The little things...it has so many different meanings. Words of wisdom...compromise...protecting the on you love...but it's those things that usually make life better. How does it make Aubrey & Jessica's life better?
Read and find out.
A/N: Christmas and New Years Eve 2016 is coming up soon in our Bones world...and that includes lots of L & C extras. Follow mphs95 on Twitter or MIBonesFan on Tumblr to see them.
December 19th was a cold, sunny Monday. As Jessica took her usual route from Aubrey's to the lab, she smiled thinking about the previous evening.
After another wonderful dinner made by the talented Chef Aubrey, the two snuggled on the couch while enjoying a Rita Hayworth marathon on TCM. Her boyfriend had recovered from his horny blast the night before and had behaved himself admirably, keeping his hands respectfully to himself as they held each other close.
This morning, Aubrey had gotten up with her, even though he wasn't planning to go to work until 12:00. However, Genny had called while Aubrey was cooking omelets for breakfast to let him know she wouldn't be in that morning because both Danny and her mother had strep throat. Jessica had worried about him stretching the doctor's restrictions, but after he'd promised to sit behind the desk all day unless absolutely necessary, she'd given her blessing for him to go to work at 10:00 as long as he left by 5:00, no exceptions. Kissing her boyfriend goodbye, she walked to the garage, started her Jeep, and headed out for the day.
Sipping coffee from her Princess Leia travel mug, she enjoyed the drive through the beautiful Cleveland Park neighborhood as she headed to the lab. Yes, with the rush hour traffic the trip was about 30 to 40 minutes, but she didn't mind since the commute from her apartment was a bland twenty minute drive.
Waiting at a red light, she checked her phone. When she saw the date, she remembered something important that she had to do. "Oh, I have to stop over at the grocery store before Friday to pay January's rent to Mr. Cho. Even if I mail it today, it may arrive late with the holidays coming up. I know he trusts me, but he really hates that."
As she thought over the situation, she realized that soon she would need to go back to her place...her one bedroom apartment with her tiny shower, since she had no tub...no Star Wars room...no feline companion to crawl in bed with her like Skinner did every night as she slept with his owner. She hadn't been in the apartment by herself since after she and Aubrey fought before he went to West Virginia. The last time she was there at all was when Wendell and Andie came with her to get enough stuff for a long term stay with Aubrey the day before he came home from the hospital.
Part of her was ready to be independent again, but the last few weeks living with Aubrey had been wonderful. More than one night was spent quietly with the two of them watching television or doing their separate work on their laptops side by side, simply being together. Both had enjoyed the moments of shared domesticity.
Of course, their shared domesticity wasn't all sunshine and roses.
The first snafu had been about loading the dishwasher. As she was putting their laundry away upstairs in the bedroom, Aubrey confronted her after he saw that the dishes were stacked in there wrong, at least according to him.
Aubrey's arms were folded across his chest as he wore a disapproving scowl. "Jess, you need to load the dishes into the dishwasher the right way. It's not that hard...big plates go in back, little plates in front and bowls on top..."
"Well, at least I clean up after myself.", Jessica retorted before pointing at different parts of the bedroom. "You can't even take the time to pick up your dirty socks and boxer shorts off the floor. What are you doing? Leaving smelly bread crumbs for Skinner?"
After a few minutes of sniping at each other, the agent reacted by taking off the socks he was wearing and dumping them on her side on the bed. Of course, she retaliated later that night by putting their dirty dinner dishes in the washer the opposite of the way he liked it and then started it before he could rearrange them.
At a standoff, the two retreated to neutral corners, with Aubrey working on FBI business using his work laptop while she read several articles and took notes for her dissertation. At bedtime, the silent treatment continued as they brushed their teeth and did their nightly routines side by side without a word, with only occasional glares at the other. After they got into bed, there was no kiss, only mutters of 'good night' to each other before the agent shut off the light. Both had a restless night as each were upset about their fight.
When Jessica woke up early the next morning, her residual sadness ended when she was greeted by Aubrey entering the bedroom with a cup of catnip tea. One look at his tired eyes as he held out the tea was all it took for her to immediately hug him. He held her tight as both were relieved that their battle was over.
"I'm sorry for dumping my socks on your side of the bed. It was pretty childish." Aubrey let her go and pointed around the room. "I picked them up this morning and put them in the hamper, along with my boxers and tee shirts. I guess...I'm not used to living with someone...yet..."
"I'm sorry, too Aubrey. I could have handled things better last night. I'm not used to living with someone, either. It's a silly thing to argue about, isn't it? How about I make us some breakfast?"
After she cooked her boyfriend his favorite five egg, ham, spinach, and habanero jack cheese omelet for breakfast, she stopped him as he started to help her clean up.
"I'll clean up, Aubrey. Just relax."
Aubrey watched as she rinsed the dishes before loading them in the dishwasher using his loading system. "You're doing it the way I like."
"Of course, Superman. If you can compromise, so can I."
Unloading it later that day, she admitted to herself and to him that his system was the better way, knowing he wouldn't be an ass and gloat about being right. Also, he'd made an effort to throw his socks in the hamper if not that night, then first thing the next day.
She smiled as she recalled the fight about her hanging her tights and pantyhose over the shower stall after washing them. Her ultimatum was to either let her hang them there or else she would hang them outside for the neighbors to see, which brought Aubrey around to the wisdom of her choice.
"Maybe we should invest in a clothes drying rack for our laundry room.", she said to herself with a chuckle as she turned onto K Street.
Next was the milk battle.
Aubrey enjoyed whole milk while she was a skim or 1% milk girl. When she brought a gallon of skim home one night after work, her boyfriend groused as he used it on his Cap'n Crunch the next morning. After two days of listening to him complain, Jessica's frustration turned into two hours of heated debate with each defending why their milk type was better. Finally, the two compromised with Aubrey bringing home a half gallon of 2% milk when he ran to the store. So far it was working for them.
"2% isn't bad...Aubrey was right when he said that it's better for me than skim."
Then, there was the infamous tampon debacle. She started laughing as she remembered what happened last Tuesday morning.
"Jessica! Why are those...things out on the sink?"
Jessica, who was getting out of the shower, looked at her boyfriend with a 'Duh' face. "Why do you think, Aubrey?"
One would think a man who grew up with a single mother would be more accepting of that sort of thing. Frankly, she thought Aubrey would be glad she'd had her period this month. As she pointed out to her boyfriend and as he conceded, it was the most important indicator that her birth control had worked as it should...especially considering the frequency that they had sex.
Except they hadn't made love since the Monday after Thanksgiving.
Once again, they'd reached a solution together by storing the supplies in their master bathroom cabinet for easy access. Jessica knew that Aubrey was a bit fussy and particular about his space, but he was always willing to compromise, and she gave him the same courtesy in return.
Their willingness to meet in the middle was helpful as they also worked on their communication and the other things that had held them back in their relationship. Sometimes it was painful, but as they worked on their relationship under one roof, it made their friendship and bond stronger than before.
Jessica sighed in contentment. Letting go of all her old hurts felt so wonderful...as was coming home to her boyfriend every day after work. Sleeping in the same bed every night...cooking dinner together...watching TV...taking walks to the playground on nice days as Aubrey got stronger...all of these small things gave her a sense of peace, and of being loved.
Then it hit her. Their laundry room...their master bathroom cabinet...their dishwasher...their home…Aubrey's house was becoming her home.
After taking a moment to let it sink in, Jessica took a deep breath. She loved being with him, but she wasn't sure if she was ready to move in with him full time. Living together permanently was a lot different from staying for a few weeks to care for her boyfriend. Her conflicting emotions were something she needed to sort out before she could commit to a big step like that.
On the other hand, there was something she realized she was ready for...something that she should have done months ago. It was a baby step, but an important one.
'Maybe I can do that tonight while I'm out looking at dresses.' Jessica thought before frowning. 'Dresses...the flipping bane of my existence.'
Jessica saw the turn off for the Jeffersonian and drove to the employee parking garage. Finding a good spot, she parked, shut off the engine, and got out. Grabbing her things, including her badge, she armed her vehicle and walked to the entrance, looking over her surroundings. As she got halfway to the door, she admonished herself.
'Damn that Gerald Maxwell...I can't even go to work without looking over my shoulder…' Jessica grumbled before straightening her spine. 'No, I'm not going to let that prick dictate my life. He's going on trial next month, he'll be convicted, and he's going to learn that women aren't meant to be just objects to demean or to spread their legs for him when he's horny.'
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
At 11:30, Brennan escaped the loud noise of the construction crew finishing her office and entered the Bone Room, where she found Jessica examining a set of remains that had come in that morning from Maryland. After reading through her intern's notes, she saw that the victim's skull was completely put back together. On top of that, she noticed that her intern did not have her typical earbuds in her ears to listen to music from her phone. But most unusual of all, the younger woman was laser focused on her task to the point she didn't even acknowledge her entrance. Usually, she admired her intern's attention to detail but her extreme focus only meant one thing.
"Ms. Warren…", Brennan said, becoming alarmed when the younger woman didn't respond. "Ms. Warren!" she repeated in a louder voice.
Jessica immediately looked up and saw her mentor standing there. "Dr. B, I'm sorry…I didn't hear you come in. I'm almost done with my examination."
Brennan held up her hand to interrupt Jessica's apology. "You're fine, Ms. Warren. I hadn't heard from you so I was coming to see your progress. Doing so helped me escape the noise from installation of the drywall."
"Oh, okay.", Jessica said as she watched her mentor examine her findings.
Brennan noted all the items Jessica had indicated in her examination and compared them to the bones in front of them, nodding with each find. When finished, she looked up and smiled. "I have to say that I'm very impressed that you have the skull back together so quickly, and that your examination has been so thorough in the time frame you've had."
"Thank you, Dr. B.", Jessica said. "I'm sorry that you had to keep going back and forth between my notes and the remains."
Closing the binder, Brennan smiled and looked up. "Dr. Hodgins told me before he and Angela left for her prenatal appointment that he's submitted the lab's request for funds to purchase dictation software for our case binders."
"That's the program that will help us phase out scanning and writing our notes, right? Curly said it would eventually let us go to tablets since the information we keep in the case binders will be set up like the electronic medical records that health care systems are converting to."
"Eventually, yes. Of course, it may take a year or two before getting approval for this change. However, I think it will be beneficial to this facility." Brennan said. "Since the workmen will be in my office for a couple of hours yet, how about we walk to the diner for lunch? We can have our weekly meeting that we had to postpone from last Friday, and it won't be as noisy."
"Sure. I should be done with this exam in thirty minutes or so. Is that all right?"
Brennan nodded. "That will be fine, Ms. Warren. I'm going to do some work in Angela's office while I wait for you."
"Okay, Dr. B.", Jessica replied before her mentor left the room. Shaking her head in annoyance, she went back to her work. "Get your focus back, Warren. Can't have your mentor thinking your head isn't in the game."
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Almost an hour later, the two women were at the counter finishing their soup and salad combos for lunch. Brennan had noted her intern's silence again and decided to prod.
"Ms. Warren…what's wrong?"
Jessica was in mid sip of her garden vegetable soup. Putting the spoon down into the bowl, she looked at her mentor. "N-nothing. Did I do something wrong? Did you change your mind about what my latest findings for my dissertation could lead to?"
"No…academically, I'm confident in your research. However, you usually speak in an extreme stream of consciousness style, and outside of our discussion, you've been very quiet. You also completed your exam of the remains, including the assembly of the skull, in two hours.", the anthropologist replied. "Once before, when that sort of thing occurred, you told me that when you are emotionally unstable you focus on your work. May I ask what is bothering you?"
Jessica took a breath as she played with her napkin. "Well, I'm still a little shaky about going back to my apartment. I love being with Aubrey at our house, but in some ways I miss my own place. He needed me to help him, and it's been great spending so much time together, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to live with him full time yet...sometimes I am and sometimes I'm not. I don't understand why I can't make up my mind about this. I'm sure he'll understand if I tell him that, especially after the stuff we've been through the last couple of weeks, but it's still scary you know? I hate disappointing him because I love him so much…but I also think it's important for me to go back to my apartment because I can't let Gerald run my life. He's been charged...I hope he's convicted, but I can't let what he did to me ruin my life...I hate being scared that he's going to jump out of some corner and...hurt me...or Aubrey...but I also love coming home to Superman every night and waking up with him and Skinner in the morning...ugh..."
Brennan noted her intern's initial slip of the tongue, but also understood all too well what the young woman was going through. "Ms. Warren, it's natural to be scared. Gerald Maxwell has threatened you with sexual assault, he has taken detrimental actions toward your career, and he's violated your privacy and security in grievous ways. If you weren't scared, I would be concerned. Please know that we're all here to help you. We have Aubrey's house fitted with the latest security features so you're safe there, and he will protect you if there's a threat. Hodgins has briefed the security guards who work in the lab as well as the ones who will be working our new sign in desk that Gerald Maxwell is not allowed near you per the personal protection order Caroline got for you and Aubrey at his arraignment."
"I know…"
"However, you are much like myself, Ms. Warren. You need that independence. To create a life with someone, even someone who's your best friend...is scary, messy, and complicated. It takes two people who are committed to working together and willing to compromise towards building a life. Now, has Aubrey asked you to move in with him?"
Feeling embarrassed at Brennan's question, Jessica blushed. "No…"
"Then I wouldn't worry about it. If he does ask and you're not ready, tell him. As you've said, Aubrey will understand. However, if and when you are ready for that step, then you should go for it."
"Well, I am ready for another step...but I'm afraid it sounds silly."
"I'm sure it's not silly, Ms. Warren. Tell me what it is."
After hearing what the redhead said, Brennan nodded. "That is an important step...not a silly one. It was...big when Booth and I did the same thing...but it was different because once we entered into a romantic relationship, it represented trust and us growing closer because I was pregnant with Christine. Now, from what you and I have talked about in the past, you both have a variety of issues and fears. You've also indicated that your communication has improved since Aubrey came home from the hospital."
"It has...it hasn't been easy, but we're trying to work on things together without being afraid of upsetting the other and...it's been better for our relationship." The redhead smiled sheepishly. "I guess I'm getting ahead of myself, Dr. B, about moving in together. We'll know when the time is right and we'll discuss it."
"Good." Brennan sipped her coffee, noting that her intern was still troubled. "Is there anything else, Ms. Warren?"
"Well, I'm having a hard time finding a dress for the banquet, Dr. B. I mean it has to be perfect, you know? Aubrey told me he doesn't care what I wear, but I do, because I don't want to embarrass him in front of his peers and the higher ups at the FBI. I've never really been to many formal parties outside of Daisy's wedding, so I'm just a little nervous. Daisy and I went shopping Saturday, but she's only taking me to these fancy pants places with expensive dresses that are mostly over a thousand dollars...which is insane. Anyway, I also think she's still annoyed because I can't go to her dinner party, although it was the same night as the FBI banquet. She's also getting on my nerves because sometimes she bitches about Beau but then at other times she sings his praises, especially when he buys her gifts to make up for their fights, like her new car…it's confusing to me."
Brennan took a breath. "Well, let's start with the banquet. Why are you afraid to embarrass Aubrey? You seem more than capable of conducting yourself in a proper manner."
"Well...they never had formal dances and things like this at the cooperative. I've never been 'formal dress shopping', not even for anything at Michigan State. When my brothers got married, my bridesmaid dresses were picked out for me. Daisy found her wedding dress all on her own and my maid of honor dress was one she picked out at the last minute. Luckily when I tried it on, it fit without needing any alterations..."
Brennan gave her a pointed look. "And..."
Jessica sipped her green tea and composed her thoughts. "I've done some...stupid...but fun... things when I was younger, Dr. B. There are people at the Gala who will be sizing up Aubrey and his future. I don't want anything I've done in the past or anything I do that evening to make him look bad. "
"Ms. Warren…" Brennan said patiently. "I am confident that you will be just fine while you're there. I've known Aubrey only a little longer than you have, but from what I know, he's not one who cares about what people think of him...at least not since he gave up his political aspirations. You should just relax and enjoy your evening, alright?"
When Jessica nodded, the anthropologist continued. "Now, let's talk about Ms. Wick. You two are friends, are you not?"
"We are, Dr. B. That is what makes this so hard. She complains about Beau making decisions for her and about them arguing all the time. More than once she's shown up Aubrey's house to complain about her husband, interrupting us when we planned on being alone…and I don't have the heart to turn her away. She asks for my advice, but then never follows it and gets all lovey dovey with Beau like nothing happened...they both just blow things off like nothing happened and it's really weird. Sometimes when I want to talk about Aubrey with her, our conversations always come back to Beau. Of course, she also really wanted to do this dinner party on the 30th and I wanted to go…"
"Booth and I would have attended too..."
"I know, but she was upset when everyone couldn't go. Then she got herself shit faced and was bitchy the rest of the time at lunch the other day. She cried the entire way home...still drunk. I felt like…she wanted me to choose her party over Aubrey and Booth's."
"I will admit that I felt a similar sentiment when we were all together in that bistro.", Brennan said, sipping her coffee. "However, my place is with my husband at the FBI banquet."
"Dr. B, my boyfriend, Genny, and Booth are being honored for their bravery by the Director of the FBI. They didn't choose this date, and it would look really shitty if they didn't show up."
"Yes, I agree. Of course, the FBI asked Cam and Hodgins to come along as well to honor the lab, so they were unable to attend Daisy's gathering either."
"She's hinted that she'd be open to everyone leaving the FBI party early or skipping it all together to go to their condo to hang out later that evening. I thought about making an appearance, but Aubrey said these things can run really late."
"Yes. The last one Booth and I went to lasted until midnight. I do admit that I'm also perplexed by Ms. Wick's difficulty in understanding about this commitment. I would think if Beau had something going on with his Deerskins team that she would choose to be with her husband and support him."
Jessica smiled as she sipped her tea, deciding not to correct her mentor. "Dr. B, I think Daisy feels left out since she doesn't work for the lab anymore and especially misses working with you."
"Ms. Warren, while I've enjoyed mentoring Ms. Wick, she is now the Lead Forensic Anthropologist at the National Forensics Laboratory, a job I would not have recommended her for unless I felt she could be successful. Now, she must set her own course on her career. She will have work gatherings as an employee of the NFL where we cannot attend, and that is normal. Likewise, she shouldn't be upset that we will attend parties for either the lab or for the FBI without her. Of course, this means that we won't always be involved in the same activities. We all have lives outside of each other, mine with Booth, Hank, and Christine, hers with Lance and Beau, yours with Aubrey, etc. However, that doesn't mean we are no longer part of each other's lives. On the contrary, Booth is taking his role of uncle to her son very seriously, including spending a couple of Saturdays a month with him, taking him on outings along with Hank and Christine. If she chooses not to accept that change and instead dwells on the fact that our lives have diverged somewhat, then that's on her, not you."
"Okay…" Jessica said quietly. "I...almost wonder if remaining connected to the lab is a way for her to be connected to Sweets...and her past."
"What do you mean, Ms. Warren?"
Keeping her thoughts about Oliver to herself, Jessica thought for a moment before speaking. "She had it...rough growing up, you know. She had her dream of living a fairy tale life with a perfect Prince Charming husband, 2.2 kids, and a white picket fence while being a famous forensic anthropologist. Sweets was her Prince Charming...they had the child, but her prince died, along with the picket fence. She picked up the pieces for her son's sake but it seems what life offered her instead after Sweets died...wasn't what she wanted. Of course, then she met Beau...who seemed to be her Prince Charming and her path to that perfect life she always wanted. However, I think that the perfect life she expected isn't what she's getting. Am I making any sense?"
"It's possible that part of her...maybe still isn't over Sweets or what he represented." Brennan sighed softly. "I still miss Sweets, but life has to go on. It's okay to have a part of herself that still loves him. On the other hand, if your hypothesis is correct, Daisy needs to find a way to move past her expectation of that fairy tale, because it's not reality nor a healthy way to live. My husband would say something like one's life is controlled by fate and you can't escape it. I don't believe that, but I can personally attest that life doesn't always give you what you have planned, although it's usually better that what you expected."
"I know what you mean, Dr. B.", Jessica said with a small smile, thinking of Aubrey.
"Well, hopefully, Daisy will find that out for herself before it's too late." Brennan sipped her coffee. "Now regarding the dress…do you know what you would like?"
Jessica blushed. "It sounds silly…"
"Ms. Warren, I'm sure it's not silly. Hit me with it."
Jessica sipped her tea. "I think I want to go vintage…say 1930s, 1940s, or 1950s. I don't like a lot of the modern styles and…Aubrey loves movies from that time period."
"Well...there are a few vintage clothing stores nearby where you may find something you like."
"I suggested that to Daisy when we were out Saturday, but she gave me a whole spiel that for a party like this a consignment dress is unacceptable. Of course, that made no sense, because her wedding dress was consignment, until she mentioned that she's 'learning' from her mother-in-law, who she barely gets along with. She thinks I need haute couture, but I didn't like the stuff I saw. It seemed…snooty, and in some cases, ridiculous. She wants to go shopping again Friday after work at another boutique that the wife of Beau's team owner frequents in Baltimore. I have the money to buy whatever I want, but I don't see the point of spending thousands of dollars on a dress I probably won't wear again. Anyway, if I choose wisely, nobody would know it was a consignment dress, right? In a way, it's like recycling…"
"That is a very logical thought, Ms. Warren and one I agree with." Brennan considered for a moment before looking at her watch. "There is a new vintage clothing boutique that opened recently just past the Hoover. I went there last week and got the most beautiful pair of earrings to wear with my dress for the Gala, and I saw some very lovely evening dresses as well. If you like, we can make a quick stop there before going back to the lab."
"I've heard that place is awesome.", Jessica replied before she realized what her mentor had said. "Is that alright...us shopping during our lunch? Will Curly be mad if we're late?"
"I wouldn't have suggested it if it wasn't, Ms. Warren, and Dr. Hodgins will be fine. Now, finish your lunch so we can go."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Twenty minutes later, the two women arrived at the new boutique. Brennan was about to open the door when she saw Jessica transfixed at the display window. "Ms. Warren, are you all right?"
"That's the dress…that's my dress."
Brennan walked the few steps over and looked at what Jessica saw. "That is very lovely indeed."
The dress was a silk velvet the color of a rich royal blue with a bias cut neckline. The skirt was long, reaching the floor. The dress was backless to the waist. The simple, tank style bodice had straps that crisscrossed the back, which were held in place on the back waistband of the skirt with a round clip make of rhinestones.
"Well, Ms. Warren, why don't we go inside so you can try it on?"
A giddy Jessica ran inside, followed by a smiling Brennan.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Fifteen minutes later, Jessica emerged from the dressing room to where Brennan was sitting and sending a text to Booth. Looking up, the anthropologist smiled.
"Ms. Warren, that is a lovely color on you."
"It's a little big, but I can get that taken in. Looping the straps through that circle in the back could be a pain, although I guess they could be adjusted.."
Brennan walked up and looked at her intern's back. "You could have those straps attached to the back and remove that jeweled decoration. That way you could step into it and simply pull the straps up over your shoulders."
"Oh shit...I can't wear a bra under this dress…" Jessica said with a giggle. "Not that I have a ton to hide anyway."
"Well, there are items you can wear to...assist you in that endeavor." Brennan said with a smile. "Now, pair this dress with a nice wrap and you would look very nice, Ms. Warren. However, the most important thing is how you feel about the dress."
Jessica looked in the mirror and smiled. "I love it...Aubrey will love it too." Looking at the tag, she saw the price. "It's 700 dollars...a couple hundred dollars more than I wanted to spend, but I can totally see myself wearing this dress again."
"Oh, that dress is lovely on you, Miss.", the proprietor said as she came up to them. "However, if you want to look further…"
"I don't have to look...this is my dress.", Jessica giggled. Turning to the saleswoman, she almost bounced to the cash register. "I'll take it."
"Well, I'll ring this up while you change. I do have the perfect wrap to go with this if you want to look when you're done. I can also tell you about this history of this dress."
"Yes!", Jessica squealed before running back into the dressing room to change.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Thirty minutes later, the two ladies came out of the store, both holding bags. As they briskly walked back to the lab, Jessica couldn't help but peek inside again.
"I've got not only my dress, but also a beautiful wrap to go with it, and a lovely pendant. All I need now are shoes and some earrings."
"Actually, Ms. Warren, I have a set of earrings that would match this dress...if you are interested in looking at them."
The redhead's eyes got large. "Seriously, Dr. B? That would be so cool."
Brennan smiled. "Well, when I get home tonight, I'll send you a picture and you can let me know."
"This was fun, Dr. B.", Jessica said. "That dress you found was really cool, but I think Booth will love that négligée you found."
"Yes, a very pleasant unexpected find.", Brennan replied before the two giggled on the way back to the lab.
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At 1:30, Aubrey was finishing his lunch of leftovers from last night at his desk while working on case audits when his phone buzzed. When he looked at the message, he smiled.
I got my dress! Dr. B helped pick it out. It's blue & U r going 2 luv it.
Aubrey sent a text back. Can I c it?
Jessica responded with a simple No Superman. U have 2 wait until the party...but it will b worth the wait. Promise.
The SAC was disappointed, but he trusted his girlfriend. OK, trust u. Can't wait 2 show u off at FBI banquet. C u at home.
Having drinks w/ Andie tonight. I know u drove 2 work today but call if u need ride home. Love u. C u at home.
Aubrey knew she was planning to go back to her apartment eventually, but her calling his house 'home' warmed his heart. Once again, maybe it was time for her to make her time in his house permanent. However, he knew her independence was important to her, and considering how that and her self esteem had taken a beating with Gerald's antics, that needed to be his first priority.
But there was something he could do...something that should have been done a long time ago. Maybe...just maybe...it was a step towards cohabitating...and perhaps more down the line.
Thoughts of Jessica living with him led him back to Gerald Maxwell.
Thinking back to his conversation with Genny about the case, he'd suspected that there was more to Karen's 'accidental meeting' with Gerald, and his ASAC had agreed. However, they had no proof that the two 'friends' had actually made arrangements to see each other. He knew that as long as Karen hadn't solicited any criminal activity, there was no crime. However, he wouldn't put it past the profiler to use her psychological acumen to push the right buttons in the younger man, both as revenge for Aubrey rejecting her and in keeping with her perceived rivalry with Jessica.
He planned to stay on his guard with the profiler. Being understanding and forgiving had gotten him and his girlfriend in this mess, and he going to make sure they got out of it as soon as they could.
After another 30 minutes, he decided he'd earned himself a macchiato. He always forgot how much he depended on Genny until she took a day off. He knew that Jessica wasn't thrilled that he'd stretched Dr. Elias' work restrictions, but she understood that it was only temporary.
As he cut through the bullpen, he recalled the hotel hosting the FBI's party had a meeting room nearby. Maybe as long as they had the all clear, perhaps he and Jessica could sneak away for a while for a quick tryst. Perhaps she would wear another garter belt under her dress…and panties that were quick to remove, since it isn't kosher for his girlfriend to attend one of his work parties naked under her dress.
However, thinking about her standing next to him at the party like that...like she did at the Halloween Gala after they'd made love in the intern's locker room...knowing that he was the only man who knew she was practically nude...it was a definite turn on.
Down, boy...no use getting yourself all hot and bothered since you can't do anything about it right now, anyway...
When he got to the glass walled conference room, he stopped to watch the workmen putting in the new pane of glass and shook his head. Last Wednesday, Stark was ready to suspend Agent Bower indefinitely, but Aubrey had talked him out of it. As much as the man annoyed the SAC with his constant bragging about his love life, Karen had been the instigator of the fight, and she deserved the two day suspension. After Genny had briefed Stark on Karen's connection to the Gerald Maxwell case, Stark had not only locked all access to the case except for Genny and anyone else she deemed fit to add, but he'd also put the profiler on a 30 day probation, as well as ordering her to take mandatory anger management classes.
Looking at the new furniture in the corner of the room and the new table, he decided he liked it better than the previous stuff, although he wished it had been replaced under different circumstances. Aubrey couldn't help but smirk as he remembered Pay Management's email to Steve, Karen, Deputy Director Stark, and himself this morning. He knew that purchasing the new table and two new chairs, Steve's new tablet, paying for the overtime hours the cleaning crew put in to clean the walls and windows, as well as replacing all the housewares, would take a decent bite out of the Special Agent's paycheck Friday. Even with half of the costs being taken out of Karen's check per Stark's orders, the repairs were more than the agent had anticipated, but Steve and Karen deserved it for making his first day back a mess.
"Maybe that idiot learned a lesson about screwing around on women...although he said he was cleaning up his act for Mitzi.", Aubrey laughed to himself. "Of course, she could take more of a bite out of him. Hopefully, Karen also learned something about picking better choices for her love life...as long as she doesn't stalk me. I'm over all that shit."
Deciding to get back to better things, he continued walking to the break room while contemplating the naughty things he could with his girlfriend at the Gala. Wearing a big smile on his face, he turned the corner to enter the break room to get his well-deserved macchiato and those thoughts died as he heard the couple's comments from within.
"Stevie Bear…I have to go. I have to go get my drug test and physical for my new job."
"Okay...I'm gonna miss you, Mitzi Muffin…", the agent crooned. "God, I can't wait to get you naked when I get home…"
Aubrey's fears were confirmed as he saw Agent Bower and his fiancée Mitzi canoodling by the cappuccino machine.
Seeing the flirtatious, womanizing agent get all cute and loving with a woman...much less plan to marry her...still shocked the hell out of Aubrey. The two agents were still due for a discussion...and it would be soon, but right now, Steve was otherwise occupied. Putting that aside, he steeled himself as he walked to the open room but stopped in his tracks when what he heard next almost made him gag.
"We're going to make love…hard, Baby…so hard.", Mitzi said, combing through the man's dark hair as he sat on her lap. "Maybe we'll use our new love toys and break the bed just like we did while you were home at Thanksgiving."
The agent's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. "You mean they arrived today?"
The tall blonde smiled wickedly. "Yes, they did, Stevie Bear. The new whip I ordered came in the mail this morning, along with that ball gag and the anal beads you picked out. And wait 'til you see my new black leather outfit. I had it custom made...with those spikes you like..."
'Anal beads...ball gags….whips...leather outfits with spikes...ugh…..no more sex talk or I will be traumatized for life.' Aubrey thought. "Hey there, kids.", the agent said loudly before walking in briskly, deciding that a macchiato would take too long. "Don't mind me. Just came to get some coffee."
Mitzi offered a coy wave. "Hello, Agent Aubrey. It's so nice to see you again."
'Note to self...always bring coffee cup, even when you plan on cappuccino.' Aubrey thought, desperately looking through the cabinets before finding the Styrofoam cups. Pouring himself a cup of probably very old coffee, he tried to smile. "It's nice to see you, too Mitzi. Enjoying DC so far?"
"Oh, tons...so glad I'm here with my Stevie Bear." The tall woman gave her fiancé a kiss as he jumped off her lap. "I'll see you when you get home, Baby Boy. Remember that if mean old Karen goes after you again, you tell Agent Aubrey…or call me."
Steve snuggled close as he looked up into his fiancée's bright blue eyes. "Don't you worry, Muffin. I'm all good…because I'm marrying you, and I know you'll protect me from big, bad profilers."
Mitzi giggled like a schoolgirl. "Just like I had to when those nasty bullies teased you back in high school. Don't worry, Babe. Mama Bear is here for you..."
Steve smiled. "You're so hot, Mitzi…I just want to shove my face between your legs and—"
"I'm heading out.", Aubrey said loudly, not wanting to lose his lunch. "Steve, I'm starting the briefing in thirty minutes at the Homicide Conference Room since they are still working on ours. Don't forget..."
"Sure, Boss.", Steve said as he stared at Mitzi with love in his eyes.
Aubrey turned and walked out quickly before he heard anything else that would traumatize him for life.
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An hour later, everyone listened as Agent Satterly finished briefing her division on her case. Aubrey nodded as he listened to suggestions from the other agents.
"So go ahead and coordinate with all the shops, Deb. Keep me posted.", Aubrey said before standing up slowly. "So, my first day back last Wednesday was…a little…chaotic to say the least."
Some of the agents snickered while a couple gave Agent Bower the face. The older agent turned red from all the attention being on him…and not in a good way.
"However, the conference room will be good as new by tomorrow. Moving on from that, we should congratulate Agent Bower on his engagement to his new fiancee, Mitzi."
The agents' reaction ranged from applauding politely to still in shock that the gorgeous woman who had kicked Karen Delfs' ass was actually marrying Bower. Aubrey joined in the applause, wearing a small smile on his face as he prepared his final order of business.
"Now to my last topic.", Aubrey said. "I know that before I started here back in September as your new SAC, it was a bit…looser and the standards weren't as high. When I came in, I made changes and I'm sure some of you thought I was an asshole…drill sergeant…"
He looked right at Steve. "…a beanpole, dick, scrawny nerd, skinny putz…among other things…"
Holding back his smile at the other man's discomfort, Aubrey continued to speak. "…but I think we've come a long way. I found out from Stats this morning that as of today, our closure rate is up to 90% from 79% a few months ago. You guys are awesome."
Everyone clapped for a moment until Aubrey indicated it for to end. "Which makes me unhappy about this next subject."
There was an awkward silence as Aubrey composed his words. "Currently there is no rule against personal relationships with contractors that work with the FBI. However, there is a basic understanding that when that person does not want to have a personal relationship with you, much like in real life, you accept it and continue to treat him or her in a professional manner. Unfortunately, I've received reports of agents in this division having difficulty understanding that concept. One agent in this room in particular has aggressively propositioned a graduate student at the Jefferson more than once until she had to physically assault him as well as with an FBI recruit here for her Phase Two testing about a month ago here at the Hoover. The FBI recruit in question also happens to be the daughter of Dr. Camille Saroyan, the director of the Jeffersonian Medico-Legal Lab."
Aubrey saw he had everyone's attention but noted how Steve gulped while he looked down at the table. "Folks, these people are not playing hard to get...they're not interested in you. You keep pushing it, it's not cute or funny, it's sexual harassment...and it has no place in the Major Crimes Division or in the Bureau. In case you have forgotten, the FBI has a zero tolerance policy in place, and it is strictly enforced."
The SAC focused on Steve as he continued to speak. "I shouldn't have to tell any of my agents this, but when a woman…or a man…tells you no, you do not continue to ask them out. You don't try to touch them or suggest following them home to make them feel good. You don't push the person until they assault you to get away. You accept it, and keep your relationship professional."
Looking back at all his agents, Aubrey saw everyone nod in understanding. "We need to give as much respect to the folks at the Jeffersonian…frankly, to anyone who comes through our doors, as possible. We are representing the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and I don't know about your folks, but when someone makes us look bad, it pisses me off."
Aubrey looked down at the table, gathering his thoughts before facing his agents again. "Now, I'm putting everyone on notice. I take sexual harassment very seriously and I won't tolerate it. If there are any more reports of this nature, the agent will be called into my office for a frank and uncomfortable discussion. If that doesn't work, I will get HR involved, and any discipline could include losing your badge as well as your pension. Do I make myself clear?"
Getting affirmatives from everyone in the room, Aubrey nodded his head. "Okay, the meeting is now adjourned. Steve, stick around for a few minutes. I have some questions for you regarding the Bayer case."
Relieved after that uncomfortable lecture, Steve waited until Aubrey finished his conversation with Agents Haggarty and Thompson. When they were alone, he carried the file over to his boss. "So what can I answer for—"
"Agent Bower, you're a player. I think it's disrespectful, but what you do outside these walls is your business. However, when your business becomes a distraction for the other agents in our division, like last week's Wrestlemania in the conference room…or when you can't figure out that no means no…like when Jessica Warren tells you multiple times that she wasn't interested in a sexual liaison with you…it makes my job infinitely harder."
Steve gulped. He'd figured that since Aubrey had never brought Jessica's complaint up when he came back, that he was in the clear. "I was just being friendly—"
"You were being an annoying asshole, Steve...and that is sexual harassment." Aubrey took a breath to control his anger. "I don't like my girlfriend being sexually harassed...especially by one of my agents who should know better. Starting now, all future interactions with her will be professional. You will not grope her leg, flirt with her at crime scenes, or be a pest."
Aubrey stepped into the other's man's personal space and his voice became a low growl. "Because the next time you do so much as breathe on her wrong, after Jessica gets done with you, I'll hunt you down and show you what this scrawny nerd, skinny putz, beanpole dick can do to anyone who doesn't give the woman I love the respect she has earned and deserves. I'd sure hate to make you piss yourself in the bullpen, Steve."
Steve saw the look in Aubrey's eyes and it reminded him of the confrontation at the Halloween Gala with Gerald Maxwell. Realizing the man was serious, he nodded his head. "Y-yes, Boss."
Aubrey continued to stare at the older man. "Now, your personal business is not going to take over Major Crimes again like it did last week, will it? I really didn't enjoy the circus that I had here on my first day back to work."
"No sir…", Steve said quietly.
Aubrey bore his blue eyes onto his subordinate agent. "You now also understand the concept of 'no means no', meaning you will take Jessica…and any other woman who tells you they're not interested, seriously and not harass them?"
"Yeah, but those days are done anyway, Boss. I've got Mitzi now…I'm a one woman man from now on. She knows everything, and I know if I fuck up with her she'll make me pay for it."
"Good.", Aubrey said as he pointed his finger into Steve's chest. "Because if I'm forced to have this discussion with you again, there will be a letter of reprimand in your file and I'll bring HR in. Clear?"
"Crystal, Boss."
"Good. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some work to do."
The older man watched her supervising agent walk away and gulped. "Shit…"
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After Jessica got home from hanging out with Andie around 9:00, Aubrey and his girlfriend sat and talked about their day. Eventually, after Jessica set the timer for the coffee, the two headed up to bed after 10:00.
The two had their nightly rituals, like always. When done, they got into bed and read from their tablets. Aubrey looked at his girlfriend, so cute with her hair up and wearing flannel pajama pants with a shirt showing her old educational cooperative. Taking a breath, he came out with what was on his mind.
"I talked to Steve today."
Jessica growled in irritation before turning to her boyfriend. "Superman...I told you that I already took care of it."
"I know you did, Jess, but I'm also his supervising agent. I can't have him hassling any contractors that work for the FBI. If he was doing the same thing to Karen, I would still have to lecture him about it."
Jessica gave him a face. "You're still pissed he called you a scrawny nerd, aren't you?"
"Nah, I'm over that.", Aubrey said as he continued to read.
The redhead put her tablet down and turned to her boyfriend. "Wow...your pajama pants must feel awfully warm since they're on fire, you liar."
Exasperated, Aubrey put his tablet down and crossed his arms over his chest. "Fine. Yes, I was pissed about the names, but I'm a grown up. One of the first things Booth told me when I was bumped up to a Supervisory Special Agent and became his second was that I had to develop a thick skin. Becoming the Special Agent in Charge of Major Crimes, it's even more important. Thankfully, between that and all the shit I dealt with about my father, I had enough practice with that."
"But…."
"But when my subordinate commits sexual harassment against my girlfriend, it really pisses me off. You don't deserve that, Jessica, especially with being sexually harassed by Gerald Maxwell on top of it. I couldn't do anything about that entitled little weasel, but I could do something about Steve. He won't be bothering you anymore."
Jessica took Aubrey's hand. "You are doing something about Gerald, Superman. You're standing by me...you believe me even though he's said some nasty shit to people about me...even though I used to get around a lot before we dated...I mean you could have anyone-"
"Jessica.." Aubrey said before tilting her chin up with his finger. "I don't want anyone else. I want you. I don't give a shit about anything you've done before we met. Even if you fucked every guy in that museum, every guy at the FBI, and every guy at MSU, you did nothing to deserve what Gerald has put you through. People make mistakes...to paraphrase someone who is very wise, are you the same person who used to sleep around when you were younger?"
Jessica narrowed her eyes. "Using my own words against me...very smart...and no, I'm not."
Aubrey looked intently into Jessica's green eyes. "Then, I don't ever want to hear you say that you're not good enough for me...understand?"
Jessica smiled as she squeezed her boyfriend's hand. "Yes, Special Agent Aubrey."
"Good. Now let's try to get some sleep, shall we?", Aubrey said before indicating to the end of their bed as the cat sat up and watched them. "Skinner is waiting for us."
"Sounds good.", Jessica said.
After Aubrey turned out the light, they kissed and snuggled the covers before Skinner walked over and laid against her ass.
"Skinner is laying against my butt again, Aubrey."
Aubrey's eyes were closed as he responded. "What can I say? The cat knows a good ass when he sees it."
The dark room was punctured with laughter.