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Chapter 8

The following morning Brennan found her way downstairs and to the coffee pot. She had managed to get a couple of hours of sleep, but nothing of significance. As she lingered in front of the machine, willing it to hurry, she noticed her cell phone displaying 'Voicemail'. Turning it on speakerphone, she pressed the necessary buttons just as the coffee maker gave its last gurgle.

"Dr. Brennan," Emily's voice boomed from the phone. Brennan jumped, spilling a considerable amount of coffee onto her hand. A long string of expletives escaped her mouth before placing her hand under the cool running water of the faucet. By the time the noise had settled down in her own kitchen, the automated voice was already asking for appropriate numbers to save, delete, or re-listen to the message. Pressing the correct code, Brennan lowered the volume as Emily's voice floated out from the phone.

"Dr. Brennan, this is Emily. Just calling to let you know that Benjamin woke up about six o'clock this morning. He's been asking for you. Just thought you'd want to know."

Grabbing the cup of coffee and her phone, she quickened her pace up the stairs as she dialed Angela.

"Hello," yawned Angela.

"Ange, I'm going to be a little late this morning. I should be there by nine or ten, okay," she rambled as she flipped through the closet's contents.

"Okay," Angela replied barely comprehending the series of words being rattled off.

"See you then, Bye," Brennan squeezed in before snapping her phone shut.

Yanking a skirt and top from their hangers, she threw them on quickly and raced to the bathroom. She immediately applied just enough make up and gave her hair a quick toss. Satisfied with her appearance, she grabbed a pair of heels and headed toward the door. Leaning against the frame, she pulled on each shoe. After snatching her phone from the dresser, she made her way through the house gathering all her necessary items for the day. Finally she was out the door, in her car, and pulling out of driveway. If she hadn't been in such a hurry, she would have noticed the black SUV parked on the opposite side of the street, but more importantly she would have noticed a certain FBI agent sitting in the drivers seat.

Booth had just put the vehicle into park when Brennan came speeding out of her driveway. He had picked up coffee and bagels as a breakfast peace offering. He didn't like leaving things undone, but most importantly he didn't like leaving her. He debated for a moment as to what to do now that breakfast seemed unlikely for the pair. As her car made a left turn, his instincts told him to follow her.

She whizzed into a parking space outside the children's wing of the hospital. He had to give her credit. Not only could she drive fast, but she walked fast too. By the time he had slid into a space, she was already walking in the entrance doors. Turning his walk into a sprint, he managed to rush in the doors just as the elevator closed. He punched the elevator buttons and received no cooperation from the contraption, but noticed the flickering light stopped at seven. Opting for the stairs, he took three steps with each stride. When he pushed opened the heavy metal door, he immediately looked to his right, and he had his proof. She was standing face to face with a doctor Booth did not recognize. He was gently holding her hand as his thumb caressed hers, and then with his hand placed lightly in the small of her back, he led her into the closest room. With a defeated sigh, Booth turned and headed back down the stairs.

Booth, deciding to finish up paperwork from his meeting with Cullen, headed over to the Hoover Building. He sat in his office for a half hour or so before a knock came at his door.

"Come in," he answered from behind his desk.

"Booth, glad to see you're here," Cullen stated as he walked further into the office.

"Yes, sir," replied Booth, "It's good to be here."

Cullen gave a huff, "Well don't get used to it, son. I've got your new assignment."

"I…I thought I would be here working/training some of the newer agents," Booth questioned.

"Well, plans change," Cullen answered. "You're going back to what you do best."

"And what would that be, sir?" asked Booth.

"Working with the squints at the Jeffersonian," Cullen stated as he walked out the door.

"Great," Booth murmured. "Just what I need."

Temperance was true to her word showing up at nine thirty. Before walking onto the platform where Zach was examining a body from limbo, Brennan slipped her hand into her pocket concealing the starch white bandage Cole had placed over the burn.

"Good work, Zach," she commented as she leaned over the table.

"Huh, Dr. Brennan," he stammered. "I hope you don't mind me making the selection.'

"No, not at all. I'm glad to see you took the initiative to do so," she stated as she turned to leave.

Hearing Brennan's voice, Angela stepped out of her office and proceeded in the anthropologist's direction.

"Morning sweetie," Angela called as Brennan came into sight.

"Hi, Ange," she replied.

"Everything okay," Angela asked probing for information.

Before Brennan could utter a reply, Booth's voice caught their attention.

"Where's Dr. Brennan," Booth's voice echoed from the platform.

Giving Angela a confused look, she replied, "Over here."

"Oh," he smirked, "I thought you might be preoccupied again today."

"No," her confusion still present. "Did you need something?"

"No," he replied in a sharp tone, "but I guess you needed something earlier or maybe it was his needs you were seeing to."

"I don't know what you're talking about," she commented as irritation crept into her voice.

Booth leaned down and whispered into her ear, "Did it remind you of me when he placed his hand on your back?"

She jerked away from him with shock engulfing her face.

"It did, didn't it?" he prodded.

Angela shot Brennan a questioning look.

"Agent Booth, I will not stoop to your level in answering any of your absurd questions," she answered matter-of-factly.

"Is he your little secret," he jeered. "Is that some sick little fantasy of yours?"

"Agent Booth," she began.

"Oh come on Bones, Angela doesn't even know about him," he interrupted.

"About who?" Angela jumped in.

"Yeah, Bones about who?" he probed. "Tell Angela about the good doctor at the hospital."

"Cole Andrews!" Angela squealed.

Booth cast her a disapproving look.

"Sorry, Booth, but I told you he was hot," she admitted.

"Shut up both of you!" Brennan interjected. "Whether or not I have a relationship with someone does not concern you, Agent Booth, especially now! And how dare you make that assumption based off the fact that someone placed his hand on my back. As I recall, you did that for two years before we became 'more than partners'!

"Now, Agent Booth," she continued, "I suggest you leave. You are disturbing my lab."

"Oh, no can do, Dr. Brennan," he sneered, "I've been reassigned as FBI liaison to the Jeffersonian."

"You need to recheck your assignment with Director Cullen," she stated. "The Jeffersonian and FBI do not have a close working relationship."

"According to Director Cullen, the Jeffersonian does now," he waved a file in his hands.

"Fine," she retorted as she headed toward her office.

Booth felt somewhat superior at that brief moment.

"Zach," Brennan called over her shoulder as she unlocked her office door, "you're with Agent Booth."

Superior for a very brief moment.

The bang of her door caused the window blinds in her office to rattle. She threw her bag to the floor and slung the files across the room. Granted, throwing a fit wasn't her usual style, but at this moment it seemed appropriate. 'How dare he,' she thought to herself as she fell into her couch. The only problem was she wasn't free of blame; she did have a secret. Not a tall, dark, handsome doctor but a small, pale, little boy who she loved more than she thought possible.

Booth cast a concerned look at Angela as the bang radiated throughout the lab, and as his actions finally registered with him.

"I screwed up, huh?" he asked.

"Ya think?" Angela replied.

Releasing a sigh, he sought Angela advice, "Well how was I suppose to act when I saw him touching her??"

"That's just the point," she stated, "you weren't suppose to act in anyway. You two are no longer together…in any aspect now due to your latest outburst."

"I should go talk to her," he abruptly stated.

"Good luck with that," she replied, "You're going to need it."

Booth gave Angela a 'thanks a lot' smile and headed toward Brennan's office.

Knocking on her office door, he began his plea, "Bones, can I come in?"

He didn't receive an answer, and when he turned the knob, he discovered that the door was locked. He glanced back toward Angela's direction. Giving a hopeless shrug of his shoulders, Angela made her way to him.

"Go on," she confided, "I'll talk to her."

"Thanks Ange," he admitted, "I owe you."

She gave him a smile as he turned to leave.

Lightly tapping on the door, Ange begged, "Bren, come on let me in, please."

The click of the lock was at least a start.

I know you want to...that little button can be very tempting. I've got a good start on the next chapter, but a little encouragement would go a long way. Tell me what you think?