A/N: Sorry the updating has taken longer. I had to switch my work schedule around to accommodate someone's vacation. My weekend off aka my fanfiction writing weekend was cut off. I am now working on the final chapters for my readers and contemplating a sequel.

Here's the chapter a few people sent me notes on. It may be not what was expected, but this is what the muse told me to do. Hope you enjoy

Disclaimer: I don't own Bones but being the middle of a DB and TJT sandwich would be nice!

Booth was walking to his wife's hospital room, anxious to get to his wife before the doctor discharged her from the hospital. Whistling Hot Blooded, he walked to his wife's room with a bouquet of daffodils. Opening the door, he called out to her. "Bones, ready to come..."

He was stopped stopped dead in his tracks by the sight of Brennan talking to a wheelchair bound Peyton Perotta and both had tear stained faces. Shaking off his shock, he stepped forward. "Sorry….I didn't mean to interrupt. Agent Perotta, how are you doing?"

Perotta couldn't look him in the eye. "I'm fine, Agent Booth. I'm just going to head back to my room." She turned to Brennan. "Thank you for letting me talk to you, Dr. Brennan."

"You're welcome, Agent Perotta." Brennan joined her husband to watch her wheel towards the door.

Booth wordlessly opened the door for the agent and when she was gone, walked up to his wife's bed. "Bones, what was that all about?"

Brennan patted the side of her bed and Booth came over and sat down. "We've been talking for quite a while when you got here…"

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Brennan was reading her latest issue of Medicinal Physics Quarterly that Booth brought her with her breakfast while subconsciously rubbing her abdomen. Unable to concentrate on the article in front of her, she put the journal aside as her thoughts were invaded by one in particular. Peyton Perotta.

The Peyton Perotta that she worked with in the past was very capable. Not as good as Booth, but no one was as good as Booth was the best. However, over the last year, she noticed a change in the young Special Agent. Her eyes studied a person much like she studied bones. Her words had a cutting edge to them at times. Her wardrobe began to push the FBI dress code to the limit. She became quite aloof with people and seemed to be….closed off.

After Angela brought to her attention Perotta's interest in her husband, she studied her further. Her occasional flirting with Booth grew exponentially. He ignored it and maintained his professionalism with her, but the woman was determined to get into her husband's suit. Her thoughts grew jumbled until she decided to study the situation as she studied a set of remains.

'So what brought the change in this agent? How does an agent go from excellent to good but also break into the house of her supervisor just to plant evidence of an alleged instance of sexual intercourse?'

Her feelings were mixed. She was still angry about the fact she invaded the Mighty Hut. The fact that she made her way into their private bedroom, her and Booth's escape from the world, made her ill. Yes, she had her office and he had his man cave, but at night, when they had a particularly draining case, it was in that room that they could come together and offer comfort to the other in a way no one can.

Booth asked her advice on how to discipline her since only a select few what had happened at the house. She couldn't do that, though, because while she felt empirical evidence was the most important, Booth taught her that the why was also key to the case. The agent still needed to be disciplined for her actions at their house. However, that had to be put aside until Pelant was dealt with.

Moving forward, she remembered the crime scene pictures Booth showed her of the Reynolds' property and his observations, including her extreme reaction to being examined. Then, the DNA results that Booth had Cam run to help maintain a little bit of privacy.

Perotta could very well not remember due to the drugging, but scientifically there was no doubt that the woman had observed signs of sexual assault. 'Was Booth right? Did Agent Perotta remember enough to put the pieces together?'

She didn't tell Booth that she had a moment or two since the day before where she would blame herself. After all, Christopher Pelant bombed their home. Perotta was the decoy for their trap for Pelant which failed due to the incompetent agent who left his post. If it wasn't for Perotta, she could very well have been the one who was assaulted and probably murdered at some point.

Then, her rationalism would supersede those thoughts. No, what happened was not her fault. She didn't assault the agent. Zane Reynolds did and was given access by Pelant. She would not let that alleged "hacktivist" and his defiance overtake her sense of logic and emotional health.

She was startled by a knock at her door. Figuring it was someone from the Jeffersonian or the FBI since there was a guard outside the door, she didn't ask. "Come in"

The door opened automatically and she was surprised to see Agent Perotta wheel herself in and stop in the middle of the room. "Dr. Brennan, can we talk for a minute?

Brennan felt herself getting all mixed up emotionally and fought to remain rational. In the end, curiosity got to her as she saw an envelope on her lap. "Of course, Agent Perotta. As you can see, Booth isn't here and there is no room for you to roll on the bed to place your perfume's odor."

I've got only myself to blame, but I have to do this. I made a promise and I'm keeping it damn it.' Perotta inhaled quickly and then exhaled as she counted to five. "Dr. Brennan, I'm here to offer an apology for my behavior at your house, and for the last several months. I wanted to wait until you were out of the hospital, but I'm being released later tonight and then I am only coming back here for therapy and dressing changes, so I'm not sure I will be seeing you again."

Peyton did one of the hardest things she ever did as she looked the other woman straight in the eye. "I wanted to sleep with your husband. I wanted to make it look like we had slept together in your bed and I was determined to do that, no matter what the cost. I didn't think to consider that he was not interested in me or that he was very happy with you and your children. I know now that it was a fantasy world and I was stupid to be led to think otherwise. I not only violated any trust and respect that I had earned through Agent Booth and yourself, but also the rules of the FBI in regards to fraternization with my superiors. I would like your forgiveness, but I don't deserve it. For the first time in a long time I want…need to do the right thing by facing you and what I did."

Perotta took the lack of reaction to mean to wrap things up, so she pulled the white envelope out of her lap and placed it on her bedside table. "Well, I'm going to let you go now, Dr. Brennan. If you could make sure Agent Booth gets that, I appreciate it. Thank you for listening to me."

She began to turn her wheelchair when she heard a "STOP!" Surprised, she turned around to see Brennan looking at her with determination. "Yes, Dr. Brennan."

Brennan could only stare at the agent, shocked at how honest she was. Booth was so much better at reading people, but she picked up things over the years. Based on what Booth told her about lying behavior, she believed the agent was telling the truth. Waiting for the other woman to approach, she spoke her mind. "You can't come into my room, give a speech with an apology, give me an envelope for my husband, and just leave."

Seeing the younger woman's eyes get big, Brennan couldn't help but smile. "Yes, Agent Perotta, in case you haven't watched the news, Booth is now my husband. We were married on June 13th, which is also the wedding anniversary of his paternal grandparents. We only had a select few people there, including Agents Shaw and Sparling. It was also to keep Pelant from finding out"

Seeing she had the woman's attention, she continued. "Now, Agent Perotta. We're going to have a discussion about many topics. Let's start with why your quality as an agent has diminished."

An hour later, Agent Perotta finished what she said. "I just felt like I was getting shit on and wanted something for myself. Yes, he encouraged me, but in the end I'm the one who chose to be a bitch."

She's been though a lot and she's not completely innocent, but I'll eventually find a way to get back at him for his part.' Coming back from her thoughts, Brennan addressed the agent. "I have something else to ask you, Agent Perotta. You may not like what I am going to ask you, but I think I should."

Where's Agent Booth? I just want him to read my letter and get this over with'. A chill ran up Perotta's spine. "Okay..."

Brennan didn't hesitate. "Agent Perotta, what do you remember of when you were kidnapped?"

All the color drained out of her face. Flashes of memory were played out the last two days in the form of nightmares when she closed her eyes. If it wasn't for the morphine given for her leg she wouldn't be sleeping. 'No, no, I'm not going to talk about this. Just forget it and it will go away.'

Brennan knew emotions weren't her strong suit but even she knew and recognized conflict and fear in the agent's eyes. Being as forthright as always, she pressed forward. "Agent Perotta, should I repeat the question?"

Perotta knew that the anthropologist would not let it go until she got an answer. "I vaguely remember hearing Pelant as he addressed Mr. Reynolds and a loud bang, which I figure is where Pelant killed him with the bang stick."

Brennan tilted her head and carefully continued her questioning. "Agent Perotta, they found semen in a pair of underwear in the van, along with another person's DNA."

Bile started to build in Perotta's stomach as she fought for control, but it was for naught as tears came down her face. "I don't know where that came from, Dr. Brennan. I don't know what happened. I have no idea. If I could tell you I would. Now please, excuse me."

Brennan watched her wheel herself towards the door and began to cry, unsure if it was because she pushed the woman too far, pregnancy hormones wreaking havoc, or both. "Agent Perotta, please come back. I'm sorry."

After a few moments, to Brennan's relief, Agent Perotta wheeled herself back with a wariness in her eyes, not unlike one she carried for years herself when someone would push her beyond her comfort zone. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to let you know that if you need anything to let me know."

Perotta was stunned at her other woman's kindness. "Thank-thank you, Dr. Brennan"

Brennan contemplated for a moment as she remembered Booth's request for suggestions on what to do in regards to Perotta's discipline for what happened at their house. 'She's been punished enough….that's what I'll tell Booth'

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Booth stared in disbelief, sensing there was more to the story. "That's it? No way, Bones, there's a lot you didn't tell me. Why the hell did she do all this?"

The anthropologist exhaled. "Booth, it's not important to her job. She told me in confidence and I plan on keeping it that way."

"She's my agent."

"Wendell was my intern."

Booth was momentarily confused, but then remembered the night he was in the ER for possible poisoning. "Bones….."

"Booth, if I felt you needed to know I would tell you." Brennan grabbed the envelope left by the other agent. "She left this for you."

Booth took the envelope and read its contents. "Ooooohhh no. Nooo way."

Brennan saw his face. "Booth, what's the matter?"

"This is a letter of resignation." Booth looked up, his face contorted in fury. "No way, not on my watch."