TITLE: Bones – The Heart Knows What The Heart Wants.

AUTHOR: D M Harper

SUMMARY: How does Doctor Temperance Brennan cope with Agent Booth's absence?

RATING: M Contains sexual content between two female characters. (Be Warned)

DISCLAIMER: This story is written for entertainment only and no profit is obtained. No copyright infringement is indented to 20th Century Fox Television or creators Hart Hanson and Kathy Reichs. All original characters remain my property.

Chapter 3

Doctor Brennan was busy examining the hip bone from the remains uncovered by excavators a week ago at a building site. She had already determined the skeleton was that of a male Caucasian who had died some two hundred years ago and was now testing for signs of disease.

Camille swiped her identification card through the security scanner and climbed the stairs, "Tempe, I've spoken to AD Hacker and he will explain your role in selected FBI cases."

Without looking up from her work, Temperance replied, "Thank you."

"So when did you first meet Agent Tanner?"

"Friday night at the bar, did Booth's flight leave on time?"

"Yes," answered Camille before quickly leaving the lab.

Both women were reluctant to face further questions and Temperance breathed a sigh of relief before fully focusing on the microscope.

After gathering information from the computer, Agent Tanner was ready to visit Carla Webster's parents in Rockville, Maryland. This was the one area of the job she despised. To tell a parent their child was never coming home, cut hard into the core of the Agent, but what made this case more devastating was the fact that the victim's parents Fred and Chelsea had made regular contact with the FBI in the hopes that Carla would be eventually found alive.

Picking up the file, Alex made for the door and was greeted by six foot two, dark haired Assistant Director Hacker.

"I hear you've made a friend over at the Jeffersonian," retorted the man in his mid-forties.

"Yes sir, I believe that would Doctor Brennan."

"Temperance is unique and prosaic to say the least, but she was correct. Although not an Agent, she is Agent Booth's partner and if available, accompanies him during all field investigations and interviews. This matter was an oversight on my behalf. You should have been advised of their arrangement."

Tanner was not about to argue, "Yes sir, understood."

"I suggest you head over to the Institute and make nice with Doctor Brennan and take her to Rockville for the notification. Oh and one small hint, Brennan is not good with people."

"I am aware of that sir."

Andrew Hacker turned and retreated to his office while Tanner headed for the underground car park.

Entering the Jeffersonian, Tanner thought carefully about what to say to Doctor Brennan. From the earlier meet and greet, it was obvious by the reaction of Angela Montenegro that the doctor had informed her of their tryst Friday night. Tanner had noticed the look of utter astonishment then lust on the woman's face, but had remained professional. That was how Alex intended to remain for the next month, no matter how many times passionate visions with the alluring Temperance Brennan invaded their mind.

Adjusting the collar on her black suit jacket, Tanner approached the raised platform and said, "Excuse me Doctor Brennan."

Temperance looked away from the monitor she was viewing, "Is there something I can assist you with Agent Tanner?"

"If you are free, I am about to drive to Rockville to speak with the Websters? Hacker explained your work relationship with Agent Booth, so I guess you ride with me."

Turning to Wendell, Temperance said, "Mr Bray, I'll entrust the cataloguing to you."

"Thank you Doctor Brennan."

With hesitation, Temperance added, "You are welcome." She took off her blue lab coat and placed in on the stand by the top of the stairs then said, "Agent Tanner, I require two minutes to retrieve my jacket from my office."

"Yes ma'am." Tanner watched the doctor move down the hall and felt the heat simmer.

Angela strode by and smiled broadly, "Welcome back Agent."

"It's nice to be back, Miss Montenegro."

Without stopping, the brunette huskily offered, "If you need to finish that tour of the facilities, I am always available to you."

Tanner smirked at the true meaning behind the invitation, "I'll keep that in mind."

Angela waved as she sashayed down the hall and passed Temperance who was now wearing a black jacket that matched her trousers. Alex's eyes roamed over the toned body and the temperature went up a few degrees.

"I'm ready when you are Agent."

The walk to the car park was conspicuously quiet until Tanner opened the door of the black Chevrolet Suburban for Temperance.

"This is not Booth's vehicle," declared Temperance.

"No ma'am, I prefer to drive American built." Alex jumped in behind the steering wheel and buckled up.

"Are you racist against the Japanese car company Toyota?"

"No ma'am, I just like driving a sturdier SUV."

"All right then and please address me less formerly."

Tanner put the vehicle into drive and headed for the exit.

"Is there going to be a problem with you working with me?" inquired Temperance as she donned a pair of sunglasses.

"No Brennan, what happened between us will not be an issue for me."

Temperance blurted out without reserve, "You are a phenomenal lover, clearly the best I have ever experienced."

All professionalism flew out the window, "The same can be said of you and I have never enjoyed sex so much."

Temperance blushed brightly, "Thank you. We could have sexual intercourse again."

"That wouldn't work."

"Why is that? We have both admitted we found our previous coupling thoroughly pleasurable and I for one would enjoy experiencing it again."

"It's not that simple, I just don't do repeat performances."

Temperance noticed Tanner's left hand for the first time that morning and spotted the gold wedding ring, "Oh I see, you are married. The ring was not worn Friday night."

The blonde fidgeted with the band, "No I'm not."

Conversation came to an abrupt halt and Temperance spent the next thirty minutes pondering the reason why Tanner closed off.

When Tanner pulled up outside the Webster's Goldsborough Drive house, the Agent opened the door for Temperance again.

"You have impeccable manners Agent Tanner."

"Call me Alex and I'll take the lead. Hacker said you are not good with people."

"I've improved over the years and no longer blurt out someone is dead without any regard for the feelings of the people being informed."

"That's good to know," countered Alex while knocking on the door.

Chelsea Webster, a thirty-nine year old brunette opened the door, "Can I help you?"

Alex displayed her credentials wallet, "Good morning ma'am, I am FBI Special Agent Tanner and this is my associate Doctor Brennan. May we please come in and talk to you?"

The woman's face distorted into anguish, "You found Carla?"

"Yes ma'am, we have."

"Come inside," suggested the visibly upset woman. She led the pair into the living room and motioned towards the sofa.

Both Tanner and Temperance remained standing and the Agent began the arduous task, "Mrs Webster, I am sorry to have to inform you that your daughter's body was located late last night."

"Where was she?"

"Carla was unearthed in Welsh Park while maintenance was being carried out on the car park."

"Oh my god, that's just down the road. Was she buried alive?" inquired a trembling Chelsea. "How long was she out there all alone?"

"No ma'am she wasn't, Carla didn't suffer and was murdered some four years ago."

The woman stared blankly at Tanner and her legs started to buckle.

Alex moved quickly and grabbed her. "Brennan, fetch a glass of water please," instructed Tanner calmly while helping Chelsea to an armchair.

Temperance raced to the kitchen and returned with a drink. "I am truly sorry for your loss," she said while handing over the water.

"Thank you."

Tanner waited a moment before asking, "Is there anyone we can call for you ma'am, perhaps your husband?"

"No, Fred and I divorced three years ago. He couldn't take the stress and we lost contact over two years back. My son Rodney is at school and he will have to be told."

"I'll organise to have him brought home ma'am," offered Tanner while holding onto Chelsea's shaking left hand.

After receiving information on which school fifteen year old Rodney attended, Alex went and collected him. Temperance stayed with Chelsea and when Tanner returned with the son, the Agent pulled her aside, "Did you read the original Police report?"

"Yes last night, Rockville City Police had no leads during their investigation."

"I think we just got one." Tanner returned to the living room and offered condolences before informing Chelsea they would be in touch.

Once Alex started the engine, Temperance asked, "Did the son tell you something vital?"

"Yes. I asked if anything out of the ordinary had happened after Carla disappeared. He told me a Chase McDowell from next door had stopped visiting him. Up until then he was always at the Webster's house hanging out with Rodney."

Temperance retrieved the file from under her seat, "There was no mention of that in the Police interview with Rodney."

"Brennan, the kid was ten at the time and the Police may not have asked him either formally or informally."

After reading more of the report, Temperance agreed, "He was not asked." She read on, "Chase McDowell was never interviewed."

Tanner interrupted, "He was with his girlfriend at the movies that afternoon. They both skipped class and after the movie went back to her place."

"Correct, you have excellent recollection skills."

"Yes unfortunately. McDowell and the girl were both sixteen at the time and the girlfriend's name was Helena Western."

"Correct again and being able to retain information is not unfortunate."

Tanner ignored the comment and inquired, "Do you need to get back to the Institute?"

"No, the case I am currently working on will have been finished by Mr Bray. I am all yours."

"Is there an address for Western in the file, I didn't read that far?"

"Yes, 604 Smallwood Road."

Leaning over, Alex pressed the address into the GPS system and exclaimed, "Dear god! She lives four streets down from here and two away from the park. We'll start there and see if the alibi for McDowell is still viable."

"You have doubts?"

"Yes I do. Rodney told me McDowell had a crush on his sister, but she wasn't interested. Carla made the comment he was creepy and wouldn't have anything to do with him."

"Maybe he killed her because of unrequited desire," reasoned Temperance.

Tanner took off and responded, "It's certainly a possible motive."

By 1215 hours Helena Western had been located at the address supplied by her mother and taken back to Washington for questioning. To Tanner's surprise, Temperance had only asked relevant questions of Western and proved to be an asset to the investigation.

Western had been nervous from the onset and broke down ten minutes into the interview. Helena confessed she had gone to the movies alone on May 10th 2005, but had purchased two tickets as instructed by McDowell. Western had not seen McDowell until the following morning when he asked for the tickets. The twenty year old redhead admitted she had lied because she was under threat from McDowell. She stated he had been physically abusive on other occasions and she feared for her own safety. McDowell ended their relationship and at the end of the year, Helena went off to university and forgot all about Chase McDowell.

When Temperance had asked Helena if she suspected McDowell had anything to do with Carla's disappearance, she had answered in the affirmative. She stated McDowell would often talk about Carla and had even pretended it was Carla McDowell he was having sex with instead of her.

Helena Western was ultimately charged with making a false statement to authorities and for withholding information relevant to an investigation.

Once Alex had finished the paperwork, and Western was bailed from court to appear at a later date, Temperance said, "I suggest we have lunch, I'm hungry."

"Sure, I didn't realise how late it was. Do you have anywhere in mind?"

"Take the next left. There is a diner Booth and the team go to regularly."

"You and Booth spend a lot of time together, don't you?"

"We are close friends."

Tanner turned left and spotted the Royal Diner, "Angela is fairly free spirited."

"She is. Are you interested in her for a romantic liaison, she is currently unattached?"

Pulling into a vacant space, the blonde replied, "No I'm not. She is a beautiful woman, but I'm not into sleeping with every female who works at the Institute."

"Ange will be disappointed."

"Look Brennan, I think you may have the wrong impression of me. What happened between us was a first for me."

"Oh, I was convinced it was a standard routine for you. You were so confident and in control."

"No, you were my first and last casual one night stand."

"You were my fourth," admitted Temperance unreservedly.

After eating, Alex dropped Temperance at the Jeffersonian then returned to the office. Running a comprehensive search on Chase McDowell, the Agent located a current address in McLean, Virginia. Unclipping the cell phone off their belt, Tanner called Temperance.

"Hello Doctor Brennan speaking."

"Hello Brennan, Alex here. I have an address on McDowell; he is seventeen minutes from here. Local authorities will meet us there and I'll pick you up out the front in ten."

"I'll be waiting."

Next chapter!