A/N: Welcome back! After the busy Christmas holidays, it's time to get ready for the FBI Gala honoring Booth, Aubrey, and Shaw. Will things go smoothly for our favorite couple? Read on to find out.
PS: Another L & C Extra coming w/ this chapter. Follow mphs95 on Twitter or MIBonesFan on Tumbler to see.
The next three days were a mixed bag for the couple.
Tuesday started as a quiet day for Jessica at the lab as her morning was spent assisting her mentor with the remains of three World War I soldiers that were found recently in Ypres. A couple times while she was working, the intern noticed that whenever Dr. Boyd would pass by the Bone Room, she'd give Brennan dirty looks.
"Dr. B, why does Dr. Boyd look so pissed?"
Brennan smirked but didn't look up as she continued her exam of the remains. "It seems Dr. Boyd did not get an invitation to the banquet on Friday, and she wanted an explanation as to why she was omitted from the guest list since Hodgins, Cam, and half the lab were invited."
"Aubrey said Curly and Dr. Saroyan were invited because they are the interim head and current heads of the lab. Of course they're bringing Angela and Arastoo. I'm the only intern going and that's because my boyfriend is one of the guests of honor. Dr. Boyd is just covering for Dr. Saroyan, so why would she get invited?"
"I sense that what she perceives as her role here and what it actually is differ considerably. Of course, Hodgins reminded her that her job title of interim Pathologist is only valid until March 1, 2017."
"If Curly was the one who told her, why is she giving you the stink eye, Dr. B?"
"Because she came to me and asked me to use my cordial relationship with Deputy Director Stark and the Director himself in order to garner an invitation. Of course, I told her no. She then accused me of having it out for her. I replied that I didn't care enough for her to worry about her life outside of the lab. She said she had connections and would get an invitation anyway, which I welcomed her to do."
Two hours later, while Jessica was on her lunch break, she was devastated to read on Twitter that her idol Carrie Fisher had taken a turn for the worse and died earlier that morning. After sending the tweet to Aubrey as a Direct Message, she retweeted the following.
MSUBoneGirl: Princess Leia u were my hero. Kick the Empire's ass where u r now. #RIPCarrieFisher. #RIPStarWarsPrincess.
It wasn't ten minutes when her tweet got a response.
MilleniumFalconFed This sucks. Hopefully Leia is reunited with her Han Solo. #RIPPrincessLeiaGeneralOrgana #FuckTheEmpire
Jessica chuckled as only her Superman could make her laugh now...but it didn't last. She held it together for the rest of the afternoon but was relieved when 4:00 came. She was almost home when her phone rang.
She sighed softly when she saw it was her boyfriend. Aubrey had a meeting with Booth and Charlie to finalize their new agent orientation proposal at 5:30. Knowing him, he was checking up on her, so she answered and chatted until Aubrey offered to leave work early, but she was firm in her refusal.
"Are you sure, Jess? I can Skype Booth and Charlie from home."
Jessica wiped her eyes while talking on the Bluetooth. "I'm fine, Superman. I'm just heading home now. I'm going to put on my flannel jammies and my robe before I read my new book tonight with Skinner. You have your meeting, okay?"
"Okay, I'll get home as soon as possible….I'm going to shoot for 7:00."
"Please don't rush home on my account tonight. I know how important this proposal is for you, Booth, and Agent Burns."
"But not as important as you, Jessica. I'm serious...if you need me to leave early, call me, all right?"
"I promise, Aubrey."
Unfortunately for Aubrey, his meeting ran late because Hacker dropped in on the three men and talked their ears off. When he arrived home after 8:00, he found that his girlfriend asleep on the couch while holding her book. As he got closer, his heart broke when he saw her puffy eyes and red nose. Not wanting to disturb her, he covered her with the blanket on the back of the furniture. Heating up the leftover lasagna from Saturday, he took his food and a beer to the den after shutting the living room light off.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Wednesday Aubrey spent his day assisted by Genny as they went through all the inventory in the division per Caroline's suggestion. What he thought would be done by lunch dragged on into the afternoon.
"Okay, look...I've been transferred to three different people now. I just want to know whether flash drives are computer equipment or computer storage.", Genny said tersely into Aubrey 's second line on the table. "Really? How long does it take to figure that out? No, don't put me on hold again...asshole."
"So are the bulletproof vests considered equipment or just uniforms?", Aubrey snarked into the receiver. "Not sure...how about I put one on you and fire at you to see how it works?"
Unbeknownst to the two agents, Booth was in the doorway listening, remembering how Caroline talked him into doing the same thing years earlier. When his friend threatened the property clerk, he finally cracked. "Having fun, Aubrey?"
The lanky man responded with his middle finger and a scowl before Booth walked away laughing loudly at his friend's frustration.
Jessica's work day ran late as well due to being called out to a scene with Brennan in Reston, Virginia right after lunch. It was her turn to get home late as she walked in the door after 7:00. She gave a tired smile to her boyfriend as he presented her with Christmas leftovers for dinner. After eating and watching Forbidden Planet on Comet, the two had an early night and were asleep before 11:00.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Thursday morning, Daisy called Jessica and wanted to get together with her for lunch. The redhead was surprised that her friend pushed for a visit to the lab, but chalked it up to wanting to see Brennan, Angela, and Arastoo, who was helping out for the day.
Daisy arrived two hours later with food from Founding Fathers and the two women ate upstairs in the break area.
"So have you had that talk with Beau, Daisy?", Jessica asked before chewing on her club sandwich.
"No, but I think I may have been hard on him, Jessica." Daisy responded, stabbing her salad. "He's not all that bad."
Surprised, Jessica took a drink of her pop. "But I thought you said he didn't understand you and it was hard to talk to him."
"I did, but you were right when you said that I can't run to Oliver anymore. Beau is my husband and I should try to be more understand…", Daisy trailed off as her attention was focused below.
Jessica looked to see Oliver and Rani walking in together hand in hand. Before she could respond, Daisy made a comment.
"What the hell is she doing here? Doesn't she have her own department to run?"
Treading lightly, Jessica clasped her hands together. "Well, Curly told me this morning they were going to start to work this afternoon on that prototype they were discussing. I guess they're going to set up shop down in Limbo."
"He has no shame…", Daisy whispered before harshly stabbing her salad. "First he brings her to the NFL today and now here?"
Jessica wisely decided to take a drink of her Coke before sipping her tomato soup.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Finally, Friday arrived and things eased for both of the couple. Aubrey's presentation with Booth and Charlie went very well and was approved to start with the newest graduating class the beginning of February 2017.
Jessica wasn't scheduled to go into work until 12:00 and her day concluded with her meeting with Brennan.
"I know that I haven't had as much time to research the last couple of weeks-"
"Given your schedule over the holidays, that's understandable." Brennan sat back in her office chair. "However, Ms. Warren, what you have presented to me is still high quality work. Furthermore, this study you found on calcification does lend support to your thesis. I am confident that next semester you will be as productive as you've always been."
"Thank you, Dr. B."
Brennan looked at her watch. "It's 4:00 now. Dr. Hodgins is closing the lab soon due to the New Year's weekend. I was going to leave in about thirty minutes to get home so I can get ready for the banquet. You can do the same, Ms. Warren, unless you want to stay until 5:00."
Jessica got up from her seat. "I think I'll take you up on that offer. Thanks."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
An hour later, Aubrey rushed through his door and was greeted by his cat. Looking around, he didn't see his girlfriend anywhere. "Glad to see you, boy, but Daddy and Aunt Jessica have to get ready to go out. Where is she?"
Walking up the stairs, he heard the shower and grinned. Running up, he started to strip. By the time he got to the bathroom, he only had his socks and pants on. "Jess, make some room in there…"
"No, Superman, you're getting ready downstairs. I put your shaving kit, tux, and your other stuff in the bathroom.", the redhead yelled from the shower.
He could see her nude silhouette through the glass door. "Jessica...come on…"
Jessica rinsed her hair under the spray. "Aubrey...we don't have time for shower sex."
"We don't always have shower sex. Please…I promise to behave in there." When he didn't hear a response for a few seconds, he smirked while stripping off the rest of his clothes.
"You're getting ready downstairs because I want to make a grand entrance for you."
Aubrey opened the shower door and entered. "That's acceptable."
Jessica narrowed her eyes. "You were taking your clothes off while I was talking, weren't you?"
"No…..", the agent scoffed.
"You're a liar but I love you. No groping, seriously. We don't have time to fool around.", Jessica admonished without heat. "I promise we will have amazing shower sex at least once at the cabin while we're on vacation."
"I'm holding you to that…", he replied, laughing as he dipped his head under the water.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Forty minutes later, Aubrey wore a towel around his waist as he finished his shave in the downstairs bathroom. After a final inspection, he put on a pair of blue silk boxer shorts and entered the downstairs bedroom next door. Opening a garment bag, he pulled out his tux and sang 'Sharp Dressed Man' to himself as he got dressed.
"My redhead's crazy about a sharp dressed man…ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba bah.", Aubrey sang as he put on the vest that went along with the outfit. 'She'll be so hot for me tonight…'
Observing his cat on the bed watching him, Aubrey shook his finger at his pet. "Skinner, you will not get your fur all over this tux. Daddy is getting an award from the FBI tonight and he's hopefully getting more than that from your Aunt Jessica when we get home. We're still playing catch up for the last month."
Looking up at the ceiling, Aubrey was getting anxious as he thought about his girlfriend and what she was doing upstairs. All she'd told him about her dress tonight was that it was dark blue, Dr. B, Angela, Cam, and Andie loved it, and that he would, too. She also hinted that he would like what she wore underneath the dress.
Aubrey smiled to himself. He didn't know how yet, but he would find a way to get a sneak peek before they got home tonight.
Heading out to the open living room area, he saw the overnight bag he'd packed in preparation for their trip east to Luray the following morning. Next to it were Jessica's overnight and toiletries bags. Beside that was his laptop bag along with extra chargers and anything else they might need, as well as his guitar, per Jessica's request.
Aubrey smiled just thinking about their trip. Three nights at a beautiful cabin in the mountains…just him and Jessica. Three bedrooms, two fireplaces, a large deck, and of course...a state of the art kitchen. He'd lucked out that there was a reservation available for this place over the New Year's weekend.
They planned on getting up first thing tomorrow so they could get groceries and arrive by noon. They would enjoy their afternoon before going to a fancy dinner at a local inn, with plans for their own private celebration for the New Year. The rest of their time would be spent in relaxation and enjoying each other without work or other people bothering them. Thankfully, Wendell and Andie were available to housesit and take care of Skinner while they were gone.
In the chair next to his suitcase was a handful of science fiction movies, his Star Wars board game, and her Star Wars: Secrets of the Galaxy box set. Both were still upset about the loss of Carrie Fisher. However, last night they'd decided to start a Star Wars movie marathon tomorrow afternoon with a conclusion on New Year's Day. They might go out into Luray afterwards...or maybe they'd stay in to enjoy the peace and quiet.
Last night, Jessica had hinted that she was planning to bring her Christmas lingerie. In turn, he'd packed the silk pajama pants she had gotten him. Perhaps they could do some more dancing like they did last weekend. Jessica had a way with science fiction movie scores...
Hearing another meow, Aubrey saw his cat walking towards him and quickly backed away. "Skinner, no. You were already fed, Buddy…all right…all right…just a few treats, okay?"
As he poured a small group of pellets into the cat's dish, the agent heard footsteps and then Jessica's voice. "Superman, can you help me with my necklace?"
"Sure, Jess. Be right…..wow…"
Aubrey could only stare at the vision in front of him. The royal blue of her gown contrasted beautifully with her fair skin. Her dark red hair was pinned in a side bun with a few tendrils of hair surrounding her face. Her eyes seem to pop, thanks to the extra sparkle she'd added to her make up. On her delicate earlobes were the two tone sapphire drop earrings that she'd borrowed from Dr. B.
His Jessica was always pretty, but right now…she was gorgeous.
"Aubrey…" Jessica blushed under his ardent gaze, secretly pleased that her boyfriend was dazzled. "Aubrey…James!"
Knocked out of his trance, he wore a huge grin as he shook his head at his girlfriend. "Sorry, Jess…you look…beautiful. You look like a Hollywood starlet….like Rita Hayworth...Hedy LaMarr..."
Jessica blushed again at her boyfriend's compliment. "I highly doubt that, Superman."
'She still doesn't know how beautiful she is.', the agent thought. "Don't...I know a beautiful woman when I see one...and you're the most beautiful of all."
Still slightly embarrassed, Jessica continued to blush as she held out her new necklace. "Thank you, Aubrey."
The agent walked over and took the necklace Jessica held out for him. Putting the chain around her neck he fastened it into place before his finger pulled the back of her dress towards him. Looking inside, he got excited. "Holy shit...you're not wearing a bra..."
"Yes I am." Jessica said as she waited for him to finish peeking. "It's one of those self-adhesive push up bras because I'm wearing a backless dress."
"That should be interesting to remove later. Did you maybe…wear…anything else tonight?", Aubrey asked as his left hand slowly made its way down her backside. 'Hmmm...there's something there, but her panties usually are lower...but she wouldn't go to an occasion like this without underwear.'
The lightbulb went off and he caressed her posterior. "Ms. Warren, are you wearing a garter belt tonight?"
"Maybe...and I may or may not be wearing a black pair of your Christmas panties..."
Aubrey grinned as he went through his mental list of Jessica's lingerie. 'Maybe she wore the black lace cheekies I got her...or the black crotchless ones...yeah, both of them make Jess look hot and totally fuckable…of course, when isn't she, though?'
Feeling a little excited, Aubrey talked himself down. 'Whoa...calm down, Aubrey. You can't go to a work party with a boner.'
Jessica could feel Aubrey's hot breath on her neck and she shuddered slightly. "Well, Agent Aubrey, the sooner you let go of my butt, the sooner we get to the party, and the sooner you can find out."
"Oh…sorry…", Aubrey said, reluctantly taking his hand off her butt.
"Thank you.", the redhead replied. Turning around, she gently caressed Aubrey's chest. "I have to say, Superman...you look really hot now. I especially like the vest...very sexy. I can't wait to take it off of you later…but I'm also wondering what you have on underneath this tux."
Aubrey felt his girlfriend's hand go lower and reluctantly stopped her. "Jess...you keep doing that and we're not going to the party because I'll toss you on my kitchen counter and pound you."
Jessica turned scarlet before grabbing her wrap, an antique piano shawl with a floral design in various blue and purple. "Yeah, I guess you attending an FBI banquet with an erection wouldn't be too professional, Agent Aubrey."
"No, it wouldn't." Aubrey took his girlfriend's wrap from her. "You attending without any underwear wouldn't be professional either, although I would love it."
Jessica snickered as he helped her with the final garment. "I'll keep that last thought of yours in mind..."
"Don't tease me, woman.", Aubrey said with a broad smile before putting his own coat on. Making sure he had his wallet and phone as his girlfriend grabbed her evening bag, he opened the front door and let Jessica walk through before following her.
[*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*]
Almost an hour and typical Friday Washington DC traffic later, Aubrey and Jessica arrived at The Willard for the banquet. Pulling up to the entrance, the agent slowed down. "I'm going to use the valet parking this evening. It's cold out right now..."
"I'll be fine walking—"
"Jessica…let me be chivalrous, please. Besides, I don't want to miss spending a minute with you tonight."
Aubrey spoke quietly to the valet before handing him the keys. Coming around to the passenger side, the agent opened the door with a flourish, grinning as he offered his hand to assist his beautiful girlfriend. Giggling softly as she accepted, the redhead smiled and got out. As they watched Aubrey's SUV move away to park, she contemplated the silence that reigned over the last fifteen minutes of their drive. Something was bothering her Superman and they were going to talk about it one way or another.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
When they got inside, Aubrey took her hand to lead her to the party. However, he was puzzled as she led him the other way to a couple of chairs inside the lobby.
"Jess, the party is this way."
"I know where the party is, but I want to talk to you for a few minutes.", the anthropologist replied, pointing to one of the chairs. "Sit there."
Seeing his girlfriend was serious, he complied sullenly. "What's the matter?"
Jessica took the seat next to him. "I should be asking you that. You were really quiet the last part of our ride here, James. What's wrong?"
'Damn it, I can't lie to her.' Aubrey mused before speaking. "You know me too well. How do you do that?"
"Because I'm your best friend, silly, I love you, and I get to see you naked. Now, talk to me so we can go to the party and your nice rental tux doesn't go to waste."
"I feel like…I know that we've technically closed the Vacchio case, Jess, but…", Aubrey started before looking at the redhead, who was patiently waiting for him to continue. "…this party feels like a farce. Genny, Booth, and I are being honored for a case that isn't complete. There's more to this…my father is a part of this somehow…I can feel it."
"I agree, James, but…this party isn't for the case. This party is because Genny saved Hunter's life and you and Booth saved each other's lives. You three were so brave and deserve to be recognized for that. Will there be some bragging about this case tonight? I'm sure, but you're here because you three are an example of what makes the FBI so great for this country."
"Wow. You can be our recruiter with that speech.", Aubrey said with a smirk. "But, you're also right."
"I know I'm right.", Jessica said, standing up and holding out her hand. "Come on, Aubrey, let's go to the party so you can enjoy the hors d'oeuvres, dance with me, get a nice award for your office, and then take me home so we can make love so passionate that we put the Halloween Gala to shame."
Aubrey chuckled before getting up and taking Jessica's hand. "Let's go, Jess."
Arriving at the ballroom, they stood in line to be checked into the party. As they got closer to the table, Aubrey sneaked another look at his girlfriend.
"Jess, I can't get over how gorgeous you look…I'll have the most beautiful date here."
Blushing, the redhead turned to her boyfriend. "Thank you, Aubrey. I highly doubt that I'll be the most beautiful…"
"Uh, yeah you will be.", Aubrey said. "That dress is…stunning on you."
"Dr. B helped me a lot.", Jessica replied shyly before indicating her earrings. "She loaned me these earrings, remember?"
Aubrey fingered the one dangling from her left ear. "They are very unique…just like you, Jessica."
Jessica shared a small kiss with her boyfriend. "I love you, James."
"And I love you…"
Five people back, Karen was standing with Agent John Thomas, a recent transfer to the BRIU unit from Cincinnati. She wore an A-line sleeveless black dress with a plunging V neckline and a floral dot skirt of red, blue, and black. As she watched Aubrey and Jessica kiss, she cringed, making a face at her date.
"Ugh, can they get any more sickly sweet? If I have to watch that bitch spew any more fake platitudes or adoration for that man, I'll vomit."
"Isn't that Agent Aubrey, one of the agents the Bureau is honoring tonight?", the junior agent asked innocently. "His date is pretty cute."
"Yeah it is, John.", Karen said, irritated that her date was focused on Jessica. "And that woman with him…she's been known to share her favors with more than one agent here as well as at the Jeffersonian. My ex-boyfriend Steve fucked around with her, even while Agent Aubrey was in the hospital last month...the louse."
"Ouch…sorry about that, Karen.", Thomas said.
Karen leaned in as she was sharing a secret. "Well, I found out just in time because recently, Jessica was treated for her third bout with gonorrhea after she gave it to my boyfriend. Luckily, I tested negative, but Steve's probably given it to that new wife of his….and that twat gave it to Aubrey, I'm assuming. Poor guy. His girlfriend is a diseased slut."
"Karen, shut up."
Turning she saw Genny with Hunter next to her, looking handsome in his tux. Steeling her spine, Karen smirked. "Be quiet, Genevieve. You have no say over what I do."
"No, but Agent Booth is good friends with Agent Tanner…and I'm sure he wouldn't be happy to hear you spewing lies about his friend's girlfriend. He will tell Dr. B, who is very protective of her interns and knows enough people to make things hurt for you. Then, he'll tell Aubrey, who will talk Jessica into filing a report of harassment, which means you would lose your security clearance. Then you would have to deal with Deputy Director Stark, and you're also on thin ice with him after your little temper tantrum in Major Crimes two weeks ago."
"Hey, that Mitzi started everything! Why I had to pay for half of that damage and ride out a two day suspension, I don't understand. That Amazon bitch is the one who threw me across the room—"
"After you jumped Agent Bower, Karen. Now, behave tonight."
The profiler turned to Hunter. "You may want to get a muzzle for your girlfriend, Hunter. She's going to get herself into trouble one of these days for getting too big for her britches."
"If you want to know who should be muzzled, perhaps you should look in the mirror, Dr. Delfs.", Hunter said, making Genny crack a laugh and Agent Thomas smirk before pointing forward. "You're up, you two. Hurry, please. My date and I would like enjoy drinks with our friends before dinner."
Karen wore a fake smile as she realized the two people at the table were waiting to check her in as several couples behind them were becoming impatient. "Come on, John."
Genny watched her storm off with her date following him. "Hunter, you're amazing."
"Not as amazing as you.", the tall accountant said, kissing the ASAC and following the previous couple when it was their turn to check in.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Fifteen minutes later, Steve Bower walked into the banquet with Mitzi, who lit up when she saw the place. "Oh Stevie Bear, it's so beautiful."
Bower smiled as he looked at his wife in her gown. "Not as beautiful as you, Mitzi Muffin. I can't wait to dive under your skirt and lick between your delicious thighs later in our suite upstairs…"
"Oh Stevie…you're so romantic…", Mitzi said before bending down to kiss her husband. "Maybe we can even get one of our new toys out while you do that."
"Really?", the agent asked with glee. "Can we use our new love beads and that bacon lube I found online?"
"Whatever my Stevie Bear wants…"
Less than two feet away, Booth and Brennan had accidentally overheard their conversation. Hearing the last bit, the agent made a face. "Oh…that is so…wrong…"
Brennan, looking beautiful in a green sleeveless mermaid dress with appliques along the trunk and hemline, turned to her husband with a flirty smile. "Booth, there's nothing wrong with a monogamous couple using sexual enhancements to improve their lovemaking—"
"Anal beads and...bacon lube...are not sexual enhancements, Bones. Who the hell makes bacon lube anyway? That's just making crappy sex worse. We….", Booth whispered while indicating with his finger himself and his wife, "…don't need that shit."
Brennan rubbed her husband's arm. "I know that, Booth…but not everyone is as naturally gifted as you are at making love."
Booth smiled at his wife. "I'm only as good as I am because I'm with you, Bones."
The couple went to their assigned table, which had Aubrey, Jessica, Genny, Hunter, Hodgins and Angela, who suddenly stood up. "I don't know what's worse about pregnancy...peeing all the time or being fat."
"Babe, you look beautiful…"
Angela rolled her eyes at her husband. "Yeah like a five and half month pregnant water buffalo stuffed into a dress…"
"Angela, your dress is beautiful and very flattering on you.", Jessica said, admiring the sleeveless white dress printed with a design of black and fuchsia flowers and leaves.
"Thank you, Jessica.", Angela replied. "I love your dress…that color is gorgeous..."
"Thanks, Angela.", the redhead responded as Aubrey put his arm around her chair.
"Wait, Jessica compliments you and you're good. However, I do it and you blow it off. Why?", Hodgins questioned.
"Oh Sweetie...have you not learned anything from eight years of marriage? You're my husband. You have to tell me I'm beautiful, even when I'm carrying a watermelon with half of your DNA in my uterus. Jessica, is on the other hand, is my friend."
Hodgins nodded good naturedly. "Of course, my bad Angie."
Angela kissed her husband on the top of his head. "Anyone want to go to the ladies room with me to gossip after I pee?"
Everyone laughed before Jessica stood up. "Actually, I'll join you."
"I will as well…", Brennan said. Seeing Booth's face, the doctor explained. "Women go to the bathroom together, Booth."
"Come on, Genny…", Angela said with a smile.
"Okay." The agent replied, happy to be included. She grabbed her purse just as Cam and Arastoo came up. "Dr. Saroyan, want to join us?"
Cam, looking beautiful in a dark pink spaghetti strap A line dress, sat down after Arastoo pulled out his wife's chair. "I'll sit this one out, thanks."
Watching the women walk away, Cam turned and looked around. "Where's Dr. Boyd?"
"The FBI Director didn't invite our interim pathologist…and she's really pissed about it.", Hodgins said with a smile. "Oh well…"
"Hodgins…do I need to come back early from my sabbatical?", Cam asked, pretending to be annoyed.
"No, Cam. She's a pain in the ass, but I'll take care of it.", Hodgins replied.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
In the restroom, the women were checking their makeup and gossiping as Angela joined them in the powder room. "Ladies, did you see Mitzi Bower's dress?", the artist asked.
"I noticed it when she walked in. Did you all see who else was wearing it?", Jessica said before adding lip gloss.
"Booth and I noticed it while we were talking to Agent Burns and his date.", Brennan said while checking her makeup. "It was a very amusing coincidence."
"Jessica, I still can't believe you and Aubrey were witnesses to Steve Bower's wedding.", Genny said while touching up her mascara. "You are nicer than I would have been."
"No shit…", Angela chuckled as she grabbed her belly. "Son of a bitch! I have to pee again. Be right back."
As Angela entered the restroom section of the lounge, Jessica turned to Genny. "I got to know Mitzi while the four of us had dinner last week after the ceremony. She's actually really nice. Did I tell you that Bower designed her wedding bouquet himself?"
"Wow. Bower is Mr. Happy Newlywed now and it's really weird to watch.", Genny said. "He's got their wedding photo on his desk, he's stopped flirting with women, and he's acting more professional at work...when he's not making out with his wife, that is. Whatever Mitzi is doing is working to keep him in line."
"Their PDA is a bit...much...but he seems to be totally besotted with her. It's like...he had a brain and personality transplant when he got back together with her.", Jessica replied before shrugging. "It is sweet that they were high school sweethearts that found each other again."
Brennan finished blotting her lipstick. "Booth told me about the altercation involving Agent Bower's wife and Dr. Delfs a couple weeks ago. I'm sure Aubrey didn't appreciate that on his first day back at work."
"No, he didn't.", Jessica replied, remembering how irritated her boyfriend was as she drove him home that day. "He was still recovering and that wasn't something he needed to deal with."
"I'm sure he didn't, but I bet it was pretty damn funny.", Angela said as she came back into the powder room, hearing her best friend's comment. "Karen deserved to get her ass kicked for being such a bitch."
"It was funny, but I feel bad in a way for Karen.", Jessica chimed in.
"Good lord, why?" Genny was shocked. "She's essentially been a bitch to you by blaming you for anything that makes her look bad, and she's always trying to one up you."
"Genny, I know she's been a thorn at my side, but she did seem like she cared about Steve a lot. It was like she was desperate to only see the good stuff, you know. However, she did deserve the karma slap...although being humiliated by her boyfriend's fiancee announcing their engagement before she got her tailbone busted, spraining her arm, and getting a black eye seemed a bit extreme."
"Should Karen and Mitzi meet face to face again tonight, the social dynamics will be a fascinating anthropological study of two alpha females.", Brennan said, closing her purse and smoothing her dress. "Hopefully, the confrontation that will follow won't take anything away from Booth, Aubrey, and yourself, Agent Shaw."
"Anybody want to take bets on how long before shit hits the fan?", Jessica said.
Before anyone could answer, the door opened and Karen stepped through. Seeing the women there, she nodded before going through the door leading to the toilets. "Ladies."
"Dr. Delfs.", Brennan replied while everyone else stayed silent.
When the profiler exited the powder room, everyone laughed. "The social dynamics will be funny as shit, Dr. B.", Genny said as the group gathered their things.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Cocktail hour was fairly uneventful as Bower continued to stun people there with his loving behavior towards his wife. Hodgins found a group of FBI scientists he was friendly with and began talking shop with them. While getting drinks for Jessica and Brennan, Aubrey and Booth caught up with Agent Grace Miller, who was taking over as Special Agent in Charge of DC's Financial division starting January 2nd.
As Arastoo chatted with Jessica and Brennan, Cam met up with some colleagues from the FBI Laboratory. Chatting about various topics, the conversation circled around eventually to Dr. Boyd. As the pathologist listened to the other doctors speak, she became troubled.
"So my request for someone who was a team player and up to the standards we've set at our facility wasn't fulfilled?"
"No, Dr. Saroyan.", Dr. Tagahashi reluctantly stated. "We're loving the respite from her obnoxious behavior, but Dr. Thompson, who also applied, would have been a better fit for your lab. We figured she was a shoo in, and we were all surprised that Dr. Boyd was chosen instead. It was disappointing for all of us…we would've missed Thompson terribly, but she deserves the job..."
"Yeah.", Dr. Watts joined in. "Dr. Boyd is competent, but her people skills suck and she always brags about the rich and powerful people she knows. I've seen her threaten a few people who stand up to her. She's applied for other positions outside of the FBI for the last several years, including as the pathologist at your lab."
"She's applied for my job?" Cam asked. "Interesting."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
A short time later, the group began making their way back to their table, drinks in hand and Aubrey especially ready for dinner.
Near the end of the cocktail hour, Karen tuned out her date's conversation with colleagues to watch Bower, who seemed to be without Mitzi at the moment as he talked to fellow Major Crimes agents. 'Wonder where the missus went? Probably to try out for another Wrestlemania.'
Making a 180 turn, she observed the table reserved for the guests of honor. Arastoo and Cam were conversing with Genny and Hunter. Nearby, she saw Aubrey, Jessica, Booth, and Brennan talking to Deputy Director Stark. To her shock, the Director himself joined them at the table. After watching Aubrey introduce his girlfriend, the tall man shook her hand, laughing at something Jessica had said.
'Stupid cunt...taking my place with the group…' Karen thought. 'That should be me with Aubrey right now. What the fuck do people see in her?'
"Take a picture, it will last longer."
Startled, Karen turned around and saw Angela. "What's the matter, Angela? Bored because your husband is kissing those FBI scientists' asses over there?"
"Hodgins doesn't have to kiss up to anyone Karen. In actuality, it's other scientists who kiss my husband's ass, because he's so awesome.", Angela smirked. "Is someone a little cranky because Aubrey and Steve aren't noticing her and so she's getting jealous?"
"Fuck off, Angela. You're lucky you're pregnant or I would do more than that."
"Whatever, Karen. As for Aubrey, you can wish all you want, but he never will give you a second look because he's always been crazy about Jessica. It started that first day in my office when he couldn't take his eyes off her and that was two years ago. She's smart as hell, but also kind and generous. You will never measure up to that and I know that pisses you off."
"Jessica is a desperate slut who hangs onto Aubrey because she's bored. She's going to get sick of him and I know she'll dump him again. I gave Aubrey a chance to be with a real woman, but he's desperate to make things work with that twat. I tried to be a friend to all of you...I tried to make you see the real Jessica, but you refuse to see what's right in front of you. I still can't believe that Dr. Wick-Pixler is friends with her after Jessica fucked her boyfriend."
'She is so pathetic and jealous. Sad really.' Angela thought. "Karen, if you didn't mess with them the way you did, Aubrey and Jessica would both be friends with you right now."
"Why would I want to be friends with Jessica? I can make my own friends."
"Yeah, I can see how well that is going for you.", Angela shot back. "You had us for a while with that ditzy and sweet exterior, but we all wised up as we saw all that packaging hid the fact that you're shallow, full of shit, and with a healthy dose of entitlement. Contrary to what you think, just because you want a guy, it doesn't mean you automatically get him."
Fired up, Karen shot back. "I put my time in with Aubrey. We were getting closer and would have got together if your intern hadn't changed her mind."
The artist chuckled, seeing that Karen's ire attracted the attention of a few of the guests at the table. "You keep mentioning Jessica and yourself. What about Aubrey? He has a say in the matter, you know...and his say to you is 'not interested'."
Karen looked the artist in the eye, trying not to show her hurt at her direct words. "Go away, Angela. You're annoying me, and I have more important people to talk to tonight."
The artist looked at the other people at the table. Two rolled their eyes at the profiler and others, including the profiler's date, were all talking amongst themselves and not noticing her. "Of course."
Turning back around, Karen was all smiles at something her date said, keeping her seething to herself. 'Know it all bitch.'
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Ten minutes later, when they announced the buffet was open, Aubrey practically jumped out of his seat.
"Want to come, Jess?"
Jessica giggled as she stood up and took his hand. "Yes I do. I probably should be there so you don't eat everything."
"Ha ha…", the agent said sarcastically. "You're lucky I love you so much."
"I know, and I love you, too.", Jessica said. "Now feed me."
Angela got up and looked at her husband, who was still talking to a couple of scientists from the FBI. "I better feed Hodgins. Once he starts talking shop, he forgets everything."
"We're right behind you.", Arastoo said as he and Cam stood up. "Booth, you coming?"
"We'll go in a few minutes.", Booth replied. When everyone was gone, the agent turned to his wife. "What are you thinking about, Bones?"
"Aubrey and Ms. Warren."
"Why?", Booth asked.
"Because…they look so happy. They've been through a lot this year, Booth.", the anthropologist replied as she saw the couple laughing together while they waited in line. "Ms. Warren told me last week that their relationship is getting better each day. It doesn't make sense, but it seems that Aubrey almost dying put things into perspective for them."
Booth put his arm on his wife's chair. "No, it does make sense, Bones. Aubrey said they've discussed a lot of things lately while he's been recuperating, including confronting the issues that have held them back. They both had baggage they needed to unload, Bones and they couldn't move forward until they did.
"I would think that the forced celibacy has helped with that somewhat.", Brennan said. "Sexual intercourse can...complicate things."
"Perhaps. I won't be surprised if you see wedding bells at this time next year."
"Married?", Brennan asked. "Are they really at that stage? Both seem...almost reluctant to consider marriage."
"Not now.", Booth said. "However, my gut is telling me that they're getting closer to taking the plunge…and it will be when we least expect it…and it'll be just as weird as they are."
"I don't believe in gastrointestinal instincts.", Brennan said. "However, I do think your reasoning is sound."
"I'm glad." Booth's gentle smile suddenly changed to a frown. "Shit….be right back, Bones."
"Booth, what's wrong?", Brennan asked. When she saw where her husband was pointing, she made a face. "Ohhhhh...that's not good."
"No it's not.", Booth replied. Looking towards the buffet's serving line, he didn't see his friend or his redheaded companion. "I need to find Aubrey before things get out of hand..."
Brennan got up after her husband did. "I'll help you look."