44-The New Hampshire Nine

"OK, so, there's no proof of this scientifically, but I think I know where he is."

"Who?" Angela asked.

"Nathan Higgs!" Jack replied excitedly.

"Oh. Oh my gosh! Where?"

"I think he's in New Hampshire."

"Hodgie, are you going with your gut?" Angela asked.

"Oh, God, the world must be ending. I'll call my lawyer," Booth joked as he walked onto the platform. "Where's Bones?"

"Shes-," Hodgins started, but cut himself off as his monitor beeped. "Wait." He walked quickly to the screen and noticed traces of a specific plant. "The traces are small, almost undetectable to anyone else." Angela and Booth rolled their eyes. "This," he said excitedly, pointing to a picture he'd pulled up, "is Arisaema triphyllum." He received blank stares in response. "Jack-in-the-Pulpit," he explained. Angela nodded, but Booth kept his frown. "It's native to Maine, Vermont…and New Hampshire."

Booth connected the dots immediately. "All I need to know. Thanks, Hodgins!" he called as he ran to Brennan's office.

"King of the Lab!" Hodgins cried. Angela just stared at him and shook her head before walking to her office. "Angie?" He sighed. "Whatever."

"Bones!"

Brennan jumped from her chair. "Booth, you startled me."

Booth approached her slowly. "Sorry, baby," he said softly. "Hodgins found a plant in the dirt native to New England. I'm thinkin' we need to check out Melody Higgs' place."

Hodgins and Angela agreed to watch the boys so Brennan and Booth could drive to New Hampshire. Luckily it was only about noon, so they could make it there by ten or eleven considering Booth definitely wasn't letting Brennan forego any meals.

"Booth, we should have taken my car. The GPS is voice-activated," Brennan commented as she watched Booth growl in frustration as his finger again hit the wrong letter as he tried to type in Melody Higgs' address.

"That little thing? Do you know how uncomfortable that would be?" he commented distractedly. Finally, Brennan grabbed the GPS and typed in the address for him. "Thank you," he said stiffly as he snatched it from her.

"Booth, are you experiencing Couvade Syndrome?" Brennan laughed.

"What?" Booth asked as he pulled out of the parking space and put the car in drive.

"Many men experience it, Booth. No need to be ashamed."

"I don't even know what it is."

"It's where men experience the same symptoms as their pregnant partners."

"Bones! I am not behaving like a pregnant woman!"

"OK, Booth, I'm sorry. You're right."

Booth realized what she was doing and glared at her. "Don't even start, Bones. It's a nine-hour drive." A moment later, Brennan hesitantly laid her hand on Booth's arm. Another moment later, Booth covered her hand with his and smiled at her.