A/N – This is the first crossover I've ever written, and I am shocked that no one on this site has ever thought of this combination before. It seemed so obvious to me.

'The Ghost in the Machine' was both the title of a Bones episode – one of my favorites - and the title of Harold Finch's favorite book, so it seemed an appropriate title for this little collision of worlds. The book is real, by the way. It was written by Arthur Koestler in 1967. I attempted to read it but couldn't get past the first chapter. If anyone has managed to finish it, please tell me what the heck it's about.

Updates might be slow because I just had a baby and life is, as you can imagine, a little chaotic. I hope you enjoy, and if you want to make me smile, leave a review.

The Ghost in the Machine

Reese was walking Bear in Central Park when his earbud beeped. He hardly ever took the thing out anymore except to shower and when he spent the night with Zoe. (For the latter activity, he wrapped the bud in a glove and took the battery out of his phone. Which was overkill he knew, but for some things you couldn't have too much privacy.) He reached up to touch his ear as though he had an itch, although any observer would figure out the real reason as soon as he started talking to himself.

"We have a new number, Mr. Reese," said his boss's voice as soon as the bud was active.

"Good morning to you too, Harold." Bear perked up at the sound of the name, but when he saw no sign of the man himself, he went back to investigating all the scents to be found on a certain lamppost and adding a few of his own. "So who is it not a good morning for?" Reese asked.

"Dr. Temperance Brennen."

"Temperance. Unusual name. What's she a doctor of?"

"Forensic anthropology. She's employed at the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington D.C., but for the past ten years, she's become very involved with the FBI. She's consulted on hundreds of cases and never failed to solve one yet."

"So she's put quite a few bad guys behind bars," Reese said. "Maybe someone wants payback."

"A distinct possibility. I'm compiling a list of likely suspects as we speak. But there's another aspect of her life that could also present a threat. In addition to her real life crime solving, she writes bestselling mystery novels."

"Doesn't sound like a very hazardous occupation."

"Until you consider the number of celebrities who are stalked and murdered by obsessed fans."

"Good point," Reese admitted. "So do I need to go to D.C.?"

"Actually, she landed at La Guardia Airport twenty minutes ago. She has reservations at the Roosevelt Hotel."