. She can't convalesce properly without one," Angela said quickly, coming up with the first lie she could think of.
"Oh, okay. Hi Cam, how are you?' Brennan entered the apartment, leaving the scheming squints, and Caroline, alone in the stairwell.
"That was close," Hodgins murmured.
"You're telling me," Angela stated.
