AN: This was a fun chapter to write. In a way, I am avoiding the confrontation that will eventually ensue, but I also felt bad about virtually ignoring the Squint Squad. Hodgins is a sweetheart and I am glad that I found a place for him in this story.

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Chapter 13 – Guy Talk

He couldn't get anything done in his office. His mind was occupied with thoughts of her and their impending dinner. He was excited and nervous at the same time. He felt kind of foolish like a 17 year old waiting to pick up his date for the prom. "Geesh Booth, it is only dinner!" He kept telling himself. They had dinner all the time. They went out to Wong Foo's or the diner after most of their cases and she had even cooked for him before. He smiled remembering the heavenly macaroni and cheese she made for him—so much better than anything a restaurant could offer no matter how famous the chef was. Still, with all that had transpired over the last few days, he was extremely anxious to find out how all of this would play out, or if anything would play out. Glancing at his watch, he let out an exasperated sigh—it was only 1:30. Unable to sit in one place any longer, he grabbed his jacket and headed out the door.

He was standing at the elevator trying to figure out what to do with himself. He could go home, but that would mean pacing around in circles for 5 hours. He wanted to go to the Jeffersonian to be near her, but that was clearly uncalled for at this point. She set the parameters for the day and he was just grateful that she wanted to spend time with him.

What he needed now was to talk to somebody, but who? Perhaps he should seek the help of a professional like Sweets, but couldn't bring himself to accept the advice of someone so young over an issue as important as this. He thought about Angela. She was so cued into the growing tension and emotional bonds between Bones and him. She was also one of the most understanding people that he had ever met. He had a lot of respect for her. Still, he couldn't lay out his feelings to her because she was just too close to the whole situation. Besides, Bones might get wind of the fact that he had talked to her. He thought of Cam. Regardless of their past, Cam did understand him and they were now very comfortable friends. He was also confident that she knew about his feelings for Bones. Heck, didn't everyone know? But, somehow that idea didn't sit well with him either.

What he needed now was a best friend, but Bones was his best friend. He needed a guy he could confide in. The problem was that he was so wrapped up in his job and Bones these days that he wasn't really close to anyone except the Squints. Could Hodgins be trusted not to divulge anything to Angela? He liked Hodgins. The man was a wonder with bugs and slime evidence, and had even proved himself capable of reaching beyond his Squinty self to 'guess' about the motivations behind some of their cases. Hodgins had confided in him on more than one occasion about his feelings for Angela, and Booth knew that the two men had bonded in the way that men do. Besides, Hodgins knew Bones so well having worked with her longer than anyone else at the lab. Convinced, he pulled out his cell and dialed the number.

"Hodgins"

"Jack, it's Booth. What are you doing right now?"

"Hey Booth, I am preparing a batch of particulates for the Mass Spectrometer in relation to the case you just wrapped. I want to see if there is anything more I can get to make sure that the conviction sticks. What's up?"

"I was just wondering if you would like to grab a bite to eat at the diner. I could use some company."

"Of course, just give me about 20 minutes. I will meet you there."

"Hey Hodgins, don't tell anyone where you are going, ok?"

"Sure thing, see you in a few."

He regretted his decision the moment he hung up the phone. Perhaps, it wasn't a good idea to confide in anyone right now. Hadn't he made enough confessions over the past 36 hours? Still, he felt that if didn't work through some of these thoughts, he would explode during dinner. "This is a good idea," he reassured himself and pressed the elevator button.

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"Hey Booth, how's it hanging?" He took a seat opposite Booth in the diner. "I haven't seen you around the lab in a few days."

"This case was a difficult one, and I ended up in the lab at odd hours. Bones and I solved it at about 2:00 this morning over spring rolls in her office." He could tell he was smiling and was a little embarrassed to seem so openly melodramatic.

"Difficult? Tell me about it. I have never had so much trouble trying to locate evidence—so they were frozen in a cryogenic freezer, huh? Damn, that is rough."

"Yeah, I hate it when kids are involved. Don't worry too much about finding additional evidence. We got a full confession this morning and he will probably end up making a deal long before a court date is set."

Hodgins nodded and then made direct eye contact with the man across the table from him. "I am assuming that you didn't call me to talk about a solved case in which my input is superfluous."

"No, I don't want to talk about the case." Booth hesitated—it was now or never. "I want to talk about Bones."

"Really?"

Booth thought he sensed a little amusement from Hodgins, but tried not to think about it. "You have worked with her for a long time, right?"

"Yeah, we started working at the Jeffersonian within months of one another. She is amazing and I am privileged to get to see her do what she does so well."

"I am sure that she would say the same about you."

"Is there something specific you want to talk about? She is a tough nut to crack."

"Tell me about it." Booth swallowed hard. "I told her that I loved her the other day."

"Dude!"

"At a crime scene."

"Dude!"

"Stop calling me Dude. Now, I am just afraid that I overstepped my bounds. You know, I am afraid that I crossed a line and there may be no way back."

"Angela told me about that stupid line of yours. Do you really want to go back?"

"No."

"Well, what did she say?"

"Nothing, at first. Then, she rationalized the whole thing telling me that it was a logical way to characterize our partnership."

"That sounds like Dr. B."

"She accused me of betrayal over the whole pretend death thing, and I needed her to know that she meant way too much to me for me to ever treat her badly never mind betray her."

"Dude!"

"Stop calling me Dude, Dude." He smiled at the man. This was a good idea. He felt better just telling someone.

"Sorry Booth, it is a reflex."

"After we solved the case this morning, she invited me over to her house for dinner at 7 tonight. The last few days have been like a roller coaster for us. The thing with Bones is that you can never prepare yourself. She is one of the most unpredictable people that I have ever met." He was debating whether or not to tell him about her late night visit to his house or her angry outbreak.

"Listen Booth, Dr. B. has changed a lot over the past three years. I have never seen her smile and laugh so much in all the time that we have worked together. I know, Angela knows, everyone knows that her change is because of the effect you have on her. You have turned a light on in that woman. A light that I thought was non-existent."

"Do you really think so?"

"Heck yea! I know that you are looking for some reassurance here so let me give it. That woman loves you, man. All I can say is that even though I know that Angela loves me, I am still jealous of the way that Dr. B. feels about you. I have never seen a woman with so much faith and respect in a man. Let me tell you something that I haven't told anyone. When we were trapped in that car, she never gave up on you for a single second. She knew that you would be there for her. I told her that she had a lot of faith in you and she basically told me that it wasn't faith; it was a fact that no matter what you would find a way to get to us. I cannot think of a higher compliment coming from someone like her. We both know that she has attachment issues and with good reason, but she is definitely attached to you. Don't let her down."

"I would walk through hell for her."

"I know"

"So, what do I do tonight?"

"I would say that the ball is in her court now. What you need to decide is whether or not you can just let things remain the way they are in case she can't find a way to access her feelings. That appears to be the main issue here."

"You are absolutely right. I am not sure that anything will be ever be the same for me now that I have allowed myself to accept these feelings. Can a man live a life unfulfilled?"

"That is a good question. I failed miserably when Angela first turned me down, but it did turn out ok."

"Bones is not Angela."

"No, but she is a woman in love—she just has to figure it out. Give it some time, man. Everything that is supposed to happen happens in time. You just have to be ready for it."

"I said the exact same thing to Bones once." It was strange hearing his own words of comfort being used to comfort him.

"Just proves what good advice it is, man."

"Thanks Hodgins."

"I am happy that you felt like you could confide in me, Booth. You are a great guy and we all thrilled to be a part of your team."

"Hodgins, I am extremely proud of the work we do. We are a great team because each person does their job so well and sacrifices for the sake of the truth and each other." He paused. "So, I don't have to tell you to keep this to yourself then?"

"No, I understood that right away. No worries there."

They ordered lunch but Booth couldn't eat. He felt better, but he was still nervous. He was thankful for Hodgins thoughtful advice as well as his company. He really enjoyed hearing some stories about the woman he loved before he entered her life. He decided that he would have to be patient. He would wait for her to find a way to her own heart—she already owned his.