A/N: Okay, this is the curse of writing: I am working on an essay and writing for that gets the writing juices flowing for this story instead XD. So, now I am here posting the next chapter. This chapter is mostly from Bones' perspective.
Special note for Msph95: I am working on the chapter where Angela will apologize to Lilly, so it will happen in a few chapters :). I appreciate the suggestion.
Thank you, Kareneb, for reviewing!
It had been a while since she had seen the intern at the lab and until now there hadn't been a good time to stop by and say how do you do. As a lecturer at American University, Bones had access to the time schedule of all students, including miss Johnson's. That information had made it very easy to find out in which hall the intern's class was and when it ended. Seeing that the legal intern's conversation was coming to a natural end, Brennan walked closer. Carefully timing her steps, she tried to balance her arrival between the end of the conversation and before miss Johnson could flee the scene. It was a difficult task, but not one she was going to shy away from. She had a goal in mind and she would succeed. With having mentored interns for years, she knew that Lilly needed a push to get back into the right direction and today was the perfect day to get her back on the track. "Good morning", Bones said.
When Booth had told her about everything that had happened, she had been worried about miss Johnson wellbeing. For a second, she had been envious that Booth had satisfied biological urges with miss Johnson but she believed Booth that it wasn't going to happen again. Not exactly knowing what social protocol was in situations where an acquaintance had been assaulted, she naturally had turned to Booth for guidance. Booth had waved her worries away, told her to just be herself and to back off if Lilly didn't want to talk. No gentle gloves were necessary. Seeing the other student walking away Bones continued. "How have you been doing? We're missing you at the lab."
Booth had told her that Lilly had been avoiding the lab, mainly because of Mr. Bray and Angela but the legal intern apparently was also worried about Dr. Brennan's reaction. That the intern was avoiding Angela wasn't really surprising in itself, Temperance could truly understand that desire. Instead, it surprised Bones was that Angela hadn't yet apologized for interfering to both Booth and Miss Johnson. She would talk to her best friend again and insist that Angela needed to make amends. Miss Johnson was an adult, but Angela was the more experienced professional and thus should act like one. Maybe with a little persuasion, she could get Angela to apologize to Booth as well.
A little startled Lilly turned to face her forensic anthropology mentor. Noticing from the corner of her eyes other students were staring that their, well idol wasn't even an exaggeration, was talking to her and not them; the die-hard anthropology students. "Good morning, Dr. Brennan. I am doing fine, thank you. I take it you're doing fine as well?"
Temperance didn't need Booth's insights to know that Lily was being cool, careful, collected and distant towards her. "Yes, I am doing rather well." Bones said with a smile she hoped was a warm one. "Why haven't you been by at the lab?"
Because I am worried about your and Angela's reaction. That would have been a true answer. Because I am afraid of what I will see in Wendell's eyes if I see him. Disappointment? Judgment? Because I don't know how to fix what got broken. But she couldn't really say any of that. She didn't feel she deserved Dr. B's wisdom or attention. Not after learning about the mess she had created. Instead, Lilly went for a white lie. God, I can't seem to get out of this habit of lying. It was such an easy rabbit hole to fall into and she didn't know how to get out. "Because, I've been busy at the Justice Department, the work seemed to be getting more and more."
Booth and Temperance had decided on forcing Lilly's hand. Bones had asked if she should give Lilly an official warning that she would fail in her internship if she stayed away from the lab for weeks at a time. Booth had laughed and told her no and that it was a bit much. According to Booth lying was sometimes permitted for a good cause, especially if you valued that other person.
Brennan nodded in response to Lilly. "I understand, though there have been some interesting developments recently. It is a pity that you missed them, since they were very educational. Speaking of very educational things, I have another book I'd like to lend you. Care to walk to my office?"
Lilly nodded.
"Are you really doing well?" Bones asked as they crossed the hallways of the faculty.
Lilly nodded. "I am, Dr. Brennan. It is great to be back in my own apartment again and I haven't been jumpy in a while, so I think I am doing okay." She managed a polite smile as they entered Dr. Brennan's office in the university. It was a lot smaller than the doctor's office in the Medico-Legal lab, but it was still very much Dr. Brennan with the artifacts strategically placed throughout the place. "Are you here often?" Lilly asked as she looked at a replica of a Neanderthal's ribcage.
Bones rummaged through the book stand on the wall. "No. I prefer my office at the Jeffersonian or even my home office. The Jeffersonian is easier for Booth and my primary appointment is there as well. I mostly use this office in between classes and when I have to meet up with students that aren't my interns."
"Does that mean I am no longer your intern?" Lilly nervously joked.
"No, you are still the shared department's intern as far as I know."
Gasping to take in her air, Lilly nodded again.
"Why are you worried about that? You do excellent work."
"Thanks, Dr. Brennan. But there is more than work. I could understand... if you'd prefer to never have to see me again."
Bones looked at Lilly. "Because of your short-lived sexual relationship with Booth?"
Lilly cringed. I didn't think I was such a prude, maybe it is the wording... "Yeah, basically...
Bones smiled. "Miss Johnson, I harbor no hard feelings toward you because of that. You and Booth are both adults and casual sex is part of the adult experience. As far as I knew both of you were single at the time. Hence, I see no reason why that development should be considered wrongful. I understand the need from Booth and I really can't blame you for as Angela would say: take a ticket on that ride. I am glad you were able to be there for Booth when he needed someone to talk to."
Under different circumstances, Lilly would have laughed or at the very least smiled at the Angela inspired wording. "So, you don't think this is even a little awkward?"
"Booth told me that you believe awkwardness is an option. According to that philosophy, we can just decide to not to make this awkward. I've met several of Booth's bed partners before and that in general wasn't awkward. We'll still have to work together for at least the duration of your internship and as a matter of fact, I would rather keep our relationship as it was previously. I find that you often pose very interesting points of view. In fact, I might owe you a thank you. Our previous discussion about the anthropological aspects of love and marriage in modern society made me reconsider my views on the matter, which lead to me concluding that I needed to pursue Booth once more. So, for that alone, I am very grateful to have you around. Booth finds some parts of your explanation rather unromantic, but I appreciate the more practical sides that apparently are there to be considered."
"I am glad to hear that. Though I do hope that you didn't tell Booth that you want to marry him out of tax reasons, did you?"
"No, we haven't discussed marriage and if I were to ever marry Booth it would be out of one of the other types of love."
Lilly nearly melted at the words as she saw visions of Booth wanting to hear those words. Dr. B. probably didn't even know how happy it would make him with her just saying that. It was quite the contrast from the last time they had this conversation. Lilly was a sucker for romance and true love stories and through the months she had noticed Booth was too. Dr. B. Probably didn't really know what to do with romance, but Lilly was convinced Dr. Brennan was just as romantically inclined deep down somewhere as well. "Well, that is good."
Bones pretended to look more closely at the books on her desk. "Hmm. Oh, I seem to have misplaced the book. I think left it at the Jeffersonian. If I am correct your classes are done for the day, aren't they?"
"Yes", Lilly said with a slight hesitation in her voice.
"Alright, then we can head back to the Jeffersonian. I'd like to extend some pointers on what to read and what not. I was planning on going back after this conversation anyway. I'll drive. It might also interest you that Dr. Hodgins is currently working on another very exciting experiment. He already told me he loves to share the ingenuity of his new set-up with you. Turning back to Lilly she noticed how Lilly was frozen in place. "Do you have all your belongings with you?"
Shaking it off and resigning in the - now - fact that she was going back to the Jeffersonian, Lilly responded. "Uhm... yes, I have everything."
On the way down to the parking garage Bones filled Lilly in on the parameters of the experiment Dr. Hodgins was designing. In the car, silence hung between Bones and Lilly. Booth had prepared Temperance that miss Johnson was going to dislike the idea of going back to the lab out if fear. The fact that the intern hadn't objected about picking up the book, had already surprised her. In a sense, miss Johnson dealt with emotional obstacles in the same way as Brennan did. Shutting herself off from the world and her own feelings. It was odd to see her own behavior in someone else. Especially since Temperance knew it wasn't healthy behavior. Knowing that, also made Bones determined to make Lilly cut it out. Strangely enough unhealthy behavior was easier to spot in someone else.
"Is there still something on your mind that is bothering you?" Temperance asked as she took a right turn.
Several... Lilly thought. "Well, I guess I can't seem to understand why you aren't angry at me. Not that I am not happy with that, but putting myself in your shoes I think I would be at the very least annoyed." If not downright pissed.
Bones nodded. "I understand your reasoning and the explanation is quite simple. Being angry with you or Booth wouldn't be fruitful and it would be irrational. The past has passed. I can't deny I have felt a tinge of jealousy, but I trust that Booth and I can have a future. Which means certain parts of the past are now losing importance."
"Well, let me tell you that I am jealous of the relationship between you and Booth and with me a lot of people. I could hit myself for not having noticed sooner because there is indeed something special about Booth and you together."
"Does that jealousy mean you are wishing the intercourse with Booth would have continued?" Bones asked slightly worried.
"Oh no, absolutely not. I think both Booth's, yours and my life will be a lot better if he and I aren't involved like that." Lilly was quick to appease Dr. Brennan. "I am not jealous of you. I meant jealous of the relationship between the two of you. Starting off as friends and then working towards a romantic relationship, that is beautiful to me."
Relaxing her grip on the steering wheel, Bones nodded. "To be honest to me it is a bit strange to be working towards a new type of relationship with Booth. I've never been in a situation like this. Usually, my relationships start from a sexual starting point and in some very rare cases, a friendship developed afterward. It never happened in the reversed order.
Lilly smiled. "And you consider that a good development or a bad one?"
"Do you mean the development of friendship after having been romantically involved?"
"Yes", Lilly said. "In my experience, when it happens in that order, it means that the sexual part of the relationship is slipping. So, the fact that things are going differently between Booth and you compared to previous relationships, is I think a promising one.
Bones nodded. "I hope so. Booth is very important to me. Booth has been trying to teach me how to have faith but I keep struggling with the notion". Bones noted as she had heard herself say the word hope.
"I am sure you are just as important to Booth as he is to you. As for faith: let's have a look at the facts instead. Through some ups and downs, you've been friends for 6 years. That friendship survived serial killers, Booth arresting your father, all types of relationships from the both of you and whatever fights that once seemed important that have already been forgotten. A connection, a bond like that will be hard to break. If you would have to form hypotheses about whether or not your relationship with Booth would survive an event, I am pretty sure in most cases the chances of that relationship surviving whatever you could think up of would be really high."
Bones hummed her agreement. "I agree. I am glad we had this conversation. It is important to me that you don't feel awkwardly uncomfortable to go or be at the Jeffersonian. It is understandable that you felt uneasy by everything that has happened." Bones paused for a second.
"About 10 years ago I was at a dig in Columbia. There was a local man who tried to assault me when I was working alone at an even more remote site. Thanks to my martial arts training I was able to subdue him, but at that time it had shocked me more than at first had anticipated. Sadly, my thesis advisor wasn't at all supportive". Bones thought back to when she had told Micheal Stires about the incident. He had told her to suck it up and that it happened to beautiful women like her here. That, if she had wanted safety, she should have stayed back in America. Back then she hadn't understood how cruel that was but after Stires has come back during that case, she had concluded in hindsight that he hadn't taken her breaking up with him and her surpassing him academically very well.
That insight in Dr. Brennan's history surprised Lilly. "I am sorry to hear that... How did you get through it?"
"Thanks to Dr. Goodman", Bones said. "He helped me go on with my life. He supported me when I went back to the excavation site and at the end of the trip, he offered me a job at the Jeffersonian."
"That is great". Lilly had no idea who Dr. Goodman was but she was glad he had been there for Dr. Brennan.
"You have a support system too, miss Johnson. Booth made it impossible for you to ignore him, just as Dr. Goodman insisted on aiding me in finding my ground again. Which is good, especially after something like this happens and especially in the beginning. But you have a lot more people in your corner. I hope you are aware of that."
"Thanks, Dr. B. I am aware. It isn't that I am worried about people reaction like your thesis advisor did about the incident, I am more worried about their reactions to what he let slip during. I am not sure I could handle that."
"You are welcome. In my experience knowing the truth is easier than having to guess it. The team is very straight up, so if you are in doubt about what someone thinks about you, you should just ask that person."
Lilly nodded, wondering if it could be that easy or if it was actually easier to keep yourself in the unknown. It definitely felt safer to not know.
Next, to the platform, Hodgins was already building the set up for the experiment. Looking around as Dr. Brennan lead the way to her office, Lilly saw Wendell working on the forensic platform. Booth's words flooded back to her memory. Promise you'll invite Wendell again for that thing you had planned, or words of a similar kind. Yes, she was going to live up that promise after she was dismissed by Dr. B. If two highly intelligent people who she both valued very much told her everything was okay and she should continue living her life as before she was going to at the very least try and do exactly that.
Booth stepped beside Temperance, out of automatism taking his place next to her, standing nearby, placing his hand on the small of her back. "So how did it go? He whispered as they both looked at Wendell and Lilly, talking on the forensic platform.
"I think it went well", Bones said as she shortly met his gaze. "I am not sure if she even noticed that I lied to get her back here with a ruse. After I told miss Johnson, we should go here I distracted her by informing her about the perimeter of Dr. Hodgins's experiment."
Booth smiled. "You've always been great with undercover assignments. I am proud of you Bones. The size of your golden heart keeps amazing me every time."
"Booth, my heart is of normal size and I can assure you it isn't golden, but I get your sentiment. So, thank you. The centermost hold and we have teaching responsibilities to our trainees."
Noticing the feeling of eyes watching her, Lilly turned toward the direction the partners where standing. It did not surprise her to see both of them standing so close to each other, but she was surprised to see them watching her and Wendell so closely.
"I think we've been made Bones", Booth murmured softly, plastering on an innocent smile and waving to Lilly.
Narrowing her eyes at Booth for a second before looking at Dr. Brennan's eyes, she shook her head before looking away. A smile curved her lips as the thought hit her: I've been set up.
A/N: Thank you for your patience and for reading. Updates will still be slow for a while, but I'll keep trying to post whenever I can and the chapter is publish-ready :). Oh and I know it was probably a bit weird to read Bones apologizing to Lilly, but let's just see that as an excellent example of Dr. Brennan's ability to compartmentalize. I'd love it if you'd leave a review!