Angela sensed something was off, it was her duty as a best friend to probe and fix it. How could these people be so oblivious to each other's feelings, when even a blind person could see they were crazy in love?
"Dating co-workers is not that bad Bren, look at me and Hodgins," Angela said
"Well look at what happened to Cam and Booth" Brennan reasoned
"Bren, sweetie, things happen for a reason. Booth and Cam were clearly not meant to be. When exes meet again, it's often driven by nostalgia, a belief that they've grown and know better now, and a need for reassurance that their past mistakes were just that… mistakes. In most cases, they try again only to find themselves falling back…"
"In love?" Bren cut off Ange and asked in a very shocked tone.
"Yes Bren, but mostly in bed and in old patterns like when that professor Micheal guy of yours came to town" she smiles and nudges Brennan's shoulder then continues "but you see sweetie, fate is a beautiful thing, when exes try again, it ensures that they should never consider falling in 'bed' together ever. Some people are just not meant to be''
"That makes no sense Ange, so many exes fall in love and in bed as you called it time after time and it works." Brennan says
"Oooohhh, Cyndi Lauper!" Angela says playfully, wiggling her playful you-know-what eyebrows. She knew all her pop culture references were wasted on Bren but that had never stopped her.
"I don't know what that means" Brennan says knitting her eyebrows quizzically and Ange smiles "Of course you don't, sweetie."
"You think you and Dr. Hodgins are meant to be?" Brennan, very much unlike herself, continues their previous conversation and latches onto the empirical idea of fate
"I don't know sweetie, Hodgie and i are basically surviving on laughing, living, loving but most importantly sex." She winks then proceeds "He is a sweet guy and he makes me incredibly happy. All I know is right now i am right where i belong. I don't know what will happen tomorrow but i am happy today, very happy Bren."
"i concur," Brennan says, nodding as she faces Angela. A clear battle of emotions is visible on her face; Angela can see it in the way Brennan furrows her eyebrows and struggles to keep the corners of her mouth from turning up. "I find myself experiencing very positive emotions when you say that you're happy." She speaks tenderly, pausing between her words with small huffs, as if trying to decipher her own feelings as she speaks.
"Of course you do, sweetie. I'm your best friend," Angela says with a smile, pulling Brennan in for a brief hug. Brennan wasn't typically touchy or a hugger, but she made exceptions for Angela and most importantly for Booth. There was always a hint of awkwardness when people tried to hug her, but with them, there was a familiar, comforting warm feeling that she really liked. They were standing on the first floor, by the rails that overlooked the platform. Booth and Cam were down below, talking intimately and touching a little more than Brennan was comfortable seeing or willing to admit.
"Do you think they're sleeping together?" Angela asks, wearing a mischievous 'i-know-their-secret' look and wiggling her eyebrows paired with the biggest smile.
"Ange, your logic doesn't make any sense. You just explained how fate does not want them together, not that i believe that but still," Brennan says, clearly bothered.
"Sweetie, what are you, the fate police?" Angela replies sarcastically.
"I don't know what that means," Brennan says, her brow furrowing as she looks at Angela. Making sense of Angela's comments was often a challenge for her - oil and water, that's how different they were, however, somehow they worked. Right now, it was just frustrating.
"Forget it…" Brennan mutters, returning her focus to the lovebirds on the platform. As her irritation with the sight grows, she storms off, leaving Angela smirking behind her.
Later that same night, around 9:15 PM, Brennan was home, still seething with irritation and now deeply angry with Booth. She told herself it was none of her business and that she shouldn't care, but that rationalization wasn't helping. Booth had spoken about that line as if it were crucial, the only reason they weren't together, though she repeatedly told herself she didn't want to be with him anyway. Now, it seemed like the line had merely been a tactic to tell her he wasn't interested. And as soon as Cam showed willingness, Booth had clearly forgotten the line. Message received.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock at the door. Not expecting anyone or any deliveries, she had no intention of letting a random person see her in her current state. Assuming it was most likely a courier, she decided to ignore the knock and pretend she wasn't home, hoping they would simply leave the package at the door and go away.
"Bones, i know you're in there." hearing Booth's voice, stiffens her entire body, her heart rate leaps to triple digits at his proximity. Anger paired with the undeniable thrill of his presence, a confusing mix of emotions that continue to defy her logic that despite her irritation with him, the mere thought of him being so close always sent her heart racing.
"Go away, Booth. I need to be alone," she willed herself to say, using every ounce of energy to keep her voice calm.
"You don't sound fine. Are you okay, Bones?" Booth asked, his concern evident. Brennan rolled her eyes, so much for sounding calm.
"I'm fine, Booth. Go away."
"You're far from fine. I'm coming in," he said matter-of-factly, as though he hadn't heard her at all. Brennan smirked at first, wondering how he would manage to get in, but that was shortlived as she heard the door click and she remembered she had given him a spare key for emergencies—like Epps or crazy stalker fans, but definitely not this situation. Before she could complete her thought, Booth was already towering above her by the couch.
"Is everything alright, Bones?" Booth asks, now sounding even more concerned. His worry almost pushes Brennan over the edge. Maybe she's being unreasonable; after all, he is her friend and colleague, and how he spends his time outside of work shouldn't matter. But the fact that he's here in her living room instead of with his girlfriend ignites a fresh wave of anger and that seems to be the winning thought.
"Yes, Booth, everything is great. Can't I just need some alone time in my own home? There's a reason I live alone," she snaps, the sharpness of her tone revealing her frustration.
Booth is taken aback by the bite in her words. It's unlike Brennan to respond so sharply without cause. She'll argue her point and fight for what she believes in, but she usually doesn't lash out without reason, his concern deepens.
"But you're curled into a ball, Bones. You're not fine," Booth observes.
For the first time, Brennan realizes she's in a fetal position, her chin resting on her knees, her arms wrapped around her legs, rocking back and forth in an attempt to stop the shivering. She immediately sits up, trying to dismiss what Booth has noticed.
Booth spots a nearby throw blanket, walks over, picks it up, and returns to drape it around her before she can react.
"Booth, I am fine," she insists, though her irritation is palpable.
"And guess what, Bones, I'm the president of the United States," Booth retorts with a grin.
Brennan scowls at him, confused by the comment. Normally, she'd tell him she doesn't understand the reference, because she really doesn't. But his presence feels like a threat to the solitude she values so much. She needs him to leave; the last thing she wants is lingering images of Booth in her home.
"Bones, we're partners. Mulder and Scully, we have to trust each other," Booth says, his grin fading as he notices her puffy eyes, which break his heart. He wants to comfort her, seat besides her and hug her so tight, but he is very aware that the very act might make whatever is going on here worse. Instead, he continues, "You need to tell me when you're not okay so we can figure it out together. If you don't want to talk to me, that's fine. You can talk to someone else. You're not alone, Bones. Not anymore. And clearly, you're not fine, so I'm calling Angela."
He says all this while in motion of pulling his phone and he begins dialing Angela's number. Brennan instinctively jumps up, to stop him, and words she never intended to ever say to out loud tumble out of her mouth in a rapid, unguarded rush… "AreYouSeepingWithCam?
Booth froze, almost swearing that he was hearing voices on top of whatever he assumes Bones just said, he soon realizes thatt Angela had actually picked up the call. Clearing his throat and he lifts the phone to his ear and without once breaking eye contact with the Brennan.
"Booth, Booth, BOOTH BOOOOTH, are you okay? Say something, you're freaking me out!" Angela's frantic voice crackled through the receiver. Booth rolled his eyes and shook his head, trying to keep his composure. The last thing he needed was Angela catching onto what Bones had just asked him, but her current state assured him he was safe, and she hadn't overheard anything.
"Yes, Angela, sorry about that. It was a pocket dial," Booth said.
"You scared me! I thought someone had kidnapped you or had you at gunpoint or something," Angela said, sighing in relief.
"Yeah, It's something like that," Booth said, attempting to lighten the mood but failing as a dry chuckle escaped his throat instead. Brennans' deep blue eyes make stopping him in his tracks. She had this effect on him.
"Seriously, what can we do? Can you tell me where you are? Or wait, you probably don't know. It's kinda cute that you called me—I would think you'd call Bren first. Oh my God, Bren! I should call Bren. She'll kill me when she finds out. Or maybe I should track your phone first so I have something to—"
"Hey, hey, hey, Angela! SERIOUSLY!" Booth cut off her rambling. "Simmer down, no tracking my phone and definitely no calling Bones."
"But… you're kidnapped," Angela says, her voice small. She sounds bored and eager for some excitement, a stark contrast to Hodgin's current state, who had gone to bed early after spending 48 hours at the lab.
"And my kidnapper has rewarded me with all this time to waste on the phone... huh," Booth replies sarcastically.
"Oooo... so what did you want?" Angela asks, sounding deflated.
"Nothing, like I said, pocket dial, smartphones dumb shit," Booth says. They're in a sort of staring contest with Bones at this point, Booth feeling very exposed, caves, breaks the eye contact and starts pacing the living room, trying to gather his thoughts.
"Okay..." Angela says after a brief pause, sounding like she's about to hang up. Then she adds, "Is this a code?"
Booth groans loudly. "What the hell, Angela? Code for what?"
"You know, a code... to throw off your kidnapper so they think no one is looking for you."
"It's not a code, and you are spending way too much time with Hodgins," Booth says before hanging up abruptly. He decides he needs to focus on the more pressing issue at hand.
The time on the phone had given Brennan a moment to compose herself. When Booth finally hung up and returned to stand in front of her, she was ready for the confrontation .
"So…?" Brennan asks, realizing there's no turning back now.
"So, what, Bones?" Booth echoes, almost hoping she'll drop the subject, but part of him wants her to press on,he needs to know she is the same place he has been at for a long time now.
"I asked if you were sleeping with… " Brennan begins, but Booth cuts her off.
"I heard you the first time, Bones."
"So…" she presses.
"It's none of your business, Bones."
"So you are sleeping together after all," Brennan says, her voice steady but her eyes revealing the hurt she's trying to hide. Booth notices the pain clearly, and it hits him like a beacon of hope. He's tempted to say what's on his mind, but instead, he murmurs, "I didn't say that."
Brennan seems to miss the whisper entirely, her gaze accusatory as she continues, "How could you, Booth? You gave me a whole speech about work and not crossing the line, and then you go back on your word with your boss."
"She's not my boss," Booth snaps, his frustration evident.
"She's technically my boss, and you're my colleague, which makes her your boss too. All this time, I thought you were sincere about that line," Brennan says, her voice laden with anger. "But you're just like all the others. You say whatever you need to get out of a situation."
"It's not like that, Bones. What the hell has gotten into you? Where are you getting all these ideas?" Booth responds, his voice rising a bit higher than he intended.
"I saw you two earlier at work," Brennan says, making it clear she's referring to Booth and Cam.
"Cam's mother is sick, Bones," Booth explains, and understanding immediately registers in Brennan's eyes.
"Oh," she says quietly. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"You realize what you've just done, don't you, Bones?" Booth's tone is serious, making Brennan shiver slightly, she holds herself together and stands her ground even as Booth pulls her closer and looking intently into her deep blue eyes.
Back at the Hodgins mansion, Angela had roused a sleep-deprived Hodgins to accompany her to the lab. She couldn't rest until she was certain Booth was truly not in trouble. "Pocket dial," indeed. Even a crazy person wouldn't buy that excuse. Her paranoia was undeniable, and Hodgins, ever the eager conspiracy theorist, seemed to enjoy the adventure more than his much-needed rest. With a smile of satisfaction, he had driven her to the Jeffersonian, internally reveling in the sight of paranoia monster he had helped create.
Meanwhile, Booth and Brennan were locked in one of their intense stare-downs, and unfortunately for Brennan, Booth was winning this time. She couldn't keep her gaze steady, having completely blown her cover, and both she and Booth knew it. Damn Angela for planting those thoughts in her head about Booth and Cam. How could she go back to pretending she didn't have feelings for this man who was now holding her so intimately, making her feel like her body belonged to him?
"We're partners, Booth. I was just a bit upset that you didn't tell me about you and Cam…" Brennan spoke very coyly as she tried to pull away from his hold, unsuccessfly. "You think I'm going to buy that, Bones?" Booth cut her off.
"Then what do you think was the reason?" Brennan retorted, challenging him.
"I don't know, but it wasn't me acting out and throwing daggers like a jealous wife," Booth replied.
"I am not jealous," Brennan says defensively, her eyes lingering on Booth's lips as she begins to say the next line, he doesn't how she licks her lips and swallows "I am the world's most famous—forens—" Her words and train of thought are abruptly cut off when Booth crushes his lips against hers. The initial shock quickly gives way to eagerness as she parts her lips, allowing him in. Their tongues meet in an intense kiss that is far too bold for a first encounter. It is filled with mature desire and a demand for recognition, leaving no room for tentative exploration.
The kiss was electrifying and terrifying, holding a promise of danger and a hint of ecstasy. It was neither cautious nor exploratory but rather consuming and overwhelming. They both shivered from the intensity, the kiss resonating with the memory of that first kiss in the rain. As their lips finally part to catch their breath, Booth holds her firmly, unwilling to let go as if waking from this dream was not an option he was ready to face.
"There isn't a day that passes when I don't remember that we did this before, and I don't believe you have either," Booth said in a voice so low it was almost a whisper. "I'm just afraid you're going to run off like before. Or worse, I'll wake up You and it'll just be another one of those Bones-kiss-haunted dreams."
Brennan smiled at how silly Booth sounded but decided to follow his lead. "And I'm afraid that you're going to start thinking straight and bring up that stupid line we should not cross, hmph," she said, pulling him close and kissing him senseless as if to ensure he never thought about it again.
"Forget that stupid line," Booth said when they finally broke apart. "It's overrated."
"Running is overrated," Brennan replied with a smile. Booth could have sworn he was in heaven at that moment. With a joyful grin, he swept Brennan off her feet, carrying her bridal style and striding confidently into her bedroom.
You
Meanwhile, at the lab, Hodgins gave Angela a knowing look as Booth's tracked phone indicated he was at Brennan's apartment.
"You knew," Hodgins said, grinning at his mischievous genius girlfriend. He had no doubts he was going to marry her one day.
"Aren't you glad you came?" Angela replied with a wide smile, giving him a full kiss on the lips.
"How?" Hodgins asked when they broke apart.
"Jealousy, babe. It always works wonders," she said, then proceeded to explain, "I made Brennan think that Booth and Cam were sleeping together. You should have seen her face I priceless. And when Booth called me earlier to ask why Brennan wasn't answering or showing up for their usual drinks at the bar, I may have told him that Brennan was going through a hard time and wouldn't open up."
"What would the world do without you?" Hodgins asked, admiring her ingenuity.
"Die love-lessYou " Angela said, pulling Hodgins into a victory hug. Her plan had worked to perfection, and she was even more elated to hear all the details from Booth the next day.