Disclaimer Definitely don't own anything but the plot.

A/N So, not a whole lot happens in this chapter (at all, really), but it's mostly setting it up for them to get back to work at the Jeffersonian after their split in the finale. Don't worry, changes will definitely be addressed more in-depth in future chapters, but this is to just get it all started.

"Hi."

"Hi." Booth nervously ran his hands over his hair.

"You're hair's shorter."

He chuckled. "Yeah, shaving it was kind of hard," Booth shrugged. "I missed you."

"Me too." Brennan looked down at her clasped hands.

"Bones?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"That this is awkward."

"We haven't seen each other in an entire year, Booth. Sweets would say that it is perfectly understandable for our reunion to be a little uncomfortable."

"I thought you hated psychology."

"I do. But sometimes it has its place."

Booth smiled; he was happy that Bones was still the same Bones. It had been a year since the both of them had left DC, but neither of them had forgotten their arranged meeting place. The two held their coffees and enjoyed the familiarity of each other's presence.

"Why are you smiling?"

"No particular reason, Bones. It's just good to see you finally."

"I am glad to see you too, Booth. As amazing as the Maluku Islands were, it's nice to be home. We did make some amazing breakthroughs, though. There were a few high-profile articles in American Anthropologist about our findings in relation to—"

"Bones," Booth interrupted, "I am very proud of you, and I'm sure you were absolutely amazing at the Mapoo Islands—"

"Maluku."

"—but you know I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Right." Brennan glanced around her. "So, uh, how was Afghanistan?"

"A war zone. They're basically all the same. It felt good being back there for the first little while, but boy was I ready to come home."

"When do you return to the FBI?"

"I'm not sure yet. I have to stop by there after our meeting and see what's happening. What about you at the Jeffersonian?"

"Same. I need to talk to Cam and find out when my replacements are planning on leaving."

"It will be nice to work together again. You and me, partners."

Brennan opened her mouth to reply, but the familiar sound of Booth's ringing cell phone interrupted her. "One second, Bones." He opened his phone, "Booth."

Brennan crossed her arms and tapped her foot on the ground. She wondered who would be calling him already, but could gain nothing from his side of the conversation. She assumed it must be Parker and decided to use this opportunity check her partner over properly for the first time since they had reunited less than a half hour earlier.

Brennan wasn't sure that it would be possible for Booth to gain more muscle, but the jeans and black long sleeved t-shirt he wore suggested otherwise. The "Cocky" belt was in its usual place of honour making Brennan smile. He looked different with the buzz-cut, but she knew he'd be back to himself in no time. Otherwise he was the same as she remembered him, and there was no sign of any injury from his return to the battlefield. She was glad.

Booth closed his phone and smiled, "Looks like we're already back-in-action Bones. Time to meet our replacements at the Jeffersonian and then get to work."

Brennan smiled and nodded. She was glad she had decided to return. It felt good to be back.

A/N I hope you enjoyed it! Like it? Love it? Hate it? Have a suggestion for something I should work on? Let me know! Please review!