"I, with a deeper instinct, choose a man who compels my strength, who makes enormous demands on me, who does not doubt my courage or my toughness, who does not believe me naive or innocent, who has the courage to treat me like a woman." Anais Nin

Goodness

"So," Angela said, making herself at home in Brennan's office, "Where did you and Agent Hotstuff end up when you walked off into the sunset yesterday?"

Brennan quirked her eyebrow and gave her friend a quizzical look.

"After Cleo's funeral," Angela clarified, "I saw the two of you walk off. Where'd you go?"

"If you are implying that anything sexual occurred between us, I can assure you that was not the case," Brennan frowned.

"Of course it wasn't," Angela smirked.

"Nor can I ever see myself wishing it to become such," Brennan asserted.

"No, never," there was a teasing glint in the artist's eyes.

"He is arrogant, stubborn, and has the emotional maturity of an eight year-old," Brennan went on.

"An obvious contrast to your humble and compliant personality," Angela countered.

Brennan looked up at her friend for the first time, "Was that sarcasm?"

"Yes, Sweetie," Angela grinned, "Good catch."

"I am more mature than Booth," Brennan insisted.

"Bren, you're too mature," there was a hint of sadness amidst the light critique, "My ninety year-old Nana has more fun than you!"

"I can have fun," the forensic anthropologist protested.

"Wallowing in death isn't fun- well, not normal people fun," Angela shook her head, "Isn't there anything outside of science that relaxes you?"

Brennan thought for a long moment, "I enjoy writing."

"Doesn't count; you get paid for that too," Angela paused and met her friend's eye, "Look, I'm not saying it's a bad thing to love your job- because you're great at it- just don't forget that you're allowed to step away from it from time to time without feeling guilty. And don't get too down on Booth for trying to lighten things up."

Brennan nodded, but immediately said, "This entire argument is moot, as I doubt I will be interacting with Booth on a regular basis."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," Angela said, "He seemed to really appreciate your help- outside of the shooting thing, of course."

"I have a job here already," Brennan waved her arm around her office, "One which requires a significant portion of my time."

"Don't do it, Brennan," gone was the levity from Angela's voice, "Don't push this opportunity away just because you're intimidated by Booth."

"Booth does not intimidate me," Brennan scoffed.

"Of course he does, Sweetie," Angela said easily, "He accepts your expertise and welcomes your opinion, but he also challenges you, puts you in your place when you need it, and isn't intimidated when you try and push him away. Not to mention the fact that he is all man."

"I don't know what that means," Brennan shook her head, "Hodgins and Zack are men."

Angela tried and failed to contain her snort, "Zack is a boy and Hodgins- well, Hodgins is a man, but of a totally different variety from Booth. Booth's the kind of guy who makes women melt and men cower. This partnership could be very good for you- if you let it."

Brennan hesitated. The newly forged partnership was still in its infancy and could easily be severed without much injury on either side. Certainly the idea of having full participation in the FBI-assigned cases appealed to her; but she had had men double-cross her before and she wasn't altogether sure that she could trust this one any more than the rest; not to mention the fact that their personalities seemed completely contradictory of each other.

Angela took her leave with one last reminder that Booth was one of the "good guys" and Brennan should give him a chance. Upon further contemplation, Brennan decided that she would, as requested, allow Booth the opportunity to prove himself worthy of working with her. Though she still highly doubted that anything romantic would ever come of their relationship.