This is a collaborative effort with the endlessly talented brainysmrfs. Please go check out her catalogue of stories, her ID on this site is: 1683675.

'Based on Season 6 Spoilers. How much did the time away really change Booth and Brennan? Did anything change at all?'

Butch and Sundance...Cagney and Lacey...Thelma and Louise...Ren and Stimpy...all those famous duets had to start somewhere, and this is where ours begins.

We originally started this as a response to Seeleybaby's Sweet Disposition challenge, but found ourselves going way off the tracks with no brake handle in sight.

This isn't going to be a long, drawn-out story...in fact, we already have every chapter planned out and half-written. Things might get a little bumpy, but don't worry.

Stick with us, everything happens eventually.

This story contains spoilers for Season Six, so proceed with caution! You've been warned!

Oh I just don't know where to begin

Though he says he'll wait forever

It's now or never

But she keeps him hanging on

~Elvis Costello, Accidents Will Happen

Brennan took her seat in the vast lecture hall and directed her attention to the front of the room. She was there at the behest of her editor to hear what could be the publishing house's latest author speak on her experiences as an imbedded reporter in war-torn Afghanistan, and Brennan found herself looking forward to hearing firsthand accounts of the conditions she knew her partner had been living in for the previous seven months. She was loathe to ask Booth about his assignment because she knew how affected he was by the realities of war, so to have a glimpse into what was happening there was something that immediately fascinated Brennan.

When the tall, red headed woman took the stage and introduced herself as Charlotte Townsend, Brennan was surprised at how beautiful and put-together she looked. In her mind, she imagined a much different kind of person…someone rougher around the edges and certainly more jaded. But it only took moments before Brennan was caught up in Ms. Townsend's narrative, finding she was able to actually visualize the pictures of war the reporter described with respect and not a small amount of color.

When the speech was over, Brennan joined the crowd in a standing ovation. As the crowd began to disperse, she waited patiently while Ms. Townsend accepted congratulations from several other audience members and then began to make her way towards the other woman. As she got closer, Charlotte turned and saw her, a smile of recognition crossing her pretty face.

"Dr. Temperance Brennan…" Charlotte extended her hand, accepting a strong handshake from Brennan. "I'm honored you were able to attend my speech today."

"Ms. Townsend." Brennan nodded. "My editor asked me to attend as a favor, but I can say with honesty that I thoroughly enjoyed your lecture. It was incredibly informative and you are a very talented speaker."

Charlotte smiled wider, glad the world famous anthropologist and author was not only interested in her topic but seemed to truly like her speech. "Thank you so much, Dr. Brennan. I'm glad you found it interesting."

"Of course. My FBI partner recently returned from Afghanistan and I was curious about the conditions there." Brennan waited as Charlotte gathered her things and moved to walk beside her out of the hall. "Arlene also wanted me to offer you help and maybe some guidance on getting your narrative about the war published. I myself have published several novels and educational papers so I am well-versed in the topic."

Charlotte tried to follow Brennan's words, but found herself stuck on the first part of the sentence. 'My FBI partner…Afghanistan…' Oh, it couldn't possibly be…, she thought. Forcing herself back to what Brennan was saying, Charlotte smiled again. "That is so generous of you, Dr. Brennan. I'm not even sure I really want to do a book but I'd appreciate any tips you have."

Opening her mouth to respond, Brennan was suddenly distracted by her cell ringing. Looking at her phone, she apologized. "I'm so sorry, Ms. Townsend. That is my partner…just a moment." She held the phone to her ear to speak. "Brennan… Do we have a case?" Brennan walked away slightly as she talked to her caller.

Holding the phone to her chest, Brennan turned back to the reporter, "I'm sorry, I have to go. Work." She rummaged around in her bag and fished out a business card, "Take my card, feel free to give me a call if you have any questions."

Charlotte graciously took the card as Brennan turned around to leave she heard her huff into the phone, "Yes Booth, I'll meet you there. I'm leaving now…."

Booth. Well, that settles that. Charlotte thought. It really is a small world after all.

B&B

When Brennan arrived at the crime scene, Booth was already standing guard over the body, directing the FBI techs to secure the scene and generally keeping them out of Brennan's remains. To no one's surprise, Booth and Brennan had fallen back into their easy, productive partnership rhythm almost seamlessly, and Brennan couldn't have been more grateful for that.

As she crouched over the body, Brennan studied Booth as he took witness statements and spoke to the local PD. While his personality and disposition seemed unchanged, the same couldn't be said for his body. Booth was leaner, and certainly more muscular, with a deep tan that only served to highlight the changes. Before he left he had excellent definition, but now…Brennan was intrigued by how much more attractive Booth seemed, even though she had never really given it much thought previously. Shaking off the inappropriate musings, Brennan went back to work.

After all the evidence had been collected and the body was readied for shipment to the Jeffersonian, Booth walked Brennan back to her car.

"So Bones, where were you when I called? It took you forever to get here." Booth smiled, making sure Brennan knew he wasn't lecturing her in any way.

"Oh, I was at a speech my editor asked me to attend. Charlotte Townsend, a journalist embedded in Afghanistan, was speaking about her experiences there. It was rather fascinating. I spoke to her afterwards and…" Brennan trailed off as she realized that Booth was no longer next to her. Turning, she saw that Booth had stopped walking, a look on his face she didn't recognize. "Booth? Is something wrong?"

Shaking his head, Booth brought himself back to the present. "Uh, no. But…" He paused, unsure of how to explain what had stopped him to Brennan. "Do you remember when I told you about the woman I met in Afghanistan?"

Brennan nodded, as realization dawned on her simultaneously. "That was Charlotte Townsend?"

"Yeah." Booth moved to continue walking. "I left before she got back from a trip to London so…I don't know if she even knows what happened with me."

Brennan hummed in response. "Well, I can see why you were attracted to her. She's very beautiful. And nice as well, from what I gathered from the few moments I spoke with her."

"You talked to her?" Booth was uncomfortable, but unsure as to why.

"Yes, as I said, my editor asked me to attend the lecture, to offer Ms. Townsend advice on possibly publishing a book on her experiences. We didn't speak long; you called while we were talking."

"Ah." They reached their separate cars, and Brennan allowed Booth to help her with her gear as she pulled off her jumpsuit. "Well, I need to head over to the Hoover to get this paperwork started. I'll see you at the lab later?"

"Sure. I'll call if we get anything beforehand. Talk you to later, Booth." Brennan climbed into her car and drove away. Booth watched her go with a feeling of something very similar to dread churning in his gut as he got into his own car and headed for the Hoover.