The Jeffersonian interns had a semi-monthly meeting affectionately called the "Show and Tell" meeting where they would pick a random set of x-rays from a recent case pop them up the big screen in the conference room and analyze them. The idea behind the meeting was to allow everyone to learn from experience even if it wasn't their week in the rotation. There was also a slight game involved to see how quickly the intern who had worked the case could identify it as theirs, so the actual set of files were picked by one of the admins and stripped of any case numbers and names. . To an outsider, it was another boring staff meeting, but to the interns it was a chance to hang out while gaining more experience and they all enjoyed it.

So, Jessica, Oliver, Wendall, Colin, Daisy, Rudolfo headed to the conference room and found Clark already there. He didn't always attend given his work, but found that it was useful for keeping his skills up to date so that on the occasions when he was called to assist in a criminal investigation he was ready.

"Ok, Clark, as first here, you get to do the coin toss." said Wendall.

Clark flipped the coin - "Tails. So, starting at the feet and working up." He put the set first set of pictures up on the monitor.

The feet appeared and collectively the group winced. Daisy commented, "Ok, might be quicker if we call out the bones that aren't fractured here. I think the right lateral cuneiform is intact as well as the left fourth and fifth metatarsals."

"Remodeling suggests that these injuries are more than twenty years old." Wendall added, "And while it's not definitive the size would suggest a male."

"What happened to this poor guy?" Jessica wondered out loud.

Rudolfo answered "Torture - beating the soles of the feet with pipes or hoses."

"Given the damage, it's most likely he walked with a limp" added Oliver.

Clark observed "There are stress fractures on the calceani that would indicate parachuting, so probably former military." Both Clark and Wendall were thinking the x-rays were likely of Jared Booth. Arastoo had told them a little of the case during a recent outing. Sort of a last hurrah before he headed off to a new job.

There was more discussion of the various fractures, and there were a lot of them. Fisher found himself feeling more and more depressed, which granted didn't take much. They were all grateful when it was time to move on.

The lower legs appeared. Wendall spoke first, "A couple more stress fractures, confirming the parachuting theory. Also remodeled blunt force trauma to the right fibula and tibia. Those injuries likely occurred at the same time as the foot trauma." There wasn't much else to see so they quickly moved on .

Next set of slides appeared, this one of the spine. "Remodeled greenstick fracture of the L4. Again, likely the result of the torture." noted Jessica.

Then came the rib cage. Fisher let out a low whistle, "Lot to talk about here. Greenstick fractures of ribs 5-8, extensively remodeled, likely the result of childhood abuse. There's also indications of sharp force trauma, maybe a gunshot wound? to the sternum, approximately 10 years ago, another sharp force trauma to right rib 4 this one occurring approximately 18 months ago, likely another gunshot. Other ribs have been broken in various incidents, some with the torture, some more recent." Oliver added, "There's also rib pitting, in a pattern which suggests he was shielding at the time of the injury. "

"Geez, this guy really went through the wringer" Jessica observed.

The right hand appeared next. "Fracture to the fourth and fifth metatarsal, most likely the result of a fist fight, approximately 7 years ago. " Wendall stated. He was now getting a funny feeling. That was the same injury Booth had sustained in a hockey game around that time. He was also thinking that from what he understood, Jared had been out of the military for a while, so how did he get a gunshot wound 18 months ago? Very odd coincidence for both brothers to be shot around the same time. He remembered what Arastoo had told him on how Dr. B had determined it was Jared and not Booth. "Hey Clark, can you pull up the left scapula?"

The others started to protest, that wasn't how it was done, but Clark was having the same funny feeling Wendall was. He put up the scapula. There was a chunk missing. Clark looked at Wendall and nodded, and turned the monitor off. Neither of them had any desire to see any more of Booth's x-rays.

Oliver was annoyed. "We haven't determined cause of death yet."

Clark said quietly. "I don't think we will."

Daisy was puzzled, and then it dawned on her. "This person isn't dead." She exclaimed, and then it hit her what she had been looking at. While they may have lacked specifics, everyone knew about Agent Booths little brother and the circumstances surrounding his identification. Cam walking by, heard her and poked her head in, having the interns discussing live people was a first.

Jessica frowned. "Oh crap. I'm getting a really bad vibe about this. " Rudolfo had also just figured it out and was looking a little sick to his stomach.

"What's going on? " Cam asked.

"Just doing our show and tell meeting, only Clark here has decided not to show anymore." Oliver whined.

"I don't think it's appropriate" said Clark, "These x-rays should have been deleted."

Cam was also puzzled, thinking through the reasons files should be deleted and recent cases, then she figured it out, "Oh God." Taking a deep breath she sought to do damage control. "Okay everyone, I will now take the time to remind you that you have all signed a confidentially agreement as part of your condition of employment here. So, if any of you discuss this outside of these walls, you will be fired. Also, for your own safety, I would suggest that you refrain from mentioning this to the party in question. I will find out how this slipped through the cracks and make sure it doesn't happen again, as well as let the person know what happened." And hope our friendship stops him from shooting me she mentally added as she left the room.

Oliver was still confused. Based on the expressions, they all knew this guy, but he couldn't figure it out. Of course, he wasn't privy to much office gossip because no one liked him. Not that he particularly cared most times, but now he was annoyed that others seemed to appear smarter than he was. "I don't know any 45 year old six foot males who limp" he muttered under his breath. Daisy retorted quickly, "he doesn't limp" and then clapped her hand over her mouth.

The interns gathered up their stuff and headed out quietly, usually they headed for a drink at the Founding Fathers, but no one was in the mood today. Daisy, Clark, and Wendall, having known Booth the longest, were having a hard time processing the knowledge of what he had suffered. Through the years they had picked up that his childhood wasn't the greatest, but they had never suspected abuse. From her relationship with Lance, Daisy knew that the trauma was always there. As a mother she could not imagine deliberately harming her child. While his army career was common knowledge Booth had never mentioned physical torture. They knew that he was haunted by some of the lives he had taken as a soldier, now they realized that there were other demons.

Fisher was also shocked by the injuries but couldn't help but feel a little jealous of all the times that Booth had come close to death. However he knew that if he wanted to come close to death the fastest way would be to ask Booth questions, so he decided that he would just have to remain curious. Rudolfo's respect for the man had deepened, his uncle in Cuba had similar experiences to the agent - torture and imprisonment and had coped by crawling in a bottle of rum. Jessica was just trying to figure out what to say the next time she saw Aubrey. It was horrible to think of what happened and she was pretty sure that Aubrey had no clue about his mentor and she really did not want to accidentally enlighten him.

Oliver had finally figured out whose x-rays they were and was trying to figure out how the agent walked without a limp. He hated it when he was wrong, particularly when he couldn't figure out where his mistake was.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Cam rang the doorbell to the B&B household with trepidation. She had talked on the phone with Booth earlier to make sure she wouldn't be interrupting, but figured she owed it to her friend to have this discussion face to face. He was going to be furious. Even though they had dated and been friends for over 20 years, he rarely volunteered information about his past unless it was forced from him. Most of what she knew about his childhood had come from Jared. As for the torture, she had only found out about that after their first night together when she'd seen him without socks and had demanded to know what happened to him. He had given her the barest of details. Others had been revealed during and after occasional nightmares. "Hey Cam" Booth greeted her. They exchanged a loose hug, Cam was very aware that he was still recovering and she wanted to make sure that she didn't add to his pain, or at least his physical pain.

"Need a beer?" he offered.

"Not yet. Maybe after we talk. Is Christine around?"

"No, Angela and Hodgins are bringing her home soon. She and Michael had an art class this afternoon and then we're all having dinner. You're welcome to join us." Booth replied as he took a seat on the couch and gestured for her to have a seat. "So, what's up? You said it was important."

Just then Brennan walked in the living room, Hank on her hip. She placed him in his playpen and then greeted Cam. "Is there something wrong at the lab?" she asked taking note of Cam's strained expression.

"You might say that. " She relayed the afternoon's events. " I am so sorry Seeley. As director of the lab, I take full responsibility. I am having a meeting with the admins tomorrow to make sure that it doesn't happen again, and you are well within your rights to file a complaint."

Booth rubbed his hands over his face and sighed, he knew what the interns had learned, Bones had taught him that lesson long ago. "Don't call me Seeley, Camille. And, while I can't say that I'm happy, there's no point in stirring up more crap with a complaint. It won't change anything and it'll just give you more paperwork. You've had a lot to deal with lately too. I take it you threatened them appropriately?"

She nodded and gave him a small smile. "I let them know that you would shoot first and ask questions later."

Booth laughed in spite of himself. Further discussion was halted as Christine burst through the door followed quickly by Michael, both kids greeted the adults enthusiastically as they were cautioned not to do their normal jumping on Booth. Cam took the opportunity to make her excuses and leave. Angela took in the grim expressions on her friends faces and suggested to the kids to go play in Christine's room for a bit. As they made their way down the hallway, she turned to Booth and said, "Ok, spill it".

"It's nothing Angela." He held up a bottle of wine in an unasked question.

"Yes please, and don't give me that. You and Cam both look like somebody took your last cup of pudding. And might I remind you that you have already exhausted your worry markers for the year."

"Cam just informed Booth that the interns accidentally were reading his x-rays during their Show and Tell today." Brennan said matter of factly, ignoring Booth's glare.

Hodgins snorted. "To them, that's better than the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue" catching Booth's expression he muttered "Sorry."

"Ok, I can see where you would be uncomfortable with that, but it's not like we don't know you've had some broken body parts in your FBI career" Angela started and then gasped. "Oh my god. Did they find something in your x-rays like Bren did with Wendalls? You have cancer? Oh my god."

Booth held up his hand. "Relax Angela. It's not cancer. They didn't find anything new in my x-rays." He sighed.

"Then what?" Angela asked. "You're making us a little nervous here Booth." Hodgins added.

Booth debated. On the one hand, he hated talking about his past, people inevitably asked questions that stirred up too many memories for him, on the other, Angela and Hodgins were good friends and he'd worried them enough lately. Given that it was now out there, he figured there was no point in not telling them. He moved to take a seat and motioned them to do the same. Bones sat next to him and when he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees she gently started to rub his back.

He took a deep breath trying to figure out the best place to start. "Well, I think you guys already know that my dad had a tendency to use me as a punching bag. The interns now know too. But what they also found was what happened when I was in Iraq " he paused " as a POW ".

Both gasped. Hodgins said shakily, "Oh man. The Iraqis weren't known for adhering to the Geneva convention."

Booth nodded. Angela just stared at him, trying to figure out what to say next. I'm sorry didn't seem enough, and she wanted to know more about what had happened to him but it didn't seem right to ask him questions. He saw her look and decided he owed them a little more, "Without going in to details, they did a lot of damage to my feet. I spent my 22nd birthday in the VA hospital learning to walk again. And the problems I have with my back are a result of that time too.

Hodgins was shaking his head. Angela was just pale. Booth tried to lighten the mood. "Hey guys, it was a long time ago okay? It happened, and I survived and I'm fine. No lasting damage."

Angela knew better. She could tell when her friend was lying. There was no way there wasn't lasting damage, but she appreciated his attempt to spare her. She was trying to corral all the thoughts in her brain. She was a little hurt that Booth had never bothered to disclose this in the 12 years she'd known him, but she also realized that it wasn't a topic you bring up in casual conversation. Mostly she was pissed that she had yet another reference for the rotten things that people could do to each other. There would definitely be an intense painting therapy session after Michael Vincent went to bed tonight.

For his part, Hodgins was still trying to process. He had done enough research on US involvement in the Middle East and had read about POW treatment. Mostly he had skimmed it because most of the info came from first hand accounts and they were distressing to say the least. He and Booth often had been at odds on politics and US policy, but Hodgins had a deep respect for Booth's service, even if he didn't agree with the army's agenda. He couldn't imagine what it must have been like to be a scared twenty one year old in pain and not knowing if rescue or death would be the end of your ordeal.

Brennan for the first time was wishing irrationally that she hadn't trained her interns so well.

The four adults were spared further attempts at conversation when Christine and Michael Vincent came running back into the room declaring they were starving. Both families sat down for dinner and while the adults were a little subdued the kids enthusiasm more than made up for it. After a while, the grownups put the earlier conversation in the back of their minds and enjoyed the evening. When it came time to say good night, the only indication that anything out of the ordinary had happened were firmer handshakes and longer hugs.

But for most of the Jeffersonian family sleep came a little harder that night.