Disclaimer: Bones and its affiliated characters do not belong to me. I mean no copyright infringement.

Rating: T

Author's Note: Sorry for the long delay. I've had severe writer's block with this story. I'm hoping my muse returns soon because I want this finished before the premier! I hope that this chapter lives up to your expectations.

I love all of the reviews I've been getting. You're very sweet to take your valuable time to write them. They are very encouraging especially since writing fiction is new to me.

Please forgive me for my lack of knowledge concerning the military. I did my best to find accurate information on the internet, but I would not be surprised if I made mistakes.

He Called Me Baby

Chapter 36: New Perspectives

(Published September 6, 2010)

Booth's POV

It had been a long day for the rangers. They quickly needed to get the teams and schedules set so they could finish their day and start new again tomorrow. Each site would have 2 rangers present with the scientists. The agents and Booth would be working the investigation of the two missing scientists. Brennan would mainly be staying at the lab securing all of the remains and evidence for shipment to the Jeffersonian.

Booth wanted to pay closer attention to Michael and so he was assigned to site #4 where Janson and Daisy used to be along with 3 other interns. The only problem with this plan was that Michael could not be found and they hoped he would show up for dinner. During the time it took for Booth to meet with his men, Brennan escorted the agents around the sites and buildings that were being occupied by the scientists. Sweets was happy when Booth asked for him to go along to keep an eye on Bones. She, of course, was unaware of the reason for his presence on the tour.

Agent Gibson's POV

The trip to the jungle was just as long and boring as the trip from the landing field. She couldn't grasp the desire these scientists had that would lead them to volunteer a year's time away from home. Approximately 6 weeks would be torture considering she'd been there less than a day and she had had enough. Of course, the present company didn't help the matter.

"Tempe, how have you liked the jungle? Has it been difficult to adjust to the climate?"

Dr. Brennan looked at him as if assessing his intentions. "Agent Sullivan, you are aware that I have traveled around the world for digs similar to this."

"OK. You got me there. What's so special about this one?"

"Come one, Tempe. I genuinely want to know. I've missed listening about your adventures. I've missed you."

Did the man not believe what he saw earlier between Dr. Brennan and Sergeant Booth? The doctor and the gorgeous sergeant were definitely into each other.

"Agent Sullivan…"

He cut her off and Agent Gibson wanted to laugh at the expressions shared between the two. "My name is Sully. I was an agent when we met and you always just called me Sully. It doesn't have to change."

"As I was saying Agent Sullivan, if it was me that you missed, you would have returned to D.C. long before now. Considering the emails you sent to Booth and me, I'm confident with my assessment that you simply are jealous that I am happy and committed in an intimate relationship with Booth. And I hope this infatuation you have will not interfere with your work, here."

"Agent Sullivan," addressed Dr. Sweets. "I need to speak with Dr. Brennan. I'm sure you wouldn't mind if we switch seats for awhile."

Agent Sullivan chose to ignore him and switched tactics. "Tempe, I'm sorry that I let you down, that I hurt you the way that I did. I've thought about you often and I know in my heart that if we had met at a different time in our lives, we would still be together. Please forgive me. I will leave the past to rest." He looked behind him to gesture to Sweets that he was ready to switch seats.

Agent Sullivan went from confident, almost cocky, to genuinely sorry and caring in the blink of an eye. She had to wonder what kind of relationship they once had and how the next few weeks would go with all involved in this unusual mix of people. Maybe if she changed her perspective of the situation, she could find this quite amusing instead of boring.

Specialist Kobylik's POV

This was definitely a far cry from the desert. He was quite surprised that he and the other men were sent there to help Sergeant Booth with an archaeology dig. They were briefed on the uprising and the significance the dig may bring. Now that they were there, he decided that he would make the best of it. It would break up his term of duty and it promised to be very interesting considering the dynamics of the people. Sergeant Booth certainly had an entertaining life and a gorgeous woman by his side. What a lucky b****** he was that the army let him go to his woman. The man must have several strings he can pull. And he planned to benefit from them.

After the general meeting, Sergeant Booth pulled him off to the side. "Specialist Kobylik, I'd like to have a word with you."

"Yes, sir"

"As you are aware, you'll be protecting scientists at the site that has been compromised. It is also the site that is believed to have been the place of the first abduction. Both kidnapped scientists were assigned to that dig site. Dr. Stires will be working there starting tomorrow. I would like for you to keep a close eye on him. I don't trust him."

"I gather the lack of trust goes beyond your lady friend."

"I have reason to believe that the scene that played out after our arrival was planned as a diversion. He had been presumed missing during the day and had just shown up shortly before we arrived. His movement about the sites has been suspicious since I arrived last week. I don't know what he's up to, but I want to find out."

"You got it sergeant. I'll report any suspicious activities."

Yes, this could very well turn out to be a very interesting assignment.

Sweets' POV

Sweets had mixed emotions about being in the Maluku Islands, but now that he was there, he needed to keep himself busy physically and emotionally.

"Dr. Brennan, it appears that you are feeling more like yourself, today."

She looked confused. "Sweets, who else would I feel like?"

He smiled. How could he forget so quickly at how literal she was? "What I meant to say was that you appear to be feeling healthy once again."

"Oh, yes. I really wasn't in any danger."

Sweets looked skeptical. He soon discovered that he ran into a conversation he really didn't want to be a part of.

"Tempe, what happened? Are you sure you're alright? Dr. Sweets doesn't look very confident."

Yep, and Sweets should have predicted Dr. Brennan's straight forward answers to human anatomy.

"I'm fine. Conception is a natural event that often leads to miscarriage. My experience was less common than the standard miscarriage. The fetus implanted in the fallopian tube resulting in an eruption of the tube." She quickly glanced at the two men. "It is completely unnecessary for the two of you to be so embarrassed. It happens. Besides, both of you enquired about my health."

Sweets noticed that Agent Sullivan wasn't anymore comfortable with the current topic than he was. He couldn't help but notice that the jealousy remained. He hoped that he was sincere and wouldn't cause any problems for his two favorite crime solvers.

Agent Gibson had remained quiet for most of the trip. It surprised him to hear her. "Dr. Brennan, if you don't mind me asking, how far along were you in your pregnancy?"

The women continued to discuss the topic not noticing the discomfort of the men.

"I remember being shocked by that as well. I hope that you weren't alone."

Hmm…. an interesting turn in the conversation. Sweets knew that Agent Gibson was divorced. He wondered what the story was behind it.

"I was fortunate that Dr. Janson was with me that evening."

He needed to meet that guy once he was found. Sweets couldn't help but wonder how much Agent Booth knew about him. Dr. Brennan attracts guys like a light attracts mosquitoes. He couldn't blame her though. She was gorgeous and usually was oblivious to the men's desires and advances.

Oh, Sweets should have known. Agent Sullivan couldn't stay quiet. The jealousy was growing. "How many great looking male scientists are here, Tempe?"

The women looked at him with annoyance mixed with disgust. Before he could finish his thoughts on the matter, he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. He gently put his hand on Dr. Brennan's shoulder. She glared at him suspiciously. He wanted to roll his eyes but stopped himself. "Dr. Brennan, stop the vehicle."

"Why would you want me to do that?"

"Do it now!"

She slowly pulled to a stop. "What is going on?" she demanded.

Sweets spoke very quietly. "Why would Dr. Stires be out in the jungle by himself?" Three pairs of eyes turned in the direction Sweets was looking.

Sully's POV

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Granted, he wasn't surprised that Tempe was dating Booth. He simply didn't like it. But a pregnancy? He just couldn't see her as the mothering type. It was one of the things he liked about her. He'd rather his woman concentrate on him instead of children. And who is this other scientist? He needed to find out. Is she still the same Tempe? Maybe she just needed someone to remind her of who she is. He said that he wouldn't bring up the past and he would keep his word. That didn't mean he couldn't concentrate on the present. If they were meant to be, she would accept his advances.

He was brought out of his thoughts when the vehicle stopped. The shrink had noticed Dr. Stires, also known as Michael and Tempe's former boyfriend, moving through the jungle and he appeared to be alone.

Sully gestured to the two sitting in front. "The two of you stay here. Agent Gibson and I will investigate." He didn't give her time to protest and they scurried off into the thick wet jungle hidden from the sun under its canopy.

Brennan's POV

"Why does everyone think that I can't take care of myself?" She wasn't asking anyone in particular."

"Dr. Brennan, I hope that you're not considering going in there."

"I most definitely am. You can choose to stay here Sweets or come with me."

"I'm certainly not letting you go alone. That's one wicked looking place. Besides, I may need you to protect me." He grinned.

Brennan laughed at him. She didn't like his psychology, but he was a good guy. He was actually beginning to look nervous as they started their journey.

"I'll just stay behind you." Brennan rolled her eyes.

"Trust me and stay quiet."

"Yes, ma'am." That earned a typical Dr. Brennan glare usually reserved for her interns. One that Daisy had received many times. She had to wonder what his reasons were for being here in the Maluku Islands. According to Daisy, Sweets was the one who had ended the relationship. Maybe her kidnapping was causing regret.

"Dr. Brennan!"

Everything went black.

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Author's Notes: Here are some fun reviews about Michael and Sully that I'd like to share. They are so very popular aren't they? LOL!

Cheysma2000

Michael is a slime ball and I hope that Sully gets his ss handed to him on a plate just on principle.

TravelingSue

Rat bast#rd - Tempe should have beat Michael unconcious.

Avrienne

I'd like to feel badly for Sully, but I don't.

BBfansavl6

Great scene with with the jerk Michael. Liked how B&B settled things!

Tempe4Booth

THANKS FOR THE stires bashing i HATED that guy.

mendenbar

Stires is such a skunk, and I think Booth is right, it was just a distraction. I get the distinct feeling that Stires is a rat in rat's clothing.