A/N: Hope you enjoy this new story I came up with – thank you for reading, and please review and tell me your thoughts. Thanks! –R-

The Unwanted Protector

Adam Rogne buffed the floor carefully; making sure every surface was polished to a high shine. His face was a mask of deep concentration, suggesting more intense work than mere floor cleaning; however keeping things clean was satisfying work for him. It was a duty many took for granted, but he was good at it, and he knew it.

At 31 years old, Adam was the youngest member of the sanitation and maintence staff at the Jeffersonian. He worked out regularly, and was proud of his appearance. He was often told he resembled Jensen Ackles, right down to the hazel/green eyes. An ironic fact considering he hadn't had a date in months. He inhaled, and went on with his work, shaking his head at his thoughts.

Typically, he did the more physically intense cleaning work after hours, when he didn't bother or get in the way of the other employees. He glanced around the Medico Legal Lab. This was by far his favorite part of the institution, and he saved this part for last. It was deserted and quiet, and the only sound was the occasional footsteps of the security guards doing their rounds. His wrist watch beeped, indicating it was 1am. Half hour until he was off for the night.

He had been working at the Jeffersonian institution for just over 9 months. His official title was sanitation and maintenance manager, but what that title really boiled down to is janitor. He didn't mind. He got to see a lot of incredible things behind the scenes that no one else had the opportunity to see, and he had the daily pleasure of talking to Dr. Temperance Brennan.

He knew she was way out of his league, professionally, intellectually, and more importantly, personally. She was brilliant, beautiful, and kind. He was stunned that she even bothered to talk to him on the few occasions he entered her office to empty the waste basket, sweep or vacuum.

On more than one occasion, he'd interrupted Dr. Brennan and her partner, Special Agent Seeley Booth after hours, working on case files, or paperwork. Sometimes just hanging out talking. Her partner, whom she simply referred to as "Booth", never spoke to him, or even seemed to notice him, she always did. She always made it a point to say hello, and to inquire on how he was. Maybe she was just being polite, maybe it was something more, he thought hopefully. Stranger things had happened, right?

This Booth person sure did spend a lot of time around her, he mused. Booth was obviously drawn to Dr. Brennan, based on not only the amount of time he seemed to spend with her, but how he talked about her and defended her to others. For an FBI Agent, he sure spent a lot of time here at the lab and not so much at the FBI, or out in the field where he belonged.

Idly, Adam wondered why the two of them were not an item romantically. Any fool could see that Booth had the hots for Dr. Brennan, and the way she looked at him was similar. Agent Booth's body language was evident he fancied himself as a protector of her. The way his eyes followed her around the lab regardless who he was talking to. Dr. Brennan sometimes seemed oblivious to his apparent yearning. How could someone as brilliant as her be so blind?

Shrugging, he finished the floor, and was ready to go home. He walked towards the employee break room to punch out, when he heard a conversation drifting from the autopsy suite. It sounded like Agent Booth, and while he knew he shouldn't he pressed himself up against the wall, to listen to what he was saying.

"Cam…we shouldn't be doing this here…" Booth was saying in a low, urgent voice. Adam heard the distinct sound of a zipper being raised or lowered, then a female voice's husky chuckle

"Oh come on Seeley, don't you think it's sort of exciting? Come on…." She whispered to him. He heard him groan, and she let out a long sigh, and she said to him in a sarcastic tone "You afraid Dr. Brennan's gonna catch us Seeley?"

Adam couldn't believe what he was hearing….Agent Booth was having an affair with Dr. Brennan's boss? And Dr. Brennan didn't know? How could this Booth person do this? He was so sure that Agent Booth had feelings for her…this would really hurt her.

He risked peeking around the corner into the autopsy suite, Dr. Saroyan, or "Cam" as Agent Booth called her was standing in front of him, her arms crossed, her head tilted back, a smirk on her face. Booth had his hands on his hips, and one foot in front of him in a confrontational stance.

"Leave her out of this Camille, I mean it" the FBI Agent warned her in an angry tone, he poked a finger at her, his face a mask of anger.

"Maybe its time she knew what was going on…." Dr. Saroyan trailed off, dragging one finger down his chest suggestively, lifting one shoulder.

Unable to look away, yet scared of being caught Adam went on watching the heated exchange. He was so angry at this Booth person. How could he pretend to care for Dr. Brennan, and then do this? He had to know it would hurt her; it was Dr. Brennan's boss!!

"Cam, you listen to me. I don't want Bones knowing. This is none of her concern" he said, gesturing between them "If she needs to know, I'll tell her when I'm ready…" he whispered harshly

"I think she should know now, don't you? I mean, her partner sleeping with her boss?" Dr. Saroyan chuckled mirthlessly, and began to pace.

"You know what Camille? Maybe this isn't such a good idea anyway, maybe we should uh, just end it now before it gets out of hand" Agent Booth said, running his hand through his hair, letting out a deep sigh, and watching her pace around the room.

"Fine. You want to end it, you got it Seeley" Dr. Saroyan replied nonchalantly, and added "But don't come crawling back to me to scratch your itch" she said, and began gathering her things.

Adam knew he had to get out of there, he didn't want them knowing he overheard the entire exchange. He hurried to the employee break room and sat down on the chair, placing his hands on the table in front of him.

He couldn't let this slide. Dr. Brennan was essentially alone in the world. He had to do something to let her know that he felt her pain, to protect her, to shield her from the world even. He would be the one to treasure her, and take care of her. He appreciated her intelligence, her beauty. Then she would look at him the way she looked at Agent Booth. He didn't deserve her anyway.

He was so angry. He pounded his fist on the table, shaking the empty coffee mugs and plates.

Maybe once Dr. Brennan was no longer around, Agent Booth would realize what he lost.

End chapter 1 –

A/N: Sorry a bit long to start with …!