A/N: While reading the chapter as a whole please keep in mind that this story starts on September 8, 2014.

"Did perpetual happiness in the Garden of Eden maybe get so boring that eating the apple was justified?"

~ Chuck Palahniuk (Survivor)

Chapter Two: Oh No, Not You Again

"At 8pm Eastern Standard Time the president will go on national television to inform the public that Speaker of the House, Clayton Woods was abducted Friday night while leaving a fundraiser. Under the purview of President Obama and under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Napolitano I have been ordered to head up the investigation. I am here to enlist you to help me with that."

The group exchanged curious glances before Cam asked, "What exactly do you expect us to do, Mr. White?"

"Actually, my real name is Augustus Blanc, but I will answer to Gus, Dr. Saroyan."

Cam waved her hand in annoyance, "Whatever, answer my question please."

Gus cleared his throat, "In addition to Speaker Woods' abduction we are also investigating the murder of Lou Robertson, whose body is being delivered to your lab as we speak. I need you to find a solid forensic link between his remains and the Town Car that the Speaker was last seen getting into."

"Why assume the two incidents are connected?" Cam asked, growing more intrigued with the case.

"Lou Robertson was the Speaker's wife's editor and mentor." Booth explained quietly, causing the entire team to turn and look at him.

Surprised her husband hadn't done so before her, Brennan asked Gus "How is Charlotte?"

"Mrs. Woods is fine, she's being kept safe in her home." Gus explained before addressing Booth directly, "You'll be able to interview her this evening there."

"What if we're not interested in helping you, Mr. White?" Booth asked.

Gus smiled slightly in amusement, "I find it hard to believe that this group wouldn't want to be part of the investigation into an incident that has never before happened in the history of the United States. And furthermore, I'm surprised you wouldn't want to help on a more personal level."

"Is that why you're here?" Booth asked, hitching his hands on his hips.

"I am here because in my 20 year career you, as a group, are the only people to get the better of me and I'm a big enough man to admit that and even admire it."

Booth looked around at the faces sitting around the table and he knew that nothing was going to keep them from accepting this case. It was too prestigious for Cam to deny, too conspiracy-laden for Hodgins to pass up and too close to home for Brennan to say no to. He stepped toward Gus, "The Woods' address?"

Loving that he didn't have to resort to blackmail, Gus quickly produced a card from his pocket, "Anytime after 7pm. Thanks."

Booth took the card from him and glanced at the address, "Does my boss know you're here?"

"Tomorrow morning, Director Mueller will be notified that you're working on a case that is classified beyond his clearance and that he will be kept in the loop solely on a need to know basis. This is a big one, there is no protocol for something like this. We're all a babes in the woods." Gus looked toward the group, "I'll be in touch."

They all watched him leave as quickly and quietly as he had arrived, and then all eyes landed on Booth. He palmed the back of his neck and looked down at the card in his hand again, but before he had the chance to set a plan in motion the group began to chatter among themselves.

"How does someone kidnap a guy like Clayton Woods?" Sweets asked no one in particular.

"An even better question is why they waited until tonight, a night when most Americans are stuck in traffic, to announce it? What are they hiding?" Hodgins pondered.

"Booth?" Brennan approached him with Alex balanced on her hip, "You ok?"

"Yeah." He forced a smile and smoothed his hand over Alex's head, "It's just not every day we're asked to work on something like this. It's huge."

Brennan nodded in agreement and then added, "And it's Charlotte so…"

"So what?"

"So, it's personal." She saw him forming an argument to that fact in his mind and she continued in an understanding tone, "You know her, Booth. We all know her, to some extent and that increases the level of difficulty."

"That's not what's bothering me, Bones. You know that. You know that I would never-"

Brennan lay a hand on his arm and smiled. "Of course. But I also know the kind of man you are when someone you care for is in peril. And don't give me that look, Booth. You cared for Charlotte, you wouldn't be you if you didn't."

Booth closed his eyes and wondered for the millionth time what he had done to deserve the trust of this amazing woman. "Yeah. Thanks, Bones. I am having a gut reaction to this whole thing, but it's not Charlie. It just stinks."

"Smelling with your gut again?"

He grinned. "Something like that."

Penelope nudged Sweets and whispered, "I have no idea what just happened, Lance."

"Where to start…." Sweets sighed and dropped his voice, "First of all, we hate that guy. The last time we saw him he had locked us all in the Jeffersonian overnight so they could examine the remains of an individual who may or may not have been a very important person and then he shut everything down when they got too close to the truth." He watched as her eyes grew wide and then he threw in what he thought was the most interesting part of the story, "And Booth was…well, he was involved with Charlotte Woods, the Speaker's wife, a few years back – before either of them were married."

"The red head the press won't leave alone?"

"That's the one. They met while he was in Afghanistan training soldiers and she was a reporter. It didn't last more than a few months once he returned stateside but it had an impact."

Penelope looked over at Booth and Brennan, Sweets had always sold them as the most meant to be couple in the history of meant to be couples, "Will it be an issue for them? Working on the case, I mean?"

Sweets chuckled under his breath, "I have no idea. It shouldn't be."

"Alright, squint squad." Booth clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "I know we haven't done this as a team in awhile but Mr. White's right, we are the best." He flashed a smiled of encouragement, "Cam, you take Hodgins and Angela back to the lab and get started on the physical evidence. Run all the tests yourselves, don't let the techs touch anything. Bones and I will head over and question Charlie."

"Booth?" Sweets raised his hand.

"You…you can just go home until I call you." He readied to turn away and then, "And Ms. Penelope? You weren't here for this? Got it?"

She smiled slyly, "I was at my store doing inventory today, what are you talking about?"

Booth nodded once in her direction, "Good girl."

Brennan approached Angela as the team started to disperse, "Do you think Nanny Edna would mind keep an eye on Alex and Parker tonight?"

"Of course not." Angela quickly glanced over at Booth and then back to Brennan, "Are you going to be alright with this, Bren?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"You're right. You should be ok with this because you're you and he's him."

Brennan nodded slowly, "Yes, we are us."

Angela smiled, "Exactly."

Janaury 21, 2011. 9:06 AM:. Heathman Hotel, Portland, Oregon

She came down from her room later than I anticipated but she looks still looks tired not that anyone else would ever notice that, she hides it well from those who don't know her like I do. No one knows her like I do.

She thinks she's all alone as she moves throughout the world.

She thinks this is a good thing.

She is so very wrong.