Disclaimer: I have never tried to write a story in Brennan's voice before, so it may be terrible. References to "The Mastodon In The Room" and "The Doctor In The Photo."

Life was not at all as I had expected it when I returned from the Maluku Islands. I guess I was under the foolish impression that the world I had immersed myself in for five years would suspend without me in it. I had arrived home with the expectation that all would be the same as I had left it. The lab in the Jeffersonian would still be buzzing about with security officers and grad students; my colleagues and Cam, their boss. Although I knew Angela and Hodgins were leaving for Paris I had assumed everyone else, everything else would remain in their constant state. My assumptions were completely wrong.

Cam's job was in jeopardy which was precisely why were all called home from our different journeys in the first place. The lab had been dismantled and turned into an exhibit. Dr. Sweets had stopped his job to play piano for retail consumers. Angela and Hodgins had returned as an expecting couple. As happy as I was for them I also felt a bit of sadness for myself. I'd never quite given up hope on being a mother someday.

Booth had been the biggest shock. While parts of him were still familiar, a larger portion had become foreign to me. While fulfilling his duty in Afghanistan he fell in love with Hannah Burley, a reporter for one of the major news networks serving our country. I understood the attraction immediately. Hannah was tall, blond, with appealing looks and a well developed body. Her personality oozed charm and sexual radiance. Booth had probably never stood a chance. She was the entire opposite of me; the difference being like night and day. She was a world all on her own with a rotational pull that took a firm hold of my partner and didn't let go.

We didn't address the silent awkwardness between us. At times I often felt he couldn't get away from me fast enough to be back in the presence of Hannah. But it wasn't just me. All of us noticed how he was distancing himself. I liked Hannah well enough. She was a pleasant woman. I couldn't help feeling though that she'd stolen something away from me. Something that wasn't hers to keep. His love for me.

I still continued to deny the truth. It wasn't until Booth and I were put on a case where I closely identified with the victim that I was able to break the stalemate. In my eyes our victim was me, a workaholic with no close friends or lasting relationships. She rejected the closest man in her life, a helicopter pilot who would have given her everything. This man was my Booth. Rejecting love had been her greatest regret. Turning down Booth's was turning out to be mine.

After he saved me from nearly being struck by a vehicle in a bad neighborhood I allowed myself to confront him with my feelings. I took that chance, only to come away with unfruitful endeavor. Hannah was "not a consolation prize," he told me. I mourned my loss, with more emotional suffering done in private. A part of me was still proud of myself. Whatever happened now, my feelings were known.

Around this time though was when I began feeling a yearning inside. Booth was maybe the happiest I'd seen him in quite some time. Why was I limiting myself from finding the same thing? Besides I wouldn't deny that my sexual appetite had increased over the past few months. There'd been no enjoyment of that sort in a long time. And so I guess you could say my story really begins at a crime scene.

"You the bone lady, or whatever?"

I took in the portly officer of the law sweating in the Springtime sun before me. "I'm Dr. Temperance Brennan, yes." Where was Booth? I glanced back to where I'd exited his vehicle. He was finishing a conversation on his cell phone. No doubt with Hannah. I tried to hide my annoyance.

"All right. Come with me."

The remains had been found in a field at a driving range. It seemed an eyeball had been returned to the front desk instead of a golf ball. I couldn't see how someone could mistake the difference but stranger things had happened. The body part had led the staff out onto the range where they'd discovered remains that had been unearthed by some sort of wild animal. I was afraid the gnawing of the bones would hinder my results. But then again it took a lot to stump me and my colleagues.

What was left of the body was jutting from the ground just past a small stream. I hopped over the water with ease while the officer splashed down in. He swore obscenities as he climbed out the other side. I frowned. The sweat. The anger. "Do you have any idea what your BMI is?"

"My BM-what?"

"Your body mass index. You're quite overweight and in this heat combined with your anger you are asking for-" His cold glare ceased my ability to speak. Oops.

Booth arrived then, as he too leapt over the steam. "What have we got?"

"She's all yours. Good luck, pal." The officer made a second attempt to cross back and this time was successful. Booth watched as he ambled away. "What did you do?"

"Nothing. I may have insulted him." I had no time for hurt feelings. Down onto one knee I dropped. "Victim is male. I estimate early forties. Perhaps malnourished or underweight. Height about one hundred and eighty point nine centimeters."

"Feet, Bones. I need feet."

"There's two right there for you." I tried to joke, pointing to the tibia and tarsal bones. He didn't share my humor. "Six feet."

"Right." He jotted the information down in his pocket sized notebook. "And how about cause of death? Was he murdered?"

"There's breaks in the cervical vertebrae. I really need the remains brought back to the lab to be able to discern more."

"All right. Ship 'em out. I got it." He retrieved his phone from inside his coat pocket. As he was dialing another shadow fell over my form. "Sorry to be a bother. Did you need any help, ma'am?"

I was about to snap in irritation when I looked up into what I thought at the time could be described as perfection. This also was an officer with D.C. Metro. But unlike the last gentleman this one had me responding instantly to his good looks, from his chiseled chin to the breadth over his shoulders. Not to mention the features I pictured he had concealed by his uniform. My grimace turned into a smile. "We're finished here, actually. I need these remains and this section of lawn brought to my lab."

"Well, I'll be sure that it's done, and is done correctly." He extended his hand. "Dr. Temperance Brennan, correct? I'm Officer Collins. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm a big fan of your books."

"Really?" I was flattered. I accepted his hand and allowed him to assist me up to my feet. "Most law enforcement officials I've run into aren't exactly well read." Behind me Booth cleared his throat. "Local," I clarified.

"Not me. I can't get enough of them. May I walk you back to your vehicle?"

This chivalry was winning my approval and affections. "I would like that." I gave him my best seductive smile. We left Booth behind without so much as acknowledging him. I'm ashamed to say I rather enjoyed it. Let him be jealous for a change. In my frame of mind I never thought of how he'd felt as he'd watched me accept dates and consider one night stands over our years together. All I knew then was that I was tired of being cast aside while Booth paraded his romance all around me. Surely I was entitled to some of my own fun.

We conversed some more, finding that we agreed and were able to discuss numerous different topics. There was a kinship between us that I hadn't felt with someone for quite a while. "Do you think," he spoke quietly when it was clear we needed to go our separate ways. "I could take you out for dinner sometime?"

"I'd like that. Perhaps you should call me."

"Well, perhaps," somehow his hand slid easily into the pocket where my cell phone was kept. He pulled it out seamlessly. "You should call me." He worked the buttons on my phone until he'd programmed his number into the database. Then he grinned at me one more time before turning away. "I'll look forward to it, Temperance."

I was watching him on his way back to his car when I felt Booth come up besides me. The look on his face was a mixture of amusement and disgust. "What?" I demanded.

"No, nothing. Whatever. C'mon. We should get back to the lab."

"Yeah, I remember all this, Bones." Booth nodded. He hadn't liked Collins from the moment he'd met him. Something in his gut had just cried foul. He recalled having made a comment to Hannah days after the initial meeting between the pair that he'd thought the officer was a tool.

Brennan was exhausted. She didn't think she could muggle through any more of her story tonight. "I'm really tired, Booth. Can we finish this tomorrow?"

He nodded. "As long as you promise to tell me everything." With her agreement he helped her up off the couch and led her towards the bedroom. She balked in the doorway. "No. I can't sleep in your bed. You won't fit on the couch. I shouldn't-"

He silenced her. "I fit on the couch, all right? I've slept there before. After the night you've had I'm insisting you take my bed. You don't get a choice."

She smiled a little, tears in her eyes. Her chin lowered to her chest. "Thank you," she whispered.

In his bed she laid down on her side. He got her settled, tugging the blankets up over her shoulders. "If you need anything I'll be right outside." He promised in a tone usually reserved for a child.

"Booth, wait! Um." Suddenly she was reddening with embarrassment, a rare feat for her. "I don't… I don't really want to be alone." She had a hard time making eye contact. "Would you… would you mind…" staying with me?

Booth was clearly unsure of what to do with her request. In the addition and loss of Hannah, and really before then, their lives together had become greatly complicated. But tonight something had changed within her. Something so terrible had taken place that she'd unconsciously sought him out for help. In her time of obvious need he wouldn't leave her, even if it was just for a room away. "Yeah. Of course."

He crawled into bed. Since she remained on her side he spooned up to her back. "Whatever it is, Bones," he under toned to her as he wrapped an arm around her waist and held it. "Everything will be all right. I'm here for you."

Her hand met his and held on tight. His words were comforting. But would he still stand by them when he learned the truth?