Chapter 17

Booth and Brennan were seated on the couch in Brennan's office with Angela wedged between them. Hodgins and Wendell were seated in arm chairs and Cam, Sweets and Max were seated in mismatched desk chairs listening intently as Booth and Sweets told them the story of Brennan's interrogation, with many interruptions and corrections by Brennan of course.

"Its was like Bizarro Brennan." Sweets was saying. There was a spattering of confusion and the group ignored the comment.

"It's backwards." Hodgins said, "Normally, Brennan gives Booth all the evidence and Booth has the hunches. This time, all the evidence was circumstantial and Brennan had a hunch."

"It wasn't a hunch!" The laughter that erupted stopped her from explaining further. There was a knock on the office door. Everyone turned to see Charlie standing there.

"Come on in." Sweets called. Hodgins and Wendell exchanged desperate expressions and both of them bolted for the door.

"Jack." Angela said. Hodgins stopped knowing that his escape had been thwarted. Wendell gave him a sympathetic look as he ran.

Angela stood, leavening Booth and Brennan alone on the couch, and walked to the door dragging Hodgins back into the office. Max stood and crossed to Brennan.

"They love you baby. Just listen." He said leaning in to kiss her cheek. "Booth, don't shoot them." He said before he stood up and left. At the door he passed Caroline.

"How are you doing, cher?" Caroline said as they passed. Max just smiled and nodded. "Chicken." she said at his back. She walked in and took the seat that Hodgins had fled. "Okay, let's do this."

"Uh, okay." Dr. Sweets said nervously, clearing his throat. He had told everyone that they will be more effective in Brennan's office on her home turf, but he was feeling intimidated. "Agent Booth, Dr. Brennan, we have noticed that there is a certain tension in the work environment and we would like to address it. Booth looked at Brennan. She looked downright terrified. Booth shot a warning look around the room resting on Sweets. Sweets faltered, visibly shaken at Booth's glare.

Caroline was unfazed, "Look, we know you two have all kinds of feeling for each other. We can't take it anymore, you are driving us crazy. We want you to talk. These fine ladies and gentlemen have written you letters and we're all just going to sit back and listen to them. Dr. Sweets, whose first?"

"I'll go first." Dr. Sweets said.