A/N: It's time for part 2 of the FBI Gala...let's see how the fun continues for our favorite characters...

This chapter is hot and spicy in parts...it may not be suitable for reading at work...

Unaware of the chaos about to unfold around them, Aubrey and Jessica were planning a strategy to maximize their partaking in the buffet's offerings over the next hour.

"So Jess, I'm going to start at the Chef's table with the prime rib and turkey before doubling back for the garlic mashed potatoes, saffron rice, asparagus, and salad. I'll try the ham in the next run, along with the California vegetables and those amazing looking Au Gratin potatoes. For my trip after that I'll go for the salmon..."

Jessica patiently waited for Aubrey to finish his plan. "Well, I'm going to try the vegetarian lasagna and Fettuccine Alfredo with some salad and green beans."

"No meat?" The agent was astonished. "Are you kidding? That's just crazy…look at the selection..."

"Aubrey, you know that I like to eat vegetarian one day a week. Dr. B said The Willard has an amazing vegetarian selection. Besides, I figured if I change my mind, I could steal some meat from you." Seeing Aubrey was mollified, she continued. "It looks like the table on the right has crab cakes so I'll grab some of those for you."

"Ohhhh! I love crab cakes…"

The redhead chuckled. "I know...so I get a few of those for you since your two plates will already be full each time. If my stomach hasn't exploded after that, I would love to try the key lime pie for dessert."

"If?", Aubrey asked incredulously. "Jessica, there's no such thing as 'if we have room' in the art of enjoying a buffet….you strategize your attack and sample everything...you know, a little bite of this, a spoonful of that...okay, maybe more than a spoonful, but you get the idea..."

"Of course, Superman." Jessica smiled indulgently. "Maybe we can share the key lime pie and some carrot cake."

"Sounds like a plan.", Aubrey said before kissing her hand. "Here we go…"

When they got to the front of the lines, they separated to explore the several tables with various options. Just as Jessica finished putting a few crab puffs on her plate, she heard a familiar nails on a chalkboard voice behind her.

"Hello, Jessica. Cute dress. It seems that you must've scored a deal at the thrift store with the curtains you used to make it. Very 'Gone With The Wind'...ish..." Karen picked up a plate as she continued. "I suppose you were attempting some sort of avant garde look. It seems you were almost successful…"

Rolling her eyes, Jessica turned to see the profiler standing there with a wide smile that did not extend to her eyes. "Good evening, Karen. Household linens everywhere appreciate your concern, but no curtains were harmed in the creation of what I'm wearing tonight. Actually, I found this beautiful gown at that high end consignment shop near the Hoover."

"Consignment? Really? What about that amazing trust fund that you bragged about at the Royal Diner? Couldn't Daddy spare you a few bucks so you could buy an appropriate dress for this occasion instead of getting some used one? It's pretty pathetic that you can't even muster up enough class up to look respectable for Aubrey. That poor man...trying to not be embarrassed by his date being cheap for a night in his honor.", Karen said in a condescending tone as she played with her earring. "He obviously needs a mature woman...someone who knows how to present herself in public."

"As I've told you before, my trust fund pays for my education and living expenses...not that it's any of your business, Karen. Of course, I've also saved a lot of money recently since I've been living with Aubrey for the last month or so." Amused at the surprised look on the FBI profiler's face, Jessica turned back and put two ham rolls on her plate. "Growing up, my father taught my brothers and me that class and respect come from being yourself, not by maxing out your credit card to show off for others. In the end, it doesn't make any difference how much you spend on a dress...if you're a bitch, you're a bitch."

Ignoring the stab of jealousy to her gut, Karen worked to keep her demeanor calm. "You're lecturing me about class? Let me get a good look at you, Jessica. You're wearing an old fashioned secondhand dress and…that tacky gypsy shawl? Please...it looks like my grandmother's bedspread. Plus, look at those cheap earrings and that gaudy necklace. Did you get them at the dollar store? That's not class...you're playing dress up hoping to make it in the big leagues...and you're failing, little girl."

'She's really desperate...sad really.' Jessica ignored the insults and smiled as she turned back to the buffet. "Actually, this dress is a designer original that was worn by the wife of the Prime Minister of Iceland to one of President Truman's state dinners in 1949. The pendant I'm wearing is from the estate of Alice Roosevelt Longworth, you know...President Theodore Roosevelt's oldest daughter?"

"Really?", Karen asked in disbelief.

"Yes. Dr. B was with me when I bought my dress and necklace, and she was impressed as well. She also loaned me these beautiful earrings I'm wearing tonight. They're actually Alex Monroe originals that she got from his store in London about nine years ago when she was over there with Booth investigating a case. My shawl is actually another designer original from the 1980s that several people have complimented me on, including Deputy Director Stark's wife."

Seeing the profiler's flustered face, Jessica pressed forward, unconcerned about keeping up any pretense of being polite. "As for Aubrey, he loves this dress on me, as well as what's underneath it...including the gorgeous panties he gave me for Christmas. Definitely sexier than those hot pink ones you bought for him...you know, the pair he'll never see."

Annoyed that Jessica easily slapped back her insults and at the veiled reference to Aubrey, Karen's words became sharper. "While you were shopping for second hand goods, I bought myself this one of kind dress at a boutique by the Capitol building."

Jessica nodded as she looked over the garment, trying not to laugh. "It's very lovely, Karen."

"It is, isn't it? The silk for this dress was hand cut before being sent to the US. I paid $1200 for it, but it was money well spent for a designer original."

"$1200, huh? Sounds like a bargain.", Jessica replied, biting her tongue as she recalled Genny commenting earlier this week about the woman's bragging at the FBI. "Well, Karen, I'm sure people are noticing you tonight."

"Yes, it's only going to help my career at the FBI when I am eventually promoted to head my own BRIU unit. Anyway, Jessica, no matter how much you try to cover it up with your used dress and borrowed earrings, everyone here tonight knows that you're the slut of the Jeffersonian."

"Wow, bringing up the guys I used to date at the museum again?", the anthropologist replied with amusement. "That argument is getting stale, Karen. That was ages ago."

"No, it's not stale, because Aubrey is ambitious. You know he won't be content to be a field agent forever. Unfortunately for him, he'll never be able to reach his full potential as long as he clings to you. He doesn't see it, but you will bring him down."

Jessica rolled her eyes in disgust. "I highly doubt that, Karen. Aubrey is smart and good at what he does or he wouldn't be a Special Agent in Charge right now, nor would he be honored at this event tonight. Don't you worry, though. No matter where our careers go, whether I find a job in DC after I graduate or if I'm offered an opportunity elsewhere and he transfers to a nearby field office, he will also continue to make his mark in the FBI. He'll be an assistant director before you know it."

"When Aubrey said he would follow you, I didn't take it seriously because I figured even you wouldn't put him in that position, but I was wrong. Once again, you've proven yourself to be a selfish little bitch...how dare you make him leave his position as Special Agent in Charge in the DC office?" Karen was furious at what she'd just heard and couldn't hold back anymore. "You say you love him, but for Aubrey to move up in the Bureau, he needs more than some flighty tramp who leads on a man like Gerald Maxwell and then gets pissed when he wants to collect. You're just a cheap tease. No wonder you get yourself in so much trouble with men."

For the two women, the clanging of silverware, dinner music, and other noisy minutiae surrounding them faded away as the gravity of the profiler's words hung in the air. Karen immediately felt sick as she realized that she had gone too far with what she'd said. However, in her pride and her anger, she refused to concede.

As for Jessica, she felt white hot anger in her gut. However, she refused to give the other woman the satisfaction of appearing to be upset. Looking the profiler in the eyes, she spoke calmly and quietly.

"I never led Gerald on. Not once did I promise him anything other than my time. However, even if I had promised him sex and then changed my mind, I did not deserve to be sexually harassed...I should never have been stalked by a PI hired by him...and I did not deserve to have my personal security violated by him when I stood up for myself. No woman, not even you, deserves that. You and I don't like each other, Karen, but as a woman, consider this...the fact that you're using what happened to me and probably to the other women who've rejected him to score some cheap point against me….I never thought that even you would go that low."

Jessica took a deep breath to keep herself from punching the other woman in the face. "Now, my food is getting cold and you're boring the crap out of me, so this pathetic conversation is done. Excuse me."

The profiler was uncharacteristically quiet as the redhead picked up her plate. Jessica only took two steps before turning back to Karen and pointing across the room. "Oh, in regards to your designer original dress that you've been bragging about non-stop, you may want to look over there."

Karen turned to where the intern indicated, becoming furious when she saw Mitzi, who was standing next to Steve near the entrance to a covered garden area, wearing the exact same dress as hers. As she observed the agent holding the door open for his wife, her fists clenched so hard her knuckles turned white.

"So, that Amazon slut heard about my dress and decided to one up me by wearing the same thing, huh?", Karen snarked, not wanting to admit that she actually got it from a friend of a friend and had been duped into overpaying for it. "It wasn't enough for that bitch to steal my boyfriend...now she wants my dress? No fucking way. She's not getting away with it this time."

The anthropologist watched the woman storm over towards the covered garden. "Oh shit…I need to get Aubrey…"

She looked around the banquet area but didn't see him. Turning back, Jessica saw her boyfriend and Booth heading outside as well, followed by Brennan. "It's really gauche to watch a potential girl fight, but….oh to hell with it. After what she just said to me, she's got it coming."

Putting her plate down, Jessica walked briskly but calmly to avoid drawing attention to herself. Stepping outside she saw Mitzi and Karen staring each other down, each being held back by Booth and Steve, with her Aubrey in the middle. Making sure no one was looking, she dashed out to where her mentor was.

"Holy shit, Dr. B, were they really going to get into another fight?"

"Ms. Warren, you're just in time. In answer to your question, it seems that Booth and Aubrey barely got here in time to stop Dr. Delfs from possibly making a fool of herself...again."

"Karen making an ass out of herself? What a shocker…", Jessica snickered along with her mentor as they watched the commotion.

"Karen, cool down!", Booth said, barely holding the profiler back. "You really want to do this here? Think about your career..."

"That bitch stole my dress!", Karen screeched before turning to her newest rival. "It's bad enough you stole my boyfriend…then you brag about it before marrying him…now you're just trying to humiliate me."

"Get over yourself, you crazy bitch. I didn't steal Steve...he was only with you for a good time...not that he actually got it.", Mitzi retorted as her spouse stood in front of her.

"You genetic freak bitch!", Karen snarled as she continued to struggle with Booth.

"As for me trying to humiliate you, you seem to be doing a good job on your own. I didn't know about your dress because I haven't seen you since your little freak out at Steve's work. On the contrary, I got this dress last weekend because I liked it and it fit me."

"You liar!", Karen shrieked, her voice drowned out by the music in the reception inside.

Mitzi rolled her eyes as she put her hands on her hips. "This may come as a surprise to you, Karen but I don't have time to worry about what you're doing because I'm too busy with my new husband, my amazing new job, and with making tons of new friends here in DC. Now, get a life and leave us alone, or I'll make you regret it."

"I'm not scared of you, you Amazon freak! I'm going to kick your ass and your womanizing husband's...as if he hasn't cheated on you already!"

Steve saw his wife stiffen up and exhale sharply. "Mitzi Muffin, just ignore her...come on, Baby...be a good girl...it's okay..."

The tall woman turned to her husband. "Stevie Bear, it's not okay. You're married to me now and it's my job to protect you. I'm not going to put up with her saying shit about you whoring around just because she is jealous that she's can't have you."

Steve rubbed his wife's arm gently as he looked at her with adoration. "I'm not worried about what she says, because she can't do anything to hurt me now that I have you. I will always be faithful to you. Remember that you're my girl now, Mitzi Muffin…and you always will be. I love you so much..."

Karen thought she was going to vomit from listening to the newlyweds. "Oh my God, you are so….ugh. You know, Steve, I was your girl at the Halloween Gala and all through November. Remember? I was your Sugar Booger and you were my Stevie Weevie. Does Mitzi know about that? Maybe I should give her some details..."

Steve turned to Karen. "Mitzi already knows everything, Karen. Yeah, we were together then, and it was fun. However, you also trotted me out to show off to my boss, a younger man you have the hots for but who isn't interested in what you're peddling. Face the facts. You're a bitter, pissed off, lonely woman who blames others for your own issues and screw ups, and that gets real old after awhile. Thankfully, I met up with my Mitzi Muffin again over Thanksgiving, and I realized that instead of wasting my life on crazy bitches like you, I should have married her years ago. I'm finally happy with my life."

Mitzi turned to caress Steve's cheek. "Maybe if you would try to move on with your life, Karen, instead of being such a dried up, bitchy ass, you could find the same happiness Stevie Bear and I have."

Humiliated at the stinging words, the profiler snapped. "You're going down, you slut, and I'm taking your little bitch Steve along for the ride!"

Karen broke past Booth and ran towards Mitzi, but Aubrey jumped in, holding her arms until the other agent came over and helped. "Karen, this is not the time or place. You need to chill out!"

"No, I need to beat the crap out of that mutant who stole my boyfriend and my designer dress! She going to pay!"

"Enough Dr. Delfs!", Brennan said as she stomped up to the profiler. "My husband, Aubrey, and Agent Shaw are here to be honored for their bravery tonight. They do not deserve to be subjected to your petty jealousies or temper tantrums over a dress that's more flattering on Agent Bower's wife to take away from that honor. Now...settle down and get yourself under control, or I will mention this incident to Deputy Director Stark or to the Director himself."

"What! Really, Dr. Brennan...you're going to tattle on me?" Karen was livid as she shook her head.

"Yes, if you don't stop your childish behavior, Dr. Delfs, that's exactly what I'm going to do. Now, you're going to find the maturity a woman your age should have, and march back into that party. You're going to find your date and you're going to sit at your table quietly for the rest of the night. One more comment, shove, or if you step out of line in any way, and I'll go to Deputy Director Stark. You're already in steaming water with him. Do you want to be unemployed?"

'Steaming water?' Karen thought, confused about the slang. Turning to Booth, Aubrey, and Jessica, they didn't seem fazed. However, she saw the look on Brennan's face and could tell she was serious. Knowing that she had to be careful where her job was concerned, Karen acquiesced, deciding it wasn't worth the risk.

Glaring at Mitzi, she huffed a sigh. "Fine, I'll behave tonight, but keep away from me, you mutant bitch!"

"Stay away from my Stevie, and I'll do the same. You do anything else to my husband and I will beat the shit out of you."

"I'd listen, Karen. You don't want to mess with my wife…", Steve said, wearing a pleased smirk. "She loves me…and she won't take shit from anyone trying to hurt me…"

"Shut up, Bower!", Booth, Brennan, Aubrey, and Jessica yelled at the other agent before the Major Crimes SAC spoke up. "Steve, do we need another chat about your personal business interfering with work?"

"No, Boss…all good, I promise." Bower turned to his wife. "Come on, Mitzi Muffin. I want to show you off some more before we get to the boring shit. Let's dance."

Karen went to follow the couple but Booth held her back. "No…wait a few seconds." When Mitzi and Steve were out of their sight, Booth let go. "Now it's your turn."

They watched Karen turn around and walk back in. When she was gone, Aubrey turned to the others. "Well, that was fun, wasn't it? I really hope she keeps her shit together tonight." He grinned at his friends. "Maybe we deserve another commendation for bravery after stopping a fight between those two…"

"Yeah, maybe we do." Booth grinned as he held his arm to his wife. "Shall we go inside, Bones? The boring shit will start soon."

"We shall, Booth.", she responded.

Aubrey watched the other couple walk back inside. "Ready to go inside, Jess?"

"Yeah, just picking up this penny for good luck.", she said before bending over, mesmerizing her boyfriend.

"Damn, you have an awesome ass, Jess. I just wanna…..uuuuhhhhh." Aubrey exhaled loudly. "Can we go home now? I think I've done enough work for one night."

"No, because you're the guest of honor and we haven't eaten yet.", Jessica said before remembering the buffet. "Shit, I left a plate of food on a table before coming out here."

"What? Good food like that can't go to waste. Come on, woman!", Aubrey exclaimed before grabbing Jessica's hand and pulling her back into the banquet.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Forty minutes later, as Aubrey was enjoying the feast upon his plate from his third turn around the buffet, Jessica wiped her hands on her napkin. After ensuring her table mates were occupied, the redhead subtly pushed up her dress. Taking Aubrey's free hand, she moved it onto her knee and then slowly across the black nylon.

Barely avoiding choking on his salmon, Aubrey kept his cool as he realized what was going on. "Jessica…what are you up to?"

"Nothing much…just giving you a hint of what's coming for my hero later tonight.", she whispered back before moving his hand up until he felt lace.

"You're wearing those really hot black thigh high stockings with the lace edges that I like...", Aubrey muttered, hoping he could keep his composure. "Wow…"

"Maybe…", Jessica said quietly before moving his hand up to brush between her legs.

"Oh Christ, Jess…", Aubrey said, attempting to keep himself calm as his fingers brushed her core, feeling the heat from her crotchless panties. When he moved his hand to go further, he was stymied.

"Later, Superman."

"Tease.", he said playfully just as Jessica's phone buzzed from inside her handbag.

"Who the heck would be calling me tonight? Everyone knows I'm here with you.", Jessica said before pulling out her purse. Seeing the caller ID, she groaned. "It's Daisy…"

"She's calling you tonight…while you're here?" Aubrey's flirtatious mood turned to annoyance. "That's inconsiderate…".

"Sorry, Superman. I'll make this quick. She probably needs some advice for her family gathering tomorrow. I'm sure she wasn't thinking of the time." Jessica got up from the table and answered the phone while walking away. "Dais? What's up?"

"Daisy is calling Jessica now?", Booth asked. "She knows we're here, right?"

Concerned, Brennan glanced in Jessica's direction. "Ms. Wick knows where we are, Booth. I would think if she's calling tonight, knowing the circumstances, that this is an emergency."

Angela sighed audibly as she sipped her club soda. "Bren, she probably just had another fight with Beau. Her timing really sucks, though."

Aubrey looked over and saw his girlfriend start to pace as she held the phone. Not a good sign. "Her timing sucks a lot lately.", he muttered.

"Aubrey, if Daisy is being a pest, you need to put your foot down.", Booth said, taking a drink of his beer.

"Booth…they're friends. I'm not going to tell my girlfriend that she can't help her friend."

"I know, Aubrey, but still…", Cam said. "Listen, I love Daisy, but sometimes she can…be an emotional bulldozer when she is upset. We saw it at the lab enough times when she was with Sweets. Judging by your face, I'm assuming she's already...bulldozing?"

"Yeah…she even came over the day I got home from the hospital. She called Jess about three minutes before she showed up at my door...which was about an hour after I got home and I was tired and felt like shit.", Aubrey replied, keeping the events of afterwards to himself.

"That's not cool, Boss.", Genny said. "She really should know better."

"Well, Daisy was really upset when we all had to bail on her party tonight after we all said yes.", Angela admitted. "It made our girl party a couple weeks ago end on a real downer."

Aubrey irritably stabbed more of his salmon. "Yeah, Jess told me that she was snippy the rest of the day."

"Snippy is being nice.", Cam said.

"Yes, she was…not as pleasant to be around, especially with the copious amounts of Merlot she consumed. Her reaction seemed unreasonable after we explained our situation, even proffering the idea that we all leave the banquet early and come to her condo for some sort of after party.", Brennan replied, sipping her water. "However, I had informed her that Booth being honored was my top priority, and I wouldn't make him leave early. By this time, her inebriated behavior became too much, so I left early with the excuse of picking up Christine."

"Jess told me that night that when she was able to get Daisy home, she had to help her get into the condo.", Aubrey replied. "Daisy and red wine it seems do not mix…"

Before anything else could be said, the dinner music died down and Deputy Director Stark walked up to the platform. "Good evening, everyone. I want to thank the hotel staff for the wonderful dinner, appetizers, and their service this evening."

As everyone was clapping, Aubrey could see Jessica looking a bit agitated as she looked at him and then focused back on the phone. It was then Stark spoke again.

"Tonight, we are here to honor the bravery of three outstanding agents…Agents Seeley Booth, James Aubrey, and Genevieve Shaw."

Aubrey's attention was back to Jessica, who was looking up at the podium. Finally, he saw her stop the call and walk over as briskly as she could without taking attention away from the Deputy Director. As she sat down, everyone noticed the distress in her eyes.

"Is Daisy all right, Jessica?", Cam asked as the Deputy Director continued to speak.

"She'll be alright. I told her I would call her tomorrow when Aubrey and I were on our way to the cabin."

The group listened as the man on stage began with a summary of each agent's career in the FBI. Aubrey looked over as Booth's history began and saw that Jessica seemed upset. Taking her hand, he squeezed and she squeezed back with a nod and smile.

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Throughout the next two hours after receiving their commendations, the couple danced and enjoyed each other's company as well as being with their friends. Karen and Mitzi stayed on opposite sides of the banquet hall all evening and everything else went smoothly.

While dancing to Moonlight Serenade, Jessica kissed her boyfriend. Aubrey smiled in response. "What was that for, Jessica?"

"For my hero these last few weeks.", Jessica said as they swayed to the music.

"I didn't do much, Jess. You're the one who took care of me after I got out of the hospital…"

"No, that's not what I mean. You've stood by me while I've had to deal with all the shit about Gerald...Daisy always calling me...I'm sorry she called during the banquet-"

"Jessica, it's alright-"

"No, it's not, Superman.", Jessica replied before considering what she said. "She called tonight because Beau came home pissed from practice today."

"What happened?"

"Beau was told that if he was to remain on the team, it would be as backup on the Special Teams squad responsible for blocking field goal attempts."

"So what's the problem? That's a step up from the practice squad…it's probably more money, too."

"Yeah, but Beau is feeling unappreciated by the team again. When he brought up the idea to Daisy again of asking the coaches for a trade, she got super pissed. She told Beau that she wouldn't uproot her career for…'some stupid sport' and that they were staying in DC and he would have to suck it up. That made him angry and he accused her of not being supportive of him. She said it got pretty heated before he left to stay with his parents for the night."

"That's probably for the best. Tomorrow they can talk when they cool down and perhaps reach a compromise."

"I suggested that, but Daisy said there would be no compromising on the issue, because she refused to leave her job and Beau would either have to accept the Redskins' offer or go work for his father."

"But didn't she tell you at lunch yesterday that she was going to try to be understanding with Beau?", Aubrey asked.

"Yeah, she did...before she got pissed when Oliver and Rani arrived to work on the prototype. After lunch, she spoke to Hodgins but looked very irritated when she left...she didn't even say bye to me or Angela. Curly stayed in the Ookey Room after that."

'If it was something ordinary, Hodgins would have brought it up. The fact he hasn't means whatever they discussed really pissed him off, but he's trying to be a gentleman.', Aubrey thought. "Maybe the NFL realized that their research could be valuable and sent Daisy to the lab to try getting in on the action? I can see how Hodgins would be irritated by that."

"Maybe, but the NFL's R and D department pales in comparison to our lab. Curly said on Tuesday he talked to Dr. Beesley, who runs the NFL's physics department. Now that she's back full time, Oliver will only be there once a week unless asked and he will be working more hours at the lab next semester." The redhead snuggled closer to Aubrey. "Even if they changed their minds, Curly said Oliver and Rani signed a contract Wednesday to accept the grant money he set aside for them and it has a non-compete disclosure. Plus, Rani seemed excited to work at the lab since Georgetown has had many cooperative projects with the Jeffersonian in the past."

"Well, if Daisy is serious about trying to work on her marriage, then she shouldn't be so stubborn about Beau looking for another team. I mean, while I know that forensic anthropology jobs don't grow on trees, there's no way she couldn't find something for a few years if Beau is traded to another team. It's not like he'll be playing for decades."

"I know."

The agent saw that his lover was troubled. "Jess...there's something you're not telling me."

Between Karen's uncalled for comment and Daisy's call, Jessica was distracted. However, she didn't want her troubles to take over the evening. "Aubrey, this is your night-"

"Jessica...talk to me."

Not wanting Aubrey to confront Karen, Jessica decided to concede a bit. "Daisy asked me to come over and and hang out with her."

"You mean later like when the banquet is done?" Aubrey was frustrated that his plans would be messed up, but he wanted to be supportive.

"No, Aubrey...she wanted me to leave right then. When I said I couldn't because I wanted to see you get your award, she asked if I could come over right after you got your commendation. When I told her no because this was your night, she was upset. I heard 'But Jessica…' before I said I would check on her tomorrow and hung up."

Aubrey took a deep breath. "I love how supportive she is of us, Jess…wait...wasn't she supposed to have her party tonight?"

"Yes, but with everyone that she wanted to invite unavailable, she decided to cancel it last week. She is also dreading going to her in laws for New Year's because things have...been testy of late."

"Well, she's married to Beau, so her in laws are part of the package. I know Daisy well enough to know that she can hold her own." Aubrey quirked an eyebrow as a thought occurred to him. "Can I safely assume they haven't had their talk yet?"

"They hadn't as of yesterday, and it's obvious that they didn't today. I'm sure she wants me to come over so she can vent about how Beau doesn't understand her and how he's not respecting her career and life."

'Same old song and dance.' Aubrey didn't want to be an asshole. "The banquet's not ending for a while yet, but if you want to go see Daisy-"

Smiling, Jessica gently touched Aubrey's face. "No, Superman, I'm staying right here with you, and I told her that. I'll talk to her tomorrow while we're on the road."

Rubbing her shoulder, he could see how upset she really was. "I know you want to be a good friend to her…"

"I do...and I will. However, tonight I want to be a good girlfriend. You're the most important person in my life, James Aubrey, and she needs to understand that."

They came together in a soft kiss before Aubrey dipped her dramatically. Putting her up, he was awarded with a laugh from his girlfriend. "You're the most important person in my life, too, Jessica Warren. Don't ever forget that."

"I won't."

"Good." A smirk formed on Aubrey's face as a thought came to mind. "Since you've established that I'm your most important person...maybe you can lead me in another dance later this evening."

Jessica pulled the agent closer. "Find me the music and I'm there, Agent Aubrey."

From five feet away, Karen looked over her date's shoulder and saw the couple laughing and kissing as they danced. Anger shot through her as she turned away only to be greeted with the view of Steve and Mitzi dancing together. When she saw the way her ex-boyfriend looked at his new wife, the anger turned into white hot rage as she thought about what Jessica, Mitzi, and Steve had said to her earlier.

'I'm not bitter...I don't blame everyone else for my own problems. I'm getting tired of people getting pissed off because I'm finally fighting back and telling the truth.'

Taking a deep breath to keep from crying, Karen closed her eyes to focus on her date. At least she would be getting some sex later. She deserved it after dealing with all the selfish people who've clouded her night.

'They will get what's coming to them. Karma is a bitch.'

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Throughout the evening, Jessica kept putting Aubrey's hand on her knee, thigh, or other areas when no one was looking. Each time, she let him touch her for a few seconds at a time, ramping up the sexual tension. Finally, as Cam was talking about Isaiah and his new school, Jessica's hand once again pulled Aubrey's under her gown again.

When the story concluded, Cam, Arastoo, Booth, Brennan, Genny, and Hunter got up to dance while Angela and Hodgins went over to talk to some people at another table. Aubrey decided to turn the tables on his girlfriend and when his hand got close, he dodged her attempt to pull his hand away and instead pressed his fingers inside of her core as he sat beside her. He saw her stiffen up slightly and smiled to himself. Bingo...score one for me...

Bending down to her ear, Aubrey whispered, "It's my turn to make this evening interesting, Jessica…"

"You're evil." Jessica shuddered quietly as her boyfriend's nimble fingers pulled in and out of her while each were trying to not give away what they were doing. "Oh yes…" she moaned softly.

"I'm evil? You're the one who teased me with your crotchless panties, your garter belt, and sexy as hell lace stocking all night, Jessica.", Aubrey murmured, smiling as he rose from the table. "Come with me."

The agent took his girlfriend by the hand and led her outside into the covered garden. Finding a secluded area behind some hedges, Aubrey took her in his arms and kissed her as his hand cupped her breast.

"Oh my, you're horny…", Jessica whispered as she pulled her lover close to her.

"I'm horny?", Aubrey muttered as he pressed her into the wall. "You're the one who keeps putting my hand down there, woman. You know how much I like when you're warm and wet for me…and you like how I feel inside you..."

"Are we going to get caught?", she whispered between kisses.

"I don't think so. Everyone's inside at the party."

Jessica smiled as the two slipped her dress up as high as they dared in public. She shivered as Aubrey's hand slowly traced up her exposed thigh, first playing with the lace on her stockings before using his nails to lightly trace the tender skin on her inner thigh.

"Aubrey...what the hell are you waiting for…"

"You're not the only one who can tease, Jessica.", the agent whispered onto her lips. He grew harder as she practically panted when his long, talented fingers played with the edge of her panties. "Thank you for wearing these tonight..."

"You're...welcome…", Jessica moaned onto her boyfriend's lips as his fingers found her. "Oh fuck, Aubrey…oh yes…"

The agent whipped her left leg up to give him more access but groaned when she pulled down his zipper and touched him. "You really want it here...right now?", he muttered as he moved into her touch.

"Yes…please..."

Hard and ready, Aubrey pulled his pants and boxers down. Just as he was about to enter paradise, they were interrupted with rustling past the bushes.

"Oh Hunter...oh, I'm ready."

"So am I, Genny...you are so hot...wait, what about our room here?"

"It'll take too long…"

Aubrey lifted his head up to look over Jessica's shoulder. "What the fuck…"

Jessica smiled, thinking of the conversation she had with the woman on Monday. "You go Genny…", she whispered.

"You mean Genny and Hunter are…", Aubrey whispered.

"Oh Hunter...oh yeah…"

Jessica saw her boyfriend's face begin to look traumatized, so she pulled her leg and dress down. "Come on, Aubrey...let's give them their privacy."

His plan for a quick tryst stymied, he reluctantly pulled his pants up and zipped them. "Okay, but I don't want to go back to the party. Let's blow this popsicle stand."

"Where are we going?"

Getting an idea, Aubrey took her hand and smirked. "Somewhere close by where everyone else is not...and I know just the place."

Seeing his pupils dilated, Jessica knew what was up. "Well then, let's make our goodbyes and go."

"Hunter...don't stop…"

"The sooner the better, Jess.", Aubrey whispered with a chuckle as he led his girlfriend away in the opposite direction.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Fifteen minutes later, the elevator on the Hoover's fourth floor dinged and Aubrey dragged Jessica out of it. They raced to the Major Crimes area and through the bullpen to his office. Grabbing his keys, the agent unlocked the door and led his girlfriend inside. Shutting and locking the door, he pushed his girlfriend against it before kissing her hard.

"Jessica…you drive me crazy…some days, I can't keep my hands off you...", Aubrey breathed before his lips greedily kissed her neck.

Feeling Aubrey grind against her while he cupped her breasts on top of her dress was making her wet again. Grabbing his jacket, she got him to let him go long enough to take it off and toss it on the floor before he went back to what he was doing. "Are you sure…ohhhhh…that you're not going to get into trouble...what if someone shows...ooohhhhh...up here..."

"Nobody's here, Jessica...everyone is at the party or away for New Year's weekend. This is my office and I can do whatever...and whoever I want in here...and you can be as loud as you want...", Aubrey replied in a gruff tone as he pulled her dress up, grabbed her thigh and put it up on his waist before he began playing with her a second time.

"Oh God…Aubrey…", Jessica moaned as her hips undulated freely against his fingers. "...son of a bitch…"

The SAC was relentless as he used his talented fingers to work his girlfriend until she screamed her orgasm into his shoulder. Before he could react, Jessica's shaky hands unzipped his pants and caressed his member inside of his boxers, making him moan very loudly.

"Holy shit, woman…", the agent groaned before his hands moved to the back of her dress. "Help me get this off so I can fuck the hell out of you…"

Quickly, the two got Jessica's dress and Aubrey's vest, tux shirt and tie off. The agent pulled off her backless bra and she flinched.

Jessica rubbed her side where the adhesive was. "Ow, Aubrey...that's tape you know…"

Aubrey's face was apologetic. "Sorry, Jess…"

"Just be careful next time, please."

After removing the other side more carefully, Aubrey threw the bra on the floor. Seeing his lover in only her panties, lace garter belt, lace stockings, and high heels, the agent felt himself become even harder. "You are so gorgeous…"

Aubrey pulled Jessica towards his desk and in dramatic fashion, he pushed the items in the middle of the desk forward and onto the ground. Before the redhead could say anything, her boyfriend turned her around and leaned her forward onto the desk.

"Someone is ready for dancing, I see.", Jessica breathed. "We don't have any music…"

"Hearing you scream my name is all the music I need, Jessica.", Aubrey replied in a low timbre. In rapid succession, he pushed his pants down his legs, pulled his girlfriend close, and entered her.

"Yes…Aubrey…oh…yes…", she moaned as her boyfriend pumped her from behind.

Turning her head, she kissed him as he caressed her while thrusting inside at a satisfying rate. As the lights from the nation's capital lit onto Aubrey's desk, the couple worked harder towards their goal in between passionate moaning from both of them until they both crested. When their tryst ended, both stood where they were as they recovered.

"Sorry about...your desk, Aubrey."

"No, you're not, Jess." Aubrey held her body next to him as he continued to lean them over the desk. Kissing her shoulder, he continued. "You like getting me hot and bothered."

"Yes, I do…because I get to reap the benefits.", the redhead said, turning her head to kiss her boyfriend again. "Come on, let's clean up your office so we can get home and continue what we started."

Where they stood were both bathed in moonlight. When Jessica turned around, Aubrey doubled over in laughter. "Aubrey, what's so funny?"

The agent stood with his pants around his knees as he continued to laugh while gesturing over his head. "Your….your…"

Jessica crossed her arms while standing there half naked, a puzzled look on her face. "My...my...what...Aubrey…and pull your pants up."

Aubrey did as requested as he continued to laugh. "Your...hair…"

Jessica walked to her evening bag and pulled out a compact. Turning on her boyfriend's desk lamp, she looked and her eyes got large as she saw half of her side bun hanging on her left shoulder. A group of strands hug at her neck and the bun itself was askew. Looking up she saw her boyfriend holding back laughter. She tried to be stern but then laughed herself.

"Holy shit...this is a new level of sex hair, that's for sure."

Finally calmed down, Aubrey walked over to his half naked girlfriend, and put his arms around her. "I like how you look with sex hair..."

Jessica melted when he kissed her on the sweet spot on her neck and his hand played with her breast. "Aubrey...we should clean your office and go home…"

Aubrey answered by lifting her onto his desk. Starting from her collarbone, his lips traveled down her navel before getting on his knees. He took a few seconds to admire her laid out on his desk and knew he would never look at it the same ever again. "It's forty five minutes to my house with traffic. I need something for the road first, Jessica."

The redhead moaned as Aubrey's tongue trailed down both inner thighs before finding her core. "Oh wow…"

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

An hour later, Aubrey peeked outside his office and into the darkened bullpen. Seeing the coast was clear, he took his girlfriend's hand and led her out. This time, Aubrey's hair was spiked up and his tux shirt was buttoned but hanging outside his pants. In his other hand, he held his tie and her backless bra. Jessica's hair was down but still a little wild as she was wearing his tuxedo jacket over her dress, with Aubrey's vest hanging on her arm.

"Are we going to be getting any sleep tonight?", Jessica whispered as the disheveled couple walked to the elevator.

"Eventually, Jess.", Aubrey replied with a smirk.

Jessica grabbed his arm as they got close to the cars. "That's good because we need to be up early-Dr B!"

The younger couple stopped as they were greeted by Booth and Brennan, both with their hair out of place. Booth's tux jacket was opened to reveal buttons that were in the wrong slots and a hunter green lace bra band was peeking out of his pocket.

"Aubrey...Jessica...fancy meeting me you here.", Booth said, embarrassed while quickly smoothing his hair down. "What's up?"

Brennan eyeballed her husband with a 'Duh' look. "Booth, it's obvious based on their disheveled hair and what looks to be Ms. Warren's bra in Aubrey's hand that they came here for sexual intercourse like we did-"

"Bones!", Booth whispered furiously.

Aubrey was red as a beet as he gazed at the floor while Booth looked everywhere except his friend and Jessica. In contrast, the women looked at each other before chuckling in amusement. The agents' attention then returned to their significant others, each perplexed at their reactions.

"Jess, what are you laughing about?"

"Bones, what's so funny?"

"You two.", Jessica said while snickering.

"The fact that you two are so flustered that we know the other couple had sex here is very amusing. As I recall Booth, you barely got me into your office before-"

Booth moved to cut his wife off. "Da da da...not now Bones!"

"Dr. B, Aubrey practically tried to rip my dress off-"

Mortified, Aubrey jumped in. "Jessica! There are some things Booth and Dr. B don't need to know."

"I don't see why you two are so afraid to talk about sex, but fine." Brennan turned to her intern. "Ms Warren, I'll see you next week when the lab opens."

Smiling, Jessica waved to the other couple. "See you then, Dr. B. Good night and happy New Year. You too, Booth."

Shaking his head, Booth nodded. "Good night, Jessica...Aubrey. Happy New Year."

"Same to you, Booth…"

Booth and Brennan entered the opened elevator door. Going in, the older man gave an awkward wave before the doors closed. When they were alone again, Aubrey rolled his eyes.

"That was so...weird...and humiliating."

Bewildered, Jessica shook her head. "But it wasn't weird or humiliating when you and Booth went lingerie and panty shopping together for Christmas?"

"That's different, Jess.", Aubrey responded as the elevator doors opened again. "We were men on a difficult mission then….a mission of great importance..."

"Sure it was, Superman." Jessica replied as they entered the car. "Although I'd say you both accomplished a mission tonight as well….

Aubrey pushed the button for the parking garage. "It is different, Jessica."

"Whatever…" Jessica turned to her boyfriend. "I love you Aubrey."

Aubrey kissed his girlfriend as the elevator doors closed. "I love you, Jessica."