A/N: We never got to see how B&B acquired the mighty but. It's probably a stretch to call it a missing scene, but I figured it could at least be an interesting scene. Now, I am definitely not an expert on home auctions in D.C., so I might have taken a lot of extra liberties here :). Just warning you XD.

Thank you Kareneb and Jsboneslover for reviewing. Thanks for making it a round 100 reviews! I agree with you, Jsboneslover, that Wendell would be the best candidate to go into the FBI of all the interns.

I hope you enjoy this chapter!

"Dr. Saroyan, I was wondering if I could have Thursday afternoon off."

Cam looked up at her star forensic anthropologist in surprise as she snapped off her gloves. The amazed look immediately got wrongly interpreted by Dr. Brennan.

"I know we are in the middle of a case, but it is only for a few hours." Temperance started to explain.

Cam smiled. "Of course, you can. We are always in the middle of a case, so that would be a terrible argument. I am just surprised by the request, since you practically never want to use your vacation time."

"Ah", Bones said softly, now understanding the look her boss had given her. "Well, as you know Booth and I are exploring our personal relationship and we've got our eyes on a home we would like to buy. The auction takes place on Thursday afternoon. Now, I know we could technically participate in the auction via the online portal, but I've read it isn't always a reliable option."

Cam nodded. "Well that is exciting and I understand that you rather want to go to the physical auction. As I said, you can have the afternoon off."

Dr. Brennan gave a curt nod. "Thank you." Bones turned on her heels to leave the autopsy room. As she reached the threshold she turned back. "If it's necessary I could come back after the auction ends." Brennan offered.

A chuckle escaped Cam's throat. Taking an afternoon off was apparently difficult. Baby steps... "That won't be necessary, Dr. Brennan. Just enjoy your afternoon off with Booth, make an evening off it, heck, maybe even come in late on Friday." Cam offered. "Hopefully, you'll win the house auction."

There was a pensive look on Temperance's face before she conceded. "Alright."

Booth held the door open for Bones to walk into a long hallway. "You brought all the papers, right?" Booth asked, teasingly.

"Yes, of course", Brennan said, completely missing his mockery tone as she held up the folder she was carrying. "I have the bank's confirmation of my financial status, a copy of my identity card, the itinerary as it was posted. According to that, our lot is going to be the 4th out of 12 properties to be auctioned off."

"Right. I really hope we'll have a shot at getting it." Booth felt tense. Ever since seeing the home, he had wanted to get it. It was the type of house he had dreamed about since he was little and it had a lot more character than the ready to move in billionaire homes Bones had been looking at. With any other woman, he would have thought they were just dreaming about buying that type of house, well more like a mansion really, but Bones had the money to actually acquire a home like that and more importantly, Temperance Brennan wasn't one to indulge in daydreaming.

Bones looked at her partner. "You seem tense Booth."

Booth nodded. "That is because I am. I really hope we'll be able to win this bidding war." A critical glance looked over him.

"Or are you worried that this auction will be a little too much like participating in a gamble?" Bones asked eyeing him carefully.

"No, of course, not."

"Think about it, Booth. Just like gambling we don't know the outcome in advance, there are several variables in play that we have no influence over. Considering the chances of ending up with exactly what one wants, gambling might have been the safer bet."

"No pun intended, right?" Booth said dryly.

It appeared that they were heading in the right direction as they could hear the typical sounds of a waiting crowd talking.

Bones wasn't following along. "Pun? This isn't funny, Booth. Playing with your sobriety is a very serious thing."

He squeezed her shoulder. "I am fine Bones. Isn't it logical that I am nervous about this? We are about to try to spend a shitload of money on the remainders of what used to and will be a beautiful house. Are you honestly telling me you aren't feeling butterflies? This is our shot at getting a somewhat affordable home, to live together in a place of us both." There was an urgency about trying getting her to understand why he found this important.

Taking a second to sort through her feelings, Bones stayed silent. "Maybe I am nervous as well." She admitted. "Though, it might just be excitement and anticipation. I'd really like to purchase this house as well. I know there is still a lot to be done to it before it is even remotely livable, but it has charm and we'll be able to turn it into our own place according to our own wishes."

Booth nodded. A smile appearing at the conviction in his girlfriend's words, telling him she knew exactly why this house was important to him and that it was a wish she shared. "Okay, so stop worrying about me and let's see how this auction thing works."

"I know exactly how it works", Bones said. "I've read the general terms and studied the rules we'll have to abide by."

Booth rolled his eyes playfully. "Come one, you little bookworm." As they entered, Booth noticed there were three distinct categories of auction goers. First, there were the spectators, some of which looked like they had either lost their home to the State because of their crimes or because of the crimes of a close friend or family member.

Then there were the first-timers like he and Bones. They were nervously or excitedly looking around, fearing or taking in the experience. Thirdly there were the professionals. Brokers who were here to buy properties to turn them for profit. It was this group that appeared to be the largest and the best dressed of all attending. Each group seemed to kitten together. Booth was sure Bones would have an anthropological explanation for that. There were about a hundred people present.

"I sure hope we won't have to go against all these people," Booth said.

"Probably not", Bones said. "I've read that about 70% of people at a home auction are spectators."

"That much, huh," Booth said as he guided Bones into a row of chairs, carefully passing by already seated people.

"Yes, obviously this is because of the great expense that a home is. Also, people enjoy the misery of others and someone losing a home fits perfectly into that need."

Dark, Booth thought. He glanced at the door as two metro PD cops casually walked in. Hopefully, this wouldn't end with a fight were the cops were needed.

Everyone kept to themselves as they waited for the auction to commence.

Only five minutes after the posted time, the auctioneer appeared in front of the crowd. "Welcome to the monthly governmental home auction here in D.C. I'll be the auctioneer for today. We have 12 properties for sale. The order in which we'll auction them off will be slightly different from the posted itinerary. Lots 4 and 5 will switch places with lots 7 and 8, since the notary for those properties is, unfortunately, running a little late."

"Damn...", Booth said softly.

"What is it, Booth?" Bones whispered.

"I was hoping we would be able to go home as soon as possible, but with the lots moving around, we'll have to wait a lot longer," Booth whispered.

Brennan nodded. "On the other hand, according to research, lots near the end of an auction are statistically about 10 to 15 percent cheaper than the first lots."

"Hmm," Booth said. "Well, that is good news."

The auctioneer had continued by explaining how the bidding worked. It was going to be a two-part auction. For the first part, the auction would allow bidders to bid against each other, reaching higher numbers more slowly near the end. The second part of the auction was called the Dutch auction, where the auctioneer will start with a very high number and lower it until someone calls the bid. Either someone places the bid or the lot goes to the winner of the first part of the auction.

With the explanation out of the way. The auctioneer started his auction rant for the first lot.

Brennan and Booth watched the process. Rather soon the bidding war was only between two parties. The lot being offered was a really nice apartment in a multi-family home on the outskirts of town. The home had been foreclosed by the bank and because of a governmental program to help blue-collar families acquire homes and get a loan, the state had covered the loss of the unfortunate family and the bank. Since it was such a nice home the bids were following each other rapidly.

"... $600.000 has been bid, $600.000 has been offered. Now, will you give me $700.000 my good sir? Will you go to $700.000 and raise the bid from $600.000 to $700.000? $700.000 for this lovely little home. $700.000 for 4 bedrooms and a brand-new kitchen. We've got a bid of $600.000."

The man who had been bidding shook his head. Apparently $700.000 was too much.

"Will you give me $650.000 instead to become the current man on?"

Again, the man shook his head.

"$610.000? $610.000 to raise the bid?"

The man nodded.

"Alright", the auctioneer said, pointing his gavel to the other bidder. "$610.00 has been offered. Will you give me $620.00 for this beautiful first lot? $620.000 to top off the $610.000."

The bidder shook his head.

"$610.000 is the bid to beat, $610.000 for this beautiful mansion-like home. Who's going to give me $620.000? No one? Not even you, my lovely madam?" The auctioneer asked a woman in the first row who looked startled to be called to attention. "Alright, alright, $610.000, last chance folks, going once, going twice. The bid of $610.000 stands for the gentleman in the dark green suit." The auctioneer said as he slammed his gavel on the wooden circle. "Come on up sir with your papers and we'll prepare for the second half of this auction."

"$620.000 isn't bad for a home like that", Brennan said.

"Really? I think it is a lot of money." Booth commented, blown away by the prices that were being spent.

"Of course, it is." Bones said. "But if the pictures are accurate this home only needs furniture to be ready to move in and it is a nice place."

Booth nodded, thinking how expensive it was, especially since he and Brennan had decided on bidding $450.000 at highest.

After the second half, the lot went to someone else who had called at $690.000. The auctioneer promised the bidder from the first round the bet premium of 0,5%.

The second and third lot were shops that used to house laundry mats. Neither the notary or the auctioneer gave a lot of information, which led Booth to believe the laundry mat had laundered a lot more than just dirty clothes.

The novelty of the bidding was quickly wearing off, except when one of the suited men accidentally bet against himself, causing the whole room to laugh before the auctioneer continued on with the sale.

It was Bones who noticed a pattern with the brokers. Every time a none professional won the first bidding round, one of the brokers would walk to that person and they have a discussion. Bones was getting curious about what was being discussed as it usually left the 'winner's' agitated.

Soon enough it was time for the 7th lot. Booth rubbed his hands, shooting a quick prayer up to the skies to please give them some luck with the bidding. "Good luck, Bones", he said expectantly, giving her a kiss while the auctioneer showed pictures of what could become their mighty hut.

Bones smiled at him, taking his hand.

At the picture of the inside of the home, some people behind our partners started chuckling. "Hey Duke, what happened to this ruin? Did the criminals decide to play some cannonball with this in the middle?" The question was followed by laughing from the other fancy suit people. Some of the less clean people shot an angry look to the back of the room, causing the cops to take a warning step forward.

The auctioneer smiled tightly. "No, but I can tell you that the police served an arrest warrant that was heavily resisted, this being the result." He pointed to the screen. "A result you could have seen yourself, since the lot was open for inspection. If that concludes all the questions, I'd like to start with the bidding at $50.000."

Bones looked surprised. "Hmm. That is a lot lower than the appraiser estimated."

"Well, that is good news, right?" Booth murmured.

The bid was quickly overtaken by someone else, raising it to $100.00 with ease. Up until $200.00, there were six people, including two online bidders, placing bets.

"Wow, the other lots didn't get this much attention," Booth whispered slightly disappointed, already seeing their chances of winning this slimming down even further.

Bones nodded. "Though, I wonder how many will keep this up." Bones hadn't yet raised her hand to join the bidding.

"... $300.000 placed by the gentleman in the back." The auctioneer said, pointing his gavel into that general direction. "$310.000 offered by our mystery bidder", the auctioneer said as the computer made a falling coin sound when the bid came in. "$310.000 bid, $320.000 by the other man in the suit."

Booth turned around to see who was bidding. At $360.000 one of them quit. At $380.000 the same man was the only bidder and the current man on. "Bones, aren't you forgetting to bid?" Booth hissed, nervous at his girlfriend's tactics. He had promised to let Brennan take the lead, since she had done all the research, but he was starting to worry if she was playing her cards right.

Bones smiled, waiting until the auctioneer started with going once, goo... "$390.000!" Brennan confidently shouted.

All the heads turned to see to whom this feminine voice belonged. "$390.000 offered by the beautiful lady near the center."

The look on the broker's face was priceless and under any other circumstances Booth would have laughed but he was too tensed to see the humor. The auction chant was continuing a little slower than before, but the auctioneer quickly picked it back up.

"$450.000!" The broker yelled, he was not about to be upstaged by a newcomer and adding $50.000 to the current total was a great way to blow newbies out of the water.

Shit, Booth thought. He looked at Bones to see what she was thinking and more importantly; going to do. They had agreed on stopping at $450.000 after all.

Bones met Booth's eyes and she saw the disappointment. There wasn't a lot of time to discuss and that would be a terrible play anyway. Yes? She wordlessly asked Booth if she should top the current bid. Before Booth could respond, they heard the auctioneer start off his going once, going twice line. Bones stood up as she waved to make sure he wasn't going to miss her bid. "$460.000."

The broker cursed. He didn't know exactly what state the property was in and every penny he added to the bid was a penny he needed to subtract from his margin. It helped that he was a contractor, but it would take at least $150.000 to make this property look anywhere near representative.

"Come on sir, another $10.000?" The auctioneer tried. This lot was already going for a lot more than he had expected considering its state and to try to coach more money out of buyers was his favorite part of the job.

The broker shook his head. This woman had just continued the bid and he wasn't sure which number could make her stop.

"Going once, going twice, sold to the lady over there. Come on up to place your signature, ma'am. For the rest of the room, we will take a 15-minute break. Please enjoy the beverages and the snacks in the back of the room."

The broker made his way over to Booth. "Are you here with the winner of the bid?"

Booth eyed him with suspicion. "What is it to you?"

"I am curious if she and I could make a deal. My name is Brad Murray", he held out his hand.

Booth chuckled, ignoring the hand. The cockiness of the rich would always astonish and disgust him. "A deal for what?"

"A deal to make one of us some money and get the other the house."

Bones looked at the man as she had made her way back to Booth. "Oh, that is why you or one of your friends walk over to the winners of the first round. You do know that a deal like that would be illegal since it is cartel formation."

Mr. Murray laughed. "Only if someone can prove it."

Booth shook his head disgusted by this slick guy. "Well that can be arranged, if you don't back off."

Brad held up his arms at the threatening tone in Booth's voice. "Relax, I am just trying to make sure we both go home happy."

"I am sure I'll go home happy", Bones emphasized, making Brad focus on her once again. "I just won this bid and even if we don't win round two, we'll get the bidders premium."

"Alright, suit yourself. I might stop the bidding at $461.000." Murray threatened.

"Whatever you wish", Booth said, already seeing that this guy was not going to do that. "Just don't forget about the premium and all the seller's costs, okay pal?"

"Yeah, that won't happen, I am the professional here."

Bones stepped closer to Booth, effectively stepping between the two. "Professional? You almost committed a crime and you are lucky that special agent Booth is in such a great mood."

Booth saluted the guy as he gave Brad a look that said 'bye now'.

"The FBI doesn't have jurisdiction over cartels", Brad countered.

A chuckle was emitted by Booth followed by a huff. "An honest businessman wouldn't know that and my testimony would be enough to get you in trouble. Now, if you don't mind, I'd think it is better if you'd leave us alone now."

Brad shrugged as he walked away.

They watched him walk away. Bones looked at Booth. "Are you mad that I bid an additional $10.000?"

Booth smiled at her worried look. "No, I am not. I know we agreed on $450.000 and an extra $10.000 is still pretty good. I told you I would trust you and your research and it worked, well at least for the first round."

Bones looked relieved until she thought about the upcoming round. "Do you think that man will place the winning bet?"

Booth glanced back to Brad once more before answering his girlfriend. "No, I don't think he will. He was just trying to scare us into making a deal with him. Auctions like this are notorious for professionals who hate competition because that means fewer profits for them."

As usual, Booth's instincts were correct. Mr. Murray had not placed the lowest higher bit possible in the second round, meaning Bones had won the bidding, effectively buying them the mighty hut.

A/N: Thank you for reading. I really enjoyed writing the auction rant bits and I hope you enjoyed reading it!