It's time for Aubrey and Jessica to let Karen know how things stand. How will she react? Read on to find out.
Aubrey woke up at 5:00 AM, too restless to sleep any more. He dreaded what he had to do in three hours, but it needed to be done if he ever wanted peace of mind. Looking over to his left, he saw Jessica lying next to him in the middle of the bed, snoring softly as she slept.
'Wow…I'm only in the middle of the bed this morning, instead of hanging off of the edge…hopefully I didn't keep her up.' Aubrey moved his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling, mentally going through his agenda for the day.
'I have that meeting at Quantico at 8:00, then a budget meeting with Stark at 10:30. Jess is bringing me lunch today, and after that Genny and I are going to tag team on some case audits so she gets some more practice. Then I have to go over expense reports...'
Looking at his girlfriend again, he smiled. 'The only thing I want to do tonight is have a nice evening with Jessica and some half price appetizers at Founding Fathers, and then come home for a quiet night with Skinner. She's working this weekend, but maybe tomorrow night we can go out somewhere nice like the Blue Duck Tavern…a nice early romantic dinner…then a nice romantic night at home…
Hearing a snort, he looked at his girlfriend and chuckled quietly before returning to his musings. '...maybe she'll wear her crotchless panties…now that would be a great appetizer...and we could have some extra dessert later...maybe with some whipped cream on top...'
Aubrey's smile turned into a wide grin as he anticipated their fun. 'Yeah, I'm a horn dog, but my girlfriend is hot…and she's good in bed…but most of all, she's my best friend and I love her.'
Deciding it was time to face his day, the agent got out of bed, but the movement jolted Jessica, who groaned softly as she rolled over to face him. "Aubrey…it's cold…come back to bed."
Aubrey shrugged as he opened his closet door. "I'm too keyed up for my meeting with Karen and Jake, so I'm just going to get around for work."
The redhead squinted at the digital clock on Aubrey's nightstand. "Superman, it's only 5:08. Your meeting isn't until 8:00."
"I'm going to stop at the office first and get some work done." Aubrey said from the closet. "Don'tworry about feeding Skinner. I'll do it when I go downstairs."
Jessica rubbed her eyes as she sat up and yawned. "I don't want you just mowing on donuts on the way there, so I'll make you breakfast…"
Aubrey came out of the closet with a suit, shirt, and tie. "No, I'll grab something from the diner. Donuts will be my morning snack." Aubrey kissed her cheek. "Go back to sleep. It's your day off."
Aubrey went into the bathroom and closed the door. Opening her eyes, Jessica considered her options for a moment before getting out of bed. Putting on her slippers, she quickly went downstairs to put her plan in motion.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Thirty minutes later, a freshly shaved Aubrey came out of his bathroom, tucking his shirt into his pants. He grabbed a belt from his closet and was looping it around his waist when he finally realized that their bed was empty. Feeling a sense of déjà vu, he quickly finished getting ready, grabbing his badge, watch, and sidearm before heading downstairs. As he arrived in the foyer, he detected a wonderful aroma filling the house.
"Oh...I smell something good…", Aubrey muttered as he followed the trail of delight.
Entering through the open living room, he saw his girlfriend wearing her Star Wars pajamas and matching fuzzy slippers. Her hair was pinned up in a messy bun and she was singing Elle King's 'Ex's and Oh's' in an adorably off-key voice while cooking at the stove.
God...she was beautiful.
He watched for a moment until she looked up and caught him staring at her. "Aubrey, were you spying on me just now?"
"Guilty as charged." The agent walked over to girlfriend until he was standing near her. "I mean, you're cute and you're cooking me breakfast…plus you have a nice ass and those nice, perky, perfect handful boobs that I get to play with...I was just appreciating what a lucky guy I am, okay?"
Chuckling, Jessica flipped the bacon. "Smooth talker, you. Well, breakfast is almost ready. Your cup is by the coffee machine."
Walking over to the appliance, Aubrey poured himself some much needed brew and added the cinnamon his girlfriend had been nice enough to set out for him. "You're supposed to be sleeping in, Jessica. It's your day off today."
"Yeah, but I work this weekend, so it will be easier to wake up tomorrow if I keep a schedule...as long as someone lets me sleep tonight.", the redhead replied with a sly grin.
"You didn't have to cook me breakfast, although that bacon smells good…" Aubrey peeked into the skillet that Jessica was working on. "Is that a ham, spinach, and habanero cheese omelet?"
"A five egg one…your favorite and a smaller one for me. I just need to put the toast in." Jessica flipped both omelets. "You need fortification for your meeting with you know who this morning."
Aubrey came up behind her and put his arms around her waist. "I remember you doing something similar a few months ago, except you were just in my t-shirt and socks because your panties were so conveniently on the hallway floor of your apartment until I picked them up."
"Well, the Redskins had won the night before...and we were both pretty horny." Jessica laughed before kissing his cheek. "I cooked you breakfast to fortify you then, and I'm doing it now. As for the attire, since you love and adore me...you get all of me...even my sexy Star Wars PJs."
"I'll take you anyway I can, Jessica Warren...and those PJs you're wearing are sexy because one, it's Star Wars, and two, you're wearing them." Aubrey returned the sentiment with a kiss on her cheek. "Thank you for breakfast."
"You're welcome, Superman. Now pour me some coffee please, then feed Skinner. He's over there…" Jessica gestured towards the center island with her spatula, where the cat sat, swishing his tail. "…and he wants his breakfast."
Aubrey gave her a contented smile as he poured his girlfriend some coffee before feeding his cat. It was a very domestic scene, simple…no excitement…just a typical day. He nodded happily to himself, hoping to have many more mornings like this in the future. Me and Jess...spending our mornings together...I can't imagine my life being any other way now...
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
"I'm sorry I had to come to you with this issue, Jake, especially right after you've just returned from paternity leave. I tried to handle it off the record, but...every attempt I've made hasn't worked. I just didn't see any other way to deal with this except to go through channels."
The other SAC shrugged as he sipped his coffee. "It's alright, Aubrey. This is our second baby, so we've got the routine down pat at home, although our older son has had a little trouble getting used to sharing his mom's attention with his new little sister. Anyway, it's not a big deal. That's what I'm here for, right?"
"Your wife is an agent, too, right?", Aubrey asked. "Agent Peyton Perotta…used to work with Booth in Homicide."
"Yep, after transferring to the Jackson field office, she moved back in 2013 to be a Supervisory Special Agent in Charlie Burns' division and I had just transferred from the Seattle field office. We met when I was the profiler for her first case there."
"I met Jessica on the job, too. Isn't it how it usually works?" The two men chuckled for a minute. "Anyway, I know the timing's bad with the BRIU spread thin on profilers right now."
Jake sat back in his chair. "My biggest issue right now is I have a profiler who started maternity leave right before Christmas, and two profilers who will be going on maternity leave at the Anchorage field office, one in five months, and then the second two months after that. There's another profiler in the Baltimore field office who will be out for six weeks after knee replacement surgery in May. Yeah, it's tight right now, but I just have to do some shuffling around...nothing we can't handle."
"Good luck to you." Aubrey sipped his coffee and ate the last bite of his donut. "I know that stuff like this is a pain in the ass…especially on top of all that..."
"Thanks…but that's why I get the big bucks for being the Director of the BRIU for the FBI.", Jake said before his phone rang. Winking at Aubrey, he answered it. "Yes, Delia…she is, huh...yeah, thanks for the heads up."
Jake hung up the phone and put it in his pocket. "That was Delia, who runs the gate leading into Quantico. Karen just pulled through and should be up here shortly."
Aubrey groaned softly as his stomach roiled. "This'll be fun, right?" Gulping down his coffee, he shook his head. "I've been dreading this…"
"Yeah…she's one of my best profilers, but I can't have this shit going on in my office. We work too closely with other agencies for me to tolerate inappropriate behavior, you know? I talked to Booth yesterday, and he's confirmed what you said. In fact, he also said that he was surprised you waited as long as you did...that you've been really patient with her."
"Booth said you two were both Army Rangers?"
"Yeah, we attended boot camp together. We were in different battalions, but we've kept in touch. I know Booth, and I know his word is good. He had good things to say about you, too." Jake didn't notice Aubrey's reddened ears as he looked through his windowed office into the bullpen. "Here she comes now."
Aubrey took a deep breath and exhaled slowly to calm himself. He couldn't lose his temper no matter what Karen threw out. "Good…I want to get this over with."
Hearing a knock at the door, Jake gave the okay to enter, and Karen walked in wearing a big smile. "Hey, Jake. I'm so glad to see you back from paternity leave. I just want to say that I learned a lot from that task force…"
The profiler stopped suddenly when she saw the visitor. "Aubrey? What are you doing at Quantico? Need my superior expertise on a case for Major Crimes? You know I'm always glad to help...but you could've just called..."
"Shut the door, Karen and have a seat.", Jake instructed in a matter of fact tone. When she was seated, he continued. "Agent Aubrey has come to me with some concerns regarding your behavior towards his colleagues at the Jeffersonian lab and a couple of the agents in his division."
Karen smiled sheepishly. "All a big misunderstanding, Jake. I can't be liked by everyone, but I always try to maintain my professionalism. I'm just sorry that some people can't do the same. I'm even more sorry Aubrey got dragged into the situation. He has more important things to deal with than people who can't be professional."
'Wow...pot...meet kettle…' Aubrey thought, fighting to keep a straight face.
Jake merely nodded. "Karen, he also has concerns about your behavior towards himself and his girlfriend, who works at the Jeffersonian lab."
'What has that little bitch done now?' Karen thought, struggling to appear unconcerned. "Boss, I tried to keep this out of the workplace, but Agent Aubrey's girlfriend has issues with me because after their initial breakup in August, he and I started dating—"
Aubrey was quick to set the record straight. "You and I were never dating. We had dinner a few times, Karen, where I asked you for advice about getting back together with Jessica. I ended up reconciling with her two months later, no thanks to you."
"Aubrey, Jessica isn't here to bust your balls, so you can be honest." Karen turned to smile at her boss as Aubrey seethed quietly. "Jake, he and I had lunch together at his office almost every day—"
"It was never by invitation after the first couple of times, and then you started a rumor that we were having sex in my office every day during lunch." Aubrey grimaced as he remembered the situation. "I didn't know how to make you stop coming around without being as ass...I know I should've just been more straightforward..."
Karen gave him a pouty glance. "We also went to Daisy and Beau's wedding together—"
'God, it's going to be like that meeting after my birthday again…but I'm not going to be suckered into forgiveness this time.', Aubrey lamented to himself. "Only because I thought you were invited, and then I foolishly let you talk me into going with you because you said that Jessica was going to be there with a date. I didn't want to go, but my curiosity got the better of me, and I gave in, which was a bad mistake. Not only did you piss off all my friends with your backhanded comments about Jessica, you also kissed me without permission. The worst part was while I was driving you home. Not only were you quite blatant about your interest in coming home with me for sex, but you also tried to grope my genitals when my polite refusals were not enough to convince you that I wasn't interested."
"I was getting mixed signals from you at the wedding.", Karen whined softly.
"I don't know how, Karen. What part of 'Don't kiss me ever again, Karen.' or 'I don't want to make love to you because I'm not interested in you that way', did you not understand? I was very clear that I didn't want to be intimate with you under any circumstances. You were the one with the problem listening to me when I said no." Glancing at Jake, Aubrey grimaced slightly. "Look, I want to keep this discussion professional, okay, but she crossed the line that night…"
Determined to get the upper hand, Karen kept her voice low. "But when you said you weren't interested in sex, I didn't touch you again. I left you alone."
"No, then your actions went from overbearing to creepy.", Aubrey remarked, trying to stay calm. "I tried to explain the way things had to be between us...that it was strictly a work relationship...it was never going to be anything romantic. However, you refused to listen to me every time I tried to talk to you about it…you treated me like a child."
"That's a harsh thing to say after all I did for you.", Karen complained. "After all, I was concerned about you…I knew you weren't making good choices..."
"But they were my choices to make, Karen. Instead of respecting my choices, you ignored all my concerns because it wasn't what you wanted."
Jake cleared his throat softly, trying to get the meeting back on track. "Agent Aubrey, would you please clarify your statement? What sorts of 'creepy' incidents are you talking about?"
"Two weeks after we attended the wedding, I came home from running errands to find Karen in my apartment, without my consent, cooking lunch for the two of us. Apparently, when I didn't answer the door earlier, instead of calling or leaving a note, she had talked my landlady into letting her into my apartment. As a federal agent, I take my security very seriously, and I was very upset to say the least. When I had expressed my discomfort at her actions, Dr. Delfs blew off my concerns. Because I was afraid of her doing this again, I moved into a house in another part of town with a video doorbell, gate at the end of the driveway, and a state of the art security system."
"Booth's old house?", Jake asked.
As Aubrey nodded, the profiler rolled her eyes. "I've already told you that I had Mrs. Hall let me in because when you didn't answer the door, I didn't know if you were injured. I waited until you came home to make sure you were all right. You are very paranoid. Do you get this way when Booth or any of your other so called friends show concern for your welfare?""
Aubrey ignored Karen as he exhaled slowly. "She repeatedly called both my ASAC and Booth the weekend I took off to move because I didn't answer my phone right away when she called me."
"Would it have killed you to answer and let me know you were alright?" Karen said, thinking she would sway Jake with her apparent concern.
Aubrey's irritation grew as he ticked off all that Karen had done. "That same day, after you demanded to know where I was and when I was coming back to work, you refused to give Agent Shaw cases to review even though she was Acting SAC of Major Crimes until she threatened to call Jake-"
"Genevieve really needs to get over that. How was I supposed to know she was taking over for you while you were gone? It was simply a misunderstanding..."
"I don't know, Karen...maybe because she told you that I was off for the weekend? When I'm gone, as ASAC of the division, she is in charge, as you should know already know from working at the FBI.", Aubrey retorted sharply before turning back to Jake. "After I moved, Karen tried to trick my elderly former landlady into giving her my new address...the address that I didn't want to advertise...so she could invade my privacy…"
Karen pretended to be surprised. "Aubrey...how can you be like that? I overheard Jessica and Booth discussing how they were going to ditch you on your birthday. I just wanted your address because I figured you'd rather celebrate with a friend instead of being alone."
"Well, why didn't you just call me and invite me out or even email me if you were so concerned? That is what most people would do, right?" Her calm and rational reasons were grating on Aubrey's nerves. He knew that she was using her knowledge to wear him down and to make him seem unreasonable, but he was determined to not lose his cool. "But as you found out on my birthday, I wasn't alone, because Jess planned a surprise party for me that she did not invite you to because she knew that I wouldn't want you there."
Aubrey turned back to Jake. "Not wanting to embarrass Karen by asking her to leave, I let her stay. That turned out to be a mistake, because she gave me a G-string for a birthday present…it was wrapped in a package that I opened in front of all my guests, including several small children. Then she insulted my guests, the decor of my house, and the gifts my friends had brought, among other things. It was embarrassing to be surprised with that in front of my friends."
Karen sighed loudly. "Are you still upset about that G-String? I know you love the Cubs and I thought you would appreciate that as a gift. If I had known that you were such a prude about underwear, I wouldn't have got it for you. Now, I've already said I'm sorry. You really need to get past that little faux pas, Aubrey...so does Jessica...her jealousy has caused so many issues in our friendship."
"No, I won't, Karen, because you and I both know that it was a very inappropriate gift, Karen." Aubrey refused to take the bait. "I could keep going, you know...but I think you get the idea, Jake...I feel like Karen has been harassing me in a sexual manner...I know I should have filed a complaint before now, but I felt like I needed to be understanding, because I had inadvertently led her on. That was a mistake I won't make again."
Karen was obviously shocked at the allegation of harassment. "Aubrey...I just wanted to be your friend. You were such a mess after Jessica broke up with you...I just wanted to help you...but you led me on so you could make Jessica jealous and hurt. Instead of appreciating my friendship, you're...I can't believe you would do this to me..."
"Oh, please…" Aubrey rolled his eyes. "Your 'poor pitiful, put out me' act is getting old, Karen."
Jake's face was blank as he continued to prod. "Karen, tell me about the confrontation you had with Ms. Warren at the lab back in October. Dr. Hodgins was quite adamant about not allowing you back into the lab."
Karen rolled her eyes in disgust. "It was no big deal, really. I just wanted some advice about Aubrey. I thought that as his friend Jessica could give me suggestions on what to wear for a future date with him. She didn't answer my text message so I decided to stop on my lunch hour. I had no idea she'd go off the deep end about a simple question..."
"You didn't ask her a simple question, Karen. You asked her what type of panties you should wear to arouse me on a date we never had planned because I had already told you that I wasn't interested in you romantically."
"Well...I was planning ahead...you were still single..."
"After Jessica didn't respond the first time to your tasteless question, you visited the lab and asked her in front of several other employees. When you didn't get the reaction you wanted from her, you went further by describing some sex acts we'd never engaged in, using tasteless and vulgar terms until Jess called you out on your bullshit because she knew you were lying. Do you know how she knew?" Now angry, Aubrey didn't wait for Karen's answer. "It was because Jess and I were together the night you and I supposedly did all those disgusting and nasty things together...and you were in Seattle."
"But you two were broken up...you had no reason to be together...you ignored my phone calls that weekend to be with your ex-girlfriend?" Stung by Aubrey's statement, Karen hung her head. "You make it seem that making love to me would be revolting…"
"It would be for me, Karen, because at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I will never be interested in you romantically...or even as a hook up...ever.", Aubrey sputtered angrily, ignoring the profiler's stricken reaction. "Because I was an ass who unintentionally led you on, I've gone above and beyond to be understanding with you all these months because I felt guilty. However, your behavior and your actions are affecting not just me, but also the people that I care about, and I can't have that."
"Aubrey, I didn't meant to hurt Jessica-"
He held up his hand to interrupt her. "Yes, you did. You knew how I felt about her...and how she felt about me. I wouldn't enter a romantic relationship with you, so you lied about the two of us being together so you could hurt and humiliate Jessica. You wanted to provoke her into jealousy to the point where she would ditch me for good. How could you be that cruel to her? What kind of person are you?"
"Oh my God...you act like I'm this evil person hurting poor, innocent Jessica. She's 28 years old, Aubrey. If she can't handle being an adult, she needs to go back to that commune she grew up in." Karen offered a sheepish smile to her boss. "It wasn't as bad as Aubrey makes it sound. It was just a little spat between friends...you know, a girl fight…"
"I'm sure it was hard for Jessica to practice good manners when you grabbed her arm and twisted her around rather violently, spewing garbage about how she was never going to have me and that 'it was your turn.' That was no little spat, Karen. That was assault. You're lucky Hodgins only banned you from the lab."
"Jessica blew it way out of proportion, Aubrey. I didn't intend to hurt her, and she knows that." Karen crossed her arms across her chest. "Anyway, it's no big deal…"
Aubrey vehemently disagreed, trying to remain calm as he glared at the profiler. "Actually, it was a big deal...a very big deal. Dr. Hodgins, Ms. Montenegro, and Dr. Brennan were all horrified when they, along with half the lab, overheard your loud voice booming across the lab floor as you shouted vulgarities, so you can imagine how they felt when they realized you'd laid your hands on her as well. They take the safety of all their employees, including interns, very seriously."
"They butted into something that didn't concern them." Karen turned to to her boss, pleading with him to understand. "Dr. Brennan was particularly vicious when she threatened to use her husband's friendship with you, Jake, to get me into trouble, as well as threatening to go to Deputy Director Stark. They're going to do anything to back up Jessica, because she's their pet intern, and they resented the fact that Aubrey had feelings for me-"
"That's not true.", Aubrey disagreed. "At that point, the only feelings I had for you were anger and frustration, Karen...that's it."
"Their feelings about whether or not you were dating Aubrey aren't what's important, Karen." Jake was grim as he made some notes on her file. "I find it very disturbing that you accosted Ms. Warren at her workplace. Agent Aubrey is correct...that is considered simple assault. You're lucky Ms. Warren or Dr. Hodgins didn't press charges."
"Anyway, I think it was more like you resented the fact that they preferred Jessica's company over yours, Karen.", Aubrey commented in an even tone. "I know you don't want to believe this, but the fact that they are not friends with you has nothing to do with anything Jessica has done or said. Rather, it's because your overbearing nature and your sense of entitlement makes it hard for them to tolerate you, but they've always treated you in a professional manner."
"Dr. Brennan was particularly vile to me at your birthday party.", Karen sniffed. "That was uncalled for…"
"You insulted their children, Karen! You had been making snide comments all evening and she got fed up and finally said what was on everyone's mind." Aubrey took a deep breath. "As for my supposed feelings for you, when you bitched to each of them multiple times about how Jessica took me away from you, that was pure crap. You never actually had me to begin with. I know it pissed you off that I chose to spend the night with Jessica after my party, instead of with you."
"Yes, I was upset that you chose to reconcile with Jessica, but I moved on with Steve.", Karen replied with a shrug as she tried to downplay her sadness at Aubrey's contempt of her. "You're a catch, Aubrey, but not so much that I can't move on with my life. Lots of men find me desirable."
Jake turned a page in the folder, reading for a few seconds before asking his next question. "Would that be Agent Steven Bower of Major Crimes?"
Karen smiled sweetly. "Yes, Jake. We'd been dancing around another for a while and first got together the Monday after Aubrey's party."
"The same Monday when I confronted you over your unprofessional conduct with me and Jessica and told you to leave us alone or I would file sexual harassment charges against you. When Agent Shaw said your apology was bullshit, I should have taken her more seriously."
Karen exhaled and smiled faintly. "Agent Bower and I had fun, but we weren't ever serious...we had an open relationship until last month when his then fiancee assaulted me viciously at the Hoover, a week before they got married. If anyone needs to be banned from someplace, it's her from the Hoover. She's obviously dangerous and prone to violence."
Jake pursed his lips while nodding. "Ah yes, I remember. The row that caused all that property damage to the Major Crimes conference room when I was gone...that was on my daughter's birthday."
Karen held back a chuckle as her boss's sarcastic comment. "Jake, I'm sorry about all that..."
"I'm sure you were, especially when the restitution was taken out of your next paycheck." Tanner threw his pen down on the desk. "I'll tell you what, Karen...I was not happy when the Deputy Director called me on my first day back at work to inform me that one of my senior profilers got into a fight with a civilian and tore up a conference room at the Hoover, causing thousands of dollars of damage. You also almost injured Special Agent Jill Haggarty when the chair you heaved went out the window as she walked by. I'm sure Agent Aubrey felt the same way I did since it happened on his first day back at work coming off medical leave."
Aubrey merely nodded in agreement as an annoyed Agent Tanner continued to speak. "Seems like for being content in an open relationship with Agent Bower, you were provoked rather easily when you saw him and Ms. Nilsson together, right, Karen?"
"I admit that I was blindsided by Steve's engagement, because I'd had no indication that they were that serious...", Karen said mildly, "…but she attacked me and I had to defend myself. Should I have let that 6'5" Amazon beat the crap out of me?"
"No, self defense is always a consideration, Karen." Jake sighed as he read the report. "However, eyewitnesses, including two credible FBI agents, are telling a different story about the incident, saying that you jumped Agent Bower first and Ms. Nilsson moved to defend him. Why would they say that if it wasn't true?"
"Because Jessica Warren has made friends with his ASAC, Agent Genevieve Shaw, and with all the other agents in his division. They love her…" Karen made air quotes as she sighed in disgust. "…and they probably pretend to be on her side to kiss up to Aubrey. They'll do anything to make me look bad."
"Apparently a lot of people are making it their mission to make you look less than honorable, Karen.", the BRIU SAC said drolly. "Why do you think that happens so often?"
"I don't know why people do that. Maybe it's jealousy because I'm so highly regarded in the FBI.", Karen sighed. "Look, Jake, I do my job…and I do it well...my yearly JPRs reflect that. The fact that I have some disagreements with people doesn't keep me from being successful. If anything, it gives me experience in solving conflicts."
"I see." Jake turned a page and then looked up at Karen. "So is it that experience in solving conflicts why you almost got into another physical altercation with Agent Bower's wife at the FBI Gala honoring Agents Aubrey, Booth, and Shaw a couple weeks back? Something about you two wearing the same dress?"
"No...Mitzi got in my face and accused me of copying her dress to make her look bad, Jake, and she said the vilest things…I wasn't going to let her talk to me like that...", Karen said desperately, but she was interrupted by her supervisor.
"Right." Jake glared at her before he continued. "Let's move on, shall we? When I talked to Dr. Hodgins Wednesday afternoon, he also described a confrontation you had with Ms. Warren at the hospital's ER waiting room the day Agents Aubrey and Booth were shot."
Karen was thrown by the abrupt change in topic. "I was distraught, Jake. Aubrey…is my friend, and I was afraid he was going to die. Jessica was busy playing her 'woe is me…my boyfriend got shot, feel sorry for me' schtick. It was annoying to hear her whine to anyone who'd listen, and it wasn't fair to the others there for Aubrey or Agent Booth to have to put up with that crap. I simply said what others wanted to say but were too afraid to, you know? I can't help it if I'm an honest person."
"The words Dr. Hodgins used to describe your behavior on November 30th were, let me see…" Jake looked up another sheet of paper. "'Loud...belligerent…accusatory…obnoxious…vindictive…among a few others. According to several agents who were also there, Dr. Brennan had to call security to get you to leave because you were making a nuisance of yourself, Dr. Delfs."
"Jake…I was provoked…I was under stress..."
Jake leafed through the folder to find another page. "Agent Aubrey tells me that he had two discussions with you regarding your behavior towards him and his girlfriend. The first was the aforementioned October 24th meeting and the second one was on December 22nd. In the last meeting, he told you in no uncertain terms that you were to leave Ms. Warren alone. You were to have no contact with her unless it was work related, and if you tried to instigate one more argument with her, he would encourage her to file a harassment report with me."
"Oh, my God…she's such a petite little flower…a delicate angel.", Karen sputtered. "I didn't do anything to her, Jake. I'm just not fooled by her cutesy vocabulary and the short dresses she wears so that she can flash her hoo ha since she's always open for business—"
"Hey!" Aubrey had finally had enough of Karen. Raising his voice, he turned to the profiler, halfway rising out of his chair. "Not one more word about Jess, you hear me? That's way over the line...totally uncalled for..."
"Okay, Aubrey...just a minute." Jake gave him a pointed look, and Aubrey sat back in his chair. "According to Ms. Warren, whom I spoke with a few days ago, even though Agent Aubrey gave you a final warning to stay away from her, you confronted her at the FBI Gala. She specified that you commented on her attire as well as how she would negatively affect Agent Aubrey's career. She stated that when she ignored what she termed as your 'bitchy and rude' comments, you used her current case against Gerald Maxwell in what she termed as, 'she was crude and obnoxious…she obviously was spoiling for a fight with me, but after a few choice words, I walked away from her. She wasn't worth embarrassing myself or Aubrey."
Karen huffed in exasperation. "I just told her that she was making Aubrey look bad at the FBI with her flirtatious manner and by leading Gerald Maxwell on, that's all. I don't have to like Jessica Warren, Jake. I'm allowed to hate the little tramp. I don't have kiss her ass all the time."
"You're right, Karen...you don't have to like her, but you do have to remain professional...at all times, even outside of the Hoover, when you're at FBI events. It's obvious that you have a very acrimonious relationship with Agent Aubrey's girlfriend. From what I've heard after talking to several people, Ms. Warren and others have tried to avoid conflicts with you. However, you always seem determined to instigate a problem."
"Jake…" Karen's voice shook as she moved to sway things her way. "I don't make people mad at me intentionally. I can't help it if people resent me...I don't know what I do…"
Jake pulled up an email. "That's also what Agent April Stevenson, the Special Agent in Charge of the Cincinnati Field Office, had to say about your time when you were assisting in that joint task force with the city's police department. It was a very stressful case, Dr. Delfs, but SAC Stevenson described you as a person who felt she was always right and, and evidently you were not tactful about it. She states that you were also highly critical of the performance of the Cincinnati police officers who were working with the task force as well, and that you were quite vocal in your disdain for their skills..."
"They had tunnel vision and were ignorant of how lucky they were to have the FBI assist them-"
"Trust me, Karen...the FBI doesn't need you to stand up for them. Being cordial is how we form partnerships, not taking the stance that we are better than them.", Jake snarked. "You're also in a relationship with Special Agent John Thomas from my understand, who was also working that task force. SAC Stevenson noted that you were also witnessed being belligerent with him while on company time."
"I saw a woman flirting with him, and he was too nice to say anything about the unwanted attention from that cougar. He's 31 years old, for crying out loud.", Karen shot back angrily. "Sometimes he needs to get a backbone. I was just helping him out. He thanked me later..."
"Karen…enough.", Agent Tanner said, holding his hand up to stop her excuses. "This is what we're going to do. You currently have three cases involving the Major Crimes division, so you are free to work them with the Agent on file. However, you will only go to that division when your presence is requested by that agent, ASAC Shaw, or SAC Aubrey. After that, any Major Crimes cases in which the BRIU's assistance is requested will be dispersed among the other profilers here unless your expertise is absolutely necessary for the success of the case."
Karen was genuinely shocked at her supervisor's decision. "You're banning me from Major Crimes cases..."
"Dr. Delfs, you are a valuable member of this division. However, it's obvious from your demeanor, inability to control yourself when Agent Aubrey presents his issues in a professional manner, and your own comments that your personal feelings for Agent Aubrey, his girlfriend, and for Agent Bower have spilled over into the workplace, and I can't have that. I need my profilers to always be professional."
"So I can't socialize with anyone in the FBI in my off time?", Karen said petulantly. "I'm just supposed to break up with John?"
"No, Dr. Delfs, I didn't say that. I have no issues with profilers engaging in personal relationships with other FBI personnel off the clock, but it will not spill over into your professional relationships. I'm trying to prevent you being written up or going in front of a review panel for your behavior in the last few months. I don't want to lose your expertise, especially since we are running short handed across the country. However, the Bureau comes first, and if you can't conduct yourself professionally with all our agents and contractors, no matter the circumstances, we will revisit your employment here in our organization. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Jake." Karen pursed her lips, obviously holding back her opinion as she turned to Aubrey. "My apologies for any misunderstandings in our previous engagements."
'Bullshit…' Aubrey bit back his retort. "Accepted, Karen."
Jake closed the folder and leaned back in his chair. "You will also prepare a written apology to send to Dr. Hodgins at the Jeffersonian. Your conduct with the scientists and other personnel there is not representative of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. My hope is that he and Dr. Saroyan will consider lifting the ban on your presence there in the future. It doesn't make the BRIU look good when one of our senior profilers is not allowed at a major contractor's site without prior authorization."
Karen knew when not to argue. "Yes, Jake. I will have it sent by the end of the day."
"Good. Karen, don't make me regret this. One more complaint about any of your conduct affecting Jessica Warren or anyone else in a negative fashion will result in a suspension without pay…and not just a two day suspension either. You'd be looking at several weeks...and/or possibly a review panel."
Seeing that he got his point across, Jake sent an email. "Now, I'm forwarding you a request from the Charleston office. There was a body found about 15 miles away from the city, and they are requesting a profiler. I've got you on the 11:00 flight from Reagan. You may want to pack an overnight bag just in case because the weather is not good up north. The case file should be open to you now."
"Of course. I'll check my email then run home and get packed." Karen stood up and smoothed her skirt. "I won't let you down, Jake. I promise...I'll do better."
"That's all I ask, Karen. Goodbye." Jake waved as Karen stepped toward the door. "Safe travels."
Watching the profiler leave, Aubrey felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He had hated bothering her supervisor, but he'd felt like he had no choice. "Thank you, Jake."
"No problem. Keep me posted, Aubrey. Oh, tell Booth that I scored a couple of tickets to the Flyers game next month when they play LA in Philly if he's interested in going with me...although LA will smear the Eagles."
"I will, Jake. Thanks."
Aubrey grabbed his coat and walked out of the SAC's office. Looking to his right, he saw Karen in her large cubicle reading her email. He really hoped he was wrong about her involvement with Gerald Maxwell because he just wanted her out of his life.
Getting into his vehicle, he left Quantico and headed back to DC, looking forward to seeing his girlfriend when she brought him lunch later that day.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Jessica walked up to the entrance of the Royal Diner. Turning when she heard her name called, she saw Angela and Hodgins coming up to the entrance. "Hey, Curly…Angela."
"Hey there, Sweetie. Want to join us for lunch?", Angela asked.
Holding the door, Jessica let Hodgins wheel himself in first before letting Angela in, then followed them in herself. "I can't. I promised Superman I would bring him lunch today. I'm a little early picking it up and I was just going to grab a tea while I wait, but I can keep you company."
"Sounds great, Jessica. Hey Ange, our favorite table is free."
The three gathered together and sat down before Joanne helped push the extra chair to the side of the table. "Jessica, Frankie said your order should be about ten minutes. He wants to make sure Aubrey's onion rings are as crispy as he likes them."
"That's fine. Thanks."
After Joanne took the couple's order, the three settled in and Jessica asked what was on her mind. "So, did Ashley get bail?"
"Yeah. $50,000 and a court date of February 15th." Angela mixed some sugar into her her iced tea and took a drink. "Of course, Gerald wasn't there, so we bailed her out."
"What a prick." Jessica sipped her catnip tea. "Curly, did he even call you to ask where she was last night?"
"Nope. Didn't this morning either. It was so sad…" Hodgins played with his straw as he remembered what had happened. "She was looking for him...the poor girl was desperate. At one point, the door opened and she turned, looking hopeful, but it was just the bailiff. She reached him by text after I bailed her out. He sent this long winded text apologizing for not being there because he was with his mom and she's taking his father's death badly. He was also so upset about his father's service today that he got wasted last night and took a cab back to the apartment. He said he would be home at some point today, but he didn't know when."
"She must have been scared to death when she was in jail overnight.", Jessica said quietly. "What a chode…"
"I'm still trying to finish that algorithm for the voice recognition software.", Angela lamented. "Ever since my computer upgrade a few days ago, something isn't right. Something must be off with the formula. That's my project for today."
"Can't the store give you the security footage of when the phone was purchased?"
"They're 'trying to find it'. I guess they had a computer upgrade the night before the phone was purchased and that day's footage is MIA. I need to get that software to work to do a voice comparison. I have a sample of Gerald ready to go and I managed to get one of his brother from an interview he did on TV, along with Harold Maxwell as well."
"That SOB set her up, plain and simple.", Hodgins commented bitterly. "He was probably with another woman last night."
"You think he would be that nasty to have another woman in Ashley's bed?", Angela responded but then reconsidered. "It is Gerald…probably nailed one of his society babes. What a pig."
"I know I have to stay away from any Maxwell case, but if there's anything I can do please let me know, Curly.", Jessica said as Joanne brought a large paper bag to the table along with a drink carrier holding a large chocolate shake and two pops.
"Here you go, Jessica. Frankie threw in some extra garlic mayo and ketchup for Aubrey's onion rings. He didn't order his pie a la mode, but he put a small amount of ice cream in a Styrofoam cup for him today."
"He'll appreciate that. What is the pie today?"
"Triple berry. Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. Did you want me to get you a piece?"
"I wish I could, but I'm allergic to strawberries. However, Aubrey will love it. Thanks, Joanne." When the waitress left the table, Jessica turned to her friends. "Well, time to feed Superman. I'll see you two on Monday."
"Tell Aubrey we said hi.", Hodgins replied with a wave.
"I will." Jessica picked up the food, but as she turned around she was greeted with an unpleasant sight. "Karen…"
The profiler stood stiffly. "Hello, Jessica."
"Fancy meeting you here."
"Well, I was supposed to be on a plane to West Virginia, but there's a snowstorm and my flight was delayed until tomorrow. I came here to get some lunch and study the case file, but it seems my time is better spent back in Quantico. I wouldn't want to offend you, Jessica, especially after that humiliating meeting I had with Jake and Aubrey this morning."
"Whatever, Karen.", Jessica wearily said. "Now, if you'll excuse me…"
"Of course." Karen replied with mock politeness, pausing when she saw the other couple at the table. "Dr. Hodgins, did you receive my email with the attachment?"
"I did…thank you, Dr. Delfs."
Karen walked closer. "So you will talk to Dr. Saroyan about that ban—"
"I will. However, the final decision will be hers since she returns March 1st. Don't press your luck, Karen."
"Of course…", the profiler replied before picking up her order and leaving the diner.
Perplexed, Jessica watched her leave before turning back to her friends. "What is she talking about, Curly?"
Hodgins pointed to the bag in her hands. "Take that to Aubrey and he'll explain everything. I'm sure after his meeting about Karen he needs to do some emotional eating."
"Yeah, I'm sure he will." Jessica took the bags and drinks and walked out the door.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
"So she had to apologize to Curly? Wow...I bet she hated that.", Jessica commented before biting into her club sandwich.
"Yep.", Aubrey replied, his mouth full of a triple cheeseburger. Swallowing, he continued. "He's going to talk to Cam this weekend, but I get the sense that the ban on her being able to visit will remain in place."
"Good." Jessica sipped her pop. "So…this morning went okay?"
"It went as well as can be expected." Aubrey bit into his burger again and ketchup squirted onto his tie. "Son of a bitch…"
Jessica grabbed a napkin, but stopped when she saw Aubrey clean his tie with an onion ring. "Aubrey...seriously…"
"Ketchup is too good a condiment to waste, Jess." Aubrey took the napkin when done chewing but there was still a stain. "Shit...at least I've already had my meeting with Stark."
"Should I run home and get you another one?", the redhead said with an indulgent smile. "It's not the best example for the Special Agent in Charge to work with ketchup all over his tie...especially if he catches a bad guy later today."
Aubrey pulled a Shout wipe out of his drawer. "Nope, got it covered."
'Oh Superman…' Jessica thought. "Okay, now tell me about your morning meeting with Karen."
Aubrey tossed the wipe in the garbage. "She downplayed everything but Jake laid down the law. After she finishes her cases she currently has here, she won't have any more in the foreseeable future unless absolutely necessary."
"I'm sorry it had to get to that."
"Me too, Jess. It was like we were back in high school, sitting in the principal's office. I graduated sixteen years ago and I don't want to go back. Anyway, I don't want to talk about that anymore." Munching on another onion ring, he winked at his girlfriend. "So I was thinking…"
"Yes…" Jessica stole one of Aubrey's onion rings and chewed.
"What about a nice, romantic dinner tomorrow night?", Aubrey asked. "I know you're working, but we can make it early...say 6:00. Perhaps even...some time alone…with you wearing one of your...nicer...apparel items..."
"Is this your way of asking me if I'll wear my crotchless panties on a night out, Aubrey?", Jessica smirked. "You naughty boy…"
The SAC turned red as a beet. "No….it doesn't have to be those...per se...but...well..."
"Yes, you do meant those panties…I know how your mind works, James Aubrey...", Jessica interrupted with a knowing tone. "...but it sounds nice."
Aubrey bit his lip in that way Jessica found endearing. "To...a romantic dinner?"
The redhead smirked. "To dinner...and to the panties…"
"Yes!" Aubrey pumped his fist to Jessica's laughs.
"Superman, you're so cute when you're horny." Jessica sipped her pop. "However, how about dinner tonight instead?"
"Tonight?", Aubrey questioned. "But tonight is half priced appetizers at Founding Fathers…we go every Friday...it's our thing..."
"I know, but we went there on Monday, remember? Come on, Aubrey...once in a while it's good to change up our routine. I'll bring you a change of clothes later and we can go have an early dinner. I'll even make the reservations."
The agent considered what his girlfriend said. "If I leave early today...I'll need to come in and get some work done this weekend. However, if you're working at the lab it won't be a big deal…"
"See, Aubrey...change can be a good thing. I know you love your routines…"
Aubrey sat back in his chair. "Woman, you're the one who always washes her panties on the third Sunday of each month. Furthermore, when you hang them to dry, you organize them on hangers according to size and color."
"I just like my stuff neat, Aubrey…and that way I don't run out and have to go to work with no underwear. I don't think Dr. B would appreciate that, Superman.", the anthropologist retorted, her eyes narrowing. "When it comes to routines, who's the one who has to organize his boxer shorts in his drawer by color, number in the Star Wars trilogy, and which Marvel or DC Comic movie came out first?"
"Don't get cocky about my organization system for my boxers, Jess. You have no room to talk."
"Nice double entendre, James, but I've won this argument." Jessica bit into her club sandwich, feeling victorious.
"Well, I do know that you're wearing one of your sets of cheeky panties with the lace trim that you wear every Friday. If I had to hazard on a guess on which ones you're wearing now...I would say...the purple ones because you're wearing a lovely purple sweater. You do like to match..."
Jessica's mouth formed into an 'O'. "I do not wear my lace cheekies every Friday…nor do I match them to my sweaters..."
"Oh yeah?", Aubrey replied confidently as he pointed towards the exit. "Shut my office door, close the blinds, and drop your pants, Jessica."
The redhead knew she was caught. "Fuck you, Aubrey."
"As long as you're riding me later tonight, sure." Aubrey smirked as he bit into his cheeseburger.
Jessica chuckled at her boyfriend. "What am I going to do with you, James Aubrey?"
Aubrey wiped his mouth. "Love me...love my cat...always wear panties that come off easily...make passionate love with me like…all the time..."
"Fine." Jessica shook her head. "Now, about having dinner out tonight instead of tomorrow...think of it as a way for both of us to break out of our routines."
The agent considered his girlfriend's request. "Wear your black crotchless panties and that black push up bra with the lace on top and you have a deal."
"Only if you wear your blue silk boxers tonight…"
"I'm not wearing those right now…"
Jessica saw that Aubrey's tie still had a conspicuous ketchup stain. "I'll run home and bring them back here with a change of clothes and a clean tie when we're done eating. I'll make the reservations for 5:30 and I'll take the Metro back here so you don't have to drive home and get me."
"Take a cab, Jess. You're going to look be too beautiful to be taking the subway."
The redhead rolled her eyes. "Fine, I'll take a cab to meet you here around 5:00. Deal?"
Aubrey smirked. "Deal."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Six hours later, Aubrey and Jessica enjoyed each other's company at the Blue Duck Tavern while they waited for their appetizers.
"So, Superman...how are you doing with breaking our Friday night routine so far?", Jessica asked, sipping her Chardonnay.
"I say...I'm doing very nicely, especially since you're wearing the dress that you were wearing the last time we came here a few months ago. You look very beautiful tonight, Jess."
"Thank you, Aubrey." Jessica admired the dark blue shirt and black sports jacket she picked out for her boyfriend to wear. "You look very handsome yourself. I did a good job."
"Thank you…and yes you did." The waiter brought their appetizers and set them on the table discreetly before leaving again. "Yeah...oysters...let's dig in."
Jessica laughed until she saw who walked in. "Hey, Karen is here with her boy toy tonight."
Chewing, Aubrey looked over and saw the profiler and Agent Thomas follow the hostess to a table. It didn't escape his notice that the agent was being led by Karen. "Well, I hope they enjoy their evening. I'm too busy enjoying mine. Dinner with a beautiful woman...then a night of...possibilities."
"I'm getting a vibe that I'll be a tired girl tomorrow morning, Aubrey."
Aubrey nodded. "Your vibe is right...but you'll sleep well...the little you do get. Now, have an oyster, Jess. The protein is important...you'll need your strength."
"But of course."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Later on that evening, Jessica excused herself to use the ladies room. Completing her business, she washed her hands before pulling a small bottle of cherry vanilla body spray out of her bag. After spritzing her wrists, she sprayed between her breasts and after looking around, lifted her skirt slightly and sprayed underneath while giggling to herself.
Putting it away, she grabbed her compact as a toilet flushed in another stall. The door opening, she was greeted by Karen. As Jessica concentrated on her task so she could leave, Karen wordlessly washed her hands, dried them, and freshened up her lipstick. The tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife. It was quiet until the profiler was halfway out the door.
"You needling Aubrey to get me in trouble with my SAC so he could try to ruin my career? It's going to bite you in the ass, little girl."
"I didn't do anything Karen. Aubrey is his own man and not even I can make him do something unless he feels it's the right thing to do. Have a nice night.", Jessica said as she put her makeup away.
"You're going to regret messing with me."
"That should be the other way around, Karen...especially once everyone finds out how you pushed Gerald into messing with my life.", Jessica shot back quietly, silently laughing as the woman's eyes widened. "You were desperate to get me away from Aubrey and when your charm wasn't enough, you decided to go another way. Remembering how Gerald pissed himself at the Halloween Gala, you decided to use him by spewing some BS to get him angry. You figured that he would be angry enough to run to his father so Harold Maxwell could use his influence to get me canned from the Jeffersonian and in theory, kicked out of school and out of town. It didn't work, so you tried again, but this time you pushed him a little further. However, whatever you said to push his buttons the second time around pushed him beyond what he had done in the past...someone told him things that led him to vandalize my Jeep...to break into my apartment...to masturbate on my clothes...to mess with my financial future…"
That bad feeling that had crept in Karen's stomach came back. "You can create a nice fairy tale-maybe you should write stories like Dr. Brennan..."
"Someone pushed him into threatening my family and Aubrey...and I've realized it was you, Karen. That is not something I will tolerate from anyone. No one threatens the people I love and gets away with it."
'He threatened Aubrey? Never mind...Jessica needs to get off her soapbox. I'm not the one who did all those things...and she started it anyways.' Karen told herself. Jessica's words hit a nerve, but she pushed them aside. "Hey, we shared some drinks and we fucked one night. That's all. If he threatened you, he was probably frustrated at all the crap you've done with him."
"Bullshit. You wouldn't have cheated on your Steevie Weevie, no matter how much booze you had, Karen. No way. You did this shit cold sober...and you had to have done it more than once."
Karen kept herself calm, desperately trying to ignore any feelings of guilt. "I didn't tell him to break into your apartment and get...all pervy. You are the one who has teased him for over two years while you strung Aubrey along. A man like that expects to collect at some point, Jessica. You just can't be a tease who steals other women's boyfriends, you know..."
"So you're not denying you went to him multiple times to get me out of the picture?" As Karen stammered, Jessica continued. "Your petty anger has led to me living in constant fear of Gerald, but I can take care of myself, and I have a wonderful support system. However, your issues with me may have also led to a woman being put in jail for something she didn't do, and maybe even Harold Maxwell's death."
"I did not cause Harold Maxwell to have a stroke. If you would have quit flirting and kept your panties on at the lab, you wouldn't be in trouble now."
"Still obsessed with my underwear, it seems. Since you're so interested with them, I'll tell you that what I have on are crotchless...and Aubrey can't wait to get into them later." Jessica straightened her shoulders. "Now, keep telling yourself that it was all me, Karen, and not whatever crap you told Gerald because you're bittersince Aubrey didn't want to see you with your panties down. As you're living in denial, remember this."
Jessica took one step closer. "If something happens to anyone Aubrey and I care about, or to me because of Gerald, all the gods and all the sense of decency in this world won't stop Aubrey from taking you down...because he loves me...and I would do the same for him. That's what truly being in love is like, Karen...not just a slap and a tickle with bragging rights. Think about that."
Jessica turned and left the women's restroom, leaving Karen to stand there alone with a sense of dread. 'I didn't do this...it was Gerald...if only that bitch let me have my chance with Aubrey, none of this would have happened.'