The Family with the Many Secrets: rated T for language, (somewhat) romantic themes, and forensic detail (in later chapters)

Summary: When a woman's remains are found inside a homeowner's wall, what really happened goes deeper then anyone could have imagined.

Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me. Simple as that.

Angelo's Pizzeria- Thursday, 12th May, 1:15 PM

"Wow, this food is really good. I'm surprised I've never noticed this place before," Temperance Brennan, world renowned forensic anthropologist, said, happily munching on a slice of 'Angelo's Favorite Vegetarian Pizza', today's lunch special. In her opinion it was of the best pizzas she'd had in a long while: The crunchy but not burnt crust was topped with finely sliced tomatoes, olives, peppers and basil. The vegetables lay on a bed of the stringiest mozzarella she'd ever had the pleasure of tasting.

"I know, Angelo's is the best kept secret in town. And anyway, it's about time we got you out of the lab. With your eating habits these past weeks I'm sure anything tastes good to you," David said with smile tugging at his lips, taking a bite himself.

She paused for a moment to swallow, fake-pouted, before replying," You know that's a bit of an over-exaggeration, if I may say so."

"Oh really," he challenged.

"Yes, I eat regularly, I'll have you know. And it's not like I never get out of the lab. Quite often in fact, with Booth. We get called to a crime scene and I have to leave the lab."

At the mentioning of Booth's name, the green-eyed monster inside of David reared it's ugly head and it took all his free-will to keep it there. Sure, Booth and Tempe were just partners, friends at most (or so he hoped), but he couldn't help but feeling he and the agent were neck at neck fighting for her affections. But his gestures made it clear to David that he cared possibly even loved the forensic anthropologist, after all he had flown down to New Orleans to prove her innocence after she had forgotten a whole day or on another occasion had he not saved Tempe from a horrible death by escaping from the hospital with two broken ribs and shooting the killer in the shoulder? These were things he couldn't compete with. He wasn't an FBI agent carrying a legal gun. Nor could he fly to wherever, whenever she needed help. He had a job with a small limited pay, so how could he?

And even if he had those things, he wouldn't be able to, because Temperance didn't let him into her life. She was so distant from him.

Brennan noticed that the muscles in his lower jaw were tense," What's wrong?"

"Nothing! It's just it doesn't count because it's still counts as work," he joked, covering while snapping back to reality, but his conscience wanted to strangle that Special Agent Seeley Booth.

"Well," she started, but was cut off by her cell phone's high-pitched ring. She picked up, not looking at the ID, "Brennan."

"Hey Bones, guess what?"

She knew instinctively who it was and what was coming, "No, Booth."

"No, what? You don't even know what I was going to say."

"How about, 'we have a case'?"

"Ok, yeah, but why no? What's so important that you can't leave your bones for a case with me? It would be a first you know," she swore she could hear the patented charm smile take form on his lips through the phone.

"Well, I mean maybe in hour or so, but not right away."

"What's so exciting that your partner can't tear you away from?"

"I'm on a date," she stated simply.

He coughed, "A date?" then with slight anger and jealousy arising in his voice, he said," Please don't tell me with Dick431."

"You know that's not his name Booth!"

David listened closely to the conversation and knew this wouldn't end well for him. Why did Booth always interrupt and mess their relationship up? He just wanted one lunch with his Tempe.

"So sorry to interrupt your date with David," sarcasm was dripping in his voice, "but you've said it once before yourself, you're the only forensic anthropologist in the nearby area. And anyway, both Cullen and Cam have given me the ok on letting you onto the case. So technically you have to come, Bones."

"Yes. Give me an hour or two and I'll be there."

"You know, you're damn infuriating," he sighed.

"Well, that's really going to make me want to come right away."

Silence.

"Where are you?"

"Angelo's. Why?" realization hit her, " Don't you dare! No Booth!"

"I'll be there in ten minutes."

"Booth! You can't just do this! You're un-" the line went dead, as Booth had hung up. Annoyed, Dr. Brennan turned her attention to her boyfriend, " I'm so sorry. Booth just called-"

"And you have a case. I know, I heard" 'not hard to overhear' David thought.

"Yeah," she blushed," and he's picking me up in about ten minutes. Look, I'm really sorry about this, but it's not as if he really gave me a say in the matter."

"No Tempe, it's ok. I understand it's your job and if the FBI needs your help I'm not going to keep you from doing your job."

"I- thanks. Is there any way I can make this up to you?"

"How 'bout dinner? I'll pick you up around 6:30?"

"I should be done by then, so sounds great! I'll see you then," she said grabbing her bag and her jacket, placing a 20 bill on the table. She kissed him on the cheek lightly as she bustled out of the little bistro with a swift 'Goodbye' and 'See you later'. 'And it was all going so well too,' David thought sadly to himself watching his girlfriend exit.

Agitated she waited in front and sure enough not minutes later did the familiar black vehicle, she was not so keen on seeing, drive up to the curb.

Getting into the car the agent greeted her, "Hey Bones."

Thoroughly annoyed, with Booth at the root of her annoyance (not that this was uncommon or anything), she icily replied," I thought I have repeatedly told you not to call me that!"

"Well hello to you too. And, well it's the only the first time you've told me today," he grinned, his eyes on his partner instead of the road.

TBC…

A/n: ok that was the first chapter. Uneventful I know. But they are going to get to the scene next chapter no worries! Here's a taste for next chapter:

"You're jealous."

"What? No I'm not," he lied through his teeth, clutching the steering wheel tighter yet.

"Yes you are!" she laughed.

"You know what Bones, we're almost here and you still know nothing about the case."

"Right," she said, her business was why she was here in the first place.

He grabbed a yellowish file folder and tossed it onto Temperance' lap. She scanned over it, as he elaborated, "A married couple had recently moved into a house which was a fixer up-er. Well they were in for a surprise when a skeleton popped out of their wall when they tried to knock down a wall in their living room…"

Well that's it for now!

I'll update as soon as I have time (most likely Friday)… Please review to give me motivation… it really does help :D.

Kathi