A/N: Sorry folks. I know that I promised that this chapter would be posted by Tuesday night but I've been fighting some glitches. I found out that Document Manager only allows 15 documents at a time. Anyone know how to transfer documents without making them new stories or removing them? If you do, I'll send you a great big telepathic hug and dedicate the next chap to you. Promise.

By the way, in case you're wondering there is no restaurant by the name Sariette. Just showing off my French. It means savory. I think.

Thanks for all of you who have stuck through this journey with me from the beginning and continue to review each and every chapter. Have I told you lately that I love you? Have I told you there's no one else above you? You fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness, ease my troubles that's what you do. Yes those are the lyrics to Rod Stewart's song "Have I told you lately."

To those new to this story, hope you enjoy.

I don't really need to remind you that I don't own Bones or its characters again, do I? Really? Seriously? Oh come on! I don't own Rod Stewart or his song either. If I did I'd trade him for Booth. Fox Network, Kathy Reichs and Hart Hanson can keep Booth's clothes though.

The Truth about the Takedown

Hacker waltzed into the Hoover a little past 2 o'clock, having taken a long lunch that included a quick but satisfying game of golf. He and an old college buddy who happens to be a junior partner in one of DC's largest law firms dined at the exclusive Sarriette - which Tempe had taken him to a few nights ago, Hanson griped about Hacker living such a charmed life.

"How the hell do you do it man?" Hanson whined, stabbing into his chicken provencal.

"Well, I don't know about your chicken, but my veal with bordelaise sauce is pretty tender," Hacker smirked. "I don't have to attack it like it's about to run away."

"Ha ha, very funny," Hanson replied drolly. "I mean, you're an AD at the Bureau and you somehow get to call your own hours, you show up at Sarriette - a place notoriously difficult to get into and you're immediately seated, and you're dating a hot best selling author. How did a little geek like you pull that off?"

"First of all, what you need to learn how to do my friend is delegate. Let your people do the work for you and make sure that they know what you expect from them. It's something I'm perfecting for when I get my promotion. I may be Assistant Director now, but I've already been earmarked to take Cullen's office when he retires," Hacker bragged. "It's all but decided. Being Assistant Director of the FBI can get you in the doors of many places, even exclusive ones like this. Dating a famous woman helps too."

"I heard that she's kind of an ice queen though," Hanson replied. "That true?"

"She's a just a little socially awkward," shrugged Hacker, taking a bite of his veal and giving himself a moment to savor it before continuing. "She's been a little too wrapped up in that lab of hers."

"How's she in bed?" asked Hanson, a bit too eager to hear about it.

"A gentleman doesn't tell of his intimate relations with a woman." he smirked.

"Since when did you become a gentleman?" Hanson scoffed.

"Good point," laughed Hacker. "Let me put it this way; if she weren't any good, would I still be dating her?"

"If she could keep getting you into places like this, yeah!" laughed Hanson. "She's your ticket to the invite only fundraisers and high publicity parties. She could probably get you a dinner at the governors house too."

"Why stop there?" asked Hacker with a laugh. "I'll let you know how dinner at the White House goes."

Perhaps because his day began so enjoyably and leisurely, the events of the afternoon ended up hitting him pretty hard. When he got back to the Hoover after lunch, whistling contentedly he began to notice the furtive glances aimed at him, the whispered conversations behind covered mouths, the giggles from behind him as he walked by. Pretending to smooth out his pants he made sure that his zipper was closed, then rubbed around his mouth to check for any residual sauces. He made sure that there were no stains on his jacket, shirt or tie, and couldn't figure out why he had garnered so much attention. By the time that he got to his office, it was really starting to annoy him.

"Any messages Jan?" he asked his secretary, holding out his hand for the slips of paper of people who had called during his absence. He knew that she had already weeded out the calls he wouldn't waste his time returning.

"Just a few sir, nothing urgent." replied Jan, handing him the requested messages.

"What's going on Jan?" asked Hacker, his eyebrows raised. He had noticed that Jan seemed particularly fascinated by her keyboard and was avoiding his eyes.

"What makes you think that something is going on sir?" she squeaked meekly.

He fixed an intense stare at her until she finally relented and told him about the rumors that she had heard after lunch. Word was spreading like wildfire about Hacker's attempts to break up the most successful, popular and respected partnerships of all time. Not only that, but she had heard that Hacker was attempting to destroy the career of one of the most highly regarded FBI agents that had ever come out of Quantico, because he was afraid that his girlfriend was in love with him. Booth was considered a hero to many and seemed to garner loyalty wherever he went. Booth was considered a man's man, an agent's agent. To Hacker he was a pain in the ass.

As he listened to Jan's report on the rumors that have been circulating, his irritation turned to rage. Jan was still talking when he abruptly left in search of the person he believed was spreading the gossip.

When Hacker barreled into Sweets office, Lance couldn't help but feel a wave of fear cresting over him. Man that guy was tall. And broad shouldered. And angry.

Sweets prayed as he had never prayed before that Angela would keep her promise.

"You!" Hacker bellowed brandishing his index finger as though it were a weapon. "You insignificant piece of shit. How many people have you told."

"Sir, I-"

"Sweets, what I discussed with you was for your ears only, not to be shared with the entire staff of the FBI!" he yelled, towering over Sweets in his chair.

"I told no one of this sir," Sweets lied, his voice squeeking. "Well, except for-"

"Did you tell Brennan or Booth?" Hacker glowered.

"NO!" Declared Sweets. "I just needed some sage advice. Sir, I understand where you're coming from; the problem is what you're asking me to do is at the very least ethically questionable-"

"What is so damn questionable about doing your job?" Hacker demanded.

"The fact that you don't want me to do my job," Sweets argued, his disgust for this man causing him to be, more bold than perhaps was advisable. "You want me to sabotage the FBI's best investigative team! And for what? Because you're dating Dr. Brennan and you're jealous of Booth?"

"It is what's in her best interest, and in the best interests of the Bureau." Hacker said dismissively.

"It most certainly is not," Sweets protested. "She loves being out in the field. It's where she thrives. Dr. Brennan has become a highly valued asset to the FBI, and she and Agent Booth have an unusual, though complementary partnership as well as a deep trust and friendship. I believe that this is the reason that the two of them have cleared more cases than any other pairing in the history of the FBI. Nothing that I've encountered in any of our sessions would indicate that their efficacy is waning. In fact, as they become stronger as partners, the quicker their cases get solved. They may have some unresolved emotional issues, but being the consummate professionals that they are - they've managed to put all of that aside to ensure justice for the victims and their families. What you're asking me to do is to violate my oath and their trust in me as their therapist."

"Don't be so melodramatic Sweets," Hacker replied, rolling his eyes. "It's not as if I'm telling you to screw with their heads until they start hearing voices. If you really think about it, separating them is what best for all involved; including you."

"Sir-"

"Sweets, I know that you think what I'm asking you is distasteful," Hacker said, trying the charm approach. "But with your help, I can make sure that everyone walks away happy. Booth will get the promotion he deserves, along with better pay and better hours. Tempe gets back to studying those old and desiccated remains in her lab and writing her best selling books. All I'm asking - all you really need to do is get them accustomed to the idea. Get Booth to stop thinking so selfishly and accept the position offered to him, and persuade Tempe to realize that she doesn't need to cling to Booth out of some outmoded notion of loyalty. Do this and I'll personally ensure that the FBI rewards you for your efforts."

"Funny how you seem to refer to what Dr. Brennan does in an almost derogatory manner," Sweets sneered. "It's as if you don't respect her chosen vocations. You think that what she does is 'study old desiccated remains' and 'write best sellers'. Even the way you said 'best sellers' had a note of derision in it."

"Come on Sweets, it's not as if her books are thought provoking," Hacker scoffed. "They're pulp fiction fluff. They're incredibly popular, incredibly successful, but they're still fluff."

"Oh my God, that's why you're dating her isn't it?" Sweets was appalled by what he had suddenly realized. "You want the prestige of dating a successful, wealthy and famous woman of her caliber. You're attempting to increase your social status by dating her."

"Who I date and the reasons why are none of your concern." Hacker snarled, his voice thundering and carrying past the door that he had forgotten to close.

"It is if they happen to be patients of mine and you're using me to manipulate them for your own gains!" Sweets retorted. "I don't care what you do to me, I am not going to help you with your twisted plans for Dr. Brennan and Agent Booth. It's not going to happen."

"You do not want to make an enemy out of me Sweets," he snarled. "There are consequences for your insolence."

"What might those consequences be Assistant Director Hacker?" asked a familiar voice on the speaker phone.

"Director Cullen?" muttered Hacker incredulously, nodding his head towards the phone. He glowered at Sweets, realizing that he had just been set up.

"As would I." replied a voice from the doorway. He turned around to see Brennan, with her arms crossed and her eyes shooting daggers at him.