Title: Post Mortem Lividity

Author: melpomeneblue

Disclaimer: Not mine, no monies made…

OoO

The lab was anything but quiet when Booth entered. Beetle races were apparently underway again which meant Cam was not expected to be present for at least the rest of the morning. The last beetle rally he'd witnessed ended with Cam's rolled up case notes squashing "Henry" just before he crossed the finish line. Booth ignored the race and strode straight into Brennan's office.

He could see her deep into her work, papers scattered across the floor, scribbling something in a notebook, and he smiled. He'd worked with plenty of professionals but Bones was the only one who seemed to prefer the floor as her work surface.

"Bones!"

She remained on the floor, her concentration unaltered. "Don't call me that," she said distractedly.

"Tempe," he amended with a sly grin.

That got her attention away from her work. "Temperance," she corrected. "I'm busy, Booth. What do you want?"

"Angela."

She twisted around to face him more fully. "I'm not Angela."

"No, I know that. She's what I want – I mean... I want to borrow Angela."

"That implies that Angela is property," she stated flatly. "Angela is not property, she's a very talented forensic artist who deserves to be respected as such... not borrowed like… a cup of flour." She turned away from him with an air or vague disgust. "This is my office, maybe you should try hers."

She had gone back to her notes when she added, "Have you talked to Cam about borrowing Angela?"

He sat down on the couch near her spot on the floor. "I was going to but Cam's apparently not here yet. So I'm asking you."

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

He jerked a thumb toward the door. "Beetle races. Besides, Angela's not here yet either." He smiled when she met his gaze fully. "I did try calling first. Did she take a day off? If so, you might want to give her a call."

A frown marred Brennan's face. "What day is it?"

"Monday."

Brennan rose and slid into the chair behind her desk. A few keystrokes later and she was on the phone.

"Flu's been going around," he offered.

She cut her eyes at him again and disconnected the call. Before she could dial another number the phone rang. Booth raised his brows and she shook her head and hit the speaker button.

"Brennan."

"Bren?"

"Ange?" The voice on the other end of the line was faint, unsure. "Angela, are you alright?"

"Bren, I…"

"Angela," Booth called out so that he would be heard, "I just came by to borrow you for the day."

"Booth's there?" Angela's voice was fainter, more tremulous.

Brennan's brow creased. "Angela, what's going on?"

"Bren, I…" a long pause followed. "Can you come… to my place?"

Booth met Brennan's eyes, the fear and concern he felt mirrored in hers.

/to be continued/