So Aubrey and Jessica are finally on the same page, but some of our other characters still seem to be having some issues. Maybe they need some advice from our happy couple...
This chapter is safe for reading at work...
Smiling to herself as she arrived to work the next morning, Jessica thought about the past weekend as she opened her locker. It had been wonderful...the first of many weekends together living in the same house. Granted, they wouldn't all be as exciting, but just being with Aubrey was something to look forward to. Even though she'd only left him a few hours ago, she couldn't wait to see him at lunch that afternoon.
As she buttoned her lab coat, she paused momentarily, wondering why she felt so happy. She had spent the last few months staying with Aubrey, first as he healed from his injuries, and then as she healed from hers. There were no major differences now, save for changing her address at the DMV, the post office, and for her online bills. They were still sharing a bed...sharing meals together...even sharing Skinner responsibilities….so why should this morning be different from any other morning?
"Maybe because now I'm sure of what I want.", she mumbled to herself. "I know what I want...and what James wants...and I've never felt better about things in my life…"
She hummed a happy tune as she walked towards the lab entrance, so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't see the woman ahead of her until she bumped into her. "Oh, I'm so sorry...Ashley? I'm so glad to see you! Welcome back. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine…", the young woman said shyly. "I'm excited to get back to work…"
It was apparent to Jessica that Ashley wasn't telling the truth about how she felt...that she was still very frightened. Not wanting to cause any more her any more distress, she spoke to her fellow intern in a calm, quiet voice. "Listen, I know it's weird, being back here after everything that's happened, but there's no rush, okay? Just take it slow, and be honest with Dr. Hodgins. Tell him if you're still feeling on edge, and I'm sure he can make allowances…"
"I don't want people to make allowances for me any longer!", Ashley said ferociously. "I'm tired of everyone treating me like some delicate porcelain doll. I just want to live my life on my own terms again…"
Understanding how Ashley felt, Jessica nodded sympathetically. "I completely get that. I felt the same way on my first day back here last week. Dr. B and Dr. Hodgins gave me a quiet day to work alone and at first I was really mad about being treated differently, but now I'm glad they did, because it made it easier to get back into my routines without worrying about everyone else."
"I'm sorry, Jessica. I don't mean to take out my frustrations on you." Sobbing quietly, Ashley dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. "None of this is your fault, and you did try to warn me about Gerald. I was just too stupid to listen to you...and now look at me. I'm a failure…a stupid failure...my family doesn't understand why I fell for Gerald's lies and let him hurt me. I think they're blaming me for everything that happened..."
"You are not a failure! Don't talk about yourself that way, Ashley." Jessica put her hand on Ashley's shoulder, hoping to offer some comfort. "Gerald traumatized you physically and emotionally, calling his abuse love when instead it was actually his way of exercising power and control over you. My God, he tried to kill you to steal your badge so he could cover his tracks. What that bastard did to you is not your fault…"
Ashley wiped a tear from her eye. "But I should've known better than to fall for someone like that…I mean, a guy like him wanting to be with someone like me…"
"Ashley, quit putting yourself down like that. There's nothing wrong with you, and if your family is blaming you for Gerald's violence and attempt to kill you, then they're the failures, not you."
"Fine, but maybe if I had looked past the charm and flattery...if I'd only thought things through after that day at Le Diplomate back in December, or even that day I confronted you in Angela's office, things might've been different for you, too… and especially for Oliver..."
"Ashley, I don't blame you for Gerald's attempt to sexually assault me, okay? As for Oliver Wells, he may be a pompous ass, but he's also a very logical person. I'm sure he doesn't blame you, either. Gerald Maxwell was the one who made those terrible choices and he's the one to blame."
"I know, but…", Ashley sputtered before breaking down. "…if I had only left the first time he hurt me...he really hurt me...I always thought I was smarter than that..."
Jessica's heart broke for the weeping woman standing in front of her. She did the only thing she could think of to do, and gave her a hug. "I know it was horrible, Ashley, but domestic violence can happen to anyone. He hurt you, but you survived to move forward with your life while he's spending the rest of his life in prison. Everything that happened to you was out of your control, and you shouldn't have to deal with it alone. Have you talked to anyone about it? I'll be glad to listen, if you need someone…"
"You'd do that for me?" Ashley moved out of Jessica's arms and wiped her eyes, unable to believe what she was hearing. "After everything that's happened and with all those mean things I said to you? Really?"
Jessica smiled, grateful that the entomology intern was not beating herself up anymore. "Yes...if that's what you want. Of course, I'm not a professional, but I know what it feels like to be in your situation. I've had my friends to lean on for support, but most of all, I've been lucky because I've had Aubrey on my side. He's been my rock throughout all this, even at my worst times after what Gerald did to me. I want to help you like they've helped me."
Glancing at her phone to check the time, Jessica made a decision before sending a quick text to Aubrey. "I tell you what...let's have lunch together today at the diner, okay? We have a lot to discuss, and I also think I may know of an apartment you can move into almost immediately…"
"Okay...that sounds great." Wiping away the rest of her tears, Ashley sighed heavily. "Thanks, Jessica…it means a lot to me."
"No problem. I'll talk to you later. I've got to be going...Dr. B doesn't like me to be late. See you later."
Waving as she left Ashley, Jessica nodded in satisfaction. Helping her fellow intern get over what Gerald had done would be good for both of them and perhaps she could get past whatever blame her relatives are heaping on her. 'What kind of family blames a young woman for an abusive boyfriend and for almost being murdered?'
Suddenly, she realized her mother hadn't called her or checked in with her since the news of her assault had become public. 'Obviously, she blames me for making her look bad or maybe she's off her meds again. Either way, I don't give a shit...what happened wasn't my fault.' Pushing the thoughts out of her head, she moved towards the lab again with purpose.
"Fuck you, Gerald.", she said to herself as she scanned her badge and entered the lab. "You didn't get to ruin anyone's life...except your own. We're both going to get stronger in spite of everything you've done to beat us down. Ashley and me...we're gonna win."
Oooooooooo
Daisy sat in her office at the NFL, feeling exhausted as she looked through the papers on her desk. There seemed to be a never ending list of things that had to be done immediately, and she felt as if she was always behind on her work. As soon as she was close to being caught up, something else would happen, and things would snowball. Yes, she could delegate, but as head of the anthropology department, it was her job to oversee three other anthropologists. Dr. B didn't delegate, so why should she?
For a few brief minutes she considered what Beau had said yesterday while the two of them were at Aubrey and Jessica's housewarming. Maybe it would be nice to be able to give up her stressful job. She missed spending time with Lance...he was growing so fast, and with her fast paced career, she had missed some of his major developmental milestones, like his first step.
However, she soon shook off those thoughts. If Sweets were still alive, she would've considered it…but not for Beau. She couldn't give up her career for him.
Once more, her thoughts turned to the late psychologist. Just when she and Lancelot had finally figured things out and were ready for a life together with their son, fate had dealt her a cruel blow which took him away from her again...this time permanently. Losing him had been a blow that she knew she still hadn't fully recovered from...and in some ways, perhaps she never would. Nobody could replace Lance Sweets in her heart, ever.
It had taken several months, but Daisy had eventually begun to date again, desiring not only love for herself, but also for her son. She thought that she might have a second chance as she and Oliver grew closer. He was the opposite of the type of man she anticipated spending the rest of her life with, but she couldn't help but be drawn to the acerbic intern. However, his unwillingness to make a commitment pushed her too far after they'd slept together and then he ignored her as if it had never happened. Maybe he regretted letting himself get close to someone…maybe he couldn't handle how he felt about me...
The lack of trust between them didn't affect just her, but her son as well, and she had to walk away to save herself and her child from being hurt. Having grown up with no father in her own life, she was determined to make sure her son had the benefit of a loving father. Of course, his biological father would've been ideal...but, unfortunately, he'd been taken from them much too soon.
Oliver hadn't believed her when she'd said she was moving on, but she was determined to make a life for herself and her son. She wanted that Camelot existence that she had dreamed about all her life...the dream that she'd almost had with Lance...but Oliver didn't seem interested. It was time to let him go.
Still, she felt as if there was a large hole in her heart and she feared that nothing would fill it. That fear changed to hope when she met her new neighbor, Beau Pixler.
Almost immediately, she realized that she could run intellectual circles around the linebacker. He was pleasant and kind, but definitely not a genius...not like Sweets, and certainly not like Oliver. However, he was a tender hearted Prince Charmington when she had needed one, and being with him reminded her of the good times with Sweets. She felt comfort and joy when it seemed that her fairy tale would be coming true after all.
She'd had her doubts about whether Beau was the one for her, but seeing how good he was with Lance made her push them away. The sex was also pretty good, although Beau was reluctant to try new things to spice things up, something she missed from being with Sweets. With the pressures of single motherhood and Beau's mother pushing for them to make an engagement announcement, she felt that the Universe was trying to tell her to quit searching for Mr. Perfect and to instead accept Beau for who he was. If Dr. B could compromise and settle for Agent Booth, who wasn't her equal in scholarly acumen, then she could also accept someone who wasn't as brilliant as she was. She would easily adapt so her son would have a positive role model in his life.
But she'd soon found she couldn't adapt...and it became more obvious each time she was around her friends and their mates as they moved on with their lives. Dr. B and Booth, while almost polar opposites, complemented each other perfectly. Angela and Hodgins were stronger than ever after his accident and her subsequent surprise pregnancy. Cam and Arastoo were newly married and adding to their own family. Wendell and Andie were both working hard on their careers, he to finish his PhD in Forensic Anthropology while pursuing a second PhD in Medical Anthropology, and Andie attending Georgetown University to earn her Master's of Science and Doctorate degrees to become a nurse practitioner. However, the biggest example of how her relationship with Beau came up short was Jessica and Aubrey.
When Sweets had introduced her to Aubrey upon his arrival from DC from New York almost three years earlier, it was obvious that he was a bright and resourceful man, and she was impressed when Sweets told her that he was not only a highly qualified special agent, but he also possessed a Juris Doctorate. He also proved to be a great partner and friend to Booth after her boyfriend had died.
When Jessica began spending time with him, Daisy knew he was the perfect match for her 'proud to be single' best friend. While he wasn't a member of Mensa like her, his intelligence easily kept up with the redhead's constantly churning mind, which was no small task. More than once, her friend had boasted about her FBI agent's advancement to first Senior Special Agent and Booth's second in command in Homicide and later, after their reconciliation, his promotion to Special Agent in Charge of Major Crimes, the youngest one at the DC field office. She also bragged about how she and Aubrey could talk about things like Star Wars, baseball, religion, and politics all in the same setting as well as very open about how adept, creative, and versatile her boyfriend was in the bedroom.
Most of all, her friend and her FBI agent compromised about a lot of things but were still able to be themselves. They were truly best friends and lovers...and Daisy knew they would stay the course this time around.
On the other hand, the longer Daisy and Beau were together, the more obvious it became that compromise was not in their vocabulary. Her husband lived and breathed football, planning his life around it and expecting her to just follow along without complaint. She knew that it confused him that she had her own opinions and, like her mentor Dr. Brennan, she wanted more out of life than to be an ornament on his arm. As their dates with Aubrey and Jessica, as well as with the rest of group proved, Beau was also sometimes unintentionally thoughtless as well as being a boring conversationalist outside the topic of football. More than anything, she missed the intellectual stimulation that a good conversation provided.
Maybe that was what she had found so fascinating about Oliver. The man could discuss almost anything well. He had an endless vocabulary and a fabulous memory for facts. They had talked about all manner of things...except perhaps the most important thing...what it was like to love someone. He definitely fit in more with her coworkers at the NFL than Beau, although his abrasive personality rubbed some of them the wrong way. Oliver wasn't intentionally an asshole, but some were just too damn sensitive about his observations.
Sighing to herself, Daisy accessed a file on her computer as she thought over the mess that was currently her life. After giving up on Oliver, Daisy had taken a chance on Beau. There was no doubt that he was a good man, and that he loved her, but their conversations were limited to mundane topics, with the highlights usually being what they would have for dinner and anything to do with football. Every time she tried to get him to attend a play with her, or watch Masterpiece Theater, or watch one of her favorite documentaries, Beau either fell asleep or talked through it because he was so bored. Taking him to an NFL gathering made his awkwardness even more obvious, since he could talk of nothing but football to her science colleagues, which led to her attending the last two functions alone after he complained of how they were snobs.
Glancing at her hand, she saw the ruby cocktail ring Beau had given her in November after another fight about his behavior at an NFL function. He usually gave her gifts such as jewelry, flowers, perfume, and even her new car as an apology and his sweet gestures always made her forgive him. However, as she was finding out now, expensive gifts could only go so far before they became empty gestures.
When Oliver came to her the night before her wedding telling her to not marry Beau, she did hesitate. However, he wouldn't declare himself, merely stating that she was settling for the football player and could do better. Angry at Oliver's asshole remarks and remembering his callous treatment of her, she refused to let herself get suckered again and went through with the marriage.
Of course, now that she and Beau had been married for five months, in spite of her intentions to mold her new husband into a more cultured and intellectual individual, he'd seen no reason to change or to grow, choosing instead to be happy with how things were. He had a beautiful wife, a good job, and a healthy child to dote on. Why mess with success?
Why, indeed...and now Daisy felt stifled, stuck in a marriage with a man she didn't love. That had been the takeaway from Jessica's scolding yesterday. Daisy had finally realized that she didn't love her husband in the way he deserved, but she doubted that she'd be brave enough to do anything about it, especially since it meant her son would be without a father once more…and she would be alone again.
Weary from a lack of sleep the night before, she pushed herself away from her desk so she could get a cup of tea from the break room. Beau had been so concerned when she said she wasn't feeling well yesterday...he'd gone to pick up the baby from his mother's house and had seen to his needs so Daisy could rest. He cares for me...and my baby…I need to be grateful for what I have...I need to get over myself.
Lost in thought, she paused as it occurred to her that noises were coming from an office down the hall from hers. Slightly unnerved, she peeked around the open door. "Oliver! What are you doing here?"
"Oh...hi...Daisy." He tried to explain what he was doing, but he seemed to be having trouble in choosing his words. "I...am...filling...this." He held up a large plastic box. "I have...quit...my job...there...I mean, here. I can't...work here...now…"
Daisy was horrified. "What do you mean, 'you can't work here now'? I'm sure we can hold your position open for you while you recuperate from your injury…"
"No...don't want...this." Growling in frustration about his lack of fluency, he picked up a sheet of paper and a pencil, scrawling out a note.
I am moving in with Rani. We bought a condo in Wakefield Park.
"I don't understand.", Daisy said, staring at the note as she tried to make out his meaning. "What does this have to do with your job here?"
"I can't...take the...the Mmm….tro...Metro...by myself yet. She can't...bring me because...she works...far from...here.", he stammered.
"Oliver...nothing has to change. You're going to get better…"
Looking away from her, he shook his head as he slowly placed some books in the box. "No...not right."
"It is right...you'll get better."
He scribbled out another note. It is not right for me to work with you. It hurts Rani. She does not like it.
"So that's it! It has nothing to do with your injuries. You're dumping me, just like that...after all we've meant to each other…"
Obviously struggling with his feelings, Oliver shook his head. "You...are...married…"
"To someone I don't really love! I don't feel about him the way I feel about you." Inhaling sharply, Daisy vented her frustration. "He wants me to go to Canada with him. He wants me to give up my job here, and if I do that, we'll probably never see each other again. Is that what you want? Because if you say no, I'll stay. Just say the word…"
Holding up a trembling hand, Oliver tried to interrupt. "I can't...I don't want…"
"You don't want what?" Daisy's heart was pounding as she waited for him to say something.
"I don't want...you to...stay...for me." Bracing himself against the desk, he sighed heavily. "I'm...sorry. I can't..." Grabbing the pencil, he quickly wrote out another note.
Your son needs a father. Rani and I do not want children. I would not be good for him. I do not like infants. Stay with Beau.
I love Rani. She loves me. We are happy. You're married. I am tired of you bothering me. Leave me alone.
"You can't mean that!", Daisy cried angrily. "You said you cared about me! You said we were special together! And now that's all changed because of some new woman in your life? Do you honestly think she'll stick with you through your recovery like I would? Do you?"
"Excuse me." A woman's annoyed voice came through the doorway. "Dr. Wick? Why are you yelling at my fiance?"
Oliver's face broke into a wide grin as he saw Rani. "Hey...beautiful."
"Hello, my love. How are you doing with your packing?" The physicist walked over to the desk and rubbed Oliver's back. "Would you like some help?"
"Yes, please." He bent down and gave Rani a kiss. "Do you...know Daisy?"
Raising an eyebrow, Rani turned to Daisy with a look of scorn, remembering their last couple of meetings. Knowing Oliver was still having memory issues, however, she chose to be polite. "Yes, we've met. Now, if you'll excuse us, Dr. Wick...Oliver doesn't need your help packing because he has me, so you can go back to your own tasks. We don't want to keep you from your duties here."
"Knock, knock. Hey, there you are, Darlin'." Beau grinned at his wife as he entered the room. "Oh, hello, Oliver...Dr. Mittapalli. Good to see you back on your feet, buddy.", he said, shaking Oliver's hand.
"Nice seeing you...Beau…", Oliver said, returning his task.
"Yes, that's Beau. Always nice to see Daisy's husband.", Rani replied pointedly. "We don't want to keep you from your wife. She was just checking on her friend, Oliver..."
"No problem. Good seeing you both." Beaming happily, Beau turned to his wife. "I've been looking all over for you, Sugar..."
Irritated at her conversation with Oliver, Daisy couldn't keep the bite from her voice. "Beau, what are you doing here? I've explained to you how busy I am at work."
Beau was taken aback but kept the smile on his face. "I know, but I thought maybe me and you could go have some lunch...kind of a pre Valentine's Day surprise. I know you've been wanting to go to the Calabash…"
"Leave me alone, Beau. I'm not hungry." Blinking back her tears, Daisy ran from the room, leaving a stunned husband in her wake.
"Well…" Trying to hide his embarrassment, Beau quickly turned to follow his wife down the hall, calling after her as he went. "Daisy? Wait just a minute."
Having no patience for her husband, Daisy didn't turn around as she continued walking. "Go away. I don't have time for your 'aw shucks' routine."
Thoroughly confused, Beau continued to pursue Daisy down the hall. "What the hell are you talking about? I'm just trying to do something nice for my wife…"
"Forget it. Take your act to Canada, okay? Leave today for all I care." She marched into her office and slammed the door in his face.
Totally bewildered, Beau quietly left the building housing the NFL, wondering what he had done to set off his wife this time. It seemed like everything set her off anymore, especially in the last couple of weeks. Walking toward the parking garage, Beau made a quick phone call and was glad when it was answered in two rings.
"Special Agent Aubrey."
"Hey, Aubrey? How about lunch at Pixler's today, my treat? Say in about an hour?"
Oooooooooo
An hour later, Aubrey's government SUV pulled into a parking lot near a strip mall. A few second later, the agent got out while talking on his phone.
"Jess, I really don't want to do this.". Aubrey whined as he armed his vehicle and walked towards the mall. "It's always awkward and weird when I talk to Beau."
"I know it is, but obviously Beau needs to talk to you. Just be careful if he wants to talk about Daisy, okay?"
"Fine…" Aubrey grumbled, lamenting that his lunch hour was going to be spent with a man who sometimes annoyed him to no end.
"I'll tell you what. How about I make you some country fried steak for dinner tonight…"
Aubrey stopped on the sidewalk. "With mashed potatoes and your homemade gravy?"
"Yes...and some roasted asparagus and salad. We can have it with the Sangiovese sample bottle from the wine collection that Jack and Greg gave us for Christmas."
"It's a date." Smiling, Aubrey continued his walk until he arrived at his destination. "Okay, I'm here. Wish me luck. Love you."
"Love you, too. Bye, Superman."
Aubrey ended the call and walked into Pixler's Pig Out Palace, trying to find Beau in the sea of people waiting to be served. "You'd think it'd be hard to miss a guy his size…", he muttered to himself.
"Aubrey! Over here!"
Turning, he saw his lunch companion waving at him from a corner of the room. Pushing through the crowd, Aubrey made his way to the table. "How's it going, Beau?"
"Okay, I guess." Sipping his tea, the massive man pointed at a menu. "I thought we could share a Pig Out Platter. It feeds four to six, so I figured it'd be enough for the two of us…"
"Sounds good." Eying Beau suspiciously, the agent coughed softly as he sipped the water their server had brought for him. "So...um...I gotta admit, I was kinda surprised to hear from you earlier...especially since I just saw you yesterday..."
"Yeah, I get that. It's not like we're close friends, right? But here's the deal...I need some advice...you know...man to man…"
That's just great...he wants help with Daisy… Aubrey composed himself before answering. "Sure. I mean, I don't know if I can be much help, but I'll try. What's going on?"
"I went by to see Daisy at work today.", Beau began. "I wanted to take her out for lunch to this fancy restaurant she likes."
"That sounds nice...", Aubrey commented. "...but I guess your plans fell through…"
"She wasn't in her office when I got there. After looking around in some other rooms, I found her down the hall, helping that Oliver Wells fella move out of his office. I guess he's decided not to go back to work since he's still having a lot of trouble with his brain injury. Anyway, it was weird, because it sounded like they were arguing, but I didn't hear what about. As I was heading down there, Dr. Wells' girlfriend, or his fiancee now, I guess, came in, and I guess she was mad at Daisy about something…it was real awkward…"
'Holy shit, they're engaged? I'm sure we'll get a parade of phone calls from Daisy tonight about her new drama.' Aubrey gestured for Beau to continue. "I can imagine. So…then what happened?"
"I said hello to Dr. Wells and his fiancee and then asked Daisy if she wanted to go to lunch, but she chewed me out for bothering her at work and took off. I tried to talk to her but she was obviously mad at me again, even yelling that I should go to Canada today and leave her alone before slamming her office door in my face."
Holy shit! I can't tell him what I know about Daisy and Oliver… Aubrey shifted in his chair as he contemplated on what to say. "Maybe she's just tired from yesterday…you know, she wasn't feeling well at the party..."
"I thought about that, but she's been real short tempered ever since Lance and I got back from Regina. Something's up with her, but I can't figure out what it is."
Pausing as their server set a huge mound of barbecued meat on the table, Aubrey was frantically trying to decide what to say. It's not my place to tell him that Daisy doesn't want to move…that she's not happy with him...
Sensing that Beau was waiting for his advice, Aubrey exhaled slowly. "Have you guys actually sat down together and worked out everything that's involved in moving? I've moved across the country a couple of times myself, and it can be an ordeal. It could be that she's stressed about that...about packing and about having to give notice at her job...maybe she's worried about uprooting Lance…"
Contemplating Aubrey's words as he gnawed on a rib, Beau nodded slowly. "I guess that could be part of the problem. I just assumed she'd want to move to a big city in a different country for the experience. I thought it'd be fun, but there is a lot involved in getting ready to go. I probably need to let her know that the team has movers that'll help us pack up our stuff…and a contract with a real estate company that'll help sell the condo..."
"Right. Well, it's probably going to be hard for Daisy to leave her job, since Dr. Brennan recommended her for it…Jess said that it's her dream job." Cutting a sausage into chunks, Aubrey dipped one into some extra spicy sauce. "She does have a very specific line of work, Beau…I think there's only a couple hundred forensic anthropologist positions in the entire world, and Jess said for Daisy to find a job as head of a division as quickly as she did after graduation is almost unheard of. She's also going to have to deal with red tape in applying for a visa to work in Canada and that will take months. After all the years she put in to get her PhD, I imagine it's hard for her to just give up her position at the NFL to go somewhere where she may not find another anthropology position anywhere near her."
"Yeah, but couldn't Dr. Brennan just recommend her for another job? I'd think that with Daisy having so much schooling, it'd be easy for her to find a different job. I mean, she could probably teach high school biology or something like that if she really wanted to work…"
'Didn't he hear anything I just said?' Realizing that Beau wasn't getting it, Aubrey almost wished he'd be called to a crime scene so he could escape this conversation. "Look, Beau...I think Daisy has a lot of misgivings about moving, and you guys need to work a lot of things out if you're gonna be happy together in Canada."
"I know that she talked to the RCMP, but the Regina Police service is also there, and there's a major university in Regina. I'm sure they'll have something for her to do if she wanted to work. Daisy is really smart, and if she tells them she used to work for Dr. Brennan, they would hire her in a heartbeat."
'No, they probably won't because she got uppity with them and turned her nose up at their offers.' Aubrey took a bite of coleslaw, trying to think of another way to explain things. He didn't want to get into his own personal issues, but he knew he had no choice if he was going to get through to a clueless Beau.
"You know, last year I was offered a great position in Los Angeles, and I was all excited about it...I was so excited about it that I forgot to ask Jessica what she thought...like whether or not she wanted to move, plus with her doctorate program, it would be difficult to transfer to another school like UCLA. That was part of the reason we broke up, okay? Not because she didn't want to move, but because I hadn't thought to ask her opinion or to take her feelings into consideration. What I learned from that fiasco is that I have to talk to her about everything that comes up...I have to make sure we're both on the same page."
Beau shrugged as he ate a bite of brisket. "But it's different because Daisy and I are married. She's my wife, and she's supposed to do what I want. She should support me. You two were just dating, so it's not the same."
'Wow, Beau. How does Daisy deal with your major lack of awareness on a daily basis?' Aubrey shook his head at Beau's narrow mindedness, having some sympathy for Daisy's position. "Well, maybe not exactly, but now we're living together, so we have made a strong commitment to each other. That didn't happen overnight, Beau. We had to work at it, including making compromises we could live with so we could build a life together. I managed to find a similar position in DC, but I would have stayed here no matter what, even if I had to leave the FBI and become a public defender, because no job is more important to me than Jessica."
"But you're still not married, Aubrey. It's different once you're married and maybe once you and Jessica finally quit stalling and take the plunge, you'll understand. My parents have been big supporters of me signing with the Roughriders, encouraging us to move to Canada as soon as possible so we can get acclimated even though training camp isn't until May. Both of them think that Daisy should put her career on hold to support me as I follow my dream to play football. I know that working is important to her, but she still needs to understand that her place is with me and Lance. She can work anywhere since she seems to want it so much."
'Wow, he really is an ignorant jackass sometimes, and his parents aren't helping matters.' Wiping his mouth with his napkin, Aubrey gazed intently at his companion, biting his tongue at the other man's inability to see beyond himself. The man's comments about him and Jessica weren't earning him any points, either. "You can't assume anything about this move, Beau. You need to get Daisy to tell you what she wants, and then you decide what you want, and then you two can work out a compromise you both can live with. That's the only way to handle it…"
"I guess you're right, Aubrey. I need to make sure Daisy sees that moving to Regina is the best thing for us." Pushing his plate aside, Beau grinned at his friend. "How about some peach cobbler? It's awesome...they use my grandma's recipe."
Feeling frustrated with Beau's obtuseness, Aubrey pulled out his phone to check the time. "Maybe some other time, okay? I've got to get back to the Hoover…" He really doesn't want to understand...
"Okay. Thanks for all the help, buddy…I'll think over what you said." Beau reached out to shake Aubrey's hand. "I appreciate it."
"Yeah...any time. See you soon." Getting up to leave, Aubrey sighed heavily as he walked away from the table. Glancing back at Beau, he rolled his eyes as he moved through the crowded lobby.
"I hope I didn't royally fuck things up…"
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
At the same time Aubrey and Beau were sharing a barbecue platter, Jessica and Ashley were at the diner. More than once the redhead noticed how her fellow intern was withdrawn and she was determined to get the young woman out of her shell.
"Ashley, how have you been doing, really? You said this morning that things have been rough for you…"
The brunette picked at her salad, shrugging a shoulder as she stared at her plate. "On a cerebral level, I know that what Gerald did wasn't my fault...but in my heart, I can't help it. If I hadn't been suckered into believing that he loved me, maybe I could have stopped him before he went after everyone at the lab a few weeks ago."
"Ashley, what could you have done?" Jessica was determined to make the younger woman see her point. "He was a big guy, alright? If you had confronted him and pushed his buttons, he would've hurt you worse than he already had. You didn't see my bruises from when he went after me, but they were bad. I know some self defense because of my brothers, but Gerald was still able to beat the shit out of me. God only knows what he would have done to you. Please don't blame yourself, alright?"
The entomologist nodded before eating a bite of her salad. "Thank you for not blaming me for what happened, but...that doesn't change the fact that others do…"
Confused, Jessica stopped eating and stared at her companion. "Like who? That's ignorant and stupid."
Not wanting to look her fellow intern in the eye, Ashley gazed out the window. "I stopped by the lab last week to talk to Dr. Hodgins and...Dr. Wick was there visiting Dr. Brennan."
"What does Daisy have to do with this, Ashley?"
"When she left Dr. Brennan's office, she gave me a look that...well, if looks could kill...and given what I'd overheard and saw at Founding Fathers the night before the Women's March…"
Jessica immediately knew what she was talking about. "Oh boy, Ashley…"
"It's none of my business what she does about her marriage and Oliver, but I know she blames me for what happened to him. Dr. Wick was hostile to me at a wedding reception I attended with Gerald last month and I'm sure as your friend, she sees me as the enemy because I was dating him. Oliver being assaulted is just going to make things worse between us."
"Ashley, Daisy just has a lot on her plate, alright? Don't worry about her. I promise you, you have nothing to worry about from her."
"Okay." Ashley nodded cautiously. "I know she's a close friend of yours…"
Taking the young woman's hand, Jessica squeezed it gently. "Yeah, but we're friends now, too. Now, let's talk about an apartment I know that is now vacant…you're gonna love it..."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Six hours later, Jessica added a large breaded steak to her cast iron skillet, waiting for the sizzle to settle down before adding the next one. "So, Beau didn't hear a word you said?"
Aubrey was whisking beef broth and other ingredients on Jessica's instructions. "No, it was like his takeaway was, 'I will just have to make Daisy see that moving is best.'. I even used us as an example, but, according to him, because we're not married or in a rush to get married it's totally different and we'll never understand. It was like talking to a brick wall. I didn't want to speak out of turn, Jess…but he really pissed me off with his comments about us."
"You did fine, Aubrey, considering you were put on the spot. Daisy is frustrating the hell out of me lately as well..." Jessica trailed off as her phone played a familiar tune.
Be our guest! Be our guest! Put our service to the test!
Aubrey rolled his eyes and groaned as his prophecy was coming true. "Can Daisy get another ring tone? She's making me hate that movie!"
"Aubrey!", Jessica admonished before answering the phone. "Hello?...Hey, Dais, what's up?...now?...I wish I could but I'm already cooking dinner with Aubrey, but you can talk to me while I make the steak…"
'Great...another dinner hijacked by drama.' Aubrey thought as he began whisking the gravy mixture harder.
Jessica looked over at Aubrey and growled. "Dais, just a moment...Aubrey, don't stir so hard. Whisk gently, please." Satisfied at her boyfriend's correction, she went back to the phone. "Okay, I'm back...well, I'm sorry that Rani was rude to you, but maybe she figured you were bothering Oliver...well, Daisy, because her boyfriend is recovering from a TBI plus you two have had other run ins recently…Oliver said that?...well, Daisy, maybe you need to listen to him instead of pushing the issue or it will destroy your friendship."
Jessica flipped the steak and continued to listen. "Daisy, Beau called Aubrey to have lunch together today and he told Aubrey about how hurt he was with your attitude with him...yes, you should apologize to him for being so bitchy and then talk to him about Canada…."
The redhead before more frustrated as she continued to listen. "Daisy! Talk to you husband and work it out...now our dinner is almost ready so I've got to go...lunch tomorrow? Sure...do you want to come to the lab?...okay, sounds good...bye, Daisy. Give my love to Beau and Lance."
Aubrey watched as Jessica ended the call, tossed the phone onto the counter, and sighed heavily before sipping her wine. Knowing what her silence meant, he decided to pry gently. "What's going on with Daisy?"
"Well, Daisy is pissed off because Oliver quit his part time job at the NFL, then he told her that he moved in with Rani, that she needed to leave him alone, to move on with her life, and stay with Beau because he and Rani hate kids. Oh, and Rani is this mean old bitch who is making Oliver be mean to her and has also tricked him into getting engaged...you know...she's taken advantage of the fact that he has brain damage..."
"Wow…"
"Oh, and I can't forget the part about how Beau once again annoyed her by coming unannounced to take her to a pre-Valentine's Day lunch. Having him surprising her at work is inconvenient for her because she's a busy person over at the NFL and he needs to call ahead, something she's told him more than once. Essentially, Beau got the brunt of Daisy's anger today."
Aubrey finished preparing their salad. "That seems a bit harsh. I mean, Valentine's Day isn't until next week...but still, it's a nice thought and she could have been nicer about it. He was really hurt by Daisy's attitude today, Jess. I guess he overheard Daisy getting upset and part of her argument today with Oliver and Rani but not exactly what was said. Beau is getting suspicious, Jess. I did what I could but…"
Removing the steaks onto the paper toweled plate, she turned off the burner and hugged her boyfriend. "I know you did, Aubrey. Beau put you on the spot and I don't know if I would have done any better. She wanted me to meet her for drinks when she left work tonight but I don't feel like going out."
"She's still at work? It's…" Aubrey looked at the kitchen radio clock. "...6:52 PM. I figured she would be home by now...but she's avoiding Beau again, isn't she?"
"Yes…" Jessica pulled the asparagus out of the oven. "There's nothing else I can say to her because I'm becoming a broken record. God only knows how she'll react if she ever finds out that I not only pushed Oliver to either step up or get out of her life but that I've also lied about he said to me that day."
Aubrey rubbed Jessica's back gently. "She'll know that you're a good friend, Jess, and that you were just looking out for her. Someone needed to put that spiteful, jealous jackass in his place and make him see what he was doing to her. If you would've told her that he confessed to loving her, it would be a more complicated mess than it is now."
"Yeah, you're right, Superman. Come on, let's eat dinner."
The couple brought the steaks, mashed potatoes, gravy, asparagus, salad, and their bottle of wine to the table. Settling in, they began to eat.
Aubrey could see that she was still a bit melancholy. "I'm sorry, Jess. I wish I could help you with all this."
"I don't think there's anything that either one of us can do...and even if we could do something, I'm not sure we should. They need to work it out on their own."
"So what...we just step aside and wash our hands of the whole thing?" Surprised, Aubrey nodded in agreement. "I like that idea…"
Jessica hesitated as she cut her steak. "Well, maybe we could still be there for them, but without expressing any opinions. No more enabling...no more listening to whining…"
Sipping his wine, Aubrey smirked at her. "Except that you're having lunch with her tomorrow."
"Maybe we can set some ground rules, like what topics to discuss...no adult men, no bitchy scientists…"
"Yeah...good luck with that." Aubrey shook some pepper onto his gravy covered steak. "Well, one thing's for sure...you're gonna have your hands full…"
Jessica stabbed her steak forcefully. "I know, Superman...I know."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
"I told him I was sorry, Jessica, because I was a little mean to him and I tried to discuss my feelings about Canada. However, I could barely get the words out before he went on and on about how great our lives were going to be and that with my smarts, I would find a job teaching high school biology or something."
Jessica stabbed some Caesar salad, waiting for her friend to finish her story. "Ugh...that doesn't sound good."
"No, because one, I don't want to teach anything, much less high school, plus I'd have to get a visa to work in Canada and it's not some quick thing like going through a drive thru. Two, he doesn't want to discuss anything else other than us living some happy life in the sticks of Saskatchewan. No, not for me."
Jessica looked at her friend. "Daisy, you can't bitch if you don't talk to him. Sit him down and do it."
Daisy sipped her soup. "Jessica, I don't want to fight anymore with Beau…"
"Then you need to think about either a separation or divorce because you're not happy and you're taking it out on Beau. He's no saint in all this, but…" Jessica looked around before lowering her voice. "...if you don't love him enough to commit fully then you need to let him go. That is the last time I'm going to say that and you know I'm right."
"I have a two year old son to consider, Jessica. He loves Beau so much…"
"Yes, I know he does, but it's worse for his mother to be unhappy just to give him a father figure. You and Beau will grow to resent each other unless you two talk frankly and compromise on what to do."
"I know...I know...I don't want to be alone again, but I'm so miserable at times…" Daisy trailed off when she saw Ashley talking to Hodgins in the lab area below. "That snot has some nerve coming back to work here after what she did. It's her fault that Oliver was almost killed…"
"Daisy, she had nothing to do with all that. Gerald also tried to kill her, remember?"
"Jessica, she was the one who was silly enough to fall for Gerald's bullshit and let him hurt her. If she would have left the first time he beat her, he would have never got access to the lab and that prick would have never hurt you, Oliver, Angela, or those two guards."
'You're the one who encouraged me to take him to your wedding five months ago. You fell for his bullshit, too.' Jessica mused but kept her thought to herself. "Daisy, he would have found a way to get to me here if he couldn't go through Ashley."
Daisy stabbed her salad. "Well, she still was a fool for staying with a guy who beat her. I would never put up with a man treating me like dirt and hurting me."
Jessica was fed up with her friend's double standard. "Oh, you mean like how you tolerated Oliver's yoyo treatment of you over the last several months? You've apparently forgotten how much of a douche he was to you as you fed off every bread crumb he left you because his jealous ass couldn't take the fact you married someone else."
Daisy's mouth dropped. "Uh, totally different, Jessica…"
"No, it's not. With your mentality that Ashley caused what happened at the lab, you're also suggesting that Booth getting out of prison is what caused Sweets to be murdered."
Daisy's eyes grew hard. "Don't ever say that to me again, Jessica! Lance was...my soul…"
"I'm sorry, but you can't point fingers when you've done the same thing. You have become so judgemental, Daisy. This isn't you. I want the old Daisy back…" Jessica took her hand. "I want my friend back."
"Well, I'm sorry that I'm going through a crisis, but I need my friend to support me…"
"Daisy, I'll always support you, but I wouldn't be a friend if I didn't tell you that your constant shadowing of Oliver is also raising eyebrows. Beau knows something is up. He'll be so hurt if he finds out about what happened with Oliver, which he will if you don't cool your jets.
"Jessica, Rani-"
"Enough, Daisy. He's committed to Rani now. You're committed to Beau."
"But Beau is ignoring my feelings about us moving to Canada…"
"Daisy, you owe it to him...and to yourself, to talk to him honestly about Canada, even if you have to tell him to shut up so he'll listen, and then, you're going to put your big girl panties on and make a decision about your marriage. That's it. End of subject."
"Fine…" Daisy stabbed her food and the two ladies ate in silence for a few minutes. "So, how's living with Aubrey? It can't be much different since you two were pretty much living together anyway, right?"
"So far, it's good. We're still debating on whether to get another bed for the last bedroom upstairs or just use it as storage. Since I'd been there for two months it helped a lot, but we've still had to compromise on where to put a few things." Jessica giggled. "We had a stupid fight on Saturday...but after we made up, Aubrey gave me the best orgasm ever. He's amazing...he always gets me off even if we just fool around...then we fucked throughout the house, 'christening the rooms.'"
Daisy's eyebrows raised at her friend's response. "Doesn't the Mighty Hut have, like, five bedrooms, a den, and a basement besides your new office and Dr. B's old office?" Daisy sipped her tea. "Nobody can get through all that in a day. Not even Superman could do that."
'He could if he was given a chance…' Jessica bit her tongue instead. "You're right about the rooms, and no, we didn't get to all of them, but it just gives Aubrey and me something to look forward to now that we officially live together. We've got plenty of time."
Daisy grew sad as she listened to her friend wax poetic about her boyfriend, feeling a few pangs of jealousy. However, she pushed them down. "Sounds like things were interesting before we all showed up Sunday."
"Well, we will have more kinks to work out, but that's alright.", Jessica said, relieved for the change in conversation. "I'm off tomorrow so I'm going to change my address at the DMV and post office."
"Is Aubrey going to insist on you two pooling your money together?", Daisy asked. "Beau was pretty insistent that we have a joint account for all the expenses. I insisted on having my own accounts, though."
Jessica nodded. "We've talked about doing that at a credit union, but Aubrey said he didn't care either way and that it was up to me. I'm going to pay for the cable, all the streaming services, and half of the groceries at my insistence, and put the rest of the money I had set aside for apartment rent in another account outside of my trust fund, I think. Not sure yet."
"Wow...you two are really doing the domestic thing all the way." Daisy chewed her food thoughtfully. "So, when will we hear wedding bells? You and Aubrey need to move things along."
'Like you and Beau did? No thank you.' Jessica considered her answer for a moment, noting that March 1st was almost a month away. "Aubrey and I are good with how things are now. it's a really big step for the two of us and we're not in any hurry to get married. We'll get there when we get there."
"Okay...but when you and Aubrey do decide to tie the knot, I'm throwing you a kick ass bachelorette party."
"Deal." Jessica smiled as the two ladies went back to their meal. 'Hopefully Daisy won't be holding her breath because that day isn't going to happen any time soon.'