Agent Perotta, Agent Bail, Agent Harris, Agent Far, Agent Rachel and Agent Julia were all sitting around the oval table in the conference room. Agent Rachel and Agent Far tapped their pen caps on the table while everyone else waited patiently. What were they waiting for exactly? Director Cullen had called them in ten minutes ago and since Cullen's words should never be taken lightly, they all immediately rushed to the room.

"And he yells at us for being six point four seconds late." Agent Harris rolled his eyes and grinded his teeth together.

"Maybe he had to finally take a bathroom break." Agent Rachel giggled.

Agent Julia started to smirk. "Yesterday, I watched him closely and he seemed to never get up to go to the bathroom."

"Maybe he has a bladder the size of a melon." Agent Bail chuckled with a wide smile on his face.

"Or maybe the size of his head." Agent Far laughed. Agent Perotta was about to laugh too but a tall figure entered the conference room. Agent Far kept on laughing until he felt a thick stack of papers on the top of his head.

"Believe me, I do take short bathroom breaks and my bladder is surely not the size of a melon," Director Cullen announced. " or the size of my head." He briefly glared down at Agent Far.

Everyone stared up at the Director and immediately cleared their throat, hoping that they wouldn't get in trouble. The Director waved his hand. "Pass out the papers to everyone, Agent Far."

Agent Far sent the packets of papers around the table.

"We have an Agent joining us. He isn't new, he's just back from a short trip." Cullen didn't even have to turn his head.

The Agent walked into the conference room suited up with a solid black tie and a silver plated belt buckle. His hair was dark brown and somewhat floppy. It was as if his hair had just gotten out of a cotton candy machine. It looked combed and yet somewhat sophisticated or at least in Agent Perotta's eyes.

"This is Agent Sullivan." Director Cullen introduced him to the group.

"Well if it aint Timmy." Agent Harris widened his smile.

"Long time no see." Sully laughed and immediately walked over to give him a brotherly hug. He greeted Agent Far, Bail and Julia. All four of them knew Sully but Agent Perotta and Rachel had yet to even know why Director Cullen let him disrupt his own little area.

"Agent Sullivan." Director Cullen scornfully called out his name.

"Sorry, Sir." Sully apologized.

"Sit next to Agent Perotta so we can begin the meeting." He took out his own packet of notes.

He nodded and quietly walked over to the seat next to the blonde Agent. He looked over at her and saw a familiar face. She didn't look over at him nor did she want to. There was something familiar about his face. It was as if she had seen him before, before the FBI, before her training… before she finished college. It was something she couldn't put her tongue on.

"There are three cases that we're putting on pursuit this week. Team one, Agent Far and Agent Rachel. You two will be taking the maniac that's been shooting people from a wide variety of buildings. Directions are in the file I gave you. FBI forensics will be waiting for you." Director Cullen told them.

"Yes, Sir." Agent Far nodded before getting up from his seat. Agent Rachel walked out of the conference room while Far went over to quickly pat Sully on the shoulder.

"It's nice to have you back, Sully." He whispered.

Sully turned his head and quickly smiled.

"Agent Bail, Agent Julia and Agent Harris will take the serial killer on Fourth Street. Directions are in the file and FBI forensics will be awaiting your arrival." Cullen watched as the three walked out of the conference room.

"Take care of our little guy, Agent Perotta." Harris said with a wink before leaving the room.

Agent Perotta widened her smile and turned her head to glance at him. Sully returned her glance and smiled. She knew him. His hair, his eyes and his smile; it was all slowly coming together.

"You two will be teamed up with Agent Booth and Dr. Brennan. They need more helping hands with the big case they got themselves into. I'll give you guys some time to get to know each other since you'll be spending a lot of time together. Report to Agent Booth and Dr. Brennan at the Jeffersonian and you'll be helping with the case when needed."

"Yes, Sir." Agent Perotta stood up with authority.

"Agent Sullivan."

"Yes?" Sully stood up as well.

"You'll be taking the office next to Agent Perotta's. Agent Jill is on a maternal leave." With that said, the Director left the two partners in the room.

Sully looked over at his partner and put a hand out. "Hi, I'm Agent Tim Sullivan but you can call me Sully."

"Agent Peyton Perotta." She responded and happily shook his hand.

"Have we, um, met before?" He raised his eyebrow at her.

"I don't think so." She walked out of the conference room and towards her office.

"Are you sure?" He called after her.

"Yep." She nodded, walking past a couple desks.

"It's kind of weird. In the pit of my stomach, it feels like I've met you before."

"Maybe that's your breakfast saying hello." She glanced over her shoulder, harshly smiling.

"Wow, you're all business, huh?" He said playfully.

She turned around, folded her arms and stopped him in his tracks. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"You're obviously pissed about something. Either that or you have a bee up your butt." He joked. "People have said you do take work seriously."

"I understand that you've lost a partner Agent Sullivan and so have I. Just because I've moved on about it and you haven't doesn't mean work is something to joke around about. Everyday someone dies. Everyday we try to decrease those numbers. So instead of thinking that you know me, try to think that you don't know me, because you don't." She stared at him scornfully.

"Why wouldn't I want to know you?" He ignored every hurtful word she said and focused on the last bit.

"Because I'm not someone you want to get close to. Besides, I heard you were sexually attracted to Dr. Brennan." Perotta turned around and walked back towards her office.

"That was a long time ago." He sped up and stopped in front of her, making her abruptly stop. "What's wrong with people getting close to you?"

"We should really get on the case." She told him.

"Hey." He gently tugged on her hand. His voice was gentle yet serious. It made her feel protected and loved. His voice soothed her—wait, it soothed her!? "We're going to be partners for a long time. It'd rather get to know my new partner than let another one die because of my stupid mistakes."

She looked down at his hand and then up at him. "Your mistakes weren't stupid, Sully. They were heroic." Sully's grip slowly slipped, letting Perotta's hand fall to her side. "We should leave in ten minutes."

Perotta had already walked into her office leaving Sully in the middle of a hall. Something about her made him smile. Her attitude and the space in her eyes made him feel kind of funny; the good kind of funny. Was it love? Or was it just another partnership? If it were love, he would've already jumped her. He immediately ruled love out of the list.

Booth and Brennan walked out of Brennan's office. They were bickering as usual. Angela stood by the sidelines and couldn't help but laugh at the pair. They were a sight for sore eyes. Frustrating yes, but cute nonetheless.

Agent Perotta and Sully walked through the Jeffersonian sliding doors and were bickering as well.

"I did not dent your car!" Sully tried to tell her.

"Whatever." Perotta rolled her eyes.

"Okay, I admit that my keys bumped into it and maybe there's a little scratch but I did not make a dent!" He tried to tell her.

"You scratched my car?" She asked with burning flames scorching out from her eyes. She stood there with her left hand resting on her hip.

'Oh boy…' Sully thought. He politely smiled. "I can fix it for you, Eyes."

"Eyes?" Perotta furrowed her eyebrows before shaking her head. "Don't try to change the subject."

"I didn't, you did." He tried not to smile. "Eyes is my nickname for you."

"Call me Eyes one more time and I swear, I'll drop a dictionary on your crotch." She whispered with a devious smile. Sully widened his eyes and felt Perotta's shoulder brush against his when she walked passed him. He swallowed slowly and tried to smile.

"That's a nice feeling on the first day." He nervously whispered to himself. He turned around and followed his partner from a safe distance.

Booth shook his head at his Bones and smiled. "You realize how many times I've told you to stop staying so late?"

"Yes." She nodded. "Do you want a rough estimate or an approximate number?"

"Nevermind, Bones." He smirked.

"But you—"

"Agent Booth, Dr. Brennan." Perotta called out.

They both turned their heads to see Sully and Perotta walking towards him.

"Agent Perotta." Booth nodded. He looked behind her and smiled. "Well if it isn't Agent Sailboat."

Brennan furrowed her eyebrows up at Booth. "That's Sully, Booth." He looked down at his partner with a sarcastic look. "Oh." She blinked and looked over at Sully. She was hoping nothing was going to start up between them, not again, not after everything she's been through. He was a great guy, yes, but she was afraid that she'd be abandoned again. He didn't necessarily abandon her… he was too sweet.

"Hey Tempe, hey Booth." He greeted them.

"So Director Cullen put you on our case?" Booth tried to be polite.

"Yup." Sully nodded.

"So far, we've identified two of the victims. Booth is already on a lead – I think."

"Yes, Bones. I've already gotten us a lead. You two can help out the squints until I've got something I can't do." He harshly smiled at them.

"We should be working together, Agent Booth. More hands equal less work." Perotta crossed her arms.

"To you maybe. Cullen put you two on this case, not me."

"You wouldn't want me to call him, would you?" She challenged him with those eyes of hers.

"Eyes, settle down. If Booth wants us to help out around the lab, we should." Sully tried to calm her down.

"Do you really want that dictionary to turn into an encyclopedia?" Perotta angrily whispered back to him with those devilish eyes of hers. They were very demonic at that time. At this point, Sully knew when to back off.

"Sorry." He gasped and took a cautious step back.

"Perotta." Booth pressed his lips together.

"Booth." She replied back.

"This is my case. You can call Cullen all you want; I don't care."

Brennan saw the fire in both of their eyes. She had never seen Booth this angry about a case before. It was a little weird but quite entertaining. She was kind of scared that Perotta might actually drop a dictionary on someone's crotch. She seemed desired to do so at that moment.

"Hm." Brennan hummed.

"If you don't give me access to the case and all of the evidence I will shove my foot so far up your ass you'll forget how to pee." Perotta uncrossed her arms. Power radiated from her body. Sully, standing behind her, made an awful disgusted face. Brennan on the other hand widened her eyes in astonishment.

Booth stood there with his shiny cocky belt buckle and flashy dark red tie. He looked down at her and moved his chin under. He drew his mouth open and heavily sighed.

"Fine." He breathed. "Access to the case and the evidence but that's it. Bones and I do the interrogating."

"Fair enough." Perotta nodded. "You've gotten better while I've been away."

"Your threats are still vivid and grotesque." Booth straightened his tie and smiled.

"Okay, now I'm scared." Sully commented.

"There's one more victim to identify. Do you want to take a look at the remains, Agent Perotta?" Brennan questioned Perotta's curiosity.

"I'd love to." She nodded and proceeded to follow her to the forensic platform. Sully faked a smile at his leaving partner. He wondered if he was capable of handling her. Someday, that dictionary slash encyclopedia will drop and her foot will be up. He looked up at the ceiling and mouthed, 'Please, don't let that happen.'

"Like your new partner?" Booth asked, walking towards him with a slight smile on his face.

"I have to admit. I'm a little scared." Sully chuckled.

"She gets easier day by day." He tried to reassure him.

"When I see it, I'll believe it." He watched his partner observe the remains with his ex-girlfriend. He wanted to connect with her somehow. He wanted to talk to her without mentioning threats of shoving body parts up places. A nice, civilized and calm chat would be nice. He looked over at Brennan and smiled. At least she seemed okay. After one last glance at Booth, Sully decided to visit Cam in the Autopsy room.

Sully curiously walked into the Autopsy room and saw Cam cleaning some of the tools in the sink. He smiled and saw blood all over the place. He looked over at the autopsy table and saw one of the victims. He loomed over the body and saw maggots squirming inside.

"Oh god." Sully covered his mouth in disgust.

Cam swiftly turned around in shock. Once she saw a familiar face, she let out a breath of fresh air. "Don't scare me like that, Sully."

"Sorry." He apologized. "God, that's disgusting…"

"What'd you expect, little happy oompa-loompas?" She widened her smile.

"Well… yeah." He joked. Sully cautiously walked around the table and towards her. "So how's my favorite gut and flesh person?"

"Doing very well." She smiled. "When'd you get back?"

"Yesterday; sorry I didn't call. I had to loosen a few ropes to get back into the FBI."

"Ah, so who's your partner now?" Cam put the wet tools on the try to dry. She turned to face him and quickly pulled off the latex gloves.

"Eyes—I mean, Agent Perotta." He nervously laughed.

"I see you already have a nickname for her."

"Yeah, she doesn't like it very much."

"So did Director Cullen put you two on Booth and Brennan's case or are you two just here to visit?"

"He put us on the case. Perotta's already in the big loop. I think she and Tempe are checking out the victims down at the forensic lab." He pointed behind him.

"You're in love with her, aren't you?" Cam narrowed her eyes at him and began to smirk.

"Wha—what?" He widened his eyes. "I'm not in love with Eyes—"

"I meant Dr. Brennan." Cam suspiciously eyed him.

"Oh—no, that's all in the past. The past is the past." He nodded. "Besides, Booth and Tempe are… together… right?"

Cam shook her head. "You came back a little too early. I'd give it a couple more years."

"Wow." Sully whistled and looked back at the forensic lab. "They really need that long?"

"Tell me about it. I think by the time they finally realize their feelings for each other, I'll be married and have two kids."

Sully laughed and widened his smile. He saw his beautiful blonde partner look at the decomposed bodies. He winced in disgust. "How can she even stand the smell?"

"Hm?" Cam hummed.

"Eyes isn't even flinching." He was slightly impressed.

"She's been Dr. Brennan's temporary partner a couple times. Booth got kidnapped, accused of murder and became incapacitated." She told him.

"A lot's changed since I was gone." He turned to watch his partner again. Perotta folded her arms and watched Brennan point out a few marks. She nodded a couple times before speaking. After a couple seconds, she turned around and bent over to take a look. Sully stared at her butt. Two seconds later, he quickly turned away and hoped that Cam wasn't watching him.

"Hey, Sully."

"Yeah?" He turned to face her.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, anything." He politely nodded.

"Are you in love with Agent Perotta?"

"Wha—What? What are you talking about?" Sully faked a laugh. "She's my partner and besides, FBI agents aren't supposed to be dating."

"So you do love her—"

"I never said I did…" Sully swallowed hard.

"I know that look, Sully. You had that same look when you were with Dr. Brennan." Cam told him. "It's no use lying to me and don't even try to lie to Angela."

"I have this feeling, deep inside my stomach, and it's telling me that I know her."

"Well you should know her, she's your partner—"

"No, not in that way… I feels like I've known her for years but I just met her today."

Cam furrowed her eyebrows. "So what you're saying is, you think you've known her in the past but in the present, you've just met her?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "I think I've asked her out before."

"Have you tried asking her—?"

"Already did. She claims she's never seen me before – well until now." He tried to clarify.

"Are you sure—"

"Those gorgeous eyes are hard to miss." He confessed with a warm smile and looked over at his partner. She had her arms crossed against her chest. After a couple seconds, she looked in his direction and caught him staring. He smiled at her and she gently smiled back. She looked somewhere else when Brennan pointed out something on the victim's body that sat on top of the metal table.

"So when are you going to ask her out?" Cam joked with a smirk.

Sully kept on staring at his partner. "Never."

"Why not? You two seem like a good match."

"Really now?" Sully smirked, furrowed his eyebrows and turned to look at her.

"Well, I'm not a match maker…"

"Eyes is my partner and besides, it's against the rules to date someone you work with."

"What about Dr. Brennan?" Cam raised an eyebrow.

"I was dating Tempe when Booth got reinstated which means, she wasn't my temporary partner anymore. So clearly, it was okay." He smoothed out the creases in that part of the conversation.

"Okay, fine. You go at your own pace." Cam tried to get out of the conversation. "Don't make me tell you 'I told you so' when you end up marrying her."

"Very funny, Cam. Very funny." He shook his head at her. Sully was about to walk out of the Autopsy room until he saw his partner standing there.

"What's so funny?" Perotta asked, furrowing her eyebrows at the two.

"Nothing." Sully gasped.

Cam shook her head. "It was an inside joke."

"Mhm…" Perotta's lips formed a suspicious smile.

"How were the dead bodies?" He smiled up at her.

"They were interesting. Unfortunately, Ms. Montenegro still needs some time identifying the last victim. Until then, we're going to avoid Agent Booth and sniff a trail." Perotta told him.

"Sounds like fun." He nodded before turning to Cam. "See you around, Cam."

"You two have fun." Cam told them. As they took their last step out of the Autopsy room, she immediately shook her head. They were slightly like Booth and Brennan but the unresolved sexual tension wasn't as big. It was like torture; seeing two people that were so right for each other deny every single spec of evidence. "I seriously need to read my book tonight."