Temperance Brennan and Angela Montenegro sat in the coffee house sipping on their drinks and looking out one of the large picture windows that faced the street outside. Angela glanced at her friend, who was currently wearing a wistful expression that was so un-Brennan like.
"Sweetie? Are you feeling alright?" Angela asked. Temperance looked at Angela as she shook herself from a reverie.
"Sorry Ange, I was just thinking about my vacation."
"You mean the trip to Hawaii with Mr. Internet? I can't believe you're at stage six with this guy and you still haven't introduced him to me." The hurt in her voice was evident. Temperance looked at her friend and gave a tentative smile.
"Ange, I promise I'll tell you everything. Now just isn't the time." Brennan stood and smoothed the creases from her clothing.
"Really, and why is that? You've been holding out on me Bren. You know everything about my love life, but when it comes to yours, you're close-lipped. It's not fair."
"Ange, look, we'll discuss this when I get back to the Jeffersonian. Right now, I have a doctor's appointment."
"Doctor's appointment? For what?"
"Bad case of indigestion." Brennan moved her hand over her stomach to emphasize the point. "I'll be back in an hour or so, and we can talk about it then, I promise."
"Fine. I'm holding you to that Bren. You won't leave today until I get some answers."
"Yes Angela, I know." Temperance smiled at her friend and left the coffee shop. Angela watched her friend go and smiled grimly. That gives me an hour to find out what she's been hiding. Angela set her jaw and left the shop, determined to find out what she could before Brennan got back to the Jeffersonian.
XxXxX
Angela walked into Brennan's office and looked around the room critically. Where to begin? She stepped over to Temperance's desk, her eyes taking in the items laid out there. One in particular caught her attention. It was a small manila envelope with 'Bones' written out on the front. There was no return address on the envelope, just a note asking her not to open the package until she was told to do so.
Angela frowned at the note, but left the envelope alone. It was the first of many things she would ask Brennan about. Next, Angela examined the few pictures that graced the office. There was a picture of the anthropologist with the rest of the squints that Booth had taken over their Christmas quarantine. She smiled at it and traced a finger over the frame. Even though none of them had wanted to be there, they had really become a family over those two days. Next to it was a picture of Temperance and Booth. Angela took the picture one day as the two of them argued about a case. The words were harsh, but neither meant them as evidenced by the large grins plastered on their faces. The picture brought a sharp pang to Angela. It was so obvious that Brennan and Booth were crazy about each other, and yet Temperance was seeing someone seriously.
That's the odd thing, she thought. Their relationship hasn't changed. They still had their squabbles, and teased each other, but whenever Booth had a case of jealousy, it always affected their working relationship at least a little. Is that it? Is Booth the mystery man? Bren is so in trouble if she's been seeing him and hasn't told me.
"Find what you're looking for?" Angela jumped at the sound of Temperance's voice. She turned guiltily to look at her friend. Temperance had a gleam in her eye that Angela couldn't identify.
"How was your appointment? Did you find out the cause of the indigestion?" Angela hated to change the subject, but that gleam had her curiosity peaked.
"Yes, I did. If you'll excuse me for just a few minutes Ange, I need to use the computer, then we'll have our little chat, I promise."
"Fine. I'll just be in the lab watching Hodgins and Zach race beetles." Angela looked over her friend one more time, then left the office, closing the door behind her. Brennan sighed with relief and sat at her desk, turning on the computer. She quickly found the site she was looking for, and connected with Booth. It was becoming much easier to do this than risk an overheard conversation.
Hey sweetheart, I was wondering when I'd hear from you. I miss you.
I miss you too Seeley. Will you still be back in time for Hawaii?
Yeah, the case I'm working on is down to the last bits of paperwork, so I'll be able to fly home tomorrow.
Did you still want me to pick up Parker for you?
If you could. I don't like dealing with Rebecca when I'm tired. It's too draining.
Then the vacation seems to be timed perfectly. You'll be able to get rested.
I wish. I'll be there with you. How much rest do you think I'll get?
Seeley, there's something I need to tell you.
That doesn't sound too good. You're scaring me a little sweetheart. What's up?
It has to do with an appointment I had today.
Oh? Are you okay?
I'm fine. Well kind of. It's just…I don't know quite how to say it…
How about this, while you're trying to come up with the right way to say what you need to say, open the package I sent you.
Temperance looked at the manila envelope on her desk. She opened it, dumping its contents onto her desk, puzzling over the small black box that tumbled out. She picked up the box and opened it. Inside, nestled in velvet sat a gold ring with a single princess cut diamond attached to it. Temperance's breath caught.
Seeley? What's this about?
Temperance, will you marry me?
She picked up the ring and looked at it critically. Seeley Booth wanted to marry her! She grinned as she slipped the ring onto her finger.
Are you sure you want to put up with me the rest of your life?
Bones, look, I know we have a lot of differences, but we've always been able to work through them. I know you don't want kids, and I certainly won't push you into anything you don't want, but this is something I want. I don't want to spend another day without you in my life. What do you say?
Seeley, you can put up with me until death do us part.
You've just made me the happiest man in all of Texas.
How about I make you just a little happier.
I don't think that's possible sweetheart.
I'm pregnant.
The stream of messages remained silent. It wasn't like Booth to not respond, but the news probably was a shock to him. When her cell phone rang, Temperance jumped. She flipped it open and held it to her ear.
"So did I make you happier?"
Angela watched Temperance carefully. The computer she sat at obscured whatever had been in that manila envelope, but whatever it was made Brennan happy. Angela squinted as Brennan examined whatever the item was, and then gasped as light reflected off the gold band.
"Oh my God!" Angela screeched as Brennan slipped the ring onto her finger. Zach and Hodgins looked over at Angela in surprise.
"What's wrong?" Zach asked, a little worried.
"Bren just slipped a ring on her finger, an engagement ring!"
"You've got to be kidding. Booth is so going to explode. You know how he is," Hodgins threw in. He wasn't as gung ho as Angela in the campaign to get the two together, especially since Temperance seemed so keen on her Internet mystery man.
"Booth is not going to explode," Temperance said as she emerged from her office, a huge smile gracing her face. The ring stood out on her hand like some sort of beacon as she fiddled with it.
"Really, and why is that? You know he loves you. He won't like that you're marrying some random guy." Angela was still at a loss. How could Temperance not be with Booth? How could she possibly marry someone she didn't even want her friends to meet?
"Ange, I didn't tell you earlier, because, well I don't really know why. Booth won't be mad, because it's Booth I'm marrying."
The squint squad stared at her in disbelief.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Angela asked, hurt.
"We wanted to make sure that our relationship didn't interfere with our work. Everything has been working out, and as time went by, I didn't say anything because it had been going on so long, I knew you'd be upset," Temperance finished lamely. She looked at Angela, suddenly much more vulnerable. After staring at each other for quite some time, Angela finally closed in the distance to hug her best friend.
"Just promise me Bren, you won't do anything like that again. I want to know the instant anything life changing has occurred. Deal?"
"Deal Ange. Speaking of which, I'm pregnant." Temperance wasn't prepared for the loud squeal emitted by her friend as she was engulfed in another hug. Hodgins and Zach just looked on in shock. When Angela let her go, Temperance smiled wryly. It looks like indigestion turned out to be a good thing.