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Misjudged

Booth straightened his tie and inhaled deeply before knocking on the door.

"Come in."

He heard the distinctive voice of the new Deputy Director through the closed door. Opening the door, Booth stepped into what used to be the office of Deputy Director Stark.

The new guy, Deputy Director Smith, who was sitting at his desk stared at Booth, his face set in a stern glare.

"SAC Booth. I've heard so much about you. It's good to finally get to meet you in person."

"Good to finally meet you too Sir." Booth nodded politely. Smith and recently taken over Stark's position. Little was known about him except that he used to be with the CIA and had reputation as a no nonsense kind of boss. With a last name like Smith, it felt as if he was a little of an enigma. Perhaps even a ghost who didn't want to have his existence made known.

Smith nodded towards the chair opposite him. "Have a seat Booth."

Booth was in the middle of a case and having been just gifted a lead by the squints at the Jeffersonian, was anxious to follow up on it. Smith must have picked up on his hesitancy. "I know you're a busy man, running your department and still having your share of the case load. I promise this won't take long."

Booth smoothed his tie as he nodded and sat down opposite the new Deputy Director.

"As you know, I've been meeting with the various heads of departments, I like to get to know the people I'm working with."

"Right. That's why I had to go meet with Dr Biermann."

"Nothing personal. It's something the other heads of department had to do too. I must say your department, especially you, has an exceptional solve rate. Major Crimes isn't everyone's cup of tea. What you do, it's very impressive."

"Thank you Sir."

Smith threw a folder onto the desk, towards Booth.

"Your psych report from Dr Biermann."

Booth regarded the file for a moment.

"Dr Biermann's report isn't very flattering I'm afraid. He states that you're an aggressive man with impulse and temper control issues, possibly stemming from a history of abuse at the hands of your father when you were a child. You've also been at the center of numerous… how shall I put it, unfortunate incidents the FBI have been involved in. Crystal Creek, that incident with Agent Bannerman and the list of undercover agents. Not to mention you had been imprisoned for the alleged murders of fellow FBI Agents."

"I was cleared of those charges Sir." Booth fought to keep his anger under control. He found it ironic that it was the very thing the new Deputy Director was accusing him of. For a moment, he wondered if it was a test to see if Dr Biermann's report was true, to see if he had trouble controlling his temper.

"Those men I killed? It was in self-defence. Not to mention, they weren't FBI Agents. They were ex-Delta Force guys who were acting under the direction of someone in the FBI who was being blackmailed."

"Yes. I've familiarised myself with the events that led to your incarceration and duly noted that you were the one who exposed that conspiracy within our ranks. My concern is not with regards to that incident specifically. You see, I can't afford to have a lose cannon running one of my most high profile departments."

Booth could hardly believe what he was hearing.

"With all due respect Sir, I have an exemplary record here in the FBI and with the Rangers when I served. I'm not a lose canon. To be honest, Dr Biermann hardly knows me."

"There is that matter of your partnership with the Jeffersonian."

"Sir, it is because of the people at the Jeffersonian that Agent Aubrey and I have such a high solve rate."

"Agent Aubrey, yes he is a rising star in the Bureau isn't he? But again, he isn't my concern, at least not yet. I understand that you're married to Dr Temperance Brennan."

"Yes." Booth was beginning to detest the new Deputy Director.

"Isn't there conflict of interest? As an field agent, your first priority is to protect the public but with your wife, the mother of your two children in the field with you, wouldn't your first priority naturally become her?"

"I can assure you Sir, there is no such conflict. I would give my life to protect my partner be it Agent Aubrey or my wife."

"I understand that psych reports can be subjective. And just like Dr Biermann, I hardly know you."

"Then give me some time, let me prove to you that you have nothing to worry about."

"And that is exactly why I asked to speak with you today. Regardless of what Dr Biermann says, your reputation precedes you. I have heard nothing but good things about you from Stark. You have three months. Prove Dr Biermann wrong. Prove that you're not the lose canon he makes you out to be and give me one less thing to worry about."

"I can do that Sir."

Smith leaned back in his chair folding his arms across his chest. "I won't keep you then. You have a case to get back to."

Booth nodded, standing.

"Oh and take the psych report back with you."

"Sir?"

"I know Dr Biermann said it's confidential and all but…" Smith shrugged, his face expressionless. "Might make for some good reading."

"Right." Booth picked up the file. "I won't let you down."

That night, in their bedroom, Brennan fumed as she read through Dr Biermann's report.

"This is a highly unfair assessment of you. How could he draw such conclusions after just one interview with you?"

"He did have all my past reports, all our past cases, my military records."

"You're agreeing with him?!" Brennan asked incredulously.

"No course not. I'm just saying I can understand how someone who doesn't know me would make that conclusion. I know even Sweets kinda did before he got to know me better. You did too."

Brennan closed her eyes, frustrated. "Admittedly It was wrong of me to make that conclusion..."

She felt Booth's hand on hers and opened her eyes. "I'm not mad that you said that about me. That was a long time ago. I mean, you weren't exactly wrong. I can get angry. You know what I was like after I got out of prison."

"But you worked through it."

"If it wasn't for you stopping me, who knows? I might have gotten myself thrown back in prison."

"But you're not like that, deep down inside, you're not. This is still an unfair assessment of you."

"I know Bones but we have three months. Don't worry we'll prove everyone wrong just like we always do."

Brennan closed Booth's psych report and smiled at her husband. "We do have a knack of doing that."

"Right? Afterall, who would've thought we'd get together, get married, have two kids together…"

"Deputy Director Smith shouldn't base his assessment of you on just this one report."

"That's why he gave me those three months. Don't worry about it, it'll be fine."

"Did he also give the other heads of departments three months to prove themselves?"

"I don't know Bones and I don't care."

"This still isn't fair." Brennan huffed.

Booth grinned. He couldn't help but love her more at her anger at the injustice done to him.

"Would you like me to go speak with Deputy Director Smith?"

"No Bones! Please don't. The last thing I need is for Smith to think I need my wife to stand up for me."

"Fine."

The next morning, while Booth was away interviewing a witness with Aubrey, Brennan made a trip to the Hoover Building. She located the new Deputy Director's office easily enough and was happy that his secretary was no where in sight. He knocked on the door and without waiting for an answer walked in.

Smith, who was busy at his computer, looked up. "Can I help you Ms?"

"Dr Brennan."

"Dr Temperance Brennan?"

"Yes. I'm Agent Booth's wife."

Smith nodded. "I know. I don't believe we have an appointment. Did my secretary let you in?"

"She was not at her desk."

"If you'd like to speak with me, you'd need an appointment. I'm a busy man."

"This would just take a maximum of three minutes."

Smith regarded the woman in his office. She looked like she was the kind who wouldn't take no for an answer. He sighed, placing his pen on the desk and folding his arms across his chest.

"Three minutes."

"I'm here about Dr Biermann's psychological assessment of my husband and how you are misjudging him by making assumptions based on that report. To be clear, Booth does not know I'm here. I just want to say that despite all that Booth has been through, his childhood, his time in the Army, his wrongful imprisonment, he has remained resolute. He may have faltered initially when he was released from prison but he has since regained his footing again, metaphorically. In fact I would say he has become stronger for it. He is the kindest, bravest man I know. He gives of himself, selflessly to his job and you are wrong to question his priorities in the field. His actions are carefully thought out and even if unforeseen circumstances arise, Booth does not react without giving his actions thought. Every life he has taken in the line of duty weighs on him heavily. He has mentored many younger Agents, many of whom owe their lives to him. My children are fortunate to have him as their father and I am fortunate to be married to him. The FBI is equally fortunate to have him in their employ. You will find that there is no better Agent to Head the Major Crimes unit. A report is simply exactly that. A piece of paper. You need time to get to know Booth to see that it was an unfair assessment of him."

Smith raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. "Is that all?"

"Yes. I believe so. I shall leave you to your work now." And with that Brennan left without waiting for Smith's reply.

Three months later Booth was called to Smith's office again. He sat down opposite the Deputy Director's desk, the scene almost identical to their first meeting.

"It has come to my attention that in the course of solving your latest case, you had to shoot and kill a suspect whom of course we now have proved is indeed the person responsible for two murders."

"The use of my service weapon was justified. It's all in my and Aubrey's report."

"I'm not here to contest that. I agree with your assessment."

Booth nodded, keeping a poker face.

"The three months I've stipulated has passed and I have come to my own conclusion."

Booth waited, trying not to hold his breath.

"I can understand why Dr Biermann made those conclusions of you but I also conclude that he is mistaken. While it is true that you do hold a measure of aggression, you do keep that under control. In fact, it's that aggression that makes you such a good Agent. If I were on the wrong side of the law, I'd be intimidated by you. I've watched tapes of your interrogation. You must have heard I was with the CIA. And if I were recruiting for them, I'd recruit you. You've certainly exceeded expectations."

Booth couldn't help but grin cockily. "Thank you Sir."

"I read people very well, but I suspect you do too."

"Sir?"

"I'm afraid I misjudged you. I no longer am worried that you might be a lose canon. Stark was right to heap those praises on you. As was your wife."

"My wife?!" Booth was shocked.

"She came by the day after our first meeting. She made it very clear that she felt that I had treated you unfairly and wanted to defend your honor."

Booth groaned inwardly.

"I'm sorry Sir, I told her not to."

Smith laughed, waving his hand. "No matter. I can see that she's very proud of you. She cherishes what you two have and believe it or not, it also assures me that you've got your priorities right. I'm glad you're partnered with Aubrey now. He's good but young. Experience is a good teacher. He will do well with you guiding him. Perhaps one day he will be sitting where I'm seated now."

Booth laughed. "I think he'd like that."

"But you wouldn't."

"You're right about that."

"I look forward to more meetings with you. I understand that Stark sometimes had you help with his administrative duties. I think I plan to utilise your talents in a similar fashion. Your experience is wasted on Agent Aubrey alone. Let me see if I can make some arrangements. Those cadets at Quantico could use an afternoon with you. Share your wealth of experience. Only if you'd like to of course."

"Yeah I can do that."

"I'd let you get back to your work now Booth."

Smith stood reaching out his hand. Booth stood with him, both men exchanging a handshake.

"You know my old man was a lot like yours. I also served, Navy. That was before the CIA. I guess the only thing different about us is that you managed to make your marriage work. My ex-wife couldn't stand my hours. I think if Dr Biermann had to write a psych report on me, it might not be too different from yours."

Smith laughed. It was the first time Booth had seen the new Deputy Director laugh so heartily. He didn't even know the man had it in him to do so.

"Don't look so surprised Booth. Always good to have an air of mystery about me, helps keep the people who report to me honest."

"I understand Sir."

Booth's phone chimed. "I'm sorry I need to take this. I'm waiting on lab results from the Jeffersonian."

"I won't hold you."

Booth turned towards the door.

"Oh and Booth?"

Booth turned.

"What I told you about past, I trust that you keep it to yourself."

"You have my word."

Booth exited the room, a cocky grin on his face and a spring in his step. As always, he had proved the naysayers wrong.