We were all a little skeptical at first.

James Aubrey showed up on Bones just as Sweets was murdered, and it was impossible to trust his character at all.

Once we finally learned we could trust him, it was still difficult to like him. We didn’t want anyone replacing Sweets, and we didn’t want anyone taking away from the partnership between Booth and Brennan.

But now that we’ve gotten to know him, it’s even more impossible not to love him. Here are just a few reasons why.

1. He’s a loyal partner and friend.

James Aubrey takes his partnerships — his friendships — seriously. He’s been loyal to Booth as a partner ever since they started working together, but he has also gone above and beyond in helping Booth and Brennan through some of their toughest struggles.

When Brennan found out about Booth’s gambling, and realized that she and Christine were in danger because of it, Aubrey stepped up to help, despite the risk.

2. He values honesty and hard work.

Aubrey was abandoned by his father when he was a kid, and that experience has shaped who his is today. He has worked hard his entire life, and that’s paid off.

He also values honesty, which means he’s someone who can be trusted. It’s those traits that are the reason it was so important for Aubrey to show up when he did.

3. He’s good with kids.

This one goes along with the loyalty piece. When he was needed, Aubrey stepped right up to babysit Christine. He also turned out to be a pretty fabulous babysitter.

4. He’s a total geek.

But in a good way. Aubrey’s love for video games came in handy solving the geekiest of cases, but more importantly, his quirks give him a way to relate to the rest of the show’s characters. Whether it’s Booth’s confusion or Hodgins’ appreciation, Aubrey isn’t just another FBI agent.

Oh, and his love for Battlestar Galactica? That helps him find common ground with Jessica Warren. Adorable.

5. He’s willing to learn.

One of the biggest benefits of Aubrey’s character is that he’s given Booth the opportunity to act as a mentor. Aubrey has immense respect for Booth, and he’s willing — eager — to learn everything he can from him.

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