A/N: Ok, here we go. We've arrived at the end. So much for my estimate of a few chapters, five at most…I should know myself better than that by now when it comes to writing fics. This is a little shorter than some of the other chaps, but please, enjoy!
Chapter 12: Cast party aka bye-bye bell?
When they arrived at the cast party, people from other departments were already mingling. Hodgins practically drooled at the cash bar he spotted in the corner.
"I'm gonna get so plastered I won't remember my name, much less that damned soliloquy," he announced before making a beeline to the bar, and pulling Zach along behind him. "Come on Benvolio, let's get started."
"I don't-," Zach began but was cut off when Hodgins thrust a shot glass in his hands.
"Bottoms up!" he said loudly, downing his own glass. When he looked at the still full glass in Zach's hands, he groaned, then snatched it from him, downing it as well.
Angela and Brennan got cups of punch and sat at a table in the corner, where Brennan observed everyone's behavior from a distance. She watched as Hodgins noticed Booth heading toward her and blocked his path, pulling him toward the bar. Zach, having escaped when Hodgins' attention had turned to Booth, joined them.
"He won't stop until he finds someone to get drunk with him," Angela commented, seeing Hodgins accost Booth, a small grin gracing her lips. "I'd do it, but I've got a feeling I'm going to be driving him home."
They looked up as Goodman entered the room; the way Hodgins neck snapped in his direction not lost on either woman. Brennan recalled his promise of the bell's demise.
Goodman cleared his throat. "I have an announcement! I've spoken to some of the benefactors and those I conversed with were very impressed with the performance tonight! You should all be very pleased with one another. It was a job well done!" He clapped his hands and everyone joined in.
Booth had escaped Hodgins' clutches and slumped down beside Brennan. Angela greeted him with a wave and a question. "How many drinks did he shove down your throat?"
Booth calculated mentally. "Three, well, more like two and a half. I didn't finish the last one." They glanced at the bar, where Hodgins was now drinking with Sully, and making conversation with the bartender, with whom he was now on a first name basis.
Taking a break, he shuffled over to Goodman, who was speaking to Charles Burke. Stealthily, he snuck his hand into the large pocket at the side of Goodman's friar's robe. Coming up triumphant, he could barely hold in his cry of glee as he wrapped his hands around the bell, and left the room, gesturing at their table to follow him.
The four followed him down the hallway and up the stairs to the top floor of the building.
When they entered a room, Angela said, "I think I'm going to burn this dress when I get home. It isn't meant to be worn when climbing up a zillion flights of stairs." She eyed Hodgins. "Why couldn't we have just taken the elevator?"
"I don't want to risk drawing attention to myself," was the reply.
"A bit late for that Dr. Hodgins," came Goodman's voice from the doorway. "Give me that bell."
"It does belong to me," Zach commented quietly, only to be given a harsh stare by Hodgins.
"You can't stop me this time Dr. Goodman." He edged toward a window, opening it.
"You wouldn't dare," Goodman said evenly.
"Wouldn't I? This bell has caused me nothing but headaches. I'm sending it to hell where it belongs."
"A tad melodramatic, don't you think?" Brennan whispered to Angela, who giggled.
"It's Hodgins," was her explanation. "He's the very definition of melodramatic."
For emphasis, Hodgins let the bell dangle from his fingers out the open window. Zach looked on, a bit pale. Booth just looked from one protagonist to the other, clearly amused by the whole thing.
"Dr. Hodgins, it is Mr. Addy's bell," Goodman said, now taking the threat seriously.
"Sorry Z-man, it has to be done." And with that, he threw his arm back, bringing it forward and releasing the bell from his grip. It sailed out the window, and flew through the air. Several moments later, a crashing noise was heard from the direction of the parking lot, and a car alarm blared.
"Oops," Hodgins muttered and leaned out of the window to see if he could see the car the bell had hit. "Do any of you drive a Lincoln?"
Goodman's eyes took on a fury that none of them had ever been witness to before. Hodgins turned away from the window, and his mouth dropped then closed immediately at Goodman's expression. "Well, Dr. Goodman, it would appear that I owe you a check."
"A large check Dr. Hodgins," Goodman said through gritted teeth.
"Let me get my checkbook. It's in my jacket…cause there's no pockets in these shorts." With that, he took off out of the room, Goodman following him.
Silence followed, and then Angela clapped her hands together. "Ok, let's get back to the party, shall we?" She led the way to the elevator, swearing as she stepped on the hem of her long skirt.
They went back to the party, where Shakespearean era music could now be heard from the CD player on the table. Brennan and Booth paired up and Brennan led him through the steps of an old dance she'd once learned. Where exactly, she couldn't recall at the moment. Angela asked Zach to dance, and soon the four were attracting the attention of some of their colleagues.
Sully looked on, drinking his drink thoughtfully. He'd been thinking about asking Brennan to dance with him, but thought against it when he noticed how much fun she appeared to be having with Booth. Friends, he mused, wanted their friends to be happy. He took another sip and turned toward an attractive blond near the punch bowl. There were, after all, plenty of other fish in the sea.
"You having a good time Bones?" Booth asked as they danced.
"I am. I'm quite impressed that you picked up the dance moves so quickly."
"Me too. I've never done a… what is it called again?"
"A Volta."
"Yea; we're attracting an audience though."
She shrugged as he lifted her up and placed her back on her feet. "That just means we're good," she said with a smirk. "I'd like to sit down though." They made their way back to their table, Angela and Zach still dancing.
"Poor Zach. He looks beyond nervous. It's just Angela," Brennan observed.
"Angela has a way of making men nervous. It's a natural response," Booth commented.
"Does she make you nervous?"
"No, but I'm the exception. Zach, I think, is nervous around anything female."
Brennan had to agree with that.
Her attention was drawn to the door of the room as Hodgins pushed it open and walked back to the bar, followed by Goodman who wore a satisfied smile on his face. Curious, she made her way to the bar.
"Lay another one on me Ray," Hodgins said before turning to her. "He took me to the cleaners. No way that car is worth that much. I paid almost that much for my BMW."
Brennan assumed the expression he'd used meant that he had written the check for a considerable amount. "Well, at least the bell is gone now."
"No it isn't. It's sitting somewhere near Goodman's car. Zach can just have it back. I swear, that stupid bell is nothing but trouble. I'm beginning to think it'll kill me if I keep messing with it."
Zach overheard their conversation and looked relieved.
Goodman clapped his hands for attention and the music was turned off.
"I have one more announcement. Next year, the benefactors would like something along the lines of a musical. Suggestions included 'Rent' or 'The Lion King'."
Hodgins' mouth dropped open for the second time that night. "No way in hell, Dr. Goodman! I don't care what you do to me! Never again!" He looked around at the rest of them for a show of solidarity. Their expressions told him they were all in agreement.
Goodman was smiling. "Calm down Dr. Hodgins. I was merely playing you; testing your reaction."
"God, give me a heart attack!" Hodgins stomped over with his drink to the table where Zach was already sitting.
Angela and Brennan looked at each other. "That was cruel," Angela commented, giving her friend a smile before heading off to join them.
Brennan felt a hand in hers, Booth's presence at her side. "You wanna go sit with them?"
She turned to him, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "No, I think I'm ready to go home." She met his eyes. "You wanna come home with me?"
"Well, I wasn't going to…but if you insist," he joked, chuckling as she smacked his arm. They said their good-byes to the others, and left for the entrance, still walking hand in hand.
A/N: Well, there you have it. I'm so bad with endings. Really I am. They're difficult to write, which I think is why so much of the creative writing I've done in the past remains unfinished. I hope you liked this little fic. I've enjoyed hearing from all of you and I thank you for your wonderful comments throughout. Knowing you're reading and liking it makes it all worthwhile.
