A/N: This is GalaxieGurl's Secret Santa gift for Bonesology. She had three wishes and this story will have multiple chapters. The inaugural chapter is actually Wish # 3, which is the following:
Dr. Goodman, Dr. Gordon Gordon Wyatt, Vincent Nigel Murray, not picky about plot, Please exclude Zach unless you can turn him good.
I got a little creative with things, but I hope GG likes what I came up with so far. I hope to have the next chapter out next week, but all three will be done before Christmas. That, I promise.
Merry Christmas, GG.
Reference: 2016 Bonesology EOS Fanfiction Hodgepodge and 2015 Bonesology Fanfiction Christmas Challenge
For most folks, Black Friday was a day of recovery, holiday shopping, and the beginning of several weeks of stress.
But for select others, it was spending their evening at a party at the Jeffersonian Medico-Legal Lab. Not for leftover turkey and dressing, but to honor a person who had touched their lives.
Today was the 25th anniversary of Doctor Temperance Brennan's first day at the lab. Tonight was a celebration to honor her.
Doctor Daniel Goodman walked around the lab, seeing much that had changed, but a lot was the same. It had been years since he had been in this part of the museum, but he had to come back.
Honoring the esteemed Doctor Brennan commanded it.
It was hard to leave the lab all those years when his sabbatical ended. However, the offer to be head of the Anthropology Department at American University was too wonderful to pass up. It gave him more time with his family and enabled him to teach his knowledge to a new generation of archaeologists and anthropologists.
He maintained contact with Doctor Brennan over the years through the occasional dinner and through the grad students he would recommend to apply for her internship program. He even attended her wedding ten years earlier, proud to see how much she had grown from the socially awkward scientist he had hired out of college.
A semi-circle exhibit was formed around the platform, displaying summaries of the work Doctor Brennan did over the years. Of course, the main focus was her partnership with her husband, FBI Special Agent in Charge Seeley Booth. He took his time as he looked at the cases and when he finished with the exhibit, he got a glass of champagne from the waiter.
Looking to his left, he saw Doctor Clark Edison with his spouse talking to Ms. Daisy Wick and her obnoxious husband Doctor Oliver Wells. Just because the man had a doctorate didn't mean he earned his respect. He kept his interactions with the man to a minimum ever since he interviewed him for a position at the university several years earlier. Someday, the man would realize that he would go no further than the lab.
Looking to another part of the lab, he saw Doctors Wendell Bray and Jessica Warren with their significant others talking to Doctors Camille Saroyan and Arastoo Vaziri.
Focusing on the pathologist, he knew he left the lab in excellent hands with her. As much as he respected Doctor Brennan, her people skills were lacking. Also, he knew she was one that thrived in the elements, not administrative red tape and budgets. Camille Saroyan was one who could help this group thrive to their full potential.
He was proud of Arastoo Vaziri, now a part time instructor at Georgetown as well as an independent consultant. He remembered the man from years earlier with the fake exaggerated accent. He could recall more than once people not understanding how he could be a scientist and practice his religion, including the guest of honor. However, the young man had a gift for the sciences. He overcame so much to become a citizen of the United States and turmoil of the last few years to find success.
Wendell Bray…another former student of humble means, but with an intellect that belied his stereotypical jock exterior. He was number one in the two classes he was blessed to instruct him in. He worked hard and always strived to do better, but also would take time out of his very busy schedule to assist another student during the semester.
The months that the young man fought a very deadly cancer would have made most people give up. He was amazed that even through the worst of his chemotherapy and other treatment, the young man still kept up a part time schedule at school. Thanks to his hard work, Doctor Goodman was proud to be on the panel that granted the man his doctorate only eighteen months past his original goal.
Seeing the very attractive African American woman with him, the doctor could see the young man gained more than a better appreciation of life.
Then he turned to the redhead. Jessica Warren, probably one of the more…creative students he ever had. The child prodigy's mind was always moving, trying to use her creativity to move science forward. He knew the day he recommended her to Doctor Saroyan that it would be a challenge for both Ms. Warren and Doctor Brennan. However, both needed to get out of their comfort zones and he always knew that there was more under the surface of the young woman. She just needed someone to mentor her.
He knew the two women had a rocky start, but eventually Jessica flourished under the mentorship of the esteemed forensic anthropologist. Over time, her association with Doctor Brennan also brought her a husband and a family. The intellectually gifted young woman would go far in her career in forensic anthropology, whether she chose academia or to stay at the lab or the FBI. However, from the few times he interacted with Agent Aubrey through Agent Booth, he had a feeling where she would end up.
Suddenly, his attention was diverted to a voice on the platform.
"Attention folks. Now as cool as it is to see old friends, it's time to introduce the guest of honor."
Doctor Goodman watched as Jack Hodgins stood on his cane and waxed poetic about his working relationship with Doctor Brennan before introducing a video of past interns. He remembered the angry but brilliant scientist he met when he began running the lab a year before Temperance Brennan's arrival. The two had clashed more than once. He had been also tempted more than once to fire the young man, but he wouldn't because he always knew there was more to the man than just an angry conspiracy theorist.
Looking down at the audience, he saw Angela Montenegro, the reason for the man's more social temperament. She was also a free spirit who more than once doubted her place at the lab during his tenure and probably after that. He meant what he said to her many years ago when he told her she was the best of them all. The artist was the one who gave their victims back their faces…their identity…their humanity.
The few times he had met their son he could sense while physically he resembled his mother, personality wise he was all Hodgins. He got to meet their young daughter once and saw an immediate amalgamation of her mother and father.
A good combination.
He was sad for a moment at the next person his recollections went to. Doctor Zack Addy, a young man with such potential who was seduced by a dark soul all in the ways of logic. Several years earlier, he lost his life after trying to rectify his mistakes. While he knew most remembered the anthropologist's sad trajectory, he knew that the group here tried to remember the good in the young man. For them, he would do the same.
Looking near the guest of honor, he saw the proud husband, Seeley Booth. He felt a respect for the man from the first day they met. While he made fun of their scientists, Goodman had a hunch that he sometimes felt out of place among them. He found as he got to know the man over the years that while his exterior was gruff, he was a true warrior with a pure heart. It shamed him that only Ms. Montenegro and Agent Booth took the time to get to know the real Doctor Brennan while he only initially appreciated her genius.
But what he eventually got to know was a warm, open hearted woman who kept her feelings close to the vest. Over time, she became more empathetic to others.
Once again, he was grateful that he made Camille Saroyan head of the lab. If he had made Temperance Brennan head of the lab, her partnership with Seeley Booth would have probably ended. Who knows how many criminals would have gotten away with their evil ways. It was a given that the true person behind the bluntness and social ignorance would have never blossomed.
Yes, today was a good day and he was blessed to be invited to witness it.
Doctor Gordon Gordon Wyatt walked around the room, keeping a particular eye on the hors d'oeuvres. As a chef he always noted the technique of others. Admiring the work, the chef slash former psychologist took a glass of champagne. After looking around, he walked towards the entrance and read the plaque of one Vincent Nigel-Murray.
He remembered speaking to the young lad once as they shared memories of their homeland. Smart and endearing with his endless knowledge of trivia, he was a delightful young man. He had no doubt that had young Mister Nigel-Murray lived that day, he would be back home in England now engaging young minds with the knowledge he had gained from his time at the Jeffersonian.
The young man's death made international news due to the original target. The assassination was devastating, as with any life ended before their time. However, it was the unfortunate type of fate that was needed to bring two damaged hearts together. That loss was what led to the blessed union of FBI Agent Seeley Booth and Doctor Temperance Brennan, their daughter Christine, and their son Hank.
It was those thoughts that led him to another young man taken before his time, Doctor Lance Sweets. The partners' 'baby duck.'
He had kept in contact with the young man over the years, advising him more than once about his up and down relationship with Daisy Wick. He remembered the conflict the man had when he found out Daisy was pregnant while casually dating Jessica Warren. He hedged over what to do, so he went to his friend Gordon for advice.
What he said was, "Doctor Sweets…Lance, you know what you want to do. Do it."
Before the young man could make a decision, Ms. Warren made it for him and broke it off so he could reunite with Daisy.
The last few months of the young man's life he had communicated weekly with the other psychologist. The man was very proud of being a future dad. The fact that he was robbed of the chance to see his son grow up was a tragedy of extreme proportions.
Looking over, he saw the intern in question glowing in pregnancy laughing with Agent Booth's second in command, Agent James Aubrey. The agent came in during the conspiracy that sent the senior agent to prison, but it was Sweets' death that cemented his position with the Jeffersonian – FBI team.
His interactions with the young agent over the years were always a delight. The sarcastic, occasionally arrogant demeanor hid an obvious tender soul. Thanks to Agent Booth's patient tutoring, he became an exemplary agent and a good friend to his mentor.
The young man had a sad history of his own that he had to overcome, from his father's crimes to being abandoned at a vulnerable age. Over six years ago, the man came back into his life and almost destroyed all Aubrey had worked for, including the relationship that he had developed with Ms. Warren. However the couple persevered to marry and have a family of their own.
The chances of Agent Aubrey working with the Jeffersonian group after the conspiracy broke up without Sweets' death were slim to none. Would the junior agent and young forensic anthropology intern found each other still? His instinct told him no.
If that happened, the friendship that blossomed into love would be non-existent. A tragedy of extreme proportions.
Yes, the fates, gods, luck, or whatever one called it dealt this group of people a bad hand. However, each in their own way persevered. Whether that was through heartbreak, death, paralysis, cancer, or whatever. Their family remained strong.
Feeling sadness overrule him, Wyatt walked away towards the exhibit on the platform. On the way, he observed the people gathered together.
The people here to honor the esteemed Doctor Brennan were numerous. Somehow through either work or personally, the woman touched the lives of the guests here. Agent Booth confided recently when he called with a personal invitation that many at the museum were annoyed to not get invited. When he discussed the details with the anthropologist later, he remembered her view on the matter.
"Doctor Wyatt, I don't want just a gathering of my colleagues telling me how impressive I am. I know that this is a big deal and I would rather have people that that mean something to me. My career as a forensic anthropologist does not include pandering to fellow scientists."
"Gordon Gordon Wyatt!"
Turning he saw Angela and Hodgins walking towards him slowly due to the scientist's cane. While he kept in contact with Agent Booth and Doctor Brennan, he hadn't spoken to the others members in years. Making his way, he caught up with them.
"Ms. Montenegro…Doctor Hodgins, it's been a long time."
"That it has Doctor Wyatt." Hodgins said before shaking his hand.
Angela kissed Gordon on the cheek. "Yes, it definitely has."
The former psychologist noted the wedding rings on their hands. "Now, Doctor Brennan and Agent Booth told me that that you got married in a…jail cell?"
"Yeah." Angela said with a sad tone.
"We lost our way for a while, but we found our way back." Hodgins said. "Getting arrested was the best thing we ever did."
"So, Doctor Hodgins, Agent Booth also told me that you've made significant progress since the bombing that injured you eight years ago."
The curly haired man smiled. "Yeah, it was slow and I was an ass for a while—"
"You were angry and hurting Hod—"
"Ang…don't make excuses for me." Hodgins said before turning back. "I was wallowing in my own misery and even tried to divorce my wife to 'save her.', but Angie saved me. She saved our family. My recovery has been long and painful but I appreciate life a lot more than I used to."
"May I ask about your prognosis?" Doctor Wyatt asked.
"Well, I graduated to a walker by Christmas 2017. A year later, I was able to use Lofstrand crutches. Two years after that, I got my buddy here. My therapists said my recovery was remarkable."
"Congratulations, Doctor Hodgins. I am very pleased." Wyatt said. "Now you have a little boy…Michael Vincent. Named after the young man who died here years earlier."
"Yeah…Vincent was a good guy who didn't deserve to die like that. Brennan and Booth didn't deserve to have to watch him die."
There was a moment of silence before Wyatt steered the conversation back to a positive one. "But there's also a little girl now…"
"Katherine Temperance. As gorgeous as her mother. She turns two on St. Patrick's Day."
Wyatt laughed. "What a lovely day for a birth!"
Hodgins got giddy as he reached for his phone and started scrolling through his phone. "Her due date was April Fools Day, but she came a couple of weeks early. I've got some pictures…"
"He's always showing her off." Angela said.
"Of course…she's gorgeous." Hodgins said before showing Wyatt a picture of a toddler with curly hair and blue eyes.
"She is a stunner, Doctor Hodgins. You have a beautiful family."
"Thank you."
Angela looked past the doctor and saw Wendell and Andie arrive. "Doctor Wyatt, if you'll excuse us, two of our friends have arrived."
"Of course. Good luck to the both of you."
"Thank you."
Wyatt watched the other two go. He was drinking his champagne when he heard it.
"If it isn't my Noddy Comet. Been a long time, young man."
Wyatt smiled before turning around and saw an elderly Beth Mayer. The woman was in her mid-nineties now but she still had that spry look in her eyes. "Beth."
"It's been a long time, Gordon." Beth responded.
"My fall semester at Oxford after retiring my glam rock persona. You made it an experience I will never forget, Doctor Mayer."
"The same, Gordon. I had just divorced my husband and had planned a boring school year as a visiting professor for the Anthropology department. Then I met you."
Wyatt kissed her hand. "Beth, you're a woman no man can forget."
"I hope not."
"It's true."
Before the reunited lovers could converse further, they heard Hodgins from the platform.
"Attention folks. Now as cool as it is to see old friends, it's time to introduce the guest of honor."
He stood and listened as the scientist talked about his professional relationship with Doctor Brennan. It was obvious to all that there was true friendship behind his words. After introducing the anthropologist's interns in attendance, they played a video with people who couldn't attend. When done, the interns on the platform one at a time took the microphone and stepped forward.
"What can I say about Doctor Brennan?" Arastoo said. "As I trained in anthropology, people would always look at me. Some would question how I could reconcile being a Muslim as well as a scientist? Doctor Brennan was one of the first to see past my religion and see me as what I wanted…a forensic anthropologist who just happened to be a Muslim. Her mentorship was firm but fair, leading me to my specialty of human rights atrocities."
Arastoo hesitated for a moment before smiling. "But most of all, my association with her gave me the greatest gift of all besides the tools to further the field of forensic anthropology. My wife Doctor Camille Saroyan. Without her, all this would be for nothing."
In the audience, Cam had tears in her eyes. She almost let her fears keep her away from this man. She was glad she listened to her heart instead.
"Doctor B has not only been the best mentor a student could have, she also saved my life." Wendell said to the group. "When she saw the video of how my arm was broken nine years ago, she used her knowledge to diagnosis me with Ewing's Sarcoma. While still mentoring me, she found a trial program for my type of cancer and assisted with all my medical bills. When I tried to arrange to pay her back, she said, 'You want to pay me back? Use your second chance to use the training I've given you to make this world a better place.'"
Wendell exhaled before continuing. "If it wasn't for her helping me, I wouldn't be here now. I also wouldn't have my job in the FBI Forensic Anthropology Division."
The anthropologist paused for a moment before continuing. "But most of all, I wouldn't have met my oncology nurse during chemo who also eventually married me one day on our lunch breaks. My wife Andie."
Everyone from the audience saw the nurse with tears in her eyes standing next to Aubrey. "I love you, Wendell." She mouthed.
Daisy came up next. "Doctor Brennan has been more than a mentor to me. She's been my friend and a wonderful aunt to my little boy. She and Agent Booth both...he an uncle I mean."
The young woman wiped away a tear. "I'm also grateful for their friendship and guidance to Lance's father, Doctor Lance Sweets. If he could be here now, he would talk about how much Booth and Doctor Brennan meant so much to him. So, I'm speaking for him as well."
Daisy hesitated for a moment. "Lance lost his family right before he came to work at the FBI. While he started his time with Booth and Doctor Brennan as their psychologist, they eventually let him assist on cases as a profiler. Over time, they made him part of their family. Without that, I would have never met him and my son would not be here today."
Brennan wiped a tear away as she listened to Daisy speak about their baby duck. Booth held his back but held his wife close to him.
The anthropologist next looked right at Oliver. "It was also my association here that let me meet my husband, Doctor Oliver Wells. The two of us have our moments, but we look to her and Booth as an example of how to persevere as we live our days as a unit with little Lance."
Oliver stood in uncharacteristic silence, her words having a profound impact on him. Hodgins was positive he could see tears welling up.
"Oliver, are you—"
"I just have allergies, Doctor Hodgins. I'm still also full from yesterday."
"Sure." The entomologist said, knowing the truth.
Turning back to the platform, everyone continued to listen to Daisy, who had turned to the guest of honor. "Thank you Doctor Brennan, for all you've given not just me, but for Lancelot, Oliver, and for my son."
Jessica took the mic from Daisy while wiping tears from her eyes. "Sorry about the tears. I'm five and half months pregnant and everything makes me cry. Just ask my husband."
The audience laughed, including Booth and Brennan. When it was quiet, Jessica continued.
"I tend to believe that creativity has its place in science, but Doctor B taught me sometimes it's the…small minutia that's also important. She's a tough mentor, no doubt about it. However, she wants you to succeed so she pushes you to make contributions to the work at hand. If we make a mistake, she will guide us to the correct solution and how to get there."
Jessica wiped another tear from her eyes. "When I came here, I planned to make my career my life. Then one day, this really cute FBI agent who recently started working with Agent Booth came over to our lab with his phone that recorded action on a game stage. I realized that he recording how our victim died, so I ran into Angela's office. In my excitement, I almost ran that man over. I remember feeling sad when he left, but he came back and we noticed each other on and off. However, we didn't get to work together one on one until almost seven months later and by the end of the case, we became friends."
People familiar began looking at Aubrey, who smiled at his wife while his cheeks were turning red from her loving words.
"Over that summer eight years ago, we became best friends before it developed into more. Eventually, we decided to not be afraid of taking that next step. Since then, we look to Doctor B and Agent Booth as an example. First as of professionalism in the workplace as we still consult on cases together. Also, of how to navigate the world without losing that friendship. Much as their friendship is what makes them strong, our friendship makes us strong. Without Doctor B, I wouldn't have what I have now."
Jessica took a breath before touching her belly and looking at her mentor. "We would most definitely not be having this little girl next March. Thank you for everything, Doctor B."
Clark took the mic from the redhead. "Damn, how I top those love stories?" He said before the audience laughed.
The man smiled before continuing. "I remember when Doctor Brennan got back from being on the run because of Christopher Pelant. I was hired to replace her at head anthropologist at the Jeffersonian when she had…left. I was sad to lose my job, but to have it under those circumstances wasn't right. Luckily for me, I was offered the position of head of Cultural Anthropology that same day."
He inhaled. "Over the years, we still occasionally worked together, including when we had to clear Agent Booth of murder. Seven years ago, she also helped clear me of murder and supported me when a mistake of my youth almost cost me my career. I was about to turn in my resignation to the Jeffersonian but she talked me out of it. Thank God because if she didn't, I wouldn't have met my wife Suzann when she came to work here three years ago."
In the audience, a blonde woman smiled as she stood next to Cam.
Turning to Doctor B in the audience, Clark continued. "Doctor Brennan, thank you for your guidance and friendship when I needed it the most."
Brennan had tears in her eyes when her interns stepped down and joined their significant others. Hodgins made his way back to the front. "Well, now is that time. Our guest of honor, Doctor Temperance Brennan."
Brennan held back her emotion as she walked up to the platform. She took the mic but for a moment, she looked out in the crowd of invited guests.
She saw Courtney Hodsell, who lost her mother to an accident while protecting her addiction to cookie jars.
Next, she saw Cleo Eller's parents. Besides them was Lisa Pearce, attending for her grandmother Ivy Gillespie, who passed away last year.
Towards the middle was Ryan Stephenson, Abby Chevaleer, Samantha Winslow, Sean and Linda Murphy, and other people Booth and Brennan had helped in the past through their cases.
She saw Caroline Jordan, Sam Cullen, and her current interns. Standing by her husband was Russ, Amy, and their daughters Hayley and Emma.
She saw the partnerships that formed since she started at the Jeffersonian. Hodgins and Angela, Cam and Arastoo, Aubrey and Jessica, Wendell and Andie, Daisy with first Sweets and now Oliver.
She wished her mother and father could have been there. No matter how much notoriety she has gained over the years, she would do anything to have one more day with both of them. She knew that Heaven did not exist, but a part of her did hope that Booth was right when he said they were there watching her at this moment.
With all that, she faltered for a moment. She wondered if she could get through what she wanted to say, but then she found the one person who got her through the best and worst of times.
Booth, her best friend and soulmate. He was fifty-two now, but he was still the handsome man who barged into her lecture hall almost twenty years earlier. Not only had their partnership help solve more cases than anyone in the FBI, but their personal partnership brought Parker into her life and two more beautiful children.
Focusing on him, she took a deep breath and started to speak.
By 11:00, the group along with Doctors Goodman and Wyatt found their way back to the Mighty Hut. On the center island were Thanksgiving leftovers, three bottles of wine, and sparkling water for Arastoo and Jessica. Everyone was still in their formal wear eating off paper plates all over the house relaxed and enjoying themselves.
"I still think I should have been given a chance to speak like everyone else." Oliver pouted.
Cam, Arastoo, Clark, and his wife looked at each other before going back to their food. They knew what was coming.
"It was Doctor B's night and Agent Booth said I couldn't bring you unless you were limited with two alcoholic drinks and not allowed to make a long winded speech."
"Four years! Four years and he's still mad about that stupid raft! It was Hodgins' fault for bringing that Absinthe. It—"
Daisy shoved stuffing into her spouse's mouth to the mirth of the people sitting with them.
"Thank you, Daisy." Clark said.
"Yes, Ms. Wick. Thank you for your intervention." Cam chimed in before poking her green bean casserole.
"It's very appreciated." Arastoo said before putting his arm around his wife.
"You're welcome." Daisy said before turning to Oliver. "I love you."
"Mmmmmm, so good." Jessica said before stabbing more of Aubrey's turkey off his plate.
"Jess, you seem hungry." The agent said, looking at his disappearing food forlornly.
"It's not me, Superman. The baby's hungry." The redhead said before sipping sparkling water.
Aubrey grabbed the last bit of turkey on his plate before his wife could steal it. "I thought the baby was hungry earlier when you ate two servings of the cheese puffs and stuffed mushrooms at the party."
"She was." Jessica said before seeing their plates. "Oh no, Aubrey. I'm eating your food again. I'm sorry."
"Hey, you're feeding our little girl in there. It's fine."
"Really? I'm eating my husband's food and I look like a cow right now. I mean I feel like a bigger cow than I did with Rachael or the twins."
Knowing how his wife's mood swings have been of late, Aubrey caressed his wife's face. "You're not a cow, Jessica. You're beautiful."
The couple shared a small kiss, which the redhead extended a bit before tracing a finger on her husband's leg. "You know…Aaron and Nadia have the kids until morning and I got that new babydoll nightie you liked from that pregnancy website."
The agent smiled. Jessica's second trimester hormones made him a busy man in the bedroom or wherever they could find when they were sans children or they were asleep. "Then we should say our goodbyes."
Aubrey helped Jessica up and took their plates to the garbage. As they headed to say goodbye to everyone, the redhead turned to her husband.
"Can we stop at the diner on our way home? A chocolate shake sounds really good night now."
"Can you believe Doctor B has been at the Jeffersonian for twenty-five years?" Wendell said.
"I can and I'm not far behind her." Angela said while drinking her beer.
"Angela, you're as beautiful as the first day you walked into that lab." Hodgins said while playing with his cane nearby. "It's me that changed."
"We both changed…for the better, Hodgins." The artist said before they had a kiss.
"I'm grateful for Doctor Brennan. If she wasn't here to help Wendell, we never would have met." Andie said. "It would have been nice to have met under better circumstances…"
"Hey, I had a hot nurse when I was sick. Meeting you at the hospital works for me." The anthropologist said before kissing his wife.
The artist noticed something in Andie's glass. The same thing happened at the party earlier. "Sweetie, you're drinking sparking water and you didn't have any alcohol tonight. Are you all right?"
The other couple looked at each other before Wendell turned to his friends. "She's fine. It's only because we found out Monday that Andie's pregnant."
Hodgins and Angela dropped their silverware simultaneously.
"You're having a baby?"
"Dude, you're going to be a dad?" Hodgins said. "I thought that-"
"The doctors were wrong."
Wendell saw Angela was squealing and wanted to calm her down. "Shhhhh. We're going to announce it later. Tonight is for Doctor B."
The entomologist smiled while holding his fist up. "Okay, but I'm still giving you a fist bump."
"And I'm giving you a hug." Angela said as she wrapped her arms around the oncology nurse.
"Doctor Goodman…Doctor Wyatt. Thank you so much for coming to the party tonight. I didn't want one, but Booth insisted." Brennan said.
"No, the museum insisted and would have invited all those stuff shirts if you hadn't intervened. Besides Bones, you got a great party and you deserved it. You've helped so many people—"
"We did—"
"No, you—"
Doctor Goodman turned to the other man. "Some things haven't changed, have they?"
"No," Gordon Wyatt said with a smirk. "It seems not."
