So I got a request, which had never happened before. Could there be a story where Bones was in a bad relationship but hid it from Booth? I don't judge the ask. It meant a lot that someone who knew I was crazy into the show reached out. It made me curious. And when I get curious, I get writing. Not sure if anyone else is still reading over here, but if you are, here you go.

I write to practice the skill of articulating a situation, a feeling. If I'm not your style, no harm, just move along. If you stop by to spend some time, leave a note or day hi. Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Fierce - Kalli

There was a familiar atmosphere on the Forensics platform at the Jeffersonian – a reverence for the bones on the table and the indomitable concentration of Dr. Temperance Brennan palpable in the room. With just her intern, Wendell Bray, Brennan reviewed the remains before them. Wendell was being given a chance to give preliminary examination results to his mentor and teacher.

Someone cleared their throat at the bottom of the stairs.

"Um, excuse me, Dr. Brennan. Do you have a moment?"

"I do not," she replied, not actually looking up at him.

"Dr. Brennan, I am Special Agent Daniel McGowan of the FBI. I need to speak with you."

She steadied her face, fighting both the split second of fear that something happened to Booth as well as her general aggravation at being disturbed. But Booth was a hundred miles away this week with Parker. She was sure he was fine. With a sigh of annoyance, she removed her gloves and descended the platform stairs.

"Yes?"

"Yes, Dr. Brennan. It's nice to meet you." He extended his hand and she made no move to shake it. "I'm working a case. We have a set of remains that needs identification and we are requesting that you accompany me to the crime scene."

"No," she said calmly and pleasantly, offering no explanation or apology.

"Dr. Brennan, you're a consultant to the FBI and the Bureau needs the expertise of a forensic anthropologist."

"My partner is Special Agent Seeley Booth. I don't work with other agents."

"Agent Booth is currently unreachable," he explained. "What makes sense is that you come look at the crime scene now, and we can get Agent Booth involved when he returns."

"I am aware that Booth is out of town, Agent McGowan. My partner being gone for a week did not escape my considerable attention to detail. If you'd like I can arrange for one of my students to accompany you and I'll agree to review any evidence brought here to the lab."

"I'm sure you are busy and all, and apparently used to getting your way, but you being good at what you do doesn't….."

"I am the best at what I do, Agent McGowan, and I only do it with Booth. Good luck with your case." She said it matter-of-factly with no anger or malice, and swiped her badge, returning to the platform and telling Mr. Bray to continue.

"Well, that went well," McGowan mumbled under his breath and exited through the sliding glass doors.

It was about fifteen minutes later that Brennan was heading to her office when she heard her phone ring. Checking the Caller ID, she saw Booth's name and smiled as she answered.

"Have you gotten lost yet?" she joked.

"Come on, Bones. Rangers lead the way," he replied, upbeat and relaxed. She was sure a week out of town with his son in the woods would be great for him. Terrible for his back, but great for his mental health.

"I thought you were 'off the grid', as you called it," she chided.

"Well, I have the phone for emergencies."

"Is everything alright?"

"Oh, yeah. Of course. Parker and I are having a blast. I try not to think about how much I miss him, but a week like this reminds me just how much I just love being his dad."

She smiled, and then realized she still didn't know why he called. "What can I do for you?"

"There was a set of remains found in DC this morning. The DC police are working it with our FBI liaison, and they need some of that Bones magic to make sense of what they found."

"Special Agent Daniel McGowan?" she asked, putting the pieces together.

"Yeah," he confirmed. "Oh Danny-boy. He's an old friend. He could use your help."

"I don't work with other agents, Booth. I thought that was the rule. You actually came up with that rule. It's your rule. I already said no to Agent McGowan. He left not that long ago."

"Yeah, he just called me from the parking lot."

"He's still here?"

"Bones, I hate to do this to you, but"

"No."

"But there is a lot of pressure to get an ID on this, and"

"No."

"and I'm worried that if you don't help him they're going to kick the case to me to get your brain power on it, and I'm gonna have to cancel the rest of the week with Parker. Bones, could you just take a ride and see what it looks like? No field work after the original crime scene assessment. Have it all sent back to the Jeffersonian and you don't need to leave the lab. Just a few hours."

"You know I'd never do anything to jeopardize your time with Parker, Booth," she whined, knowing she was beaten.

"I know. And Danny-boy is a good guy. I've known him forever – back to my Army days. He's a friend. I promise - it will be no stress and easy."

"You can't possible know if it will be easy."

"Please?"

"Yes, of course."

"Ok. I will call him and tell him to come in and get you. You can get ready. And thank you. I'll owe you one when I get home."

"You don't owe me one, Booth. Partners don't keep score. You taught me that. Tell Parker I said hello."

"Will do, and thanks again, Bones."

When Booth hung up from Bones, he dialed Danny back.

"OK – she's in, but she isn't happy about it, so you need to listen to me. You need to play it exactly like I say. Call her Dr. Brennan. Don't offer to carry anything. Don't touch her. Don't hover. DO NOT touch her evidence.…"

"Jesus, man. Is she a total headcase?"

"Best partner I ever had, Danny-boy. But she will kick your ass. My advice is to protect you, not her. And one more thing – you are responsible for her. No ifs, ands or buts. Anything happens to her and you and I will square up."

"Known you ten years, Booth, and you've never threatened to fight me."

"She isn't just anyone. You keep her safe."

"If she's half as good as you say she is, we'll have the case closed before you get home."

"She's even better."

Danny hung up the phone and made his way back into the lab. Brennan had already grabbed her gear and Wendell. She wasted no time.

"Agent McGowen." She acknowledged his arrival.

"You can call me Danny-boy," he said casually.

"Yes, no thank you," she said looking at him with a disapproving glare. "That is exceptionally unlikely."

"Danny?" he asked, pushing his luck.

"Agent McGowan, I've worked with Agent Booth for 5 years. Do you know what I call him?"

"No, what?"

"Booth."

The agent noticed the assistant look away to hide a laugh. Apparently her straight forward approach wasn't a surprise to people who knew her. He could work with that.

"Do you have any objection to me bringing my assistant Mr. Bray with us today to gather evidence?"

"No, of course not, Dr. Brennan."

"Good. We're ready."

He drove in silence to the crime scene - an abandoned building in southwest DC. Rough part of town, but nothing an entire team of FBI agents and techs and DC cops couldn't control. He played it exactly like he was told. He opened no doors, offered to carry no gear, asked no questions, and ensured her instructions were followed to the letter. Every DC cop had got a handshake. There were hardly any that he didn't have in his pocket one way or another.

And he kept his eye on Booth's partner. She was as beautiful as he had heard, and the evidence demonstrated she was just as smart as the rumor, even if her personality left a lot to be desired. Not that it mattered – he wasn't interested in making conversation. He was careful to stay on her good side. He had to find a way to be charming if everything would come together like he hoped. He had to seem harmless and charming, had to disarm her apparently considerable defenses.

He had a plan. It would take almost no time to get close enough to put it in action.

And once he did she would be collateral damage to his end goal.

He looked back at the scientist going about her work. When she looked like she about finished, he took his first shot at pushing her boundaries since they reached the crime scene.

"You almost ready, Bones."

The complete distaste on her face was obvious to anyone in the vicinity. "Don't ever do that again."

He put his hands up in front of him in surrender and backed off. Testing the battlefield. He had to know what he was up against.

Back at the car he drove Brennan and Wendell back to the Jeffersonian. As they exited his vehicle, he handed her a business card.

"If I could give you this, Dr. Brennan, and if you would call with any information as you discover it. That way I won't make myself a nuisance in your workspace."

"That would be acceptable."

"Please call if you need anything."

And with that he drove away. Initial contact complete. Brennan was all science and no street. She would make an easy mark.