Disclaimer: Once again I am forced to explain that I do not own Bones, any of the characters, or anything of the sort. You'd think people would catch on by now, but no...forced to repeat this message once again.

Chapter 11

Angela screamed as Hodgins pulled her out of the room.

"Jack! He needs us! Didn't you hear him scream?" she cried. Hodgins nodded as he pulled her in for a hug. The moment his arms were around her she broke down in sobs.

"It's just...he was so strong and there for me...I need to be there for him too!" Hodgins nodded, once again, as he pulled her closer and ran his hand up and down her back. All the while, whispering soothing words in her ear.

"He's gonna be fine, Ange. He's a strong guy. He can make it through anything."

"I know that!" she cried. "But even strong guys need a little support every once and a while." She pulled away a wiped away her tears.

"I need to find Brennan," she stated. "I promised her I'd tell her if anything happened." Hodgins nodded.

"I'll come." They walked down the hallway, hand in hand, realizing that they had no clue where she was.

"Where would Hacker take her?" Hodgins asked as they stopped walking. Angela shook her head.

"You mean where would she take Hacker," she corrected. "You and I both know that if he tried to pull her somewhere, she'd fight back." He chuckled at her correction.

"Well, then let's take a look around the hospital. How about we start with the waiting room, and work our way down?"

"Okay," she agreed as her hand returned to his. They made their way down the hallway, checking every possibility of Brennan's location.

"Ange," Hodgins suddenly said. "Can I ask you a question? Not including that one of course." She laughed.

"Sure."

"Why are you so insistent that Booth and Dr. B get together? I mean, she's happy with Hacker, and as much as it pains Booth, he'd get over it eventually." Angela stopped. Hodgins followed her lead and turned towards her.

"You just don't get it Hodgie," she said.

"Then explain it to me. Booth's had several girlfriends that we've all accepted, why is it so different for Dr B?"

"Because," Angela answered. "Because you don't see the look on her face when she sees him. It's not love Jack. If anything, it's acceptance. You want to know the difference between Booth's ex's and Bren's fiancé? I'll tell you. We all knew that Booth was never in love with any of those girls. Sure, he told us he was, but you and I both know that he only said that to convince himself. The difference between them and Hacker, is that they all left. They knew their place in his life, and they accepted that they would always be second best. Hacker, on the other hand, chose to ignore what was between them. As happy as Brennan seems with him, you can tell that she doesn't love him. The way that her eyes get brighter when Booth comes around, or the way she smiles when he puts his hand on her back, or even the little annoyed look she gets on he face when he tries to prove a point. That, my good friend, is true love. I know, because it's the same way I feel around you. No guy could ever compare to that. I've accepted the fact that you're the one for me. Bren, however, has not."

"Wow," Hodgins muttered. He cleared his throat. "But Ange, you also know that Dr B doesn't do anything she doesn't want to. No one is forcing her to marry Hacker."

"She's forcing herself, Jack," Angela told him. "Did you know that before all of this happened, Booth told her?"

"What?" Hodgins asked.

"He told her Hodgie. That he wanted to be with her. That she was the one for him. That he wanted to be with her in 30, or 40, or 50 years. And do ya know what happened? She got scared. She ran like she always does. Except, this time she ran emotionally. And do you know where she ran to?"

"Hacker..." Hodgins whispered. She nodded.

"Right into his little envious arms. Face it, the guy's always been jealous of Booth. And making Booth his best man? It's just to shove the fact that he's marrying her in Booth face."

"Wow, never thought of it that way. Why doesn't Booth just say no?"

"Because Hodgie. He loves her to much to not go and support her on her wedding day. You know the kind of guy he is. You know that he wouldn't stay away if she wanted him there." Hodgins nodded as he put his arm around her waist and began moving once again. Caught up in the moment, they'd both forgotten why they'd left Booth's room in the first place. She leaned into him slightly as they made their way down the hallway. Hodgins cleared his throat.

"So where do you think they'd go?" She shook her head.

"I don't know. She looked a little pale, and shaky. Do you think he'd take her to get some food?" she asked.

"Maybe," Hodgins answered. "But she wouldn't leave the hospital. So let's go check the cafeteria, maybe we'll get lucky." They passed through the waiting room and headed towards the elevators. The walk to the elevator was quiet, as neither knew what to say. They stood still as they waited for the doors to open. Though they were surrounded by silence, it was in no way awkward. It was just what they needed. The doors opened and they moved into the enclosed space. Angela watched as Hodgins pushed the button to take them to the floor with the cafeteria. She sighed as she leaned against the wall. She closed her eyes and let the feeling of the elevator lowering soothe her. She heard a ding and the doors opening. She didn't move.

"Ange?" Hodgins asked. She pushed off the wall and exited the elevator. She felt someone grab her hand to stop her.

"Angela, listen. I know you want Dr B with Booth, but that doesn't mean you have to go all silent on us." She shook her head.

"I'm worried Hodgie," she explained. "Booth's always been the big, tough guy. The protector of the Jeffersonian. Seeing him struggle, and scream in the bed just then, it made me think. He just looked so helpless, and hurt. I hated it."

"I did too Angie. Whether he knows it or not, Booth's one of my best friends. I hate seeing the guy like this, but I know that he's going to make it. He's got to much to live for. He's not going to let it all go." She nodded.

"Let's go get Bren." Hodgins sighed as they walked away once again. They made their way through the halls towards the cafeteria. As they entered the room, they kept a tight grip on the other. Inside, hundreds of people sat at the numerous tables placed throughout the room. Angela and Hodgins glanced through the room, looking for the slightest sign the Brennan was there.

"Jack!" Angela exclaimed. He turned.

"What's up Angie? Did you find her?" His question was met with her pointing over towards the far left corner. He focussed on the selected area. He could make out Hacker talking to someone. Hodgins moved slightly to the left to get a view of who he was speaking to. It was Dr B. Hodgins smiled.

"Let's go get her Ange," he said. She followed wordlessly. The made their way through the crowd towards the corner.

"Ya know, I didn't think that this many people liked hospital food." She chuckled as they struggled to get past a rather obese man who was taking up the path. Hodgins sighed.

"Let's try another way," Angela suggested as she pulled him towards an open space. They laughed as they attempted to get through the maze better known as 'The Cafeteria'. They had almost reached the table when Angela pulled him down at one of the tables. As he sat down, he watched Angela lean towards Dr B and Hacker.

"Ange, what.."

"Shh..." she whispered. "Listen." He leaned over towards her and strained to hear bits of the conversation that had Angela grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"It's not me," he heard Dr B say. "It's you."

"Whoa, Temperance, let me stop you there."

"But I wasn't done."

"First of all, the phrase is 'it's not you, it's me'."

"But it had nothing to do with me."

"That's not the point. The point is that you're breaking off the engagement in the middle of a hospital cafeteria, and I for one would like to know why."

"It's quite simple. The emotion of love has recently been explained to me, and I have realized that I possessed none of the typical feelings towards you."

"But you're not typical. I love you! I mean, I drove to Williamsburg because you told me you were in the hospital..."

"I told you no such thing Andrew. I merely stated that I was at the hospital. I never told you that I was injured or gaining treatment. You made those assumptions all by yourself."

"Guess when they say you should never assume, they're right. Listen, Tempe, if you're going to leave me, at least tell me why."

"I already did. I possess none of..."

"No Tempe. Something had to change your mind. Something had to happen. Just tell me, and I'll leave."

"I've recently discovered that I possess the wish to attempt a sexual relationship, as well as a professional one, with Booth." This caused Hodgins and Angela to smile. They heard a sigh.

"I should have known. That man always has put everyone else's happiness before his own. Congratulations Tempe. I hope you two are happy together."

"Wait, so you aren't going to fire Booth because I chose him over you?"

"No. I just want you to be happy. However, I would like you to tell him that I wish you two the best. Also, tell him he's a lucky man to be able to own your heart. I envy him." They heard the chairs moving and the sound of a kiss being placed on a cheek.

"What are you still doing here Tempe? Go tell Booth how you feel. I'm going to finish my lunch and go home. I'll be all packed up and gone by the time you get back."

"I'm sorry Andrew."

"Me too." They heard footsteps come towards them and quickly looked down, hoping to shield their faces. They watched Brennan pass through the crowd, determined to go tell Booth she'd chosen him. Angela and Hodgins sat there in contentment. At that moment, nothing could ruin their happiness. As they got up from their seats and began to head back towards Booth's room, they could hear Hacker swearing behind them. It didn't matter. All that mattered was that things were looking up. That was all they could ask for.

Author's Note

Here ya go people! Hope you enjoyed it. One or two more chapters. If I do two, then the second will be an epilogue. Tell me if you guys want that. If so, I have ideas. I hope you enjoyed this. Thanks for those of you who continue to read and review. You have no clue how much I love to read your opinions on the chapters I've written. Thanks for everything! I'll try and post ASAP. By the way, I've taken some of the reviews into account. So if you have any ideas you feel would help wrap this story up, then feel free to tell me and I'll try to include them.