S01E04 - The Man in the Bear (04/07)
Fandom: Bones
Pairing: Seeley Booth/Zack Addy, Angela Montenegro/Jack Hodgins, Vincent Nigel-Murray/Wendell Bray
Rating:T
Spoilers:Season 01
Series:Seventh story of Bones Revisited - Season 01
Summary:My version of the fourth episode. Zack and Booth travel to Washington State to investigate a man eaten by a bear, only things are never that simple. Angela and Hodgins deal with the aftermath of their date. And a surprise appearance by Vincent and Wendell. Contains slash.
Author Notes: I change the character highlighted on each scene. Words in italic are their thoughts.
May I just say that the bar scene was the hardest scene I ever had to write?
This chapter contains a Buffy reference.
Main characters in each scene are Zack Addy (The Coroner, The Haiku, The Search, The Bar and The Button), Wendell Bray (The Skin), Angela
Montenegro (The Tattoo, The Car and The Trees), and Seeley Booth (The Runaway and The Run).
Chapter Three
In which Brennan finally has sex and a suspect runs.
Outside the Hospital
Aurora, Washington
Zack Addy was talking to Dr. Andrew Rigby while Booth was with the sheriff and Brennan with Charlie.
He needs all the help he can get.
"Have you diagnosed anyone recently with a prion disease?"
"Prion disease? No. Some Alzheimer's, yes. Some brain damage due to alcoholism and huffing."
"Delusions? Erratic behavior, violent outbursts?"
"The incubation period of prion disease could be years, you're thinking the cannibal might be showing symptoms of mental deterioration?"
"Dr. Rigby, I never mentioned anything about a cannibal."
"Well, it's all over town."
I don't believe you.
"Charlie, the overnight guy. What do you think our chances are of keeping this quiet?"
"I'd say absolutely zero." - He laughed.
Zack glared.
Medical-Legal Lab
Jeffersonian Institute
Hodgins had finished examining the bear scat when Wendell arrived.
"What's that?" - The blond squint pointed at one of the flasks around Hodgins.
"It's a piece of undigested bone."
Mr. Bray took a closer look:
"Metacarpal, I think that goes with my hand. What else did you find?"
"Part of a tin can, less tin fibers, a kind of sporocarp." - He picked up a red piece and put it under a magnifying glass. - "Here's something… Hair follicles, sebaceous glands...it's a layer of dermas.
"Pigmentation marks on the microphage."
"Flap of skin with a tattoo. We need a tattoo expert."
"Your girl?"
"Yes. Wait… What? How did you…"
I have to thank Zack for that piece of information.
Wendell took the skin, got off the platform and whistled to Angela's office.
Angela Montenegro's Office
Jeffersonian Institute
"What do you have for me, Wendell?"
"I'm here to show you some skin."
Angela raised an eyebrow before he gave her the Petri dish which contained the layer of dermis.
"Oh. Why?"
"It's part of a tattoo."
"I can see it now. It's fairly simple, two colors...red and black...some kind of native design. Let me work for a bit, I'll beam it to them when I'm done. Go see Vincent."
Like you weren't going to.
"What was that last part?"
He's so protective of their relationship…
Better pretend I don't know.
"You are the only one here who can keep the facts in check, go."
Wendell rolled his eyes and went to find his lover.
Police Station/ Medical-Legal Lab
Aurora, Washington/Jeffersonian Institute, Washington D.C.
Zack, Brennan, Booth and the sheriff were back at the station setting up a link between Washington and Washington D.C.
Angela appeared on the laptop's screen:
"The skin in the scat has a sun on it."
"What was that, a haiku?"
"It's a tattoo." - Zack and Booth exclaimed at the same moment. Which cause an eyebrow-raising from Brennan.
"Instinct."
"Minored in literature."
They shrugged it off while Ange continued:
"Golden stars for the scrawny squint and for the big bad FBI agent. It's a Haida sun motif."
"Good work, very impressive." - He turned to the Sheriff. - "18-25 year old man with a Haida sun tattoo on his arm?"
Sheriff went to the computer to check.
"Hey Booth, I've got a thing for tattoos, you got any?"
Zack muttered in answer:
"Not that you're ever going to see, Angela."
Booth and Bones went over to help the sheriff, Angela and Zack were left alone in the room.
"What's up with that town? Is she getting any from that hot overnight guy?"
"Not yet. Wait… Did she tell you he was hot?"
"Sounds like you agree."
"He's hot but clueless as to how he should behave around her. Not like a person can get dating experience in this town. He needs all the help he can get."
"Then help him, Z-man."
Did I just get an ally?
"I will. Bye, Angela."
Zack closed the laptop and joined the group near the sheriff's computer.
"I'm running a missing persons check with the new info on the tattoo. She seems very friendly, your associate."
"She's taken."
And wouldn't Hodgins ruin you.
"Here is it: Adam Langer, twenty two. Missing ten days from college in Richmond." - He took a closer look at face in the picture. - "Wait, I know this kid, he used to come up to visit Sherman, he wanted to be a Ranger."
Ranger Sherman Rivers' House
Aurora, Washington
The agents and the sheriff were approaching a big wooden house in the dark.
The law enforcement officer was talking to the out of towners while knocking on the door:
"Look, I've known Sherman for years; I can't believe he has anything to do with this."
The ranger opened the door:
"Hey Sheriff."
"Hey Sherman, mind if we come in?"
"You guys here about the cannibal?"
"We can't talk about official business. How about some tea?"
Isn't he a ray of sunshine?
"Sure."
Sherman went into another room as Sheriff sat down and reclined:"Oh yeah."
"What did you do that for?"
"Give you a chance to look around, get a sense of the man."
"Seeley, get ready to run."
"Why?"
"Because if he's the killer, he's not just going to stay here while the people after him look around his house."
Please don't be right.
They heard a loud thud coming from the other room.
Damn!
Zack gave his lover a 'Didn't-I-say?' look while the agent yelled to the sheriff:
"Give me your flashlight!"
"No way you can catch Sherman Rivers in the woods."
"Just search the place."
Woods Outside Ranger Sherman Rivers' House
Aurora, Washington
Booth was chasing after the ranger in the dark:
"Sherman, just stop!"
Come on!
"Hey, hey ... Stop!"
He pointed the sheriff's flashlight and his gun at Sherman, who kept running.
The agent continued going after the suspect when the flashlight died:
"You've got to be kidding me."
Meanwhile Inside Ranger Sherman Rivers' House
Aurora, Washington
Zack, Brennan and the Sheriff were searching the place.
They stopped in front of a huge wall filled with many type of cutting instruments:
"I don't know if a wall of knives is evidence, but it sure is creepy."
The group moved from the living room to the kitchen.
"Is there a saw?"
The LEO opened a cupboard:
"Yup."
"We'll want to take it, see if it matches the cuts on Adam Langer's bone." - Zack picked up an apple core from garbage. - "And see if this matches
the teeth marks."
There was a small door (compared to the other doors in the house) leading to the pantry. Inside the tiny room was a locked freezer.
The anthropologist got a hammer and started to hit the lock.
"Allow me, Dr. Brennan." - Zack pulled his lock-picking kit from his pocket and started to unlock the freezer.
"As Justice of the Peace, I authorized you to open up that locked freezer."
I'm mentally rolling my eyes.
He opened the freezer:
"Thank you."
The appliance was filled with frozen meat to the brim.
"What kind of meat do you think that is?"
Guess.
Special Agent Seeley Booth's Car/Medical-Legal Lab
Aurora, Washington/Jeffersonian Institute, Washington D.C.
Inside the car, Booth was driving while Brennan is talking over her cell phone with Angela. Zack was listening to the women's conversation from the back seat.
"I sent a bunch of frozen meat by overnight air and I need to know what it is as soon as possible."
"Oh, you think it's human?"
"Maybe, it's a funny color."
Did she just describe something as 'funny'?
"So, did you catch the guy?"
"No, Ange."
"Booth lost him in the woods."
"Was that really necessary, Doctor Brennan?"
"Whoa, wait a second, I didn't lose him."
"You didn't catch him." - The anthropologist deadpanned.
"So you three have the night free?"
"Yes, we can't do anything until I get a determination on that meat and Booth has to wait until its light to look for the guy he lost."
"I didn't lose him, ok. I...he...tell her that my flashlight died."
"She doesn't care."
"Just tell her, Dr. Brennan."
"Give me the phone." - The agent stuck his hand out.
She pushed the hand away:
"It's not safe to drive and talk on the cell phone."
Zack managed to grab the phone from his boss.
"Are the two fighting?"
"Just like Rick and Ems."
"Who?"
"My brother and sister. I'll call you later. Oh, and Booth wants you to know that he lost the guy because his flashlight died. And because he's an Indian and he's a park ranger and he's very very familiar with the territory."
"His words?"
"With some minor alterations."
Brennan got her phone back from Zack:
"Goodnight, Angela."
"Hey, you have to take those men out for a drink...and have a little fun yourself."
Heaven knows you need it.
"Fun and a drink, where do we find that, Booth?"
The Bronze
Aurora, Washington
Inside the bar Brennan is dancing with some (unimportant) guy.
Booth and Zack were at the bar:
"I don't believe Sherman did it, Seeley. It does not fit."
"Then why did he run?"
"I think he might be the poacher."
"So who do you think did it?"
"It had to be someone with some kind of medical training."
"The coroner."
"And the veterinary, Seeley."
She doesn't exactly inspire confidence.
Meanwhile Dr. Rigby approached Bones, cut in between her and her dancing partner, and started dancing.
"Thought I would rescue you, can't imagine you and he'd have a lot to talk about."
"We were managing."
"Look, um, I guess it looks pretty bad for Sherman, huh?"
"I can't discuss the investigation with you, Dr. Rigby."
"Look, Sherman is a Flathead. The spiritual beliefs of his tribe don't value cannibalism and they never have."
"Anthropology teaches us that beliefs and customs evolve, that's why you can still find cannibalism practiced today."
The small town coroner chuckled:
"So what, you can enjoy the act of eating another human being?"
"I can understand it intellectually."
"Alright, I shouldn't be talking shop, not with such a beautiful woman in my arms."
He spun Brennan, only for the sheriff to catches her and cut in:
"Hey, it's Sheriff time. You really think you can match the bite marks on Sherman's apple to the bite marks on that kid's arm bone?"
"I don't really feel comfortable discussing a case on the dance floor."
"Well, I'm the sheriff and we're colleagues."
Back at the bar the younger man said to his lover:
"Go cut in. She doesn't even realize that they're flirting with her."
"Why don't you go?"
"Does the words 'marionette in a windstorm' remind you of anything?"
"Oh yeah. Why do I get the feeling you're trying to help one of the guys?"
Zack had the decency to blush:
"It's Charlie."
Booth smiled at his lover:
"My little squinty cupid. Fine, I'll go."
He started dancing with his partner:
"Mind if I cut in? Thought you might need a break."
"What happened to your shirt?"
"Well, we're in a bar, it's a look."
"Everybody is pumping me."
"What?"
He gazed at the bar looking for the other men who had danced with her, finding only Zack and Charlie talking.
"For information on the case."
"Bones, they're only pretending to be interested in the case."
"Why?"
"They're hitting on you."
The anthropologist laughed:
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. You're the hottest thing this town has seen in a long time. Check out the competition." - He dipped Bones and both look at Denise, sitting alone at the bar. - "Now that, is somebody who wants to eat your heart."
Charlie cut in politely:
"May I have this dance?"
Booth left towards the bar.
"So, I was surprised to see you here. You know in your book you don't sleep until you get your man."
"Well that's not me, it's just a character. In real life, you have to wait for lab results."
"I see, so lucky for me."
"I don't know, I'm afraid I'm not a very good dancer as apparently I lead."
"So, I'll follow."
"You know, I climbed with Adam sometimes, so I was kind of freaked out when I found out it was his arm."
"You knew Adam Langer?"
"I taught him how to climb. Man he was strong. No matter how much I lift, I could never match him."
She was feeling up Charlie's upper arm:
"You have excellent definition in your biceps and triceps."
"Well, thanks. And your waist muscles feel good too."
"Transverse abdominals...thank you."
"So that meat we sent back to your lab, that wasn't, ah, more of Adam, was it?"
"I can't discuss..."
"Never mind it then. We have so many nicer things to discuss."
They were still dancing by the time Zack and Booth left the bar.
Medical-Legal Lab
Jeffersonian Institute
"Oooh, very pretty." - Angela said in Harley Quinn- like manner.
"It's a sporocarp called tuber gibbosum."
"Okay. Now for those of us without a doctorate?"
Hodgins smiled at her:
"It's a mushroom and Oregon white truffle. They're a mycorrhizal species that only grows in symbiosis with Douglas-fir trees."
The artist sat down next to the etymologist:
"Are Douglas-fir trees very rare in the woods?"
"No."
"Then you really haven't found anything useful, have you?"
A heavy sigh:
"No."
"Don't be like that, Hodge. Want to get something to eat?"
"Not like I'm gonna be able to do anything else. Let me just grab my things."
"Meet you outside."
Jack smiled as he walked down the steps of the Jeffersonian. Angela smiled when their arms linked together and they walked to the restaurant.
To (mis)quote a movie: This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
Woods Outside Ranger Sherman Rivers' House
Aurora, Washington
Booth, his partner, his lover and the sheriff were walking through the same woods of the night before.
"You didn't come down for breakfast, Bones."
"Wasn't hungry." - Zack raised an eyebrow. - "Good thing you had Zack to pay for your meal."
"Called your room, there was no answer."
"Why the sudden interest in my morning habits, Booth?"
"Well, I just thought we were going to get something to eat."
"Oh my god." - Zack whispered and pulled Booth closer. - "She slept with Charlie!"
"How can you tell?"
"I've been around her longer than you have. The only reason for her not showing up on time, or in this case ever, is sex."
"Good for her. She hasn't had since…"
"Two months before Cleo Louise Eller's case."
That's when she started snapping more.
They hopped over a stream and Booth crouched down:
"This is where the flashlight failed."
"How can you be sure?"
Booth picked something up:
"Cause this is where I was standing."
"A shirt button?"
"And I heard him disappear in this direction" - He pointed and kept walking.
"Leaving buttons on the trail must be an old fish-chewer trick."
"You mean a snake-eater; an old snake-eater trick."
Pairing: Seeley Booth/Zack Addy, Angela Montenegro/Jack Hodgins, Vincent Nigel-Murray/Wendell Bray
Rating:T
Spoilers:Season 01
Series:Seventh story of Bones Revisited - Season 01
Summary:My version of the fourth episode. Zack and Booth travel to Washington State to investigate a man eaten by a bear, only things are never that simple. Angela and Hodgins deal with the aftermath of their date. And a surprise appearance by Vincent and Wendell. Contains slash.
Author Notes: I change the character highlighted on each scene. Words in italic are their thoughts.
May I just say that the bar scene was the hardest scene I ever had to write?
This chapter contains a Buffy reference.
Main characters in each scene are Zack Addy (The Coroner, The Haiku, The Search, The Bar and The Button), Wendell Bray (The Skin), Angela
Montenegro (The Tattoo, The Car and The Trees), and Seeley Booth (The Runaway and The Run).
Chapter Three
In which Brennan finally has sex and a suspect runs.
Outside the Hospital
Aurora, Washington
Zack Addy was talking to Dr. Andrew Rigby while Booth was with the sheriff and Brennan with Charlie.
He needs all the help he can get.
"Have you diagnosed anyone recently with a prion disease?"
"Prion disease? No. Some Alzheimer's, yes. Some brain damage due to alcoholism and huffing."
"Delusions? Erratic behavior, violent outbursts?"
"The incubation period of prion disease could be years, you're thinking the cannibal might be showing symptoms of mental deterioration?"
"Dr. Rigby, I never mentioned anything about a cannibal."
"Well, it's all over town."
I don't believe you.
"Charlie, the overnight guy. What do you think our chances are of keeping this quiet?"
"I'd say absolutely zero." - He laughed.
Zack glared.
Medical-Legal Lab
Jeffersonian Institute
Hodgins had finished examining the bear scat when Wendell arrived.
"What's that?" - The blond squint pointed at one of the flasks around Hodgins.
"It's a piece of undigested bone."
Mr. Bray took a closer look:
"Metacarpal, I think that goes with my hand. What else did you find?"
"Part of a tin can, less tin fibers, a kind of sporocarp." - He picked up a red piece and put it under a magnifying glass. - "Here's something… Hair follicles, sebaceous glands...it's a layer of dermas.
"Pigmentation marks on the microphage."
"Flap of skin with a tattoo. We need a tattoo expert."
"Your girl?"
"Yes. Wait… What? How did you…"
I have to thank Zack for that piece of information.
Wendell took the skin, got off the platform and whistled to Angela's office.
Angela Montenegro's Office
Jeffersonian Institute
"What do you have for me, Wendell?"
"I'm here to show you some skin."
Angela raised an eyebrow before he gave her the Petri dish which contained the layer of dermis.
"Oh. Why?"
"It's part of a tattoo."
"I can see it now. It's fairly simple, two colors...red and black...some kind of native design. Let me work for a bit, I'll beam it to them when I'm done. Go see Vincent."
Like you weren't going to.
"What was that last part?"
He's so protective of their relationship…
Better pretend I don't know.
"You are the only one here who can keep the facts in check, go."
Wendell rolled his eyes and went to find his lover.
Police Station/ Medical-Legal Lab
Aurora, Washington/Jeffersonian Institute, Washington D.C.
Zack, Brennan, Booth and the sheriff were back at the station setting up a link between Washington and Washington D.C.
Angela appeared on the laptop's screen:
"The skin in the scat has a sun on it."
"What was that, a haiku?"
"It's a tattoo." - Zack and Booth exclaimed at the same moment. Which cause an eyebrow-raising from Brennan.
"Instinct."
"Minored in literature."
They shrugged it off while Ange continued:
"Golden stars for the scrawny squint and for the big bad FBI agent. It's a Haida sun motif."
"Good work, very impressive." - He turned to the Sheriff. - "18-25 year old man with a Haida sun tattoo on his arm?"
Sheriff went to the computer to check.
"Hey Booth, I've got a thing for tattoos, you got any?"
Zack muttered in answer:
"Not that you're ever going to see, Angela."
Booth and Bones went over to help the sheriff, Angela and Zack were left alone in the room.
"What's up with that town? Is she getting any from that hot overnight guy?"
"Not yet. Wait… Did she tell you he was hot?"
"Sounds like you agree."
"He's hot but clueless as to how he should behave around her. Not like a person can get dating experience in this town. He needs all the help he can get."
"Then help him, Z-man."
Did I just get an ally?
"I will. Bye, Angela."
Zack closed the laptop and joined the group near the sheriff's computer.
"I'm running a missing persons check with the new info on the tattoo. She seems very friendly, your associate."
"She's taken."
And wouldn't Hodgins ruin you.
"Here is it: Adam Langer, twenty two. Missing ten days from college in Richmond." - He took a closer look at face in the picture. - "Wait, I know this kid, he used to come up to visit Sherman, he wanted to be a Ranger."
Ranger Sherman Rivers' House
Aurora, Washington
The agents and the sheriff were approaching a big wooden house in the dark.
The law enforcement officer was talking to the out of towners while knocking on the door:
"Look, I've known Sherman for years; I can't believe he has anything to do with this."
The ranger opened the door:
"Hey Sheriff."
"Hey Sherman, mind if we come in?"
"You guys here about the cannibal?"
"We can't talk about official business. How about some tea?"
Isn't he a ray of sunshine?
"Sure."
Sherman went into another room as Sheriff sat down and reclined:"Oh yeah."
"What did you do that for?"
"Give you a chance to look around, get a sense of the man."
"Seeley, get ready to run."
"Why?"
"Because if he's the killer, he's not just going to stay here while the people after him look around his house."
Please don't be right.
They heard a loud thud coming from the other room.
Damn!
Zack gave his lover a 'Didn't-I-say?' look while the agent yelled to the sheriff:
"Give me your flashlight!"
"No way you can catch Sherman Rivers in the woods."
"Just search the place."
Woods Outside Ranger Sherman Rivers' House
Aurora, Washington
Booth was chasing after the ranger in the dark:
"Sherman, just stop!"
Come on!
"Hey, hey ... Stop!"
He pointed the sheriff's flashlight and his gun at Sherman, who kept running.
The agent continued going after the suspect when the flashlight died:
"You've got to be kidding me."
Meanwhile Inside Ranger Sherman Rivers' House
Aurora, Washington
Zack, Brennan and the Sheriff were searching the place.
They stopped in front of a huge wall filled with many type of cutting instruments:
"I don't know if a wall of knives is evidence, but it sure is creepy."
The group moved from the living room to the kitchen.
"Is there a saw?"
The LEO opened a cupboard:
"Yup."
"We'll want to take it, see if it matches the cuts on Adam Langer's bone." - Zack picked up an apple core from garbage. - "And see if this matches
the teeth marks."
There was a small door (compared to the other doors in the house) leading to the pantry. Inside the tiny room was a locked freezer.
The anthropologist got a hammer and started to hit the lock.
"Allow me, Dr. Brennan." - Zack pulled his lock-picking kit from his pocket and started to unlock the freezer.
"As Justice of the Peace, I authorized you to open up that locked freezer."
I'm mentally rolling my eyes.
He opened the freezer:
"Thank you."
The appliance was filled with frozen meat to the brim.
"What kind of meat do you think that is?"
Guess.
Special Agent Seeley Booth's Car/Medical-Legal Lab
Aurora, Washington/Jeffersonian Institute, Washington D.C.
Inside the car, Booth was driving while Brennan is talking over her cell phone with Angela. Zack was listening to the women's conversation from the back seat.
"I sent a bunch of frozen meat by overnight air and I need to know what it is as soon as possible."
"Oh, you think it's human?"
"Maybe, it's a funny color."
Did she just describe something as 'funny'?
"So, did you catch the guy?"
"No, Ange."
"Booth lost him in the woods."
"Was that really necessary, Doctor Brennan?"
"Whoa, wait a second, I didn't lose him."
"You didn't catch him." - The anthropologist deadpanned.
"So you three have the night free?"
"Yes, we can't do anything until I get a determination on that meat and Booth has to wait until its light to look for the guy he lost."
"I didn't lose him, ok. I...he...tell her that my flashlight died."
"She doesn't care."
"Just tell her, Dr. Brennan."
"Give me the phone." - The agent stuck his hand out.
She pushed the hand away:
"It's not safe to drive and talk on the cell phone."
Zack managed to grab the phone from his boss.
"Are the two fighting?"
"Just like Rick and Ems."
"Who?"
"My brother and sister. I'll call you later. Oh, and Booth wants you to know that he lost the guy because his flashlight died. And because he's an Indian and he's a park ranger and he's very very familiar with the territory."
"His words?"
"With some minor alterations."
Brennan got her phone back from Zack:
"Goodnight, Angela."
"Hey, you have to take those men out for a drink...and have a little fun yourself."
Heaven knows you need it.
"Fun and a drink, where do we find that, Booth?"
The Bronze
Aurora, Washington
Inside the bar Brennan is dancing with some (unimportant) guy.
Booth and Zack were at the bar:
"I don't believe Sherman did it, Seeley. It does not fit."
"Then why did he run?"
"I think he might be the poacher."
"So who do you think did it?"
"It had to be someone with some kind of medical training."
"The coroner."
"And the veterinary, Seeley."
She doesn't exactly inspire confidence.
Meanwhile Dr. Rigby approached Bones, cut in between her and her dancing partner, and started dancing.
"Thought I would rescue you, can't imagine you and he'd have a lot to talk about."
"We were managing."
"Look, um, I guess it looks pretty bad for Sherman, huh?"
"I can't discuss the investigation with you, Dr. Rigby."
"Look, Sherman is a Flathead. The spiritual beliefs of his tribe don't value cannibalism and they never have."
"Anthropology teaches us that beliefs and customs evolve, that's why you can still find cannibalism practiced today."
The small town coroner chuckled:
"So what, you can enjoy the act of eating another human being?"
"I can understand it intellectually."
"Alright, I shouldn't be talking shop, not with such a beautiful woman in my arms."
He spun Brennan, only for the sheriff to catches her and cut in:
"Hey, it's Sheriff time. You really think you can match the bite marks on Sherman's apple to the bite marks on that kid's arm bone?"
"I don't really feel comfortable discussing a case on the dance floor."
"Well, I'm the sheriff and we're colleagues."
Back at the bar the younger man said to his lover:
"Go cut in. She doesn't even realize that they're flirting with her."
"Why don't you go?"
"Does the words 'marionette in a windstorm' remind you of anything?"
"Oh yeah. Why do I get the feeling you're trying to help one of the guys?"
Zack had the decency to blush:
"It's Charlie."
Booth smiled at his lover:
"My little squinty cupid. Fine, I'll go."
He started dancing with his partner:
"Mind if I cut in? Thought you might need a break."
"What happened to your shirt?"
"Well, we're in a bar, it's a look."
"Everybody is pumping me."
"What?"
He gazed at the bar looking for the other men who had danced with her, finding only Zack and Charlie talking.
"For information on the case."
"Bones, they're only pretending to be interested in the case."
"Why?"
"They're hitting on you."
The anthropologist laughed:
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. You're the hottest thing this town has seen in a long time. Check out the competition." - He dipped Bones and both look at Denise, sitting alone at the bar. - "Now that, is somebody who wants to eat your heart."
Charlie cut in politely:
"May I have this dance?"
Booth left towards the bar.
"So, I was surprised to see you here. You know in your book you don't sleep until you get your man."
"Well that's not me, it's just a character. In real life, you have to wait for lab results."
"I see, so lucky for me."
"I don't know, I'm afraid I'm not a very good dancer as apparently I lead."
"So, I'll follow."
"You know, I climbed with Adam sometimes, so I was kind of freaked out when I found out it was his arm."
"You knew Adam Langer?"
"I taught him how to climb. Man he was strong. No matter how much I lift, I could never match him."
She was feeling up Charlie's upper arm:
"You have excellent definition in your biceps and triceps."
"Well, thanks. And your waist muscles feel good too."
"Transverse abdominals...thank you."
"So that meat we sent back to your lab, that wasn't, ah, more of Adam, was it?"
"I can't discuss..."
"Never mind it then. We have so many nicer things to discuss."
They were still dancing by the time Zack and Booth left the bar.
Medical-Legal Lab
Jeffersonian Institute
"Oooh, very pretty." - Angela said in Harley Quinn- like manner.
"It's a sporocarp called tuber gibbosum."
"Okay. Now for those of us without a doctorate?"
Hodgins smiled at her:
"It's a mushroom and Oregon white truffle. They're a mycorrhizal species that only grows in symbiosis with Douglas-fir trees."
The artist sat down next to the etymologist:
"Are Douglas-fir trees very rare in the woods?"
"No."
"Then you really haven't found anything useful, have you?"
A heavy sigh:
"No."
"Don't be like that, Hodge. Want to get something to eat?"
"Not like I'm gonna be able to do anything else. Let me just grab my things."
"Meet you outside."
Jack smiled as he walked down the steps of the Jeffersonian. Angela smiled when their arms linked together and they walked to the restaurant.
To (mis)quote a movie: This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
Woods Outside Ranger Sherman Rivers' House
Aurora, Washington
Booth, his partner, his lover and the sheriff were walking through the same woods of the night before.
"You didn't come down for breakfast, Bones."
"Wasn't hungry." - Zack raised an eyebrow. - "Good thing you had Zack to pay for your meal."
"Called your room, there was no answer."
"Why the sudden interest in my morning habits, Booth?"
"Well, I just thought we were going to get something to eat."
"Oh my god." - Zack whispered and pulled Booth closer. - "She slept with Charlie!"
"How can you tell?"
"I've been around her longer than you have. The only reason for her not showing up on time, or in this case ever, is sex."
"Good for her. She hasn't had since…"
"Two months before Cleo Louise Eller's case."
That's when she started snapping more.
They hopped over a stream and Booth crouched down:
"This is where the flashlight failed."
"How can you be sure?"
Booth picked something up:
"Cause this is where I was standing."
"A shirt button?"
"And I heard him disappear in this direction" - He pointed and kept walking.
"Leaving buttons on the trail must be an old fish-chewer trick."
"You mean a snake-eater; an old snake-eater trick."