Karen pulled into the driveway with massive butterflies in her stomach. Over the last three days, she'd realized how badly she'd screwed up. She had no friends, no boyfriend, and possibly wouldn't even have a career after tomorrow afternoon. She knew what John had told her about leaving Jessica alone, but she had to make things right with the intern.

Of course, doing that would be difficult as Jessica was on medical leave and, as the profiler had found out from a conversation she eavesdropped on at Founding Fathers, Aubrey was using some of his vacation time to take care of her. As recently as this morning, she'd debated on what to do and how.

When she'd gotten the call today to come to International Operations to sign the paperwork for the profile she had completed prior to her suspension, she dreaded running into anyone from Major Crimes, or even Agent Booth. In the end she didn't have to worry because her visit with SAC Charlie Burns lasted all of three minutes, and he'd even asked her how she was. He really was a nice man, and it was too bad that he wasn't her type.

After leaving her meeting with Burns thirty minutes ago, she still was lost on how to talk to Jessica until she spotted Aubrey heading to Major Crimes. She knew that it might be her only chance to talk to Jessica. In record time, she dropped off her VISITORS badge and took off towards the agent's house.

Now that she was here, though, she was second guessing her impulsive decision, but shook her head. "Time to make up for what you did, Karen."

Getting her purse, she stepped out of the vehicle, rang the doorbell and waited for the door to be opened. After about a minute she was greeted by a surprised, then angry redhead.

"Steve...I thought you were going back to….", Jessica's voice trailed off. "What the hell are you doing here?"

The profiler took a breath. "Hello, Jessica...can I come in?"

"Why?", Jessica gasped as she held her ribs.

Karen gulped. "To talk to you...but I can come back…"

Jessica considered slamming the door in the woman's face, but her curiosity won out. "Fine, come on in."

"T-thank you." Karen walked through the doorway. Clutching her purse nervously, she followed the young woman to the living room area. When she spotted the recliner, she pointed to it. "I see Aubrey bought some new furniture."

Jessica sat down carefully and looked up. "He got this for me to use while I'm recovering, since the doctor recommended that I sleep at a 45 degree angle until at least tomorrow night. Unfortunately, Aubrey tends to roll around during the night so I may have to sleep alone in one of the other beds for another few days until I recover."

Feeling more awkward as she stood there, Karen asked the first thing she could come up with. "Are you in a lot of pain?"

Jessica sipped her water and set the bottle on the table. "Well, let's see, Karen. I fell down fourteen steps, I was punched in the face, pushed into a light table, slapped multiple times, and thrown on a cold floor, so I have bruises on my ribs, arms, legs, hips, and back as well as a healing split lip. Just walking from here to the door can be painful, and I'm on Norco which also makes me sleepy or nauseated. Since some of the pain has subsided since Monday, the hospitalist said I can try taking Motrin 800 when I'm able to."

Not wanting to give away the fact she was here because Aubrey wasn't, Karen looked around for a moment. "Where's Aubrey?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but he went to work for a couple of hours to check in with Genny." Jessica's eyes narrowed. "Now, let's cut through the bullshit, because you're obviously not here on a social call."

'She is not going to make this easy for me.' Karen thought. "May I sit down?"

"Sure, why not?" Jessica linked her fingers as she watched the older woman. "Okay, Karen, I didn't let you come in because of your concern for my health. You've got something on your mind, so let's hear it. I have a book to read."

'This is going to be harder than I thought. I'm not going to grovel, but I do owe her an apology for what I did.' Karen gulped, feeling her stomach doing cartwheels. "I'm glad you're doing better, Jessica. What you went through is something that no woman should experience."

Seeing as she had nothing better to do, Jessica nodded. "I agree, Karen."

The profiler played with the strap on her purse. "Um...I wanted to apologize for everything that happened to you."

Jessica waited, but when no more words were forthcoming, she pressed further. "Define everything, Karen."

"I'm sorry for saying those nasty things to Gerald.", Karen said quietly. "I didn't know that he had a history of violence against women. If I had, then I would never have done that."

'Uh uh. She's not going to get away with just a quick blanket apology.' Jessica took a breath but stopped as her deep inhalation hurt her ribs. "And…"

"I'm sorry that you got hurt.", Karen replied, frustrated at the blank face of the redhead. "That wasn't my intention."

'This bitch is going to do more than ease her conscience. I want it all.' Jessica heard the alarm on her phone. Grabbing her pain pills, she took one before settling back. "Anything else?"

"What else am I supposed to apologize for?"

Jessica was fed up with Karen's reluctance to truly admit what she had done wrong. "I don't know, Karen...how about when you'd spread rumors about me having gonorrhea and raping Steve in the break room all over the FBI? Or when you tried to humiliate me at the lab back in October with those lies about you and Aubrey? How about you shamelessly using Aubrey's sense of decency to drag out his guilt for what happened with you last Fall because you were mad that we had gotten back together?"

Frustrated, Karen's patience was wearing thin. "I said I'm apologizing for everything that happened, Jessica. I was wrong, all right? What I did was awful, but I shouldn't have to constantly be punished for a mistake, even a really bad one like going to Gerald. I'm a human being and I think I deserve some credit for admitting that I messed up. What do you want, a pound of flesh?"

Jessica tilted her head to the side. "Yeah...for starters…"

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

Aubrey reached Cleveland Park and hoped his bad mood, and Jessica's, was cleared by the time he reached home in a few minutes.

Tomorrow was Karen's disciplinary hearing and the committee wanted to hear from Jessica. He didn't want to put her through that, but if he was going to drive Karen out of the FBI, he had no choice. He was happy, though, about the phone call he and Genny had received while the two were touching base in the ASAC's office from Caroline.

"It's official. Gerald Maxwell has been declared fit to stand trial in March. His new PD called me almost right away with an offer of 7 - 15 years for all charges to be served concurrently. I'm not sure if she was just putting feelers out or if the bon rien was serious about pleading."

"You didn't take it, did you, Caroline? That son of a bitch needs to pay."

"Of course not, Cher. If he wants to plead guilty, he will spend the best years of his life behind bars where he can't hurt anyone else. I would like talk to your intern also, you know...to see what she thinks about any sort of deal for that bastard. If his lawyer is calling with an offer now, they're getting scared and I do love scared defendants."

"The fucker needs to fry, Caroline."

"But your squintern also needs to move forward, Cher. I will discuss any possible pleas with her, Aubrey and her input is what's the most important here, other than input from the other victims."

Aubrey hoped that the news about Gerald would help Jessica get out of her depression. Right now, she needed some semblance of control above all else. However, it was becoming obvious that she needed to talk to someone, either professionally or someone else she felt comfortable confiding in, because she wasn't talking to him. Of course, he also knew that eventually Jessica would explode with all her rage at what happened to her, and he would probably take the brunt of it. He loved her and would stand by her, but emotionally her distance and anger was taking a toll on him, too. He didn't know how much more his own emotions could take, either.

But as Booth had said, he needed to just ride it out. Their relationship would not always be perfect and much as she stood by him last month, he would do the same for her.

Turning into his driveway, he saw the automobile parked outside his garage and his suspicions rose. When he saw the DC plate with the Georgetown logo on it, his worst suspicions were confirmed. Screeching to a stop, he quickly parked, turned off his engine and ran up the sidewalk of his front door, where he heard yelling from the other side.

"Do you even care that I'm scared to be alone?! I was violated in the worst possible way, in a place where I've always felt safe, because you were pissed off that Aubrey didn't want you, and all you can say to me is that 'I'm apologizing!'"

"What the else do you want, Jessica? A kidney? I'm not the one who tried to rape you!"

Unlocking the door, the agent rushed in to see Karen being barraged by Jessica, who was holding her ribs. "What the hell are you doing here?", he panted.

Karen flinched when she saw the rage in Aubrey's eyes. "I'm trying to apologize for my part in all this. What I did was wrong." Turning back to Jessica, she continued to plead her side. "Damn it, Jessica. I didn't want Gerald to hurt you! Why are you making this so hard?"

"Because while I think you do feel guilty, you don't want to fully acknowledge what happened because you're afraid to." Jessica took a deep breath. "I was sexually harassed, Karen, multiple times by that narcissistic animal so he could intimidate me into having sex with him. It would have probably ended with him just threatening my internship and him losing his. However, because of your lies, he and later his father not only threatened my job and future career, but they also went after the lab...my invalid father...my family's livelihood...and Aubrey's career just because he stood by me!"

Karen could see the devastation on the young woman's face and worked to make her understand. "I feel...terrible, Jessica. I didn't mean for all that to happen…"

"Because of your lies and vindictiveness about not winning Aubrey as a grand prize, Gerald not only tried to rape me, but he also urinated on me and tried to strangle me to death!", Jessica screamed. "Every night in my sleep, I relieve what happened but it's always worse because no one is there to save me. I'm afraid of my own shadow, you bitch! The lab was my home away from home...I've always felt safe there...and you took that away from me! You! Even more, you can't even say the fucking words! You just can't say them, can you?"

Karen could only stare as the young woman let loose on her. "I know you're upset..."

"You're damn right I'm upset, because it's becoming clear to me that you're here not to make amends but to clear your damn conscience. You don't want to say the words because not only will you finally have to acknowledge how cruel and petty you were, but also that you and Aubrey were never going to be and that pissed you off. You're pathetic!"

Karen finally blew. "FINE! YOU WANT TO HEAR IT! FINE! I'M FUCKING SORRY. I'M SORRY FOR TELLING GERALD ALL THAT STUFF. I'M SORRY THAT I WAS INTERESTED IN A MAN WHO DIDN'T WANT ME! I'M SORRY FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU SUNDAY! I'M SORRY! I JUST WANTED AUBREY TO LOVE ME INSTEAD OF YOU! I JUST WANTED YOU TO LEAVE AUBREY ALONE SO I COULD BE WITH HIM! I JUST WANTED YOU GONE BECAUSE I HATED YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING WHAT I COULD NEVER HAVE!"

Tears began to fall from the profiler's face as she was emotionally spent at admitting the truth. "I'm sorry…I'm sorry for...everything..."

"Karen, just go…", Jessica said before collapsing in the chair.

"I'm sorry, Jessica…please don't..."

Aubrey decided that he'd had enough. "Jessica asked you to leave, and now I'm telling you to get out of my house. I'll even walk you to your vehicle."

"But…" Karen didn't speak as the agent pulled her by her arm out the door and walked her to her vehicle. As she opened the driver's side door, the agent shut it again. "Aubrey, I'm leaving…"

"I have something to say first." Aubrey got quiet, scaring the profiler with his usually friendly blue eyes turning cold and calculating. "No matter how much you profess it, you came here to ease your conscience, not to apologize to my girlfriend. Now, you will never come here again, because if you do, I'll charge you with trespassing."

"I won't, Aubrey."

"Good. Also, I'm putting you on notice that I'm going to do everything I can to make sure you are out of the FBI permanently."

She had been scared about what would happen tomorrow, but now she was terrified at losing the one thing she would have left. "Aubrey…"

"I was the one you were angry at, Karen. I can take anything you throw at me, but you made it personal by going after Jessica. She did nothing to you but try to be your friend when you came back from Kansas City last summer, and you threw it in her face. Then, you tried humiliating her by lying about you and me at her work. When that didn't work, you tried undermining her and when even that didn't work, you planted several nasty bugs in Gerald and Harold Maxwells' ears."

"I just wanted her fired from the lab, Aubrey."

Aubrey gave a sardonic laugh. "You know, I believe you. I really do, because it's obvious now to me that contrary to your declarations of love and friendship for me, you think so little of me."

"Aubrey, you're wrong…"

"No, I'm not, Karen." Aubrey said calmly. "You talk a good game, but you consider me little more than some fickle jackass that would just forget Jessica like that because she wasn't working with me and that I would be content with your empty, deceitful comfort. I blame myself for all this."

"What happened to Jessica wasn't your fault, Aubrey…"

"Yes, it is. Instead of listening to Jessica when she tried to talk to me honestly after we broke up, I listened to you and let you convince me that she was just being stubborn about not taking me back. I let you stroke my ego because it made me feel better. I was so caught up in my pain after she dumped me that I didn't pay attention to how you were trying to undermine her and drive her away from me."

Karen got the shivers at the agent's quiet tone of voice. "Aubrey…"

"I was selfish and led you on because I wanted comfort...that's all on me and I've admitted that freely. I've lost count on how many times I've told you about how sorry I was for my self centered behavior. Jessica didn't make me do that...I did it, Karen. I was the bastard that hurt you. Why didn't you come after me?!"

"But Aubrey-"

"DON'T 'BUT AUBREY' ME!", the agent roared, not caring if his neighbors heard or saw him. "I let myself feel sorry for you...I let you guilt me into giving you...almost free rein to take your anger with me out on Jessica. If you really cared about me, why would you hurt me like that?"

"I-I…"

"DON'T YOU SEE THE PAIN JESSICA IS IN?! YOU CAUSED THAT WITH YOUR VINDICTIVENESS AND ANGER!" Aubrey gestured towards the house. "Emotionally, she's all over the place...I can't even touch her because she's reminded of him...touching her. I can see it in her eyes. I'm afraid of saying the wrong thing to her...she barely sleeps unless medicated, she barely eats...she's scared of everything. What makes it worse is there's nothing that I can do to help her but hold her hand and tell her everything is going to be alright, but I don't know if it ever will be."

"I know…"

"You know? Yeah, you would because you started this shitstorm because I wouldn't fuck you and become your prize." , Aubrey said with quiet anger. "Physically, Jessica's bruises will heal...her ribs will heal...her throat won't be swollen from her attempted strangulation. Mentally and emotionally...I don't know."

Karen felt sick at Aubrey's open pain. "I'm sorry…for both of you."

"You can shove your 'sorries' and your condolences." Aubrey ignored the contriteness on the profiler's face. "Congratulations, Karen, you broke me, too, but you know what? I'm not going to let you destroy Jess and me. I don't care if I have to wait 50 years for her to recover. We're going to struggle and it's probably going to get worse before it gets better, but I'll be there for her as long as it takes for her to recover from what happened to her. You...will never win."

Seeing that he got his point across, Aubrey pointed to her vehicle. "Now get in this SUV, and get the fuck off my property. Then, get ready to fight because I'm going to rain hell down on you like you did to Jessica. You...will...never...get away with this. I promise you that. I'll see you tomorrow at 2:00."

Karen scurried to get in as Aubrey stormed back into the house. Starting the SUV, she hit the gas as she hurried away from the house. As she drove home, she realized for the first time that she was truly scared of James Aubrey.

Aubrey watched her go. He counted to ten before going back into the house. After shutting the door, his heart broke when he saw Jessica sitting in the chair, shivering as she cried. He rushed over to her and took her hand, sad when she jumped.

"Jess, I'm sorry for all that."

"It's all right." Jessica wiped her eyes. "Is she gone?"

"Yeah, Karen's gone."

"Good.", Jessica said before turning to her boyfriend. "I'm sorry I was screaming like a banshee."

"Jess, if anyone has a right to scream, it's you." Aubrey squeezed her hand and was relieved when she didn't flinch this time. "I'm sorry that she came over here. I'm not sure what possessed her…"

"She's scared, Aubrey.", Jessica replied plainly. "She knows what she did and it hurts to acknowledge what she did because she has to really see inside herself and who she is. What she is finding must terrify the hell out of her."

"Still doesn't make it right."

"No, it doesn't. Hopefully, she'll get what's coming to her. Perhaps Gerald will get the same."

"He will, Jessica." Aubrey moved to reassure her. "Gerald Maxwell will pay for what he did to you and everyone at the lab. He'll pay for what he did to those other interns, and any other women he has victimized. So will Karen."

Jessica could see the guilt in Aubrey's eyes and she couldn't deal with it right then. "Can I be alone, please? I just need some...quiet and...to be alone."

Aubrey felt rejected again but pushed his feelings down. 'Quit feeling sorry for yourself, asshole.' Standing up, he forced a smile. "Sure. Um, what do you want for dinner? Is your stomach still sensitive with the Norco?"

"Yeah, but not as bad. Maybe some tomato basil soup? I have a recipe if you don't mind making it. It's pretty easy but just hold the crushed red peppers, okay?"

"Sure. I can do that.", Aubrey said. "Is it on your Pinterest?"

"Yeah, go into my Recipes board."

"Okay, I'll give you some chill out time and I'll see what have. If I have to run to the store, are you doing to be alright?"

"Aubrey, I'm not a child. I can sit in my chair like a good girl until you get back!"

"Of course...sorry." Aubrey walked away into the kitchen. After checking his phone, he made a list and grabbed his coat. "Okay, should be back in about 30 minutes."

Barely holding herself together, Jessica nodded. "Okay."

Aubrey got to the door and turned around. "I love you, Jessica."

Tears formed in her eyes as she saw her boyfriend. "I love you, too, James."

Aubrey closed and locked the door. Driving away, he got as far as the playground. Pulling in, he was grateful to not see any children. Shutting the motor off, he beat the steering wheel before he broke down in tears.

'I want to help Jess, but I'm failing…'

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

Two hours later, the couple sat down to dinner at the table. Nearby, a container of croutons made with Mr. Leonelli's homemade multigrain muffins sat by Jessica as the two were quietly eating their tomato basil soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Aubrey sipped his Coke and knew he couldn't hold it off any longer. "Jess, um...tomorrow is Karen's disciplinary hearing at the Hoover."

"Ah...that explains her need to come over and see me today." Jessica sipped the rich liquid. "While there is true regret, she's also covering her ass."

"Yeah." Aubrey drank from his glass again. "Um, the board has asked you to come and speak. I told the clerk that it wasn't necessary, but they wouldn't budge."

Surprised, Jessica looked up. "Why would you say that, Aubrey?"

"Because you being there is not necessary. Karen is going to get what's coming to her. You've been through enough, Jess."

"Yes I have, but I disagree with you on whether I'm needed to be there. I want to go, Aubrey."

"Jess, you're still recovering-"

"Damn it, Aubrey!" Jessica slammed down her spoon. "I'm not helpless, all right!"

Aubrey took a deep breath before responding. "I know you're not. I just think you've been through enough this week, that's all. You're also recovering-"

"You sound like a broken record, Aubrey. I know I'm still recovering because I'm still sore, but it's getting easier to walk and it's getting easier to take a deep breath. Quit treating me like a child."

"Well, I'm sorry for being concerned about your fucking welfare, Jessica.", Aubrey muttered before going back to his dinner.

Jessica silently stewed before she started eating again.

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

Friday morning came and both were still on edge from the day before. After dinner the night before, the two had barely spoken the rest of the night as conversation was limited to Aubrey giving Jessica her last Norco and helping her with her breathing exercises.

Finally it was time to leave for the hearing. Not sure of what to expect with the Inauguration, the couple left at 12:45 and both weren't surprised to see the sparse amount of people who came out to celebrate the new President of the United States. Maneuvering through the detours from the parade earlier, Aubrey pulled into the Hoover garage and parked in his spot.

After turning off the engine, the agent turned to his girlfriend, who had been silent for the entire ride. "Would you like me to get you a catnip tea while we're waiting for the hearing? We're about 30 minutes early."

"That would be nice, thank you."

Aubrey waited for Jessica to get out with the intent of walking her to his office first, but was surprised to see her heading for the cart outside the Hoover. "Jess, where are you going?"

"The coffee cart, Aubrey.", Jessica replied. "I'm thinking about getting a muffin depending on what kinds might be left because of the Inauguration crowd earlier."

"Jess, you shouldn't be…" When he saw the redhead's face, he followed her out. "Fine, let's go. Then you can rest in my office while we wait."

"I'm not an invalid, Aubrey."

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

At 2:00, all hearing attendees, including Booth, Brennan, Genny, Steve, and Caroline were situated in one of the hearing rooms. After a brief announcement on the hearing for the stenographer, the agent in charge of the committee began. Their first witness was Dr. Brennan.

"So, she said these things freely and in a public setting?", the director asked.

"Yes." Brennan clasped her hands in her lap. "We could hear her making very indecorous remarks about her alleged sexual activity with Agent Aubrey, which turned out to be lies designed to provoke my intern into a negative reaction. However, Ms. Warren remained calm and collected as Dr. Delfs grew more crude in her lies. When my intern asked Dr. Delfs to leave the lab, she grabbed the young woman's arm and declared, quote, " You listen to me, little girl. Aubrey is mine now. You can't have him, do you hear me? If you keep trying to interfere, you'll regret it."

"That incident is what led to Dr. Hodgins banning Dr. Delfs from the Jeffersonian Medico Legal Lab, correct?"

"Yes, Agent. This policy will also continue with Dr. Saroyan's return from sabbatical on March 1st of this year. Dr. Delfs in a disruptive presence. As a teaching facility, it is imperative that our students learn in an environment that is not full of chaos. As a federal facility contracted to process evidence for the FBI, all divisions of Homeland Security, and also some foreign governments, we can't risk her possibly losing her temper next time and damaging equipment that could taint evidence...or compromising the safety of our employees, interns included."

"Thank you, Dr. Brennan."

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

"When I received the phone call from Agent Aubrey, I was very upset to say the least.", Jake Tanner stated. "I do appreciate that he tried to solve it on his own, but he did the right thing in bringing Dr. Delfs' behavior to my attention when it went beyond his control."

"What is your opinion of Dr. Delf's value in the BRIU?", the committee director asked.

"I value her skills highly, ma'am. She is very gifted in getting into the mindset of an UNSUB and her abilities has assisted in many cases, particularly in murder cases with law enforcement. However, she is aware of her gifts and can have an inflated sense of self at times, to the detriment of other agents and profilers."

"What do you think should be the committee's verdict for her actions?"

"I've already put her on an unpaid suspension pending this committee's final decision. I would have her remain in this status for at least 30 days. The anger management seminar she attended on Deputy Director Stark's orders after her altercation with Agent Bower's wife last month seems not to have helped, so I would recommend weekly anger management classes with a return only on the instructor's recommendation, as well as a judgement call from Dr. Blair." Jake sipped from his bottle of water. "I don't want to lose her, but I also can't have a profiler working within the BRIU who does what Dr. Delfs has done with no consequences for her actions. It not only sets a bad example, but it also gives the message that harassment and abuse is tolerated in the FBI, and it's not. No, she didn't commit a crime, but what she did put a black eye on the BRIU, and I won't tolerate that lack of professionalism in my department."

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

"Why did you not report this behavior as soon as it happened, Agent Aubrey.", another agent on the committee asked. "The FBI has a zero tolerance policy on sexual harassment."

"I know they do." Aubrey nodded. "But...I felt like I owed Karen for being a friend to me after I broke up with Ms. Warren. I was...devastated and Karen was understanding. To get a person in trouble who had been a friend to me when I needed one...simply because I...had been a jerk who'd used her...well, it just felt wrong."

"Very admirable, Agent Aubrey, but perhaps if you had reported the inappropriate behavior last fall, perhaps the events of January 15th could have been avoided."

Aubrey pointed to Karen without looking at her. "Karen was angry enough to continue her crap after I had warned her twice to leave my girlfriend alone, and I don't think a note in her jacket would have stopped her from going to Gerald Maxwell with her crazy scheme. Yeah, maybe I shouldn't have been as forgiving as I had been. However, Dr. Delfs should have been an adult, accepting that I was not interested in a personal relationship with her, and then moving on. She made the decision to set these events in motion and she needs to deal with the repercussions. In my opinion, she needs to be fired from the Bureau so she doesn't do this to someone else."

When he heard a sniffle from his right, he saw Karen holding back tears. "Drop the crocodile tears, Karen. You don't get a free pass for what you started just because you have some remorse-"

"Agent Aubrey, do not address Dr. Delfs."

"Why not?", Aubrey asked angrily. "She's the one who put a bug in Gerald Maxwell's ear to push him towards getting my girlfriend fired from the Jeffersonian. Of course, she didn't think past how she would benefit from his actions. She set a chain of events in motion by her pettiness and anger that's affected people not only here, but at the lab as well. She's a cancer on the Bureau and she needs to be fired and also out of psychology. She can't be allowed to hurt others like she hurt Jessica."

"Thank you, Agent Aubrey.", the director stated. "I think we should hear from Ms. Warren."

Getting up slowly, Jessica walked up to the table, where she gave Aubrey a faint smile before sitting down.

"Ms. Warren, do you think Dr. Delfs intended for you to be assaulted and almost murdered last Sunday at the lab?"

Jessica took a breath. "I think she was pissed that Aubrey loved me instead of her, but it was easier to take her anger out on me. However, my instincts tell me that she didn't want me hurt, just out of Aubrey's orbit, which she would get by me leaving DC."

"Agent Aubrey thinks Dr. Delfs should be fired from the Jeffersonian. What are your thoughts on this? What do you think should happen to her?"

Jessica had spent half the night debating on what to say if that question was asked to her. She knew Aubrey's thoughts and feelings, but she had her own. As much as she loved her Superman, she had to do what was right for her.

"I feel that she needs to face the consequences of what she's done. Her anger led her to start something that grew out of her control. To make things worse, she lied about what happened for almost three months, including to a federal agent, and that's is just not acceptable to me." Jessica wiped her eyes as a tear fell. "I'm...angry...scared...frustrated...but ruining Karen's life isn't going to make me feel better or make things better for me. The only way I'll have that is with Gerald Maxwell going to prison for what he's done."

"You haven't answered my questions, Ms. Warren."

"I am answering your question, Agent." Jessica opened one of the small bottles of water and drank, her nerves getting the best of her. "She needs to be punished for what she's done. While my boyfriend feels she needs to be fired, I disagree. My personal feelings aside, Karen Delfs is an asset to the FBI and she should remain in its employ."

Aubrey's eyes grew large, as did Brennan, Booth, and the others permitted to attend the hearing. 'Jessica, what the fuck are you doing?!'

Jessica sipped her water one more time. "I feel that Agent Tanner's suggestions of a minimum of 30 days suspension with counseling will best serve the Bureau. She's already banned from Major Crimes cases and that should continue. Perhaps also a transfer somewhere where she can get her head on straight wouldn't hurt, either."

Aubrey felt anger bubbling at the surface. What the hell was his girlfriend thinking? She wanted Karen to get away with what happened to her?

"Thank you, Ms. Warren.", the chairperson said. "We will now convene and call everyone back when we make our decision."

Jessica got up and turned to see her boyfriend looking upset. "Aubrey…"

"Jess, what the hell are you thinking? Karen is going to get away with what she did. Why did you recommend she not be fired?"

"Because it won't help me, Aubrey. I'm doing what's right for me, not to satisfy your need for revenge.", the redhead spit back bitterly.

Seeing the tension between the two, Brennan stepped forward. "Ms. Warren, is it still all right for me to bring the children over tonight to see you?"

Putting a smile on her face, Jessica faced her mentor. "Yes, that sounds great. Daisy was going to come over tonight to hang out…"

"I didn't know that.", Aubrey sputtered. "Should you be entertaining while you're recovering?"

The redhead looked at Aubrey. "We planned it last weekend, Aubrey. Daisy needs some girl time and I'll be resting for tomorrow. She's going to be over about 8:30 tonight because she's working late at the NFL."

"I just think that you need to rest-"

"Aubrey, my friend is coming over tonight. If she drives you nuts, leave.", Jessica said in a matter of fact tone.

"How about we head to the diner for some coffee, huh?". Booth said. "It's going to be busy but it's after 3:00, so we may get lucky."

"Yeah, sure., Aubrey said before leading the way, followed by an irritated Jessica.

"This should be interesting, Bones.", Booth muttered as he led his wife behind the first couple.

"Indeed, Booth."

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

Forty five minutes later, everyone converged into the hearing room. Both couples sat in the front row as everyone else got situated.

"Less than 30 minutes...that didn't take very long.", Booth remarked. "We barely had time to get our coffee to go."

"What do you think that means, Booth?", Brennan asked.

"They better not let her get away with a slap on the wrist.", Aubrey muttered.

"Aubrey, something tells me that they won't if they took less than 30 minutes to come to a decision about Karen.," Booth said diplomatically.

The agents on the panel entered the room and sat down. The chairwoman moved her microphone and looked at Karen, who was sitting at her table, full of nerves.

"Dr. Delfs, your actions disgust me. You let anger and jealousy over a man push you to use your education and position with the intent of ruining a young woman's career before it began. While you didn't expect the result of multiple people injured and a forensic anthropology intern to be terrorized, it happened. I do believe your remorse is genuine, but you can't unring the bell."

Karen gulped as she listened quietly.

"Should Agent Aubrey have come forward sooner? Yes. Would it have been better for Ms. Warren to file a report back in October after your confrontation at the lab? Yes. However, in the end, the only person responsible for setting these events in motion was you, Dr. Delfs. You've committed no crime, but you were thoughtless and cruel and you have to answer for that. The committee has decided on the following punishment."

The committee director opened a file and read its contents. "Your suspension will continue and you will remain on an unpaid suspension for a total of 90 days. You may work elsewhere during that time, but you are banned from any position connected to the FBI or federal government. You will take 8 weeks of anger management classes at Quantico as well as as have weekly sessions with Dr. Blair. At the end of your 90 day suspension, Dr. Blair will give her final recommendation on whether you are qualified to return to full duty in the BRIU. All your security clearances will be on hold while you are on suspension, to be returned based on your evaluation with our psychologist."

The director looked up from her file to the profiler. "Last but not least, upon your return to full duty in April if cleared, you will also be transferred to another field office to be determined in 90 days for a minimum of one year. You are also not eligible for any promotions for a minimum of 10 years. Do you have any questions?"

Karen barely held back the tears. "Can I ever work in DC again?"

"That will be up to Jake Tanner and whomever the Special Agent is Charge in at the field office you are transferred to."

The profiler nodded. "Thank you for not firing me, Agent."

"Don't thank us, Dr. Delfs. It was Ms. Warren's testimony that saved your career with the Bureau. I hope you take this 90 days to re-evaluate your priorities and future conduct. I think I speak for everyone up here when I say that the next time you face a panel you will no longer be with the Bureau. This hearing is adjourned."

Karen waited before approaching Jessica and Aubrey, who were talking to Booth and Brennan. "Jessica, I want to say thank you for...what you said. I know that I didn't deserve it."

Jessica was having difficulty with her coat, so Aubrey silently helped her. "No, you didn't. You being fired would make me feel better for about 30 seconds but it doesn't change what has happened with Gerald. However, you have no friends, no boyfriend, no...anything. Maybe saving your career will be the first step in you figuring out what the hell to do with your life. Now, please get out of my way."

Karen turned and walked out of the room. The foursome grabbed the rest of their things and walked out into the hallway.

"So we'll give the kids an early dinner at the diner and be over at your house say...7:00?", Booth suggested. "Does that work?"

"Yeah, that's fine.", Aubrey said, holding back his irritation.

"We'll see you in a couple of hours then, Aubrey. Ms. Warren, Christine made you something also to give you."

"I can't wait to see it.", Jessica replied quietly.

The couples separated and each headed to their vehicles. For Aubrey and Jessica, the drive home was silent, each unsure of what to say. When they got home, the agent fed the cat as Jessica went to the fridge for a bottle of water. She watched as Aubrey straightened up before opening the refrigerator and grabbing a beer.

"Are you good with me just ordering a pizza tonight for dinner?"

"Fine." Jessica observed Aubrey putting dishes away without saying a word. "Are you going to talk to me at some point, Aubrey or just continue ignoring me?"

"There's nothing for me to say, Jess. You felt sorry for Karen and said what you felt was right. I've always respected your opinion and independence and I don't plan on changing that."

"But you're pissed because you wanted her fired."

"She didn't deserve your mercy. The bitch needed to learn a lesson.", Aubrey said quietly before turning around to face his girlfriend.

Jessica grew cold at the hardness in his eyes. "Well, she's going to get one, Aubrey. You're just going to have to figure out another way to deal with your anger at her."

Aubrey stood, unable to avoid a fight now. "Why the hell did you do it, Jessica? Why?"

"The only person who would truly benefit from Karen being fired would be you, Aubrey so you could feel better."

"What the fuck does that mean?" Aubrey asked quietly.

"It means that if anyone should have a say in what happened to her, it was me. I didn't want to drag this out. I wanted it dealt with and I'm satisfied. I'm sorry that you're not, but I need you to stand by and support me right now, not brood when you don't get your own way. Stop thinking about yourself and think about me."

Fed up, Aubrey slammed the dishwasher shut, startling his girlfriend. "Not think of you? For the last five days now, I've put up with you taking all of your anger and frustrations about what happened to you out on me! Every time I try to help you, you bite back. You just want to read every night instead of having a damn conversation with me! I've been nothing but patient and understanding with you but I'm tired of being your bitch, Jessica!"

Jessica was stunned as Aubrey's emotional barrage continued.

"I'm sorry that I forced you to follow doctor's orders with breathing exercises every hour. I'm sorry that you're stuck in a damn recliner for a week. I'm sorry that you were assaulted and harassed by some narcissistic bastard, but I didn't do it! Just once this week I would have liked you to be nice to me instead of taking all of your shit out on me! Is that so hard for you to do? Be grateful for one thing I've done for you this week instead of yelling at me? I mean, how much more do I have to put up with from you until you see that I'm not the one who hurt you!"

Jessica couldn't talk as the anger in his voice was as hard as his eyes before she cracked and the tears fell down. Needing an escape, she turned her back on Aubrey and rushed to the bathroom holding her ribs. Inside, she slammed the door shut and slid to the floor, purging herself of tears, the pain of her ribs all but forgotten as she cried.

Aubrey snapped out of his anger and cursed himself for spewing venom. Following his girlfriend to the door, he heard her crying loudly and tried to open it, only to find it locked. Frantically, the agent knocked on the door. "Jessica...Jessica...please open the door…"

Inside the bathroom, the redhead continued to cry as Aubrey could be heard on the other side. "Jess, honey, please...I'm sorry for what I said to you...I'm so sorry for being that way...I didn't mean it...please open the door so we can talk."

Outside, Aubrey knocked again. "Jess, please open the door…"

"No! Go away..."

Aubrey leaned against the door, truly scared for what would happen next. "Jessica...please come out so we can talk."

"Leave me alone...please…"

Reluctantly, he walked away and sat in the kitchen, waiting for her to come out. When she didn't emerge after 30 minutes, Aubrey did the only thing he could do and dialed a number on his phone. "Dr. B...it's Aubrey. I know you two are feeding the kids, but can you come over as soon as you can?"

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

Thirty minutes later, Aubrey heard the doorbell and ran to answer it. "Thanks for coming, Dr. B. She won't come out and I'm getting scared."

"Of course, Aubrey. You were very vague on the phone. What caused Ms. Warren to get upset to the point she locked herself in the bathroom?"

Aubrey hung his head. "We...fought about Karen...which lead to us just...spewing out our feelings, and it wasn't very nice."

Brennan was very concerned. "Booth is in the vehicle with the kids. We've decided to take them to Hodgins and Angela's for a sleepover tonight. Go with him to drop them off and I'll talk to Ms. Warren, all right?"

Aubrey barely held back his tears. "Okay...I just want her to come out…"

Brennan waited until Aubrey put his coat on and left before knocking on the bathroom door. "Ms. Warren...Jessica, it's Dr. Brennan. Aubrey's with Booth and the kids. Can I come in?"

There was silence for a few seconds before there was a click on the door. Opening it, the anthropologist saw her intern with her head in her lap hugging her legs. She was shaking and looked absolutely terrified. Bending down until she was eye level, Brennan followed her instinct and gently rubbed the redhead's shoulder.

"Aubrey called you, didn't he?"

"Yes, he did, Ms. Warren. He was scared when you wouldn't come out of here. What can I do to help you?"

Jessica didn't look up. "I don't know if anyone can help me. I'm afraid to be alone but being around Aubrey hurts, too. I can't do anything right...I'm always mean to him…he's probably afraid to touch me since I let another man do it...Aubrey won't love me anymore now...he was so angry earlier...he hates me…"

Pulling her phone out of her pocket, Brennan sent a message. When done, she put her plan into action. "Ms. Warren, I think you should stay with me tonight. We had to be up early to meet for the March anyway, so this will just save us both some time. I think it will help you...maybe we can even talk for a while. Would you like that?"

'I'm so sorry, Aubrey…' Jessica thought before answering. "Yes."

"Okay, let's get your necessities together and we'll take your vehicle over there since Booth dropped me off here."

"What about Aubrey? He's going to be worried...at least I hope...when he comes home and I'm not here."

"I've already let Booth know. I think Aubrey would probably like to talk to him for a while after Hank and Christine are at Angela and Hodgins' house. With both of your tempers frayed, I think some time apart would be best."

Jessica nodded and after gathering some things and pain pills together, Brennan drove Jessica's Jeep back to McLean. As they entered the Mighty Hut II, the redhead realized something.

"Shit, Dr. B, Daisy was supposed to come over tonight, but I just...I don't want to hear about Oliver right now...I can't…"

"Don't feel guilty, Ms. Warren. Just let her know that you are unable to keep your plans and we'll see Daisy tomorrow morning. Why are you still worried about her and Dr. Wells?"

Not wanting to break a confidence, Jessica thought quickly. "She's scared he's going to die."

"Understandable, but he woke up yesterday and so far he is improving beyond what the doctors expected with his injuries." Brennan put the electric kettle on for tea. "She should be getting ready for when Beau and her son come home from Canada Sunday."

"Yeah. Is it okay if I take a shower?" , Jessica asked meekly. "Today is the first day I've been able to stand more than ten seconds and I missed them very much. I'm sick of baths."

"Of course. I'll get you some towels while you get settled in."

"Thank you."

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

When Jessica emerged in her pajamas and her hair wet a short time later, Brennan was putting two bowls on the center island. "I had some leftover cream of potato soup and heated it for us for dinner tonight."

"Dr. B, I'm so sorry I took you away from dinner."

Setting a cup of chamomile tea next to Jessica bowl, Brennan shook her head. "It's all right, Ms. Warren. Now, come and eat."

Jessica sat down and grabbed a spoon. "I'm not very hungry, Dr. B, but I'll eat some."

"Thank you." Brennan joined her at the center island. After a few minutes of silence, the anthropologist began to speak. "After my father died, Booth and I were...both in a bad place. I was sad as I had lost my father and felt guilty for not accepting him back in my life right away, and Booth blamed himself for what happened to him because of his past association with Radik."

"It was a hard time for you, Dr. B."

"Yes, it was." Brennan sipped her soup. "I had so many feelings and...I couldn't talk to Booth because every time I saw him, I could see the guilt in his eyes. I just...I couldn't handle it. I was barely holding it together myself for my children. I couldn't take on Booth's pain on top of it."

Her mentor's words hitting close to home, Jessica stared in her soup bowl. "How did you...how did you and Booth work it out?"

"I talked to my former lover Sully...Tim Sullivan while Booth and Aubrey were up in Canada." Brennan put her spoon down. "I felt like I was betraying my husband at first because why was it I could talk to Sully, but not Booth? Then I realized that it was because I didn't see the guilt in his eyes. Once I was alone and could process my feelings, I was better able to understand where Booth was coming from. It was not his fault that Radik sent...assassins to murder my children. My father died because he was protecting them. By the time Booth and Aubrey returned, I was able to talk to Booth. He told me later that the time away helped him, too."

"I'm sorry I couldn't go to the funeral, Dr. B."

"Ms. Warren, you had food poisoning and it was understandable that Aubrey attended alone for that reason."

"We said some really mean things to each other earlier. I've been mean to him all week and I don't know why."

"Ms. Warren, you were the victim of an attempted murder and sexual assault. You're blaming yourself for what happened when you did nothing wrong. You also have a lot of...feelings that are hard to process. The fact that the center of your pain is in jail makes it difficult, so you relieve that pain onto the nearest person because you know deep down he'll always be there."

"Aubrey blames himself for what Karen did, but he didn't push her to mess with Gerald. He didn't want to be with her. He could have slept with her while we were apart as a rebound, but he was a gentleman. He went out of his way to be forgiving because he unintentionally took advantage of her and felt he owed her for that. Aubrey wouldn't be Aubrey if he didn't. I just...can't help him right now and I put a big hole in his track to move on by not supporting his stance today with Karen."

"Ms. Warren, Aubrey knows that you love him. Being angry at Karen is his way of finding justice for you and it helps him deal with his undeserved guilt. It's also obvious, even to me, that he at a loss on how to help you move forward. When he sees you suffer, he suffers as well, because he loves you. He will see in time that vengeance against Karen won't solve the problem...or help his pain. Just like you will see in time that what happened to you doesn't change how Aubrey feels about you. With time, understanding, and honest communication, you two will find a way past this...hurdle."

"Are you saying that Aubrey and I will eventually be okay?"

Brennan nodded. "Yes, I am, Ms. Warren. You can't change what happened to either of you, and that includes the words you two spoke in anger. However, you can help each other move forward because that's what a real friendship does. Perhaps tomorrow will be good for both of you."

"I hope so, Dr. B." Jessica stirred around her soup. "I really hope so."

"Good." Brennan said as Jessica's phone buzzed. When she picked it up, she didn't miss the intern's look of surprise. "Ms. Warren, what's wrong?"

"Oh shit, I forgot to call Daisy before I got in the shower. She's at the house right now and there's no one there. Crap…I want company, but I...just want yours, Dr. B."

"Then just let her know that something came up and you'll see her tomorrow."

Jessica quickly sent a text and set her phone down. "She was supposed to go see Oliver today and I just don't...care. Is that bad?"

"No, Ms. Warren. I think you have enough going on right now and that's alright. I'm sure that what Dr. Wick has going on will keep until tomorrow."

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

At Aubrey's house, Daisy finished reading the vague text message Jessica just sent.

So sorry...something came up earlier. Will reschedule 4 Sunday if interested. C u tmrw.

Daisy stormed over to her vehicle and drove away. After driving aimlessly for several minutes, her phone rang and the caller ID on her Navigator showed it was Beau. "I can't talk to him right now...I just can't…"