Chapter Five:
"I'll just pack the skeletons so that it's easier on who ever comes to collect them," she said to Booth. But Booth had a feeling she was doing this because she didn't trust anyone else to do it; she probably expected the skeletons to be damaged. He sat down on the bridge where the officers had been over an hour before hand.
"Okay Bones."
Xx
Temperance watched Booth swinging his legs from the bridge, just as the officers had done earlier. He was staring out at the bush beyond that, seeming to be lost in thought.
"Why are you looking at me Bones, shouldn't you be concentrating on the job at hand," He teased. She ignored him and slipped the black plastic sheet under the skeletons skull. She was surprised that there was not even a hint of cartilage in the bones, and the bones seemed almost too clean.
She didn't want to jump to conclusions, but she had a hunch - maybe she was using her gut... Just like Booth does; but she thought it was possible somebody had cleaned the bones; maybe reburied them. She finally had the skeleton in the body bag. It was supported with large lots of cotton wool so that the Bones did not scrape together, and she counted the bones; there were exactly the right amount.
She was glad the skeleton had stayed intact while she moved it, she had studied the bones a little more while doing that. She risked a glance back at Booth and saw one of the officers sitting next to him now, their voices a low hum.
She turned to the dogs skeleton, she hadn't studied it yet. She pulled some of the ferns back and inspected the skull; she was running a gloved finger along one of the ribs when something under the dogs, also clean, skeleton caught her eye. "Shit" She said under her breath. "Booth, I think you better come see this." She turned her head slightly to see Booth, he and the officer she recognised as Officer Ivory came over, and crouched next to her, she felt warmth from Booths body envelope her, and she realised how cold she was.
"What is it?" Booth asked; brow furrowed. She lifted the dog's ribcage carefully, and slipped her fingers underneath to lift out the extra bones.
"I don't want to jump to conclusions," she began, telling the officers her earlier thoughts. "But I believe we are now dealing with two human remains, one dog." She lifted the bones right out and gently dropped the dog's ribcage back onto the soil. Booth grabbed some surgical gloves out of her pocket, she said nothing. He took the small bones from her.
"What are these?" He asked; eyes narrowed as he inspected the bones. "In my language" Booth said quickly, before she could even open her mouth. She glowered at him.
"Finger bones," She answered shortly, holding out her hand to Booth, asking for the bones. He handed them over, and a disgruntled looking Officer Ivory paced up and down, gravel crunching underfoot.
"There aren't very many missing persons, madam." He said to Temperance. "Are you certain these aren't from that skeleton?" He shuddered slightly as he pointed to the body bag.
"Of course I can't be certain until I take these back to the lab, that these are actually the phalanges of the fingers. But the other skeleton has exactly the right amount of bones; I'm talking of a full skeleton." She pointed to the body bag then crouched next to the dog, gently she started the tedious task of putting this skeleton into a body bag too.
"She's worked with many skeletons before sir," Booth said. "She's the best at her job. I'd trust her judgment" The officer nodded, and at some point left to report the findings so far. Temperance pretended that her heart didn't flutter when Booth had told the officer she was 'the best' at her job. She pretended she hadn't even heard him, but really, she was very flattered.
"Booth," She called him over. He crouched next to her, he touched her arm.
"Bones, you're frozen!" He looked seriously concerned when she took her tissue out, for what seemed like the fiftieth time in ten minutes; her nose was pouring.
"I'll be okay, now Booth, I know it isn't my job - but do you think I could collect the insects from under the bodies. It won't compromise this case at all... will it?" She asked bright blue eyes watery and purple half circles underneath them; pale cheeks slightly pink from the cold and Goosebumps on her arms.
"I'll do it," Booth said passing her his jacket. She shrugged it on.
"Thank you," She hid her head. Not used to depending on someone else, why didn't she bring her coat? She was so stupid. "I'll do it though, it won't take long. I have the things I need in my kit." Booth handed her, her case and she unpacked the things she needed.
xx
"Let's take the scenic route back," Booth said, dark brown eyes filled with concern. "I think it'll be a little easier on our tired bodies." He said our tired bodies, he meant hers. The trip would be longer, but maybe not as steep. She just nodded numbly, and he reached out for her as she wobbled to her feet, her eyes looked a little out of focus. He touched her forehead and she jerked her head away; but not before he felt she was burning up. He gave her a disapproving look - but said nothing. "Aren't you hungry?" He asked, she tucked her chin to her chest, and brushed the tissue under her nose again.
"Not particularly, I don't think I'm very well." Booth stopped walking and grabbed her arm so she would stop too.
"Don't be ridiculous Bones," He said angrily. "You're really sick, you're aching, you have a headache, you're burning up, your throat hurts, and your nose is pouring. You probably have the flu; you should be at home in bed." Temperance gave him the best glare she could but it seemed to pain her, and she looked too tired to argue. He took advantage of her meekness, and tucked her elbow to his, and let her lean into him. She'd given in – for now. If it was under different circumstances, and she wasn't sick - he would have been enjoying this.
They walked slowly, he didn't mind. His stomach rumbled loudly, and his head was sore from lack of water but he knew what ever he felt, Temperance felt fifty times worse. They passed the waterfall and dam, but neither took the time to admire either.
Ducks flapped anxiously and quacked as they flew into the dam, out of their path. The walk which should have taken one hour at the most, took two hours. When they got to the top he helped her settle into the passenger seat, and he noticed a lone tear trailing down her cheek. He resisted the urge to brush it away, to hold her close. It would only make matters worse.
As soon as they got back to the hotel she went into her room slamming the door in his face. He rolled his eyes and went down to the restaurant getting food for both of them and taking it to her room, he knocked until she came to the door, she was wrapped in a towel and looked grumpy until he held out the food, he was blushing profusely. She took it.
"Let me have a shower, and then we can eat together...?" She asked rubbing her eyes, and attempting a smile. He gave her a worried smile. He could wait to eat until she was ready, he wasn't really worried. Even though it was nearing dinner time, and they hadn't eaten since breakfast.
"I'll go find a chemist," He said anxiously checking her eyes, they still looked unfocused.
"Booth, you really don't have to. I'm a big girl" She sighed.
"I'm happy to do it, I need to go and get some - stuff too." He muttered the last few words, he hated lying to her.
"Fine. But next time - don't lie to me." The door was again shut in his face, and he walked dejectedly down the staircase. His partner could be so difficult sometimes.
The same woman was at the desk, and she directed him to a chemist only a few buildings away. "Love trouble?" The receptionist asked before he left. He thought of Temperance, and nodded before turning to find Kopata Medical Centre.
A/n: I'm having serious trouble with my computer, it's so sad! It's the holidays, why does it have to stuff up now? Plus I've been kind of busy volunteering at the animal shelter (it's really fun though!) So I'm sorry if (I know I've said this before) But I am sorry if this is a disappointment.
I'd love for you to review… hint hint You can say anything.It seems a lot of people are reading my first chapter and not reading any more! Does anyone have any suggestions? Anything they want me to put into the next chapter? (I'll see if I can work it in, lol)
Now I need to go find some antiseptic cream… I was attacked by a huge cat yesterday (and I mean huge.) Poor strays… Okay enough about that take care!
-- Chrissy
