This story came to me as I watched the latest episode of Bones. I wondered how Booth would introduce Bones at a lecture and this is what I came up with. Hope you all enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I don't own, or profit, from these characters or franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Special Agent Seeley Booth was sitting on the stage waiting for his big moment. It was not his usual fare, but he had promised Bones. She was here giving a lecture this evening and she had asked him to introduce her to the auditorium full of medical students. He'd been surprised, but he'd never turn her down. Now he was here in California at UCLA about to give a speech. Now if he only knew what to say.

He looked over at Bones and thought about the last few years that they had been working together. It was hard to believe that they were still partners. He'd been less than thrilled when he had been given the assignment by Cullen to be the liaison with the Jeffersonian. Then he'd met Bones and he'd wanted to rip his hair out in frustration. But he'd seen something, though. Bones cared. A lot. She had become the epitome of a bull terrier closing in for the kill when the truth was on the line. By the time they had solved a few cases, and he had realized just how important that she was in his investigations, he had accepted her as his partner.

Clapping interrupted his thinking and he noticed the Dean looking at him with a smile. Standing, Booth straightened his jacket and made his way to the podium. Looking out, he saw several hundred people, all college students with a smattering of professors here and there. He smiled a bit nervously.

"Hi," he said a bit unsure. "As the Dean said, I'm Special Agent Seeley Booth from the FBI. I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to do here, but Dr. Brennan, or Bones as I call her, asked me to come and introduce her to you.

"I've been trying to come up with something to say that will describe Bones accurately, but I don't think that's possible. Like anyone in the world, she's complex and unique. She's brilliant, focused, and dedicated. But then anyone who has the honor of speaking to a gathering like this would have those qualities.

"I think what would be better is to explain why you should listen to what she has to say.

"Bones is, quite simply, the best at what she does. I met her a few years ago when the FBI needed some assistance on a case, and she was recommended. Since the government is a major contributor to the Jeffersonian, she was assigned to give that assistance. I was assigned as the official liaison to the Jeffersonian. I wasn't happy, I'll admit. In the FBI we call scientists 'Squints' and at the time I used the term in a negative way. Then I met Bones. She was so damn stubborn and cocksure of everything. Little did I know that she would end up being my partner and best friend.

"The work she does is important. Most people think that the FBI does it's own work with it's own experts. The agents catch the bad guys and the Squints figure out what happened. Bones turned that whole scheme on its head. She insisted on going out into the field like any agent and catch the bad guys with us. No field work, no helping the FBI.

"Pretty soon I realized that Bones was someone who I needed as a partner. She made me a better agent, and, I think, a better person. With her on the scene, I had the benefit of an incredible mind, and a person as devoted to the truth as I am. I can count on her no matter what. That kind of partner is rare, and almost impossible to find. The fact that we became best friends is a bonus.

"So why should you listen to Bones? You should listen to her because despite the knowledge and abilities of your professors, when you have Bones lecturing you, you have a person who has seen it all from all the different angles and frames of reference. If you're wondering about a choice of career, even at this late stage, you can look to her and know by just listening if this is the field for you. If you choose to listen to her and become a Forensic Anthropologist, you will have learned from someone who has had the distinct honor of bringing closure to the families of those who have suffered tragedies and loss. You also have before you a scientist who has helped to find victims of foul play before those tragedies can reach their horrific end, thereby bringing about happy reunions with loved ones.

"You should also listen to Bones because with me, you have someone who maybe understands half of what she says on a good day, but despite my intellectual shortcomings, I would listen to everything she says. If I can say that, then you, who have the technical knowledge, should be able to appreciate her all the more.

"So without further delay, I want to introduce you to Dr. Temperance Brennan, someone I am proud to call my partner, and have as my best friend."

Booth stepped back and smiled at the applause that greeted Bones when she stepped up from her seat and walked over to him. Before he could return to his seat, she grabbed him in a fierce hug. She whispered in his ear just before letting him go and taking her place at the podium. "You're the best, Booth," she told him. "And when this is all over, I'm going to show you just how much you mean to me."

Booth managed to get back to his chair and take a seat before he could fall over in shock. Did she just suggest what he thought he heard her telling him? He looked over at her and saw her take a quick look at him, and she placed a hand over her heart, which only he could see. He smiled. They'd finally reached a point where the lines no longer mattered.