A/N: Hello lovely readers :). The chapter below is the first part of a longer chapter. Apparently the day I tried to describe needs more words than usual XD. So, hopefully I'll be able to post the second part within a week. You know, that time span I imposed on myself to try and post in, but at which I have been failing for the last couple of chapters. Once again; a big thank you to F.H. Blake for reviewing. Also, I'd like to thank the people who decided to put this story and my account on alert. It works really motivational. And last but not least: thank you HavasuWhiskey for telling me this idea didn't suck as much as I was thinking.
Out on the lounge table she had splayed open one of the books Dr. Brennan had given her. In about ninety minutes Lilly would be attending her first ever anthropology lecture. Since she would meet Dr. Brennan here at the Jeffersonian, Lilly had decided on coming in early to try and get a head start on next week's readings. Right in front of Lilly laid her college ruled notebook, on the left stood her laptop and on the other side an opened dictionary was on standby. Truth be told, she was kind of nervous to be attending the class. She would hate to disappoint the doctor.
Anthropology turned out to be a bigger challenge than she had initially thought. It had been a long time since she had had needed a freaking dictionary to understand her reading material. She had always prided herself for having a large vocabulary, but apparently her vocabulary seemed to be more specialized than she had thought. Maybe she should cut herself some slack, she had been focusing on the law for quite some time now and anthropology had its own jargon that was completely new to her. Regardless, this procedure course was really hard. The cultural anthropology class was a lot easier to comprehend. It seemed to border onto psychology, which was very interesting. Maybe she should ask Dr. Sweets about that? Lilly had quickly learned that mentioning psychology and anthropology in the same sentence to Dr. Brennan was a total no go.
Picking out the classes that would be the most valuable to Lilly had been quite the challenge. Dr. Brennan's enthusiasm for her work was definitely contagious. With pain in Dr. Brennan's heart (and secretly much to Lilly's relieve) they had left the lab classes for what they were and focused on picking out some suitable theoretical classes. Lilly had no desire to de-flesh bones herself, thank you very much. Being around the bones and half decomposed bodies in the lab was more than enough for now.
It had surprised Lilly that Dr. Brennan even had time to teach all the different classes. The doctor's schedule was filled to the brim with work hours, classes, meetings and then she still found time to write her novels. The woman was definitely and inspiration. According to the genius doctor it only took her a couple of hours a week to teach the classes. She didn't prepare for most of the lectures, because, as the doctor had told her, she knew the science by 'head' and keeping up with the newest developments by reading the anthropology magazines was always part of a scientist's job. Also, America University had a building close to the Jeffersonian and Dr. Brennan had demanded all her classes to be scheduled there. And naturally no administrator in his or her right mind would tell the world's greatest forensic anthropologist no. Dr. Brennan wasn't pretentious or anything at all, but this advantage of her status she utilized fully.
"Hi, I don't think we've been introduced yet." Lilly heard beside her. As she looked up from rereading the same sentence for the third time, she saw someone of her own age looking at her, standing next to the coffee machine waiting for his cup to be filled with his next caffeine shot. "I am Wendell Bray."
"Oh hi", Lilly said, giving the book a little push forward out of frustration, more than welcoming the chance to pause her reading. "I am Lilly Johnson, nice to meet you. You are one of Dr. Brennan's interns aren't you?"
Wendell nodded. "Yeah, I am, although I am currently working on some Limbo cases, not the murder case Dr. Brennan is working on."
"Oh really? Dr. Saroyan told me that there usually is only one intern at the time."
"True, usually there is but Dr. Brennan, Dr. Saroyan and Dr. Edison from ancient remains decided on more hours for Limbo and therefore an intern for Limbo. And I was the lucky guy." Which Wendell was super excited about, because the more money he could earn, the sooner he could repay his friends and family.
"Do you prefer the Limbo cases over the recent murder cases?" Lilly asked curiously, but not judging. Lilly understood different people had different preferences and maybe there was some historic aspect to the Limbo cases that appealed to Wendell.
"Well, both are helping me through University while working in anthropology, so I don't really mind the chance to work in Limbo, but yeah truth be told, I do like working on the recent cases better. But since Daisy has seniority here, she got to pick on what she preferred to work on and as usual she choose whatever Dr. B. is working on." His tone telling Lilly as much about Daisy as his held in eye roll could have done. "Have you met Daisy yet?" Wendell asked a little more carefully as he removed his mug from the machine before he carefully walked over to the table Lilly was working on, trying not to spill his coffee.
"No, not yet. In fact, you are the first squintern I've met. But if she's working today I'll probably meet her soon. I've been warned for her multiple times already." Lilly noted before sporting a difficult look. "I hope the term squintern isn't offensive, it is what I've been told you all are called.
Wendell smiled his signature lopsided smile. "That's correct, agent Booth introduced it and it kind of stuck around. Proud to be a squintern!" Wendell declared loudly, puffing out his chest a little.
Lilly smiled, glad that she hadn't offended him by using a term that she had heard Booth call the interns umpteen times, but that the FBI rooky agents seemed to use as more of an insult than anything.
"You also had the signature squintern look going on there yourself, you know before I so rudely interrupted you." Wendell continued the conversation while squinting his eyes to show Lilly what he meant.
Lilly smiled, "You weren't rude at all, and it is good to meet you. And well…" Lilly lifted the heavy anthropology book to show mister. Bray the cover. "… I am glad you interrupted me as this book has me doubt my decision to even go to college in the first place."
Taking a look at the title Wendell smiled surprised. "You are taking the procedure 203 class?! No wonder you are struggling, that is one of the most difficult classes I ever had to work through."
Lilly puffed. "Good to know that that even one of the best anthropology students struggles with this class; because I am definitely have a hard time understanding any of this."
"I don't know about me being one of the best anthropology students." Wendell replied humbly with a chuckle in his voice at her struggle.
Lilly grinned, already taking a liking to Wendell. "I've heard Dr. Brennan only works with the best of the best anthropology students, so I'd say you need to learn to take a compliment."
Wendell laughed, shaking his head in mock surrender. "Yeah, okay, maybe, but why are you taking this particular class though? Life wasn't hard enough for you already?" His voice teasing.
Lilly sighed to show she was asking herself that same question now too. "Dr. Brennan picked some anthropology courses for me and I am starting to think she might have overestimated my abilities. Or maybe the next subject will be more comprehendible."
Wendell laughed, nodding. "Yeah, leave it to Dr. B to push you to become better. If you think it would help, I could send you my course notes?"
"Oh that would be great, thank you." Lilly answered. "Did you by any chance also take the cultural principles class? "
"Every anthropology undergraduate does. Wendell confirmed. Understanding why she asked that question he continued. "I'll send you those notes as well. "
Lilly nodded in gratitude. "Thanks, I don't really know which courses are obligatory and which are optional. "
Wendell chuckled; we probably have a lot less optional courses than in law school. Every class with a 20X or 30X behind its name is mandatory."
Remembering the course overview Lilly looked impressed. "Wow, I kind of feel bad for you now."
Wendell laughed filling the lounge with his laughter. "Don't be, I am sure it is much more fun than staring at the law all day."
"Oh really? Opposed from staring at bones al day?" Lilly jokingly countered.
"Touché", Wendell said, giving in, with a big smile crossing his features.
"But hey, if I am struggling with one of your super fun classes, maybe I can come find you when I have questions as well?"
"Sure", Wendell said, "you know where to find me."
After finishing the class Lilly got back to the Jeffersonian. Dr. Brennan stayed behind to take care of some administrative tasks and to answer questions from her students. Walking in, she went for the platform.
"Hi, are you Miss Wick?"
Daisy looked up at a sharply dressed women she had never seen at the Jeffersonian, not to mention the forensic platform. Hearing her name Daisy looked up from what she was doing and stared at Lilly as the legal intern slid her security pass through the checkpoint at the platform and climbed the stairs. It surprised her that the unknown woman had a security card. She wasn't even wearing a lab coat, Daisy thought condescendingly. That must mean that she is with the FBI and looking for Booth. "Yes I am", Daisy bounced slightly and proudly pointed her nose high in the air. "And who are you?" Daisy almost sounded as defensive and distrusting as Hodgins had when he learned that Lilly was working in collaboration with the FBI.
Lilly walked closer and confidently extended her hand. With a warm smile she introduced herself. Daisy snapped off the glove from her right hand and curtly shook hands with Lilly. "I am sorry, Miss Johnson, that you have wasted your time coming up here, but Dr. Brennan has asked me, personally, well you know through the correct channels, to be the intern on this case." Her ponytail bouncing as she spoke.
Hodgins, who was also at work on the forensic platform rolled his eyes at Daisy's tone. The ego of Miss Wick apparently had no limits. There was no way Dr. B. had asked Daisy personally, Dr. Brennan hardly ever took an interest in which interns were on the case; as long as she had the assistance she needed. Daisy was only here today because she was next on the rotation schedule. Nothing more, nothing less. If Dr. B. would take the time to choose her intern, he was sure Wendell and Arastoo would be around all the time.
Lilly couldn't stop her mouth from turning into a grin. What was this woman so worried about? The hostile welcome of one of the squinterns was very intriguing. Lilly shook her head, trying to turn her grin into a kind smile. "No I think you misunderstood..."
"I don't misunderstand anything, just as my mentor, you know, Dr. Brennan, never does." Daisy interrupted.
Lilly raised her hand out of frustration, rapidly annoyed by the way this woman was acting. Weren't scientist supposed to not jump to conclusions?
Miraculously, Daisy actually shut up by the gesture. Damn, I have to remember that move, Hodgins thought.
Pleasantly surprised that the squintern stopped talking Lilly continued. "If I may", Lilly stated politely. "I am an intern, but I am not a forensic anthropologist student as I've been told you are. I am a law student and I am working for the justice department. Thanks to a collaboration of the justice department, FBI and Jeffersonian I am able to be here and observe how the Jeffersonian plays a part in the criminal proceedings."
"Ohh", was all Daisy had to say. Feeling put in her place even though Lilly had been nothing but courteous to her. She really needed to stay up to date on the news of the lab during the weeks she wasn't working, because this was awkward. She was happy she hadn't told Lilly that agent Booth wasn't in when she had thought Lilly was part of the FBI support staff. Although… justice department, was that below FBI support staff? It most definitely was below being a Jeffersonian intern, after all being an intern with Dr. Brennan was the highest possible position for an anthropologist in training. What would be the highest intern opportunity for a law student? What if that was in fact working at the federal prosecutor office? Would that change her place in the ranking in the eyes of Dr. Brennan? Dr. Brennan did hold Miss Julian in high regard…
Lilly smiled at the stunned intern and had continued talking. "So Dr. Brennan asked me to sit here and observe from the forensic platform for a while. She'll be in shortly. I promise I won't ask you any questions while you are working on the bones, but I felt it was better to introduce myself than just jump aboard and sit down staring at you silently while taking notes." Lilly simply explained.
Daisy nodded, trying to regroup and not be intimidated by Lilly's confidence. "That is fine, but you have to wear a lab coat so you don't contaminate the evidence. Dr. Brennan finds that has the highest priority and she and I are much alike."
Lilly raised an eyebrow; looking behind Daisy to see Dr. Hodgins shake his head while trying to hide his smirk. "Right, sorry it is in my bag, I'll put it on." Dr Saroyan hadn't exaggerated when she had warned Lilly for Miss Wick. And Wendell's reaction should have been a sign to her as well. Oh well, nothing Lilly couldn't deal with. Lilly quickly put on her lab coat and grabbed her legal pad to jot down any questions she might have.
After fifteen minutes of silence on the forensic platform Hodgins beckoned Lilly to come over to his work station.
"So how was your first ever anthropology class with Dr. B? Are you already considering changing your major?"
Lilly grinned. "Not a chance bug man, I love my law books too much." Lilly had loved that nickname for the multi degree doctor; lover of insect bugs, hater of spy devices. It really suited him.
"I did enjoy the class though, it was rather amazing actually. I really thought I would be lost in there, I mean, just this morning I was preparing for next week's class on the TCA technique and I couldn't even read a sentence without needing a dictionary." Hodgins laughed and Lilly continued. "But Dr. Brennan is amazing. She really makes the material come alive. Everybody who ever needs to hold a speech could learn from her. She is engaging, has loads of examples, it all just comes so natural to her. I didn't see one student who was not paying attention."
"Wait, you are taking an anthropology class?" Daisy asked surprised, having strained to overhear the conversation.
" Yes", Lilly said, "two actually. Procedurals 203 and cultural ... well, something." Lilly rushed over the forgotten course name. "Although that second class isn't taught by Dr. Brennan until it gets to next semester's subjects."
Was this woman a threat to Daisy? Law and anthropology shouldn't mix – like ever, okay except for Dr. Brennan and agent Booth's partnership, but that only worked because of Dr. Brennan's exceptional skills and extensive knowledge. And this was like what? Lilly's second or third week? And she already hit it off with Hodgins? It had taken Daisy months to get into the man's good graces. No, Daisy didn't like newest intern at all. "Well good luck with that", Daisy said. "I was one of the 2% of my year who passed that exam during the first try."
Trying to let the snarky comment slide, Lilly took a few deep breaths. "Well, I am not sure I will be taking the test, the goal is to gather knowledge, not to gather more credits. I am already swimming in those. My tutor already joked that all my extra courses might not even fit onto my diploma." Lilly said, trying to defuse the situation but failing as the comment only made Daisy more envious towards the newest team member.
"Here look at this structure here through the microscope", Hodgins offered to Lilly, trying to give Lilly an out of the situation as he felt the tension rise between the two ladies. It always took new people a while before they got used to Daisy. No amount of warning could prevent it and he too still got frustrated with Miss Wick every once in a while. He remembered when Daisy had started on the team and on occasion he had wished he still wore his elastic band to snap his frustrations away. She had come a long way since then, improving with the interruptions and the pushy mentions of impending friendship, but still, the superior comments could get under the skin of anyone, especially someone not quite used to the particular taste that was Miss Daisy wick.
Before Lilly got the chance to look through the microscope the system beeped, telling Hodgins some results were in. "Oh the mass spectrometer is ready. Want to join me to prep the next sample? I can also show you how to read the results if you are interested?"
"Sure!" Lilly said, glad to get a chance to get out of Daisy's hair for a little while, before Lilly would lose her cool and would start to become venomous against Daisy. She hated that she didn't know why Daisy disliked her so much. Usually Lilly knew very well why someone didn't like her; usually it was because Lilly stood up for herself when people offended her. But this time, Lilly had no idea what she could have done to irritate Daisy from the very first second.
Walking out of hearing distance from Daisy, Lilly let out a sighed wow. "Why does she hate me so much?"
Hodgins chuckled. "Trust me, she doesn't hate you, she just needs time to get to know you and to get used to you being around."
"Uhu, but why?"Lilly asked, almost exasperated.
Hodgins smiled. "Let me put it this way, you are very connected to Dr. Brennan and Daisy is Dr. B's biggest fan. So as long as you don't come between Daisy and her time with Dr. Brennan, you two will get along. You know, after a warming up period, that is. If she thinks you are a threat to her time around Dr. Brennan, she'll start stamping her feet like an ignored toddler."
"And eventually you'll get used to her less than ideal wording of her self-compliments."
Lilly chuckled. "Okay then, patience it is. Although, I find it very hard to ignore someone insulting the people around her."
Hodgins grinned. Brennan had told him, Angela and Cam about what had happened when Lilly and Sweets had met. Not that Dr. Brennan had been perfectly able to put into words why she had thought her session with the FBI shrink had been so funny, but when Booth told them the details it had indeed been a hilarious situation. "The thing with Daisy is that she isn't trying to insult the people around her, it just happens. Just trust me, you'll manage. Before you know it she'll be trying to be your best friend."
Did anyone catch the flaw in Daisy's thinking process? Without the collaboration with law enforcement there really is no need for a field like forensic anthropology. Please leave a review and/or feel free to PM me with your thoughts :).