Cam is on the platform when I walk in with Booth. She is looking through a microscope and doesn't see us. Booth lets go of my hand, smiles, and says "see you later" in a voice so soft I almost don't hear him. The effect of it is sexual; a quick flash of heat zips through me and then cools back to warmth. I smile back and watch him as he leaves.

"Dr. Brennan."

Cam's voice is odd. I can't quite decide what is different about it. When I turn toward the platform she is looking at me with a closed-lipped smile. Perhaps she is amused? I wonder what could be amusing about dead flesh, but have learned it is better not to ask these questions. Then it occurs to me what could be amusing her. I think it might be best to not give her a moment to speak. I slide my identification card through the platform reader and walk over to her.

"Dr. Saroyan. You found something on the flesh?"

"Yes. I think I may have identified your weapon."

"Oh. What did you find?"

"While the flesh on the face and skull were completely burned away, there were considerable charred remains on the lower torso. I was able to use hyperspectral imagining and discovered that there were areas of subcutaneous and muscle tissue untouched by the burning."

"And?"

"Within those tissue samples were signs of several severe petechia hematoma: large amounts of endothelin in the blood samples, damage to the lungs, liver, and spleen –"

"The victim was severely beaten before being burned."

"Yes. Judging by the length and shape of the bruise imprints within the subcutaneous tissue, I would say by some sort of baseball bat."

"Not just any bat!"

Dr. Saroyan and I both turn to the sound of Dr. Hodkins voice. Angela's husband. I'm surprised at the association I've just made. Not because it isn't so, but because I am working. Right now he should simply be Dr. Hodkins.

"Well, don't all guess at once."

Hodkins is correct. I need to have my thoughts on the issue at hand.

"Why don't you just tell us, Dr. Hodkins."

Dr. Saroyan is giving Jack one of those looks as she speaks. It's the "I am the one in charge" look." I don't mind it when it's not focused on me. Ja- Dr. Hodkins looks serious now. Like a scientist.

"I was able to find traces of Nickel, Chromium, carbon, Copper, Molybdenum, Manganese, Silicon, Columbium, and iron on some of the victim's unburned clothing."

Jack has a big grin again. "Now do you get it?"

"Yes, it's some kind of metal alloy. How does that help us?" Sometimes I can get as annoyed with Hodgins as Dr. Saroyan.

"This particular mix of metals and chemicals make up what is called "alloy 20." It's used in a number of different appliances, pipes, etc"

"While that is an interesting find Dr. Hodgins, I fail to see how -"

"When Dr. Saroyan said the weapon was some kind of bat, I ran the alloy through the data base for bats using that particular alloy. Turns out there's only one - the Cb9X Exogrid. It retails for about for about 700 dollars."

Cam smiles, "So, it's not a bat that the average Sunday afternoon player would be using."

"Absolutely not." Hodgins is grinning. "So, am I king of –"

"Not so fast, love of my life!"

We all turn to see Angela coming out of her office.

"I've ID'd the victim." She's holding a print out that I assume is the victim's picture.

"Gerald Johnson - he's a pitcher for the Bowie Baysox."

Cam takes the photo and the sketch she glances at them and hands them to me. The face smiling out at me fits the 1/1.618 beauty ratio, but I knew that from the bones. There are things that can't be quantified in a number. It is something I am coming to understand more and more…no doubt because of Booth. The young man's beauty is palpable – even in a photo: Clear green eyes, wavy dark hair, and a wide smile. I would say his photo projects happiness.

"How'd you find it? Angela?"

Cam's question takes me out of my musing. "Yes, Angela, you said there was nothing in the data base."

"In the missing person's data base. I had a brainstorm, the guy was so good-looking, and Brennan said he was some kind of athlete. So I compiled a data base of all the local newspapers and magazine articles with photos that were about high school and college athletics within a 100 miles radius. Then I just scanned the sketch in and had the facial recognition program see if it could find a match."

"Brilliant Angela!" Cam grins, "Guess your wife is QUEEN of lab today Dr. Hodgins."

Angela sticks her tongue out at Jack, and he laughs. Love is strange.

"I'd better call Booth."

Cam glances at me, eyebrow raised. "Oh?"

"He was going to try running the sketch through the witness protection program. Now he doesn't have to."

"What was that look to Brennan, Cam?"

Cam has that same closed-lipped smile that she had when she first saw me from the platform. Now Angela is looking at the both of us. I can feel my face getting hot.

"I left my cell phone in my office. I should go call Booth."

I turn and walk off the platform before Angela can ask anything else.

The sun is still up and shining. It's after 5, and I have no idea what time work will be ending. But when it ends, I'll be grabbing a drink with Bones, if I'm lucky she'll – 'No, Seeley.' Lucky isn't an idea I want to play with right now. I will simply ask her if she'd like to have dinner, not just drinks. Especially since this looks like it could be a late night. Just then my phone rings. The thing that's annoying about Bluetooth is I can't see who's calling when I drive.

"This is Booth."

"It's Brennan."

I can't help but grin. "Bones! Miss me already? "

"No. Angela identified the victim, so you don't need to run it through witness protection."

Right. Working. We are working now. Not flirting. "Who've we got?"

"Gerald Johnson, 22. He was a baseball pitcher for the Bowie Baysox."

"The Baysox! They're a double A team! He must have been pretty good."

"He was. Angela pulled up some news articles on him. He was a very good player. Apparently, many felt he was going to be receiving a call telling him he would be playing on the major league team, the Orioles."

"You mean they were thinking he'd be called up."

"Yes, I just said that."

God, I love her. Her little common-phrase mix-ups are endearing, although I've never let on just how cute and funny I find them. And actually, her meaning isn't completely wrong. I'm pretty sure a phone call is involved.

"Yeah, okay. So, when I get back to the office I'll get some inquires going on his friends and associates."

"Yes, that sounds appropriate. We still haven't determined cause of death."

I noticed the hesitation before she answered. Something's up.

"Don't worry, Bones. You'll find it. You always do."

"Yes, I know. It may take some significant time though. I'm not sure about drinks tonight."

I am smiling - and glad she can't see me. "Don't worry about it. How about once I'm done researching his associates, I give you a call. Maybe a late night dinner?"

"That might be best. You can bring whatever information you find."

"You got it."

"Booth.

"Yes."

"It often takes me some time to connect my feelings to events."

"I know that, Bones. What –"

"I think that when you said you weren't coming back to the Jeffersonian I was disappointed. This would lead me to conclude that despite the short amount of time since we…talked, I have been looking forward to you being in my immediate vicinity."

"You miss me."

"Yes. I think I do."

I'm choking up as she says it. Bones is processing feelings and sharing them. I sometimes forget how literal she is. I hadn't meant anything by my casual flirtation, yet she's taken it seriously. I think about that night, how she might have interpreted, 'I'd like to give it a shot,' and cringe.

"I miss you too, Bones. And I've missed you. I really have."

She isn't responding, "Bones?"

"I have to go. Angela just walked in."

"Okay, baby, I'll see you later tonight." I click the phone off before realizing what I said. I need to stop calling her baby before she actually notices it.

Booth just called me "baby" again. Apparently my brain has made a connection with his use of the word, "baby" – as a term of endearment – with him holding me after I'd been stabbed. When he says it, I immediately feel warm and safe. I feel his arms around me and know I'll be taken care of. I hope these thoughts don't show on my face.

"So…how is Seeley?"

"He seems fine. He is going to –"

"Cut the crap, Brennan. You haven't volunteered to call or talk to Booth in weeks! Cam is looking like the cat that ate the canary, and I will NOT be kept out of the loop!"

I have, over the last few weeks, noticed that hormonal increases during pregnancy do in fact cause extreme fluctuations in mood and temperament. Angela is near tears. I hate to see her upset. However, other than realizing she had noticed my change in behavior towards Booth, and my current change in deliberately speaking to him, I am not entirely sure what she is talking about.

"Brennan!"

"Ange, I am trying to figure out what a cat who eats a canary looks like, but all I can come up with is messy - and –"

Angela is laughing. At least she no longer near tears.

"Sweetie, you are amazing – which is why it is really difficult to stay mad at you. But, I will be mad if you don't tell me why you are now willing talking to Booth, and what Cam knows about you and Booth that I don't."

Well, that was pretty specific, and I'm not a good liar. Instead, I go with as little information as possible.

"Cam walked into my office and saw Booth and me kissing."

I have never seen Angela unable to speak before. It is interesting. Her mouth is open, but she's not saying anything. I don't say anything either. Finally, a small smile crosses her face.

"Well, that would explain why you're willing to talk to him."

I am still silent. If I speak, Ange will know everything. She has a way of getting me to say things that I'd rather not.

"However… Booth isn't the kind of guy that would cheat on a woman he was dating, and despite your ideas on marriage and commitment, you wouldn't let him do something that crossed his values – you love him too much, and know him to well for that. So, I'm thinking Booth must have broken up with Hannah."

How does she do that? I can see it is a kind of logic, but the information…Ange is staring at me, so I nod my head. Now she's getting that look on her face that she gets when she's concerned about me.

"You're still afraid."

Until Angela and Booth, I would have said intuition was a phenomenon that could be explained by science. Perhaps one day it will be, but for now, Angela's ability to know what I'm feeling is simply amazing.

"He thinks he's in love with me."

"Sweetie, he is."

"He just was in love with Hannah. I don't understand how it's possible for him, or anyone, to be able to switch those emotions off and just turn them on for someone else; if you can why does anyone trust love at all?"

Angela is biting her lip and I am tearing up, again. I know I may have raised my voice, and I'm sorry for that, but now the fear I'd been holding in won't stay hidden.

"I saw him with her, Ange. I saw him kiss her, and let her move in with him, and look really happy. Now he says it wasn't real. It looked real to me. I thought he was happy. All I ever wanted was for him to be happy…"

This crying thing today is annoying. I swipe at the tears rolling down my cheeks.

"You make him happy Bren…but I understand it's hard to…get. Especially so soon after. You are talking to him now though, right? Does that mean you'll at least give him a chance?"

I wipe more tears off my face. "We're having dinner tonight."

"Good! That's very good, Bren. Just take it slow. Let him show you how it's possible, okay?"

"Okay."

Angela gives me a big smile and hugs me. "It's going to be o.k. Brennan. Trust me."

I really want to believe her.

"Special Agent Booth! Your lady's got you on the 6'oclock news!"

Just great. I haven't even gotten into my office and I've junior agents to deal with.

"Good for her, but she's not my lady anymore, Agent Gentry. Any relevant information for me."

"Umm…"

"I didn't think so." I brush past the guy before he can say anything else, enter my office and shut the door.

What the hell could Hannah have put on television that didn't make her look like an ass? I know it isn't what Bones said. The memory of that moment still makes me smile. I wonder if she was actually being sarcastic? It's hard to tell sometimes. I think, judging by the way she stormed off afterward, that she was.

I'm chuckling to myself when a slightly whiny voice interrupts my thoughts.

"Something amusing, Agent Booth?"

Shit, it's Hacker. What the hell did she broadcast?

"Assistant Director Hacker. Sorry, I didn't hear you come in."

"Good thing I wasn't an assassin."

I look blankly at him. If he's here to harass me the best thing to do is just let him talk.

"Have you seen the evening news?"

"No, sir, I have not."

"Well, let me enlighten you."

He walks over and hands me a CD.

"Play it."

I pop the CD into my computer. The local news logo comes up, and then, there is Hannah – making her introduction.

"Early this morning, a severely burned body was found on the pitcher's mound in Washington Park. We arrived on the scene to find the dynamic duo of crime-solving on the scene. Dr. Temperance Brennan and Special Agent Seeley Booth most recent high-profile case was the notorious "Gravedigger" - a ruthless extortionist and killer. It was Dr. Brennan's brilliant forensic work and testimony that ultimately put the Gravedigger behind bars. You can be sure if these two are on the case, this is no ordinary killing. We tried to get a word with them today. However, Dr. Brennan was already focused on getting the job done, and politely refused to comment."

I can't help it. I crack up. "Politely refused! Do you know what Bones –"

I have forgotten the magic of editing. All you see is Hannah waving and saying "Hi, guys." The next clip is Bones, eyes stormy as only hers can get, but with a sweet smile on her face. "…excuse me - I need to go and finish doing my job." Wow. I couldn't see her face from my angle when it happened; she was definitely being sarcastic. However, without the beginning of what she'd said, Bones seems curt, but professional.

"FBI Special Agent Booth was quick to follow his partner, as he pushed past our cameras. Apparently, in THIS dynamic duo, it's 'Batgirl' and Robin. Let's hope they can give this city some answers soon."

The screen goes blank.

"Dynamic duo! Batgirl and Robin! She makes it sound like the FBI has nothing to do with solving crimes!"

I am numb. I supposed the woman scorned saying is true. Aside from Hacker's concern about image, I realize Hannah has made it near impossible to do our jobs. Nothing like having a little publicity to slow down an investigation.

"…are you even listening? The director wants this case cleaned up, and fast! Do you even know who the dead guy is?"

"Yeah, the squints figured it out. His name is –"

"I don't want to hear about the squints! I want to know, what you, representing the FBI, are doing! The Director wants to hold a press conference tomorrow morning updating the case's progress, so there had better be something to update!"

With that, Hacker storms out of my office.

Great. A press conference. Tomorrow morning. No doubt Hannah will be there. I should have turned her in when I caught her. Instead…well, no use regretting the past. It is what it is. However, she did get one thing right. Bones and I are a dynamic duo. I have no doubt Bones and the squints will have figured out cause of death by tomorrow. What I need to do is find out who this kid was hanging out with that might want to kill him. I pop the kid's name into the computer, and a flood of pictures pop up on my screen. This may take a while.