Re: The Pre-Partnership Era (Grad School til they Met...) K+

by ForensicMama Sat Aug 23, 2008 2:55 am

Yeah, I love butt-kickin' Bones! I've heard people complain about her not being in the lab very much any more, but geez, where's the story in that??? lol! Very Happy

by Memphis Sat Aug 23, 2008 3:16 am

yea...lol..seriously...

by ForensicMama Sun Aug 24, 2008 5:12 am

Chapter 33

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Brennan and Booth waited at the FBI building's side room and watched the man through the window.

Booth looked over at Brennan. "Hey, Bones..."

"Don't call me Bones, Booth." She didn't look at him. She just crossed her arms and watched the man on the other side of the interrogation room. "Can I come in and help you interrogate him?"

"No." The answer was short. He looked again at Brennan. Her hair was pulled back in a pony tail, thick bangs hung over her clear blue eyes. She fiddled with a turquoise necklace that hung around her neck. He cleared his throat. "Anyway. Thanks for helping me out on this case."

She smiled at him. "So you recognize my ability to be of service to the FBI during a case?"

Booth leaned against the wall and watched Mr. Peterson shoot peanuts into a waste basket. "Look, Bones, it would be my honor to work with you on a case. If the opportunity ever arises again."

She smiled at him and leaned against the wall. The stretch of the two-way mirror separated them. "Well, that opportunity won't arise for a while."

Booth pushed away from the wall and looked curiously at her. "What do you mean?"

She pushed some hair behind an ear and pushed away from the wall, too. "I've volunteered some of my time for an archaeology dig in Guatemala. We'll be uncovering and identifying victims of genocide in the hills outside of Guatemala City."

"Oh yeah?" Booth tried to act nonchalant. The truth is, he had grown accustomed to Temperance Brennan. She was intriguing in an annoying manner. "When will you be back?"

"Next September."

"Wow."

"I know it's a long time, but I think that I deserve a sabbatical. After all, I've never taken one. Besides, it will mean good press for the Jeffersonian. Dr. Goodman fully supports my efforts."

"When are you--"

"Leaving? Tomorrow at 6 AM."

"Bright and early."

"I guess we caught the evil guy just in time."

"Bad guy. It's bad guy. But, yeah. He's definitely evil." Booth looked back at Mr. Peterson. Husband to Autumn Peterson. Co-worker to Christy Randolf. "Need a ride to the airport?" Booth asked absently.

"No. I have to be there by four, so that's awfully early. Even for me."

Booth cracked a smile and made a little laugh. "Let me take you."

An order? "No." Brennan crossed her arms.

"C'mon, Bones. Let me take you to the airport. It's the least I can do for you helping me out with this case, huh?"

"No, Booth. I'm a big girl. Besides, I've already got a ride set up."

"Let me guess. A taxi?"

Brennan tightened her lips. "I can get to the airport myself, Booth."

She headed toward the door. Before she closed it behind her, she heard Booth say, "Have it your way, Bones."

Temperance slammed the door and walked toward the elevator rolling her eyes. Booth could be so aggravating. Her cell rang and she answered it in the elevator.

"Hey, sweetie. It's me."

"Hi, Ange."

"Getting ready for the big trip?"

"I'm going to catch up on some paperwork at the lab first before I go home and pack."

"It's nearly nine, sweetie. Go home. The dead people aren't going anywhere. Trust me. Don't you have to get up at the buttcrack of dawn anyway?"

Sigh. "Yeah, I guess I should go home."

"I'll pick you up at the airport when you get back. I'd volunteer to take you, but I am not a morning person."

Brennan smiled. "I'll see you when I get back."

"Muwah! Love you, sweetie. You have a good time digging up mass graves. Don't forget to check out the locals while you're there. Even if they speak gibberish, you could still stop for a little eye candy here and there."

"I'm going to help return victims to their loved ones, not look for a date."

"Looking is not doing, sweetie. Call me before your plane lifts off."

"Talk to you later, Ange."

"Love ya."

Brennan hung up the phone and headed out to her car.

by ForensicMama Sun Aug 24, 2008 5:39 am

Chapter 34

________________________________________________

The alarm clock woke Brennan up. 3:30 AM. She reached over and turned it off, then buried her face back in her pillow. It was way too early. Even for her.

Finally, she moved her bare feet to the floor and began her morning routine. She showered and chose a pair of cargo pants, tee shirt with 3/4 sleeves, vest, and brown boots with thick tread.

She made the final call to the cab company, confirming her reservation. She was assured the driver would be there in minutes, if he wasn't already there.

Temperance made her way out of her building, stopping to get the mail on the way. A brown package was sitting in her box. A package she did not expect quite yet. She didn't expect it for another six months and thought she would have to wait another six to set eyes on it. She tore the edge of the paper and pulled out the contents. A shiny copy of her novel, The Bred in the Bone. The cover was still shiny and it smelled of warm paper. She flipped it over and looked at her photograph. Wasn't the best picture in the world, but it wasn't the worst, either. All in all, it was everything she had dreamed it would be. She was holding her novel. Hers. A surge of joy rushed through her. In a year, she would be marketing it, but her publicist swore that she wouldn't need that kind of hype to get this book on the New York Times Best Sellers List.

With a happy sigh, Brennan made her way to her front stoop. The dark sky was sparkling with silver stars, large and small. The full moon created eerie shadows in the night. The street was empty and nobody stirred.

When she finally decided to call the cab company again, two headlights glowed in the distance. Finally! Brennan picked up her pack and the copy of her book, pushed her mail into her pack, and stood up. The headlights were higher off the ground than she had expected and she supposed it was one of those SUV-style taxis.

However, as it drew nearer and the streetlights reflected off it, she realized that the vehicle was black and not white or yellow as most taxis are in DC.

She crossed her arms and firmed her lips.

The vehicle stopped in front of her and the passenger side window rolled down.

Booth.

"What are you doing here?"

"Thought you might need a ride." He flashed the million-dollar grin.

"No thank you. I have a taxi coming for me."

Booth shrugged. "Sorry to break it to you, Bones, but your driver was withheld for questioning this morning. "

"For what?" She felt her brows furrow with anger.

"Unpaid parking tickets." Booth smiled.

"You did that so you could take me to the airport, didn't you?"

Booth kept on grinning and shrugged. "That's classified information, ma'am. Need a ride?"

She sighed. "Fine!"

Booth jumped out and ran around to open the back door for Brennan's luggage. "Just one bag, Bones?"

"I'll be digging in dirt for almost a year, Booth. There's little need for evening gowns in the Guatemalan Highlands."

Booth raised his hands in defense. "Fine, fine. Just making sure you don't forget anything."

They drove in silence and finally pulled into the airport. Despite her protests, Booth helped her with her bags once they parked. Booth reached for her bag in her hand. Brennan pulled it back into her arms, making The Bred in the Bone fall to the ground, photo up.

Booth looked at it. "Hey, what's this?" He picked it up. "You write books, too?"

Brennan snatched it from his hands. "Yes."

"So, you squint during the day, kick butt at night, and on the weekends you write novels?"

"Yes."

"Why haven't I heard any of this?" He snatched it back. "Nice picture!"

"I've kept it a secret from my colleagues. Fiction isn't exactly an accepted form of literature among scientists. You and Angela are the only ones who know any of this. Can I have my book back?"

Booth handed it back. "I get to read it, right?"

"Go to Barnes & Noble and buy your own."

They walked together to the gate, Booth used his security clearance to take her all that way.

"I'm a big girl, Booth. I can take care of myself."

"Like you took care of Peterson last night."

"Think I hurt him?"

"Yes."

"Good." Brennan took a seat at Gate 62A. "Why did he do it?"

Booth sat beside her. "He's a pervert. His wife found out and told her best friend... guess who?"

"Christy Randolf."

"Bingo. Anyway," Booth ran a hand over his face. He had a bit of a 5 o'clock shadow from not shaving that morning. "Peterson admitted to a couple of other rapes. But he only admits to killing Christy and Autumn. Sick bastard."

"All First Class Passengers for Flight 987 to Guatemala City are now allowed to board. All First Class Passengers, please."

Brennan stood and tossed her pack over her shoulder. "That's me."

Booth stood and pushed his hands into his pockets. "Well, I guess I'll see you in September."

"Right."

"And... thanks again for all of your help."

"Well, thank you for not treating me like a lab rat." She turned and took several steps, then stood in line behind about six other passengers.

Booth stayed to watch her board, then left the airport.

On the ride home, he decided he didn't mind working with Temperance Brennan after all. She was intelligent--almost to a fault. But she was fascinating. And it certainly helped that she was drop-dead gorgeous, too.

He had a feeling that if they started working together, they would create a partnership that might just last a lifetime.

by ForensicMama Sun Aug 24, 2008 5:41 am

Edit.... I added an epilogue.

by Memphis Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:49 am

OMG....I loved that!!! You're story was too cute!!!! Thank you so much mama!!!

by ForensicMama Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:12 pm

Thank you for reading! Very Happy

by ForensicMama Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:39 pm

Chapter 35 (Epilogue)
The Musie is happy and I've discovered a way to finish it correctly!

___________________________________________

Six months later...

Booth wound his way through the Jeffersonian's hallways. The newest case had been sent to him through the FBI.

A man had been murdered and found decomposed to the point of near complete skeletonization.

They were getting nowhere. It didn't help that Booth was near the breaking point with the squint named Zack.

He hopped onto the platform. Alarms went off. Two armed guards ran to him. One look and they knew it was Agent Booth... again. They turned off the alarms and retreated to their posts.

"Zack-o! Got a lead? Age range? Race? Height? Murder weapon?"

Zack was a nervous little guy. That made Booth nervous. The feeling of irritation was growing with every encounter with squint boy.

"I'm sorry, Agent Booth, but I'm working. I haven't gotten the chance to determine race, but I do have an age range for you. Male. Fifty-five to sixty-five. Osteoporotic, which is unusual for males, but not entirely uncommon."

"Right." Booth clapped his hands together. "Got a weapon? Was it like a butter knife? A pocket knife? You said he was stabbed, right?"

"Correct, but I wasn't able to determine--" Zack stopped when he noticed the threatening glare that Agent Booth was thrusting his way. "O-Kay. Anyhow, I sent the original X-Rays to Dr. Brennan."

"In... Guatemala?"

"Correct. One second here..." Zack began to click away at the computer, but after a short moment became frustrated.

Angela watched from afar, but then stood, sighed, and walked over to Zack. "Jeez, Zack, if you were any more computer illiterate, I'd have to hit you over the head with the monitor."

"Why would you do such a thing?"

"To help you absorb it faster." Angela set up the web cam and after a second, a dirty and exhausted looking Dr. Brennan appeared on the screen.

"Dr. Brennan!" Zack was astonished. "You look as if you could use a shower."

Booth looked at him, annoyed. "Intelligent and has good eyesight. He's a keeper."

"Yes, I've been sifting through sediment for the better part of a morning. Hi, Booth."

Booth leaned against the desk and leaned over so that he, Zack, and Angela were in full view of the camera.

"Bones! Lookin' good."

"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me Bones?"

"At least a million more."

Brennan sighed and held up the X-Rays. "I've reviewed the X-Rays Zack sent me. I agree that the victim is an osteoporotic male in his late fifties to early sixties. He has a healed tibial fracture of the right leg and clavicle. That could be important in identification, Booth. As for cause of death--"

"Yeah, yeah, he was stabbed." Then to Zack, "I don't see why the h-ll you sent her those things. I don't see how she can help any. She's just telling me stuff I already know."

"I can still hear you, Booth."

Angela laughed. "Burn!"

Booth rolled his eyes.

Brennan continued. "Anyhow, I reviewed the X-Rays. I can also tell you that #9437C was murdered with a thin-bladed instrument. The width of the blade would be .25 millimeters thick with an angular head. I think you're looking for a box cutter with a firm handle. Such as the type given to employees of chain stores."

Booth gritted his teeth. There's no way in Sam Hell she knew that from X-Rays.

"Thanks, Bones." He walked off the platform.

Brennan watched him walk out of sight. "What was that about? I took time out of the dig to examine the X-Rays."

Angela laughed. "He's a real fireball, Bren."

"Tell me about it!"

---

2 Weeks Later...

Booth entered the interrogation room. A man with a white button up shirt, black slacks, and a name tag that read, "Thank You For Shopping At Trader Joe's! My Name Is Thad."

Booth interrogated the man for forty minutes. At last, the man rested his elbows on the table and ran his hands through his long blond hair.

"Fine, I did it! I stabbed him. I sliced him up like a zucchini. Is that what you want to hear?"

"Yes." Booth sat back. Satisfied. "So. You stabbed him. Cut him up. With what? A kitchen knife? One of those nice sets you found on the shelf? A store return? Humor me."

The man, without looking at Booth, reached into his pocket and placed something elongated with a gray handle.

Booth's breath caught in his throat. A box cutter.

Maybe Brennan was worth making his partner after all.

After that, his resolve was set firm in his mind. He had to work with Dr. Temperance Brennan.

by Memphis Sun Aug 24, 2008 2:29 pm

lol....hilarious!!!! I loved it!!! ..and I'm so glad you did an Epilogue.. Very Happy

by ForensicMama Sun Aug 24, 2008 5:01 pm

Me, too!

Thank you!!!

by Memphis Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:58 am

you're welcome!!!

by sweetie_dude Mon Aug 25, 2008 3:18 am

OMG! mama those last chapters were TERRIFIC. great writing.

by ForensicMama Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:34 am

Thank you sweetie! And thank you all for reading! Very Happy

by Memphis Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:43 am

as always...you are welcome...!!!

by sweetie_dude Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:37 pm

yeah you're welcome mama. your stories are awesome Smile

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