The Push in the Partnership
Chapter 2
At 12:15pm, Booth walked through the open door of his partner's office. She looked up from her paperwork and noticing the file in his hand, a smile split her face and she asked, "Do we have a case?"
He grinned at her enthusiasm for their work. "Maybe," he answered. Her light blue eyes questioned him. "I was asked to present this case to you. If you want to help, you'll be working with the agent in charge of this case."
Her lips pressed together and the squinty lines signaling her displeasure formed between her eyebrows. "I only work with you, Booth. You know that."
"I know, Bones," he said with pride. "But, this is an interesting case that could use your expertise. And you've worked with this agent before."
"It's not Sully, is it?," she asked with a hint of trepidation.
"No, it's not Sully," he told her. It pleased him beyond measure that she didn't want Sully here. He laid the file on her desk atop the paperwork she'd been working on.
Brennan eyed him speculatively before opening the file. She read the agent's name and closed the file. "No," she declared.
Booth smiled. He'd had a feeling that's what her reaction would be. "Just read the file. Forget about Perotta and make your decision based on the case."
"As I'm sure you're already aware, now that I know about Agent Perotta's involvement in this case, there is no way I can forget the knowledge." She took in the cool glare and smirk of her partner and sighed. "However, I can do as you asked and base my decision on just the facts of the case."
Booth smiled at her again and leaned forward to place a quick kiss on her temple. "That's my girl." Brennan didn't pull back or question him. She simply let him kiss her. Booth was surprised but very pleased, and he didn't want to question her about it. He straightened. "Okay, let's go get some lunch. I'm starving."
"But, I thought you wanted me to read this file?"
He smiled as he moved to get her coat. "I do, but Perotta doesn't need an answer right this minute. Why don't you bring it with you and we can talk about it over lunch?"
Brennan paused to consider his suggestion, and then nodded. "That would be an acceptable way to maximize our time." Booth helped her with her coat and scooped up the file from her desk before leading her to his SUV.
They sat in the diner at their favorite table. Between bites of food, they discussed Perotta's case. "It is interesting," Brennan agreed. "But, a much easier solution would be to allow you to take over the case. There would be no question of my helping then."
Booth sat back in his seat and watched as she plucked a fry from his plate. He knew it wouldn't take her long to come to the most rational, logical conclusion that would keep them working together. "I agree. But Perotta wants this case. I offered to take it and she refused."
Brennan scrunched up her face in distaste. "I don't like it."
He smiled. "Do you not like the situation or Perotta?"
Her smile was instant. "Both." They both started laughing. After several seconds of uncontrolled laughter, Brennan fingered the file on the table. "I don't believe they will solve this without us," she told him.
Booth shook his head. "Not us, Bones, you. Perotta doesn't want my help. She only wants you."
Brennan shook her head. "No, it doesn't work that way. We're a team. If Perotta wants me, she gets you as well."
He raised an eyebrow. "So, you've decided you want the case?"
"Yes, conditionally."
Booth rolled his eyes. "You're not going to go all diva on me, are you?"
"I don't know what that means."
"Nevermind." He waved a hand to dismiss his comment. "What are your conditions?"
"I only have one. And I already told you what it is. If she wants me to help her solve this case, then she works with you also."
Booth sighed. He knew he should appreciate her effort to include him, but it really just made him feel like a tagalong. "Bones, I -." He sighed. "If Perotta doesn't want my help, I'm fine with that."
Brennan reached across the table and covered his hand with hers. "It doesn't matter if Agent Perotta wants your help, Booth, because I do. Things will go much smoother if I'm working with you." She gave his hand a light squeeze. "I'll call her when I get back to the lab and tell her." She saw his mouth open in preparation for a complaint and cut him off. "I'm doing this my way, Booth."
"Fine. But, you should take the case even if she doesn't agree."
Her only response was to stick out her tongue at him.