A/N: Sorry this is so late but we went on vacation again with no internet, went to two concerts, went to the zoo, and have had lots of people over to go swimming almost everyday for the past few weeks. Also I am writting this story as I go. I know what I want the next two chapters to be though. After that maybe there will be some of the requested Angela and Hodgins angst. Enjoy!
IMMATURE B
It was the day before New Year's Eve, Brennan understood this holiday much better than Christmas. It had ancient roots in culture as a celebration though the dates had varied depending on the calendar each society used. Brennan herself could remember celebrating this event with Russ and struggling to stay awake until midnight to blow horns and throw confetti. She had told her mom, "I stayed awake for this!" annoyed that was all that had happened. As she grew it became more fun with her and Russ bargaining to stay up past midnight, after the ball dropped. Because they went in on it together and made it family time with board games and milkshakes they often got their way and stayed up until one.
This New Year's Angela had convinced Booth, Zack, and herself to join Angela and Hodgins at a nightclub. She said they would dance and drink... it would be fun, plus Hodgins had already rented out the VIP private section at the back in case they felt the need for some space. Ange was determined to make her last holiday as an unmarried woman a fun one. That would be minimal "torture" except Booth had a new girlfriend and she was coming too, Brennan couldn't help it, she was protective of him as he was of her. She was also a little jealous though she would never admit it, not even to herself. Bren had met the woman once before and intensely disliked her. It hadn't helped the woman that Parker was also present and the woman ignored him the entire time. Booth had told her that their work life and private life had to stay separate and drew the line but he was dating his secretary's twin sister, contradicting his earlier statement. The woman's name was Jenna; she was a tall leggy blonde, just his type. Booth had begged Brennan to be kind to the poor woman but it was clear she was tolerating her onfly because of their partnership. She had been snippy, short-tempered, and cold to him the past two weeks and Booth was determined that ended tomorrow night.
Getting ready on New Year's Eve Brennan slid into the dress Angela had chosen for her. Ange came over and sat beside Bren on the bed. She began to twist Brennan's hair into a complicated updo and could tell her best friend was upset. Brennan wouldn't tell her what was wrong and Angela sighed, beginning to do Bren's makeup. "Is it Booth?" Angela asked saying the one thing she thought could rattle Brennan so bad. Brennan ducked her head, "I don't want to talk about it Ange" she practically hissed making her point clear. Angela also caught the glimpse of shimmering almost shed tears in her friend's ice blue eyes and dropped the confrontation.
Once they arrived at the club Angela immediately went over to give Hodgins a kiss. Hodgins had arrived earlier to make sure everything was set up to meet Ange's standards. Brennan's first sight is Booth and for a moment her anger lessens, and then she sees Sarah. The blond was leaning over to whisper in Booth's and giving him quite an eyeful at the same time. So of course Brennan walked over and said hello to Booth and the blonde in a semi tame tone of voice. "Bones, Sarah" Booth reintroduced the two. He then turned to continue conversing with Sarah blocking Bones completely out of the conversation. Angela saw this and pulled an upset Brennan over to her. She squeezed Bren's shoulder lightly and initiated a conversation between Zack, Hodgins, and Brennan. Ange sat beside her friend shooting Booth daggers until he realized he had upset his Bones. Quick to react Booth pulled Brennan back over to include her in the conversation too. Angela was quick to react as well and rushed over to whispering Booth's ear, "Don't you dare hurt her Booth, or I'll get someone to kick your ass". Ange then grinned at them "Have fun!" and wiggled her fingers at them while glaring at Sarah, giving Bren a comforting smile, and Booth a warning glance. She then skipped back over to Hodgins and settled in his lap rejoining the conversation seamlessly.
Brennan was now on the defense, making sure to include the fact she had a PHD often. When asked about her career she was quick to say, "I'm a forensic anthropologist at the Jeffersonian Medico Legal Lab, liaison to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, and in my spare time I'm an author on The New York Times best sellers list. You?" Sarah then began to recount moments just between her and Booth that Bren couldn't possibly relate to. Booth looked uncomfortable and Brennan countered Sarah's stories with her own of their partnership and Parker. At this Sarah scrunched up her nose, and unlike usually Booth didn't say a word. The argument continued to escalate until Sarah was screaming, "No wonder he's with me, you're a cold heartless fish and a rude one too!" Brennan looked at Booth for defense. He put his hands up, "I'm not taking sides". Sarah then shoved Brennan roughly; Brennan countered flipping Sarah to the ground hard. Ange reentered the VIP area after dancing with Hodgins and stared in shock. Booth was screaming at Brennan "Temperance Brennan, what the heck, you're fighting like children over toys, I'm no dumb prize, I love Sarah, maybe she's right... Just leave!" Brennan was on her knees, tears and mascara streaming down her face. Angela looked livid, " Booth I paid for this, you leave, now! And take Sarah with you!" she said spitting out the words as if they were vinegar.
Ange wrapped her arm around Brennan and helped her to the couch. She wiped Bren's face clean and hugged her whispering, "I'm so sorry sweetie". Brennan snuggled her face into Angela's shoulder and they rocked back and forth slowly. Ange eased her onto the couch and tucked her in with a fuzzy throw blanket. She then went to find the Stud who was being very stupid. "Booth" she hissed in his ear. He turned from where he was "tending" Sarah's wounds. "Now, move!" Ange pulled him up and maneuvered them into a corner. She pressed up against Booth, invading his space "She was crying Booth, sobbing. You are abandoning her in favor of a slut!" "She was crying?" Booth said surprised. He pushed past Ange and when Sarah tried to stop him he told her, "We're over."
He entered hesitantly and spotted Bren curled in a ball her complicated hair do falling down. "Oh Bones," he whispered reaching out to gently stroke her hair. Brennan sat up with a start and immediately pulled back. He had broken her trust, and her heart. "Bones I'm so sorry. You and our partnership means so much more to me than some blond surrogate relationship." "Your partner, is that all I am to you?" she asked slightly hurt. "No, Bones you're my best friend too and a great role model Parker, maybe more" he whispered the second part to himself. Booth then gave her a guy hug. Ange who had been lurking outside, just in case, walked in. The partners separated smiling slightly at each other. Ange reached over to tug on one of Bren's loose curls. "Sorry" Brennan told her referring to the mess her hair now was. Ange shooed Booth out this time in a much more playful manner. Ange let Brennan's hair down in a mess of curls and finger combed it. She reapplied some of the makeup and dragged Bren out to dance.
Booth and Brennan danced together close smiles on both their faces. Zack was talking to a woman at the bar. Angela was spinning and laughing as she danced with Hodgins. The music cut off and everyone began to chant, "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Happy New Year!" Angela and Hodgins kissed intimately. Booth and Brennan looked at each other and leaned in simultaneously to kiss, 35 steamboats.
At two am the five staggered out and entered a cab. Booth and Brennan got out first at Brennan's house together. Ange wiggled her eyebrows at them and waved. Zack got out at the garage and the last two got out at the main house. Hodgins helped Angela into their bed and they fell asleep nestled together. Booth and Brennan collapsed on her bed and wiggled under the sheets. "Thanks for letting me stay while my building is exterminated," he told her. "I'd do anything for you" she whispered, snuggling in and falling asleep. He looked down at her "I'd do anything for you too Bones" he whispered back pressing a kiss to top of her sleeping head "I hope you know that"
A/N: Hope you liked it, please review and let me know what I can improve or what I'm doing well. Also any ideas for Hodgins and Angela's first dance song? Or special things to include in vows? Thanks!