Chapter 7.

Booth was beyond pissed as he drove to the bureau. Having called Sweets phone repeatedly for the second time, again with no answer he found it, again on the table, in his empty apartment. Booth put it in his pocket and locked the door he had picked to get in -again. Friends shouldn't have to pick their friends lock when they stop by. A voice told Booth while another nasty reminder of his friendship with Sweets came to mind, Me, he picks me.

He pushed the thoughts out of his mind as he left, pissed and determined at this point to shove a locating device down Sweets throat when he found him if he wasn't going to answer his phone.

He arrived at the bureau and headed to his office trying to concentrate past his frustration on how to best locate the young doctor. He took a corner too sharp on his way he literally bumped into Agent Landry.

"Agent Booth." Landry said backing up to pick up his papers. Booth felt bad about their last encounter where he accused Landry of using Sweets. He stopped to help pick them up.

"Sorry about that." Booth said tightly as the apology did not come easily.

"I'm glad to see that Dr. Sweets is doing better." Landry said standing up with his papers. Booth was confused.

"You stopped to see him at home?"

"No, in his office, I saw he was…." Landry stopped as the look on Booth's face grew fierce.

"You've GOT to be kidding me." Booth said furious as he marched off in the direction of Sweets new office.

Booth eyes narrowed as he approached Sweets door. Emma was just coming out of Sweets office having brought him up to speed on what she had done in his absence. She jumped when she looked up from her paper to see Booth right in front of her. Booth looked down at the shorter woman and noticed a strange discoloration on her neck.

"Is everything okay Agent Booth?" Emma asked reading the grim expression on his face. The question brought Booth back to the present and he forgot what he saw.

"Yes, Emma, I need you to, I don't even know what exactly. There's a guy, from an old case…it's complicated. But just, keep an eye out." He said wanting to warm the nice lady because if it was Pelant, no one was safe.

"Um okay, Agent Booth, sure." Emma said though she wasn't sure what exactly he was asking for her to do.

Booth went past Emma and thru Sweets door which he slammed when he got in. The sight of Sweets only frustrated him more in clothes that were too big, circles growing under his eyes and a general look of exhaustion and lingering illness.

"What the hell are you doing?" Booth asked as Sweets looked up at him.

"I'm working." Sweets answered plainly.

"Really, because I'm pretty sure the discharge papers from the doctor said to be resting at home, not go to work the next day." Booth spat at him.

Sweets rolled his eyes in frustration.

"Hey, don't roll your eyes…" Booth began but Sweets but him off which surprised Booth.

"I'm not twelve Booth, it's up to me…" Sweets began and they were both so involved in being angry that they didn't realize they were yelling at each other.

"We'll it's got to be up to someone Sweets! You're not well and now with…"

Sweets got up as soon as Booth said he wasn't "well" and immediately regretted it as his very empty stomach instantly reminded him sending sick shivers thru his body. Booth stopped at "with" and immediately stepped forward when Sweets swayed a step back. Sweets tried to wave him off but the dizziness and woozy wouldn't abate.

"Sweets…"

"What!" Sweets all but yelled putting one hand on his desk to stop the room from spinning and put the other hand on his head as though to make it stop as well. "What more do you want from me?" Sweets continued and Booth took a step back at the question.

Booth immediately tensed but was somewhat glad this came up, he felt it was directly related to the comment that had played over and over in his head -the ultimatum.

Booth opened his mouth to talk but the door opened and Emma entered with a piece of paper in her hand. Booth was annoyed with the interruption when he was about to get their situation out on the table but the worried look on Emma's face told him that conversation would have to wait.

"I just received this. I believe this is what you referring to." Emma said trying to sound calm.

Booth took the paper and Sweets took his head out of his hand so he could read it too.

I'm back, are you better so we can play Dr. Sweets?

Booth looked at Sweets as Pelant was directing this at him, and the header at the top read that it was sent to Emma's email. For a dead guy he was sure up to date.