A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long! I'm not a science-minded person, so the squint-speak was a little difficult…plus I was out of town between Chap 3 & Chap 4. Hope y'all enjoy! R&R!!

Disclaimer: I claim no ownership of these characters, and no affiliation whatsoever with Hart Hanson, "Bones", Fox, its affiliates, subsidiaries, etc. Please don't sue me!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

CHAPTER 4

It took Ange longer than she would have liked to get everything ready. Three hours longer, in fact. But for this – her first audition, as she thought of it – everything had to be perfect. She ran the scenario four times to be sure, and triple-checked her sketch (paper and computer generated) against the tissue markers. When she was convinced everything was perfect, she called the others in.

Within fifteen minutes, she stood at one side of the Angelator, the lights dimmed, smiling around at everyone else. To her left was Dr. Goodman, to her right, Hodgins and Zack, and directly across from her stood Dr. Brennan.

"Thanks for coming in, guys. I have an ID ready for you. As well as a scenario of what happened to Cha-the victim." She had to remind herself that these people didn't like using names. "This is what I call the Angelator. It's a three dimensional holographic imaging program that I've designed to aid in the identification of victims. It'll also help with various scenarios. The computer programs that go along with it have been designed to analyze blood spatter patterns, and similar . . . things." Okay. Note to self: work a little more on the speech next time.

"All of which is very impressive. I'm interested in seeing this in action, Ms. Montenegro." Dr. Goodman probably thought he was putting her at ease, but Ange was certainly feeling the pressure.

"Right. Well, here goes." Using a clipboard-sized computer pad and a stylus, she made a few adjustments, punched in a set of variables, and the Angelator came to life. Muted gold sparkling lights appeared in the air over the platform they stood around. "I used the tissue markers that Zack provided," Angela sent him a quick smile before continuing, "to extrapolate muscular structure, and cartilage. Based on the hair that Hodgins found with the . . . remains . . . which was dyed chestnut with blond roots, I gave her a paler complexion." In the midst of the lights appeared first the skull, which then began to grow muscles, veins, and at last, skin. "So this is our victim. Which matches the picture provided by the FBI. As does the paper sketch I drew first."

To her surprise, Dr. Brennan nodded appreciatively. Pure science, she could understand. "Very impressive. I agree, this is definitely Charisma Gellar. You mentioned something about a scenario?"

Emboldened by the easy acceptance, Angela smiled brightly and pressed a few keys on her pad with the stylus. The image in the air before them disappeared into tiny pixels, and the lights faded away. "For this part, it's easier to show you on the computer," she said, as she set the pad down on the table, then walked over to sit at her computer bank. She started to speak again as the other four gathered behind her chair. "I imputed the pictures of the crime scene, and created a 3D model of the cliffs where Gellar was found. Zack and Hodgins provided me with enlarged pictures of bruises they found on her bones. . . and I came up with this." Her fingers flashed across the keyboard as the program she'd written appeared on the screen. The cliffs, as she stated, complete with various rocks, trees, and roots appeared on the screen. A blond figure appeared at the top. "Now, based on the wounds she received, she started to fall at a seventy degree angle, and her momentum was steady." A few taps, and the figure shifted suddenly, then began to pitch forward down the cliffs. When the CGI representation of Charisma Gellar landed, Angela zoomed in and nodded towards the screen. "Right there is where her neck snapped. Based on all the variables, she wasn't pushed. The best I can tell is that she tripped."

Dr. Brennan stared at the screen for a few minutes, brow furrowed. "Could you run that again? Please." The please was pretty much an afterthought, but to Angela, it mattered. Without protest, she restarted the program, looking away herself as it ran through the scenario again. It sickened her to watch, which was why she'd muted the program to prevent the sound of the neck snapping from being heard.

"I . . . concur. I believe that this scenario is the most likely, based on the evidence." Dr. Goodman smiled as Dr. Brennan spoke up.

"I'll inform the FBI." With a light pat on Ange's shoulder, he turned and left her office.

Brennan leaned over to study the screen one more time, then shifted to look down at Angela. "Excellent work, Ms. Montenegro." Giving her a nod, she, too, then left the office.

Angela smiled a little, turning to Zack and Hodgins. "Wow, Angela. That program . . . it's pretty amazing." The older of the two smiled.

Zack nodded. "Dr. Brennan doesn't often give compliments. She must be very impressed."

"Great . . . maybe now she'll be a little more okay with me being here." The brunette turned back to the screen and closed the program, then emailed the files to both Dr. Brennan and Dr. Goodman to be added to the case information.

"Just give her time. She'll warm up to you eventually." Hodgins nodded with confidence, then checked his watch and glanced at Zack. "Well, since the case is all done, looks like it's time to head out. You ready?"

"I will be in five minutes." Zack headed out of the office.

Hodgins watched him go, then turned to study the woman who sat at the desk. "Angela . . . really, she's not as cold as she seems. She's just very fact-oriented."

Angela stood and turned to face him. "Yeah, I can see that. I just don't want an uncomfortable work environment. Sounds hinky, I know, but I haven't kept a job for very long in the past, and this seems like a great place to stay for a while."

He smiled at her. "We all are glad you're here, and hope you stay for a long time, Ange. Believe me." He hesitated, then opened his mouth to ask her something else, when her cell phone began to ring. Probably for the best. Hodgins just smiled again and waved slightly as she pulled out a small phone from a pocket, flipping it open to answer. As she began to talk to the person on the other line about some sort of "show" that evening, Jack turned and headed out of her office.

Definitely for the best. Probably wouldn't've gone out for drinks with us anyway, woman as beautiful as she is. Doubt she'd want to be seen with a couple of geeks like Zack and me.