A/N: I'll explain where this little plot bunny came from at the end...

It's probably a little too short, but it's fresh and holds a deeper meaning for me.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bones.

A Copy of an Original

He's in a meeting with the other regional directors when his secretary knocks on the door. "Excuse me, Director Booth."

"Hang on just a second guys," he says turning from the monitors and looking at the girl. The look on her face is telling. This isn't good. "What is it, Sarah?"

She gestures toward the screens. "Are you sure you..."

He gestures for her to come out with it.

"Your wife called."

There are cat calls from the other department heads. It's no secret who Booth is married to or, for that matter, who's in charge. He knows he's in for it. If not from Bones then from the other end of the conference call.

She holds a small slip of paper, "She says and I quote, 'You tell him I said this is his problem and that he's got ten minutes to get over here or I'm filing for divorce.'"

"How long ago did she call?" he asks, immediately knowing the problem.

"Three minutes ago. I know you said I should..."

He whistles and gets to his feet grabbing his suit jacket from the back of the chair. "Sorry to cut this meeting short, but I gotta run..." He's out of the office so quickly he misses the jokes about being a kept man.

Thank God he still had sirens on the SUV. He makes it to the Jeffersonian with less than a minute to spare. He swipes his card and walks up onto the platform where Bones stands between a young FBI Agent and an even younger forensic anthropologist.

"I blame you for this, you know?" she says. Taking off her glasses, she brushes her lips softly over his cheek and begins to walk away. "I'll be in my office when you're done here."

"Diner?" he asks her and she nods in agreement. Once she's gone, his hands fall to his hips and his mouth tightens as he looks at the young man and woman in front of him. He addresses her first, "Megan, I apologize. For what it's worth, Bones and I had fits and starts when we began our partnership."

"But..." the young man stutters.

Booth silences him with a hand. "I'll get to you in a minute," he says without looking the kid in the eye. "Why don't you go see if Dr. Brennan has anything else for you today and, if not, head on home. Okay?"

She nods and snaps off her rubber gloves. "Thank you, Director Booth."

He turns his sights on the remaining figure on the platform. "Come on, buddy. How many times do I have to tell you - cops don't solve cases like these, squints do."

He rolls his eyes and shuffles his feet. "I thought it was good police work that solved murders."

"Henry Jared Booth," the older man says with a shake of his head as he pulls the younger man into an embrace. "Your mother's right, you know? You're too much like me for your own good..."

A/N - Bet you didn't see that one coming...or maybe you did?

My best friend's dad passed away last night. In thinking how alike they are - or rather were - this little thread popped into my head. Hopefully it made a few of you smile. Please send warm thoughts toward the Big Apple.