('The Feet on the Beach')

This is a sequel to chapter 199, 200 and 203.

I don't own Bones.

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They were working a case together and both Booth and Brennan were determined to act in a professional manner. They had agreed that while they were working a case, they would maintain proper decorum so that no one would know that any changes had occurred between them. Brennan wasn't into public displays of affection as a rule and she didn't want anyone to misconstrue their partnership. The last thing she wanted was to become the focal point of gossip. Booth agreed with her. He didn't think what they did outside their jobs was anyone's business but theirs.

While driving up to the crime scene, Booth glanced at his partner from time to time and gave her a smile if she happened to look at him.

"You appear to be happy." Brennan had noticed the glances and noticed how happy and relaxed Booth was. Usually, before they got to crime scenes, her partner became somber and tense. They never knew what to expect when they got there and the state of decomposition of some bodies made her partner uncomfortable.

"I am happy, Bones." Booth noticed a deer crossing the road up ahead and slowed down to give the deer time to cross the road before it noticed them. "I'm working with my partner, it's a nice day, the sun is shining, not a cloud in the sky and we're visiting an area of the state I've never been to before." The deer had disappeared into the woods and Booth sped back up.

The day was chilly, but not too cold and the sky was pleasantly clear. "Yes, this is much better than working a crime scene in the rain or when it's snowing." Rain made crime scene contamination a possibility and Brennan hated to deal with bodies under those conditions. She had done so in the past, but it caused the FBI techs and Hodgins problems when collecting particulates and other materials. The entomologist usually conveyed his displeasure with mutters and scowls when he was unable to do his job properly. At this moment, her fellow scientist was back at the Lab and wouldn't be with them at the crime scene. Since the man was very observant, Brennan decided that his absence was a good thing. "It's too bad the Lab's van is in the shop for maintenance. Hodgins would have enjoyed the trip."

Shrugging his shoulders, Booth noticed the turn off he needed to take to get to the crime scene and turned his signals on. "Bug Boy can stay at the Lab. My FBI techs are there. Since we're going to be dealing with the RCMP I'd rather he be at the Lab. No telling what conspiracy theory he might cook up with just feet being at the crime scene . . . that is weird though. Just feet . . . I don't think I've ever heard of a crime scene that just had feet at it."

"I will admit that this is an odd situation, but I'm sure there is a logical explanation." She wasn't sure what that explanation would be, but it would be logical.

"It's possible that it's a dumping ground for a serial killer." Booth thought about it as he made his turn and drove down the lane. "Maybe they're his trophies and the site has meaning for him."

Not sure that made sense, Brennan turned to look at a rabbit sitting on the side of road. After they passed the creature, she turned to look at Booth. "I'm not sure why he would leave his trophies in the woods for anyone to find . . . What worries me is where are the bodies that used to be attached to the feet?"

Since he didn't have an answer, Booth declined to comment about that. He hoped someone from the RCMP would have an explanation and they could wrap the case up quickly. The fact that some of the feet were on American soil and some were on Canadian soil might cause a problem. If the feet belonged to murder victims then he wanted jurisdiction but it might be out of his hands. "The Border Patrol wasn't really clear about where the feet were . . . some on American land and some on Canadian land is a little vague. It's important that we try to get along with the Canadians so if this turns out to be a serial killer thing we can get jurisdiction."

"Indeed." Brennan knew they would have the information they needed soon. "I liked our date last night . . . I have never visited that jazz club before. The musicians were very talented."

"I knew you'd like them." They were now at the crime scene and Booth parked his truck. "Alright Dr. Brennan we're here."

Amused, Brennan opened the door. "Yes were are Agent Booth . . . professional all the way."

"All the way, Bones."

Oooooooooooooooooo

The case had been bizarre and the fact that the feet found on the American/Canadian border were traced to a body farm had made Booth very uncomfortable. He knew that Brennan had loved visiting the place, but he'd had to fight the urge to throw up the entire time he was there. The stench was terrible and it brought back too many unpleasant memories while he'd served in the Army. Dismembered bodies weren't new to him, but since he'd been in the FBI he only saw one or two at crime scenes, not several in various states of decomposition. All in all, the only one that enjoyed the case was his partner. He didn't begrudge her the excitement, he just couldn't share it.

The situation with Dr. Filmore, a Canadian podiatrist had been unexpected and Booth had felt sorry for the man. Brennan's scathing rebuttal to some article he had written in some big to do science magazine had devastated the man and Brennan didn't seem to understand why. Booth knew that she hadn't meant any harm and had merely voiced her opinion about something she cared passionately about, but Dr. Filmore had lost the use of one of his arms because of the rebuttal and Booth wanted Brennan to help the guy out. After a few days, Brennan had talked to Filmore about the situation and the man had regained the use of his arm. Of course, when Sweets had told him what Dr. Filmore had said to Brennan before he left to go home, Booth hadn't been happy and worried that it might affect her. Calling her thoughtless and close-minded seemed a step too far to the agent. Brennan had kind of apologized to the guy but he hadn't apologized to her. It just seemed wrong. "Bones, Sweets told me what Dr. Filmore told you and you know he's wrong. You know you're not close minded."

"I have been told that before, Booth. It isn't something that hasn't been said before." Brennan was in the kitchen making popcorn for their movie night. "I can be thoughtless, I know that, but not because I'm trying to be cruel. I just present the facts as I see them and that upsets some people. In this case, I should have noted his skills and expertise in the rebuttal I wrote and not just attacked his idea of forensic podiatry. I was remiss and I'm sure it did cause him to be upset with me. I told him that his help with our case was invaluable and I was grateful. It was the truth and he needed to hear it."

Although Booth had heard about most of what had transpired on the platform from Sweets, he appreciated hearing Brennan's point of view. "Well, like I told you at the bar, I'm glad you apologized to the Canadian."

"And I told you that I didn't apologize, Booth." Brennan entered the room and handed Booth the large bowl of popcorn. "Now, what movie are we watching? You seemed very excited when you showed me the DVD."

"Men in Black." Booth handed Brennan the bowl of popcorn, picked up the DVD from the coffee table, walked over to the DVD player and inserted the disk. "You'll love it."

Not sure she knew what it was about, Brennan leaned back against the couch and picked out a few kernels of popped corn from the bowl. "Is it a movie about fashion?"

"Fashion?" Booth laughed and sat down. "You think I could watch a movie about fashion? That will be the day . . . no, it's about a special Federal Agency that keeps track of aliens."

"You mean U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement? This is about illegal immigration?" Brennan didn't see why Booth was so excited about this particular subject.

Amused, Booth leaned over, picked up the remote and started the movie. "Yeah, illegal aliens, but not ICE . . . You'll see." Reaching for some popcorn, he smiled at his girlfriend. "This is nice. You and me . . . alone just enjoying being together."

Moving her arm around Booth's arm. Brennan smiled at her boyfriend. "It is nice. I like being with you."

"And I like being with you, Bones."

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