It's been a difficult time for Jessica and Aubrey, as well as their friends. How are they handling the situation? Read on to find out.

At 12:30, Booth and Brennan were having lunch at the diner. Or rather, Booth was eating a cheeseburger while his wife was strongly expressing her views.

"Booth, she is an embarrassment to the FBI! She needs to be banned from the Bureau, and she should lose her license to practice psychology, if a license is needed for her specialty."

Booth could see how upset his wife was and he didn't blame her. "Bones, I'm angry about what happened, too-"

"She used her knowledge and training in the soft sciences to manipulate two people we care about. She then manipulated a man with narcissistic tendencies-"

"Narcissistic tendencies?" Booth chewed his burger thoughtfully. "Have you been reading Sweets' old books again?"

"Yes, I have. I wasn't sure what to do with them after Sweets' death, when we cleaned out his office…" Brennan took a deep breath. "...and, while I still have my issues with psychology, after reading his literature everything that has happened over the last two days finally makes sense. Karen Delfs needs to be charged with a federal crime and she also needs to be banned from any sort of profiling in the future."

"Bones, she's going to get a disciplinary hearing this week-"

"But will she be fired? What she did was abhorrent."

Booth sipped his coffee. "I don't know, Bones, but she will be punished by the FBI. You have to trust me about that..."

"She deserves more than that, Booth.", Brennan cried, catching the attention of other diners. Lowering her voice, she continued. "Her jealousy and inability to see reality led her to start a chain of events that led to six people almost dying. It's reprehensible..."

"I know you're worried about Angela, Bones…"

"She's fine, and I'm grateful." Brennan sipped her soup. "The doctors says the baby suffered no ill effects of Angela's accident. This is the second major episode Angela has had that put the baby in danger, starting with the bomb at the lab. However, I also have my interns to consider..."

"Oliver and Jessica are going to recover, Bones. It's just gonna take time..."

"They shouldn't have to spend their time recovering, Booth!", Brennan fired back. "Dr. Wells should be working with Dr. Mittipalli on their project at the lab and Ms. Warren...should be devoting her time to her dissertation and building a life with Aubrey. She was almost…"

Booth nodded and took her hand. "I know, Bones."

"No, you don't, Booth.", Brennan said quietly. "I know exactly what she's going through right now...you know that…"

"I know..." Booth said, running his thumb gently over her knuckles. "But she's going to be okay…"

"It's true that Mr. Maxwell did not succeed in his attempted sexual assault. However, the viciousness of his attack and the way he humiliated her by urinating on her...Ms. Warren did not deserve what happened yesterday. No one would ever deserve that!"

"He's going to be punished, Bones. Caroline will see to that."

Brennan shook her head as she pushed her soup bowl away. "I'm going to talk to Deputy Director Stark...I'll go to the Director or any other of my contacts at the Bureau if I have to. Karen Delfs is a menace."

"Bones, stop." Booth squeezed her hand tenderly. "I know you are upset at what happened, because I know how much you love your interns. I am really pissed off, too, because not only were they affected, but my good friend is probably taking on all the guilt for what happened to Jessica. However, the FBI has procedures in place to deal with this sort of thing. Karen will face those consequences-"

"But what about criminal charges?"

"There will be none, Bones, because technically, she didn't commit a crime. Caroline would love to charge her with something, but she can't. Come on...you know that, right? She didn't solicit the assault on Jessica or anyone else. While she fed the Maxwells bullshit to get Jessica into trouble, according to the letter of the law, Gerald acted on his own."

Brennan understood the logic behind what her husband was saying, but it didn't make her feel better. "But Booth, she needs to be punished for what she did...she needs to pay..."

"She will, Bones. Trust me, alright? She's been on Stark's shit list ever since she fought with Bower's wife last month. If she stays at the FBI, I guarantee you that she will never move up or be in any sort of leadership role. She will be punished, I promise you, but you need to let the FBI follow the chain of command. Those protocols are in place for a reason."

Brennan looked down at the table for a minute before glancing back up at her husband. "Do you think she wanted Ms. Warren and Dr. Wells….well, everyone else...hurt?"

"No, Bones. Genny believed Karen when she said that she just wanted to get Jessica fired, and Shaw's instincts are sharp. Of course, no one could have predicted what that asshole would do."

"Dr. Delfs illogically believes that Aubrey was somehow owed to her and that Jessica was almost...keeping him hostage. When I talked to her yesterday, she held onto the delusion that she and Aubrey were somehow...meant to be together."

"Karen was...devastated that Aubrey didn't want her, and she couldn't handle admitting it was because he loved someone else. So Jessica became her scapegoat and she schemed to get Jessica out of DC or somehow out of the way so Aubrey would turn to her and then she could become his girlfriend." Booth saw his wife's skeptical face. "I truly feel like Karen just wanted Jessica out of the way, both emotionally and physically, to the point she wasn't working with Aubrey as often as she was. No murderous plots."

"Well, if you feel that way, I'll concede that point. If she's smart, she'll stay away from me...and everyone else at the lab. Hodgins is...quite upset about Angela and the baby being hurt."

"Well, Bug Boy called me this morning and said pretty much the same as you did, and I had to give him the same answer. I think Karen understands that she's screwed."

"What do you think will happen to her?"

"Minimum of a series of anger management classes. She took a seminar as punishment for that fight last month in Major Crimes, but obviously it wasn't enough. They may even suspend her for a month or so...or possibly give her an involuntary transfer. She's mentioned running her own BRIU unit in the future, but that's not happening now. She screwed the pooch with her jealousy."

"How does any possible sexual activity with a dog have to do with anything? Beastialty is illegal in many places…"

Booth saw his wife going into a tangent. "It just means she messed up badly, Bones."

"Oh…" Brennan sipped her coffee. "Colloquialisms still puzzle me at times, but I am getting better at them."

"That you are, Bones." Booth held up his cup to Brennan's, who clinked with him.

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

Hodgins was enjoying a plate of naan gerodees as he visited with Cam. "Cam, what are these? They're amazing!"

"Walnut cookies. In Iranian culture, they're made for the New Year." Cam stole one from Hodgins' plate and ate it. "Arastoo made them with the boys the last week before Christmas to teach them about his culture."

"That was three weeks ago, Cam."

"Yes, I know. He made some for me, too." Cam ate another cookie. "So with what happened at the lab, do you have a plan to get it back on track?"

"Yeah, I'm meeting with the head of security tomorrow as well as working with Dr. B on an updated intern schedule since we'll be short for at least three weeks." Hodgins looked down at the floor. "I'm sorry I let you down, Cam. I've messed up being King of the Lab big time..."

Cam sat back on her couch and shook her head while pointing a finger at her visitor. "Dr. Hodgins, not another word, do you hear me? I swear if I hear another word of that...bull shit...I'll take away all your animals in the Ookey Room when I return in March."

Hodgins snapped out of his self pity and choked. "No...not the rats. They're so cool…"

"Including the rats...that nasty snake...and all those other...critters." Cam looked at him sternly. "I'm the one who failed first. A bomb went off in the lab because someone stole my badge from my wedding, remember?"

"Yeah, but-"

"No one could have anticipated that Gerald Maxwell would go so far in getting his revenge against Jessica. In the end, he's the one who sexually harassed all those women. His father was the one who bought them off...or scared them into silence."

Seeing she wasn't totally getting through, the pathologist pressed forward. "To be honest, I do like a few of the changes you made, like with the staggered intern schedule. You do have a real knack for this leadership stuff."

"Really?", Hodgins asked before a scary thought came to mind. "Cam...I'm not an admin man. No way…being King of the Lab is fun now, but you're the Lab Director...I'm just the seat warmer..."

"I'm not saying you're getting my job, Hodgins. No….the boys don't need me home all the time. I think I would drive Arastoo nuts, too." Cam smiled. "I'm just saying...that you're too hard on yourself."

Hodgins took a breath. "I owe you an apology."

"For what?"

"When we all harassed you about having to fire Wendell during his cancer...when we got bitchy with you about Dr. Fuentes and his...side job." Hodgins looked down at his hands. "You've done a lot for us, Cam. A lot more than you've ever told us, Dr. B included."

"I do what my job entails, Hodgins-"

"I know that you fight the Board about my budget for new toys every year. I found out from Amanda Marshall recently that a few people on the board fought you when Angela wanted to cut back her hours at the lab a few years ago."

Embarrassed, Cam was quiet for a moment. "I was a hard ass when I came in, but...I learned a lot myself in the ten years I've been there. Sometimes the job isn't easy, Hodgins, as you're finding out. However, I would do it again in a heartbeat."

"Cool…"

"But I'm still enjoying my leave of absence. I have a home visit to prepare for next week. Things have to be perfect because the formal adoption hearing is February 24th."

Hodgins smiled. "You and Arastoo have this in the bag, Cam. I'll keep your seat warm for you at the lab...as much as I can from my wheels here."

"Good...now aren't you supposed to pick up Angela? They're discharging her today, right?"

"At 2:00." Hodgins clenched his fists. "Booth said when I called today that there's nothing criminal that they can charge Karen with, but he was certain that she would face a severe punishment."

"Well, his instincts are usually on the money."

"Yeah, but that bitch started something that injured my wife and our baby, Cam." Hodgins was quiet before continuing. "Two of Dr. B's interns were severely injured, Ashley Anders, my best intern, spent time in jail for a crime she didn't commit, and two security guards who did nothing but show up for work almost died, too."

"Hodgins, Karen will be punished. Booth told me from the meeting he had with Stark today that he is not happy, either. Our esteemed profiler will face consequences for her actions."

"That's what Booth said, but...if Angela had lost the baby...I mean, we may not...ever get another chance." He puffed out a frustrated sigh. "We would've lost so much because that woman's craziness…"

Cam understood the anger. "I know, but if, in the worst case scenario, she had miscarried, there are other ways you two could expand your family."

"With me in a wheelchair...it's doubtful, Cam." He shrugged as he studied his nails. "Although Angela and I have talked about an overseas adoption. I guess we still may consider it when this baby gets older…"

"Good." Cam smiled. "I can say that Arastoo and I would have a wonderful life with just Michelle but having the boys makes it more complete."

Hodgins saw the clock. "Oh, it's after 1:00. I need to get to the hospital to get Angie."

Cam stood up and put the plate of cookies on the kitchen counter. "I told Jessica I would go see her today at the hospital, so I'm going to head over there now before picking up the boys from school."

Hodgins put on his coat and dug out his keys. "Thanks, Cam."

"For what, Dr. Hodgins?"

"For being our boss."

"You're welcome, Dr. Hodgins.", Cam replied before he stopped. "Dr. Hodgins, what is it? Have you forgotten something?"

Turning his wheelchair around, the entomologist smiled. "Can I get some of those cookies to go, Cam? They're awesome."

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

Genny was going over cases when Caroline made her way in the office. "Well, I know why Janis Jergins is filing to withdraw from that scumbag's case."

Genny sat back, grinning at the prosecutor. "His mommy cut his allowance off, didn't she?"

"Yep. A little birdie told me at the courthouse that Gerald has applied for a pro bono attorney." Caroline sat down across from the ASAC and sipped her Starbucks cup. "According to another little birdie, when Harold Maxwell died, while leaving a stipend to his children, the bulk of the Maxwell estate went to his wife Melinda Henne-Maxwell. That included all contracts with Janis Jergins' law firm."

"So when Gerald called yesterday, Janis came to see him, assuming the bill would be paid by his grieving mother."

"Indeed. I guess this morning, the widow Maxwell called the law firm and told them she would not be responsible for any more of Gerald's legal bills. Because he's not a minor, he is legally responsible for all of his attorney's fees. Since Gerald has been cut off from the family's money, he has no way to pay for Janis' legal work."

"Since that asshole doesn't have his mommy to fall back on, he has to get a court appointed lawyer." Genny smiled. "Karma does have a way of doing the right thing when it counts."

"It does indeed." Caroline got up. "There are a few really good public defenders available that usually give me a run for my money. Keep your fingers crossed he doesn't get any of them."

"I will, Ms. Julian."

"I'm going to meet with Seeley Booth to update him on everything and we'll call you and set up a plan. Does that work?"

"Yeah, that's fine." Genny shut her folder. "Aubrey is coming in for a while to check in and work on next month's budget."

"Keep that boy away from this case, Agent Shaw." Caroline pointed a stern finger at her. "Him going to the arraignment was one thing, but I don't want his cute nose anywhere near this case. I don't want to have to sick my Seeley on him."

"I'll keep him away. However, when I told him and Jessica about Karen this morning, he was really pissed, Ms. Julian." Genny pursed her lips. "He's going to go after her full force within the protocols of the Bureau."

"I know. He really loves that ginger haired squintern." Caroline was quiet for a few seconds. "Well, he needs to be there for her...that should be his top priority. We'll see what happens at the hearing...do you know when that's going on?"

"Yeah, Jake Tanner emailed me ten minutes ago. Friday at 2:00."

"Well, at least my breakfast and lunch won't be ruined.", Caroline grumbled.

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

An hour later, Aubrey was going over February's budget when his phone rang. "Hey, Jess...what's up?...that's great...of course, I don't mind taking you home. Why would you ask that?"

"I don't want to inconvenience you, Superman. The doctor said I should be ready for discharge by 5:00 and he will give me my restrictions then."

"Well, I'm just glad you're coming home. I'm going to take care of you-"

"I'm an adult and I can take care of myself, Aubrey."

Taken aback by the snippiness in her tone, the agent waited a moment. "I wasn't insinuating anything, Jessica. I'm going to be around if you need me, but I know you can take care of yourself."

"I'm sorry...I guess I'm still a bit emotional. It would be nice to have some quiet." After a moment of silence, she spoke again. "Beau called me this afternoon and asked me how I was doing."

"Checking on you?", Aubrey said. "That was nice of him."

"It was...but he also wanted to talk to Daisy. She texted him that she would be hard to reach today because she would be in meetings at work or visiting me at the hospital. He wanted to check in since she didn't return his phone call last night until after he and Lance were asleep."

'Something tells me it wasn't just Jessica she was going to visit.' Aubrey nodded. "I bet that was awkward for you."

"Well, it wasn't totally, because she did come to visit almost an hour later. I guess Rani got back into DC and headed straight to Oliver. Curly told me that Oliver is limited to one visitor at a time."

"Which means Daisy had to leave." , Aubrey said.

"Yeah. I'm sure she didn't like that she couldn't stay with him, but it's for the best. Rani's place is with Oliver, not Daisy's. Hopefully she chills out before Beau and Lance come home Sunday."

"Yeah, I hope so, too, or it will be a bit awkward."

"He asked about Daisy, mentioning that when he's talked to her the last few days that she seemed distant. I don't think she's told him how much time she spent here at the hospital...but I didn't know what he knew, so I just said that she got called back to work. I hate lying, but telling him the truth seemed weird, too."

"I know Jess, but...we shouldn't get involved. This is something that Daisy needs to deal with. If she keeps trying to use you as cover, I would say something to her. That's unfair to you."

"I know, Superman. When I told Daisy he had called, she seemed...frustrated. I didn't want to get into it again, so I didn't say anything else." Jessica sighed. "I should let you go back to work…"

"Yeah, I'm just going to finish the budget for February and submit it to Stark. After that I'm running a couple of errands and then coming to bring you home."

"Okay...I'll see you soon. I love you…"

"Love you, too." Aubrey hung up the phone. Something wasn't right, but he didn't want to push his girlfriend right now. 'She'll talk to me when she's ready. She's probably exhausted and sore from everything that happened.'

Aubrey saw the time and got cracking. He had thirty minutes to finish his task then he had to get home for the delivery arriving at his house.

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

Jessica ended the call before setting her phone on the end table. Staring at the wall, her thoughts raced.

'What will it be like when I go home? Aubrey's going to hover over me...and he'll keep apologizing for what Karen did...I can't handle that right now. I just want to get back to being normal again as soon as possible...I want to put all of this behind me.'

Before she could contemplate any further, there was a knock at the door. "Come in."

The door opened and Rani entered the room. "Hi, Jessica...do you have a few minutes?"

The redhead smiled. "Yeah, I do. I'm here until they discharge me in a few hours. What's up?"

The scientist sat in the chair. "I'm...not sure how to say this. The timing is...not ideal…but I need some answers."

Jessica tilted her head as she noticed her visitor's mood. "Rani, what's wrong?"

Rani sat for a minute to compose her thoughts. "Are Dr. Wick and Oliver having an affair?"

Jessica's jaw dropped and she sputtered as she thought about how to answer. "N-no, they're not. Daisy is married, Rani. W-why would you ask that?"

"When they argued Friday, there was a...chemistry in the air between them...and it was like that, too, when the four of us had dinner together recently."

'Shit…' Jessica thought.

"Oliver was quite rude to her Friday night, and I told him as much. When he gave me an excuse, I said some harsh things to him before I left, and then ended up being asked to come to Mumbai early for a conference where I was speaking." Rani took a breath. "When I was notified of Oliver's injuries, I got back to the States as soon as I could, thanks to Agent Booth."

"Dr. B said he pulled a few strings at the State Department.", Jessica replied.

"I appreciate that very much." Rani pushed her hair over her shoulder as she contemplated what she wanted to say. "The agents who met my plane at Dulles rushed me here as soon as they could. I was scared...but when I got here, Dr. Wick was in Oliver's room...holding his hand."

'Uh oh…' Jessica thought to herself. "She probably wanted to give him some support until you got back. I don't think he has much family around here."

"I could see that, so I thanked her for coming and that I could take over so she could go home." Rani gulped. "I walked to the chair she was sitting on but, she didn't get up right away. I finally had to ask her for the chair."

"That sounds awkward."

"Well, she got up, but then she said she wanted to stay to so he would have enough support for his recovery. It felt...not friend like but...like she was being territorial with my boyfriend." Rani exhaled softly. "I didn't want to be rude, but when she didn't get the hint that I wanted to be alone with Oliver, I reminded her of the rules that he was allowed one person at a time in the room."

Jessica didn't have anything to say that wouldn't sound lame. Her best girlfriend was obviously in the wrong and her actions couldn't be defended. Waiting for Rani to speak, she kept her thoughts to herself.

"She said the nurses wouldn't notice that we were both there before she sat down on the couch in the room. Jessica...I didn't know what else to do, so I finally had to go ask a nurse to come and shoo her out."

'OMG Daisy…' Jessica mentally scolded her friend for being so stupid. "I'm sorry. I'm sure Daisy didn't mean anything-"

"Dr. Wick was quite annoyed when the duty nurse came into the room to escort her out, mentioning that it was her final warning regarding breaking the visiting rules of the ICU and that next time, she would be banned. She grabbed her purse and whispered in Oliver's ear that she was coming back soon when it wasn't so...crowded...before leaving." Rani was quiet for a moment. "I don't want my boyfriend to be alone, but...she's overstepping boundaries."

Jessica realized the point of the visit. "I can talk to her if you like, Rani, the next time I see her. Maybe she feels guilty about them fighting before all this went down. I'm sure she doesn't realize what's she's doing."

"I hope so...and thank you." Rani smiled. "I'm sorry...I should have asked you how you were doing first."

Relieved for the change of topic, Jessica smiled in return. "I'm doing better. I'm getting discharged tonight and then I'm off for a couple of weeks because of my bruised ribs."

"Well, take care of yourself." Rani smiled again. "I'm sorry all that happened to all of you, Jessica. What that man did was...horrible."

"Yeah, it was, but I'll be okay...just like Oliver will be.", Jessica reassured. "How is he doing?"

"Vitals are stable. The doctor plans to discontinue the medication Wednesday morning as the swelling in his brain is subsiding. With any luck, Oliver will be awake later that day."

"I'm glad for you, Rani."

"Yeah...me too." The physicist stood up. "I'll let you rest now. Thank you for talking to me."

"You're welcome."

After the two waved goodbye, Rani left. Hearing a buzz from her phone, Jessica grabbed it and groaned when she saw the message.

Rani fibbed me out 2 ICU nurses & forced me 2 leave. Some 1 is mega insecure rite now.

Jessica leaned back in bed and groaned. "Daisy...you have to get your shit together...I have too much going on to help you clean up your messes right now."

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

It was 6:00 when Aubrey drove Jessica back to his house. Trying to avoid injuring her ribs, he drove slightly under the speed limit, invoking the rage of other drivers. He didn't care though, merely showing his badge in the window to people who beeped and passed him.

"Aubrey...you can speed up a little, you know." Jessica looked in her side mirror and saw a lineup of four cars.

"We're right around the speed limit. Besides, I don't want to jostle you, Jess. You suffered serious injuries."

"Aubrey, I'm not a china doll. It's fine. Plus you have pissed off drivers behind you."

The agent turned onto Tilden Street "Fuck them. We're in a residential neighborhood and the speed limit is 25. They can keep their panties on until we get home in about five minutes."

Jessica decided that arguing would be moot. "Okay, Superman. Just get me home in one piece."

"I can do that." The couple drove in silence for a minute. "So, do you know when you're going to talk to Daisy?"

Jessica exhaled. "She said she was stopping over after work tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to this at all, Superman."

"Jess...you shouldn't have to do this, but she'll take it better from you than getting into a catfight with Rani at the hospital." Aubrey passed the playground near his house. "Besides, she's the one who can't get her head on straight. She better get it out of her system before Beau comes home."

"I hope so…", Jessica replied quietly as Aubrey turned onto Janus Street.

Less than a minute later, they pulled into the driveway and into the garage. Before Aubrey went around to let Jessica out, he pushed a switch in the garage, closing the gate at the end of the driveway. Opening the passenger side door, he took her hand and put his arm around her.

"Get out carefully, Jess. One step at a time…"

"I'm having deja vu, Superman.", Jessica giggled but quit. "Still hurts to laugh."

"I bet...that's a girl. Okay…" Aubrey shut the door and opened the back end, getting her overnight bag out and slinging it over his shoulder. "Alright...nice and slow, Jess."

"Aubrey...I have two bruised ribs and my body feel like a semi hit it, but I can still walk…"

"Yeah, but the doctor said to be careful the next several days and to breathe deeply every hour to make sure you don't get pneumonia."

"Well, he said I could do some yoga and that will help."

"Not right away, Jess. I know you hate being cooped up but you need to rest, too. Some of those poses will make things worse."

Aubrey led his girlfriend to the back door. After opening it, the two came in through the mud room and entered the back of the house. Before they reached the kitchen, Skinner ran downstairs to greet his favorite people.

"Hi Sweetie…" Jessica smiled as the tabby wound around her legs. "I can't pet you right now, buddy, but I will soon."

"Come on, Skinner, get out of Aunt Jessica's way. She has to rest." After taking her coat, he led her to the living room, where the redhead was surprised.

"You bought a recliner, Superman?", Jessica asked. "When?"

"Yesterday while I was out. A nurse recommended it because it's ideal that you sleep at a 45 degree angle the next few days and I wanted you to be comfortable. I set up the couch so I would nearby and you wouldn't be alone down here."

Closing her eyes, Jessica thought before speaking. "Superman, you can sleep upstairs...or even in the downstairs bedroom. You didn't have to buy new furniture for me-"

"I didn't just buy it for you, Jess." Aubrey softly touched the furniture. "This bad boy is for me, too. I can watch Cubs games on it...old movies...take a nap with Skinner in it. When you're healed up, we'll either keep it out here or put it in the den."

"Okay. Fair enough." Jessica looked at it again. "It's very nice."

"Thank you. Now I'm going to make us some dinner-"

Jessica walked slowly to the kitchen. "Great. I'll help you-"

"No!", Aubrey yelled, cutting off Jessica's path. "I'm cooking dinner...you're resting in the chair."

Frustrated, Jessica rolled her eyes. "Superman...I'm not a damn cripple!"

Aubrey grabbed the discharge instructions he had thrown on the center island. "Per the hospitalist, except to use the restroom or walking only when necessary, complete rest for one week. No strenuous activities i.e. running, jumping, sexual intercourse for at least two weeks. Yoga acceptable as part of breathing exercises but discuss modified routine with instructor and only go back to normal activity when there is no pain."

"I was there when he talked to us, Superman. I can help make a fucking dinner.", Jessica snapped back, not liking Aubrey's attitude.

"No…now sit your ass down, Jess." Aubrey pointed to the recliner. "You're going to follow the doctor's orders and I'm going to make sure you do."

Frustrated at her soreness and her boyfriend babying her, Jessica walked slowly back. Sitting down, she fumed silently as she turned to him. "Happy now?"

"Yes I am." Irritated at his girlfriend's stubbornness, he stomped into the kitchen. "Dinner will be ready shortly. Don't get up."

Irritated, she couldn't stop the snarkiness. "Well, you better get me a bedpan or else I'm going to stain your beloved recliner if I have to pee."

Equally frustrated at Jessica's reluctance to take it easy, Aubrey gave as good as he got. "You know what I mean, Jessica. Now, stay in that chair and quit being a pain in the ass."

"Fuck you, Aubrey.", Jessica huffed before grabbing the remote and turning on the TV.

Feeling a full fledged fight coming on, Aubrey bit his tongue and stayed in the kitchen. He brought her a glass of water and after she muttered thanks, he stomped around the kitchen preparing their evening meal. Jessica obviously didn't want to talk to him, and the feeling was mutual.

Twenty minutes into their silent treatment, Aubrey added the wheat pasta to the boiling water and stirred the puttanesca sauce Brennan had dropped off for them. While putting together a salad, he took a step back.

'Jess is probably frustrated and scared about everything that has happened and will be coming up. Of course, I had to throw gasoline on the fire by being a dictator. She's independent and this recovery is going to be hard on her. I know I wasn't a picnic in the park after I was shot, especially after that fight we had. Even though I told her to leave, she stayed to make sure I was taken care of. Thank God, because we needed all that to move forward. After all that shit we fought about blew over, she was patient with me, so I can do the same.'

In the living room, Jessica watched an episode of The Big Bang Theory but she wasn't listening. As she listened to him prepare their meal, the tears finally fell. 'Superman is bending over backwards to help me and take care of me. How do I show my gratitude? By being a bitch and telling him to fuck off. While he was difficult while recovering after being shot, he made an effort. He's going to be sick of me by the time I am ready to go back to work.'

After setting the table for dinner, everything was done. He put their food and some garlic knots he picked up from Mr. Leonelli's earlier today on the table as well. When situated, he went to call Jessica and his heart fell as she was obviously fighting tears.

'Enough is enough.' Aubrey walked out to the living room. "Jess, dinner is ready. Want to eat at the table?"

Jessica thought she would be banished to the living room all night. "Yes, please. That would be very nice."

After assisting her to a standing position, the two walked to the table. Slowly easing herself onto the bench, she instinctively grabbed Aubrey's plate and began making it up for him. Returning from getting the cheese, Aubrey groaned.

"Jess, what the hell are you doing?"

"Fixing your plate, Aubrey. I always do this at the table for you. I'm sorry…"

Shaking his head, he hurriedly sat down. "It's fine. I just want you to be careful is all."

"I can put pasta and sauce on a plate for my boyfriend. I've got bruised ribs, not a broken arm." Jessica realized how snotty she sounded. "I'm sorry…"

"No, I'm sorry for overreacting. It's fine." Aubrey took a breath. "I'm trying not to hover, Jessica, but...you are so stubborn."

"I'm trying not to take everything wrong...and I'm failing." Jessica grabbed the Norco Aubrey put out for her and chased it down with water.

The couple had their food and sat down to an awkward silence for the rest of the meal.

This story will be on a brief hiatus while Michelle and Laura work on their stories for the Bones fan fiction Christmas challenge. Fan fiction readers are in for a treat as several of your favorite authors will be posting new stories between Christmas and January 5.

We'll return to this story in a few weeks. Thanks for reading...