A/N: Ugh. This story is not flowing the way I want it to. Anyway, better late than never. Short chapter here, but hopefully, I'll be able to start writing more on this one now that I got something out. As always, enjoy!
Cory had just pulled up when the C-17 came to a halt next to its hanger. He got out of his truck, slamming the door and stepping forward as the engines shut down and everything became quiet. He watched as the ramp was lowered and close to a hundred soldiers poured out the back, followed by two familiar faces. "Agent Booth! Dr. Brennan!" Cory bellowed, relieved when they both turned towards him.
Even from the distance he was to the plane, Cory could see the huge grin that crossed Booth's face when he recognized him. "Cory! How the hell are you?" Booth yelled back as he and Brennan shouldered their bags and headed towards him. But even at that distance, Cory could sense Brennan's confusion and fear. He looked at her, instantly spotting how tense she was as she practically stomped towards him and his vehicle. What could have gotten Doc B so upset? Could it be the bodies? The memories? I must ask her what is wrong. He thought as they reached him.
Booth reached out and shook his hand with a powerful grip, his dark eyes friendly as he met Cory's gaze. "It's been too long, Cory." Booth said, his voice affectionate as the sergeant grinned back at him. "Indeed it has, Agent Booth." Booth waved a hand at him as he said, "Cory, how many times do I have to tell you to drop the 'agent'? It's just plain Booth, or Seeley, if that's easier for you." Cory's smile became slightly sheepish as he chuckled. "Sorry, old habit. Dr. Brennan, you're looking lovely, as always. I'm sorry that your first time in Carson had to be for such a dire reason."
Brennan gave Cory a hug, startling both him and Booth before she stepped back and gave him a smile that was tinged by sadness. "Indeed. It is wonderful to see you once again, Cory. I, too, regret that we could not be here under different circumstances, but there is nothing we can do that can change it. All we can do is what we came here to do and see to it that our next visit is under friendlier circumstances."
Their impromptu reunion was interrupted by the soldiers from the plane, most of them yelling greetings at Cory as the rest waved in a friendly manner. Cory waved back as Sergeant Rodriguez approached at a fast jog. Cory grinned widely as the other soldier dropped to a walk before pounding him hard on the back. "Roddy! You made it!" He laughed as Rodriguez punched him lightly. "Indeed I did, Hughes, you old hellion. I hear we lost someone while the battalion was over in the sandbox. She went out fighting, eh?"
Cory grew sad, as did Booth and Brennan. "Yes, we did. She went out like we always knew she would: a hero. Old Rafe got him, though. Took him out hard-core." Rodriguez nodded as the rest of the battalion wandered over, chatting amongst themselves before a brave few started talking to Brennan and Booth. With the two of them distracted, Rodriguez met Cory's gaze before signaling him to step away.
Curious, Cory did so, and once they were a good distance away, Rodriguez turned to him and asked, "Is that anthropologist always that sad? Caught all of our attention on the plane. McCallister sang a cadence in an effort to take her mind off whatever her problems were, and it worked. She fell asleep right after he finished. She was staring at the FBI agent with this really odd look in her eyes that made all of us curious. None of us had a clue what it was about, so we kinda left her alone."
The two of them looked at the anthropologist and the FBI agent who were now laughing at the antics of the soldiers around them. Cory looked back into his friend's eyes as he answered, "I dunno, Roddy. But I plan to find out."