1. The Other Scientist

It had only been an hour or so, and Temperance Brennan was more than ready to go home. She was obliged to attend these Jeffersonian galas since the benefactors always showed up, but that never made her any more receptive to being there.

The large room was filled with elegant gowns and expensive tuxes. There was orchestra music coming from somewhere, giving the room an aura of elegance. Off to one end of the dance floor was a small platform with a podium. Brennan had already mingled quite a bit, and was now standing near the refreshment table with Angela.

She glanced down to check her that her own dress didn't have any wrinkles. This particular dress was a new favorite of hers. The deep purple silk hugged her gentle curves, and if the many stares from various men in the room were any indication, she looked particularly fetching in that dress. She did remember a particular stunned face. It had taken her partner a full 30 seconds to actually comment that she looked beautiful.

She had to admit that of the men she knew, Seeley Booth knew how to wear a tuxedo the best. She had spent enough time with Angela to know the difference between a rented tux and a tailored one. The tux Agent Booth was wearing accentuated every chiseled angle on his body. Plus, there was something remarkably attractive about a man who knew how to actually tie his own bow tie. Seeley Booth did not wear a clip-on.

This partner of hers was currently being 'entertained' by a leggy blond in a short black dress. Not that Brennan was paying attention to who he was talking to. She was actually focusing on not paying attention when Angela nudged her.

"Sweetie, are you going to actually take advantage of that gorgeous dress and dance with some hot guy or are you going to stand here and be a cupholder all night?"

Brennan set her glass on the table next to her.

"What?" Once again Brennan 'did not know what the meant.'

"There have been at least three different men that have asked you to dance and you've completely ignored every one of them. What is with you?"

While waiting for a response, Angela noticed that Brennan's eyes were once again drawn to her FBI partner.

"Ah, now I see. You're preoccupied with what Booth is up to. I gotta admit, that woman he's talking to is one of the top five hottest women here; you and I being first and second in no particular order."

Brennan crossed her arms defensively. "That dress she is wearing is completely inappropriate for a function like this. The invitation clearly stated this was a black tie affair. Formal attire does not translate to miniskirt."

The slightly icy tone of her friend was not lost on Angela. She smirked at Brennan's unconsciously envious attitude.

"Well if you're jealous, you could always go over and ask him for a dance."

"Ange! I am not jealous. He's just my partner; he can talk to whomever he wants."

Angela laughed and gave Brennan a shove. "Just go over there already. See what happens."

Slightly miffed at Angela's goading, she decided she might as well go talk to Booth. It would just look stupid to walk around with no destination when she was already halfway across the room.

She attempted to put a smile on her face as she approached Booth and his 'friend.' The same 'friend' who had just put her carefully manicured hand on his arm. Booth was wearing one of his many charm smiles, and it seemed to be working. The woman looked completely delighted to be receiving such attention.

Brennan cleared her throat to casually interrupt the two. Booth immediately looked over and gave her a more familiar smile.

"Hey Bones. I was just making a new friend. Let me introduce you two. Bones, this is Dr. Miranda Whitler. Miranda, this is Dr. Temperance Brennan. She's my…"

"Nice to meet you Dr. Whitler." Brennan interrupted. For some reason, she didn't want to be introduced as Booth's partner for the thousandth time.

"Same to you Dr. Brennan."

Booth noticed his partner acting slightly off, and it wasn't due to her lack of social skills. His several years of working with her taught him not to say anything at the moment. Instead, he decided to see where the women would take the conversation.

"So where do you work Dr. Whitler?"

The woman responded with a smile. "I'm a professor of analytical chemistry at John Hopkins University, but I also do consultation work for the Baltimore police department."

Brennan straightened her back slightly. "That is an excellent university, especially among the scientific community. The forensic lab at the Baltimore police department is not near the standards of the Jeffersonian Institute, but I'm certain you improve their credibility."

Standing there watching the two women face off, Booth was almost expecting a cat fight to ensue. Brennan seemed to be radiating tension while Dr. Whitler was apparently oblivious to his partner's attitude.

"Thank you Dr. Brennan. Seeley here was just telling me that he's the FBI liaison to the Jeffersonian." She continued with a smirk. "I'm sure that if I had an FBI agent as sexy as Agent Booth walking around my department, I wouldn't get anything done. The opportunities for distraction would just be limitless."

Booth shifted slightly and watched as Brennan's eyes turned an icy blue. She took a step forward, placing herself directly between Booth and Dr. Whitler.

"Special Agent Booth is MY partner and we have an exceptional record within the FBI. Unlike you it seems, we have serious responsibilities that prohibit us from being easily distracted from our work."

Booth's eyes widened at Brennan's remarks. She certainly was in a mood this evening. He was about to rejoin the conversation when Brennan spoke up.

"Come on Booth, I think we should dance." Without waiting for an acknowledgement from him or Dr. Whitler, she grabbed his hand and walked toward the center of the ballroom.

Booth tried to offer an apologetic smile to Miranda as he was very willingly dragged to dance with his partner.