Thank you, Lachelle Nepper, for your review. I'm glad you found it interesting! I really hope you guys like this chapter as well.

"This is a very small car," Brennan pointed out as they sped along the roads. "And you really need to stay on the left side. I'm a good driver, so let me drive."

"Nuh uh," Booth said, yanking the wheel to redirect the car back into the left lane, tires squealing. "And just so you know, I was going for the James Bond car, but apparently Aston means Austin to these people."

"Yes, it happens all the time. I really think you should let her or me drive," Cate suggested from the backseat. "You're making me a bit nauseous."

"Dear me," Booth said in an English accent. "Terribly sorry."

"That's not funny, Booth," Brennan hissed. Cate just laughed.

"It's all right. You should hear me mock an American accent," she winked at Brennan.

"Can we focus here?" Booth snapped. "I said it once I'll say it again: just because they're Dukes and Lords doesn't mean they're not murderers, and at home we'd have them in our interrogation room pronto."

"Well you're not at home you're here," Cate replied. "Sorry."

"It's red!" Brennan shouted suddenly as Booth made to turn. "You can't do that here!" A few cars honked at them as Booth spun them around to a stop.

"AAAHHHH!" he shouted. He hopped out of the car and commenced ranting about England.

"You know, he wouldn't tolerate someone saying bad things about his country," Cate mused. "What makes him think he can do that here?"

"He's Booth, that's what," Brennan said, answering her ringing phone. Booth's pounding on the roof of the car made her wince.

"Hey, so our vic was pregnant," Cam said over the phone. "About two months."

"Okay, thanks," Brennan responded.

"Is that Booth?" Cam asked, noticing the sounds from outside.

"He's...venting," Brennan said. "Thanks for the update. I'll talk to you soon."

"Should we...um...?" Cate began.

"Yea. BOOTH!" Brennan shouted out the window. "Get in here!"

"I feel much better," he said, climbing back in.

"I hope so since you've greatly insulted this entire country within earshot," Brennan scolded. "Now come on. We have to go see the Dukes as their son knocked up Portia."

"Keeps getting better and better," Booth said, shaking his head.

"And better," Cate cut in. "Get out. I'm driving."

"But..."

"Out!"

Washington D.C.

Zack was bored. He missed working. He missed having something to do that challenged his brain. Sudoko just wasn't cutting it anymore. He leaped up eagerly when Hodgins came home from work.

"Well?" he demanded. "Give me an update."

"The victim was pregnant with the Lord's baby," Hodgins said, tossing his coat and keys down. Zack noticed he was a little more agitated than usual.

"I'm not good with that stuff," Zack said, following as Hodgins went into the kitchen. "I need bone details."

"I don't know that stuff. I'm bugman remember? All I know is she was struck from behind and then twice when she was down." Hodgins sat down heavily on his bar stool.

"So, have you found the murder weapon yet?" Zack prodded. He was itching to know more.

"Impossible to tell, according to Clarke," Hodgins answered. He opened a beer and took a swig.

"I bet I could tell," Zack muttered to himself.

"What I do know," Hodgins said again, ignoring Zack's comment, "is that there was some kind of motorcycle/scooter in the back of the victim's car, so it was used as a getaway vehicle."

"That's not very helpful," Zack said without thinking. Hodgins gave him a dark look.

"We're doing the best we can, Zack, without actually being in the other damn country," he snapped.

"I'm sorry," Zack said. "You know I'm no good at reading people's moods. What's wrong with you anyway?"

"Grayson that's what!" Hodgins said angrily, slamming his beer down. "He just waltzes back into Angela's life, gets a kiss from her, and then thinks he can bloody well take her from me! Like he's the better man!" He sat there fuming. Zack was unsure of what to say.

"I'm sorry, Hodgins," he said finally after some thinking. "What if you talked to Grayson yourself? Man to man? I'm no expert, but wouldn't talking about it with him help? Don't women like to be fought over?"

"You might actually have a point, Zack," Hodgins said, sitting up straighter. "I'll try to meet him tomorrow. Try it out."

"I hope it goes well," Zack said, nodding.

"Me too, Zack. Me too," Hodgins sighed.

London, England-Next Day

"All I'm saying," Booth said, "is that you really shouldn't." It had been a long day of work, and he just found out that Wexler had solicited Brennan for sex the moment he left the room. It even ruined the happy moment from earlier where he was given James Bond's gun from Cate.

"Shouldn't what?" Brennan asked, knowing full well what. She didn't tell Booth she had turned down the sex offer. She was curious to see his reaction.

"You know...sleep with Wexler," Booth said. "It's just another notch in his bedpost."

"Another notch in his bedpost?" Brennan repeated, amused. "Where do you get that impression?"

"It's a gut feeling," Booth replied.

"Your gut hasn't helped me very much in the past," Brennan said.

"Sure it has!" he replied enthusiastically. "It saved you from being killed by a murderer and some dogs."

"Only after you introduced me to the man who was going to do it!" Brennan shot back.

"It saved you from being buried alive," Booth continued.

"Only because Hodgins was able to text our location," Brennan answered logically.

"It saved you from Pam," Booth said.

"Stop!" Brennan said, holding her hand out. "You do NOT get points for that one."

"You're right. I take it back," Booth said quickly. "I'm sorry."

"You do not get to tell me how to live my life," Brennan said quietly. "I am very capable of making my own decisions."

"You're right. You do. I'm sorry. Go sleep with Wexler," Booth said, turning away.

"Why do you even care?" she asked.

"I don't," he answered without looking back. Brennan felt confused. He so obviously cared. Why wasn't he telling her the truth about why? Relationships were not her strong point, despite working hard on figuring them out.

"Rough night?" Cate asked as Booth exited the building.

"Were you waiting for me?" he asked, ignoring her question.

"I was waiting for Wexler, actually," she admitted. "But it seems he's been preoccupied."

"Yea," Booth snorted. He didn't want to think about with what Wexler was going to be preoccupied with.

"Want to grab a drink?" Cate asked.

"Why not?" Booth answered. He was a free man. He had no obligations. They headed towards the local bar and grill.

"So. You and Dr. Brennan," Cate began. "What's all that about?"

"We are partners, nothing more," Booth answered.

"Is that what you want?"

"It's what I have, and I'm okay with that," he said, lying.

"Liar," Cate said, smiling.

"How can you tell?"

"I see the way you look at her. I see the connection you two clearly have with one another. May I ask why nothing has happened?"

"No, you may not," Booth said firmly. "Let's talk about something else."

"Okay," Cate agreed. They ate dinner and talked and laughed. Booth felt himself loosening up around her. He did enjoy her company. After all, she was the British female version of him, and who didn't enjoy his company? He focused hard on not thinking about Brennan and what she was doing with Wexler. After a few hours, he and Cate exited the building, Cate hanging off his arm laughing.

"I really don't drink this much," she said, giggling.

"You said that already," he laughed.

"Whoa!" she yelped, catching herself after her ankle twisted.

"Hey! You all right?" Booth asked, gripping her tighter so she wouldn't fall.

"Never better," she smiled. They stopped and were looking at each other. Booth felt his stomach flip.

"So, I guess this is goodnight," he said.

"Can I ask you one thing?" she questioned.

"Sure."

"If you aren't brave enough to be with her, are you brave enough to be with me?"

Booth thought hard about this. He wasn't sure how to even respond. It turned out he didn't have to because Cate was already kissing him. His first reaction was to stop it, but instead he responded back. Brennan wasn't going to date him. He was realizing this now. Why waste this moment?

Brennan

She was sitting with Wexler at the diner waiting for it to end. She couldn't stop thinking about Booth and how short he had been with her earlier. She wanted to find him and apologize. Of course he had saved her life from Pam. Mind you, he had allowed it to happen as he started Pam on stalking him, but he did take the bullet for her. Not a lot of men did that. She doubted Ian Wexler would.

"So," Ian was saying now. "We've had our dinner. Have you re-evaluated your thoughts on going back to your place?"

"I have not," Brennan confessed. "I'm sorry, Ian. I just don't think it would be appropriate right now."

"All right," Ian sighed. "But you're missing out."

"Can't miss what you never had," Brennan said, quoting Booth. Ian winced openly.

"I won't say that didn't hurt," he said.

"Sorry. I'm not very good at this," she admitted.

"Shall I walk you to your hotel?"

"No thanks. I'll be okay." Brennan said goodbye and headed out into the night. She wondered if Booth would be at his favorite bar. They were only there a few days, and he already had a favorite bar. This made her smile. It's what she loved about Booth. He had such a zest for life. She really did need to talk to him. She was humming to herself as she walked along. Then she stopped abruptly. There he was. With Cate. They were laughing. Cate almost fell. Then Cate was kissing Booth. What was going on? Brennan felt her heart stop and shudder. He was kissing Cate. They were kissing. The scene was burning into her mind. She clutched her bag harder as if that would make it stop. She wanted to scream. Cate had no right to just throw herself at him! How dare she?! She couldn't watch anymore. Brennan spun on her heel and ran off, tears threatening to fall. She was too late. He didn't care about her. Why did she ever think he did? Why did she ever think she could have a relationship with him in the first place?

Zack

"Nice going with the 'fight over your woman' suggestion!" Hodgins spat as he came home that night. Zack was confused. Wasn't that what women wanted?

"No!" Hodgins yelled as if Zack had said it out loud. "That's not what women want!"

"I'm s-sorry," Zack stammered. "I thought it would work."

"Well, it didn't. Now she's not talking to me," Hodgins said angrily. "I hate Grayson."

"I've never met him, so I can't agree," Zack said logically.

"Just hate him because I do!" Hodgins shouted. "Do that okay?!"

"Okay," Zack said quickly. He didn't like to see his friend so worked up.

"Now what do I do? She's furious with me. He's a smug bastard. I don't know what else to do!"

"Give her space?" Zack suggested. "Although my suggestions haven't served you well so far..."

"You're right. I'm going to call her," Hodgins said, doing the opposite. He whipped out his phone. Then he changed her mind.

"What's wrong?" Zack asked.

"She was really mad. I think I'm gonna let her cool off," he replied.

"Why do they say 'cool off' anyway? Human's don't cool off unless they have hypothermia," Zack said, thinking hard. Hodgins blew his breath out impatiently.

"I don't know, Zack. It's just an expression. Can you just leave me alone? I need to think," he said. Zack left without another word. He hoped everything would solve itself very soon.

Booth

His head was spinning from last night. He was thankful his logical part of the brain took over and stopped things with Cate before they got out of control. He did like her, but he didn't want to be with her in that way. It just hadn't felt right. She had been disappointed, but he was sure she was just as relieved this morning as he was. He had picked up Brennan in his ridiculous car, and they were now attempting to parallel park. Brennan was uncharacteristically quiet.

"Everything all right?" he asked while spinning the wheel.

"Yes," she answered. "You should really watch where you're going."

"I've been doing this since I was 12 years old," he snapped. "I know what I'm doing!"

"All right."

"Thank you," he said. He hit the curb again. He growled with frustration and pulled out to try again.

"The truck!" Brennan shouted. He cursed. "Would you be less angry if I told you I went home alone last night?" She surprised herself by saying this out loud. What possessed her? She was still upset about him kissing Cate, yet here she was reassuring him she didn't have sex with Ian. It was all so confusing to her.

"No. I'm angry because of this stupid car..." He messed it up again. Cursing louder, he pulled out again.

"I should warn you," Brennan went on. "He's very intent on sleeping with me."

"Who wouldn't want to?" Booth said without thinking. "You're special. He's not." Brennan felt funny in her stomach. He thought she was special? Then why was he making out with Cate? Her phone rang just then. Cam.

"What's going on?" Cam asked, hearing Booth's cursing.

"He's trying to parallel park," Brennan explained.

"Oohh not a good idea, letting him drive," Cam agreed.

"Would you both stop?!" Booth snapped. "Cam, just shush for a minute will you? I need to focus."

"You think I'm special?" Brennan asked, not being able to help herself.

"Of course I do," Booth replied.

"I don't know what to say..."

"Don't say anything," he said. "Aw man!" He messed up his parking again.

"Curb," Brennan said sympathetically.

"It's fine," he responded.

"Not unless the tire goes flat," she said.

"It won't."

"Um, guys? If I may? Portia had Von-Hippel Lindau disease."

"VHL. Hmm. Her father must have it as it was evident her mother's reports," Brennan mused.

"What does the NHL have to do with any of this?" Booth asked.

"VHL," Brennan corrected. There was a sudden hiss, and the car dropped in the back corner.

"How?" Booth asked, sticking his head out the window.

"Thanks, Cam," Brennan said. "I think I know who Portia's real father is."

"Keep me posted!" Cam replied before hanging up.

"I hate this car," Booth said.

Zack

"Well? Have you solved the murder yet?" Zack asked. Hodgins seemed to have a lighter spring in his step today. It was a good sign.

"Yes! The butler did it," Hodgins said.

"The butler? But...he's a butler!" Zack argued.

"I know! He was protecting the reputation of his boss. Also, the son was sleeping with his half-sister! Gross right?"

"Ewww," Zack said, crinkling his nose. "I did not need to know that."

"Whatever. Anyway, good news! Angie and I are all good now. Grayson gave us the divorce!" Hodgins grinned.

"So, wedding is back on?"

"Yes! I'm going to meet her at the diner right now," Hodgins said. "I'll see you later!"

"Say hi for me!" Zack called. He sat down on the couch heavily. He really, really missed working at the lab.

London, England

Booth was watching Brennan talk with Wexler as he sipped his drink. The guy was really focused on having sex with her. Did he not realize that being so pushy was getting him nowhere? He felt afraid suddenly that Brennan might after all decide to go for it. He waited impatiently until she returned.

"No shagging tonight?" he asked.

"Booth! And no, we're not. Not that it's any of your business," she added.

"All right. Excuse me for helping you find the right guy. I'll just be mister luck instead."

"I don't believe in luck," Brennan said quickly. In her peripheral vision, she saw the London bridge going up. She opened her mouth to tell Booth when he interrupted.

"Cate made a move on me," he said. She forgot all about the bridge. She was shocked he was telling her this.

"Oh," she said. "That makes sense. So what happened?" She was not going to tell him she saw or that it cut her like a knife.

"I stopped it. Yea, it just made sense to not do that with her. I think she was pretty drunk anyway," Booth admitted.

"You are a handsome guy, Booth. It only makes sense," Brennan said logically.

"Really?" he asked. She nodded, and their eyes met. His heart began to pound slowly as he considered telling her what was on his mind. Her phone rang, cutting into the moment like a switchblade. He did notice she hesitated to answer.

"Hello? Angela! Hi," Brennan said into it. Booth waved. "Booth says hi."

He looked over at the bridge, and to his astonishment, the damn thing was up! He felt his luck levels increase. This was a sign, a very clear sign. He was going to tell her.

"Angela got her divorce," Brennan told him after hanging up.

"Good for her," Booth said absently.

"Are you okay? You seem...weird," she finished.

"I'm fine," he answered quickly. "Look, Bones..."

"Booth!" Cate called from behind him. He felt the frustration quickly.

"Yes?" he said, turning around.

"Don't think I forgot about the gun," Cate said, out of breath. She held out her hand for it.

"But it's a Walter PPK," Booth said. "I have to keep Bond's gun."

"Cough it up mister," Cate laughed. He handed it over begrudgingly.

"You look nice tonight," Brennan noticed. Cate's cheeks went a little red.

"Thank you. I have a date," she admitted. Brennan wondered if it was with Ian.

"Best of luck," Booth said, looking pointedly at Brennan.

"And to you two," Cate said, giving him the look as well.

"Luck for what?" Brennan asked once she was gone.

"Finding my lucky tie," Booth headed her off. "Shall we get going?"

"Okay." Brennan was feeling a little disappointed that he lied. He must be either very scared to tell her his feelings or he had no feelings to tell her about at all. She didn't think she could tell him either. She guessed they were at an impasse, and she wasn't sure how to get past it.