"Why do I feel like the guy who just got a last minute reprieve from the electric chair?" Jack quipped, shrugging on his lab coat. He glanced appreciatively around the already bustling Medico-Legal lab. "Nothing like just missing the bullet to make a guy appreciate what he has," Jack finished, his eyes settling on Angela fondly.

"Well, I definitely appreciate the fact that you're here with me, at the lab, and I'll be able to look up and see you at your work station today and tomorrow and the next day—although how we got to work on time this morning I'll never be able to figure out," Angela chattered happily, taking Jack's arm and steering him with her towards her office.

Jack grinned, allowing himself to be commandeered. "Yeah, Baby, you didn't notice that I woke you up an hour early…"

Dragging him into her office behind her, Angela responded, "Well, that explains it. And by the way, your 'method' of waking me up can replace my alarm clock any day."

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Angela moved in for a kiss. Jack accepted it enthusiastically, holding her close in a possessive embrace. It was good to be back.

"Okay, you two…" a stern voice interrupted them. They looked up, startled, to see Cam leaning into the doorway, a grin on her face. She was obviously happy to see Hodgins back on the job. "Don't make me ask for your resignation on the grounds of inappropriate conduct within the workplace," she teased, giving them both a pointed look.

"We're just… celebrating… my reinstatement," Jack explained, a little embarrassed. Next to him, Angela lowered her eyes demurely.

"Well, when you're done celebrating, I need you to check off on this data for me," Cam continued, handing Angela a file containing a series of charts and graphs. "Either of you seen Dr. Brennan this morning? She's uncharacteristically late."

"No," answered Angela, "But maybe her alarm clock isn't as efficient as mine." She and Jack shared a knowing smile.

"Hmmm, I won't even ask what that is supposed to mean…" Cam smiled in her worldly-wise way. She turned to leave, but Jack stopped her.

"Doctor Saroyan… I just wanted to thank you again for allowing me to keep my position here," Jack began, his voice faltering a little in gratitude and humility.

Cam stopped at the doorway, "Not a problem, Dr. Hodgins. Yours would have been an immense loss both personally and professionally to everyone here at the Jeffersonian. I'm just glad that events resolved as they did." She paused a moment longer, her expression sincere, and then she was gone.

"You know, she's alright…" Angela said somberly, still looking at the spot where Dr. Saroyan had stood. Jack put an arm around her, squeezing her tight.

"Yeah, and lucky for me, huh? But hey, I'd better get upstairs before Cam changes her mind about my resignation. I'll come by later with some coffee, because I'm sure you'll have something that we'll need to collaborate on—professionally speaking, of course," Jack grinned, giving Angela one last kiss before leaving her to her work.

Sighing contentedly, Angela watched Jack make a quick exit. Looking down at the file, she realized that she had some points of clarification she needed to run by Zach, so she was soon on her way out of her office as well.

As she made her way down the hallway she paused for a moment, scrutinizing one of the charts. Looking up, she got an eyeful. There was Brennan, uncharacteristically late to be sure and locking lips in an unabashedly passionate kiss with Agent Sullivan.

Angela beamed at the two new lovers in absolute approval, knowing exactly what must have taken place the night before. She was happy for Brennan and excited at the prospect of now being able to discuss their boyfriends without it being a one-side conversation. After Sully had said goodbye and left, Angela approached Brennan, eager for details.

Brennan, as it turned out, was more than happy to be debriefed concerning her first sexual encounter with Sully, and informed Angela that "Peanut" was, on the contrary, extremely well-hung. Since Brennan made no mention of his actual performance with said oversized organ, Angela was left to conjecture that as far as Brennan was concerned, the size benefit outweighed any skill he had in wielding it—or perhaps she was just so relieved that it was larger than her pinkie finger that nothing else mattered after that. At any rate, Brennan seemed thrilled with the outcome, and so Angela was thrilled for her, as a good friend ought to be.

They found Booth waiting in Brennan's office, having picked up on the tail-end of the conversation praising Sully's endowments. Fortunately for him what he heard was out of context and he had no clue what they were discussing beyond the fact that it had something to do with his fellow agent. When Angela shrewdly asked him if he had a nickname the other cops called him by, Booth had to wonder what names were going through Angela's head at that moment—he figured that probably none of them would be very flattering. However, if she were still angry with him, she wasn't letting on. So, Booth played along, answering coyly, "Why? What have you heard?" Angela merely smiled at him and turned to walk away, offering congratulations to Brennan for some unknown jackpot the forensic anthropologist had apparently hit.

As Angela left Brennan's office she mused as to what Booth would think of his partner's new relationship. And knowing Brennan, she would probably just blurt it out to Booth, oblivious to any feelings he might have for her. For one, brief moment Angela felt a twinge of pity for Booth, but then just as quickly shook it off. After all, he had some growing up to do, as evidenced by his irrational prejudices and judgmental—if not hypocritical—behavior throughout the case. In time, perhaps, if he learned to be self-reflective and honest with himself, he could be a worthy contender for Brennan's heart.

Continuing on her way, Angela decided that it was time to forgive Booth. He was, after all, part of their team, and Jack certainly thought the world of the man.

Anyways, all's well that ends well, Angela thought to herself, and at this moment in time she had to admit that life was pretty good and she could certainly afford to be charitable—especially when it comes to good-looking, although not terribly bright, FBI agents…

The End.