Hello beautiful people! So Bones seems to be going in a fabulous direction right? (If you're keeping up with all those juicy spoilers). This makes the fangirl in me very very happy. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: We do not own Bones. No copyright infringement intended.
Angela
"Lunchtime?"
This is the way I announce my presence in Brennan's office. I don't need her jumping out of her chair, startled by my sudden appearance. She's done this a lot recently. The scientist in her places her in a world all her own. She's always been the determined, sometimes obsessive go-getter. How she's able to turn off the murmurs of the outside world with the snap of her fingers…able to solely focus on the task at hand. I on the other hand can't keep my mind from buzzing. But that's when I notice something.
Today there is something different about her.
"Hmmm, somebody is distracted today."
"Distracted?" She looks up from the paper work she was scrutinizing, a look of confusion taking hold of her.
"Yes, distracted. You can't keep anything from me sweetie. Spill. What's wrong? Something with Booth? Alice? Michael? Which is it?"
"Why do you automatically assume that it's family related? Maybe I am just on edge because of this case."
"I didn't say you were 'on edge.' So it all comes out. You admit something is up." I got her now, there's no escape.
"I'm fine." We all know when people say: 'I'm fine,' everything is not fine, especially with her.
"Brennan, why is it so difficult for you to confide in your best friend? Have I taught you nothing? I'm not here to judge, I'm here to listen." I try to say it as sincerely as possible.
"It's Booth."
"What's up with Booth?"
"He's been acting distant lately."
"Distant…how?"
She looks down to the supposedly overwhelming paperwork, then spares me a glance. Her eyes are wide and an unsettling nervousness fills the room.
"I feel like he's keeping something from me."
"You just have a hunch? There's no precise evidence indicating that he is indeed hiding something from you?" This doesn't sound like her. Sure, she has softened over the years; has opened up. She looks at the world through entirely different eyes, but the musings of an empiricist is difficult to completely stifle.
"No, not that I can deduce…Why are you encouraging me to revert back to mindset that evidence is always needed to make poignant instincts credible?"
"I said nothing of the sort. I was just wondering how you came to this conclusion." I'm not trying to threaten her in any way. I can tell this conversation isn't helping to soothe her nerves.
"I know Booth very well. He's been more protective than usual…with all of us. It's like something has caused him to amplify his defensives."
"Has anything odd happened in the last couple of weeks?"
"Nothing extremely monumental."
"Well maybe you should talk to him about it." I suggest.
"He'll probably just deny any of my accusations anyway."
"Don't accuse him of anything, just sit down with him and tell him your worries. Whatever it is, its bound to come out then."
"I just hate the idea of him keeping something from me. Every day we deal with liars. People that are fearful of the truth, people who go to implausible lengths to avoid telling the truth, why would he want to become like these people? How can we not be honest with each other? It's what successful relationships are based on. I learned that from you, by the way."
"Well it is true. But sweetie, don't be too hard on him. If he is keeping something from you, not that I'm saying he is, but I'm sure if he is he's only trying to spare you-"
"Spare me what? I'm capable of handling anything. Have I not proven that time and time again? We're supposed to be a team…" She says while quickly pulling her hair back into a pony tail.
"I have to get back to work. I have to go examine the bones-"
"Bren, I'm sure you haven't eaten in hours, come on, lunch awaits, what do you say?"
"Sorry Angela…I don't have time."
I am frazzled. Beyond frazzled. I'm usually one for embracing a "zen" environment. The whole peace-loving, yoga, hippy kind of attitude is all me, but today it's just…not there. A horrific case, here I am creating faces and inventing depressing scenarios. It's getting on my last nerve today. I wring my hands together, bracelets clanging up and down my wrists. I'm in my office with Alice bobbing up and down on my sofa. She's hugging a giant cushion to her chest. Still as adorable as ever. She brings me out of my silent rage black out.
"Aunty Ange?"
"What is it honey?" I go to sit down at my desk. It's scattered with papers and god knows what else, I've lost track of what I'm supposed to be doing.
"When is Mama coming?"
Crap. What time is it? Brennan was supposed to leave the lab by six p.m. with Alice. She's probably face to face with some cadaver or pile of bones related to this case; still lost in the drive to bring answers to unsolved mysteries. But is it really that today? Maybe she's just throwing herself into work because she is worried about Booth. I take Alice by the hand, "Come on Alice-"
"Where are we going?"
"To find your Mama. We can't just let her sit here all night letting life pass her by can we?"
"Nope." The little girl grins.
It feels nice to be on a mission that is not related to death or despair. With the little girl jogging beside me to keep up, I look towards the shining platform…no one. I crane my neck a little more…that's strange, when in doubt look for Brennan on the platform…but not now.
"Come on cutie pie, only one more place your Mother could be at this hour-"
"Office," Alice pipes up, she already knows her Mother's ways by heart.
"That's right."
I peer around the corner and her office is dark, pitch black in fact. I could always try calling her. I probably should have done that from the beginning.
"Ms. Montenegro." A quiet voice reaches my ears. There stands Allison James, hair tight in a bun; her arms are overflowing with papers. She doesn't look overwhelmed because they are neatly stacked upon one another. She somehow looks put-together amidst the chaos of this work day. 'A satisfactory assistant,' Brennan's words not mine.
"Have you seen Brennan?"
"You just missed Doctor Brennan actually. If you hurry you may be able to catch her."
"Doesn't she realize that she's left her daughter behind?"
"Her quick exit was related to her meeting Agent Booth. So they could discuss imperative information-"
"Uh right…thanks." I say. This woman is very efficient, almost scarily so. She is also kind of emotionless. I think too much time in an office setting has sucked the life out of this one…It may be time for her to let loose. That could be a new project of mine.
"Come on Alice, let's go get Mommy." On the way I hope to call or text Brennan, but I left my cellphone in my office.
Down flights of stairs and elevators, we soon find ourselves in the parking garage. It's quite dark already.
"Sweetie!" I call. My voice booms throughout the almost empty parking garage.
Brennan jerks her attention towards us. She is buttoned up in her maroon coat, black high heeled boots causing her to stand taller than usual. Just about to get in her car, she pauses and waits for us to reach her.
"Forgetting something? Or someone?" I laugh.
"Mama!" Alice pulls from my grasp and runs to Brennan, "Hi baby," Brennan opens her arms and hoists Alice up on her hip.
"Well? What's the rush?" I say.
"I'm sorry Ange, Booth and I just got a lead on today's case. It's something we can't overlook, it's also not appropriate to take Alice along. I was going to let you know. I knew you wouldn't mind."
"You're right, I don't mind. Do you want me to take her home to my place for dinner? What about Michael?"
"Booth told me he's taken care of. My father volunteered to take him for the time being. I didn't want to inconvenience you with both children. We won't be long, but Ange, I really have to go. I'm sorry for the short notice-"
"It's fine, go. Save the world with that dashing husband of yours." I say winking, but add: "Just be careful okay? You never know what kinds of psychos are out there."
"I'm always careful." She says cheerily.
"Yeah I've heard that before." I whisper under my breath.
She bends down so she is eye level with Alice. "Baby, Mama has just a little more work to do today, but I promise I won't be long. You be good for Aunty Ange okay?"
"Mama I want to go home." Alice is crestfallen.
"Aunty Ange will take you. Behave for Mama okay? Hug?"
She lovingly gives Brennan a kiss on her cheek and grabs her tightly. "I'll be back soon."
Just then, as Alice and I turn to return to the lab, Brennan is one leg inside her car. Heels coming into contact with pavement reverberate off the concrete walls. Allison is darting towards us, her purse on her shoulder.
"Dr. Brennan wait!" She waves her arms and her voice is one of desperation, even fear.
Brennan looks shocked. I don't know what to say or do, so I just wait. Brennan takes control.
"Alison what is it? I'm in the middle of very important business, Booth is waiting."
"It's about the case."
"Any new findings?" I pipe up.
"Yes…Colossal in fact." Allison continues.
"You are neither a forensic anthropologist nor an entomologist. You are my personal assistant Ms. James. Your job description does not entail examining evidence. It could be tainted if not handled correctly. How could you possibly be aware of any details crucial to this case?"
"You've overlooked something." Allison does not cower under Brennan's authoritative words. Brennan seems annoyed now. It's strange that Allison would be aware of any breakthroughs on the case.
"I doubt that." Brennan seems insulted now, determined to not let the conversation continue. I attempt to ease the tension.
"Bren, I'm sure she's just the messenger, not the scientist doing the 'discovering.' Let her talk." Brennan is taking her anxiousness out on Allison.
"Well then, speak up." Brennan says.
"I'm afraid…your evidence is anecdotal."
Brennan's face is contorted in annoyance, but no fear is there. She is not one to be easily threatened.
"It's all over now." Allison says.
"Excuse me?" Brennan says, looking angrier with each passing second. I know something is off from that point on. Cold heartedness is heavy in Allison's voice. The sentence sounded so unlike the put together woman I just ran into in the Jeffersonian. A bitter dread engulfs me; anxiety creeping up into my throat. This isn't right…
Before either of us knows what's happening or what Allison is truly saying, she makes a movement that mirrors that of a skilled killer.
Gun clutched in her manicured hand, Allison points her weapon directly at Brennan's heart.
All the blood drains from Brennan's face as I try to protect the struggling child in my arms.
Terrible cliffhanger I know. I would love to know what you thought of this one! :D
