Camille Saroyan and Angela Montenegro led the newest member of the Jeffersonian Institute to the lab. Temperance Brennan, Jack Hodgins, and Zack Addy, who were examining a decomposing skeleton that was found in a dumpster outside an Italian restaurant in Washington, D.C., did not notice the others come up onto the platform.

"Dr. Brennan," Cam said, motioning a young woman with light brown hair tied tightly into a bun to follow her.

Brennan looked up, holding a skull in her hands, and looked curiously at the woman who had called her name.

"Yes?"

Angela went up to Brennan, pride glowing from her face.

"Brennan, meet Ellie Montenegro. She is my cousin and Cam has just hired her. Be nice to her. She is twenty-four and this is her first job. She'll be an all around girl. This little genius has a Master's degree in art and a doctorial degree in anthropology. She'll help with my job and hang out a lot with Hodgins and Zack."

"Really," Hodgins said, moving closer to Angela.

Angela ignored him and put an arm around her cousin.

"Ellie, this is Dr. Brennan, that's her assistant Zack Addy, and Jack Hodgins is this guy," she said, pointing at each in turn.

Angela had mentioned that Jack had feelings for her. What Angela had not responded to was Ellie's question about Angela's feelings toward Hodgins.

"It's nice to meet you, Ellie," said Dr. Brennan, shaking her hand.

"It is a pleasure to meet you. I love your writing," Ellie responded.

"Bones! How is it going? I've got a lead!"

A tall man with broad shoulders and short hair had entered the platform. He looked at Ellie.

"New squint?"

"That seems to be the case," Zack answered, having not once looked up from the dead body.

"Seeley Booth, Federal Bureau of Investigation agent and Brennan's partner," he introduced himself.

"Eleanor Montenegro, general assistant and hopefully future anthropologist."

"Eh, good genes," Booth said, winking at Angela," Anyways, Bones, let's go."

Brennan hurried off the platform, Cam following her. They headed toward Brennan's office. Angela patted her cousin's back.

"I have work on facial reconstruction. I'll be needing you later, but for now just get to know Zack and Hodgins."

Before Ellie could protest, Angela had run off. She sighed. Walking over to Zack, she looked at the body.

"The legs are missing."

"Astute observation."

Ellie frowned.

"Now, now, Zack. That was rude. Be nice to the young lady," Hodgins said, sitting down in front of his computer.

Zack looked up and glanced between Ellie and Hodgins.

"If I was rude, I apologize. That was not my intention."

"Just get back to work, Zack, before you scare the poor woman away. So…Eleanor?"

Hodgins smirked at Ellie, who blushed. She couldn't see why Angela would deny feelings for him. He was good-looking.

"Please, call me Ellie. I feel like an old woman when called Eleanor."

"You think your name sounds old? Try Zachary Uriah Addy."

Zack frowned as he moved around the examination table to another part of the skeleton.

"I happen to like my name, thank you."

Hodgins laughed.

"Don't get so defensive, Zack. Hey, I'm gonna go talk to Angela about something I found that might help with the case. Be back soon."

Hodgins left the platform and headed to Angela's office. Zack and Ellie watched him leave.

"Interesting guy, Jack Hodgins," Ellie commented.

"Mmm, He'll be gone for awhile," Zack said, turning his attention back to the case.

Ellie went closer to the table to look at the body. There was still some flesh left on it, but not much.

"Female named Lynette Abrams, 20 years old. The cause of death was blunt trauma to the head, but we can't match the marks on the skull to a weapon. She was found outside an Italian restaurant. There are markings on both sides of her skull. One mark is lighter than the marks on the top of the head, where the most bleeding occurred. It is moderately symmetrical, the light mark being a long line that curves at the top and the other markings of a long line. The weapon was evidently heavy. Someone strong had to have killed her," Zack informed her.

Ellie continued to look at the body, which made Zack look up at her. The young woman did not look very similar to her elder cousin, with such a drastic difference in hair color. Ellie was apparently one hundred percent Caucasian and was of smaller stature than Angela. The young brunette had light green eyes and dressed to impress. She had on a blue floral print sundress under the blue Jeffersonian lab coat with light blue heels.

"Uh-"

"Mr. Addy, I believe I know the weapon."

Taken by surprise, Zack stared at her.

"Please call me Zack, but…you do?"

Ellie traced the lines on the skull.

"I'm just thinking the object was heavy or the killer was strong. It could be both, but something somewhat unique to an Italian restaurant would be the pasta machine. Therefore, the killer may be someone who has access to the kitchen, or was able to sneak in there. I'm trying to stay away from any conjecture."

"A pasta machine…" Zack muttered to himself, "I'm going to call Dr. Brennan. That was an impressive conclusion, Ellie."

Ellie smirked.

"I would have been a detective if I hadn't been more interested in anthropology."

Zack gave Ellie a small smile before rushing off to get Dr. Brennan.