AN: Okay, here's a challenge to all of my readers, and I totally expect responses. I want you to tell me what's so significant about the remains in the storage room, and bonus points to anyone who can tell me where Carter Prescott came from originally. One hint is that it wasn't from the show. Let me know what you think at the end.

1998

"Welcome to the Jeffersonian, Ms. Brennan," Dr. Daniel Goodman greeted the young intern, reaching out to shake her hand. She smiled at the museum administrator and began to follow him to the medico-legal lab of the Jeffersonian. "I must say that I was somewhat skeptical to bring in such a young intern, but after the glowing reference that your professor gave you, I could hardly say no."

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work here Dr. Goodman," Temperance said when they reached the lab. She looked around in awe of the high-tech equipment that was used for the analysis of the various finds that the museum staff was asked to examine. Soon she would be using some of the equipment herself. A wave of excitement swept over her at the opportunity she'd been presented.

"Dr. Shea is currently giving a lecture at American University and will be here later. Until then I'll be putting you to work in remains storage. We've had several sets of remains sent in for identification and they need processing. You'll be working with another intern, Carter Prescott and he'll be able to walk you through the procedures to process the remains."

Temperance paused just inside of the remains storage room, her jaw dropping in shock. While she worked with human remains at Waco, and in Guatemala, that was nothing compared to the number and organization here at the Jeffersonian.

"It's a beautiful sight, isn't it?" Temperance glances at the young man who spoke. He held out his hand to her and when she shook it, he grinned at her. "I'm Carter. You must be the lovely and talented Temperance Brennan."

"I am Temperance. It's nice to meet you."

"Carter, I trust that you can show the ropes to our newest intern," Dr. Goodman said just before leaving the storage area. Temperance frowned and glanced back at Carter.

"I wasn't aware that we'd be working with ropes." Carter began to laugh until he realized that she wasn't joining in the fun.

"Oh, you were serious? He just meant that I would show you around, teach you what you need to know."

"Well why didn't he just say that?"

"You're really not one for colloquialisms are you?" Carter led her over to a cold storage are and opened one of the doors. "This is where we keep the fleshy bodies, you know, the soakers and crispy critters." He shut the door and led her further into the room. "This is where we keep the skeletal remains that are brought in."

"Okay, but how do we catalogue them?"

"We assign them a number based on the day and order received and catalogue what came with the remains. The fleshies get priority for identification and then the skeletal remains. Like this one here," Carter said as he put his hand on a box of remains, "Jane Doe 1-29-09-98, found in a cemetery in Salsbury, Pennsylvania. Who knows when she'll get identified."

"I was under the impression that I would be working with ancient remains, not these more recent bodies."

"Well, you do what you're assigned, but that's part of the reason that these remains can be here for years before they get identified. Now come on, grab a box and we'll get started."

"How long have you been an intern here?"

"This will be my third year. I just finished my dissertation and will defend it next month."

"I'm about to start on my doctoral studies."

"Well, you've come to the right place. Dr. Shea is an excellent mentor." Carter set down his box and opened it to lay out the remains on an examination table. "So, how long have you been in town?"

"I just flew in yesterday."

"Then I'm going to take it upon myself to show you around. What do you say we go out after work today?"

"I don't know. I still need to start my apartment search..."

"Which you won't be able to do until tomorrow. Come on Temperance, I promise that I'll show you a good time." Carter smiled at her, a look that he knew could grab a girl's attention and keep it on him. Temperance arched one eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest.

"What exactly does a good time imply?"

"It means whatever you want it to mean. So, are you up to going out with me tonight?" He kept eye contact with her as she thought about his proposition.

"Okay, I'm amenable to going out with you this evening."

"Great! I promise you'll have a great time." He winked at her and turned back to the remains. "Alrighty, let's get started."

XxXxX

"So Temperance, have you ever played pool before?" Carter led Temperance into the bar, the smoky atmosphere creating a bit of a seedy vibe.

"No, I can't say that I've ever participated in the activity." Carter put his arm around her shoulders, ignoring the way that her body tensed up slightly. He steered her over toward a pool table before letting go of her.

"Wait here. I'm going to check out a table for us." With that, Carter disappeared into the pool hall. Temperance took the time alone to observe the patrons around her. There were a lot of people in there, but only one really drew her attention. He had broad shoulders and dark hair. His features were quite symetrical and she could feel herself responding to him. He glanced over at her once and winked just before lining up his shot and knocking the eight ball into the corner pocket. His opponent handed him some cash which he pocketed before heading in her direction.

"So, I don't think I've ever seen you in here before."

"You would be correct. This is the first time I've ever been here. I assume that you're here quite often?" The man smiled at her, his eyes crinkling a little at the corners.

"I come here every now and then." Temperance cocked her head to the side and looked at the very attractive man.

"Are you what they call a pool fish?"

"I think you mean pool shark, and no I'm not. I just like to play a friendly game every now and then. Have you ever played?" At the shake of her head, the man handed her a cue. "Well then, let me teach you."

"Oh, I'm here with someone."

"If he's willing to leave someone as beautiful as you are alone, then he deserves to have someone move in on you."

"I accept that logic." She smiled at him, her heart fluttering a bit at the sexy grin on his face. "I assume that you must have some impressive math skills in order to play as well as you do."

"What I've found is that you could be a math genius and suck at this game. I don't care what crap you know about angles and all of that, the skill comes in the playing."

"Okay, so show me what's so skillful about this game." The man smiled at her and set up the balls. Once he was done, he motioned Temperance to come to his side.

"You ready to learn?" When she nodded, the man placed the cue ball onto the table. "I'm Booth, by the way."

"Booth? I assume that's your surname? In that case, I'm Brennan." Booth smiled at her, his eyes crinkling again and Temperance could feel her heart fluttering just a little bit. Though she'd still yet to experience sex, she was feeling as though this man could probably show her a good time in bed.

"Well Brennan, the first thing that you need to do is line up your shot." He gently manipulated her body until she was bent over and holding the cue properly. He stood just behind her, his hands on hers and their bodies brushing up against the other. Temperance turned her head, her breath coming in short bursts when she realized exactly how close together they were. Their faces were mere centimeters away, and for a moment, she was lost in the deep brown of his eyes.

"And, what do I do next," she asked, unable to break eye contact with him. He motioned toward the table a bit with a movement of his head and pulled the cue back, his hands sliding up and down her arms.

"Once you have your shot lined up, you want to hit the cue ball so that it breaks up the triangle formation. Your goal is to get the balls into the pockets. Whichever design either stripes or solids goes in first or the most, then that is what you're playing. Why don't you give it a shot?"

Temperance pulled her gaze off of Booth for a moment and really looked at the shot. She brought the cue forward, hitting the white ball with a bit too much force. The ball flew forward, ricochetted off of the others and flew through the air before hitting Carter in the crotch as he approached the table. Brennan gasped in horror as her date dropped to the floor in pain. Booth on the other hand was doubled over from laughing.

Temperance rushed to Carter's side to see if he was okay, and decided that it was probably a good idea that she not play pool ever again. She glanced back once at Booth, who'd gotten his laughter under control and found him to be watching her. Yes, it was a good idea to not play again so she wouldn't be tempted by something so incredible. With one last wink in her direction, Booth backed away from the table and disappeared into the club. For one moment Brennan thought about going after him, but the moment passed and her rationality took over. She was here with Carter after all, and returned her attention to him to make sure that he was okay.