"What about our partnership?" she quickly amended, her expression becoming more guarded.
Crap. He ran his hand through his hair then held her gaze, "I'm not going anywhere, I promise. I'm sorry I startled you." He continued contritely, "Nothing's going to change with my day job, I'll just be part of an auxiliary, strictly volunteer, sort of a big league FBI SWAT backup team."
Slowly, she put her hand back on the table near his, somewhat reassured. "As a …?"
"A sniper," he finished, a little abashed.
"Are you really OK with that after all you've been through?" She was surprised and concerned.
"Well it's something I was rejecting out of hand, but I think I'm really needed. With the War on Terror and things apparently heating up with Iran as well as rumbles from Al Qaeda, the FBI wants a deeper bench, with more support in DC and a few other cities if it should hit the fan."
"I don't know what that means," her nose wrinkled.
He chuckled, "It? You mean the shit?"
"I know what that means," she griped, rolling her eyes. "The bench…" she clarified.
"It's a team sports metaphor," he sighed. "Don't worry about it. In several cities they want to have some trained agents to back up the full time guys if needed."
"But why you?" she asked softly. She reached out and briefly touched his hand again.
"Why me?" It wasn't the time for false modesty. "I'm a damned good shot, Bones, better than 99th percentile. Plus a combat vet. On the other hand, since this is law enforcement and not military, they also want regular agents who are used to being around civilians; otherwise they'd just get operators fresh out of uniform. I fit the bill on all counts."
"But why are you interested?" she continued.
"If you can resist deconstructing for a moment, I guess I'd say 'duty'. I know that's old-fashioned and all…," he paused, collecting his thoughts.
"…snipers are needed, I can do it, and not many can, at least not nearly as well. If not me, then who? It's time for me to step up to the plate again and try to set aside my old regrets."
He added even more soberly, "I'd never be able to forgive myself if something bad happened right here in DC, and I'd passed up the means to stop it…"
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing", she whispered a little sadly.
Recognizing the Burke quote, he replied gently, "I hoped you'd understand."
"You are a good man, Booth." She gave his hand a brief squeeze and let go.
He gazed into her eyes, silently expressing his appreciation for her support. The moment lingered before he felt a need to lighten the mood.
"Plus I get to ride around with a lot of new toys in the back of the Tahoe," he said with a wink.
She smiled back, "When do you start?"
"In a few weeks the two-week-long selection process starts for a new class, down at Quantico. It's supposed to be pretty damned tough, I might not even make it."
"I'm sure you will," she countered.
He smiled again at her vote of confidence. "Well if I do make it, then there will be two more eight week training sessions at Quantico and a few other locations."
He gave her a devilish grin, "Believe it or not, I'll miss you…" As soon he said it he wondered if should have said 'you guys', but his honesty paid off.
She smiled back, but was serious with her answer. "I'll miss you too. As long as you're coming back to me, right?"
"You can count on it, partner."