Y'all are just AWESOME!! Thank you so much to everyone who is reading this and a very special thank you to those who are reviewing. Well, here's the next chapter. Read, enjoy, and review, please.

Chapter 9

Angela eased the door opened and stepped inside.

"Bren, sweetie, talk to me," she pleaded. "What's going on?"

Sighing, Brennan asked, "What do you mean?"

"About Booth, about what he said, is there any truth to it?" Angela questioned.

"Ange," she began, "I really don't feel like talking about it."

"Well tough," Angela stated. "You're going to talk about it and you're going to talk about to me right now, understand?"

"You sound just like Booth," remarked Temperance.

"Who gives a rat's ass about Booth? Right now I know more about his past two years than yours. So fess up, sweetie," she ranted.

"Fess up?" the wording eluded Brennan.

"That means start talking," huffed Angela.

"I don't understand why you think you know so little about my past two years," explained Brennan.

"Because," Ange began, "you only tell me what you want me to know. Sure, I know about your little Wednesday schedule, but don't know what you do, and I don't know why you weren't here yesterday. I don't know why you were late this morning. I don't know if there is something going on between you and Cole Andrews."

Brennan threw up her hands in frustration, "So, I'm just supposed to tell you my every little secret?"

"Yep," remarked Ange, "beginning with why you have a bandage on your hand."

Angela sat down on the couch and patted the spot beside her. Brennan rolled her eyes as she moved in Angela's direction.

Plopping down on the couch she turned to Angela, "I'm only doing this because you asked so nicely and you're my best friend."

"Aww, thanks sweetie," she patronized, "now come on and stop procrastinating."

"Okay, Okay, bandage first, right?" Brennan looked over to Angela's nodding head. "I was startled this morning by a voicemail message and accidentally spilled coffee on my hand."

Angela held her hand up to stop Brennan, "Who was the phone call from?"

"Emily," she replied.

"Who?" Ange was at a loss.

Giving a frustrated sigh, Brennan gave in, "You know this is going to be very difficult, so why don't you let me do this my way. I'll take questions at the end of the lecture."

Going into full conference mode, Temperance began, "My first day at the hospital I met Cole Andrews and to be honest he reminded me a lot of Booth. Beyond the tall, dark, and handsome aspects, he had a kind heart and was the best in his line of work. He told me the best thing I could do for the kids was to make them feel like kids again. So, I did the only thing I knew…science. We started a weekly science class. My best and brightest student was a little boy named Benjamin. He was admitted about six months after I started volunteering. Before I knew it, he had stolen my heart. Benjamin was assigned to Cole's caseload, which meant Cole and I started seeing each other more frequently. He asked me out several times, but you already knew that. I considered it. On a few occasions, I almost accepted his invitation, but he would do something that reminded me of Booth. I just couldn't do it; I couldn't go through that all over again.

Angela reached over and grasped her hand.

"I know," Angela soothed, "you don't have to explain. Let's talk about this Benjamin kid."

Brennan's eyes lit up, "He's the best little kid, Ange. The determination he carries around is amazing. For the past six months, his health has taken a turn for the worse. He hasn't been able to come to class, so every Wednesday I go by for a special visit."

"His parents must be amazed by you," Angela stated.

"He's a foster kid," Brennan sighed, "and he's the reason I wasn't here yesterday and why I was late today. Emily, a nurse on Benjamin's wing, called me early Thursday morning letting me know that Benjamin's prognosis didn't look good. I had been at the hospital all night when I came barging in here looking for the pictures."

"They were for him, weren't they?" Angela asked with tears in her eyes.

"Dinosaurs are his favorite," Brennan whispered.

Angela allowed the tears to slip down her cheek, "Just like Parker."

"I told you I'd confess my secrets, but I didn't think we would have to cry too," Brennan joked through sobs.

"Well, how's Benjamin doing now?" Angela pleaded.

Brennan released a breath, "He pulled through and woke up this morning asking for me. That was the message from Emily. When I got to the hospital, Cole was making his rounds. He was leaving Benjamin's room when he saw me. Of course he came over and then he saw my hand. Just like Booth, he could leave it alone. I guess that's when Booth saw us."

"I'm sorry," Angela stated.

"For what?" Brennan asked.

"For doubting you," she sighed.

Exhausted, Brennan confessed, "Well I hadn't exactly been honest with you, but that's it. You now know all my secrets."

"Good," remarked Angela. "With all this girl talk and tears, I could use some lunch and dessert. Grab your bag, let's go."

For once Brennan didn't object.

The two enjoyed a nice lunch accompanied with peanut butter pie adorned with cool whip. It had been a long time since Brennan had actually eaten much less enjoyed lunch.

After returning to the lab, each returned to their respective offices to finish out the day. Zach was still examining the bones from limbo, and Brennan opted to work on her book.

Before long five o'clock made its appearance on the clock as the lab began to empty for the weekend. Angela poked her head inside Brennan's office.

"Don't stay too late, sweetie," Angela commented.

Giving her friend a smile, Brennan replied, "Not too much longer, just want to finish this."

They said their goodbyes. Angela and Hodgins left hand in hand with Zach in tow. Soon she was alone in the lab. Completing some paper work and putting the final touches on her novel, she finally noticed the time.

"Nine?" she questioned double-checking the clock with her watch.

Stretching her arms, she pushed away from her desk and shut down her computer. She turned off the lamp, grabbed her bag, and headed out the door. She paused to lock her office and that was when the silence hit her. For two years she hadn't let herself notice how quiet everything was without him. Now it seemed to be all she could notice.

Saying good-bye to security, she strolled out the doors and to her car. The warm breeze floated through her hair and brushed across her face. The sky was filled with stars not one passing cloud threatened their beauty. For some reason she didn't want to go home.

Climbing into her car, she started the engine, rolled down the windows, and opened the sunroof. She just needed a little air. She just needed to breathe. Throwing the car into drive, she peeled out of the parking lot and into the DC traffic.

She arrived at her destination ten minutes later. It was the park when she and Booth had taken Parker on many occasions. Once out of the car, she began making her way toward the swings. Sitting down, she began to sway and let her mind drift back to the times they had spent together. It seemed much longer than just two years ago.

She was brought back to reality as she realized someone had joined her. Looking up, her eyes fell on him.

"Can I join you?" he asked, his voice as light as the breeze.

Okay, so this isn't the most exciting chapter so far in the story, but it was necessary. Angela needed to know. 1. Because she is Tempe's best friend and 2. Because she has a need to fix things.. Now I know I left you with a little cliffie. Who is the guy. Is it Booth? or is it Cole? hummmmm...review please, it really helps speed up the typing. :) :)