Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the characters I've created.

I hope everyone is enjoying this story so far! Enjoy reading!

"So you got the story down?" Booth asked as he straightened his golden tie as he looked at Brenna through the mirror of his hotel room.

Brennan nodded as she played with one of her curls. She had gone and gotten a haircut. Her once blunt bangs that settled across her forehead and hid her brilliant blue eyes now were side swept bangs. She had her hair styled into large spiraled curls that cascaded down a little past her shoulders, "Of course," Brennan began as she sat down on the bed to pull on a pair of black boots, "My name is Marley Howard and you're Jeff Furlong. We're recently engaged." She stated playing with the huge sparkly diamond that was on her left ring finger. Thanks to the FBI it was on loan, "Was the ring really necessary?" Brennan questioned obviously annoyed, "It's…" she stated to say trying to find the right way to say it, "Should I say, a little over the top?"

Brennan thought the idea of a man giving a woman a ring for an engagement was foolish. She didn't believe in marriage anyways. She had seen cultures kill over diamonds.

Booth smiled looking at her through the mirror as he straightened out his belt, "We've gotta sell it Bones. I just inherited a ton of money. Of course I'm going to buy you a huge ring."

Brennan sighed grabbing her left boot and slipping her foot into it, "You mean your alias bought mine the ring." She corrected, "If it were me I would find a better way to spend my money: donate to a charity or a cause that I find relevant. Possibly invest in a promising company."

"Bones, like you said it's a cover." Booth interrupted her from her verbal thoughts.

Brennan closed her eyes trying allowing the annoying part of their undercover to pass, "I just find it meaningless."

"Okay, anyways back to our cover." Booth stated redirecting their conversation to the reason why they were bickering in the first place, "So we're looking for a horse because I promised you one as a wedding gift."

Brennan finally stood up from the bed and went over to the mirror as she straighten out her black ruffled button up Oxford shirt, "Do I look the part?" she asked not looking at him but checking her reflection.

Booth looked over after he grabbed his jacket off the back of one of the hotel chairs. He thought for a moment of what to say. He didn't want to act on impulse. She looked good. Her new hair cut was just how he remembered her from the beginning of their partnership. He had like her blunt bangs but something about it seemed off, like it really wasn't her. He thought that maybe his personal growth and forgiveness was colorful socks and a cocky belt buckle. Maybe her way of showing that was to change her hair cut back to the way it was before they had gone their separate ways. He could have also said hot, pretty, gorgeous, but he settled on something a little more appropriate, "You look great. Jeff is a lucky man." He said with side smile.

Brennan turned around and noticed his tone, "Does that have underlying meaning?" she questioned as she grabbed her black and beige plaid trench coat off of the bed and slipping into it.

Booth grabbed the hotel room key off the bedside table and grabbed the door allowing Brennan to go into the carpeted hallway first, "Nope," he lied as he softly closed the heavy wooden door behind him. They walked down in silence to the front entrance of the hotel. A shiny new black sports car was waiting for them in the parking lot. Booth popped the lock as the signal lights blinked and the car beeped in response. Booth looked over and saw Brennan's expression. For a moment he thought she would be upset and come up with a lengthy reason why the car was too much and how she was reevaluating the undercover idea, but instead her face broke into a huge smile, "Can you promise you'll let me drive?" Brennan asked as she walked over to the passenger side.

Booth smiled slyly, "I can't promise anything…" he joked as he slipped inside. The new sandy blonde leather was soft to the touch. The inside chrome glistened as the bright sunlight hit it.

"I'm an excellent driver." Brennan added as she too marveled the inside of the expertly crafted interior of the foreign car. Booth put the key in the ignition and the engine roared to life, "Now that's the kind of horse power I like." He said revving the engine for a second. He then addressed Brennan's question, "Do you remember the last time I let you drive a magnificent beauty like this?"

"Yes," Brennan began, "I would have been able to drive the car properly if you wouldn't have been pressuring me into driving it the way you thought I should."

"What I remember is you getting us into a traffic jam and then I had to take a cab home."

Brennan looked out the window, "You left me, which was very chivalrous of you."

Booth just laughed as he sped out of the hotel parking lot.

The owners' lounge above the stands at Churchill Downs was very exclusive. Only the owners' and their trainers were allowed inside. The small maze hallway led into a vast room with wooden floors that expanded all the way to the panoramic glass windows. The lounge's view looked over the well groomed infield and dragged, oval track. The tables were set in uniform: white linen table clothes, water glasses turned upside down, white plates etched with the twin spires rimmed with gold, and a green cloth napkin was folded neatly on top of the plates. The sound of Brennan's boot heels echoed through the whole lounge. There were a few occupied tables as Booth and Brennan scanned the room for the trainer they were meeting with for the day. The trainer's name was Jonathan Fitch. He was a younger man that had grown up in the racing industry. He was currently the trainer at Champion Stables. Booth was able to spot him at a table set for four near one of the big picture windows. Booth led the way as he weaved through the maze of tables. The slender but athletic built man stood up as Booth and Brennan approach. He smiled with a soft greeting, "You two must be Jeff and Marley Furlong." He said reaching out his hand for them to shake.

Booth smiled shaking the man's hand, "Almost…." He corrected before looking over at Brennan, "This is my fiancé, Marley Howard." It has a nice ring to it, Booth thought for a moment as he mentioned to Brennan. He thought about really being engaged to Brennan but, before he could finish his playful thought Jonathan spoke blushing slightly.

"My mistake." He said shaking Brennan's hand, "Very nice to meet you."

Brennan returned a smile, "It's a pleasure to meet you too." She said as Booth pulled out the chair for her to sit. Brennan sat down softly and pulled herself closer to the table as Booth pulled out his own chair and sat down. He looked over at Brennan and smiled before looking over at Jonathan.

"So you two are interested in getting into horse racing." Jonathan began, "I have to ask, why you chose me to be your trainer?"

"I've always been extremely intrigued by thoroughbred racing." Brennan began, "It's captivating really."

"Marley here has always wanted a racehorse." Booth butted in, "Since we started dating. She would always have to keep tabs on up and coming three year olds. She would have to see if they would make it into the Kentucky derby." Booth stated as a well rehearsed undercover cop would.

"Yes!" Brennan chimed in her eyes widening with excitement, "I would always have to be home to watch the Triple Crown races."

Jonathan smiled, "So what kept you two from getting into it sooner?" he asked taking a sip of his chilled carbonated drink.

Booth looked at Brennan for a moment before putting his hand over hers across the table. He squeezed it gently before speaking, "I told Marley that if we ever got married I would buy her one." Brennan's hand felt so warm and delicate under his big strong hands. It felt so right for that moment. His hand lingered before Brennan moved hers slightly. Booth noticed this and moved his hand back to his lap. He watched as her cheeks turned a tint of red, so very slightly.

"Well we have a couple prospects that I would like you to see." Jonathan began, "Some are at the farm I train at now."

"Which farm is that?" Brennan asked even though she knew the answer already. She took the lemon off the rim of her glass and squeezed it into her ice water.

"Champion Farms," Jonathan stated, "My father was the trainer there for twenty five years before he retired. I was offered the head training job about two years after my dad left. It's an honor to train for one of the best stables in the country."

"Wasn't there something in the paper the other day about Campion Farms?" Brennan asked over at Booth.

Booth looked at her confused, all an act of course, "I remember reading something about it. I just don't remember what it was." Booth and Brennan played this role well. They were always able to carry a conversation about the third person involved. It usually annoyed the other person into actually speaking, thus getting the answer the two of them wanted.

"One of the grooms at Champion Farms died." Jonathan stated sadness spreading across his face, "He was one of the best grooms we had at the stable. Red was like family. I grew up at that farm."

"Could you tell us about that horse…?" Brennan stated pausing as trying to come up with the name of the horse, "Oh yes, This Thing of Ours?"

Jonathan shook his head, "I would rather not talk about it. It tore my family apart. My father also retired a year after the rumors started." He confirmed, "Can we get back to the horses?" he asked trying to change the subject.

Booth cleared his throat, "Yeah, sure." He rolled his eyes slightly trying to play it off, "Marley just loves getting more insight to the racing industry."

Brennan nodded, "Yes, it is very fascinating."

"Well," Jonathan began, "Like I said before, there are some up and coming three year olds that I would like you to see. They've already started training. They could potential be Derby contenders."

Brennan smiled, "That would be great."

Jonathan pulled a couple sheets of paper out of hunter green folder he had sitting on the white linen table cloth, "Here's a couple of the horses. Their prices, pedigree, and current work out times. I also have included a breakdown of the costs."

He handed each of them a copy. Brennan and Booth began to scan over the papers. Booth thought his eyes were going to pop out of his head when he saw the prices. It was over the top. Brennan looked over at Booth, "Jeff, we can talk about the finances when we get back to the hotel."

"Where are you two staying?" Jonathan asked trying to make small talk.

Booth looked up and regained his composure, "The Downs inn." He lied, if he knew anything he was not going to tell them where they were actually staying. The Bureau had gotten them a room there as a cover but they were staying on the outskirts of the city.

"Nice choice."

"When could we come and look at these horses?" Brennan asked quickly.

Jonathan looked at his shiny platinum watch, "I've to be at a meeting at the barn in about an hour. I have some entries to run down stairs before I head back. How about later today, say around four?"

Booth's cell began to ring. He fished it out of his pocket, "I've got to take this." He said excusing himself from the table. He walked briskly out of ear shot before answering, "Booth." He whispered into the receiver.

"Hi it's Cam," she addressed him, "I tried calling Dr. Brennan but it went straight to voicemail."

Booth knew Brennan had probably turned it off so she could focus on the task at hand, "I'm assuming your calling because you found something?"

"Yes, tox screens came back. This guy was drugged with Ketamin."

Booth paused for a moment trying to retrieve information he had been given on the drug before, "Isn't that some type of date rape drug?" he asked barely audible as a group of people walked by: some in suits, another considerably short man was covered in dirt from his black paddock boots to his goggle rimmed face.

"Yes, but it is primarily used by veterinarians." Cam explained, "I sent the results over to Dr. Colfax at the office there. Wendell is still examining the bones."

"Great, I've got to get back to my lunch. I can't leave Bones alone with this guy too long."

Booth heard Cam laugh, "Have fun."

"Yeah, yeah, sure." He admitted, "Talk to you soon." he stated before hanging up. He slipped his phone back into his pocket and headed back into the lounge. He walked up and placed his hand on Brennan's shoulder. Brennan looked up curious, "Everything alright?"

Booth smiled softly, "Yeah, but we should get going."

Brennan knew that Booth must have gotten a call from the FBI or the lab, "So Jonathan, we'll stop by the farm in a couple hours." Brennan confirmed as she placed her napkin back on the table. She pushed back her chair and rose. Booth helped her into her coat.

"It was nice to meet you." Booth said with a force smile.

Jonathan confused by their swift departure said his good bye and watched them leave. Once they were out of the ear shot Brennan began to speak, "Who called you?"

"Cam." Booth stated opening the door for Brennan.

"Thank you," she said waiting up for him as he walked up next to her, "What did she have to say?"

"John Redding was murdered."

"Well that would be enough to open up the case on the horse right?" Brennan asked softly as she opened the door to the sporty Mercedes.

Booth smiled, "You've got that right Bones. We've got murder to solve!" he assured her before they sped out of the parking lot.

I know it was a lengthy chapter. I should have another chapter up in a couple days. Please review! Thanks for reading!