So, a new story from me. If anyone's intrigued by the first chapter, I'll post more. If not, I'll be sad, but I'll live... Hee. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters.
I'm terminating your partnership.
The words repeated themselves in Brennan's head as she shrugged off her jacket and threw it furiously onto the floor of her living room. The buttons of the jacket made a resounding clank when they hit the hardwood floor. Brennan wiped her hand over her face and started pacing back and forth in the room. There was a million thoughts going on inside her head, all going on a very high speed. She could feel the headache forming. Massaging her temples, she flopped down onto the couch and leaned her head back. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop her mind going through what had happened earlier.
"What is this meeting about?" she asked her partner as she got in the elevator and pushed the button.
"For the gazillionth time, I don't know," Booth replied impatiently and followed her to the elevator. "Cullen didn't give any details."
"Do you think he's going to reprimand us for something?"
"Nah. I don't think we've even done anything questionable lately."
"True." Brennan stepped back to let more people in to the elevator. "Maybe he's finally releasing us from therapy sessions with Sweets."
"Yeah, like that's going to happen. Maybe he just has a new case for us. Something high-profile."
Finally the elevator doors opened at the eighth floor and they got out. They walked down the hall and when they reached Cullen's door, Booth started adjusting his tie.
"Whatever it is, try not to piss him off, Bones. He really doesn't like you."
"Well maybe he shouldn't 'get pissed' so easily."
Booth chuckled at Brennan's use of air quotes while still fidgetting with his tie. "Just try not to be so blunt with him. In fact, why don't you let me handle the talking."
Brennan swatted his hands away from the tie and adjusted it properly. "That is offensive. I'm not going to sit quietly in the corner like some shy five-year-old."
"Fine. Just trying to help, but never mind." Booth knocked on the door and heard the man inside tell them to come in.
They entered the office and sat on the chairs that were in front of Cullen's desk. Cullen himself sat behind the neat desk, wearing a slightly amused expression.
"That door is not soundproof, you know."
The partners glanced at each other. Booth's eyes widened a little, and he was about to give an explanation when Cullen interrupted him.
"That's okay, agent Booth, no need to explain. What I'd like to do is get straight to the reason why I called you two here."
"Please do," Brennan said while Booth just nodded. Cullen's face turned serious, maybe even a little sad.
"I've had a few meetings with my superiors this week. The point in these meetings was to evaluate my work as a director of this department. I won't bore you with the details, but overall they thought that my work here has been first-rate. Except for one thing." He took a deep breath. "They were not happy with the fact that I have let a person who doesn't work in the FBI go to the field with an agent."
Brennan frowned. "They meant me? But I have gone to the field willingly. And I have signed the form that releases the FBI from any accountability in case of injury or death."
"Yes, I'm aware of that. And they are too. But they aren't comfortable with the idea that an inexperienced person is accompanying an agent to the crime scenes and interrogations."
Booth and Brennan were staring at Cullen intently, both anxiously anticipating what he was going to say next.
"As you're surely aware, I have to take orders too. In this case I have no other option than to obey them, as reluctant as I am."
Cullen glanced out of his window and continued with a grave voice.
"I'm terminating your partnership."