The Ties that Bind

I own nothing; Bones belongs to Fox and its affiliates as well as Kathy Reich's. I simply want to borrow them for my own amusement. All constructive reviews are appreciated and welcome, no flames please. Thank you to everyone that reviewed, as far as Hodgins goes, I hope that I've corrected it enough to see plausible in the following chapters. My apology if Bones seems slightly OOC towards the end here but I'm writing this as a "breaking point type scenario" and I hope it continues to be realistic. Thank you again for the lovely reviews  its Bones night yay!

Chapter 4- Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better...

The drive to the site behaved in the usual manner: silence, quips, stolen glances and a desperate attempt on both their parts to frantically change the station the moment Foreigner came on. 15 min later, they had reached their destination. As Booth parked he watched in fascination and amusement as Bones hopped out of the car, charging to the poor unsuspecting lieutenant waiting nearby. Booth smiled as the poor man's face expressed fear at this lovely woman in 4 inch heels and a designer dress, plowed across the lawn to meet him with a look of sheer determination. As she reached him he involuntarily took a step back.

"I'm Dr. Temperance Brennan from the Jeffersonian Institute; we had a call about a body this is my partner Special Agent Seeley Booth." She turned to gesture towards him but found him still at least 50 yards back.

"Booth! will you hurry up!" her exasperation was not lost on anyone

"Coming dearest, I just thought you may need something like perhaps your kit" He reached her side carrying the case a look of irritation mixed with humor crossed his handsome brow.

"Thank you" she looked only slightly chagrined as she took the kit.

"Right this way sir" the lieutenant pointed towards a deep gulley with the edges of a pit becoming visible.

Booth, a seasoned field officer felt himself loosing it as he looked over the edge of the pit what he saw was the most unsettling, revolting thing he had even witnessed. The body if you could call it that was hacked so badly that it was barely intact, but what was worst was the state of decomposition, the remains had taken on a greenish hue. The skin was missing the body essentially had all the features of a human, without any of the normal characteristics. The sight was matched in its unpleasantness only by the putrefying smell. What horrified Booth the most though, was the fact that he was watching his partner all but ready to leap into the pit with the unfortunate soul.

"Bones what on earth are you doing" He could not hide his horror

"Examining the body, you know my job." She looked at him with confusion

"Bones, you're in a designer outfit, I hate to think what it must have cost you. Are you actually going to jump in there wearing that?"

She looked guilty, looking down at her outfit and then back up into his eyes.

"You're absolutely right Booth, thank you." Booth turned to call for a jumper and stopped, placing his hand on the bridge of his nose he stared at his partner. She had just whipped of her heels, and tossed them with a fury that even a shot-put athlete would be proud of and leapt into the pit.

"Bones you astound me, you know that. Here," he slipped off his jacket and passed it to her. "Not one word about male chauvinistic behaviour either, you're in a strapless ball gown and its night. Now put it on before you catch cold."

She surprised him by actually smiling as she slipped his jacket on and wrapped it around her. "Thank you" her tone was sincere and grateful.

He was about to say your welcome when the competition strolled in. Captain Mike Richards. A handsome, well educated officer who was busy making a fuss over Bones, Booth did not like him. He did not like him at all.

He tuned back into the conversation, irritated at Bones charming smile directed at the Captain.

"No, I have everything I need thank you Captain"

"No problem Dr. Brennan, my men have been given strict orders anything you need, anything at all, they are to comply fully." His overeager smile infuriated Booth.

"Actually I've done all I can here, once we get it back to the Jeffersonian I can complete a more detailed analysis." She reached to take the hand the Captain offered her and was shocked to find herself being lifted through the air. "Ohh!" she started in surprise. Booth had reached down and grabbed her firmly abet gently and lifted her out of the pit to his side. Addressing the Captain in a clipped tone he said:

"Thank you for the assistance Captain; I'm Special Agent Seeley Booth FBI Dr. Brennan's partner. We appreciate your continued help with our FBI lead investigation. This is agent Rich Cantollini." He gestured to the young agent approaching. "He will brief you." Turing to Bones he said "Ready to go, I'll take you home to change first if you want"

Bones was horrified at his blatant disregard for the Captain and turned to make amends.

"Thank you for all your help Captain" she was apologetic

"It is my pleasure, thank you Special Agent Booth my team is ready to provide any assistance needed. Under supervision of the FBI of course, I wouldn't want to overstep my bounds." He started pointedly at Booth his point made clear. Smiling he turned to Dr. Brennan "Good luck with your investigation Dr Brennan, such a pleasure to meet you." Turning he disappeared into the night.

"What is wrong with you Booth, he was only trying to help." She was mad now

"Oh I'm sure he was Bones, so very helpful. Look he was overstepping his bounds alright; this is an FBI investigation end of story." He was matching her temper now

"Overstepping his bounds? And what bounds are those Booth hmm?" she was furious now.

"Enough Bones, I'm not playing these games with you tonight, let's go." He moves to take her arm at this she jumps back furiously.

"Don't touch me, I can walk you know" she was spitting venom now.

"Fine! You know what I don't care just hurry up."

She threw his jacket back at him in a rage. "You know what never mind I'll get a ride back with someone else, you need to curb your alpha male complex." She spun and headed back towards the poor young lieutenant getting into his car.

Booth punched the air in his frustration, he watched her leave. Sigh, she really was beautiful when she was angry.