This was so very beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Another one of my favs because I love, love, love this little tight knit dysfunctional family they've created. I love the way you filled in a lot of what we didn't get on the show. And how true to character you've written them, all of them, in every single story. Amazing! This was wonderful;)

Beautiful! I actually love Angela and Brennan's friendship. I have since Skull in the Desert where Brennan tells Angela- "infinity goes in both directions". I loved the way you have woven both of their emotions into the story. Really well done.

The only thing I differ is that no one watched Booth and Brennan anymore. While we saw Sweets try to get them to talk in Blackout, the key scene for me was in the Valentines day episode. Instead of focussing her attentions on Brennan like she normally does, Angela headed straight to Booth to figure out exactly what his deal was. After figuring out his mood she clearly hints that he should spend the evening with Brennan. While normally this kind of situation could be fraught with rebound angst- Angela was able to tell that wasn't case. I think Angela knew better what the Hannah thing was about (probably because of having done the rebound thing herself). So she wasn't going to let him fester for too long. The awesome best friend she is- she was taking matters in to her own hands.

While I am not entirely clear why they had decided to let Angela and Brennan drift apart in S6- I think from the "pity car ride" scene it may have actually been because of Brennan distancing herself- trying to shut off her emotions due to her emotional turmoil. But I love the fact that you included the part about Angela believing Brennan having the power to make Hannah go away. I do believe that was the case. According to GGW- Angela knows the truth of things. And the way Brennan responds to that scene by saying she shouldn't use it- I think Brennan knew too. I don't believe her confession was asking Booth to leave Hannah- she knows that's not appropriate which is why she had held back for so long on saying anything until she was overwhelmed. It was more about Brennan finally allowing herself to feel her emotions of regret. I think after that Brennan had even surprised herself with her own strength. Brennan was always afraid of losing Booth- but knowing she could survive the worst helped her conquer her fear. I personally believe she was very much at peace post DitP which is why she was able to handle everything with grace and maturity when most people (me) would've walked away.

The fact that Booth had never made peace with what had happened was the sole reason his rebound relationship was doomed to fail with or without Brennan's confession. I don't think anyone other than Brennan took Booth's relationship with Hannah seriously and with everyone I include Booth and Hannah. Booth was deluding himself but given how defensive he was I believe deep down he knew the truth. Especially since he was living with Hannah for months without thinking about introducing his son to her. It was Parker saying he hated her that forced his hand. The problem for Booth was that if he had to let go of Hannah he would have to face the painful emotions he had never dealt with from the 100th. So he had to keep telling himself and everyone around him that it was serious. Unfortunately he had backed himself into to corner and his male pride wouldn't let him admit he made a mistake. Subconsciously I believe Booth knew proposing to Hannah would be an out for him (they added in the Hannah had told him plenty of times for a reason). The emotions he felt in DitM- was a pure reflection of the feelings he hadn't dealt with since the 100th.

I absolutely love this. It's the best Brennan and Angela friendship fic I've read, something I've been searching for for a good one, and it's sweet and interesting and kind of profound. It's written in a style that I LOVE, and the idea that they've grown apart is so likely and realistic. The little sideplot type thingy about Brennan's pregnancy was very interesting and the B/B was great! I loved how Brennan told Booth that she thought Angela was trying to imagine them having sex and the whole shebang was just amazing. This was nice and long and, frankly, one of the highest quality fanfictions I've ever read. Thank you so much for writing it!

I've read this several times and thought it time I commented. One of my all-time favorites! So lovely. I wish we saw these new-couple moments on screen (but I understand the time constraints). The Angela perspective is played so wonderfully. I think my favorite moment that just seems so realistic is when Brennan turns on the coffee and Angela realizes Booth is in the bedroom. Saved and bookmarked forever!

This was an absolute joy to read. The Angela/Brennan friendship is interesting to me. On the face of it, it doesn't make a whole heap of sense, but scratch a little below the surface and it really does. Granted, I think in the beginning it was Angela that put in the groundwork, the effort, but now I think it's something that they both treasure and they both work at (in later season perhaps Brennan more than Angela?)

The ebb and flow of friendship really comes across in your words, the give and take and the closeness, which as other people, other ties and distractions come into play, sometimes causes tension.

Oh, and this part: "I think she's trying to imagine us having intercourse. She no longer finds sex comfortable; I'm sure she misses it." pure GOLD! LMAO :)

Wonderful stuff. Thanks for posting. :)

Very nice story. Love how you wove pieces we know from canon into your tale, filling in gaps that perfect sense the way you've written.

Ohh that was lovely :) great story!

Now, you know from twitter that I was avoiding this (because I really really dislike Angela) but Tracey assured me I would love it when I read it. And what d'ya know? She was right! (Don't tell her I said that :P )

While I still dislike Angela (and pretty sure I always will...that ship has sailed my friend! LOL) I did love this. Loved the flashbacks to the past, and the different interpretations of some of those past moments.

I am of the opinion that Angela is a pretty shitty friend most of the time, but if she was written the way you've shown her here I would probably think a lot differently.

Kudos to you for making me dislike her a little less :D

You just keep getting better and better...can't wait for your next update, as I've just realised I'm all caught up. How the hell did that happen? LOL

You know, when I first saw this in my inbox, I noticed it said it was an Angela/Brennan story and I thought "Oooh. Interesting." But when I actually went to read it, I went on through FFN and there it was again, right in the summary FFN makes us provide, that said "Angela M & T. Brennan." THEN it was at the top of the story as well, which made me laugh, because my word does FFN really want me to know this is NOT a B&B story.

But the thing is, it still is. Maybe not on it's face and maybe not as a whole, but it IS.

But lovelier still, for me is the story of Angela and Brennan and how, without meaning to, they drifted apart. And how they managed to come back together.

In the end, your best girlfriends, the true friends, the ones who really, really love you, always find their way back. A good, real friend is one who might drift but is tethered to you in the best kind of way and that's what this is about.

I adored these passages in particular. They made my heart clench a little. Haven't we all been or had these moments?

"And it takes this commercial holiday, when Brennan fields phone call after phone call from desperate men who all have names she doesn't recognise (though there had been a time not so long ago when she had known the dirt on every cute date and random fuck in Brennan's book), for her to realise that there are these new, awful, uncomfortable gaps in what she now knows about her closest friend."

"And while she seems strong, stronger than she had been during the case with the surgeon, it kills Angela a little bit to realise that Brennan has been forced to keep treading water until the tides finally changed and mercifully pushed her toward the shore.

And Angela vows to be better."

And this? There is so much truth in this (and HEY! It's B&B in an Angela story!)

"The truth is, none of them watch Booth and Brennan particularly closely anymore. The covert glances, the kind words and protective actions and feigned oblivious laughter through moments charged with sexual tension... at some point these almost-moments have stopped being heart-warming and become grounds for something more akin to pity. The members of the team, after holding their breaths for more than half a decade, have all given up on the will-they-or-won't-they couple and now try to avoid staring at what remains of this thing they had all believed could have been so great."

Because, can you imagine watching that in person for years? TV is one thing, but in real life? It would spiral into painful and pitiful, indeed.

And, oh hey! It's more B&B and it's just lovely and sweet and funny and the ease to it is what I love the most.

Look there is Angela and I ADORE (I need a new word, because I more than adore it) this series of moments when Angela realizes Booth is at Brennan's apartment and the morning becomes a whole new kind of interesting for them all.

Details like this make you a kick ass writer: "Booth is smart enough not to do anything but nod in response, and Angela absently wishes Hodgins could do the same." GENIUS.

"Inside, she's doing cartwheels." YES! Because THAT is what best friend's do! (I didn't cry at my own wedding, but bawled at my BFF's. I know what I'm talking about here)

And then it's back to Brennan and she's pregnant and it's an adjustment, to be sure.

I love the way she tells Angela and I love the way that Angela gets that Brennan WILL be happy, given time, and that all of them have taken strange and winding roads to get where they are.

And Angela knows now, that no matter who she was BEFORE the team, who is is with the team now is important.

"Family, friends, lovers, babies, family, and dead bodies. This is what they are.

And she accepts it."

Gorgeous as always and especially delightful in a non B&B, yet still B&B through Angela kind of way. The lesson here is about friendship and anyone who can't see past the Angela part of the story long enough to get the message is missing out.

Thank you.

Sorry for the delay in reviewing. Better late than never, right?

I loved this story, like always.

I loved Bren and Angela's friendship.

I think this was my fav part:

"... You told her." The accusation is thrown alongside an exasperated eye roll in Brennan's direction.

"It just came out," Brennan defends.

Of course it just came out, I don't think that Brennan could not tell Angela for a very long time. It's natural for her to want to tell her best friend as soon as possible.

Also, this is perfect:

Family, friends, lovers, babies, family, and dead bodies. This is what they are.

That is an awesome description of everyone.

Loved it. Thanks Ren!

You have taken this idea and you've made it about *more* than just what it said on the surface. You have taken the opportunity to explore a whole character and a whole friendship in a wonderfully well-rounded, intelligent and thoughtful way. The fact that you chose to write about two girl friends, and the ins and outs of a friendship for this occasion in particular really worked for me and the story really touched me.

Among the many moments that I love - I really did enjoy it when Angela comes over and realises Booth had stayed. I'm super nosy that way, and it's funny to see what other people see as their relationship pulled itself together.

You've written this with a real sense of reality, it's got the right balance of happy endings and a little bit of angst. My heart aches for Booth and Brennan both trying to work out where they stand. I feel as though there's so much to be resolved about this storyline and everything that's gone on and you handled it all well here.

Also love the line:

"Except, Booth knows. Booth knows, and Brennan is as calm as any woman could be in this situation, and they're both still in the country. They're spending their days together and their nights together and they're juggling a case at the same time, and it's not easy but they're adjusting."

Because it's true and Angela and just perfect. Rather much like you, really.

I love this. I am so grateful for this and I'm really, really lucky to have you as a friend writing me wonderful fic. Thank you!

So - I've read this a few times. I've been trying to formulate an articulate response to this gorgeous piece. . . I still stumble.

There has never been any one fight between them; no dramatised moment. But it's clear that two friends have drifted apart into separate lives and temporarily lost what it is that had made them so compatible in the first place. - - That shift, no one talked about it. Maybe no one noticed too much - life evolves, but at least they still remain somewhat in tact.

I wish that scene had been the episode - "I hate Hannah. I wish she'd go away."

"I don't have the power to make that happen."

"Well, you probably do, honey, but you just don't know how to use it."- I'm still waiting for the conversation B & B for a resolution. They have to. :P

Angela can be undercutting to Brennan and I dislike that. So, Brennan doesn't understand some social clues, fine - I get that but sometimes Ange's remark are unnecessary.

_

I love how casual Brennan brings up telling Ange. . . Brilliant characterization.

Booth and Brennan glance at one another, and then at Angela, and then their eyes meet again. There's awkward uncertainty to be seen in both of them at first, but with one final glance in Angela's direction, Brennan huffs, rolls her eyes, closes the step between them and rocks onto her toes to kiss Booth quickly on the mouth. - - It's a like fuck it. . . who cares. :)

Family, friends, lovers, babies, family, and dead bodies. This is what they are.

And she accepts it. - - You can't take away one, just a perfect wrap up. . .

I read Bones fiction because I like reading about Booth and Brennan... fics involving other characters - especially Angela - aren't interesting. I usually like your stories but I wouldn't have read this one if I had known it wasn't going to be about them at all. A little warning next time would be nice.

And for the record, Angela's annoying, but there was never anything on the show that would make us think she actually hated Hannah.

Wonderful fic! Great characterization and intuition into what makes these characters tick. :-)