Here's the next chapter! Enjoy! As always, thanks for reading, and feedback is greatly appreciated! :-)

Chapter Six:
Interlude: A Cuban Experience

"For the last time, I need my team."

"And for the last time, Dr. Brennan, it simply is not possible."

Brennan glared angrily at the woman in front of her, whose own dark eyes stared fiercely back at her. Agent Cruz was living up to her reputation for distrusting foreigners and was now getting in Brennan's way, a fact that extremely irked her. The stubborn woman reminded her so much of the Cuban liaison she had worked with before, Catalina Perez, who had pretty much stonewalled her previous investigation and whose disastrous efforts had led in part to–

Brennan almost growled.

"Look, they can get the clearance," she repeated for the third time. "They're completely trustworthy and if my government approves, I don't see what the problem is."

"The problem, Dr. Brennan, is that you are on Cuban soil and this investigation is a Cuban effort. Introducing you and Agent Booth was already a stretch for my government; any more Americans and there will be consequences."

"What – are you threatening me?"

"It's not a threat, Dr. Brennan. It's a statement of fact. You cannot bring your team here."

"They don't have to physically be here – I just need to send some samples back to them!"

"That is out of the question."

Hands on her hips, Brennan paced back and forth around the tent. It and several others had been set up a few days ago by Alejandro's team, on the hill overlooking the site. It had been judged as a safe enough distance away; any actual contact with the bones, on the other hand, required Hazmat gear for the time being. She had spent most of the day catching up with Alejandro on their findings, and while his notes had been impeccable, she knew that she needed the brilliance of her own team more than anything else right now.

And this short woman with the angry eyes was getting in her way.

"Look, Dr. Brennan, I'm sorry, but you'll just have to make do with Dr. Rodriguez' team," Cruz said, arms crossed in front of her. "We can bring you more equipment if you need it, but in terms of personnel, we have to limit the number of people involved in this investigation. And sending anything out of the country is again, simply out of the question."

"Fine," Brennan finally sighed, giving a little wave of her hand as though she could swat the woman away. "I'll go find Alejandro."

"Thank you," said Cruz. "I'll expect each day's report the morning after. Please allow the guards to escort you back to the hotel when you're ready."

"Thank you," Brennan replied, and with a nod, Cruz walked out of the tent.

Brennan took a deep breath, straightening her back. She couldn't help the frown that had settled on her face; Alejandro's team was no doubt competent, but she needed more than mere competence. She needed the best. Much to her frustration, however, it seemed she was on her own for the time being.

"Bones!"

Well, at least you still have Booth. That brought a small smile to her lips.

"What is it, Booth?" she asked, turning to face him as he strode in through the open flap. His face had a dull shine to it, the sweat from being out in the sun all day making his white shirt stick to his skin. He wiped at his forehead before speaking. She noticed the large file in his left hand.

"I've been reading the case file from last time over and over," he told her, walking closer. "The psych profile on this guy is just like you described him – absolutely nuts. And it sounds like he's gone deep under the radar before…you really think we're only dealing with a copycat here?"

Yes.

He's gone.

Please, let him be gone.

Brennan bit back the wave of memories that threatened to overcome her. When Alejandro had first told her that Guzman was dead, she had been in disbelief. Death was so permanent – it seemed surreal to think that the monster who had held her life in his hands for three days could be gone forever. Just like that. In the few precious moments after the news had hit home, she had dared to think that perhaps now, the memories would fade, and the pain would ebb away.

It only took another mention of his name to bring the flood back. She forcibly shut her mind from it. Booth was still looking at her, expecting an answer.

She nodded.

"Alejandro gave me the file on the body they found," she replied. "It matched Guzman's dental records. Time of death was weeks ago, which means he couldn't have done this."

"You think it was any of these guys?" Booth began to hold up photographs from the file.

Brennan steadied herself by crossing her arms in front of her chest. She gazed at the photos that he was holding in front of her, images of men whose faces she knew far too well.

"It can't be," she said slowly, gazing at each of the seven pictures and shaking her head.

Ortega…Mercado…Mendoza…Sanchez…Herrera…Alvarado…Montoya.

"Temperance. Just go! You have to leave now!"

"Sam, I'm not leaving you here!"

"I'm only going to slow you down. I'll set the fuse, and you get out. Get out, report back – dammit JUST GO!"

"Bones?"

Brennan shook her head once more. "It's not them, Booth. They're all dead too."

Booth stared at her in confusion, then thumbed through a few pages before staring back up at her. "The file doesn't say that."

Leaves smacked her cheeks, branches tearing at her skin. Her heart was pounding inside, every breath feeling like someone was stomping on her chest, crushing her lungs down and forcing them back out again. There were voices – men shouting all around. Gunshots, like thunder cracking around her – a FLASH –

"Trust me. They're all dead."

"Bones, you gotta give me more information here."

"It's not relevant, Booth."

"Bones, of course it's relevant. I need to know what—"

"NO, you don't!" she snapped. An instant later, remorse flooded her at the look on Booth's face.

"Temperance, it's me," he said softly. "Whatever it is, it's me. This is the reason I came, the reason you wanted me here, remember?"

She took a deep breath. "It's not relevant," she repeated, and the hurt in his eyes was clear. Part of her marveled at the fact that though she could rarely tell what other people were feeling, Booth's emotions always seemed as plain as an open book to her. Right now, she thought she would have given anything to take away the pain in his expression.

"It's not the same as last time, Booth," she said, hoping that would explain her reaction. "Guzman's dead. That changes things. We need to get word to the CIA that he's gone, and then figure out what killed these people, and if it's the same organic agent as before. Then we're done. This isn't a four-month assignment; we're supposed to be in and out. Two weeks. That's it."

"Something tells me it's not as simple as that."

"No, it is, Booth," Brennan replied. "Guzman's death changes everything. As much as my feelings for this place might be complicated, our mission here, right now, is simple."

He frowned, clearly ready to argue further, but at that moment, Alejandro walked into the tent. Brennan saw Booth visibly straighten up, one hand resting on his holster as he took two quick steps to place himself between her and Alejandro. She walked over, placing a calming hand on Booth's arm to push him slightly back.

"Dr. Brennan," Alejandro said in greeting, and nodded to Booth as he came up to them.

"What is it?" she asked, voice filled with concern. "Have you found something?"

"Please, relax," he said, a smile slipping out. "I just came to tell you that it's seven o'clock. It'll be dark soon and the guards would much rather us return before sunset. Security, you understand. Besides, there is a restaurant I would love to introduce you to this evening, and we'll be late if we stay much longer. If you'll please follow me?"

Brennan sighed. "But what about all of this equipment?" she asked, gesturing around.

"They have men posted around the site, Bones," Booth replied, glancing at Alejandro and adding, "Right?"

"Yes, of course. They rotate every four hours."

"All right," Booth said, placing a hand on Brennan's lower back, "let's go then."

Together they climbed back into the jeeps, guards on either side of them, and as the sky turned from brilliant cerulean to a rosy violet, Brennan looked back to see the campsite, and La Boca Del Diablo, fading from view.

"The restaurant is right by our hotel," Alejandro explained as the jeeps pulled up through the gates of their building.

"Our?" Brennan looked at him in surprise. "Are you staying here too?"

"Well yes, since I actually live about eight hours from here," he replied with a small laugh. "I've been in the same hotel room for weeks now."

"Founds like fun times," Booth commented.

"Not really, Agent Booth," replied Alejandro, "but it looks as though my luck's changing." He flashed Brennan with a devastatingly charming smile, and then added, "Please, let's all get cleaned up and meet in the lobby. Twenty minutes?"

"All right," Brennan replied, smiling back. As she and Booth broke away to the elevator, she could practically hear Booth growling. She glanced at him oddly as they walked into the lift.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

"No reason. You just sounded agitated just then."

"Nope, I'm chipper. Peachy keen." His voice was harsh as the doors opened and they began to walk to their rooms, which were side by side at the end of the hall.

"I don't think I like that phrase," Brennan commented.

"Well it doesn't like you either."

She frowned. "It's not possible for a phrase to dislike a person, Booth."

"Bones."

"What?"

He sighed. "Just go change."

Before Brennan could say anything further, he had stepped into his room and closed the door behind him. A few moments later, Brennan could hear his shower start as she pushed open her own door and walked in.

She stripped and headed to the bathroom, and ten glorious minutes later, she stepped out, wrapped in a large fluffy towel and feeling much more refreshed. All thoughts of Guzman were forced to the back of her mind as she rummaged through her open suitcase to find something presentable to wear. She pulled out the simple black dress she had packed in case of something slightly more formal, and then set about trying to find the plain black bra she had brought to go with it. As her fingers came across black lace instead, she made a face.

"Angela!" she exclaimed aloud, shaking her head as she held up the lingerie set her best friend had hidden inside one of her more formal sundresses. She threw it back in the suitcase and set about trying to find her other, more practical black undergarments. After a few more minutes, she threw up her hands in despair – her best friend had definitely made sure the only black bra she had in her possession was the tiny lace concoction she had gotten for her birthday. Realizing that she was running out of time and choices, Brennan sighed, pulled off the towel, and slipped into the lace set, deciding to give it a chance. She then put on the black sleeveless dress, with a tight bodice and a slightly flared knee length skirt. Letting her hair dry naturally around her shoulders, she stopped for a more few moments to put on some light makeup before heading out the door.

She knocked several times on Booth's door, but there was silence in response. Figuring that he had already gone downstairs, she headed for the elevator.

Sure enough, Booth was already in the lobby with Alejandro, and another woman in a lavish red dress that Brennan did not recognize. They turned to face her as she walked toward them, the woman in red standing up from her seat. Brennan saw Alejandro's eyes roam with approval over her figure, and she smiled, turning her gaze then to Booth.

She almost froze midstep. He was staring at her, his eyes never breaking contact with hers as she came closer. There was an intensity there that caught her off guard, and the smallest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Dr. Brennan, you look fantastic!" Alejandro exclaimed, kissing her cheek.

"Thank you," she replied, and then smiled at the woman in red. "Alejandro, who is your friend?"

"Ah! Forgive me, I forgot to mention she would be joining us tonight. This is Gabriella Mercado, a childhood friend of mine."

"Pleased to meet you," Brennan said, shaking the woman's hand.

"Likewise," Gabriella replied. She had a deep, sultry voice and full, rich red lips.

"Gabriella works for the club where I am taking you," Alejandro explained.

"A club? I thought you said it was a restaurant?"

"It is both," Alejandro replied. "It'll be good for you, and for you too, Agent Booth. The things we have seen today do not solely define my country. Consider this a little taste of Cuban culture while you are here."

Brennan's smile started to fade.

This all felt familiar.

"Brennan, you need to get out at least once while you're here."

"We don't have time for it, Sam."

"The case is over, Brennan! Guzman's in custody, and we're on a plane tomorrow back to the States. It's time to celebrate! Come on, there's this club in town that the locals love, and I want to try it before we get out of here."

"Sam –"

"I won't take no for an answer, Brennan. Come on! I just want a little taste of Cuban culture."

"Come on, let's go."

Alejandro gestured to where a black car was waiting out front. Gabriella smiled at Brennan, though it was a tight-lipped smile, and then turned with Alejandro to the door.

Brennan hesitated. Her insides were tingling.

Just a little taste of Cuban culture.

"Hey, Bones, you okay?"

She almost smiled. Her partner seemed to have forgotten that he had been a little irritated with her some twenty minutes earlier and was now looking at her with a look of the utmost concern.

"It's just a restaurant," he continued. "If you're not feeling up to it, we can just tell Alejandro we're staying in. We're not missing anything."

"No," she replied, shaking her head.

Guzman's dead.

"You sure?" he asked warily. She noticed that his shoulder muscles were tensely coiled beneath the fabric of his white shirt. She took a breath.

He's dead. This isn't last time.

She nodded.

"All right," he said, sticking his arm out exaggeratedly for her to take. "Let's go get a taste of Cuba then. For uh, anthropological purposes, of course."

He winked at her, and this time she did smile. She looped her arm through his, feeling comfortable and secure in his grasp, and together they walked toward the swinging main doors.

"By the way," he murmured just above her ear as he guided her with his hand through the doors, "You look beautiful tonight, Bones."