Chapter 1
It had been a quiet week at the Jeffersonian Institute. For once, the FBI (in the person of Special Agent Seeley Booth) hadn't burst in and hijacked the staff's attention and efforts for the latest bizarre crime. And Dr. Camille Saroyan had seized the opportunity with both hands, sending Dr. Brennan down to Limbo (a term Brennan despised and Saroyan had resented at first, but gradually accepted) with her intern of the week. Dr. Hodgins, after his latest experimental mishap, was on "janitor duty," cleaning the hell out of his own lab - Cam had specifically ordered the custodial staff to not enter his lab this entire week. And Angela was basically doodling and killing time in her office; Cam had told her to enjoy a few days of goofing off and playing with her imaging equipment. Cam rationalized that letting - no, encouraging - no, ordering - Angela to experiment with her gear with no pressure to produce anything and not related to any cases would be likely to trigger her creative impulses and figure out new ways to work with it.
But all good things, alas, must come to an end. Booth strode through the doors. Hey, Bones! We got a case!" He looked around at the empty lab. Not a single squint in sight. Nor was Bones in her office. Fortunately, Angela was, and she pointed Booth down to Limbo.
BB BB BB BB BB
"...So, Mr. Bray, what can you tell me about these remains?"
"Well, it's male, about 170 centimeters in height, and age approximately 30 at time of death. Reports indicate he was recovered from the Gettysburg historical battle site, indicating a high probability he was a soldier killed in the battle. Age testing confirms that he died approximately 150 years ago, consistent with that theory, and gross physical examination are also consistent - he was male of the right age, and showed no injuries or deformities that would have disqualified him from military service. The primary perimortem injury is to the spine, also consistent with a musket ball or rifle round."
"Very good, Mr. Bray. Could you elaborate on the damage to the vertebrae?"
"The injuries are to the..."
"Hey, Bones! You free? Great, we got a case."
Bones looked up at Booth, her exasperation clear. "Booth, please show a modicum of respect. These are likely the remains of a Civil War veteran." Bones was no expert on psychology, but she knew that Booth held a great deal of reverence for his fellow veterans.
"Geez, I'm sorry... but we have a case. Can you wrap this up and get back upstairs? We're gonna need Angela and Hodgins on this one, too."
Bones considered the matter. "Mr. Bray, please replace these remains. We'll continue later." She turned back to Booth. "I presume the body is upstairs?"
Booth smiled mischievously. "Nope."
"Well, when will it be delivered?"
"No body this time, Bones."
"You mean you are trying to get me involved on a murder case before you recover any remains?"
Booth smiled wider. "No bodies, Bones. For once, we got a case that doesn't have a murder." He turned back towards the elevator. "I'll go get Hodgins and Angela. We'll be waiting for you in Angela's office."
Bones grumbled. The man was so damned exasperating sometimes. She stripped off her gloves. "Mr. Bray, I've changed my mind. You can stay here and continue your examination of these remains, and report to me your findings, or you can accompany me upstairs to hear about this case of Booth's - which apparently does not involve a corpse for us to examine."
Wendell considered the matter. "Agent Booth is quite intelligent - despite what he lets on - and I don't think he'd bring us a case where he didn't think we could contribute. And while staying here would be more in line with my studies, I find myself intrigued about how Agent Booth thinks we could help in a case with no body."
Brennan had to admit to herself that the intern's reasoning paralleled her own. And while she thought using her and the Jeffersonian for a case not as important as a murder, it might be refreshing to work on a case with less pressure. "Very well, then. Let's put this gentleman back, then see what Booth has for us."