AN: While in the weekly Bonesology chat, a few weeks ago, I mentioned wheelchair bungee jumping, yes it is a real thing. Prior to the pandemic there was an organization based in Canada that helped people in wheelchairs participate in extreme sports…. Google 'wheelchair bungee jumping' to watch YouTube videos. of people doing it. We all thought it sounded like something Hodgins would do so here we are…. One shot
"JACK STANELY HODGINS, what the hell is this?" Angela stomped out of Hodgins' home office carrying his laptop. He looked up from the dining room table where he was playing chutes and ladders with Katie and started wheeling toward her.
"Angie, I have no idea what you're talking about. And why do you have my laptop?"
"Michael Vincent's printer isn't working so I was changing your network settings to temporarily add his computer so he can print his paper for school. You left your browser open. Wheelchair bungee jumping?! "
Hodgins chuckled, "oh that. Can we talk about it after I finish the game and they're both in bed?"
Angela looked up and saw Katie watching them and waiting for Hodgins to return to the game. "All right, but only because Katie is waiting on you to finish the game and I need to finish helping Michael Vincent with his paper…But we ARE talking about this…"
"Yep. Love ya, Angie "
"Love you, Hodgins." Angela kissed Hodgins' cheek as she headed back to Michael Vincent's room.
H&A
Two hours later Hodgins was sitting on the couch waiting on Angela to join him with drinks. A few minutes later she walked into the living room with a tray holding a bottles of wine, scotch and two glasses.
"You brought the bottles, Ange?"
"Yeah, I think I'm gonna need it for this conversation…"
"Angie, it's not that bad…"
"Hodgins, you want to go bungee jumping in your wheelchair! That's just crazy!"
"It's not that crazy…people go bungee jumping every day and a are perfectly fine…"
"Yes, but none of them are paralyzed from the waist down…"
"That's a technicality…"
"Hodgins…"
"Angie…"
"What if something goes wrong and you get injured worse? Or…" Angela drained her wine and poured a refill.
"If that were to happen which it won't we'll deal with it and get through it like we did when I got hurt before. Only this time I'll go to therapy from the get go instead of keeping it in and treating everyone like shit…"
"That's good. is your injury even stable enough to do this?"
"I talked to Dr. Riley about it when I went to see her last week, she thinks I'm crazy for wanting to do it, but she said my injury is stable and gave me the go ahead."
"Well, at least I'm not the only one who thinks you're crazy for wanting to bungee jump in your wheelchair. Why do you want to do it anyway?"
"I'm turning 40 in three months…"
"So, this is a midlife crisis thing?"
"Yeah, plus I always do something big when I enter a new decade…I told myself if I made it to 40 I'd go bungee jumping."
"You almost didn't make it to 40, more than once…"
"I know all the more reason to go bungee jumping…" Angela picked up her wine and took a drink.
"What did you do for 30?"
"I bought the Mini Cooper… 20 I skydived in Costa Rica with five of my college buddies …."
"You could buy something extravagant.. They have accessible SUVs that you could buy. You could buy Michael Vincent his 16th birthday car now."
"I could, but I want to bungee jump…."
"Okay. So how do you do it?'
Hodgins picked up his laptop and brought up a YouTube video. Angela picked up her wine and watched as Hodgins clicked play.
"Hodgins, you're crazier than I thought. They literally attach your wheelchair to a gigantic bungee cord and toss you off a platform… Is the lady okay? Did her wheelchair survive impact?"
"I'm not sure, but I'm sure you and your ninja computer skills can find out…"
"I'm not gonna dig it up…" Angela finished her wine.
"So, what did you think?"
"I think it's insane that someone figured out how to adapt bungee jumping so someone in a wheelchair could do it. I don't want you to do it, BUT I also know my saying no won't stop you.. I only ask that you wait to do it until after your birthday so you can celebrate with the kids …"
"Of course."
"I'm going to come with you…. And so is Booth. you're going to see Dr.. Riley when we get back to make sure you're okay…"
"I'll book first class tickets to Ontario tomorrow."
"Okay. Is there anything else you want for your birthday?"
"Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and lasagna with lots of mozzarella cheese."
"I can do that. What is the one toy you've got your eye on?"
"I did see where they make wheelchair accessible motorcycles…" Hodgins brought up another YouTube video.
"That is cool. You could buy one and forgo bungee jumping…"
"I could…. Or I could buy one and go bungee jumping…"
"Why not?" Angela refilled her wine glass.
"You're the best, Angie."
"Uh-huh I'm drunk…" Angela started scrolling through Netflix .
H&A
A few days later Booth Aubrey and Wendell were at Hodgins house to spend the day watching college basketball.
"Hodgins, I'm supposed to talk you out of bungee jumping…."
"You know about that?"
"Yep, Ange called Bones and told her I was to try and talk you out of or accompany both of you to Canada.."
"Are you gonna try and talk me out of it?"
"Nope. I think you're crazy for wanting to do it. So does Bones. If Ange or Bones asks I tried to talk you out of it until I was blue in the face."
"Noted."
"Why do you want to do it?"
"I always do something big when I enter a new decade. I told myself if I made it to 40 I'd go bungee jumping. I found a place in Canada that allows disabled people to do extreme sports. I'm also ordering an accessible motorcycle that I can ride from my wheelchair. The wait time on that is 15 months though."
"But bungee jumping? sled hockey can be extreme. Wheelchair rugby is rough, they don't consider it a good game unless someone is bleeding and/or broken."
"Hockey is your thing. I played rugby in high school, I was good at it, but it wasn't my favorite."
" How do they do it?" Hodgins grabbed his laptop and brought up the video, Booth, Aubrey and Wendell gathered around to watch.
"Dude, that's insane."
"Yeah, but it's so cool!"
"You're insane, Hodgins…"
"Now I know why Ange wanted me to try and talk you out of it. I also know that I'd be wasting my breath if I tried so, I guess I'm going to Canada!"
"Why does Angela want Booth to go along? I'd think she want Dr. B?"
"I think Ange wants me along incase Hodgins needs help on the plane. Also, if something were to happen…" Booth took a big drink of his beer.
"Nothing is going to happen…" Booth nodded a little.
"Can you bring me back some of that really good jerky? The buffalo ranch is my favorite…"
"Aubrey, I'm not bring you back jerky…"
"But…"
"No. Turn the game on, and pass the chips and salsa."
H&A
Ten weeks later Booth and Angela got Hodgins settled for their first-class flight to Ontario. The next morning Hodgins signed a waiver and got ready.
"Hodgins, are you sure you want to do this? We could go back to the hotel and lounge around and order room service. We can go sight-seeing…"
"Angie, I'm gonna do it…"
"I really wish you weren't…"
"I know. This is my last death-defying birthday celebration. When I turn 50 we'll go to the Bahamas or somewhere like that and hang out on the beach for a week or so."
"Sounds good to me…"
"Are you ready to go, Hodgins?"
"Yeah. I love you Angie."
"I love you too, Hodgins." They kissed.
Hodgins wheeled himself towards the ramp. Angela leaned into Booth. "I can't watch…"
Booth pulled Angela closer, "Then don't. I'll tell you what you want to know."
"I don't want to know anything. Hodgins really is crazy!"
Booth laughed, "Yeah a little." Booth winced.
"What happened?"
"Nothing, they just tossed him over…"
"Oh God…"
"Angela, relax everything is fine…"
"Are you sure?"
"As sure as I can be… breathe… I don't want you passing out on me…"
"I am breathing!"
"You are now, you were holding your breath before…"
"I can't help it…"
"I know. Guess what? It's over…"
"Is Hodgins okay?"
"He looks like he is, but you can ask him yourself he's on his way over."
Booth didn't let go of Angela until she was safely in Hodgins' arms.
"Are you okay, Hodgins?"
"I'm fine, angie, I promise."
"That's good, but you're still seeing Dr. Riley when we get back to make sure."
"Yes. That was the best ever! I want to do it again… "
"NO! absolutely NOT!"
"Angie…"
"No. my nerves can't take it…"
"Ange…"
"No, Hodgins….." Angela started walking toward the parking lot, Hodgins started to follow her, Booth stopped him.
"Hodgins, give her a few minutes. This whole thing has had her on edge for months. It was not easy to watch. "
"I know."
"Let's get out of here and go to brunch…my treat…I could use a bloody Mary and a steak…."
"Sounds good to me."