CHAPTER. Chapter 7. Picking and Choosing

DISCLAIMER. There are many things I own, but Bones is not one of them. All characters belongs to Kathy Reichs, Hart Hanson and FOX.

Friends can be annoying, but they are like that because they love you.
I have realized that when it comes to my two best friends,
Angela Montenegro and Seeley Booth.
I love you guys.
With all my heart.

Okay, maybe I am a little annoying too sometimes. But I can't help it. They rubbed off on me throughout the years with their massive shopping sprees and the 'Dr. Temperance Brennan can't have a gun' policy. Though, most of the time, it's the 'Brennan (Bones), you have to eat!' speech or the 'Bones (Brennan), what are you still doing here at 9 o'clock at night?! Go home or go out and have some fun!' speech that I hear over and over again.

Okay, maybe I am very annoying at times, as Booth describes me. His official description? Bossy. Irritating. Pushy. Over-scientific. Is that even a word? Squinty. Frustrating to work with. Independent. Kick-ass. He added some more terms a few weeks ago, which probably makes everything he said in the past better. Strong. Determined. Affectionate. Loveable. Beautiful. Hehe. He called me beautiful.

As for Angela, she's just the best friend I can ever have. She has always been there for me, even when I am the biggest pain-in-the-ass. She has always been the one who forced me to have fun and learn to do more than just work my butt off for countless hours.

Anyhow, if it weren't for them, I would still be the lonely, boring, old self I was ten years ago. I wouldn't have any friends or family, and have just my job with a place to live. And that I am grateful for.

I was trying to get ready for Angela to pick me up to go shopping with her. I went to my closet and decided on what to wear.

Red? Orange? Yellow? Green? Blue? Purple? Black? White? Grey? Brown? Pink? What colour should I wear?

A dress? A skirt and top? Shirt and pants? What exactly should I wear?

I puffed out a breath of frustration.

Just then Booth walked by and spotted me holding a mask of frustration over my face.

"What's wrong, honey?" He came over and wrapped his arms around my waist, pressing my back to his chest.

"You know I don't like being called honey."

"Fine, sugar plum," he said with a smirk.

I gently jabbed him in the stomach with my elbow. "Stop calling me stuff other than Bones, Temperance, Brennan, Temperance Brennan or Dr. Temperance Brennan."

"Oh. So now you like me calling you Bones?" Curious.

"No, I've gotten used to it, after you kept calling me Bones for four years. I just gave up after the first two weeks we were partners." I shrugged. "Anything is better than those sugary treats you keep naming me after."

"Okay, pumpkin," he smirked again.

"Booth!" I slapped him gently on his arm. "Stop calling me weird names! And I need to figure out what to wear!"

"They're not weird. People have been using them for a while now. And is that what you were frustrated about? What to wear to the mall?"

"Yes. It's hard to choose what to wear. Pick an article of clothing. Skirt. Dress. Shirt and pants."

"Dress. You look beautiful in dresses. Not to mention, sexy." He placed a kiss behind my ear.

"Okay. Dark colours or light colours?" I said, looking at the dresses.

"Light colours. It's sunny outside." Another kiss, but on the side of my neck.

I walked over to the dresses with his arms still wrapped around me, and pulled out three sundresses. "Okay. White, yellow or light pink?" I held them up for him to see.

"White. You look like an angel then." He placed a kiss on my shoulder.

"Okay. Thank-you." I hung the other two sundresses back up. "Now, let go of me and get out, so I can change without you kissing me everywhere." I smiled.

"Fine." He unwrapped his arms from my waist, gave me a kiss on the cheek, then left the closet.

At approximately one-thirty, like Angela had said, she arrived at my apartment with a ring of a doorbell.

"Hey Angela," I greeted.

"Hey Sweetie. Looking very nice, as always. And where is Mr. FBI-candy?"

"He's--"

"Hi Angela. Looking great by the way," Booth said, cutting me off, as he came to the door.

"Thanks Booth. Now, let me steal your girlfriend for a few hours. Okay?"

"Yeah. Okay. Have fun you two." He gave me a quick peck on the lips, before I grabbed my purse and left with Angela.

"So, how was it?" Angela said, glancing at Brennan, while keeping an eye on the road.

"I don't know what you are talking about. How was what? You need to make yourself clearer Angela." I gestured with my left hand.

"You know what I am talking about. The sex with Booth. How was it?"

"Angela, you know I like to keep sex details personal." I paused.

Should I just tell her if it was good enough? Hm. Why not?

"And if you must know, it was amazing." I sighed the last word.

"I knew it! He obviously had to be good. I mean, he's Booth." She replied, stating the obvious.

I laughed. Oh Angela, you don't know how good he is. I smiled to myself as I looked out the window.

At the mall, Angela pushed me straight to a swimwear store. I didn't exactly understand the need for me to buy another one. I mean, I already had a swimsuit that fit perfectly fine. It was in a colour I prefered and looked fairly well structured. So why? Why was it important for me to buy another one?

"Angela, why do I need another swimming suit? I already have one."

"'Cause Sweetie. The one you have at home is not a bikini. Since you are with Booth now, you need to show some skin." She replied, looking through a selection of bikinis.

I turned to look at her. "Why? He can see my skin when we have sex. Why does he need to see it now?"

"You'll understand when you wear one. There is no point for me to explain now." She pulled out a black string bikini. "Ooh! This one is perfect for you! You have to try it on!" Angela pushed it at me to try.

"No! It shows too much. Besides, Parker is coming. Isn't that a bit inappropriate?" I replied and pushed it back at Angela.

"No, it's appropriate. Just try it on."

Angela shoved me towards the changing room and handed me the bikini.

I sighed. There is no way to change Angela's mind when she is confident about something.

"Fine. I'll try it," I sighed, before getting into a stall.

I slipped off my sundress, leaving my panties and bra on. I slipped on the bikini and faced the mirror. I adjusted the straps and looked at the mirror.

"Hmm..the bikini does look pretty good..." I said to myself. "Angela didn't choose wrong."

I struck a few poses for a bit of fun. I did a little turn around to check out the back side. "I wonder what Booth would think..." I pondered for a while.

I could imagine the feel of his hands roaming my bare skin around my stomach, waist and back. His hands were so soft and gentle.

How did he make me feel this way when we are apart?

Then, there was a knock on the stall door.

"Sweetie, you OK in there? You've been in there for a while." I heard Angela's voice call.

How long have I been in here?

"Sorry Ang. I was thinking about something. I'll be out in a sec," I replied, as I began stripping out of the bikini and putting back my sundress on.

After two minutes, I came out of the stall and strolled out to where Angela was waiting.

"Did it fit? Do you like it? Are you going to buy it?" Angela said at a non-human speed.

"Um. Yes. Yes. Um..yes." I hesitated the last 'yes'.

A small squeal escaped Angela's lips. "Good! Booth will love it! Promise me you'll wear it tomorrow."

"Yes Angela." I laughed at her exclamation.

Of course I will. I wonder how Booth will react?

My free gift to you: An invitation to the Hodgela barbecue.
Reviews?: Will ensure that they will have a good time?