Chapter 2 – The Pitch

Because a phone call is never enough, Sweets was seated across from him FBI supervisor an hour later, watching as the aging man frowned over his case study.

After a moment, he sighed deeply, settled back in his chair, and looked at Sweets. "So you want an extension to perform a case study on Booth and his partner."

Sweets nodded, smiling. "That is correct, Agent Gilmore."

He hesitated again before continuing. "I don't like to give extensions, Dr Sweets, they mess up deadlines."

"I'm aware of that, Sir, but I feel that in this case, my results would be very beneficial to the partnership."

Agent Gilmore scoffed slightly, scratching the rough stubble on his cheek. "Well, I should certainly hope so. Tell me about this study. What are you trying to find out, how are you trying to find it out, and what do you need from me?"

Sweets smiled again, ignoring his discomfort. "Well, as it says in the outline I provided you with, I need to assess weather or not Agent Booth and Dr Brennan are aware of their suppressed romantic feelings for each other, and whether or not the pursuit of these feelings would be damaging to the partnership."

"I see. And you're sure that these two are harboring – suppressed romantic feelings, are you?"

The psychologist laughed lightly to himself. "Yes, very sure."

The Agent took another minute to consider. "And why is that suddenly a crisis? If they've been ignoring it for the past 3 years without any obvious complications, I say stick to the system they've got."

Sweets sighed. "You can't suppress anything forever, Agent Gilmore. Overtime, as their attachment strengthens, ignoring these emotions will produce more harm than good."

"Alright, so what are you planning on doing about it?"

"I basically have to assess the effect a romantic relationship would have on their professional partnership, and whether or not they would be better to confront their feelings or continue to suppress them."

"And how exactly are you going to do that?"

"Well, I'm going to subject Dr Brennan and Agent Booth to a series of circumstances they would be forced to face as a couple, such as sharing living accommodations, closet space, making transportation arrangements, going out in public together… and basically judge whether the arguments or complications that may arise from this will affect their working relationship."

"That sounds risky, Dr Sweets."

He hesitated. "That's not all, Agent Gilmore. Studies show that in order to suppress a growing emotional attachment such as this one, subjects may be required to distance themselves from the object of their affection either physically or emotionally to maintain composure. This means that if we don't do anything, Agent Booth and Dr Brennan will likely start avoiding one another."

"I hope you have a point."

Sweets tapped his foot nervously before continuing slowly. "After forcing them to spend time together, they'll have to be separated for a period of time except for when they're at work. Eliminating the current social element of their relationship may help us to understand how their professional partnership will be affected if their suppressed feelings drive them argue or ignore each other."

Gilmore sighed again, more heavily than before. "I don't like it, Dr Sweets."

"I was fairly certain you wouldn't."

"Then you probably also knew I'd have to accept. Booth and Brennan are the best team I've got right now, and it's in the interests of the organization to do what's best for their partnership. So… what will you need from me?"

Sweets couldn't hide his excitement as he worked out the finer points of the deal with agent Gilmore, and as he stepped outside into the sunshine, case file in hand, he couldn't help but reflect on how Booth and Brennan weren't the only ones with emotionally attached to this study.

A/N: I know we've had no Booth or Brennan yet, but i promise if I keep going that's all it'll be from now on. You guys are such troopers for hanging in for two really dry chapters..