A/N Thanks for all those still reading this (and probably wondering WHEN will she explain why Booth's mom did what she did?) I've actually started working on that chapter a little, but I there will be some other conversations and help first. I figure Booth (and I) both want to get other stuff cleared up and out of the way-as well as make sure he's in the right frame of mind to really listen to what she has to say. No, I don't plan to get in 100 chapters or something before we get there-I promise.

Also, I'm mentioning cases, but I'm not going into any detail. (Booth and Brennan do work for a living, after all.) This isn't a case fic, but I want to get Booth to the lab to talk to certain people. And since we know how he feels about the lab, his love for Brennan notwithstanding….

I don't own Bones, but we all knew that.

I walked into the lab-and discovered total pandemonium. I could hear Cam very close to shouting, and interns were scattered all over the place-it looked like they were all trying to hide.

I made my way to Bones office to see Angela, Hodgins, and Bones sitting on her couch.

"What the hell?" I gestured to the chaos outside. "I come here to get results-Angela said she had the facial reconstruction and Hodgins mentioned bugs with some name I can't pronounce to save my life and I walk into-into-"

"Yeah." Angela piped up. "Daisy decided to 'help' Hodgins with some bugs he was dealing with, and well-"

Hodgins exploded. "She dropped the damn container. After she decided to had to ask Cam a question about her review. Right then. She placed it on the corner of the autopsy table-then apparently forgot that. I went to see Angela for a minute, heard screaming, then-" he shrugged. "As far as I can tell she was going to leave and ended up knocking off the container."

I coughed, trying not to laugh. "Uh, shouldn't you be-I don't know-picking them up or something?"

"That," Bones said, "is being relegated to Ms. Wick" She shook her head. "Ms. Wick can be an extremely capable scientist, but I fear that she is very often too prone to distractions. Really, she should have known better."

I agreed. "And the reason you three are hiding out here, is-?"

Angela pointed. "Would you be out there if you didn't have to be?"

"Good point. But at the risk of jeopardizing life and limb by facing either Cam or Daisy, I do need the info you guys called me about."

"Gotcha." Angela stood up. "We can hide in my office as well as here."

After Angela had gone through her reconstruction, and Hodgins had given me more information about where the victim had likely been before he died (and after I reminded him I needed the terms in English, thank you very much.), I called the office to have them check on the victim-whatever information they had, as soon as they had it. After I hung up, my phone rang.

"Booth."

"Seeley." My mom.

I let out a breath. "Mom." I could feel everyone else's eyes turn in my direction. "What's up?"

"I was hoping we could have lunch sometime this week. Talk a little more. I know you have some more questions. I can't promise I can answer Temperance's question right away. It's not something I've allowed myself to think about for years. But you must have other questions. And I will answer what I can-and hopefully in a way that makes sense to both of us."

"Let me think about it. Bones' question is important though. You have to realize that I'm probably not really going to be able to deal with this like I need to without that answer."

"I know," she whispered.

I sighed. "Look I can't really get into this now. Let me call you later and we can schedule lunch or something."

We said goodbye and disconnected. After putting the phone back in my pocket, I looked up to see the expressions of my friends-which included Cam, who had walked in.

"Your mom, Seeley?" Cam raised an eyebrow at me. "Based on what I've heard, things weren't going so well on that front."

"Yeah, well, we've been talking to try and fix that Camille."

She rolled her eyes at me. "I want details on this later. You know that, right?"

I nodded. "I got it, believe me."

Cam turned to Bones. "I've already read Daisy the riot act, but she's your intern. I'd appreciate it if you talk to her as well. Since she practically idolizes you, I think it would mean more coming from you."

Bones nodded. "I believe you are correct. " Then she and Cam left-no doubt both going to tackle Daisy Wick. Which left me with Angela and Hodgins.

I turned and said, "Ok-ask what you're going to ask."

Hodgins lifted in hands in mock surrender. "Hey man, if you don't want to talk about it, that's cool."

I shook my head. "No it's fine. I know you guys are concerned. Max said you guys had called. Thanks, by the way."

Angela came over and put her hand on my arm. "We love all of you-Brennan, you, and Christine. We're worried about you that's all. I can only imagine how stressful this whole thing must be. We just wanted you to know you have friends to help you get through it."

"Yeah," Hodgins piped up. "I know when we first met and started working together, we didn't get along-"

"Yeah, being referred to as a government stooge will do that."

"-but I like to think we're friends now. You never gave up when Dr. B. and I were buried by the Gravedigger and God knows you were supportive during all my romantic pitfalls with Angela and proposing. So as a friend if you need anything-to talk, get drunk, whatever, I'm around."

Angela rolled her eyes. "Yeah, the guys' solution to the world's problems, go get drunk."

"Hey, it either works, or at least makes the problem go away for a while. Nothing wrong with that." His smile faded. "Seriously, though, if you need an ear or just a place to hide out from the whole thing, just let me know. And I know, Ang," he said, turning to his wife., "that you want him to talk it all out. I agree, but you know sometimes a person just needs to shut up and listen to what's going on inside. All I'm saying."

"That's actually-very profound, babe." She beamed and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Hey I have my moments."

"Yes you do."

"And," I interrupted, "if the two of you are going to make out, I'm leaving."

Hodgins turned back to me. "No, we'll wait on that."

"TMI, Hodgins. Definitely TMI."

Hodgins face suddenly got as serious as I had ever seen him. "All I'm trying to say-and probably saying badly-is that I wanted you to know you've got friends here that care about you. And not just because of Dr. B.-we care about you. We're on your side on this. I haven't heard your mom's side of much, but to me it doesn't really matter. You're my friend. She's not. And I've got your back on this, for whatever that's worth to you."

I studied Hodgins for a second. Remembering, for a minute, how antagonistic the two of us had been when we first met. Remembered his conspiracy theories, his complete disdain for me, my job, my military history. I remembered how, during the case with Charles Kent when we exhumed Kent's body, how Hodgins had said he was sorry. A small thing to most people, maybe, but given the history between the two of us, a major step forward-a sort of bridge. I remembered everything Bones had filled me in on when I had been kidnapped by the Gravedigger. All of it leading to this point-to two completely different kinds of people becoming friends.

"It's worth a lot Hodgins. And I appreciate it. It's just going to take a lot of hard explanations and time. I'm just pretty pissed off at my mom for the moment. We've talked some, and everyone's been ready to offer advice, but until Mom is ready and willing to answer the hard questions, I don't know how much it's helping."

"Ang said you went to see your grandpa on part of your vacation. Did he have anything to tell you?"

"Some, but some of what he said raised more questions. He came back with me and Bones to try to help me get answers though. So we'll see."

"Hank came back with you?" Angela smiled. "You should bring him to the lab. I'd love to see him."

"Will there be any more loose bugs running around? Because I have to tell you-"

"No, no," Hodgins said. "I'll tell Cam to make sure Daisy stays away from anything in my office. And the other interns don't generally want to have anything to with the bugs. I don't know why. I mean they're fascinating-"

"Uh, Sweetie? Angela chimed in. "I love you, and to you they're fascinating, but most people just think they're gross. That's why they don't bother you about that stuff."

"Speaking of the bugs, Dr. Hodgins," Cam's voice broke in from the doorway. "Daisy has finished-collecting- all of them. I had her put the container back in your office. And then I sent her to Limbo. Hopefully she won't do any damage there."

"She's forbidden from going in my office right? I mean I could have-"

"I couldn't prevent from ever going in there. But she knows she better have a damn good reason for entering-and never without you there. That'll have to do."

"Fine." Hodgins scowled and headed for the door. "I'm just going to check-" He paused. "Sorry, man," he said, turning back to me. "if you need-"

"No problem, Bug-Boy. Go ahead and check on your 'friends' ."

"I did mean what I said earlier. About having your back. Also about getting drunk."

I laughed. "Good to know."

I love the Booth/Hodgins friendship-if only because it's one of the most unlikely. A by-the-book, straight arrow, former military man turned FBI agent, and the paranoid conspiracy theorist. I just had to fit Hodgins in. Also wanted to get Cam in as being aware of the situation. The two have been friends since before either one became involved with the Jeffersonian, so it would make sense for her to know-and want to help. A couple of chapters ago, I had Booth refer to 'his people'. This chapter is mostly to demonstrate that he has quite a few 'people' who want to help.

To anyone reading from other countries, or just doesn't know what TMI is-it Too Much Information. You know-for people who tell you stuff about their personal life they really shouldn't.

For anyone who likes/loves Daisy, I'm sorry. I can't stand her. It's just my opinion, but I've actually known a couple people like her, and they (and her) just get under my skin.

And once again, reviews and suggestions are welcome. To the wonderful people who have reviewed or followed the story, I'm immensely grateful.