You Can't UnRing the Bell

5. Let's Get Something Straight

The third time Brennan heard him laugh at something she said, she didn't look at them. She had seen enough. And if they didn't want to work, she still had remains to identify. She aimed the light in a better angle and tried to bring her coworkers' attention on the depth difference between the two marks.

Booth, Dr. Bryar and Andrew were standing on the other side of the platform. Close enough to bother everyone, but far enough so she couldn't hear what they were saying. She really tried her best to focus on the task at hand, but when Andrew started laughing at her witty remarks too, she had to focus on staying calm instead. She's not that funny.

Gathered behind her, Wendell, Hodgins, Angela and Cam were trying not to talk too loudly. She could have pretended she thought they were respecting the quiet environment she needed to concentrate, but she knew they just didn't want anyone else to hear them.

"For a long time, I've considered becoming a marine biologist," Wendell said.

Angela crossed her arms over her chest.

"And it's been a long time since I've given up on having that perfect ass," she commented, raising her eyebrows.

Hodgins didn't wait to add on a whisper, "She looks ready to eat him alive!"

Cam instantly noticed Brennan clutching to the light a little too tightly and knew she probably wasn't looking at the remains anymore. And so she said,

"Is this observation day or can we get back to work?"

Instantly relieved, Brennan looked over her shoulder and saw her boss give her the slightest nod before leaving the platform. She then risked glancing one more time over at Booth, but quickly looked down again when she noticed he was coming her way.

"We're heading out to lunch, Bones. You coming?"

"No," she replied lightly. "I'd really like to finish this as soon as possible. But you go ahead."

"Alright then."

Brennan saw the way the marine biologist smiled at her partner, but what hit her most was the way he smiled back. When Booth turned to Andrew, she suddenly lost all interest in the bones that were in front of her.

"Assistant director Hacker, wanna join us?"

Brennan looked at him, holding her breath for his answer.

"No, I'm alright, thanks. You two enjoy your lunch."

Brennan opened her mouth, but realized she had nothing to say. So she watched Booth leave. With her. And quickly turned to Andrew again.

"Are you sure you don't want to go with them?"

"I'm sure. I don't particularly enjoy feeling like the third wheel," he said.

Brennan was pretty sure she didn't want to fully understand that statement. She pressed on.

"I think you should go with them. I mean, you have to eat, right?"

"Oh, I'll grab something at the cafeteria. Don't worry about me," he retorted with a grin.

Brennan knew her smile was stiff. She looked at the glass door where they had left a few seconds ago. And it dawned on her: this was going to be a very long case.

Angela had been very quiet around her all day. Normally, Brennan wouldn't have picked up on it, or she would have let it go without bringing it up, but today...

So when she brought her friend the skull to digitize, she hung around longer than necessary, sure that Angela would ask her if something was bothering her. But she didn't. She immediately sat at her desk and got to work.