Booth vs. Bones

My gut is telling me to disregard the rules and go help Bones. I've disregarded the rules before. It would hardly be the first time. I've been on my couch the last 4 days. While Bones is solving the murder of her father with a different FBI agent, on a case I was apparently to close to. If anyone is too close to this case, it is obviously Bones. It's her father for god sake. I have no ties to the man, I mean, except for Bones, and the fact I put him behind bars, but Bones understood and we got him out eventually. Anyway, we would have a better chance catching whoever murdered her father if we work together. We always do better work when we work together.

The knock at the door was a welcome interruption. Though, I guess you would have to be doing something for it to count as an interruption.

"Hey Bones." I smiled at her, but it quickly faded.

"Bones, what's wrong?" I knew it was a stupid question once I asked it. Her father was just murdered.

"Take off your shirt." It wasn't a question.

"Wh... What? Why?" I am totally confused.

"Booth… just take your shirt off and let me examine your back." Again, it wasn't said as a question.

Something was obviously wrong. I've known Bones for over 6 years and this, this was serious. It wasn't like her. I debated whether or not to ask her more questions but I decided against it. Knowing Bones she would explain everything after she was done doing whatever is she is going to do to my back. Do first, ask questions later. I pulled my shirt over my head.

"Can you tell me what this is about Bones?" I asked. She had her hand all over my back and then looked at the front of my chest.

"Bones, come on, what are you doing? digging for gold?" I mean seriously.

"There are not any lacerations anywhere." She said mostly to herself.

"Lacerations? What is that supposed to mean. Bones, I'm fine, I'm not hurt.?" I was getting a little worried.

"Scratches. You do not have any scratches on your back, or your chest. There are not any on your neck, or your arms." She looks crazed.

"Why are you looking for scratches? I'm a big boy I can take care of myself. Look, your starting to worry me Bones."

"This doesn't make sense. I don't understand. Booth where is your gun? Have you lost it?" She was becoming frantic. I went to her side and put my arms against hers.

"Why do you want my gun? Are you going to shoot me because I don't have scratches on my back?" I said trying to lighten the mood. It didn't help.

"Booth, I need to ask you a question." she began after she calmed down a bit.

Taking a step back to look at her, I said "Anything, you know you can talk to me"

"I need you to look me in the eyes, and tell me the truth. Promise me, you'll tell me the truth." She was looking at me like she was trying to see into my soul, but that is not something she believes in.

I always tell her the truth, what could be so important this time that she needs to make me promise to tell the truth.

"Booth, promise me." She said it with anger.

"yeah, yeah, I promise Bones. I always tell you the truth."

"I need to know, I need you to tell me the truth." She held my gaze, with intensity.

"Did you murder my father?" I watched a single tear fall off her face.

"Temperance, what the hell is going on?"

"Please, just answer my question." This has taken a turn even I didn't expect.

Did I murder her father? Did she think I did? Obviously she does or she wouldn't have asked.

"Booth look at me and answer the question."

I can't believe she is asking me this. Obviously she is serious. I took a step forward, and looked straight into her eyes.

"I did not murder your father. I swear. Bones I did not murder your father."

She collapsed into my arms.

"Booth, I believe you." She backed up to look at me.

"Well that's just great, I'm glad you believe I am not a murderer. A little hurt you had to ask. What the hell is going on Bones?

"The evidence, I collected it all, I tested it. It's my fault, I was very thorough. I am always very thorough. It was your DNA under his nails, and your gun at the scene, with a bullet from your gun in his head. I was trying to prove it false, but, all I was able to do was confirm what the FBI had already found. I was supposed to take my finding to the Hoover building, but I came here, because I wanted you to tell me that the evidence was wrong. That it was all wrong."

"The FBI thinks I killed your father? Just making sure I got this right. The FBI has my gun and my DNA linking me to Max Brennan's murder, to your father's murder, and you came here to ask me if I really did it?"

"I'm sorr-"

"You believe me though. You believe I didn't murder your father. Even though there is evidence saying I did?"

"You said you didn't do it and I believe you. You told me once that you have killed people, but never murdered. You are my partner Booth, and I know you. Hodgins said that you are being framed. Even Cam said that this was a frame up, I'm not sure what that means but I believe you didn't do it."

"What if it wasn't me being framed? Just some random guy, would you believe him?"

"You are not some random guy Booth, you are my partner."

"Thank you Bones, that means a lot." I needed to sit. Murder? Really?

"What do we do Booth, the evidence is clear?" She was scared, I could tell.

"We need to prove that I am innocent, that I am being framed. I am glad you are on my side."

Which is very true, without her, I have no chance. It is impossible enough as it is. I've seen cases like this before. It never ends well.

"I'm going to need all the help I can get."

"I will do everything I can, my team will help, and they don't think you did it either."

"The squints believe I am innocent?" I'm going to have to remember to thank them.

"They all do, all of them. Even after the evidence was all in. Even when I had doubts, they believed you were being set up. Zack said it was improbable that you were the one to commit murder, because we put time of death between 6 to 9 six days ago. Do you remember where you were at? Six days ago, at that time?" She said.

"I was at your book signing with you and the rest of the squints, we all got our books signed." This gave me hope.

"That is correct. Zack remembered. After that, you drove me home and we got Tai Food. You were with me until 3am."

"Good, that's good, right?" I am nervous and it shows.

"It is very good Booth, if anybody can prove your innocent, it will be us."

This is as much about Bones as it is about me. Whoever framed me is also out to hurt her. If it was just about me, the guy could kill anyone and make it look like I did it, it didn't have to be her father. Either way, we are an unstoppable team. I would never turn my back on her, and now I know she would never turn her back on me, even against all odds, or in this case, against all the facts. We are essentially two people that work functionally as one person. The best work either of us has ever done has been done while working together. That just may be what it is going to take to clear my name.