A/N: Hi there! I don't know what got into me to post this chapter. I should be writing an essay or at the very least be preparing for my classes next week, but apparently, some part of me wanted to be done with this chapter XD. Sorry to disappoint, we're still not at the part of the story where chaos and interesting things are bound to happen. Maybe I am hoping that posting this chapter will get me back on track with those half-written chapters.

WARNING: I love swearing too much

Booth and Lilly had ended up talking all evening in the restaurant and technically it been already Friday morning when the agent Booth had dropped Lilly off at her apartment. Opening the door to her home she had muttered to herself " I am going to regret this in the morning,"

And naturally, when the alarm had ever so rudely signaled the end to her sleeping time, she had not wanted to leave her warm and comfortable bed.

After having slept through practically half of the morning meeting, while at least physically being there, Lilly was finally allowed to get back to something fun: learning anthropology with Wendell. She loved the law and all but still, sometimes she wondered if she should have chosen a different career path. A path more along the lines of the interns that ended up working for Dr. Brennan. Thankfully this internship gave her the opportunity to work with the law and science, so for now, she didn't need to worry about though decisions like that.

Before ditching the Hoover for the day and changing it for the Jeffersonian, Lilly decided to swing by agent Booth's office. She was very curious to see if he was somewhat awake or halfway there, halfway home like she currently was. He had actually had quite a few drinks, so she just hoped he wasn't dealing with a hangover, from them talking away the evening about love, family and believing in faith.

Knocking on the open door she was met with two sparkly brown eyes. "Good morning!" Booth answered her knock.

"Good morning", Lilly said, trying not to growl her greeting. Despite the fact that she had been awake for a couple of hours now, she still felt like sleeping for a couple more. "I thought I'd swing by to see if you were experiencing any effects from staying up past midnight on a school night, but for some reason, you're looking like you slept 8 hours?"

"Sniper training", Booth responded casually, leaning back into his desk chair as he played with an apple before taking a bite. "I have been trained to function on little sleep, so dining out until it is closing time is nothing."

"Ah", Lilly bit back another yawn, covering her mouth with her hand, just in case. "And here I was thinking that as a millennial, I should be able to pull all-nighters and not feel it at all."

Booth grinned. "Well maybe you're turning 40 next year and I am the one turning 26 soon."

Lilly chuckled half sarcastically. "Hilarious, make fun of the paperwork girl."

"No, no", Booth countered. "I am not making fun of your paperwork abilities, I am making fun of Lightweight Lilly, not able to drink much liquor and unable to stay up after 12 pm." Referencing to the team's celebratory drinks only a couple of days earlier.

Lilly smiled, signaling she was leaving. "Thanks huh, but I have to say I am looking very good for 40." Doing a hair flip to underline her point before waving her goodbye. Leaving Booth to chuckle, before taking another bite of his apple.

"Good morning mister Bray!," Lilly shouted as soon as she was descending the stairs into Limbo.

Looking up and seeing the face he had expected, he smiled. "Good morning to you too, miss Johnson. Taking a better look at his indirect colleague as she walked closer, Wendell grinned. "Don't you look like little miss sunshine?"

"Oh, shut up", Lilly said jokingly, knowing that all the make-up in the world couldn't possibly hide the bags under his eyes from what agent Booth seemed to consider to be only minor sleep deprivation.

"Did Booth finally break you in the gym?" Wendell asked with a crooked smile. Ever since agent Booth had been the interim trainer of the hockey team for a few months, he had gained a new respect for every law enforcement officer anywhere. Also beside that newly found respect, he had felt sorry for himself, the team and more recently for Lilly for having to work out with Booth as an instructor.

Lilly shook her head." No, actually we already skipped two sessions. First one was after those team drinks, we decided a somewhat full night of sleep would be more productive." For as far as that was even possible. Even with skipping the workout routine, she still had needed to get up at 6.30am. "And then, ironically enough, we skipped this morning because we ended up talking so much at the restaurant that we kind of lost track of time. So we didn't leave the restaurant before midnight.

Can you believe that agent Booth actually looked like he did sleep 8 hours? I don't get it. I am focusing all my energy here on barely staying awake."

Wendell grinned. "Did he tell you it was because of his sniper training?" Which was something Booth always told anyone who would listen, but Wendell believed it was just the magic of double shots of caffeine.

Lilly nodded. "Yep, that is what the man said."

"But agent Booth took you out to dinner then?" Wendell asked, trying not to sound too serious.

Lilly nodded, "Yes, as a thank you for helping him with his paperwork." Feeling like teasing Wendell a little. "It most likely wasn't anywhere nearly as romantic as you're thinking of right now."

Wendell grinned, only feeling slightly caught. Not willing to ask her why it took them the whole evening to dine he went with:"Ah, does that mean I can expect a very very romantic dinner from you when you pass your procedural anthropology class?"

Smiling, she dropped her bag on the chair next to an empty examiner table. Whenever she was studying here, in Limbo, she used one of the tables of death as her temporary desk. It was somewhat weird that being around bones wasn't as freaky as it seemed only a couple of weeks ago."Well, I don't really know the definition of very very romantic, but sure, I could take you out to dinner when I pass the test. Or cook you a homecooked meal and make sure there are lots and lots of candles burning. Maybe sprinkle around some rose peddles?" Lilly grinned.

Rolling his eyes, he snorted. "Sure, homecooked dinner sounds great. However, candles and rose peddles sound way too cliché to be romantic. Now, are you ready for a morning of procedural anthropology?"

"Never and always," Lilly said with a corny smile. Opening her books she turned to Wendell. "You know what I don't understand? I really like the classes dr. B teaches but ugh.. the course materials are soooo boring and technical. And yeah before you start, I know the law can be pretty boring sometimes as well, so it surprises me I can't deal with this."

Wendell snorted again, that was exactly what he was going to say. From the day they had met, they silently had decided on taking a stabs at each other's disciplines for fun. He walked around the table to get a better look at the ulna of unidentified victim 1993-206. "And here I was thinking I was making forensic anthropology fun."

Lilly grinned. "Hell yeah, just reading these pages would be pretty unbearable without your help."

"So? Maybe your academic reading is just a little below average."

If she had been any closer to where Wendell was standing, she would have poked him in the ribs. "Alright hotshot, next week I am bringing a 3L book for you to read about criminal law proceedings. Let's see how well can handle a different field of study."

"Well actually, that would be pretty cool. Do you think you could sneak me into one of your classes sometime?

"Sure, which one would you like to attend?"

Wendell smiled. "That doesn't really matter, which one you think I am intelligent enough to comprehend. My mom's going to freak, me going to law school."

"Why? Because law school is for criminals?" Lilly answered grinningly, expecting another jokingly stab.

"Nope", Wendell said. "She is going to find it wonderful, she thinks medical doctor or lawyer are the highest possible positions in the whole world. You know, I am the first one of my family and neighborhood to go to college."

"Oh really? That is so cool. Everyone must be super proud of you." Lilly said.

"Yeah, they are. But at the same time, it is pretty nerve-racking. I mean, my mom is in church every day. Thanking God for the miracle that is this internship and scholarship. Last year was pretty scary. The funding for my scholarship nearly got pulled and because of that, I almost had to give up my studies and this internship. I guess sometimes it is pretty hard to have everyone watching over your shoulders, hoping you'll make it. It can be pretty stressful on occasions. Sorry, that sounds rather negative, and I shouldn't complain because my scholarship found new funding and I still get to be here. So how about you, are you also the first in your family to attend University?" Wendell asked, trying to divert the conversation from his insecurities.

"I get that, it must be hard to be under that kind of pressure. You're not being negative at all. And no, I am not the first one to have received an undergraduate degree in my family. As a matter of fact, I think everyone in my family has at least a Bachelor's degree. My dad has a Master's degree, my uncle actually has a doctorate in Economy and aunt has some shady degree in Biology if I am correct."

"Wow", Wendell said, "so you were more than expected to go to college and get degrees."

Lilly tilting her head, thinking. "Yeah, in a way, I suppose it was expected, but my parents never pressured me to get any degrees. My great-grandfather never enjoyed studying, so he used to say he attended the school of life and that he had majored in gaining knowledge in the working world. His parents weren't too happy with his decision to not pursue a degree, but he always managed and in the end, they understood and were proud of him. At least that is what he used to tell me. So if you're wondering why I can be so stubborn, it's in embedded in my DNA." Lilly said, proud of her ancestor.

"That is so cool, you actually knew your great-grandfather? Or did your parents pass down that story?"

Lilly smiled. "I am pretty sure my dad would have never told me that because he thinks education is 'pertinent' and an 'obligation to society'. So yeah, I did know great grandfather, sadly he died last year, but he made it to 102 in relatively good health."

So much for not being pressured into going to college, Wendell thought. "That's amazing! My grandmother is 96 and refusing to move to a home. She says she grew up on our street and she is going to die in that street."

Lilly smiled, "I guess we both come from a line of very stubborn people."

Afternoon, federal courthouse, central hall

Caroline raised an eyebrow. Leaning towards her otherwise focused intern, she whispered. "Cher, you are staring."

"Sorry", Lilly said. "But isn't that Steve Stein? I saw him on the defense attorney special last summer, he was incredible. And you have to admit the man is smoking. The TV doesn't do him any justice."

Caroline hummed agreeing. "Hm-hm, sure is, but he is just as toxic as the smoke coming from a burned down chemical factory. Let me give you some advice. Don't fall for his looks or his sweet talking. He has a thing for young lawyers like yourself. He's a snake and after palming you in he'll constrict you like you're a cute bunny."

Lilly smiled, always enjoying miss Julian's metaphors. "I appreciate the heads up, Caroline, but apart from the obvious looks, all I admire about him is his preceding professional reputation. He is always described as a pit bull, once he bites into something, he doesn't let go until he wins the case. Although.. I've never seen him give a plea in real life."

Caroline sized Lilly up, one eyebrow cocked. "Okay, I'll believe you. For now. Innocent until proven guilty and all. He is good at his little speeches, I'll give you that. But he is a complete smug and I don't like him."

The sharply dressed defense attorney was moving in their direction. "Omg is he coming this way?" Lilly hissed, feeling her cheeks heat up from their gossiping and the star-struck awe she was experiencing.

"Hm-hm", Caroline disapprovingly crossed her arms in front of her. "Mr. Stein", Caroline coldly greeted the approaching attorney, spitting out his name like she was talking about a disease.

"Hello miss Julian, good to see you still standing. I hope you're ready for the Tryon case next Thursday?"

Caroline smiled a venomous smile. "What did you do Steve? Bribe the man's counsel just for another chance to lose to me again?"

"Me? Consider me shocked. First of; last time was only a small loss, don't get used to it. Secondly, you know I don't do white collar crimes. Even less commit them. Major crimes and class A felonies are my specialty, as you very well know." His last comments seemingly for the sole benefit of Lilly, who he was generously taking his time to look and down. "Talking about class A. Shouldn't you introduce me to your lovely assistant?"

Lilly bit her lip to prevent her from laughing out loud at the awful line he was trying to pull. Secretly she loved sleazy lines like that, word jokes would have her laughing harder than anything. However, arrogance as a fragrance was a big turn off. Her mentor hadn't exaggerated the man's ego and self-fulfillment though. He was obviously working the angle that his relative fame gave him.

"Sorry, What could possibly have caused me to forget my manners?" Sarcasm dripping from the prosecutor's voice. Caroline quickly took care of the introductions.

"Pleasure is all mine", the attorney replied as he once more ogled the intern. "Would you like to go and grab a bite to eat tonight? I'll let you ask me anything you'd like to know." The question sounded slightly suggestive.

"What makes you think I am knowledgeable in the legal field? I could just be part of the office support staff or a victim of a heinous crime." Lilly responded, amused by the assumption. Her answer implying that the latter were the case, there was no reason for her to be interested in a one on one Q & A session with a famous lawyer.

The attorney laughed. "Well, I'd say an ordinary office employee doesn't even know who I am, so that must mean you are attending or attended law school, and therefore you could be interested in a stimulating dinner with a well-respected lawyer."

Alright, 1-0 for him. "Stimulating dinner huh? I am very flattered, but I guess I good looks aren't going to be stimulation enough." Lilly enjoying the double burn of her comment. The man had some nerve, but then again, some part of Lilly was used to these type of conversations by now.

"Trust me, I am very stimulating, regardless of my looks." Steve persisted, throwing in some extra charm.

Caroline cleared her throat. "Excuse me, I am going to need a wastebasket here."

Lilly smiled at her superior, before turning back to mister Stein. "I am very flattered you think I am worthy of being your… entertainment for tonight, but I am not the fuck the famous type of gall."

For a star lawyer, he was stunned into silence a little too easy. It always surprised Lilly how big-mouthed men couldn't handle having their suggestion spelled out back to them. Lilly never fought shy of bluntness, clarity over semantics at any day, especially with an indecent proposal from a stranger. Maybe a couple of years ago she would have fled the scene because it made her uncomfortable, but now she enjoyed turning the tables on inappropriate conversational partners.

When he didn't respond within two seconds, Lilly turned to Caroline again, a satisfied smile on her face. Time to leave. "Should we walk to the judges' chambers?"

Taking Lilly's cue, Caroline nodded, walking with Lilly to the giant stairs. She couldn't have put the arrogant douche in his place any better herself. "Nice one, Cherie, but another warning; he is going to try to make your life hell now."

Lilly shrugged. "Fine by me, I lost my respect for him when he started checking me out within the first seconds of meeting me. Nothing cures finding someone attractive faster than being an entitled bastard."

"Amen to that Cherie, amen to that."

A/N: Until next chapter :).