Note: Under the wire, this one is. And only one serial killer in it. Well, maybe two, depending on how you count.

What if: Pelant hadn't stopped Booth and Brennan from getting married

AU? Yes

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"Can your dad babysit on Friday?"

Brennan looked up from her computer and turned her attention to her best friend. "Why would my dad need to babysit on Friday?"

Angela walked in and leaned on the desk. "Girl's night."

Brennan frowned at her. "I'm getting married on Saturday. I assumed Booth and I would have a quiet evening at home."

Angela shook her head. "Oh no, Bren. Booth is going out with Hodgins, you're coming out with me, and then you're going to stay at my place. It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding."

"That's ridiculous."

"That's tradition. You don't want to mess with tradition, do you?"

"In some cultures …."

"No." Angela's hands went to her hips, and she leaned forward, eyes locked on Brennan's. "This isn't about some cultures. This is about our culture, and it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding. Not to mention that if you bail on girl's night, you're going to get married with an extremely annoyed maid of honor."

"But …."

"Girl's night. Friday. Get a sitter."

Angela turned and walked out of the office.

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The bathroom door swung shut behind her and Brennan paused to look over the club before she rejoined the group.

Daisy was on the dance floor, dancing inappropriately close to some man she'd just met. Cam was at the bar, looking far more unapproachable than usual. Angela was dancing with a group of people that includedAmy, both of them looking like they were enjoying themselves.

Brennan took a deep breath and prepared to join the crowd again. She'd only take two steps when her cell phone vibrated in her pocket.

Relieved, she ducked back into the hallway to answer it.

"Bones?"

"Booth! Are you having a good time with Hodgins and the squinterns?"

She could hear him chuckle. "Let's just say there's a reason we don't do this more often. Are you having fun?"

"Not really", she answered. "I would have preferred our quiet evening at home."

"Yeah … look, Bones, they found a body."

"We're on vacation, Booth."

He sighed. "I know, but … it looks like one of Epps's."

"That's not surprising", she mused. "He was a serial killer, it's entirely possible we didn't find all of his victims."

"It's recent."

There was silence for a moment before Brennan replied. "But Epps is dead. We were there when he died."

"Well, someone seems interested in making it look like he's not. Want to check it out?"

"Of course. I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation."

"I hope so. Meet me out front in 5."

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"Where's Bren?"

Cam swiveled around to look at Angela. "Have you checked the restroom?"

"Yes. She's not there, and I don't see her here."

Daisy arrived, laughing. "I'm having such a good time! We should do this more often!" She noticed their concerned expressions and immediately became more serious. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes", Cam answered. "We can't find Dr. Brennan."

"Oh! I was supposed to tell you! She left."

"Where did she go?"

Daisy shrugged. "She didn't say. She just said to have a good time and she'd see you tomorrow."

"She's with Booth", Angela stated. "I am so going to work that story about Brennan getting high after starting a bar fight into my toast."

"Bar fight?", Cam asked.

"You'll hear it tomorrow", Angela answered.

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Brennan completed her preliminary examination and stood, groaning as her body protested. Her hands went to the small of her back and she started to walk, working out the kinks in her sore muscles.

Booth fell into step beside her. "Verdict?"

"I'll need to get her back to the lab, but it's definitely a copy cat."

Booth clapped his hands, drawing the attention of the techs clustered around the body. "Body, particulates, everything about this one goes straight to the Jeffersonian." He put his hand at the small of Brennan's back and guided her to the vehicle. "Come on, Bones, we have a wedding to get to."

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The pews were filled with family and friends. The organist was playing soothing music. The wedding party was gathered at the back of the church.

Well, everyone except the bride and groom.

"Where are they?", Sweets hissed.

"Brennan said they were on their way", Angela answered.

"They'll be here", Cam said.

Red and blue lights flashed into the atrium as a black SUV pulled up, parking illegally in front of the church. The music changed to the processional song they'd chosen, and Booth and Brennan rushed through the door.

"I believe you're supposed to start now", Brennan said, looking over the assembled group.

"Go", Booth added. "We're here", and Cam and Hodgins started walking down the aisle.

When they were halfway to the front, Angela was forced to stop the hissed lecture she was giving Brennan to take Sweets's arm.

As Sweets and Angela reached the halfway mark, Booth held out his arm to Brennan. "Shall we?"

She smiled and placed her hand on his arm. "We shall."

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Thoughts?