AN – Hey guys, just a quick note to say thanks so much to those that have reviewed this, means a lot :D Just a quick chapter to set the scene, promise the next one will be juicier ;) Please spare a minute to review, means the world to me. Oh and enjoy!

Chapter 2

"I just don't see what the big deal is," Booth said as he followed Bones onto the platform where a team were placing the large slab with the body onto the examination table.

Brennan glared at him. "It's a very big deal Booth," she said as she put her bag down on the desk and pulled on her lab coat.

"What's going on?" Angela asked Zach, who had made his way around the fighting pair to stand beside her and Hodgins.

"Dr Brennan is upset because a woman was on the scene of the crime who knew Booth, but Booth can't tell Dr Brennan why she's not a suspect or anything about her because it's classified," he told them in a hushed voice.

"But Brennan's clearance is higher than Booth's," Angela replied frowning.

"Exactly what I've been saying," Brennan said turning to her friend.

Booth took a deep breath, leaning his head back and exhaling it forcefully. "Bones I just don't get how you're not getting this," he said as he turned back to face her. "I can't tell you about March because it's above your clearance---"

"Which would mean it's above you clearance level. But since you know about it that can't be true now can it?" she asked him crossing her arms tightly across her chest.

Booth dragged both hands through his hair, obviously trying to hold onto the shred of patience he had left. "Bones---"

"He's not supposed to know," Zach's words cut him off, causing everyone to look over at him with surprised expressions. "It's quite logical really," he continued, looking to the floor to avoid all their gazes. "If the information is above Dr Brennan's level, which is above Agent Booth's level then simple deduction leads us to the conclusion Booth shouldn't know the information," he finished, looking up with a worried expression.

"Zach we might be able to make a man out of you yet," Booth said enthusiastically with a large smile, giving Zach a double thumbs up, which caused Zach to blush and return his gaze to the floor.

"Ooh it must suck to be you right now," Hodgins said, giving Booth a sympathetic look.

Brennan shot a confused look at him. "Why? He has all the information and that normally---"

"We're not in a 'normal' situation though," Hodgins cut her off. "In theory the person with the most information has a position of power; but when you're in a government environment where information has degrees of clearance and the like, it's a whole new ball game."

"How so?" Brennan asked, intrigued by the notion.

"Because when you know something above your clearance you can't do anything with it," he said, meeting her confused gaze. "Think of it this way, even if the information Booth knows was within your clearance level, he still couldn't tell you because the authorisation would have to come from someone above his. And no matter what level it's at, he'd have to admit how he got the information---"

"He still has the information though doesn't he," Brennan cut him off, knowing he was beginning to go off on a tangent.

Hodgins nodded. "Yeah, but it could also be old information. It's like having the password to a website that was last updated five weeks ago. The information on it might still be handy to know, but you can't check for updates or---"

"I get it," Brennan finally conceded. She threw one last glare at Booth before returning her attention to the body, looking at the blanket that still covered the upper part of his body. "Okay the victim has been dosed with a lot of nitric acid so…prepare for the worst," she told her team before pulling it away.

Booth gagged while the other three simultaneously covered their mouths. Brennan was the only one to show no reaction save scrunching her nose as she inspected the body.

"It looks like the acid may still be reacting," she said as she pulled her gloves off and turned to her team. "Hodgins I'll need you to take a sample of the acid, find out it's exact concentration, how someone can get it such a high concentration in that quantity and how long it's reactive for. Zach clean as much acid off as you can and then start on cause of death. Ang…can you see if you can draw some image from what's left of the face?" she asked, giving her friend an apologetic look for the task she was asking her to do.

"Why can't we just use fingerprints?" Angela asked hopefully.

Booth shook his head. "The fingertips have been soaked too," he told her, keeping his distance from the body. "Bones can I use your cellphone?"

"Yeah, it's in my bag," she replied distractedly as she set to work.

Having done everything she could until the acid was taken care of, Brennan headed to her office, surprised to find the door shut.

Entering, she found Booth pacing the room as he spoke on the phone, though he turned to face her as soon as she came in. "No I don't need a copy…thanks," he said sarcastically, indicating to her that he would only be a minute longer. "Look I've gotta go...yeah I'll see what I can do…I know…Bye." He closed the phone and passed it back to her. "Thanks," he said, with a sheepish smile.

She glared at him. "Don't think this means I've forgotten---"

"I wouldn't dream of that being possible," he cut her off. "Though if it were possible---" he began pleadingly, but she quickly cut him off.

"I'm not about to forget it," she said coldly, before sighing, "but I'm willing to put it aside for now. We've got a case to solve."

"Thank you Bones," he said gratefully, visibly relaxing at her words. He watched her as she made her way around her desk and sat down, waiting for her to indicate the chair in front of her desk before sitting down. "So how long before we can identify this guy?" he asked once he'd gotten comfortable.

She glared over at him. "Booth that 'guy' has lost most of his face, teeth and fingertips from the acid. It's not your average case," she said defensively.

"Easy Bones!" he said raising his hands in surrender. "I didn't say it was going to be easy, I just wanted to know if you had an idea of how long it's gonna take."

"A couple of days, maybe three," she sighed.

"So by Monday then?"

"My report will be ready by Saturday afternoon," she said pointedly.

"Yeah, like I said, Monday," he said giving her an evil grin which caused her to laugh. "Hey I happen to like not working on weekends…plus I've got Parker this weekend," he added.

Brennan adored the smile that crossed his face then. She put it down to fatherly pride, but there was just this sparkle in his eyes when he spoke of Parker. She smiled as he gave a soft laugh, obviously thinking of a fond memory. She would have happily watched him sitting there like that all day had Angela, Hodgins and Zach not walked in.

"Thought you guys could do with a late lunch," Angela said as she set the takeout on the table, as they took seats around it.

Brennan came around to grab some as well, trying to pretend she hadn't just been caught staring at her partner.

"You know this is more of an early dinner than late lunch," Booth pointed out, though took the sandwich gratefully.

"Just because the FBI keep such short hours doesn't mean all of us do," Hodgins said before taking a bite into his own sandwich.

"Hey, we work damn hard over at the FBI!" Booth replied defensively.

"Oh yeah? Then why are you still here?" Angela asked teasingly, an evil glint in her eye.

Booth focused his gaze on his food. "Well you know," he mumbled, "we've got a new case and---"

"Just admit it," Hodgins said laughing.

"You don't want to go over there and confess you lost your SUV," Angela began.

"And your wallet," Hodgins added.

"Not to mention your cellphone," Angela finished, smiling at Hodgins.

Booth glared at both of them. "I didn't lose any of those things. I know exactly where they all are!" he retorted.

"Just none of them are accessible to you at the moment?" Hodgins asked, obviously finding restraining his laughter difficult.

"I could get them back if I wanted," Booth grumbled.

"Sure you could," Angela replied nodding knowingly.

"You know you could be in a lot of trouble with Cullen if he found out," Brennan began, an evil grin crossing her face.

Booth cringed. "What's it gonna cost me to keep this under wraps?"

She smiled, pretending to consider it. "Hmm dinner Friday night," she replied after a moment.

Her boldness was rewarded with a charming smile. "I think I can manage that."

"Excellent! Are you going to take us to Wong Foos?" Zach asked, finally joining the conversation, only to get a groan out of Angela and Hodgins, while Brennan wished she could throttle him.

"Uh yeah…I can take…all of you to Wong Foos," Booth replied hesitantly.