I don't know where this came from. I was just sitting at the computer and I started to write. It came out in less than ten minutes so apologies if it sucks or there are mistakes. Again, different from what I normally write but hopefully something you'll enjoy.

When I walk into Bones' office I immediately know I've arrived at a bad time. She is on the couch with Angela, her arm draped around her friend's shoulder in a comforting manner. Hearing me she turns and the look in her eyes is one I've not seen before.

I step further into the room and ask if something's wrong. Bones hangs her head, not wanting to tell me. But Angela appears to suck in a deep breath before twisting to face me. That's when I see it. A nasty purple bruise square on her cheek.

I feel a rage coming over me. That kind of bruise you don't get by bumping into something or falling over. That's the kind of bruise you get when someone smacks you around. I say her name softly and Angela looks at me, her eyes both scared but with strength behind them. I ask if her boyfriend did this to her. Bones takes Angela's hand as she nods in answer to my question. I start out of the room, the rage driving me forward. No one hurts my friends like this.

As I stride through the lab I hear Bones calling to me. I don't stop but she catches up to me and grabs my arm, stepping around in front, her hand pressed against my chest to keep me still. She asks me where I'm going. I don't answer. The less she knows the better. She asks me again but I simply step around her. As I stride away I can feel her watching me. She knows where I'm going. That bastard has to know he can't go smacking women around, especially not my friends.

I knock harshly on his door and the scumbag answers. He asks who I am and I calmly tell him I'm a friend of Angela's. He tries to shut the door on me but I smack my hand flat against it to keep it open. Through gritted teeth I tell him we need to talk.

As I drive away from the house I feel a sense of accomplishment and control. I didn't lay a hand on him despite the pounding urge to knock him six ways from Sunday. A few choice harsh words and what may be interpreted by some as threats were all that was needed to make sure this guy never even thinks of Angela again.

When I get back to the Jeffersonian, Angela and Bones are still in her office. I can tell by the look on Angela's face that Bones told her what I was doing. As I stand near the door Angela walks over to me and gives me a hug. Whispering in my ear she thanks me for looking out for her. I nod and let her past. Now it's just me and Bones. She's staring at me but I can't make out if she's mad at me for going or thankful for sorting that abusive bastard out.

She walks over and tells me I shouldn't have gone over there. That I could have made things worse or could have gotten hurt myself. I want to smile knowing that she cares but I don't. Then Bones thanks me for going and for looking after her friend. I tell her that her people are my people and I won't let anyone hurt them, or her. I can't quite read her expression when she hears this but I like to think she feels safe knowing this because that's what I want her to feel. Bones has been through so much and I want her to know I'd do anything to protect her, and her friends.

I watch as Bones leaves her office and joins Angela, Zach and Hodgins at the centre lab. I can see how much they all care about each other from the way they gather around Angela, offering support. For a moment I feel like an outsider merely observing them. Then Bones calls me over. She has something on our latest case. Time to get to work.