Seventeen years later…
"Dr. Brennan, there's somebody I'd like you to meet." Goodman said as he ushered her up the steps and onto the platform, where her team of scientists were hard at work on their latest case – a body that had been found at the bottom of a well.
She scanned the platform, noting all the familiar faces, but there was a tall man with his back turned to her. He was wearing a suit, and was commenting on how the stench could kill his grandmother.
"Agent Booth! Meet your new partner, Dr. Brennan, who is in my opinion, the best Forensic Anthropologist there ever was or will be."
The man turned around half way through his introduction and stared at the woman in front of him. She was beautiful. Her name sounded familiar, but he couldn't seem to place her.
Goodman continued. "He's not so bad of an Agent, either."
Temperance stared at him, her breath catching in her throat. She recognized him right away. She would have known that face anywhere…the face of the high school jock from hell. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
His hand extended, and she reluctantly shook it. "Dr. Brennan, it's very nice to meet you." He said, smiling that infamous 'charm smile' of his. She remembered how all the superficial girls had melted to a puddle of makeup and perfect clothes every time he flashed it their way.
She gave his hand a polite shake, and then cocked her head to the side. "You don't remember me, do you."
He eyed her curiously, but his expression was blank. "I'm sorry…Your name sounds familiar but I don't recognize you."
She crossed her arms. "Temperance Brennan from Moss Grove High. Or, 'Nerd' as you liked to call me."
His breath hitched in his throat. His eyes scanned her from head to toe, and then back to her face. She was taller, due in part to her stiletto boots. The glasses were gone, and in their place were the most beautiful set of blue eyes he'd ever seen. She was stylish. Very stylish. And she looked much, much more mature physically.
He opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out was a choke. He coughed a few times. "You've got to be kidding me."