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Booth moved over to the bench and sat down. The day warm, Booth watched Sweets order them both coffee. Leaning back against the bench, Booth suddenly became aware that he was being observed. Not pleased to see the man, he stood up and walked over to the bird colonel standing under the oak tree.

"Colonel, what can I do for you?" Staring intently at the Army officer, Booth felt a certain sense of foreboding sweep through him.

It had been awhile since he'd seen Booth, so he was unsure how Booth was going to react. The colonel wated to start out on a friendly note and smiled. "Master Sergeant, your country needs you."

Filled with outrage, Booth scoffed. "You people need to read a newspaper sometime. I'm recovering from a serious injury. It was in the damn papers."

Shrugging his shoulders, Colonel Pelant brushed off the comment. "That was nine weeks ago."

Anger starting to build up, Booth placed his hands in his pants pockets. "Nine weeks and I still can't walk up two flights of stairs without having to stop and catch my breath. My partner is working with someone else because I'm not fit enough to be in the field . . . What the hell do you want?"

His gaze moving up and down Booth's body, the colonel decided that Booth might be fit enough for what they needed if they waited a little longer. "We want your expertise in Afghanistan. It doesn't have to be today, but soon."

Removing his hands from his pockets, Booth glared at he officer. "My expertise isn't worth a damn anymore. Don't you get it? I'm broken . . . I can't protect my own wife anymore and you want me to go to Afghanistan? I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings colonel, but if I'm what you need then you're in very serious trouble."

"How long do you think you'll be before you're well again?" Clasping his hands on front of him, the colonel waited.

That was an answer he'd like himself. Sighing, Booth shook his head. "I don't know, but it doesn't matter. I'm married now. I'm not leaving my wife and reenlisting. That won't happen. She needs me here."

Pursing his lips, Colonel shook his head. "So when your country needs you to help protect our men and women in the Army you can only think of yourself?"

Outraged, Sweets who had been standing nearby eavesdropping, stepped closer to the two men. "How dare you? This man has served his country over and over again. He's done more for his country than you probably have. This is outrageous, playing on his patriotism, trying to make him do something that he can't do let alone wants to do. This is . . . "

Reaching behind him, Booth clamped his hand on Sweets' arm. "Okay, that's enough." Turning back to Colonel Pelant, Booth smiled. "The answer is no. I have no intention of re-upping."

Not willing to take no for an answer, Pelant shrugged his shoulders. "For now." Walking past Booth, the colonel shook his head, his voice dripping with comtempt. "I'm very disappointed in you Booth."

His anger boiling over again, Sweets confronted the colonel. "You sir are an asshole."

Ignoring the younger man, Pelant turned and sneered at Booth. "Nice pet, but you should keep him on a leash before he gets hurt." Chuckling, the colonel walked away.

Angry, Sweets grabbed Booth's arm. "Don't listen to that man, Booth. My God you've served your country. You don't need to do any more than you already have."

Patting Sweets hand, Booth kept his eyes on the colonel until he was out of sight. "Calm down Sweets. He was just pushing buttons to see if any of them worked. That's his job. I'm broke remember." His gaze now on the younger man, Booth sighed. "I couldn't go to Afghanistan even if I wanted to. I'm doing better, but I'm still broke. I may always be broke."

Sweets pointed to an empty bench and walked over to it. Sitting down, Sweets waited for Booth to join him. "You're doing better. Four weeks ago you couldn't walk over here. You'll be your old self soon."

He knew Sweets was still upset. "Maybe . . . still don't worry about what Pelant said. I'm not going anywhere. I won't leave my wife behind."

As he raised his cup towards his lips, Sweets pointed at the bench across the path. "Oh I left your coffee on the other bench."

Shrugging his shoulders, Booth took Sweets cup from his hand. "That's too bad."

That move not unexpected, Sweets shook his head and watched Booth sip some of the coffee. "So you're married now?"

Glaring at the younger man, Booth shook his head. "That was a private conversation I was having with the colonel. You really had no business eavesdropping like that."

Nonchalantly, Sweets crossed his legs and leaned back. "Too bad. You were having the conversation in a public place. Now . . . when did you and Dr. Brennan get married?"

Not willing to admit to anything, Booth sipped some more coffee and then stared at the cup. "What makes you think I married Bones?"

Startled, Sweets uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. "Who else would you marry? You've been in love with Dr. Brennan for a long time. As far as I know you aren't dating anyone. You've been living in her apartment for weeks. It has to be Dr. Brennan."

Standing, Booth handed the coffee cup back to the young man. "You don't know everything, Sweets. You don't know me as well as you think you do." Moving away, Booth walked slowly up the path, knowing that he'd better talk to his wife as soon as possible.

Ooooooooooooooo

As she entered the Diner, Brennan noticed her husband sitting at their usual table. Sitting down across from him, Brennan frowned, "You said it was urgent that you talk to me."

Carefully noting who was in the Diner, Booth finally settled his gaze on his partner and spoke quietly. "I was in the park and a colonel I served with in Iraq wanted to talk to me. He tried to get me to re-up and Sweets overheard him."

Filled with dread, Brennan swallowed nervously. "Are you planning to re-enlist when you're better?"

Shaking his head, Booth denied it vehemently. "No way, Bones. Ignore that part of the story that's not the important part."

Confused, Brennan asked him, "If that isn't the important part then what is?"

Taking her hand in his hand, Booth tried to reassure her. "Bones, I am not re-enlisting to go to Afghanistan. We just got married for God's sake." Realizing that his voice was rising, he lowered it and continued, "I am not going to do anything to jeopardize our marriage. Besides, I'm broken, I couldn't pass the physical if I wanted to re-up and I don't so please don't worry about that . . . As it is I'm not so sure I can pass the FBI physical when I need to. I just told you that part so you'd understand what happened in the park."

Cautious, Brennan stared into his soft brown eyes. "What happened in the park?"

Booth exhaled deeply and squeezed her hand. "I mentioned to Colonel Pelant that one of the reasons I'm not re-enlisting is because I'm married and Sweets overheard me. Sweets asked me when we got married and I kind of hinted around that we aren't. You know . . . to throw him off the track for a little bit. It won't last though. He answers to the FBI so sooner or later he's going to tell them about us."

"I'm still working with Harris until you get better." Worried she stared at his sad face. "What do you want to do about this problem?"

Releasing her hand, Booth leaned on his arms and spoke. "I don't know. Maybe we should just spill the beans and see what happens. It doesn't look like I'm going to be well enough to go back out into the field before your contract is up anyway. You can keep working with Harris and once your contract is up, we can see where I am health wise. You can make up your mind what you want to do then."

Quickly thinking over their options, Brennan finally nodded her head. "I think we should have a party and announce our marriage status. If the FBI wants to play hard cheese then they can. So can we."

Amused, Booth shook his head. "That's hard ball." Seeing the twinkle in her eyes, Booth laughed. "And you knew that . . . Okay, we'll do it your way. I cheddar to think what Caroline is going to do."

Puzzled, Brennan stared at Booth and then laughed. "Oh, I see, that was a play on words. That's funny because you said cheddar when you really meant shudder, but it was a play back to the previous play on words I had made. That's very amusing."

Chuckling, Booth pulled her hand over to his lips and kissed it. "I'm a funny guy, Bones."

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