Rated: T
Pairings: Booth/Cam (although I hate to do it) Brennan/other Angela/Hodgins
Dr. Sayoran forces Brennan to make a decision that has repercussions for everyone. Now, Booth has a choice to make. Will he be too late?
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"Temperance, I don't understand." Dr. Goodman was staring at the piece of paper in front of him.
It could not be what he was perceiving it to be.
"It's my resignation."
"WHY?"
"Dr. Sayoran left me no choice sir. I have been sent on assignment by the government and she denied my request to pursue this assignment."
"But, it is in your contract." Dr. Goodman was definitely in shock.
"I told her that. But, she thinks that her word is law when it comes to my job and told me with no other option that I could not leave this building unless I gave her complete details of where I was going and how long I'd be gone."
"She has to know that that is impossible."
"It doesn't seem that she does. I felt I had no other choice but to resign. I can't deny this request. It's too important."
Daniel Goodman nodded his head. "Yes, I understand that you have little choice when the government sends you on these. Look, I'll hold on to this paper, you go on assignment and when you come back will review it. Does that sound acceptable to you?"
Brennen sighed. "Yes, sir. But I don't think it will make any difference. Dr. Sayoran and I are just too different to work together."
He sighed. "Just think about it. Please."
She nodded before leaving the office.
Goodman scrubbed his fingers over his face. How did he get into these situations. He had told the board that hiring someone without Brennan's input would be a disaster but they wouldn't listen. Now he had to go back and tell them that his prediction had come true. The Jeffersonian was going to lose it's best asset.
Dr. Sayoran had finally gotten the idea that her iron woman stare was not going to get her the information she wanted. She huffed out an aggravated breath and turned to leave the platform.
Dr. Goodman stood at the bottom of the stairs with a very unpleasant look on his face.
"Dr. Goodman what can I do for you."
"I need to speak to you, privately."
"Am I to assume this has something to do with Dr. Brennen?" She asked casually.
"Yes, it does. Join me in my office. Now."
She turned to look at the squints sure that they would be thrilled with her being called on the carpet. What she saw was three worried faces only she knew the concern was not for her.
They were worried about their dear Brennan.
Before the door to the office was completely closed Angela had Temperance on the phone.
"Bren, what's going on?"
Brennan sighed. "Ang, I don't think this is a good time to talk about it."
"Temperance Brennan, you do not want me to follow you to 'you know where' do you? I'll do it. You know I will."
Bones gave a short laugh. "I resigned. She didn't leave me much choice." She went on to recap the conversation in the office leaving a fuming Angela when she hung up the phone.
"Ang?" Hodgins asked the artist. "What did she say?"
"She said...she said she handed in her resignation. That woman in there made Brennan quit"
She walked quickly away.
"Where are you going? Angela! Don't do anything stupid." He chased after her.
"I'm not being rash. I'm simply going to look into some other opportunities I've set aside to be here for Brennan, that's all." She was forced to stop when Jack grabbed her arm.
"Talk to me. Please." And she couldn't refuse him.
"Go get Zack. I might as well get this over with all at one time."
Booth entered an unusually empty lab. He walked to Bones' office only to find the lights out and the door locked. Cam wasn't in her usual area, Goodman's door was closed tight and as he opened the door to Angela's work room she rounded on him.
"Get out!"
"Angela? Where is everyone? Where's Bones?"
"Why don't you go ask your girlfriend? She has all the answers. I'd like to see how she manages when she has no one to boss around anymore."
He could see the tears in Angela's eyes. "What? What the hell is going on here?"
"Just leave Booth. I don't think you want Angela to go off on you right now. And, if you're a smart man you'll keep Dr. Sayoran away from us until things are settled." Hodgins was as angered as his coworker and Booth could see it burning deep in his eyes. He was surprised the guy was holding back.
"Okay. Let's just all take a step back. I'll come back later to talk to you guys, okay?" He looked at the three people in the room. None of them were looking back. Something was really, really wrong.
He saw the director of the Jeffersonian walking out of his office. "Dr. Goodman! I need to talk to you."
"Agent Booth, I don't have the time at the moment. I am trying to save this institution."
"Huh?" Booth shook his head. "Look I just needed to know where Bones is? I have a case I need her help on."
Goodman turned to face the FBI agent. "Dr. Brennan has resigned her position with the Jeffersonian.
Perhaps you will learn more during your pillow talk this evening."
"Geez, does everyone know about me and..."
"A blind person can see what's between you and Dr. Sayoran. And, I can see why Temperance decided not to inform you of her actions."
"What do you mean?"
"I gave you a two part statement and all you are concerned with is your sex life. It's as if you did not even hear the first part."
Booth thought back to what Goodman has said to him. "Bones resigned?"
Goodman snorted in disgust and walked off.
Angela printed off the three documents she had written up and handed them around. She then went into her files and also printed out the copies of the patent confirmation on the Angelator and agreements for licensing on several of the other innovations she and Brennan had come up with. She would be looking for another job and while doing so she could relax and live on the monies the Jeffersonian was going to owe her to use the innovations they would be keeping.
As a team the three of them went in search of Dr. Goodman. Having been told that he had left the building and would not be back today they were discussing whether to leave their resignations in his inbox or to come in tomorrow to hand them in personally, when Booth came up behind them.
"Are any of you calm enough to tell me what's going on? Why did Bones quit and where is she?"
Angela turned to face him. Whoa, she was still angry. He took a step back in self defense and ran into Cam who had been standing behind him.
"I'm amazed you haven't asked your girlfriend. I'm sure she'd be more than happy to tell you how she ran Brennan off." Angela spat the words at him. "Oh, and while you're here Dr. Sayoran, here is my resignation. Also, these are the agreements between the Board of Directors and myself as well as Bren.
We expect what we are owed for the equipment to be paid promptly or my lawyer will be in contact with you. I'm sure I can sell them to other labs who need them."
The other woman looked at her, completely baffled. "What are you talking about."
Zack stepped forward. "My resignation, as well. I'll be returning to school to finish my Ph.Ds." He walked away to pack up his things.
"Stop! None of you are leaving this lab." The doctor's strident voice was heard through out the building.
Hodgins was looking at her as if she were a most interesting species of bug. One he would rather step on than study. "This is my resignation. From now on all of my interaction will be through the Cantilever group. Don't get too comfortable with your job here, Dr. Sayoran. You won't have it much longer."
"Hodgins!" Booth realized something was really off track here.
"Are you threatening me? You're a lowly lab worker, Mr. Hodgins. You have nothing to say about my employment here." The haughty voice replied.
"Cam, don't push this."
"What? There's nothing he can do to me."
"Yes, he can." Booth was looking at Hodgins, questioning the man's intention of going on with his threat.
"I'd rather be discovered than lose Brennan and Angela over such an insufferable, unpleasant situation. Goodbye, Booth." He looked at the two people in front of him with a sneer. "And good luck. You're going to need it."
He stood there watching people he had come to think of as friends walk away.
"What were they talking about? How could he be a threat to me and what the hell did that woman mean we owe her money? For what?"
He huffed out a breath. "Angela and Bones either invented or improved on many of the imaging systems used here. They hold several patents. I'd say she's giving ample warning that she intends to collect on the usage agreements signed by the President of the Board of Directors or she'll remove all of their innovations and sell them to the highest bidder."
Cam rolled her eyes. "And Hodgins?"
"His family IS the Cantilever Group. They are the largest single donors to this institute. I'm sure he could get your contract voided. Or he could just talk them into pulling all of their monies out of the Jeffersonian. You'd lose your job either way." He turned on her. "Now, you will tell me what the hell you did to Bones to set all of this in motion."
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