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Here we go, the next chapter is ready.

Under cover(s) – 15

Angela poured down water, then looked at her friend and sighed inwardly. She loved Brennan like a sister, but sometimes she had to fight the urge to yell at her.

"Okay. Here is my take on this." Angela said, her gaze fixed on the forensic anthropologist's eyes.

"Booth wants you." Brennan blinked at Angela's blunt words and shook her head. "No, haven't you been listening to what I …"

Angela raised one finger at her best friend. "Ah-ah. I talk, you listen. No interruptions. You promised."

Brennan's mouth closed slowly. Angela watched her take in a deep breath and nod.

Satisfied, the artist continued. "I think, that Booth wants you very much, Bren. But the most important thing for him is, to make sure you're comfortable, that you're happy. And he thinks you're comfortable with your friendship, so that's why he doesn't …. put the moves on you. He's done so many wonderful things for you, things a man doesn't do for just ANY woman. You don't see it, Sweetie, but I sometimes catch him watching you, smiling. Awfully sweet, really. And not the kind of smile FBI agents reserve for partners, Bren."

Angela took in another deep breath. She saw that her best friend was frowning at her, clearly trying to process what Angela had told her… and obviously not ready to believe a single word of it.

"And now there is this case. You pretend to be Roxy and Tony. And I know you're pretty comfortable with playing a role. But, Sweetie, by suggesting having sex to be more credible you put Booth into a very uncomfortable situation. I'm sure he wants you very much, but not like that. You said that Booth said… he wants to close the case but not at any cost, right?" The artist asked her friend who mutely nodded, eyes wide.

"I can't see in Booth's head, Sweetie, but I'm pretty sure about this, so … I think he doesn't want just sex. And you reduced it to exactly that. That's the problem. He thinks you just want to sleep with him to solve this case. That's why he said no. If he had no feelings for you, Sweetie, he would have said yes." Angela gave her friend an intense look. "Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

Brennan moistened her lips and nodded slowly. "You're implying Booth might have romantical feelings for me."

"Exactly." Angela gave her best friend a relieved smile. "That's why he doesn't want a little heat between the sheets to solve a case, Sweetie. He wants the real deal, or nothing. Booth is a very honorable and patient man. He'd rather stay your friend forever than risk losing you."

Brennan frowned again. "That can't be right."

"Sweetie… why do you think you don't deserve to be loved?" Angela asked gently.

"What?" Temperance Brennan looked up in surprise. "That's…"

"The truth and we both know it. You just can't understand that somebody might love you for what and who you are. And Booth does. That's why he doesn't want to have sex with Roxy, Bren. He wants you. Not because of a case, but because of who you are." Angela stared at her best friend, willing her to understand.

"But.. no, Angela. We're just partners. We're friends. And Booth…" The scientist stumbled over her own words, disbelief etched in her face. "You're wrong."

"You promised to think about it. You'll have to let it sink in, Bren. Just … think of all the things Booth did for you. Try to look at it from an anthropological viewpoint, if that makes it easier for you…. Are you really, one hundred percent convinced that Booth did all of this out of friendship? His gifts, his concern….are those symbols for friendship? He's always there for you, when you need him, isn't he? He spends most of his time with you. Why?"

"Because we're partners. And friends." Brennan said. "He… he drew a line!" She nearly yelled it.

"When?" Angela asked.

"After… after Epps. He told me that people in high-risk jobs shouldn't be in relationships." Brennan's voice was flat.

"After Epps." Angela nodded. "Figures. Cam nearly died and Epps even had his creepy fingers on Parker. Do you really think he was thinking straight at that time, Bren? I mean, he shot a clown a few days later."

Brennan let out a shaky breath. "It wasn't a real clown. He shot the clown speaker on an ice cream truck." She automatically corrected.

"I know. That's not something he'd usually do, right?" Angela asked again.

"No, of course not. He… was under stress." Brennan defended him immediately.

"Damn right. And people say and do things they usually wouldn't if under stress."

The artist took her best friend's hand in her own. "When he told you about that line, Sweetie…. he was in shock. Cam nearly died and though he doesn't love her, she means a lot to him. Parker was in danger. You can't honestly believe Booth was thinking coherently at that time. And yesterday? I'm sure, he didn't mean to say that he doesn't want you, Bren. He meant he doesn't want you like THAT. Not just sex. Booth wants to be the ONE man in your life, do you understand? The one. Not….one of many."

She saw it. The moment when the forensic anthropologist started to really THINK about what she'd been telling her instead of simply dismissing it.

"You think about it?" Angela asked. Brennan mutely nodded.

"Good. If you have questions, call me, okay?" Angela rose.

"You're leaving?" Brennan asked, almost shocked.

"Yeah. I told you what I needed to tell you. Now you've got to let it sink in. That's something you have to do on your own. Just….try to feel. And accept that people do love you, Sweetie." She winked at the somewhat panicked expression on Brennan's face.

"But.. but…" The forensic anthropologist actually stuttered. "What should I do now?"

"You were hurting. I think Booth is too. I think… you could fix it. If you want to. But that's your decision." Angela said, a smile on her face. "Have a great evening, Sweetie… and remember to call me, if you need to talk to me. Later." She waved and left the office.

Left a stunned, speechless and confused Temperance Brennan sitting on her couch.

Hah. Girl talk is over. Now what do you think is Brennan going to do? Was Ange in character?

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