Hi sweeties. I hope some of you read the author's note I put up at Coming Home. Didn't want to bump up all my stories with author's notes, that didn't seem right…
So in case you didn't read it: I was freaking busy these past months. Busy with work, busy with family. Just busy in general. But now it looks as if things would be calming down a little. No business trips scheduled in the near future, so that's a big relief.
I hope to be able to write + update more regularly from now on. Big hug to all of you, my wonderful and patient readers!!!
Thank you for all the reviews… you may know that I usually take the time to answer them all, but now I'd rather write another update and do the answering-thingy later. Hope you agree.
BTW, I just noticed that I changed the name of Matilda to Maureen somewhere. How odd. What's wrong with me? She's Matilda! I'm going to go back and correct this mistake as soon as I have the time.
Under cover(s) – 26
"So it happened." A female voice from behind her startled Angela and she nearly dropped the file she had been reading in. There were not many people at the lab, mainly because it was nearly lunchtime on a Sunday. She turned around and found herself confronted with Camille Saroyan's inquiring gaze. "What happened?" The artist frowned a little.
"Brennan and Booth." Cam smiled.
Angela arched an eyebrow at her boss. "What are you talking about?"
Cam chuckled. "Please. Look at her. She looks awfully happy, don't you agree? And I know Seeley wasn't at home this morning. I called him, but only the answering machine picked up. When he picked up his cell phone I heard her voice in the background. Plus, Seeley didn't know about Cullen's request for our team to work week-ends until this case is closed. I suppose it's logical, though… since they're going to meet the Sinners on Fridays we'll most likely get new facts on weekends. But Booth didn't even know about it… obviously he didn't report in very early today."
"It's Sunday. And since somebody followed them Friday night it might be safer to keep up the appearance of the married couple even if there's nobody watching." Angela tried to explain why Booth had been staying with Brennan.
Cam's eyes narrowed a little. "Evasion? From you?" She blinked. "Is it a secret, or what?"
Angela sighed. Cam was far too perceptive not to notice the things that were going on right in front of her. And it really wasn't Angela's usual modus operandi to avoid talking about juicy details. "Don't mention it, please. Booth wants the case closed before it becomes common knowledge."
Dr. Saroyan considered the artists words for a few moments, then nodded slowly. "But I was right. They finally stopped to act ignorant and started being serious, right? What a relief."
Angela stifled a grin. "It was a bit like in a Greek tragedy, huh?"
"Damn right. And my role in it had potential to end up less than flattering." Cam mirrored Angela's grin. "Fine. I'll be good and won't say a word. Just a little more incentive to solve this case sooner." She winked. "I plan to tease Seeley relentlessly."
"I have a notion he won't really care." Angela turned serious. "They're perfect for each other."
Cam nodded. "I know. It took me some time to understand their relationship, but now I do. They just complement each other."
"Yeah. Yeah, they do." Angela nodded and gave the other woman an asserting glance. "Jealous?"
"Of her for ending up with Booth?" Cam shook her head. "No. Seeley and I were never meant for each other. But jealous of that kind of relationship?" She let out a deep sigh. "Very much." The two women gave each other an understanding look.
"I know what you mean." Angela whispered, her eyes trailing to her former fiancé on the other side of the lab.
"It's actually none of my business but…. I think if you want him back so much you should probably tell him." Dr. Saroyan said softly.
"I should. Probably. But then maybe he says 'no way in hell would I want you back'. What should I do then?" Angela shook her head. "No.. I think I still need more time." She snorted. "And to think that I of all people am giving Brennan advice about how to admit to her feelings."
"You're a good friend to her. It was past time for the two of them to get together. If you ignore your chances too often, they might not offer themselves anymore." With that not-so veiled piece of advice Dr. Saroyan marched off and left Angela behind. She blinked and watched her best friend through the big window of her office.
Brennan was concentrating on something on the computer screen in front of her, the slight frown evident of how much she was immersed in her work. But underneath this there was something new, something changed. A Temperance Brennan that seemed very much in tune with herself and the world around her.
And Angela realised that this might be the very first time she had seen Brennan so at ease and content. As if somebody had handed her the missing piece of the puzzle that was her soul. Angela shook her head at that colourful thought. "Don't be melodramatic." She ordered herself. Temperance Brennan had enjoyed a night of great sex with the man she loved. Anybody would feel and look satisfied after that.
And Angela still remembered how it had been like to go to work with that satisfied smile on her lips. Her gaze strayed to the man who had spent many exciting hours with her… at her home, his home …even here at work. He had made her happy. And she hoped she had returned the favor. But somehow they had let it slip away. She closed her eyes, thinking back how great they had been together. If only she had the guts to tell Jack that she still loved him.
"Day-dreaming?" She shrieked as Jack's voice startled her out of her trip down memory lane and jumped.
Somehow he had put the maybe one or two minutes she had been standing here with her eyes closed to good use. He had come all the way from the other side of the lab and was now standing in front of her, his hands extended towards her to steady her if need be.
"Don't sneak up on me like that." She panted, a little shocked that the subject of her reminiscing was now standing in front her, an almost concerned look on his face. His blue eyes held her gaze. "You okay?"
"Yeah. Fine. I… was thinking." Angela explained and gave him a quick smile. "I have to talk to Bren."
She hurried towards her best friends office and left a bewildered Hodgins staring after her. "Women." He muttered and went back to work.
Angela breezed into Brennan's office, effectively interrupting her work. Brennan took in her appearance and frowned. "What's wrong, Ange?"
"Why do you think something has to be wrong?" The artist asked.
"You seem to be either very excited or panicked. Your pupils are dilated, your face is a little flushed and you…." Angela interrupted her. "Please don't tell me I smell of cold sweat or something like that. Once was enough. Okay…. You're right. Something's wrong. I need advice, Sweetie."
Brennan just stared at her.
"From you." Angela added meaningful.
"I'll try to provide advice, but you know how horrible I am at this." The forensic anthropologist answered hesitantly.
Angela waved her words off. "Listen. Here it goes. I still love Jack."
"Okay." Brennan commented, unsure what to say.
"But I don't know what to do. I want to tell him and be happy with him again. But real life is not a fairy tale and he might say no. So, what should I do?" Angela gave Brennan a helpless look.
The other woman shifted uncomfortably. "Do you really think I have some kind of expertise to base my advice on?"
"Which one of us is the one in a happy relationship?" Angela asked.
"A day hardly qualifies as relationship." Brennan objected.
"Please, Bren. This between Booth and you has been a relationship alright. You just kept it sex-less for very long. Besides, I need my best friend." The pleading note in her voice did it.
Brennan bit her bottom lip for a moment. "Booth and I just spent years trying not to risk our friendship by acknowledging that there was more between us. Looking back now I think we wasted a lot of time. Time we could have put to better use. If you have a chance to be happy…. You should probably take it."
Temperance Brennan watched her best friend take it in. "But he might say no." Angela whispered.
"Yes." Brennan nodded. "But he also might wonder about the same things you do." She paused. " You told me Booth was watching me sometimes." Angela nodded. "Jack is watching you."
"With a homicidal look on his face?" Angela guessed.
Brennan shook her head. "Smiling." She corrected.
"That… sounds as if I actually… maybe, maybe could have a chance." The artist admitted hesitantly, loosening her tight grip on the file she'd been clutching to her chest. She hesitated, then smiled at the other woman behind the desk. "Thank you, Sweetie."
"It helped? I did not… screw up?" Brennan asked. Angela shook her head. "No. You're pretty good best friend material, Bren. Thanks." And as fast as she had hurried into Brennan's office moments earlier, she breezed out again. Brennan stared after her for a moment, then smiled a little and went back to work.
Sooooo. A little bit about Angela and Jack and Cam thrown in too. The next chapter should give us a few new things about the case and maybe an appearance of Cullen again.
A virtual hug to all of you! Thank you for reading. Reviews would be great.