Thank you for the many wonderful reviews. Like I said, I love reading your thoughts and insights. I see most of you, like me, enjoy a trip down memory lane. Shout out time to pammy-447, kareneb, brennansboys, LoveShipper, zats, 554Laura (the previous chapter wasn't meant to be a challenge entry but I see your point, though I don't think it would be a phobia), gatewatcher, Burzekfan82, Poppyblue5, FaithinBones, conservativegirl, geraghtyvl, Monique Sampson, jsboneslover.

I couldn't find inspiration to contribute to last week's challenge but this week I instantly knew what I would write about. Going a tiny bit angsty on this one. My contribution to this week's Bonesology weekly fan fic challenge. Like all the stories in this series of one-shots, this is set some time after the show's finale.

What is Booth's FBI nickname and why? Describe the circumstances that reveal the information to Brennan.

Nickname

"Agent Booth."

Booth looked up from the file he was studying. He wondered what he had done to warrant an appearance by the Assistant Director in his office that afternoon.

"Assistant Director Hacker?"

"Suit up. You're wanted at HRT."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Suit up. Get into your tactical gear and report to HRT ASAP."

"Sir I'm not with HRT."

"I'm your boss, of course I know that. But SSA Corbin specifically requested for you. Apparently, they're a man short. A man with your specific skill set, short in fact. One of their snipers broke his arm in training and another is at some hostage situation in Fairfax."

"I'm in the middle of a case."

"Agent Aubrey can handle the case by himself for a day. And Booth, I'm not asking."

Booth sighed slumping back in his chair. He dropped the pen he was holding and closed the file. He knew Thomas Corbin from their days back at Quantico. If Tom needed his help he knew he couldn't say no.

"I'll report to HRT in ten minutes."

As Hacker left his office, Booth picked up his cell phone sending a quick text to Brennan to tell her that he was on special assignment and to send all case-related information to Aubrey. He also added that he would not be home in time for dinner.

… …

Staring down the scope of his rifle, from the roof of the building opposite the bank where a botched robbery turned into hostage situation was taking place, Booth mused that he didn't think he would be put in such a situation again. Next to him, his spotter Agent Chavez couldn't seem to stop talking. He reminded Booth a little of Teddy Parker, wet behind the ears and eager to impress.

"It's really an honor working with you Agent Booth."

Booth didn't reply. So the younger agent continued his monologue.

"I was at the class on firearms and marksmanship you gave at Quantico two years ago. I learnt a lot from you. I never thought I'd be working side by side with you one day."

"Agent Chavez, your job is to give me the diagnostic read-outs if I needed them. Distance, temperature, wind speed. If you could cut the chit chat. We're on assignment here. We need to focus on the job at hand."

"Right. Yes. Sorry Sir."

Booth sighed. He figured Chavez was probably nervous. He decided to cut the younger agent some slack.

"I didn't mean to be snappy. I just like to concentrate on what we're doing here."

"Yes Sir."

As if on cue, his earpiece in crackled. "Negotiations going south. Suspects getting jumpy. Looks like they're gonna start executing hostages. Imminent threat needs to be neutralised before the team can't breach the bank's entrance. Sniper you have the green light to take out the armed suspect near the entrance."

Booth watched as the masked robber, who held a hostage closely in front of him as a human shield, waved his gun wildly in the air, then jab it against the hostage's head. It was going to be a difficult shot but Booth was confident he could make it.

"Sniper you have the green light. Do you have a shot?" Booth recognised Tom Corbin's voice.

"Affirmative." Booth replied.

"Get ready to breach once threat is neutralised." The directive from Corbin aimed at the rest of the team.

In a well-rehearsed motion, Booth slowed his breathing. His mind tuned out everything else, listening to Chavez read out the information he needed, he made mental calculations and minor adjustments on his rifle. As he released his breath, he gently squeezed the trigger. It was over in less than a minute. He saw the top of the masked robber's head fly off then the limp body hit the ground. He continued watching through his scope, knowing his job was not over. He had to provide cover, as the rest of the team rushed into the bank, subduing the two remaining robbers. Only when all the civilians in the bank were evacuated, could Both relax. His job was done.

… …

It had been a good day's work by HRT standards. Since a life had been taken, there was paperwork to be filled and that was swiftly seen to by Corbin, Booth and Chavez. The three men filed out of the conference room at the Hoover building into the almost empty bullpen.

As they approached Booth's office, Chavez spoke. "It was an honor working with you today Agent Booth. Your form, your poise, everything was textbook."

Booth wondered if Chavez was describing him or a synchronised swimmer. He quirked a smile at Corbin.

Corbin smiled back, "Don't mind him. Kid's got a good heart and if he learns to keep his mouth shut, he'll make a great sniper one day."

Choosing to ignore the fact that the two senior agents were talking about him, Chavez continued.

"I mean that was one tough shot to take, but you got off a clean shot. It was clinical, precise and epic. The guy never saw it coming. The legendary Grim Reaper in action. Awesome!"

Booth whipped around to face Chavez. He hadn't been called that in years. He pointed an angry finger at the younger agent.

"Who told you that?" Booth looked over to Corbin.

Corbin held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Hey don't look at me, I know how much you hated that nickname."

"I… I… I'm sorry Sir. After your firearms class, some of the instructors told us your nickname, on account that you were such a good sniper. The people you killed never saw it coming. You're like the Grim Reaper."

Booth sighed. He didn't know people were still calling him that behind his back.

"Listen kid, taking a life, it's not epic or awesome. Killing someone, that should never ever be taken lightly. Sure the robber I killed back there was a bad guy and if I didn't take him out, he could've hurt a lot of people. But he was someone's son. Maybe someone's husband or father. There's no glory in taking a life even if the person deserved it. I want you to remember that the next time you pull the trigger, you got that?"

"Yes Sir."

"And I don't want you to ever bring up my nickname again."

"Yes Sir." Chavez looked contrite enough and for once didn't continue speaking.

"If there's anything you learnt from me, I want you to remember what I just said."

"I won't forget Sir."

"Right, now get outta here." Booth jerked his thumb towards the elevators.

Chavez cast a quick glance at his team leader, then quickly headed for the elevators, eager to get out of Booth's sight.

Corbin shook his head then stuck out his hand. Booth took it, exchanging handshakes.

"I really appreciate you helping out today Booth. I know you dislike it but you saved lives today."

"Just don't come asking me to do this again alright, Tom?"

"Sure. I owe you one okay? Next time you need HRT to help you apprehend some serial killer, my team will be there."

Booth chuckled. "Right. I'll remember that. Say hi to your wife for me huh?"

"I'll do that. Catch you later Booth."

"Later Tom."

Booth turned and entered his office, surprised to find that he had a visitor.

"Bones! What are you doing here?"

Brennan got up from the armchair she was sitting on.

"I saw your text and I spoke to Aubrey. I saw on the news that the situation was resolved after a FBI sniper killed one of the bank robbers. It wasn't hard to conclude that the sniper was you. I was worried so I came here. I know how much you hate this."

Booth blew out a breath as he ran a hand through his hair. He leaned back against his desk.

"Yeah it was me. The HRT leader, Tom Corbin and I were at Quantico together. He needed my help." Brennan nodded indicating she understood. "I guess you heard everything outside my office."

"About your nickname?"

"Yeah."

"Yes. I assume you aren't particularly fond of it."

"The Grim Reaper strikes again." Booth rolled his eyes. Guess that about sums up what I'm good for."

"That's not true Booth."

"You know, on our way back, I was thinkin' and it kinda scared me how quickly I could slip back into my sniper mode. It's like I never left the army. I could just flick some switch in my brain and I was an expert killing machine again. It's like I can't get the past out of me."

Brennan wasn't good at reading people, but she knew Booth and she knew her husband was troubled. She took his large hands in hers as her blue eyes gazed into his brown.

"Our past stays with us, no matter how hard we try to forget. It's how we live with our past that matters. You taught me that. Being a sniper doesn't define who you are. Just like when I had amnesia and you told me my intelligence doesn't make me who I am."

Booth smiled. "You remembered I told you that."

Brennan smiled back, glad that she managed "Did you forget I have an excellent memory?"

Booth laughed. "How could I forget?"

"You never told me about your nickname."

"Stupid nickname. When I first got to Quantico, everyone had heard about my reputation from when I was with the Rangers. I had something to prove and of course I became the top marksman of my class. People started calling me the Grim Reaper. It was cool for awhile, then I remembered why I left the Army, and the nickname wasn't so cool afterall. I started getting mad every time someone called me that, so they stopped. I never knew people still refer to me as that."

Brennan smoothed her hands up Booth's pectorals which were nicely accentuated by his snug fitting tee and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into her embrace. Booth buried his face in her hair, inhaling the scent that grounded him. As always, his wife was right. He would never forget how to be a sniper and would probably never stop being good at it, but it was how he lived with his skill that mattered. It didn't define him and she stood by him and didn't think badly of him. That was all that mattered. After a moment in each other's arms, Booth rested his hands on her hips, gently holding her at arm's length as he spoke.

"I really appreciate you coming here to support me. It's very romantic. But don't worry I'm okay."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. I mean I did have to kill someone today. And I still hate it. But I don't blame myself like I used to anymore. I guess you can say the Kovac case gave me some sense of peace with my past. I did what I had to do, and I kept people from getting hurt. Just like today. And you're right, I can't get the sniper out of me, so might as well put my skill to good use, save lives. What really helps is knowing you're on my side. I'm really, really okay."

Brennan smiled teasingly. "Even being reminded that you're the Grim Reaper?"

"Well okay not that. I still hate that nickname."

"You call me Bones even though I dislike that nickname. Maybe I should start calling you Grim Reaper."

"Really Bones?"

Brennan laughed the laugh he loved to hear.

"Look, I'm tired and I'm hungry. I just wanna go home, have dinner and soak in the tub. Come on, let's go."

Brennan picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. Together the couple walked out of Booth's office towards the elevator.

"Maybe I should start calling you Seeley."

"Bones that's not even a nickname. And you know I don't like my name."

"Then perhaps you should stop calling me by a name you know I dislike."

"You say you don't like it, but secretly on the inside? I know you do. Besides who else calls you Bones huh?"

"Parker."

"Parker doesn't count alright? I'm your husband, it's what they call a term of endearment. It's cos I love you so much."

"By that reasoning I should give you a moniker to show my affection for you too. How about Hockey? Since you love playing hockey so much."

"Seriously?" Booth stared at Brennan in annoyance.

The elevator doors opened and the couple stepped in.

"How about Shoes? That's what I proposed I should call you when we worked our first case."

"Just stick to Booth okay?"

"Oh how about – "The elevator doors closed drowning out the couple's bickering.

I love Booth's sniper past so I had to write something on it. Hope I managed to meet the brief with this one.