I guess I should add that I know nothing about forensic anthropology, so please bear with me! Also, I own nothing, so don't sue!
Chapter Two
Angela took her time getting back to the lab by making her way through various hallways and other departments. When she finally arrived, she could see Booth pacing furiously, wearing a groove in the floor.
Hodgins and Zack sidled over to Angela discretely. "He's been doing this for ten minutes." Hodgins told her. "It's driving me nuts."
"Where is Dr. Brennan?" questioned Zack.
Knowing that explaining the current situation would be a betrayal of her friend's confidence, but also that she would need the guys' help, Angela said, "Brennan's held up for now. We need to keep Booth hanging temporarily."
"How 'temporarily'?" Zack looked uneasy, as though at this point, the FBI agent would snap him in half if provoked.
"As long as possible without him blowing a gasket."
Looking over to see the Squints congregating in the corner, Booth barked, "Well? Where the hell is she?"
"What's the matter?" Hodgins sneered. "Aren't you keeping tabs on her? That's what The Man is all about. Wire taps. Surveillance. Bet you guys are really proud of GPS."
Angela elbowed him in the side. He was doing his part a little too well.
The agent glared at the three of them. "Is Bones even in the building?"
Angela winced slightly. Not enough time, she thought. Booth spied her reaction and walked over to her. "Angela…"
"She may have…left without you." The woman admitted sheepishly.
"She what?" Booth was both livid and perplexed. He took his leave from the Squints without a second's hesitation.
"That was so awesome!" exclaimed Hodgins, beaming.
"You mean the fact that Agent Booth was mad enough to have ripped out our spleens?" Zack asked incredulously. "Aside from the fact that such an act would be physically impossible—"
"No. The way I laid it out to a G-man." Hodgins gave a proud nod.
Lost in her thoughts, Angela sighed. I hope you know what you're doing, Brennan.
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Booth parked his SUV next to a cluster of police cars near the football field. He had calmed somewhat during the drive, but still didn't know how to react to Bones not going with him. They always rode together. Booth didn't have long to ponder; he scanned the crime scene for his partner. It shouldn't have been so hard to find her. Bones stuck out like a sore thumb, what with her Squint Lingo and blue Jeffersonian jumpsuit. So why couldn't he single her out?
"Excuse me," Booth said to an officer who was approaching. "Is Dr. Temperance Brennan still on the scene?"
"No, sir. I'm afraid you just missed her."
The agent was taken aback, but he thanked the officer and continued toward the bleachers.
Once there, he asked questions of various cops, gathering information pertaining to the case—and his partner. Apparently, Bones had shown up a few minutes earlier and come to the conclusion that the body was that of a female, age 15 to 18, who had somewhat recently sustained an injury to her ankle. And as soon as the doctor had finished 'doing her thing', she requested that the body be sent to the Jeffersonian. Then she left.
As Booth was about to head back to his vehicle, someone called out, "Agent!"
Booth turned to see a younger cop jotting over to him with something in his hand. "We found this by some trash near the body."
The cop held out an evidence bag to Booth, who took it and glanced at its contents.
A photograph of a teenage girl; long, brown hair, blue eyes, slim. She wore a silly grin on her face, as if posing for whoever took the picture. Booth shook his head solemnly.
"This might be the victim," he stated. "I'll take this to the lab where Dr. Brennan is examining the body. See if we can't find out who she is."
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Back at the Jeffersonian, Booth swiped his card and climbed the stairs in the lab. The Squints, including Bones, were examining the girl's remains.
Just as she was pointing out a part of the body to Zach, saying, "Now take a look at the—", Booth tapped her on the shoulder.
Brennan let out a yelp and whirled around, poised to break someone's arm.
"Jeez, Bones!" said Booth, holding up a hand to ward her off. "Decaf!"
"Booth," the doctor began anxiously, "what are you doing here?"
"What am I…?" Booth raised his brows. "Bones, you went to and left the crime scene without me!"
Hodgins, smiling, said low to the others, "Uh-oh, the honeymoon's over."
"Jack?" Angela said, equally low. "Not helping!"
"I really don't wish to discuss this in front of my team." Brennan swallowed, seeing the vein slowly protruding in her partner's forehead.
"Oh, we don't have to 'discus' anything. Just tell me what the hell's with you today!" Demanded Booth.
Brennan faced the others once again. "If all of you would join me when you're finished, I'll be in with the Angelator." She hurried past Booth. He resisted the urge to hold her arm or run after her.
"One of you guys has to know what that was all about." Booth addressed the Squints.
"Dr. Brennan's personal life is her own." Commented Zack.
The agent settled his gaze on Angela.
"You're her best friend," he stated. "Why is she acting like this?"
The artist stared right back. Confidently, she replied, "You're right, Booth. I am her best friend. Which means my loyalty lies with Brennan. And although I like you, I won't betray her trust."
Booth's demeanor softened slightly. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Just…is she alright?"
Angela nodded. "Yeah. She's alright."
Booth ran a hand through his hair, obviously relieved. "Okay. Let me know when you guys are done." He headed down the stairs once more.
Hodgins grinned. "We're two for two on telling off an agent of the FBI. Even if it is Booth." He turned to Zack, whose eyes widened.
"Forget it. I prefer all of my bones to stay intact."
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Later, when Angela went to her office to meet Brennan, concern was etched on her features.
"This has got to stop," she told her friend. "I basically told Booth off, for no reason."
The doctor shook herself out of her reverie and looked up at Angela.
"I'm sorry for making you cover for me."
"It's just so far from who you are."
"I know."
There was a moment of silence, which Brennan seemed to be about to break before Hodgins and Zack walked in, apparently heavy in debate.
"No way, man," Hodgins was saying. "Johnny Got His Gun is top shelf. This guy gets everything blown off—we're talkin' arms, legs, face, the works—and tells about the evils of war in between memories of his life. Plus, Dalton Trumbo was blacklisted."
Zack shook his head. "I disagree. My book of choice would be Tuck Everlasting. It displays the consequences of wanting to live forever."
"It's a kid's book," scoffed Hodgins. "No kid's book is popular with adults."
"What about Harry Potter?" retaliated Zack. Hodgins was about to verbally strike back when Booth entered.
"Let's do this," he said, clapping his hands. Everyone gathered around the Angelator. Booth glanced across it, hoping to catch Bones' eye, but she was already looking up, ready for the image to appear.
Angela did her thing as well, and a girl's face began to form over the skull.
Booth watched, not comprehending. Angela, when she finished, saw him staring.
"What's wrong?"
The agent pulled the evidence bag from inside his jacket pocket and held up the picture.
"Whoever killed this girl is messing with us. Big time."