I know, it's short! Please accept my full apologies. I'll update quite quickly.
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Dr. Lance Sweets was waiting patiently in his office. Despite his instincts (and Dr. Saroyan) telling him this was going to be a very uncomfortable meeting, he was looking forward to it. Dr. Brennan and Agent Booth were a fascinating pair, overflowing with vast psychological potential. In all the time he'd seen them, however, they'd never been angry at each other.
He was jotting down questions when Dr. Brennan walked in.
"Hello, Dr. Brennan." he said pleasantly, setting his clipboard on his lap.
"Good evening, Dr. Sweets." she replied tonelessly as she sat down.
"Where is Agent Booth?" he inquired innocently.
"I wouldn't know." her tone was icy.
"How are you today?" he continued the pleasantries, ignoring her chilly mood.
"Fine, thank you." she was staring determinedly at the bookshelf behind him, so he stopped trying to engage her in conversation.
Ten minutes later and five minutes after their session was supposed to start, they were still sitting in silence, waiting for Agent Booth. He'd never been late before, but he'd also rarely arrived separately from Dr. Brennan.
"Would you like to call him and see why he's running late?" Sweets asked Brennan.
"No."
More silence. He studied her while they waited. Closer to the end of the couch than usual, she was seated at the edge, legs crossed tightly, spine rigid and completely straight, arms crossed over her chest. Defensive, uncomfortable. She wasn't making eye contact at all, and her face was blank. She appeared to be memorizing the title of every book on his shelf.
Twelve minutes after their session was supposed to begin, Booth pushed the door open and flung himself onto the couch. He was sitting as far away from where Dr. Brennan was perched without clinging to the arm of the couch, Sweets observed silently.
"Evening, Agent Booth." Sweets smiled at him.
Booth looked at him and nodded defiantly, as if daring the psychologist to mention his tardiness. Sweets met his stare without backing down. After perhaps fifteen seconds that felt like much longer, Booth looked away from him. He hadn't looked at Dr. Brennan yet, Sweets noticed, nor she him.
Well, this ought to be interesting…