AN- Often times, for me… a story jumps out from one little scene that I can't get out of my head. This is one of those scenes. This opening chapter is a little shorter than I usually like, but it had to end where it did…

This story is a bit darker than what you're used to seeing from me, but I think you'll still enjoy it. Since I'm trying something new, your reviews are especially important. Please take a minute to let me know what you think.

The Marriage in the Mission

Chapter 1 – Surprise!

Temperance Brennan was nervous. She knew that she had made the right decision, but that didn't make this afternoon's task any easier. She knew that Angela would be upset for not having been told sooner, but this was news that had to be shared in person.

She hadn't been back to the lab yet. She'd decided that there was so much to be done upon her return that it made sense to delay her return to work by an extra week or so. Angela and Hodgins had returned from Paris earlier in the month and were already back to work at the lab. Brennan checked her watch and realized that it was time she got going if she was going to be on time meeting her friend for lunch.

The sun was warm on her shoulders as walked down the block toward the Royal Diner. She really had missed the city. It surprised her how much DC had truly become her home. She loved this neighborhood-the way the big corporate buildings gave way to the historic brownstones, the cars passing by while people walked idly along the sidewalks, the trees that lines those same sidewalks-it all gave her a sense of peace that came from being "home."

She felt a rush of emotion as she opened the door to the diner, and smiled sadly as she looked to the table in the back of the room-her heart halfway expecting to see Booth sitting there, her head knowing that wasn't meant to be.

She was happy however, to see Angela and Cam. Her friends stood to greet her, and as she approached the table Angela rushed forward to pull her in to a welcoming hug.

"Sweetie!" she squealed. "You have no idea how good it is to see you!"

Before Brennan could answer, Angela was squeezing her again.

"It's good to see you too, Ange," Brennan said when Angela finally let her go.

"Welcome back, Doctor Brennan," Cam said as the three were seated.

Brennan sat with her hands in her lap and listened as Cam and Angela filled her in on what had been going on at the lab in her absence.

"What can I get for you?" the waitress asked without looking up.

"Just some iced tea for now, please," Brennan answered as the woman looked over at her.

"Doctor Brennan!" she exclaimed. "It's good to have you back. Are we going to be seeing that dreamy partner of yours any time soon?"

"I'm sure Booth will be in soon," Brennan answered. "He's been without Marie's pie for far too long."

"It's really nice to see you," the waitress said. "I'll be right back with your tea and to take your lunch orders."

As the waitress walked away, an awkward silence fell over the table.

Brennan felt what she knew Angela and Booth would call "butterflies" in her stomach. She knew she should speak up, but she wasn't exactly certain how to begin the conversation.

"Bren," Angela finally said. "You've barely said two words. What about you? How was Maluku? I've hardly heard from you in the last few months. Is everything okay?"

"Fine, Ange," Brennan said, nervously twisting the ring on her finger under the table. "Everything is good, actually."

"Doctor Goodman has been very impressed with your reports from the dig," Cam said.

"Yes," Brennan said, nodding. "The find was significant, and my involvement will be good for the Jeffersonian in both endowments and press."

The waitress returned with Brennan's tea and took their lunch orders.

"Come on, Bren," Angela prodded. "I know you're proud of the work in Maluku, and you should be. You always love those expeditions, but give me something juicy! It's been a year, Brennan. I'm dying here. Have you seen Booth since you've been back?"

"Yes," Brennan answered, her eyes not meeting her friend's.

It was then that Angela began to notice her friend's nervousness. She realized that there was something going on-something Brennan was unwilling to talk about. That was nothing new, Brennan was often reticent, but she was never nervous. Never.

"What's going on, Brennan?" Angela asked as the waitress returned with their lunches. She kept her eye on her friend as she reached out to take her salad from the waitress. She nearly dropped the glass she'd been drinking from when she noticed the sunlight glinting off of something. It was then that she first saw the wide platinum band on Brennan's hand-her left hand.

Something snapped in her and Angela jumped out of her chair.

"Oh. My. God. Brennan," she said, almost angrily. "What did you do? Is that a wedding ring? How could you?"

Brennan just looked at her friend as she continued to rant. She didn't know if Angela actually expected an answer to any of the questions she was hurling at her, and she didn't have the words with which to answer, anyway.

"You got married? What is wrong with you? I can't believe you. You can't make a commitment to Booth, but you come back from Indo-freaking-nesia married?"

"Angela," Brennan said, finding her voice. "Please calm down and let me explain."

"Explain? Explain what? How you threw away the best thing that is ever going to happen to you? Does Booth know about this? It's going to kill him!"

Brennan stood, facing her best friend as she felt the sting of tears in her eyes. She hated that she'd been so emotional lately…that she'd been so vulnerable since… since it happened. Angela's vehemence took her by surprise, but her own reaction surprised her even more. She didn't say a word. She just stood there and took it, willing the tears not to fall.

"Angela," Cam said, "let's think for a minute. We don't know the whole story."

"You're damned right we don't," Angela shot back. "This is cold, Bren-even for you."

Cam returned to watching the exchange in stunned silence. She couldn't believe that the usually happy-go-lucky artist was being so brutal to her friend, but had to admit to feeling the same protective loyalty toward Booth. Angela was right about one thing-the idea of Brennan married to someone else would kill him. She was startled to see the man in question walking up to the front door.

"Angela," Cam warned, but the other woman obviously didn't hear her.

"I don't even know who you are anymore," Angela said quietly as she sank down into her chair.

Seeley Booth was smiling as he walked up to the diner. He noticed Angela sit down as he opened the door, but he didn't notice the looks on the women's faces. His focus was on Brennan as he walked up behind her.

"Booth," Cam said warily and Brennan spun around and threw herself into his arms.

He didn't notice her tears as she buried her face in his chest.

"Hey, baby," he said, still smiling as he brought his left hand up to cup the back of her head.

Angela thought she was going to be sick when she saw the platinum band glistening on his finger.