Disclaimer: We obviously don't own anything. lol

A/N: siapom – Four score and… Oh, never mind that. Goldy and I hope you enjoy the last of the story! (Oh! Please remember that this was originally set near the beginning of Season 2.)

CH. 11

As Booth entered the Medico-Legal lab the next morning, he kept glancing over his shoulder. After seeing the mass of people waiting on the front steps of the museum, he couldn't help but expect to hear the sound of a thundering herd when the doors were thrown open for the new exhibit. Spying Brennan on the examination platform, he called out, "I certainly hope Angela got a full night's sleep last night. Did you see the number of people that are waiting out front?" He opened his mouth to continue, but his foot hit something as he rounded the corner, causing him to look down. Picking up the stuffed monkey that had skittered ahead, he looked at it and then Brennan.

She shrugged and pointed to Zack's desk, which was already overflowing with toy monkeys. "I'd put it over there. He seems to be collecting them."

"Huh. I never pictured him as the type to collect sock monkeys, but to each his own," he said as he flipped the monkey onto the desk. Booth sauntered over to Brennan with a smile and leaned in on the table next to her only to stand up straight when she smacked his hand.

"No leaning on the tables." She pulled some bones out of a box and began to arrange them on the table. "I'm surprised that the crowd is so large for the new exhibit; although, after seeing what it's capable of, word of mouth will probably bring in a lot more visitors."

"True," he said, sounding distracted. Almost without thought, he reached his hand over to wrap around her waist.

Once again she smacked his hand away. "Not here!"

"Why not here? It's not like..."

"Sweeties! I was wondering when you'd show up. So, how did the date go? Did you get out of the VRT okay last night? How'd the rest of the night go? I want details." The artist looked at the pair, her eyes sparkling as she glanced from one to the other.

She had expected to watch Booth squirm, but was pleasantly surprised when Brennan also started to blush.

"It was..." Brennan exchanged glances with Booth. "It was really nice, Ange. Thank you for all of your help putting it together. Up until the fire alarm went off, it was perfect."

Brennan then jabbed Booth with an elbow as he muttered, "Expect for the bathing suits."

"And what was wrong with the suits?"

"They were fine. Don't listen to him."

"So, what did you do in there? Did anything interesting come up?"

Brennan again jabbed Booth in the side, just in case he was tempted to respond. "No."

"No?" Angela's voice practically dripped with skepticism.

Brennan shrugged. "No. Not at all. Booth?"

"Nope. Nothing at all." And, to hide his smile at Angela's obvious disappointment, he changed the subject. "What was with the fire alarm, anyway? Was everyone okay?"

"A little soggy but fine. Apparently Zack was doing some experiment and nearly blew the place up."

"What experiment," Brennan asked. She'd been unaware of any pending lab work.

"Something for the FBI," Angela shrugged. When Brennan looked at Booth he shook his head, obviously unaware of any experiment requests as well.

"Did it have to do with monkeys?"

"I have no idea, but I've been finding these things all over the place. There was already a pile on Zack's chair, so I figured they were his." She shrugged. "You know how things are with Zack. Sometimes it's better not to ask."

Brennan had just started to nod in agreement when Cam's shriek shot out across the lab. They all looked up to see her standing on the balcony brandishing a toy monkey in each hand. "Where is Hodgins? Is this his idea of a joke? If you see him, tell him I want him in my office immediately!"

The three looked at each other and then back at Camille Saroyan as she huffed off to her office. Angela giggled a little bit, but simply waved off the curious gazes of her friends.

"It's probably best that you don't know," was all she said on the subject as she walked off, her giggle turning into a chuckle when she reached her office.

Booth and Brennan exchanged confused glances, and Brennan returned to carefully laying out the bones on the table. Booth, not wanting to leave, took a few steps back and to the side so that he could watch her work. They'd stood in companionable silence for only a few minutes before Zack hurried in, looking worried.

"Zack, what's the hurry," Booth called to the young scientist, who seemed to go stock still and board straight at the sight of all of the monkeys on his desk. A whimper escaped the young man, and he struggled for a moment to find something to say.

"Goodman's office," was all he could manage before making a beeline for the Holographics room and Angela. As he left, Booth turned once more to Brennan.

"Sometimes I really worry about that kid."

Brennan tilted her head and asked, "Why?"

Booth just sighed and leaned in closer to her. She looked at him, one eyebrow arched, practically daring him to move closer. A smile turned up his lips and his voice lowered sending a chill up Temperance's spine at the sound.

"So, Dr. Brennan, when do we get a second date?"

She turned to face him. "That depends. Is Angela is charge of the details next time?"

"No. Next time it's strictly you and me." Booth paused. "And, maybe this time I'll let you bring your riding crop."

xxxxxx

(siapom & goldpiece sing: Happy Trails To You…)