Set After The Crank In The Shaft.

I'm not going to deny it. I am a massive Hodgins fan...hence the whole plot is going to originate from him... (I might be a little tired of reading cliché BB romances)...but this wasn't going to write itself, so I decided to stop being so scathing of the lack of new original ideas and try out a not very original one of my own.

Feel free to like it, hate it, or tear it to shreds

It's my first Bones fanfic, but don't feel the need to go easy on me

"Bones!"

Booth's voice sounded through the building, no longer startling its occupants due to it's now familiar tone.

Dr Temperance Brennan looked up from the remains that she was pouring over on the platform. Angela appeared from her office, Hodgins looked up from his microscope and Cam paused in her conversation with an intern.

"Yes Booth?" came the reply "Do we have a case?"

Booth rolled his eyes as her jogged up onto the platform

"Can't a guy visit his partner because he feels like it?" he asked

Bones raised an eyebrow before answering

"Booth, I am trying to catalogue the injuries and ascertain the cause of death of these remains. Surely this 'visit' could have waited until after office hours?"

It was Booth's turn to smirk.

"Since when do you keep to office hours?"

Angela and Hodgins grinned at each other from their opposite sides of the room, before glancing away bashfully, their break up still at the height of its awkwardness.

"The sentiment of respecting my work would have been appreciated. If we have no case I hardly see the point of you visiting me during work."

"Awww come on Bones! Live a little would you?"

"I have Booth. For many years, in fact. And I intend to live for more. I also fail to see what your statement has to do with our topic of conversation."

Booth shook his head

"Never mind Bones, never mind. Come on, let's go to the Diner."

"No, Booth, I have to finish cataloguing the remains."

Booth started to move around the table which the mentioned remains were lying on to stand next to his stubborn partner.

"Bones, its 3 in the afternoon. I'm willing to bet that you haven't even thought of eating lunch yet..." He trailed off looking at Angela for confirmation, who nodded her confirmation, accompanied by a wink.

"Booth..." began Bones

"Nuh-uh, no arguments. Dead guy hear can wait a couple more hours before being processed."

"But..."

"Diner, Bones. Now."

"Booth..."

"Do I have to carry you out of here?"

"That would be highly undignified Booth. Though, in some cultures..."

Groaning in frustration Booth opened his mouth to stem the flow of anthropological jargon, when a phone rang, shattering the silence that had settled of the rest of the department.

"Oops." muttered Hodgins as he fished out his mobile meekly from his pockets as everyone glared at him. "My Bad."

Answering the phone he turned away, as the argument on the platform picked up again.

"Not a culture study here Bones. Just trying to make sure my partner does not pass out from lack of food."

"I ate this morning Booth – technically it would take longer than the 9 hours you are suggesting for someone of my body mass and health to 'pass out'"

"Really pushing it here Bones. We're going..."

"What!" A strangled cry came from the corner of the room. All eyes turned his way as a pale Jack Hodgins, entomologist and millionaire slid to the ground in obvious despair. Everyone could pick up on his one sided conversation on the phone.

"Have you...O god...No, no I had no idea....Is she...."

Silence reigned in the lab

"What do you mean you have no idea? It's your job to have an idea!" his tone turned harsh

"Sorry sir isn't going to cover it – What are you doing?"

"That isn't good enough, I don't care what your..."

The blood came rushing back to his face as he stood, his anger now apparent.

"Thank you then Officer, for your insincere words and your lack of compassion. I already know with you incompetent public servants – If you want something done, you have to do it yourself."

With a snap of his phone, he hung up. Emotional turmoil was obvious in his eyes. Jack Hodgins had not been this mad in a very long time. He looked up to see everyone watching him, their interest in Booth and Brennan long dispersed.

"Is...Everything alright Dr Hodgins?" came Cam's voice

"No, everything is not bloody...I'd like to request time off Dr Saroyan." his tone became clipped and measured.

She blinked in surprise.

"Well, you do have a lot of vacation hours..." she hesitated slightly "May I ask the reason?"

Hodgins met her concerned gaze, eyes still flashing.

"Personal Reasons." he spat out, before in one swift movement collecting his belongs from his desk and striding out the door.

Angela went to follow, before realising that she no longer had the right to be his shoulder to cry on.

And everyone snapped backed to reality as the lab door shut with a click

Ok, not much plot, just a setup for where this is going to go

Thanks for reading!

Kylara-Jade

P.S. Chapters will get longer.