A/N: I hate getting new ideas when I've already got a lot on my plate. Alas, it happens. I know I said I had another idea for a supernatural type fic, but I still have a lot of kinks to work out plot wise. That said, I'm starting this one instead, the idea of which came to me while I was driving to my classes. I'd like to dedicate it to CSI-4077, since she, like me, loves school. The chapters may be a bit shorter than my other fics but that's because I won't have as much time to write. Usually, a chap takes me about two hours, and I just don't think I'll be able to spare that long, but you never know. Hope you all like it! As always, please let me know if it's worth continuing, and enjoy!
The co-ed on the quad
Chapter 1: First day of school
College sophomore Sarah Brightman had spent the night with her boyfriend. Not a rare occurrence by any stretch of the imagination, but it was rare for it to occur on a Monday night. She had an early bio class that started in an hour, and although she loved Blake dearly, she was not going to shower in a guys' bathroom. The mere thought was nausea inducing. She hurried through the early morning fog, deciding to bypass the sidewalk path that wound around campus in favor of the shortcut across the quad. The curfew was still in effect for another hour, but she didn't have far to go.
She felt safe, despite the fact that the body of Janie Harmon had been found a month before. Sarah shivered. The media reports claimed that the police had a suspect in custody, but the curfew was still being implemented by the university board; just to be safe, they said. She turned her thoughts away from the death, and back to her goal of a hot shower. Hopefully the bathroom on her floor wouldn't be too busy with activity. Morning showers were, oddly enough, when she did her best thinking. The biology exam was coming up and she wasn't nearly ready.
Her inner musings were cut short as she tripped on something and went flying into the soft wet grass. After getting over the shock of falling and pulling herself into a sitting position, Sarah looked around for the object she'd tripped on. Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came forth. She scooted backward as quickly as she could before stumbling to her feet and running back to Blake's dorm. She had tripped over a body. More specifically, the body of Danielle Rivers, a girl who lived in the dorm across from her own. It was happening again.
Seeley Booth looked at his class schedule with a scowl on his face. He still didn't see why he needed to take four courses. The two girls had been in the same physics class. One class. He should've only needed to attend the one class. It made sense. But, no, instead he had…he peered at the schedule. Physics I, Biology I, Acting I, and US History after 1865. When he'd been asked to take the undercover assignment, he'd been reluctant. A college campus wasn't high on his list of places to be. But, upon seeing the photos of the victims and hearing how the police were at a dead end, he'd given in.
It was simple enough. Go to classes, do the reading; in short, assimilate. The two girls hadn't had anything in common besides their gender and being in the same class. Both were from different backgrounds, lived in different dorms, looked different. There had been no other connection. So, he'd decided to keep watch on the other females in the class and see if anything stood out as the investigation progressed.
The medical examiner had concluded the most recent death, like the last one, to have been caused by blunt trauma to the head, not believed to have taken place where the bodies were found. There were signs of sexual assault on both, but no rape. Physics. Great. How hard could it be? His feet remained rooted to the spot in front of the physics building.
He reached around to his backpack, sifting through the contents until he came up with a file. It contained the statement of Sarah Brightman, who had found Danielle Rivers. He read it over again, although he'd studied it so many times before he nearly had it memorized. She had tripped over the body, ran to her boyfriend's dorm and contacted the police from there. It was all cut and dry.
No more avoiding. He'd have to go in. Then it was off to the dorm he'd been assigned to go over the file again and do whatever reading the instructor assigned. Booth rolled his eyes. He could assimilate without reading physics textbooks and having a full course schedule. But, not his choice. That had been made perfectly clear. He glanced at the schedule again. After physics, he'd have two hours free before Biology. He slung the backpack over his shoulder and went through the double doors into the building.
The classroom he needed was on the third floor. He got into the elevator, following several other students, one who looked about his age, and one that looked about fifteen years older. One looked about twelve, reminding Booth briefly of Sweets. At least he wouldn't be seeing him for awhile. That brought a grin to his face, which faded as he thought of someone else he wouldn't be seeing for awhile. If he were to be perfectly honest with himself, he missed Bones already. This was her element. She'd probably dive right in. But, her expertise hadn't been needed and he couldn't justify bringing her along. She hadn't been happy, of course, and after the usual arguing, she'd given in to his point. She wasn't needed.
The doors opened on the second floor and the Sweets wannabe left. Upon reaching the third, the three remaining occupants exited and went their separate ways. Booth stopped at room 318. This was it. He hoped he wouldn't fall asleep. He opened the door and strode in, stopping dead in his tracks at the sight before him.
Temperance Brennan sat at a desk in the front row, a notebook and pen in front of her and a backpack on the floor next to her. She looked up at his entrance and gave him a smug smile.
A/N: Well, what do you think? I know, not much action, but I had to set the tone. I'm very unsure about case fics but this idea formed in my head, so I'm hoping I do all right with it. Thanks for reading!