So this will be an action packed weekend for our couple and their friends. A lot happens and it going to affect everyone in some way. Sit tight, get comfy, and enjoy the ride.
Michelle (mphs95)
Karen drove her vehicle through a cold and rainy Washington DC Sunday evening, her anger increasing the closer she got to her destination.
"First I'm humiliated on Friday, and now Shaw is ordering me down to the Hoover…on my day off? This better be good, Genevieve."
Pulling into the garage, she found an open spot and parked. Getting out, she barely noted the larger than usual amount of cars in the lot as she stormed into the building and up to Major Crimes. When she entered the bullpen, she noted Steve and a few more agents were there working, much to her surprise. What surprised her even more was the dirty looks she was receiving from all of them.
Seeing her former lover standing by the duty roster, she walked up to him. "What's the matter with everyone, Steve? You all look like someone has died."
"No one died, Karen." Steve barely held his contempt in check. "We're just working a case."
"All of you? Must be something big. Now, Genevieve ordered me down here like some minion. Where is she so she can get her panties out of the wad she has them in?" Karen pulled up her purse on her shoulder and smirked. "I have a night of hot sex with John to look forward to when I get home."
"Special Agent Shaw is in her office.", Steve said brusquely, pointing towards the door. "Excuse me, I have to call Mitzi and tell her I'll be working late tonight."
"Keeps you on a short leash, doesn't she?", Karen muttered, not happy that her comment didn't get any sort of response. She saw the angry stares of the handful of agents working and shuddered before walking to Genny's office, where she saw the agent looking at a file.
"I'm here, Genevieve. Now why the hell did you demand I come down here? This better be important. I was busy."
"Neutering your boy toy, probably.", Genny cracked before getting up and gathering some folders. "Come with me, Karen. We need to have a chat in the conference room."
Genny led the way while trying to keep herself composed. Turning on the light, she gestured for Karen to enter and then shut the door behind them. "Sit there."
"What is going on here?", Karen asked in irritation.
Genny walked up to the taller woman. "Sit the hell down, Karen. I won't ask you again."
Surprised at the woman's ferocity, Karen sat down and watched as Genny opened one of the folders and started laying down photographs. Seeing what was in some of them, her blood ran cold. "What the hell are these? Why are you showing them to me?"
Genny remained silent until she was done. Crossing her arms, she glared at the woman in front of her. "Take a good look at them Karen, because we're going to have a chat…a nice long one…and I'm going to do the best that I can to remain professional so I don't smack that holier than thou look off your fat face."
"Excuse me, that was uncalled for-"
"Oh, it's more than called for, Dr. Delfs. Now, you're going to answer my questions...fully...we'll stay here all night if we have to."
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48 HOURS EARLIER
Jessica collapsed against the bed, exhausted from her exertion. "Whew...just when I think I've seen all you can do, James Aubrey…"
Aubrey laid on the other end, panting as he recouped from their exertion. "What can I say...I am a man of many talents…"
"That you are...must have been the oysters you ate at dinner.", Jessica panted before grabbing his toes affectionately. "Good work, Agent."
"Thanks.", Aubrey exhaled before sitting up. "So...a fancy dinner at the Blue Duck Tavern and some pretty amazing sex with yours truly. Did you enjoy your night of romance, Ms. Warren?"
"I sure did...and my panties even stayed on…", Jessica laughed. "You really love these crotchless ones, don't you?"
"Uh yeah...saves time...and they look sexy as hell on you. An investment well spent. I may have to go back to Karine's and get you more if they have more colors."
Jessica held herself up by her elbows and chuckled. "You...are a major hornball...but I still love you, James Aubrey."
"I'm a major hornball because you always make me horny, Jessica Warren...and I love you, too.", Aubrey replied before moving towards the head of the bed where he could sit by his girlfriend. "I'm glad you had a good time tonight, you know who excluded."
"I was going to be good and ignore her, I swear. However, she got snarky about how I pushed you into reporting her to Agent Tanner and how I was going to regret messing with her and I couldn't stop myself. I know getting up in her face wasn't the most mature way to deal with her, but it really good to see that satisfied smirk fall when I told her I knew she'd pushed Gerald into all the shit he's done."
"Unfortunately, in regards to your case, it's only hearsay.", Aubrey lamented. "However, you should give Genny a heads up. Perhaps she can do some digging. I know you weren't too sure about my idea regarding Karen when I brought it up originally."
"It wasn't that I didn't believe you, but it seemed out there. However, I keep thinking about what you said at New Years Eve and really...it makes sense, Superman." Jessica played with her nails over the covers. "She knew about Antiquities' joint project with Anthropology from Thrace back in October, and that was something that wasn't made public. They both called me 'Firecrotch', a term I had never heard come out of Karen's mouth until Gerald called me that. Some of the things Gerald or Karen have accused me of are almost identical in verbiage and content. Plus…"
Aubrey saw her hesitate. "Jess, what?"
"Remember when you wondered how Gerald knew we'd had a disagreement of sorts that Monday...you know...before everything happened?" When her boyfriend nodded, she continued. "Besides Steve, Karen was the only one who knew, unless you talked to someone else besides Booth. Who else would have known about what happened at the Hoover? Steve had no reason to talk to Gerald and Booth was with you in West Virginia."
Aubrey nodded. "I agree...I just don't get what possessed her…"
"Obviously, she was pissed after Thanksgiving, but that night we had it out in the hospital...she was so angry, Aubrey. I even think that…" She paused, looking away from his intent gaze.
"Jess...talk to me…"
The redhead took a deep breath. "I think she told the truth when she told Genny that she hadn't met up with Gerald after that one time...she's not stupid. However, after Thanksgiving and especially after the night in the hospital, she really wanted me just...gone. However, since she didn't get anywhere with Gerald, I think she went to his father. It could be that Gerald just happened to be with him at the time, I don't know. I have no idea what the hell she told those men...but it must be really bad for him to do this to me..."
Aubrey took her in his arms and held her in the darkness. They sat in the quiet, the only noise being the blowing snow outside. "Is this ever going to end, Superman? This...shit with Gerald…I want my fucking life back…"
"It will, Jess. I promise.", he said while combing her hair with his fingers. "We're going to get you through the trial. I know it's going to get ugly, but I have faith that no matter what he dredges up from your past, from you urinating at the Lincoln Memorial...doing drugs with Phish...or any of that other stuff you did when you were younger...people are going to see that piece of shit for what he really is...a predator. Karen will get what's coming to her, too. Some way...somehow...they're both going to get what they deserve."
Jessica smiled and kissed him. "If you say it, Aubrey, I believe you."
"Good." Aubrey smirked as he ran his hand down her bare back. "Now...there's half a cheesecake in the fridge…"
"Yes, there is…" Jessica was interrupted by her phone buzzing. Turning around, she saw a text from Daisy.
OMG...I need 2 talk 2 u now! Did something stupid…
Jessica exhaled before putting her phone back on the nightstand. "Tomorrow, Daisy…"
Aubrey sat up. "Jess, what's up?"
"Daisy has another crisis, but I'm sure it can wait until tomorrow." Jessica rubbed Aubrey's chest. "Now, you were discussing cheesecake?"
"Yes…", Aubrey replied before he rubbed her butt under the covers. "There's a cheesecake downstairs that needs to be finished since it was purchased on Monday."
"Hmmm...we just made passionate love and you're hungry. Sounds like someone wants naughty food sex." The redhead smiled slyly. "Why am I not surprised?"
Aubrey smirked. "Well, we were going to have it on Monday..."
"It's on, Aubrey…" Jessica jumped out of bed and ran out of the bedroom. "...but you have to get my panties off me first!"
A naked Aubrey did the same. "Don't you worry, Jessica...I'll get those panties off…I'm a FBI Special Agent in Charge. Remember...I'm a man of many talents."
"Oh shit….", Jessica giggled while running down the stairs with Aubrey right behind her.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
The next morning, Jessica's phone alarm went off loudly. Groaning, she shut it off. "Too damn early."
Before she could get out of bed, her phone buzzed again. Checking it, she saw the frantic message from Daisy.
Jessica…please call me ASAP. Did something really stupid last night. Need your advice soon.
Groaning softly, Jessica shook her head in irritation. 'Knowing Daisy, it could be anything. Too early...I can't get into it with her at six in the morning.'
Getting up, she shivered in the early morning chill while tiptoeing naked toward the bathroom. Kicking into Aubrey's boxers, which were laying on the floor, she picked them up and tossed them at the end of the bed, knowing he wouldn't want to stumble downstairs in the nude to feed Skinner. Starting the shower, she giggled as she recalled their late night escapades.
To their joint delight, Aubrey had caught her by the couch and very efficiently helped her take off her panties before tossing them somewhere in the living room. Then they enjoyed themselves in the kitchen, starting with him applying the treat to her nipples. After that, the couple graduated to enjoying the dessert on each other's erogenous areas before her very aroused boyfriend bent her over the kitchen counter and did her again, knocking various items on the floor in the process.
As her drunken friend had mentioned Wednesday night, Aubrey was quite vocal as always. However, so was she, as her by-the-book FBI agent did things to her with food and his long appendages that were probably illegal in several states. After cleaning up their mess in the kitchen, they'd made it to the shower to wash off the dessert and whipped cream from their escapades.
"Jess, I'm really sorry I kept you up so late…it's just that you make me want to do naughty things…super naughty things...and you're really good at them..."
"You do the same to me, Superman...and you're equally proficient at them.", Jessica giggled but was surprised when Aubrey hugged her from behind.
"I've never felt...this comfortable with anyone else...I always felt weird, asking someone to do things like that. However, I only want to do them with you. Never with anyone else."
"Me, too. No one else but you will ever get to eat dessert off my butt…"
He held her closer and kissed her shoulder. "I love you, Jessica...I'll never love anyone else like I love you…"
Realizing that their playful time turned serious, she leaned back and enjoyed feeling his body against hers. "I love you, too, James. I'll never, ever be able to love anyone else...and I don't want to."
That was the sum of all the parts. Yes, they had a very enjoyable…and creative...sex life. They did it about four nights a week on average, sometimes more if the mood struck them. However, it wasn't just because they just wanted to fuck each other all the time...although they did.
It was because they were best friends…and they loved each other…madly. They trusted each other, genuinely liked each other, and felt comfortable sharing not only what some might consider kinky and weird fantasies like eating food off each other's bodies, but also parts of themselves no one else got to see. While she highly enjoyed sex with Aubrey when they committed debauchery with dessert in their kitchen, it wasn't always wild, kinky, and insane.
Sometimes, it was the quickie, like the night they'd returned from the cabin, when he'd lifted her onto the washer in the laundry room while his work shirts were on the spin cycle. Other times, it was naughty fun like in his office after the Gala or in the intern locker room at the Jeffersonian at Halloween.
Then again, it could be frantic like it was the first time on Christmas Eve after a month long dry spell or when she returned from Scotland last summer after being gone three weeks. If it wasn't for the fact they would have been caught by security, she was certain that Aubrey would have nailed her in the back of his SUV in the Dulles Airport parking lot.
There was when they made the final step towards being together, like the first time they made love...or Aubrey's birthday in October when they recommitted to each other.
However, her favorite type of sex was those quiet times when they just craved each other…an escape from the world around them, like on New Year's Eve or a Sunday morning with no plans. They would wrap themselves around the other like vines and give each other what no one else could…or ever would. Those times usually involved making love more than once. If they came together during the evening, sleep was a luxury...but she didn't care...and neither did Aubrey.
Jessica knew she would never have that bliss with anyone else but James Aubrey…and she relished the idea that the feeling was mutual. She never knew how much she needed that affection until she found it and then almost let it go due to fear.
That was a mistake that would never be repeated.
She got ready for work quietly, not wanting to disturb her boyfriend, who was dead to the world. Coming out of the bathroom, she saw Aubrey's head protruding from under the covers, his hair sticking up in several different directions. Next to him was the pillow he clung to, which Jessica found adorable. Next to Aubrey and the pillow was Skinner stretched out on her side. Giving her boyfriend a kiss on the cheek, she moved quietly out of the bedroom.
She drove to work as always, arriving about 7:45. Taking extra precautions like she promised Aubrey, after arming her vehicle, she held her keys in her hand and walked quickly. Like always, she made sure of her surroundings when she walked through the garage. Quickly, she went around the dumpster to the employee entrance.
She hated this entrance, but it was what was available so employees wouldn't have to go through the main museum and it led to a back hallway that led to several areas, including the intern locker room. She didn't mind it during the week as it was used by all employees. However, on the weekends, there were only a small handful of employees and interns that worked there. There was no parking attendant and even while brightly lit, the area was desolate and gave her the creeps. Quickly scanning her badge in, she exhaled as she made it through and walked down the halls to the back entrance of the intern locker room.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Gathering her tablet and lab coat from her locker, Jessica badged into the lab and headed to the computer on the platform. Reading her work email, she was disappointed to see a message from Curly stating that due to being called to cover at a conference, Rani had been called out of town and Oliver Wells would be working with her in Limbo all weekend instead.
Jessica groaned to herself. He could be so annoying, but ever since the recent stuff with Daisy, she found him more insufferable. While Oliver did have his human moments, he was mostly an asshole.
"At least Aubrey will be bringing me some lunch today. I'll get a short break from that arrogant blowhard. This will be a long seven hours."
Grabbing her tablet, Jessica went down to Limbo where of course, her fellow intern was already waiting. "Good morning, Oliver.", she said politely.
"Good morning, Jessica.", he sniffed.
Jessica rolled her eyes before putting her earbuds in and starting her music. They worked in silence, each identifying a set of remains in Limbo for the next 30 minutes. As the redhead listened to Kelly Clarkson's Stronger, she felt her phone buzz in her pocket. Taking it out, she saw it was Daisy again.
Are u up? We need 2 talk. I did something really stupid.
Jessica shot back a text. What's up? R u all rite?
Yes. How abt lunch? My treat.
Jessica sent a message back. Aubrey bringing me lunch 2 the lab but I can call him. Can u pick up order from RD & come here? Working 8 - 3 2day.
Expecting an order request, the next text surprised her. R u working w/ Oliver?
Jessica groaned. 'Great…more weirdo mind foreplay. At least Rani isn't here this time.' Typing fast, she sent a message.
Yes. Rani had last min trip OOT so Oliver w/ me 2day. Did u need 2 talk 2 him?
No. Just want 2 talk 2 u. Forget lunch. How abt dinner tonite?
"Dais…what is your deal?", Jessica muttered to herself.
"What about Daisy?", Oliver said over her shoulder, peering down at the phone.
"Hey!" Jessica turned around and stared down the lanky man. "Quit snooping. If you want to talk to Daisy so bad, do it on your own phone."
"I was not snooping. I heard Daisy's name…and wondered…how she was." He bit his lip nervously. "I was just curious, that's all…"
"Fine…now mind your own business, please, Oliver." Jessica turned to send another message.
"Well then, Jessica, please don't talk to yourself. It's distracting to me while I'm trying to finish my work." Oliver's eyebrows rose at the redhead's response to his complaint. "Giving me the middle finger is not a very mature way to respond to a reasonable request, Ms. Warren."
Jessica stuck out her tongue at her fellow intern when his back was turned. Putting her attention back to the phone, she debated on what to say. Tonight, she and Aubrey were going to Booth and Brennan's house for dinner, a plan that had been set up by the guys a few days ago. However, she hesitated to tell her friend, recalling how put out Daisy was the last time Aubrey and herself were invited over for dinner and she and Beau weren't. Jessica knew she wasn't doing anything wrong, but she didn't want to deal with a petulant Daisy, either.
Deciding what to say, she typed, Plans w Aubrey tonite. How abt coffee after work? Say 3:30 at RD?
Sounds good. CYL.
Jessica sent a message to her boyfriend. Meeting D 4 coffee after lab. Will b home by 5P 2 get ready 4 B & B dinner.
Aubrey responded with , Cool. Will come w/ lunch at 11:30. Love u.
Love u 2, Jessica texted back. She smiled as she looked at the message, happy that she had someone has thoughtful as James Aubrey in her life.
"Those remains won't be identified by themselves, Jessica."
Putting her phone in her pocket, she changed her gloves and went back to work. "Your remains won't be identified by themselves, either, Oliver. Perhaps concentrating on your own work instead of snooping into my time may help."
Out of the corner of her eye, Jessica saw Oliver's scowl before returning to his task. Smiling, she went back to her own work.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
3:30 on the dot, Jessica walked into the Royal Diner and saw her friend at the counter sipping coffee. Walking over, she called out to her, but Daisy was still lost in her thoughts. Gently tapping her on the shoulder, the petite woman almost jumped out of her seat.
"Ah! Jessica…you startled me. I'm sorry."
Startled herself, Jessica rubbed Daisy's shoulder. "Are you okay, Dais? You look really distracted."
Daisy blinked back some tears. "Yeah…I am…and I don't know what to do. Jessica, I messed up big time…Beau will never forgive me..."
Sitting down next to her friend, Jessica ordered a cup of green tea. When Joanne returned with it a few minutes later, Jessica sipped from her cup before turning to her friend. "Daisy…I'm sure that whatever it was…I mean, it can't be that bad, right? Shit happens, you know. Beau will understand.
"No…Beau will not understand…I still don't understand…I mean…" Daisy stammered.
"Daisy…Honey…what's wrong? What happened?" Jessica took her friend's trembling hand. "C'mon...tell me. You're scaring me now."
"Okay…" She exhaled slowly to calm herself. "Well, last night, I was working late. Figured I would catch up on some administrative stuff from when I was gone, since Lance is with Beau. I called Beau about 8:00 to check in and things were good. Feeling better, I was going through time reports when I decided to have a cup of coffee…because it sounded really good…and it was cold…and it was late and it sounded really good…"
Jessica saw her friend was struggling but she said nothing, letting her process her thoughts.
"When I came into the break room, I saw Oliver and Rani, laughing about something they'd done earlier with their prototype. Maybe I'm wrong, but I could swear he took her hand and snuggled close to her as soon as I walked in the room. Of course, the coffee was gone, so I had to brew a new pot…and I had to listen to him get all cutesy with her…talking about how much like loved her projects and how smart she was…it was…really nauseating."
Jessica sipped her tea, waiting for Daisy to continue.
"I couldn't deal with the yucky cuteness anymore, so I stuck my coffee cup under the spout halfway, desperate to get out of there. Of course, the coffee was hot, so I burned myself, and I cried out. Rani came over to see if I was all right, but I didn't want her sympathy. Then Oliver said to her, '…she's fine, Rani. Daisy's usually a drama queen anyway.'"
"You burned your hand and he didn't even ask if you were all right?", Jessica exclaimed. "What a fuckstick! Are you all right now?"
"Yeah…just stings a little." Daisy sipped her coffee and placed the cup back on its saucer. "I wasn't going to let him get away with saying that about me, so I said, "Thank you, Rani, but I'm fine. Your douchebag, asshole boyfriend, on the other hand, needs more help than anyone can give him."
'Whoa…that's harsh..."
"Oliver stood up to protest, but I told him that he was an insecure asshole who needs to learn how to respect women instead of using them as a trophy to display. I then called him a selfish dick and I stormed out, but I didn't miss hearing Rani yell at him in what I'm assuming is Hindi. I think she chewed his ass for what he said to me..."
"I'm sorry, Daisy. I know you and Oliver are friends."
Daisy shook her head from left to right. "That's not the worst part of it, Jessica."
"Really?" Confused, Jessica leaned against the counter. "Dais, talk to me. I want to help you."
Sipping her coffee, Daisy signaled Joanne for a refill and Jessica also got more hot water and a new Green Tea bag. "So I go back to my office to get work done. I wanted to leave, but I was so angry and I didn't want to drive angry...I didn't want to cause an accident. Imagine my surprise when Oliver stormed into my office a few minutes later, asking what my problem was."
"Of course he would…" Jessica quietly sipped her tea. "So what did you say?"
"I told him my problem was the fact he ran hot and cold on me, talked down to me like I was a child whenever Rani was around, and that he was an ass about my husband. He responded by saying that I was the one with the problem, because I married a man child who couldn't speak in complete sentences. He also said I was jealous of his mature relationship with Rani, and of how successful they were...that I resented the fact that he could find someone smart enough to be with him...someone who wasn't me..."
Jessica made a disbelieving look. "Okay…wow..."
"So then I told him that it was obvious that Rani was just using him as a way to be able to work with the Jeffersonian or at least stay in the United States. Before he could open his fat mouth, I yelled back that at least I'd found love, and that I knew no one would ever love him because he was a coward..." Daisy sipped her drink again. "He was stunned and then asked me to clarify…so I did. I told him that he treated people like dirt because he's insecure and afraid of failure. It was those two things that rendered him incapable of settling on a discipline to study, instead of bouncing between physics, law, anthropology, and all the other stuff he had done while he was in school."
"Ouch!" Jessica pictured the tenseness of the scene. "Wow…what did he do?"
"He then called me a coward, saying I was hiding behind my husband and my son because I wanted a fairy tale life instead of what was real and actually in front of me. He said it must be tiring for me to always act like my life is perfect when it's actually shit…he actually said my life is 'shit.'" Daisy took a breath. "He said I'll never be happy until I accept my life as it is, which includes realizing that I married the wrong man."
'Uh oh…' Jessica thought but kept it to herself. "Oliver said that?"
"He did. I told him that whatever opinion he had about my marriage and my life were no longer welcome, since he didn't know what he might have had with me until it was gone, because he was too much of a chicken shit. I went on to say that he can't pretend to be some perfect fucking robot who has no feelings which can be hurt…because as much as he denies it, I know that he does care about what people thought of him. I told him that he was pathetic, and had no business being with a woman like me or like Rani, because he didn't know how to treat them...that he will never love a woman like she deserves to be loved."
Picturing the tense scene, Jessica gently prodded her friend. "So…what happened next?"
Daisy played with her engagement and wedding rings. "He said I was wrong…dead wrong, and that I would never understand the truth until I opened my eyes…then he grabbed me and kissed me…hard..."
Jessica's eyes got large. "What? He did what?"
Daisy gave Jessica a face. "I said, he kissed me—"
"I heard that he kissed you, Daisy. You smacked him and told him off, right?", Jessica said in disgust. "Oliver got a swift kick in the dick for that, right?"
The other woman didn't look Jessica in the eye. "No…not exactly."
Jessica waited for a different waitress to refill Daisy's coffee. Putting her hand on her cup, she shook her head. When the woman left, she turned to her friend. "Daisy…what do you mean, 'no, not exactly?' When a man who is not your husband or boyfriend kisses you like that, you nail him in the nuts or in the jaw…or both if a man other than Aubrey did that to me...except when I almost broke Steve Bower's hand...but never mind. We're talking about you...what happened next?"
"Well, I was in shock…and then the way he looked at me…he hadn't looked at me like that since the last time we slept together several months ago, before I married Beau." Daisy's eyes lit up as she continued. "There was this kind of raw, primal urge flowing between us last night..."
The redhead hung her head, running her hand across her eyes. "Daisy, remember what else happened when you slept together that last time? The next morning, he was a douchebag who said it was a mistake to be beholden to another person. You got pissed and told him you were sick of his attitude and that you were going to move on with your life, including finding a man who 'wasn't full of himself', because you deserved a happily ever after…and then you came over to my apartment and cried for an hour. It was that same day that Oliver started to work the Frank Kwiakowski case and he did that shitty thing with Christine's report card. After Dr. Saroyan suspended him for theft, you two decided it was better to be friends…or friendly at least."
Daisy's demeanor returned to somber as she remembered what happened in May. "I know…but he was really upset when I started seeing Beau."
"Who fucking cares?" Jessica whispered. "Oliver was the one who screwed up, not you."
"I know, but remember when he saw me that night before my wedding and said that marrying Beau was a mistake? When he couldn't say anything else, I told him he blew his chance and that he needed to move on. I was so happy when I got married…but, now…sometimes I'm not."
"Daisy, what happened after he kissed you?" Jessica dreaded the answer. "You cooled off...you walked away and went home, right?"
The anthropologist took a deep breath. "No…we were…we just stared at each other…then…we kissed again…and did more…"
"Oh, Daisy…you didn't…" Jessica was horrified. "Please tell me you didn't…"
"No, but we might have…we had our shirts off and were on my desk…his hand was up my skirt tugging on my underwear but…then my cell rang with 'Hail To The Redskins…"
"Beau's ringtone…", Jessica said quietly.
Daisy nodded. "I answered the phone...Beau called because Lance would be going to bed after his bath and he wanted to say good night to his Mommy…"
"Oh boy…"
"Oliver just stood there as I talked to my baby…then I talked to Beau for a few minutes. He wanted me to stay safe since it was snowing pretty bad. He said that he missed me, and he and Lance couldn't wait to see me when they came home next week. I was trying to stay composed, but Beau must have heard the stress in my voice, because he asked if I was alright. I told him yes, and that it was because I missed them both, too. He then said he loved me, and he said my boys would call me on Sunday. I told him goodbye and hung up."
Jessica didn't say a word as she took her friend's hand. "What happened after that, Dais?"
"I don't know…it's all a blur. I remember fixing my panties and putting my blouse back on. I remember Oliver saying my name and something else…what, I don't remember. I didn't even straighten up my desk before I grabbed my purse and left. I was shaking, and I couldn't drive right away, so I tried calling you but you didn't answer…"
'I'm sorry, Daisy…' Jessica thought. "I was with Aubrey, but I'm here now. Do you know what you're going to do?"
The brunette looked at her friend with a frown. "Figure out what I'm going to do, of course. That's what Dr. B would do. I love Beau…but what am I going to do about Oliver? I can't work with him after that…but I'm so drawn to him…"
Jessica shook her head. "Daisy…you're married. Before you do anything rash with Oliver, you need to consider the consequences. First thing…stay the hell away from the guy. If he shows up, you walk away or you get someone to be there with you. Don't let yourself be caught alone with him, okay? Next, when Beau and Lance get home, you two need to talk about your future if he stays here in DC."
"I know…I'll figure it out. I'm just so tied up in knots right now." Daisy sipped her cooling coffee. "I never thought I would say this, but I'm glad my son isn't around. I need to think…and process…"
"Well, let me know if there's anything I can do, okay?" Jessica rubbed her friend's arm.
"Want to hang out tonight? Like have a girls night?"
'Oh crap…' Jessica thought. "I wish I could, but I have plans with Aubrey tonight, remember?"
"Of course. Aubrey comes first…", Daisy said quietly.
Sensing that Daisy was irritated, Jessica had an idea. "I'm sorry. We should go out, though, before Beau gets back. He's coming back next Sunday, right?"
"Yeah…it was going to be Saturday to avoid the Inauguration, but we're going to the Women's March, so I told him they could wait until Sunday. I know he wanted to look at houses in Regina, but I'm not understanding why he wants to do that or stay another week there since he's going to take the Redskins' offer like I suggested."
Jessica had a suspicion but kept it to herself. "Well, how about on Inauguration night? The city is going to be nuts with all the balls and crap and I would prefer to not see Donald Trump celebrated. We can do munchies…chocolate…girl movies…"
"Maybe we can get Andie and Dr. B?"
"Sure." Finishing her tea, Jessica squeezed Daisy's arm. "Call me if you need me, all right?"
"I will, I promise."
Jessica waved to her friend, keeping her face pleasant. However, as soon as she left the diner, her countenance changed to one of extreme irritation.
'So Rani probably didn't work today because she's pissed at Oliver. That asshole had the cajones to asked about Daisy after what went down last night? He better not piss me off tomorrow or my foot is going into his ass. No one hurts my friend and gets away with it.'
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
At 8:30, Booth and Brennan were watching Florence Foster Jenkins with Aubrey and Jessica at the Mighty Hut II. Booth had a look of pure boredom while Aubrey cringed at the music. Brennan and Jessica, on the other hand, giggled at a scene.
"Oh...she sounds...so way ass flat…", Aubrey lamented until he was smacked by his girlfriend. "What, Jess...she is….she sounds like Skinner if I step on his tail."
"She's doing her best…", Jessica sighed. "Her husband gave up his career so she could succeed."
Booth shifted on the couch. "Bones...I'm not trying to put her down...but…"
"Yes, Booth, I will concede that her voice was not...as gifted as some. However, she is making some audiences very happy.", Brennan said. "Florence Foster Jenkins was a lucky woman to be ahead of her time."
"Plus, she got Meryl Streep to play her." Jessica sipped her beer while looking at her boyfriend and his friend. "Are you guys still frustrated that we won the coin toss for what movie to watch?"
"Nah….", Booth said in mock disgust.
"Of course, not...", Aubrey joined in before drinking his beer.
"...even though we have the Magnificent Seven on Blu Ray, too...and I just got Enter The Dragon.", Booth murmured. "Just saying."
"Booth, while those movies are fascinating, I don't think either of them is the best choice for a date night with another couple." Brennan sipped her wine and raised an eyebrow at her husband. "Besides, this movie will make you more culturally aware…"
"Booth, wanna come over tomorrow afternoon and watch them while Jess is at the lab?", Aubrey asked. "I'm going to the Hoover in the morning but I'll be back by lunch time."
"Sounds good. I'll drop the kids off here and head over after Mass." Hearing the doorbell, Booth got up. "I wonder who that is."
Walking to the door, he looked out the Judas Hole, sighed, and opened it. "Daisy, come on in."
"I see that you have company, but I hope you don't mind that I dropped over. I've been so busy and I figured Dr. B would want to hear about my trip with Beau-" Daisy had her coat halfway off when she saw who was there. "Jessica...you didn't tell me that you were coming over tonight."
'Shit…', Jessica groaned internally. "Yeah, we came over for dinner and we're watching Florence Foster Jenkins right now."
"You said you had plans with Aubrey tonight when I asked if you wanted to have a girls night. You didn't mention you were coming over here."
"We came over for dinner and are now watching a movie before heading home.", Aubrey jumped in, sensing the other woman's irritation. "Booth and I set this up a few days ago."
"Beau will be back next week, so you and Jessica can get together with us at our condo.", Daisy said before squeezing herself between Jessica and Brennan. "Dr. Brennan, we should get together for drinks. Jessica is going to be busy next week…"
Jessica, Aubrey, and Booth exchanged a look before the redhead sipped her beer. 'Here we go…'
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
When the movie ended, Daisy sipped her glass of wine. "What do you all want to watch now?"
"We're taking off, Daisy. Jess has to work at the lab in the morning.", Aubrey said as the they stood up to leave.
"I'll grab those leftovers for you, Aubrey.", Brennan said as she stretched.
"Thanks, Dr. B. Tonight was fun...especially when we had that pasta with your whore s…." Aubrey caught the withering looks from Jessica and Dr. B. "Puttanesca sauce. Amazing stuff."
Brennan brought the Tupperware container with her and gave it to Aubrey. "You're welcome. Ms. Warren, that wine from your family's winery went very well with it."
"Thanks. Wendell and Andie liked it too, when we had it with our dinner at the cabin a few weeks ago.", Jessica said. "I'll let Jack and Greg know. I'm sure they'll be pleased."
"It is good.", Daisy replied from the kitchen as she went to get more. "It's gone? Damn…"
Booth shared a look with Aubrey, who'd told him earlier, when they were by themselves, about Daisy's night at his house. Both were secretly glad there was no more.
"Daisy my brother and Greg should have it at the Bethesda tasting room by summer unless you and Beau make a trip to the winery before then."
"I may have to do that. Wine tasting isn't Beau's thing...unless it was fruit wine. Maybe you can get me the friend discount."
"Daisy, do you want me to follow you home?", Aubrey asked, trying to avoid an awkward moment. "There's a lot of deer out this time of year."
"No, I'm just going to visit with Dr. B for a while.", Daisy said. "Thanks, though."
"Actually, Daisy...Booth and I have to be up early tomorrow. We're having breakfast together. After that, he's picking up Hank and Christine from Hodgins and Angela's house to take them to church while I work on my manuscript."
"Okay, well I guess I'll just go home and enjoy the peace and quiet." Daisy rinsed her glass and put it in the sink.
The three guests put on their coats. After saying their good nights, they walked out of Booth and Brennan's house and into the chilly night.
"I figured that you two would have hot plans tonight. You usually spend your weekends alone together having sex or watching cheesy movies. I didn't expect to see you here with Booth and Dr. B."
Aubrey took a deep breath to hold back a biting comment as the three got to their vehicles. "Well, Booth is my best friend besides Jess, Daisy, and since I work in Major Crimes now instead of Homicide, we don't get to hang out like we used to."
"Of course, I figured with you as her intern, Jessica, you and Dr. B wouldn't see each other socially. When Lancelot and I were together, the four of us rarely hung out together.", Daisy commented.
Aubrey didn't miss a beat. "Dr. B and Jessica spent part of the night going over lesson plans since she is the TA for her Wednesday afternoon class while Booth showed me some new Flyer stuff he got last week on Amazon. Anyway, Daisy, with Booth and I good friends, it's inevitable our significant others would see each other socially from time to time. Dr. B and Jessica keep it professional at the lab."
"She even asked you to go with her to the Science Department luncheon next Wednesday.", Daisy commented. "That's a pretty fancy affair. Dr. B doesn't even invite Booth to it because that stuff bores him to tears."
"Well, she's been wanting me to network with some of the faculty since she knows of my desire to teach someday.", Jessica said as Aubrey opened the SUV door for her. "This way I can meet some people who may be helpful with reaching that goal."
"Of course. However, like I said earlier, if you can't go, just let me know and I can go with her instead." Daisy got into her Ford. "I'll see you soon. Next Friday, right?"
"Next Friday at your condo. I'm sorry Dr. B can't go. Did you text Andie?", Jessica asked as she got her seat belt on and Aubrey got in on the driver's side.
"She's good to go." Daisy shut her door and rolled the window down. "Good night."
"Good night…", Jessica responded but Daisy had already rolled up the window and began backing out.
Aubrey nodded before putting his SUV into gear. "Fun night for the most part."
"Yeah, I had a good time."
"Jessica, she's fine. It wasn't a slight that she wasn't invited tonight. She'll get over it." Aubrey stopped at the end of the long winding driveway.
"I know that, Aubrey. I'm ready to go home, though. Tomorrow is going to be hard to get through without sucker punching Oliver for what happened with Daisy."
"Well, if you do...I'll bail you out, Jess.", Aubrey said with a smile.
"Thank you, Superman."