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Chapter 14
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Temperance and Seeley followed the coffin through the halls of the Jeffersonian. It seemed like some sort of processional. Eyes followed them, perhaps recognizing the irony of the situation. They were both dressed in black and trailed the casket as it made its way to the Medico-Legal Lab. Bones tried to keep her eyes averted. She did not want sympathy. She had never wanted sympathy. Why have sympathy for a tragedy that was about to be avoided? She felt Booth's fingers reach for hers. Together they walked the halls as the gloom reached every wall, every eye, every heart.
They were met at the door by a tall Hispanic man with a handsome face--Dr. Santiago. He placed his gloved hands on the coffin and helped lead the team to where the remains would be removed from their resting spot. The bolts were slowly removed, causing a fine cloud of dust rise in the air. How could something so mundane... something that had happened hundreds of times in the Medico-Legal lab leave such a heavy fog on everyone who looked on?
At last the heavy Mahogany lid was lifted from its groove, revealing the body within. A small child, still decomposing, with delicate wisps of brown hair still clinging to the tissue on the skull, lay quietly--as if in a nightmarish dream state. A breath was caught in everyone's throats. Cam looked up to see how Seeley and Dr. Brennan were taking it. Booth was trying desperately to reign in his thoughts, while Dr. Brennan, who was usually so composed, was beginning to shake uncontrollably.
"Dr. Brennan, are you OK?"
She looked up with her eyes glassy from tears. "I think I just need to eat something. I haven't eaten since yesterday morning."
"Bones..."
"Booth, I can't give up now. Every moment I'm feeding my face, my son is being tortured. I'm not hungry!"
Cam's face was remorseful, "Seeley--"
Booth knew what that sentence would entail. He draped his arm around Temperance and led her out of the lab and into her office. Every eye watched them as they disappeared behind the door.
Camille cleared her throat and blinked away tears. "Let's get to work, people. Twenty-two hours." The team gathered around. Dr. Jack Hodgins was quick to remove the clothing--the most valuable evidence to him. Everybody was curious about what evidence was overlooked. What evidence could this child hold that would bring Samuel back to his family?
Hodgins brought the clothing back to his station where he began examination of the frayed attire. Angela found her way to her husband's work station. She spent all night running scenarios and doing everything in her abilities and power for her best friends. Hodgins looked up. He knew this had been hard on Angela. Since last night, her contractions were beginning to pick up and grow stronger and more consistent. She stood close to him, her hand on his shoulder. He reached out and rubbed her belly. Nothing was said between the two. They knew each other well. Ups and downs, they fought through it all and came out stronger in the end.
Hodgins stopped rubbing and immediately increased the magnification on his electron microscope. His eyes grew wide with astonishment. "Angie... go get Dr. Brennan!"
Angela's hand released from his shoulder like it was fiery hot and walked quickly to Brennan's office. She recognized the sharp tones in his voice. Those tones were excited. They were scared. They were celebratory.