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Booth sat at his desk, staring at his phone. He hadn't spoken to Brennan since Tuesday night, mostly because he was busy, but also because he knew that if he saw her or even just talked to her, he'd give away the secret. He realized when he got home the other day that he could have very well already blown his cover by signing the note himself, but the more he thought about it, the more he wanted her to figure it out.

He thought about calling her to ask if she got the flowers. He was dying to know if she liked them, if she suspected he was Jasper, and if she did suspect, what she was thinking. He debated whether or not to give her that second note, but when he finally decided to do it, he had struggled writing it. He didn't want to sound too eager, since he didn't know if she'd actually agree to go on a date with a stranger or with him if she knew. Not a date, just dinner, he corrected silently. Yeah, just keep telling yourself that. "Shut up," he muttered.

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes. He had just leaned back in his chair when his phone beeped and vibrated. The unexpected sound caused him to spring up and his eyes to pop open. He was embarrassed that he, as an ex-Army Ranger and current decorated Special Agent with the FBI, got spooked by a damn ringtone, but he quickly recovered and reached for his phone. He flipped it open and saw that it was a text from Angela. Afraid that something might have happened to Brennan, he quickly opened the message. He read it to himself a few times, not at all sure what it meant. "'She'll be there'. Who? Where?" After the fifth time reading the words on the screen, it hit him. "She knows. They both know." He let out a breath and swallowed. Oh, God, I'm going on a date with Bones tomorrow night. Not a da—oh who am I kidding? It's a date. Swallowing, he shook his head.

He dropped his phone back on his desk and slumped, resting his head on his arms.

Booth sensed someone at his door, but he kept staring out the window. "Now's not a good time, Sweets."

Sweets blinked. "If it's not a good time, then it's a perfect time. Let's talk."

Booth pushed himself up and glared at the kid. "Take your shrinky talk somewhere else."

"Did you have a fight with Dr. Brennan? Because if so, that's something we should discuss. That could definitely affect your partnership."

"Bones and I are fine; our partnership has never been better, so lay off."

"I think we should talk about where this hostility—."

"Get out."

Ignoring Booth's command, Sweets pushed onward. "Maybe it stems from sexual frustration. When is the last time you—?"

Booth held up his hand. "I am NOT discussing that with you."

"Maybe it stems from your feelings for Dr. Brennan."

Booth swallowed. "I do not have feelings for Bones. We're partners, okay? We work together. We're friends. Now get out before I throw you out." He paused. "And for your information, not that it's any of your business, I have a date tomorrow night."

"Anyone I know?"

"No."

"So I do know her—or him?"

"Her," Booth stressed.

"Does Dr. Brennan know?"

"We're partners, Sweets. We don't talk about everything."

"You two seemed to be comfortable discussing Dr. Brennan's personal life the other day."

"Yeah, well, I was trying to make her feel better."

"Her feelings are important to you, aren't they, Agent Booth?"

Booth shook his head. "Uh-uh. I'm not falling into that trap, Pal. Don't you have something better to do other than harass me?"

Sweets looked like he was about to say something else, but the glare from the agent made him bite his tongue. He turned around and left the office, forgetting what he came in there for in the first place.

Booth sighed and went back to staring out the window.

Booth was getting ready to leave for the day and was looking forward to going home and crashing on the couch with a cold beer and some takeout pizza. He was just about finished when someone knocked on his door. He growled, not in the mood to deal with Sweets again. "Sweets—."

"Not Sweets, not even close, Big Guy." Cam stepped into the office and shut the door behind her. "Or should I call you Jasper?"

He blinked. "You know too?"

"So it's true," she said, no hint of question in her voice. "I guess that means I can believe the rumor about how you're taking Dr. Brennan on a date tomorrow night."

"Angela has a big mouth," he grumbled. "And it's not—."

She shook her head. "Don't even try that on me, Seeley. I've known you for fifteen years. I know when you're lying."

He sighed. "Why are you here, Camille?"

"I want to make sure you know what you're doing."

"I know what I'm doing."

She raised an eyebrow. "Do you? Because from where I'm standing, it sounds like you're still trying to convince yourself that you and Brennan are just partners."

He was silent as he lowered himself into his desk chair and tapped on his bobble head.

Cam took a seat opposite the desk and watched a dozen emotions cross over her friend's face. "It's just you and me, Seeley. What's going on?"

"You didn't see her face when she was talking about being kicked to the curb by those lowlifes. She just—she deserves so much more than she gets. She's smart, beautiful, funny—in her own way—and she cares so much. She doesn't even know how amazing she is; she doesn't think she's capable of loving someone or capable of someone loving her for the rest of her life and that's just—it's sad, Cam, it's really," he paused, censoring himself, "sad."

"I don't think she's the only who feels unworthy."

He sighed. "I wanted her to feel special for once, you know?" He shook his head. "It sounded like a good idea at first, but it's stupid. I should just call her and tell her to forget about dinner."

"It's too late for that; you already opened that door. You need think about what you really want, Seeley, because if you go through with this and change your mind, you'll be showing her that maybe she's been right all along; that she really is incapable of love, both giving and receiving it."

"Don't say that."

"You know what you want; you're just afraid to go after it."

"I care about her—."

She shook her head, cutting him off before he said anything more. "First step is saying what you actually mean."

"I don't love Bones."

"Who said anything about love?" She smirked, standing up. "I just came by to clear up some of the rumors going around the Jeffersonian." She walked to the door and reached for the handle, but stopped, turning back to face him. "You deserve to be happy. Just remember that." She let out a breath and left the office.

He swallowed and glanced down at his cell phone, realizing he never replied to Angela's text from earlier. You always finish what you start. Don't give up now. Go after what you want. But what do I want? You know. You've always known. Don't be afraid. If she runs, chase after her. You're good at that; you've been chasing her since the beginning. "Yeah." Picking up the phone, he clicked reply and typed in his message, pressing send before he could change his mind.