Sorry it took me forever to update guys. And thanks to all the reviews, glad I havent lost too many of you guys along this twisted little roller coaster ride. lol.

Booth's hand was interlaced with Brennan's when they walked into the Jeffersonian the next day.

Brennan tried not to be too obvious about it, but she was watching him like a hawk out of the corner of her eye. He really should have been on bed rest, but it wouldn't do him any good if he couldn't actually rest. And he couldn't rest until he had answers.

She knew the feeling.

So she settled for giving him all his prescribed pain killers and antibiotics and refused to let him out of her sight.

See how he likes it.

Booth, however, was unaware of her watchfulness, his eyes merely scanning the lab for the curly haired conspiracy theorist.

"Sweetie!"

Brennen turned at the voice as Angela came bounding up to them, grasping her in a hug. Brennan reluctantly let go of Booth's hand and hugged her back.

"Ange…I do need to breathe."

"Oh, right." She let go and smoothed her lab coat distractedly and turned to Booth.

"And you are looking much better. I think there's something about the lighting they use in hospitals, it makes everyone look way worse than they actually are." She ruffled his hair playfully, but the small smile she was rewarded with put her on edge instead of encouraging her good mood.

"You guys? Is everything alright? Bren are you working today?"

Angela looked from Booth to Brennan, taking note of the fact that Brennn's hand had immediately gravitated back into Booths, but choosing not to comment on it.

"Yeah, everything's going to be fine Ange," Brennan responded. She glanced at Booth, who had resumed scanning the lab, "and no, I'm not working today, but we need to talk to Hodgins."

"Um…yeah, he's looking at some bugs. He's in his office." Angela pointed, but Booth was already leading the way.

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Hodgins stood with his back to the door, bobbing his head and shuffling his feet to music only he could hear.

Without thinking Brennan released Booth and stood behind Hodgins, plucking his headphones from his ears.

"I don't like you to listen to music while you're working."

Hodgins jumped and turned around, a large beetle squirmed between the clamps he held in his left hand.

"Whoa! Dr. Brennan," He put his right hand to his heart, "you scared me."

"I wouldn't have if you were aware of your surroundings. These..." she held up his headphones for him to take, "are not conducive to a productive work environment."

Hodgins' gaze fell to the floor and Booth stepped foreword, placing a calming hand on her shoulder.

"You can beat him later Bones."

Brennan frowned. "Why would I…"

"Hodgins, I need you're help." He cut her off and addressed the man who was now discreetly placing his ipod inside his bag and returning to his bugs.

"Sure man, what is it?" He tried not to sound to excited that the infamously independent Agent Booth was asking for help. His help.

Booth glanced at Brennan, who nodded and moved to close the door before he continued.

"It's your lucky day Hodgins. We've got a conspiracy."

Hodgins' eyes lit up and he would have danced a jig, if Booth didn't look like saying those words caused him physical pain.

Instead he simply nodded silently and motioned for them to move to his couch. Discarding his latex gloves, he sat across from them in a chair.

"Tell me everything."

I know, it was a short filler chap, more tomorrow...which is actually today...whatev