A/N: So why does a red elephant prance up and down the Tide sidelines, revving up the Tuscaloosa faithful on game day? Well, no one can really say for sure. Theories on the tradition's origin have varied over the years.

Here's the most excepted one: The elephant mascot got its origins in 1930, when Alabama played a home game against Ole Miss. For some reason, the second team started the game, and after a close first quarter, the first team came running onto the field. A local sportswriter wrote that a fan in the stands yelled "the elephants are coming!" The first team then proceeded to kick the crap out of Ole Miss. Regardless of whether the fan's exclamation is true or not, how funny is it that 'Bama started their second team against Ole Miss, toyed around with them and then trotted out the first team to blow them off the field?

And what about 'Crimson Tide'? Alabama eschews "normal" team names and mascots and instead goes with the "Crimson Tide" and an elephant. In 1907, Alabama played Auburn in Birmingham in what was the last football game between the two rivals until 1948. Auburn was heavily favored, but Alabama played a great game on a field that was essentially a sea of mud, and a local sportswriter coined the phrase "Crimson Tide" in his description of the Alabama players' uniforms

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The time I have spent with Dr. Brennan and Agent Booth has been eye opening to say the least. Never have I imaged a working relationship between science and government the way I have seen it. An equal partnership filled with clashing opinions, around the clock banter, and out right fights. Yet what makes this partnership work- and so well- is the friendship that has developed between not only Dr. Brennan and Agent Booth, but between the whole team at the Medico-Legal Labs of the Jeffersonian Institution. For without the support of Angela Montenegro, a forensic artist and scientist in her own right, Dr. Jack Hodgins, the team's entomologist, and Zack Addy, Dr. Brennan's assistant and 'Boy Wonder' as Agent Booth calls him, cases would go unsolved. It's the team working together that makes Dr. Brennan and Agent Booth's case history so impressive. As Dr. Brennan reminded me again, "We are all friends…and family." And that's why this partnership works. Both the Jeffersonian Institution and the FBI should be proud of this team. A group of five people who have found away to work together, despite their differences, and make it work. I believe that we need more people like Dr. Brennan, Agent Booth and their team of 'squints'.

- SB -

Kaitlin Tanner sat on the couch in her parents living room. Her bare feet were pulled up under her, and she worried her bottom lip between her teeth in concentration. Her fingers expertly moved across the controller for her X-Box, moving the character on the TV screen through the fantasy world of 'Fable'. "Take that you thugs," she said, as her character cast a spell and three bad guys fell to the ground. A whining noise pulled her attention from the game to the back door. The family dog- her dog really- sat looking at her. Eyes pleading. "Okay, okay," Kaitlin said, pausing the game and standing. "I get the message. Loud and clear." She made her way to the door, the dog now turning circles. "Just wait a minute," she told the dog, as she unlocked and opened door. She held open the screen door, and waved the moths away. "Go on," she said, and the dog ran out side, across the porch and down the steps- disappearing into the night. Kaitlin shook her head, and closed the doors. She took the opportunity to stretch her legs, and to refill her glass of tea. A quick trip to the kitchen, and she returned with a glass of tea, a can of soda, a bowl of popcorn and a candy bar. "That should hold me over," she said out-loud, placing all her goodies on the coffee table. She picked up the controller, and was just about to sit, when a scratching noise came to the back door. That was fast, she thought, as she crossed the room to let the dog back in. Kaitlin threw the door open and then pushed open the screen door, but the dog wasn't there. "Maxie," she called, and pushed the screen door a bite wider. "Max…" Her calls where cut off by a scream that escaped her throat. A hand had darted out from the side and grabbed her wrist. Kaitlin tried to pull away, but the hold was too tight. With one jerk from the hand, she stumbled forward. She could clearly see a man now, and panic over took her. The man brought a rug to her face, and she felt her resolve give way as she fell into the man's waiting arms.

Hotel in Gadsden Alabama

Dr. Temperance Brennan rolled over in her bed and pulled the extra pillow tightly to her chest. A sleepy sigh escaped her lips as she cuddled her head to the softness. In reality, it was just a pillow that she snuggled to, but in her dream, it was a chiseled chest that her fingers were spread across. The corners of Brennan's lips turned up in a smile, and she flexed her hand, feeling the hardness of the body beside her. She listened carefully and heard the thump-thump-thump of his heart. Thump-thump-thump. That's odd, she thought. His heart beats in sets of three. Thump-thump-knock. Brennan's eyes fluttered behind her closed eyelids. Thump-knock-knock. Brennan rolled to her back, and fought against the reality that was coming back to her. Her dream was slowly slipping away from her. Knock-knock-knock. "Bones!" she heard muffled from the other side of her hotel door. Brennan forced her eyes opened and focused on the clock- 6:04 AM. Normally the early time wouldn't have bothered her, but she hadn't gotten to bed until after 4 and frankly, she was reluctant to wake from her dream. Knock-knock-knock. "Bones! Come on. Wake up." Brennan flung the covers off, and pushed herself out of bed. With bare feet, she padded across the floor, and opened the door.

"What?" she growled to Booth raised fist. The agent stopped in mid-motion and looked over his partner. Her hair was tousled, and she wore white sleep shorts with frogs on them and a matching tank top.

"Feelin' froggy this morning," Booth teased as he pushed into the room.

"What?"

"Never mind," he answered, turning to face his partner. Brennan pushed the door closed and crossed back over to her bed.

"What do you want, Booth? And it better be important, or I'm going back to sleep." Booth stood there and watched as Brennan laid back down and pulled the covers up to her chin.

"No time to sleep, Bones," he said, grabbing the bottom edge of the sheet and tugging it down.

"Stop it, Booth," she snapped, only to make him laugh.

"This isn't like you," he stated. "What's wrong?" Brennan pulled the covers back up.

"Nothing," she said through pouting lips. "I'm just tired."

"I know you better than that. So what's up?"

"Why are you here, Booth?" she asked again.

"You tell me what's wrong, or the tickle monster will get you." Brennan's eyes snapped open and she focused on him.

"I'm not a child," she started.

"No, but you're pouting like one. So I ask again, what's wrong?"

"I have an irritating partner," she said, closing her eyes.

"I warned you," Booth said, jumping on to the side of the bed. Brennan let out a surprised squeal as Booth's hands sought out the sensitive area on her belly and sides. As he tickled, Brennan twisted, her feet thrashed against the bed, and her hands tried to push him away in an attempt to protect herself.

"Stop it," she demanded, but her laughter filled the room. "Stooop!" Booth smiled to himself. He had never seen his partner looking so…childlike, her cheeks slightly red from laughing and a wide smile upon her face. He wasn't sure when her shirt had ridden up to reveal her smooth skin, but he found himself touching it as he continued his assault. He enjoyed the contact, but when she began to struggle for breath, he stopped, and moved from his knees to his butt. Sitting toward the foot of the bed. "That…wasn't…fair," she huffed at him, her arms crossed over her stomach, and she fought to keep a straight face.

"Hey, I warned you," he said. "Gave you an option and everything." Brennan giggled and then pushed herself into a sitting position.

"I was supposed to meet Russ for dinner last night," she said.

"I'm sorry, Bones."

"It's not your fault I didn't make it, but I feel bad. When I called him, he sounded…upset. Do you think I hurt him?" Booth could see concern clearly in her blue eyes.

"I'm sure he understood, Bones. You have a job to do, he knows that." Brennan looked away, and fiddled with the edge of the sheet.

"I know, Booth, but…I don't want to lose him again."

"You won't, Temperance," he said. The sound of her name falling from his lips sent a shiver down her spine. She looked up at him. "He understands. And if he doesn't, then I can beat some sense into him if you want." Brennan laughed at the statement.

"I'm sure that won't be necessary, but thanks for the offer." Booth returned the smile, and for a moment, the room was silent. Finally, he cleared his throat.

"I…um, tracked down Luke Parker," he said, and Brennan nodded.

"Good, so are we going to talk to him today?"

"Yeah, and I thought that Bryant can come along if she wants."

"You're feeling generous today. What did you have to drink last night?"

"Just the wine at dinner," he responded. "But lets not make a big deal out of it, or I might change my mind." Booth stood. "Why don't you get dressed, I'll go wake Bryant, and I'll meet both of you downstairs?"

"That sounds good." Booth nodded, and headed toward the door. "Booth." He turned back. "Thanks."

"Anytime, Bones," he answered and then left.

On the road, Gadsden Alabama

"So why the change of heart, Agent Booth?" Shanelle asked from her spot in the back of the SUV.

"I haven't had a change of heart, Dr. Bryant," he answered coldly.

"Then why the invite to come along?"

"If you would rather me take you back to the hotel, Dr. Bryant, I'll all too happy to do that."

"Not at all, Agent Booth."

"Booth and I are simply talking to someone who might have some information about a fight that happened last year," Brennan said. "Since there's no family involved, we didn't think it could do any damage." Shanelle nodded from the back seat.

"You two will be happy to know that my article is almost done."

"Oh, yipee," Booth answered.

"Booth," Brennan warned in a low tone. "That's good to hear, Shanelle. Any questions you don't have answers to?"

"Well, now that you've mentioned it, I would like to ask one thing."

"And what's that?"

"We've talked about it before, but I just want to clarify."

"We are nothing more than friends," the pair said at the same time.

"No, it's not that," Shanelle said with a laugh. "Well, not what you think, at least. How good of friends are you two?" Brennan and Booth glanced over at each other.

"We are," Booth began, a little unsure as to what to say.

"The best of friends," Brennan filled in, and they shared a smile.

"Like I said before," Booth started. "Doing what we do is draining, and honestly, not good dinner conversation. To be able to go out after work, and just…talk, helps to keep us sane. And it's the same with Angela and Jack and Super Genius Freak."

"Zack," Brennan corrected. "We are all friends…and family." Shanelle nodded her understanding.

"Then I think that wraps it up for me."

"Good," Booth mumbled under his breath. He turned the SUV off the main road and followed a dirt path about a quarter mile, until a large Southern Plantation house came into view. Booth let out a low whistle. "Now that's a house." He pulled the SUV to a stop, shut off the engine, and the three crawled out. With a look around, the FBI agent lead the way to the front door. A quick knock and two minutes later, the door opened. Booth flashed his badge. "Hi, I'm Special Agent Seeley Booth." He gestured to Brennan. "This is my partner, Dr. Temperance Brennan. We're looking for Luke Parker." The gentleman at the door looked the trio up and down before unlocking the screen door.

"I'm John, Luke's father," the man said. "What is this about?"

"We were hoping to ask your son about a party that he attended last year."

"Is he in any trouble?"

"No, sir," Booth said. "Just hoping he could help identify someone that might have given him a hard time."

"More than a hard time," a younger voice said, then a young man came into view. His head was shaved and he sported a goatee. "Gave me a black eye and a bloody nose." Luke walked up next to his father and stuck out his hand. "Luke Parker."

"Agent Booth. Doctors Brennan and Bryant." Luke nodded at the two women.

"That party was a total blast, that is, until he showed up."

"Can you tell us about him? Why the fight?"

"He, um, said something. About my girl. You know, she walks by and he makes some snide comment. One things lead to another, and bam, we're fighting."

"Do you know his name?"

"No, sir?"

"Do you remember what he looked like?"

"Tall, about my height. Red baseball cap. He had these really white teeth and a tattoo on his left arm." Luke thought for a moment. "Brown. He had sand brown hair."

"Do you know what the tattoo was of?"

"Didn't see a lot of it. Maybe a whale?" Booth nodded.

"Thank you for your time." He pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to the young man. "If you think of anything else, please call."

"Will do."

--

Kaitlin Tanner was scared. Her wide eyes scanned the small room that the man was keeping her in. There were no windows, only a single light bulb suspended by a three-foot string from the ceiling. When she took a deep breath, her nostrils filled with a mixture of sweet honeysuckle and manure. Kaitlin wrinkled her nose. The gag in her mouth tasted liked dirt, and the tie around her hands cut into her wrists. She rocked back and forth in the only chair in the room. A wooden chair with one broke leg. There has to be a way out, she thought to herself. Just stay calm and think.

--

"I'm telling you," Booth said. "It was the funniest thing ever." Shanelle laughed from the back seat, but Brennan simply crossed her arms.

"I don't see how that's funny," she scolded. "Somebody could have been hurt."

"I know that, Bones," Booth replied between chuckles. "But nobody was. Thus it's funny." Brennan rolled her eyes.

"I still don't see it." Booth smiled and was just about to say something when his cell phone went off. The cabin of the SUV fell silent as he answered.

"Booth." Brennan let her gaze drift out the window. "Yes, sir. We've just finished up here." Silent. "Why do you think it's related?" Brennan turned her eyes to her partner. "That's a good reason sir." Booth glanced at his watch. "We'll be on our way within the hour." With that, he hung up.

"On our way where?" Brennan asked.

"Dalton Georgia."

"Has another body been found?" Shanelle asked from the back seat.

"No, well, yes. A girl has gone missing. Now normally that wouldn't concern us but her dog was found with a broken neck, and tossed in a fire ant bed in the back yard."

"You think that BBC Guy kidnapped her?" Brennan asked.

"It's our only lead. Call Angela and update her on the case. See if she can do some research about tattoos. See if there's any gangs that uses a whale."

"Isn't that the FBI's job?" Shanelle asked.

"Yeah," Booth answered. "But it's also my job since it's my case, and since Bones is my partner, I can deal out assignments, and since Angela is on her team, then she can pass them along. See how that works?"

"That and Angela can have the information faster," Brennan tossed in.

"Well, yes, that too." Brennan smiled, pulled out her cell phone and hit Angela's speed dialed button.

"Ange, it's me," she said into the phone.

"Bren, sweetie, it's about time you checked in. Where are you now?"

"Heading to Georgia. Listen, I need you and the boys to do a few things for me." Angela listened as her friend talked, jotting down notes when needed and asking clarifying questions.

"I can do that," Angela answered, softly tapping the eraser of the pencil on the desk. "When do you think you'll be home?"

"I'm not sure," Brennan said. "Depends on what we find in Georgia."

"Oh, okay." Angela let out a sigh. "Well, you and Hunky G-Man be careful."

"We are always careful, Angela."

"Yeah, whatever. Bye, sweetie."

"Bye." Angela snapped her phone shut and put it aside. She brought the eraser to her lips, and thought. Her eyes surveying the drawing in front of her. She had Brennan finished for the most part, but Booth was still in total outline stage. He stood just behind Brennan, and turned ever so slightly turned toward her. Angela had drawn him with one hand you couldn't see- On Brennan's lower back, Angela thought- and his other hand on his hip. Angela smiled at her progress, and then picked up her note pad and went in search of Zack and Hodgins.

--

Kaitlin jumped as the silence was broken by a key being inserted into a lock, and then the lock turning. The door squeaked open on rusty hinges, and a few rays of sunlight filtered in. Dust floated in the golden streaks. Kaitlin blinked a few times, her eyes adjusting to the sudden brightness. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw him standing there. "Just wanted to check on you, my innocent one," the man said, flashing a white teeth smile. Kailin struggled against her gag. "Now, now, if you wished to say something, I'll give you the chance." The man moved to her, and tugged down the material.

"Who are you?" Kaitlin asked, fully aware that it wasn't the best question in the world.

"You may call me Avery," he said, running a dirty hand down her cheek. Kaitlin wanted to jerk back, but knew that might upset him. And that was something she couldn't afford to do.

"Why have you brought me here, Avery?"

"To keep you safe, Innocent One. To protect you."

"But I want to go home." Avery looked at her with sad eyes.

"I'm sorry you feel that way." With that, he replaced the gag, then turned and left the small room.

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More to come...