Hey, everyone. Well here's part two of the story and Brennan's article you've been dying to read. hehe. At least I flatter myself that you did. I want to say thanks to all you lovely people who reviewed chap 1 and added my writing endeavour to Story Alert/Favorite Stories. I really appreciate that. SO, without further ado, here it is. Enjoy.
Monday morning found a slightly nervous pathologist pacing in front of the service doors of the Jeffersonian. The Jeffersonian Bulletin was already printed and she was very much curious to see what the good doctor had written about their/her team. To her surprise on Sunday evening she had learned that Dr. Brennan already sent her article into print. Not having read it, you could say, she was slightly anxious and preparing herself for the blow. Good or bad, it was yet to be seen.
She really didn't know what to expect and she blew out a sigh of relief as the publisher's delivery van approached the entrance. After she acquired her copy of the booklet she scurried of to her office, closed the door and releasing a breath she didn't know she was holding sat behind her desk and started searching for the article in question.
In a different office at the lab and no more anxious than Cam were the rest of the squint squad, perusing the Bulletin for the article as well, though probably for different reasons, namely to see what their co-worker and trusted friend wrote about them. On finding it the all three crowded around the magazine and let their eyes skim through the text absorbing it like flowers in need of water would absorb said liquid.
To say that a certain FBI agent in the Hoover building was less anxious than the rest of the forensic team at the Jeffersonian would be an understatement. For he too was quite excited to read the words of his beloved anthropologist. He had a copy of the Jeffersonian Bulletin delivered to him first thing in the morning and now he sat behind his desk a bit nervous and thrilled at the same time with the booklet in his hand. He searched for the text in question and found it, almost near the end.
His eyes first fell to the picture enclosed by the text. They were all in it, all six of them, maybe one of the few photos that displayed all of them in their happiest mood. The photo was taken after a particularly difficult case. They were seated in the lounge of the lab up on the raised platform. Zach and Cam on either side encasing Angela, Hodgins, Brennan and himself in the middle. He remembered why they had taken it.
Angela persuaded them to pose for the camera so she would have a few pictures for her photo album. She set the timer on automatic. They set themselves in a pose awaiting the snap of the camera. Of course, he had to come up with some kind of witty remark just before the camera came to life and they all burst out laughing. It was a great photo, they really looked like one big happy family. He smirked to himself and then curiosity got the better of him and focused his attention fully on the article.
Who We Are – The Forensic Team of the Medico-Legal Lab
The Whole Truth And Nothing But The Truth
The Medico-Legal Lab of the Jeffersonian Institute houses our forensic team which comprises of five individuals; Dr. Camille Saroyan, Dr. Zach Addy, Dr. Jack Hodgins, Miss Angela Montenegro and myself, Dr. Temperance Brennan. But nyone who knows us a bit better would say that Special Agent Seeley Booth, the Jeffersonian's FBI liaison, should by all means be included in our little group and I concur. Therefore, I think it's safe to say that the forensic team includes six people, not only five.
We identify human remains that are decomposed beyond recognition for normal identification standards to apply. I believe I can say we are good at our job, our record of solved cases should testify to that as well, but more importantly, we are good at our job, because we care. We care for each and every case that is put our way, we care for the ones that lost the ability to speak for themselves and I think that says more about who we are than anything else.
I don't warm up to people quite that easily, nor is it any different the other way around I presume. Whether that has anything to do with the fact that I have lost my parents at an early age and have thus experienced our country's foster system firsthand I cannot say, for I have never put much stock in psychology. However, the people I work with here at the Jeffersonian Medico-Legal lab, practically my second home, my colleagues and most importantly my friends, found a way into my heart most deftly and took permanent residency there.
I have never had a much developed sense of a maternal instinct, but if there is one person in our little group that has evoked in me feelings of a similar kind that is definitely Dr. Zach Addy. A former grad-student of mine that has under my mentorship blossomed into an accomplished forensic anthropologist, an amazing one to be precise. He is a genius in the full sense of the word, committed to his job and scientific inquiry with the ability to learn and be good at anything he does. I would like to flatter myself that I too have played a minor role in his development.
Some people might describe our entomologist Dr. Jack Hodgins as an utter conspiracy theorist, but I see him as an honest and honorable man fully dedicated to the things he loves and loves to do.
Miss Angela Montenegro, the resident forensic artist in our lab, ingenious, invaluable and incredibly talented, who gives faces back to the unfortunate souls that find themselves on our steel tables before making the journey to their final resting place. Angela is the most wonderful person I know in every aspect of her being and stands fully to the title of my best friend. Sometimes I think I don't deserve her.
Dr. Camille Saroyan, the most recent addition to our party and our boss. Despite the initial disagreements between us, I can most honestly say that she is a brilliant leader and has earned our utmost respect and admiration because she is an amazing woman and pathologist.
Special Agent Seeley Booth, the Jeffersonian's FBI liaison, my partner and my friend. A brilliant and most honorable man I know that encompasses everything a good man should be. Dedicated to serving God and country, a man who feels deeply for the less fortunate around him and strives to make things right in this world. A man who protects and gives himself selflessly to those he cares about. Someone who without a doubt and despite his own assertions became an indispensable part of our little squint squad as he sometimes likes to call us.
Last but not least, me, Dr. Temperance Brennan. If I ventured a guess that most people would label me as strictly professional, sometimes even cold and unfeeling, I would probably be right. However, in the big picture there is nothing impersonal about what I do and what we do. We deal with human remains, yes, some might cringe at our job descriptions, but there is more to it than meets the eye. We are all professionals, each equipped with an invaluable skill. We are confident in what we do and believe that we make a difference in this world. We search for the answers and the truth but most importantly we voice the opinions of those who can no longer speak for themselves and give closure to people who have lost their loved ones.
In my point of view we have far surpassed the description of a tight collective. We form a family, albeit dysfunctional at times, but despite occasional arguments and disagreements a family nonetheless and for that I am grateful. Each and every one of us completes our little group in his or her own unique and brilliant way. We are like pieces of a puzzle that when put together form a perfect picture.
Dr. Temperance Brennan
He was stunned to say the least. Surprised, but in a good way. In truth he expected her to write something more clinical, scientifically boring even, now, he was ashamed of what his own thoughts had been. It seemed he always forgot that her second nature was being a writer, but despite that he never expected her to reveal so much about herself. Yes, Temperance Brennan was truly an amazing woman and at this point he realized just how much he really loved her. The thought didn't surprise him at all, it was inevitable. How could he not love her. He picked up his keys and hurried to the Jeffersonian.
So, so, did it live up to your expectations? I sure hope so and I hope you didn't find Brennan to OOC, because I truly believe that in "real" life, she's definitely capable of writing something like this. Next up: Brennan's realization about something (hmm, what could that be :):):) and the promised reactions to the article. You know what to do, review, please, review, it is greatly appreciated and makes me happy. So make me happy, will ya. :):) Have fun.