Rated: T
Pairings: Booth/Cam (although I hate to do it) Brennan/other Angela/Hodgins
Dr. Sayoran forces Brennan to make a decision that has repercussions for everyone. Now, Booth has a choice to make. Will he be too late?
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See Author's Notes at the end of the page first only if you want to know what you're getting into before reading this chappy. If not, please read after for an explanation of why a certain scene was included. I'd love any comments on the story and the ANs. Thanks.
Booth knocked on his boss' door then entered at the command. "You wanted to see me, sir?"
"Yes, Agent Booth, I definitely wanted to see you. As I said those higher in command want a written explanation of your dereliction of duty. They want to know everything. And, if your account doesn't jibe with the known facts I believe you will be looking at a suspension in the very least."
"Known facts?"
"Booth, don't be an idiot. This is the FBI. Several agents have seen you and Dr. Sayoran out together, looking VERY intimate, I might add. It is believed by everyone at this agency that you allowed that relationship to determine your actions that day. Despite the fact that she had a weapon and Dr. Brennan did not. And, before you say anything I know it is my fault that Brennan did not have a gun to protect herself when you refused to do so. That has been corrected."
"She'll appreciate that, sir. As for my actions, I do have a reason but I'm not sure you're going to like it." At Cullen's raised brow he continued. "Dr. Sayoran thought she was pregnant at the time of the incident."
"With your child?" At Booth's nod his boss exploded. "Then she should not have been in the field at all should she? It's so important to you to keep your bedmate with you at all times that you risk the life of an unborn child? We're not even going to discuss the fact that Dr. Brennan was shot. Now, as far as a suspension, as I said that is up to the upper brass but I will tell you this. You are no longer working with the Jeffersonian."
"Sir!"
"Although she is no longer employed with the Jeffersonian I am honoring a request Brennan made when I saw her in the hospital. She no longer feels comfortable with you, Booth. I think her actual words were 'I can't continue to work with someone I can't trust. I can take care of myself in most situations but there are times you need help. He no longer serves that purpose'
When she returns to the Jeffersonian Agent Bartucci will work with her."
Booth had closed his eyes at hearing what Bones said. He had failed her in so many ways. And,
now she wanted to cut all ties. Wait a minute, "You said she's returning to the Jeffersonian?"
Cullen smirked. "From my understanding, after my talk with Dr. Goodman, I've been assured that the problem Dr. Brennan was having will be taken care of shortly. Do you want to run out and call your girlfriend? Let her know her head's on the chopping block?"
"She's not my girlfriend. I am no longer in a relationship with Dr. Sayoran."
"To use one of my little girl's favorite phrases, whatever. Dismissed, Agent Booth."
"You said Kenton was going to be in disguise? What about you? Shouldn't you have one, too?"
Brennan laughed, pulling a cosmetics case forward. She showed Angela the long wig and the supply of cosmetics that would turn her into an ultra pale, befreckled, carrot top. The artist grimaced.
"Maybe I should help you with that? See if we can some how pull this off without you looking like Ronald McDonald."
"Hey!" Brennan's mock outrage caused the two women to giggle. The release of stress was a good thing and the laughter lasted a long time.
"Bren? Are you sure about this? I mean, with Kenton?" Angela's brow was creased in apparent worry.
"I'm going to tell you something. Maybe it will help ease your mind and explain why I am doing this."
She led Angela to the bar in the kitchen and pulled two sodas out of the fridge. Handing one to her friend she sat on the stool across from her. She wasn't quite sure how Angela was going to take this.
"Jamie and I knew each outside of the FBI/Jeffersonian realm."
Angela squinted at her best friend. "Oh, my God! You slept with him! When? Why didn't you tell me? oh." She halted.
"Oh?"
"That's why you kept making me back off when I was flirting. Does Booth know?"
"No. We kept the relationship purely professional in front of him."
"Relationship? Okay, Bren, this doesn't negate the fact that he tried to kill you."
"I know. But, like I've told you, repeatedly, we've talked that out."
Angela just shook her head. "And, what exactly brought an end to the two of you? Was it Booth?"
"Partly. Jamie was afraid he would cause a problem at the bureau if he knew about us. I really didn't think it was any of his business. It's not like he asks for my approval of every one he sees."
"Yeah, that is readily apparent. You said Jamie was concerned about Booth. What about you?
What was your reasoning if it wasn't your partner?"
"One or the other of us was always being called away on one case or another. We tried for awhile but we actually didn't see each other more than half a dozen times."
"And you slept with him how many of those times?" At Brennan's eye roll she continued. "Come on, at least tell me if he was any good. He looks like he'd be good."
It was Brennan's turn for the slow head shake. Then she decided to shake her friend up a little.
"He was one of the best, Ang. One of the best."
"Ugh. Don't even go there."
"You asked."
"Sorry I did. It doesn't change the facts, Bren. The man you had a relationship with, slept with tried to kill you. How do you get passed that?"
"I've had alot of practice in having to get passed things, haven't I? My parents, Russ, my father's return, my partner leaving me to," Her voice trailed off with the end of the statement.
"My partner leaving me to get shot. I could've bled to death if I hadn't had the state of mind to put pressure on the wound myself. You're right, there are some things you can't forgive.
Kenton trying to kill me doesn't quite measure up. At least I can understand HIS reasoning."
Angela was almost sorry she brought it up. But, she really believed that getting Brennan to finally talk about what happened at Halston's was a step in the direction of getting she and Booth back together. Maybe.
Booth was sitting at the bar in Wong Foo's his third shot of whiskey sat before him. He didn't miss Sid's disapprovement as he delivered each glass. His old friend was giving him questioning looks. He knew Sid would listen without comment unless he asked the man for his opinion. Why not? He needed an outside view point on the mess he had made of his life.
Before he could call the man over someone sat down beside him. He sighed. "I'm not in the mood, Cam."
"Too bad. I've been trying to get in touch with you all day. You won't believe the shit your friend Bones has gotten me into today."
"From what I understand, it was you who caused your own problems. You're not a team player and you refuse to allow other people to do what they need to. I've noticed that before but I over looked it. It was one of my biggest mistakes."
"What. Was?"
"Getting involved with you again." He turned depressed brown eyes on her. "In short order you ruined two of the three most important things in my life. And you played me on the absolutely number one on the list. You don't lie to someone about their child, Camille. And, thanks to that fucking lie I'm now in danger of losing my career and I've already lost..."
"Brennan! I knew you were leading up to that. What is it about that woman that turns the world on its axis? I mean she expects to just walk off to do some supposedly secret project for the government and when I say no she resigns. Then the rest of her flunkies follow her. Now Goodman says I have to meet with the Board of Directors in the morning. I guess that little worm went crying to daddy."
"You are such a bitch. Why didn't I remember that?"
"Dr. Sayoran, I'm going to have to ask you to leave this establishment." Sid announced loud enough for everyone in the bar to hear.
"You can't throw me out."
"Yes, I can. I own the place. I can refuse service to anyone I choose."
She turned to the man sitting beside her. "Booth? Do you hear this?"
"Go away, Cam. Just go away."
She picked up her bag and left with her nose in the air.
"All I've got to say is I hope the fucking you got is worthing the fucking you got." He walked away leaving Booth more morose than ever.
A sharp rapping on the door brought Brennan and Angela's conversation to a halt.
"Tell me Booth's not back."
"Want me to get rid of him? He seems to have a healthy fear of me right now."
"No, Ang, I'll handle it." Brennan pulled open the door to find Zack and Hodgins standing there.
"Beer and pizza!" Hodgins held the items up to show Brennan as he came through the door. Zack gave a small wave as he followed.
Brennan was amazed to see Hodgins lean in and give Angela a quick kiss. Seeing the confusion on her face Zack leaned in, "It's relatively new. I just found out about it tonight."
Brennan nodded her thanks at her former assistant. Seems she wasn't the only who had been keeping secrets about their love life.
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Authors Note: My best friend is betaing for me. She's a wonderful lady who's known me for nearly 30 years and often is more in tuned with my thinking than I am. She questioned why I was treating Kenton in such a 'benign' manner. So, I decided to explain myself in case there is anyone else wondering.
I was unspoiled for 'TBitL' so I didn't realize he was going to be the bad guy at the beginning of the episode. To me the look that Kenton and Brennan shared when he came in with Booth spoke volumes. The 'hey' from Brennan was too intimate for someone you only met once. It struck me more as an interaction between two people who had a more intimate relationship. Maybe one that couldn't be sustained because of work pressures or certain fellow FBI agent's/partner's feelings. In the least I wanted him to be a romantic foil to make Booth jealous.
I'm basing some of this story on that intimate 'hey' and that intense look. Just my interpretation but it's my story and that's how I'm gonna tell it. Let me know how you feel. I'd love to see if anyone agrees with me about THAT look.
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