Well, as we all know, the best laid plans often go astray. So will Jessica and Aubrey finally get to enjoy their Valentine's day celebration? Read on to find out.
Be forewarned...lots of spicy bits. This chapter probably isn't suited for workplace reading.
At 2:20 in a lecture hall at American University, the last student turned in her test to Jessica, leaving the intern and Brennan as the only two people left in the room. The redhead read her phone and sighed again at the message Aubrey had left earlier.
Stuck in Philly tonite bc VL in surgery. So sorry. Will take u 2 fancy dinner tmrw night. Price no option...even overpriced Komi if u want. I'll call you tonite.
"Ms. Warren, are you alright?"
Startled, Jessica turned to her mentor. "Yeah, it's just that Aubrey's stuck in Philadelphia tonight because Victor Lee is in the hospital and can't be questioned until tomorrow. We were hoping to have some time together tonight to make up for cancelling yesterday's plans for Valentine's Day."
"I'm sorry, Ms. Warren. I know that Aubrey has a bit of a romantic streak, much like Booth. Interesting that they should both have those tendencies..."
Jessica nodded, more upset than she wanted to admit. "Yeah, he does, but it's alright. Crime sometimes comes calling and it doesn't take vacations."
Brennan saw the morose expression on her student's face. "Ms. Warren, why do I sense that there's more than Aubrey spending the night in Pennsylvania that has you upset?"
'She's getting better at this emotional stuff.' Jessica sighed pensively. "It's just...I've never really had anyone in my life important enough to celebrate the holiday with, but...whatever. Valentine's Day is just another day, right? Aubrey and I can celebrate on Friday with an expensive dinner. Isn't that what you and Booth are doing?"
"Yes, but we've shared Valentine's Day together before and we have children at home. I'm sorry, Ms. Warren, but just remember that you two did spend the day together...albeit working at a crime scene. Hodgins didn't even get to have that, but I'm sure he and Angela will find a way to make up for it."
Jessica laughed. "You're right. Aubrey said he'll call me later, but he gave me the number of the place he's staying at tonight...the Morris House."
"The Morris House? That's not usually a place agents will stay...oh yes, President's Day weekend is coming up, and I'd imagine rooms are scarce. Hopefully the FBI will approve the expense. It's a lovely hotel...I've stayed there with Booth. The restaurant is quite good as well."
Jessica felt her phone buzzing, so she checked it and saw it was a Facebook Messenger message from Mitzi. Opening it, she sighed again as she read it.
"More bad news, Ms. Warren?"
"No, it was Mitzi, Agent Bower's wife. She's going to drive up to Philadelphia tonight to see Steve and asked if I wanted to ride with her to see Aubrey. I would love to go spend the night with him, but I'm sure you'll need me tomorrow, too, with the lab being short handed."
Brennan considered her earlier thought and decided to act on it. "Actually, we may need a DNA sample from Mr. Lee."
Confused, Jessica turned to her mentor. "Isn't that already in the Federal prisoner database, Dr. B?"
"Yes, I imagine it is, but in case it's not there, we should try to get one voluntarily from Mr. Lee. You could drive up to Philadelphia tomorrow morning and meet Aubrey and Agent Bower...but if it's easier, I have no issue with you getting a ride with another agent's wife tonight as long as your kit remains secure until it is used." Brennan smiled. "It would save the you the trouble of borrowing a Jeffersonian vehicle and the need to be up around dawn to make the trip."
Jessica realized what Brennan was doing and became excited. "Really? Are you sure?"
"I wouldn't have offered if I didn't mean it, Ms. Warren. You will have to log your activities, though, to be paid for the proper time since you will be unsupervised by myself, Dr. Hodgins, or Dr. Saroyan, as per protocol. Have Agent Bower sign off on your log instead of Aubrey so you can avoid the appearance of nepotism. However, don't collect the specimen unless I either call or email you." Brennan nodded before checking her watch. "If you leave within the next hour, you may miss rush hour traffic and arrive there around dinner time. The M Restaurant inside the Morris Hotel is very lovely and they sometimes have jazz concerts...if you enjoy that sort of music. It's also supposed to be in the 40s so you may enjoy a romantic walk as you will be near the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall."
Jessica jumped up in excitement and replied to Mitzi. "Oh, it sounds so wonderful...he's going to be so stoked to see me...and we can do Valentine's Day in Philadelphia...sort of...unless something comes up with the case."
"Now, Ms. Warren, before you accompany Aubrey and Agent Bower to question Mr. Lee, please examine the crime scene photos and email me your observations by tomorrow morning."
"No problem, Dr. B. I just need my kit and to run home for my laptop and to get a change of clothes for myself and Aubrey for tomorrow. Oh, thank you!" Jessica threw her arms around her mentor.
Brennan was happy to see the young woman smile so brightly. "You're welcome. Now, lets pack up so I can drop you off at home."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
At 5:30, after video conferencing with Booth and Genny at the Philadelphia field office, the agents checked into their suite and Aubrey decided to get dinner so he could indulge in some emotional eating. However he was stopped by Bower.
"Wait, Boss, I just need to call Mitzi and then we can go together." Looking at his phone, he looked up at the SAC. "Ten minutes...fifteen tops."
'I just want some pizza and to be left alone to wallow...' Aubrey groaned to himself. "I don't think I'll be good company, tonight Steve…"
"Please, Boss...without MItzi, it's kind of lonely…"
'Ugh...I want to mope and be depressed, but Steve looks too sad…' Aubrey sighed. "Fine. What are you thinking for dinner?"
"There's a pub down the road or there's a nice restaurant in this hotel...looks like a romantic place I can take Mitzi sometime."
'Had to bring up romance, didn't he...something that I had planned to give Jessica last night in spades. A romantic candlelight dinner at one of her favorite restaurants, exchange gifts, and enjoy her in sexy lingerie before I gave her multiple orgasms...' Aubrey mused but decided to give up. "Whatever you want is fine, Steve. Just remember that I'm already skirting regulations with us getting this suite."
"I appreciate it, Aubrey." Hearing a ding on his phone, Steve smiled. "Wow, she sent me a text message saying that she missed me and will see me soon. That's nice. Can I still call her?"
"Yeah, Steve…" Hearing a knock at the door, Aubrey turned to his subordinate in surprise. "Are you expecting anyone tonight?"
"No…"
"I'll get it." Aubrey opened the door, only to be surprised by a tall blonde.
"Stevie Bear!", Mitzi shrieked. "Surprise!"
Aubrey was almost knocked on his ass as she barreled through the door and jumped into her husband's arms, knocking the shorter man down onto the couch. Getting over his shock, he walked over to the couple as she was helping Steve stand up. "Mitzi? What are you doing here?"
"My Stevie Bear was going to be lonely tonight without me, so since I have tomorrow off, I decided to spend the night with him."
Steve looked over at Aubrey. "I love that you surprised me, Mitzi Muffin, but we have to work tomorrow…"
"I know, but we get each other tonight and I can explore the city tomorrow while you work. I've even brought my new leather panties and that new restrainer kit I ordered online for us to try out tonight." Mitzi looked into the bedroom. "I think we can make it work with this bed."
'Restraints...leather panties...I can't stay in this room if they're going to do weird sex stuff all night...no…no...no... Aubrey cleared his throat. "Um...how long do you two need to...well…"
"Oh…I've rented a room upstairs for you, Aubrey, since we'd probably keep you up all night with the noise. You need a good night's sleep, right?" Missing the SAC's shudder, Mitzi turned to her husband. "Stevie Bear, I brought your toothbrush and a clean suit for you with me. I just have to bring them in from the car."
"What about my pajamas, Muffin?"
The tall woman giggled. "Silly Stevie...you're not going to need them tonight…"
Anxious to get out of the room, Aubrey took the key hastily when Mitzi pulled it out of her purse. "Thanks…I'll pay you back myself if the FBI won't cover the room. So I'm assuming you're all set for dinner, Steve?"
"Yep. Have a good night, Boss…"
"Room 303, right above this one, Aubrey.", Mitzi stated before giving Steve a bag. "Here Stevie Bear…"
Reaching into it, Steve pulled out a fuzzy leopard print item. "Oh Mitzi, you brought my favorite furry handcuffs..."
Grabbing his travel bag, Aubrey hurried out as quickly as manners would let him. Heading upstairs, he couldn't help but feel envy that Steve's wife had surprised him tonight while he was stuck alone again. What made it worse was that he and Jessica hadn't done it since Sunday night and he was getting antsy. Hopefully she had time to at least talk dirty to him on the phone later when he called.
Arriving at Room 303, he opened the door and turned on the light, surprised as he looked around. The room was painted a vivid red and was accented by gold and black furniture. The combined antique and modern furniture made the room stunning. 'This would be a nice place to take Jess for her birthday in May for an overnight or a weekend trip.'
Setting his bag down, Aubrey saw for the first time the trail of rose petals on the floor leading to the bedroom. 'Either I got the wrong room, or...could it be…'
Taking a few quick steps into the other room, he turned on the light and was greeted by his girlfriend sitting on the bed.
"It's about time you got here, Aubrey."
Aubrey was still in shock. "Jessica! Holy shit! I thought you'd be working…"
Jessica got up and walked over to her boyfriend. "As my class ended, Mitzi sent me a message asking me if I wanted to ride up here with her. I didn't think I could, but Dr. B said that Mr. Lee may need to provide a DNA sample, so she sent me here with instructions to only take it if she called me and if done, to log it in immediately when I returned to DC."
Aubrey thought about what his girlfriend said. "Wait, his DNA should be in the database, Jess. Dr. B should know that."
"I think she used it as an excuse for me to come see you." The redhead took two steps back. "Now, are you going to notice my new dress that I bought to wear for our fancy Valentine's Day dinner or not?"
The agent took a good look as she modeled it for him. The red dress was sleeveless and had a deep V neckline, emphasizing Jessica's modest swells. The scalloped lace accentuated the hem which ended right above the knee, giving him a great view of her legs.
As he twirled his finger around, Jessica snickered, showing him the back side of the dress. Walking up closer, he lightly felt around her back and hip area, his eyes growing large.
"You're not wearing panties, are you?" Aubrey chuckled in excitement. "Oh yeah...you dirty girl..."
Jessica giggled softly. "Move your hand higher, Aubrey. I'm wearing a thong so this dress wouldn't have any lines. It's not too proper to have a nice dinner with my boyfriend without wearing any underwear…"
"I wouldn't mind, but that's okay. I'll get to see what's underneath later." Turning her around, Aubrey wiggled his eyebrows. "Actually, dinner can wait. I want to see now."
Jessica laughed. "No, dinner can't wait. I'm starving and I'm sure you're hungry…"
"Yeah, hungry for you and me to get naked and to have the amazing sex we were supposed to have last night.", Aubrey whined.
Jessica felt him nibble on her neck and her resolve was starting to ebb. "Aubrey, we have 6:00 dinner reservations downstairs…"
Aubrey held Jessica close and rubbed her thigh as he pulled her towards the love seat. "Come on…just a quickie...we can even leave your dress on...you just drop your panties and sit on my lap and we'll take out the love seat together..."
Giggling, she pushed her boyfriend away. "No, horny boy, because it's dinner time. However, I do have a surprise planned for you later. First though, we need to fix you up for dinner." Quickly, she removed his tie and undid two buttons on his shirt. "There...less formal."
"Fine...I am a little hungry." Aubrey indicated Jessica to go ahead of him. "Ladies first."
Jessica opened the door. "I forgot your present, though. Sorry.."
"That's okay, it gives me something to look forward to when we get home…", Aubrey replied as he shut the door.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
After two hours of a lovely dinner and dancing to jazz in the dining room, Aubrey and Jessica took a quick walk down the street past Independence Hall as they enjoyed the warmer weather before returning to their suite. After she locked the door, the intern felt her lover press her against the door and nibble the sweet part of her neck. "Ooohh…"
"Yeah, oohhh is right." The agent reached under her dress and pulled her lace panties down to her ankles, but before he could open his pants and take her there, Jessica stopped him.
"Superman, as much as I love it when you get all primal on me, I have something else planned, remember? Now, please let me go or you don't get your surprise…"
"Arruughhhh…fine." Aubrey let her go. "I'm sorry, Jess. You look so beautiful tonight and I want to make love to you sooo bad...and I love you, of course…"
Jessica pulled off the underwear that was dangling off her right ankle and held them in her hand. "I love you, too. Don't worry, this will be worth it, I promise. Now, go sit on the love seat and I'll be out in a few minutes."
Watching her go into the bedroom and shut the door, Aubrey sat on the couch and waited. After a minute, the agent paced around the small sitting area, anticipating what her surprise might be.
"Are you sitting down, James Aubrey?"
Rushing to his seat, Aubrey sat up straight, almost giddy with anticipation. "Yep."
Hearing the door open, Aubrey looked up and his jaw dropped as Jessica posed against the entryway. He was in awe, drinking in her beauty as she wore a black scalloped lace bustier with magenta flowers accenting it. It was constructed so that it pushed up her cleavage in a very pleasing manner. The matching panties had adjustable garters attached to his favorite pair of her lace edged stockings.
'Holy...shit…' Aubrey thought to himself.
Jessica saw the stunned look in Aubrey's eyes and knew she had chosen well. Leaving the doorway, she sauntered up to her boyfriend until she was standing in front of him. Noting the bulge in his dress pants, she brushed her fingers across his right temple. "So, good choice for Valentine's Day, huh?"
"Uh...yeah…", Aubrey muttered, unable to take his eyes away from her body.
"Oh, one more thing…" Slowly, Jessica turned around to reveal a back cut out of her panties, forming a heart shaped opening around her posterior.
"Oh, fuck me…" Aubrey gently caressed her buttocks and groaned at the silky skin of her posterior. "You...wow…I love your ass...I love you...wow..."
Turning around, Jessica eased herself onto his lap until she straddled him. "Ooohhh, you're really happy right now, Aubrey."
"Yes, I am, and now it's time to celebrate Valentine's Day…"
Holding her close to him, the agent gently nibbled around the top of her breast and worked his way down to the edge of the lace. Moving his tongue around the hardened nipple encased in the lace, he was rewarded with soft moans from his lover. Giving her left breast the same attention, he enjoyed himself before gently pulling the lace down and taking her rosy peak into his hot mouth.
"Oh my God...", Jessica groaned as she ground her hips into her boyfriend. "More…"
"I'll give you a lot more, Jessica…", Aubrey muttered into her skin, loving the feel of her rubbing herself against him.
Moving his lips down the lace, he enjoyed the silky skin of her abdomen, growing harder as she easily bent back to give him more of her body to enjoy. His pants cutting into his circulation, he grabbed her and held her to him as he lifted them up and walked into the bedroom. Laying her down on the bed, Aubrey got his shirt and pants off with Jessica's assistance before they reunited. Lips and hands explored each other's skin before the agent reached back to remove her bustier, but he soon ran into an issue.
"Damn it, how many hooks does this thing have?"
Jessica couldn't hold back her snicker. "Here, let me help, James."
Making quick time with the undergarment, Aubrey tossed the bustier on the bed and went back to exploring Jessica's silky skin. "You feel amazing and you smell so good, Jessica…like cherries and vanilla..."
The redhead arched her back, enjoying the touch of Aubrey's lips as they went past her navel to the edge of her underwear. Feeling his tongue gently trace down the lace towards her thigh, she moaned in satisfaction.
"Have I ever told you how hot it makes me when you wear garters and lace stockings?", Aubrey muttered into Jessica's skin as he slowly moved up and down her right inner thigh.
Jessica heard Aubrey but her brain couldn't form words as her boyfriend's lips and tongue nibbled dangerously close to her core. "I….oohhhh…"
"It makes me crazy with lust. I just want to tear your panties off sometimes and pile drive you, Jessica..." Aubrey arrived near the juncture of her thighs. "But I also enjoy exploring you and taking my time because every time we make love I find a new spot that makes you moan…"
"You always know how to touch me….Oh Gooodddd…", Jessica groaned as Aubrey's lips kissed the lace over her intimate areas. "Don't stop…"
"Oh, I won't, woman…", Aubrey whispered as his hand unsnapped the garters from her stockings. "I'll never stop loving you…"
"I'll never...stop loving...you...either…", Jessica sputtered out as she felt her panties being pulled off her. "What about my stockings?"
"Those are staying on...for now. They're really hot."
When she felt her leg going on Aubrey's shoulder, she opened her eyes as her lover kissed her ankle and moved down her stocking covered calf. As he got closer to her knee, she saw his beautiful blue eyes had taken on a dangerous darker hue and damn if it didn't make her even more wet.
Unable to take any more teasing, she rubbed her leg against his cheek. "James...please…"
"Please what, Jessica…", Aubrey whispered back before kissing her knee as his fingers moved to her bundle of her nerves, making her cry out. He was hard to the point of pain but seeing the redhead grasping the sheets and writhing on the bed was too irresistible, and he couldn't help but appreciate how beautiful she was when she crested a few minutes later.
Jessica happily rode out the quick waves of pleasure but she wanted more. "Get on top of me right now...I want to feel you next to me...I want you in me, damn it."
Aubrey didn't respond, merely pulling off his boxer shorts and giving his girlfriend what she asked for. When they connected, both moaned at the sensation before they began moving together in sync.
"Wow...you feel amazing…", Aubrey muttered into Jessica's neck as he pulled her closer.
"So do you...yes…" Jessica's nails began tracing down his muscular backside.
Soon, Aubrey began to thrust deeper as he felt his release becoming iminent. "Jessica, I can't hold back much longer...look at me…"
Jessica opened her green orbs to see Aubrey's eyes now almost completely black as he took her hands in his and bucked hard into her. Wrapping her legs tightly around him, the redhead moved with her boyfriend until she shuddered and climaxed hard.
Feeling her walls encase him pushed Aubrey harder and a few thrusts later his release came as well. Holding her tightly against him, the couple rode out the final waves of their loving act together.
"Son of a bitch...wow…", Aubrey muttered.
"You're telling me...I'm a very lucky girl…" Jessica arched slightly as Aubrey placed small kisses all over her skin. "You never cease to amaze me, James."
"I should say the same of you, Jessica.", Aubrey replied between kisses and rubbing her thigh. Flipping them over so he was on his back, he pulled his intern closer to him before wrapping them under the comforter. "Thank you for coming...and for coming...twice." He gave her a saucy wink.
"You're welcome, but I didn't do it just for you, you know." Jessica traced his chest muscles with her fingers. "Dr. B sent me here to assist you on a case."
Aubrey thought of their original plans and his guilt returned over what had happened. "I know it wasn't what we planned…"
"No, it wasn't the Valentine's Day celebration we had planned, but...I think I like what we had tonight better, don't you?" Jessica leaned up and propped herself up on her elbow. "We had dinner at a lovely and romantic restaurant...danced to some slow jazz, and explored a little bit of a city I've never been to. Not only that, we're working a case together. Essentially, for Valentine's Day we've worked together and...played together. Always fun."
"Well, whatever reason that brought you here, you've spared me a night of listening to Steve doing baby talk and God only know what else with Mitzi on the phone. Besides, rolling around on a bed naked with you is always more fun." Aubrey tenderly rubbed Jessica's back. "I love you…"
"Thank you...and I love you, too."
Aubrey kissed the top of Jessica's head. "I hope we can get this case solved quickly. Of course to do that, we need to talk to Vincent Lee...if he doesn't get himself killed."
"Well, after his ORIF he's probably doped up tonight so he should be safe." Jessica hugged herself closer to her boyfriend. "I'm sorry I forgot your Valentine's Day present."
"It's fine. We'll exchange them tomorrow or something. You know what else I know, Jess?" Aubrey checked the digital clock. "It's only 9:30...still pretty early in the night."
Jessica chuckled. "You're already up for Round Two?"
"Not yet, but very, very soon." Aubrey caressed her posterior under the covers.
Laughing, Jessica climbed up onto Aubrey, giving him a great view of her breasts. "Well, we did agree this morning that your sex drive is superior to that of other men. Should we prove that again?"
"Damn straight. C'mere…" When Jessica was straddling his lap, he moved up and kissed her deeply as they began making love again.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
By 6:30 the next morning, the suite was quiet except for intermittent moans coming from the bathroom. Steam seeped through the crack under the door as another loud moan came through the wet heat.
In the shower, a well lathered Jessica was pressed up against the shower wall as Aubrey pushed into her.
"Be careful of the floor. I don't want us to trip…", the redhead moaned.
"We're fine...oh yeah…oh shit…" Aubrey mumbled between her breasts as he pushed hard and quick into her. "I'm close…"
"Yeah…yes…yes…oooohhhhhh…", the anthropologist moaned as she orgasmed while clinging to her boyfriend's neck with one arm and holding the shower head with the other hand.
"Aarruugh…", Aubrey groaned as he emptied into his girlfriend. Burying his head into her neck, he panted while collecting himself under the pelting of the hot water before kissing his lover. "Wow…even better than coffee to wake me up in the morning."
"It is, isn't it?", Jessica responded in between kisses.
Aubrey continued to collect his breath. "I love you, Jessica."
"I love you, too, James."
Aubrey put her down and combed her wet hair back gently. "I want more than anything to stay in here with you, but we have a case to finish. Hopefully, the hospital calls soon so we can go talk to Vincent Lee."
"Me too, but now, I'm hungry…" Jessica chuckled at Aubrey's grin. "...not for you, but real food this time, Superman. Perhaps we should see if Steve and Mitzi want to join us for breakfast."
"Yeah, okay. Let's finish up in here in case the doctor calls."
Concluding their shower, the couple got out and got dried off. Just as Aubrey finished putting on his pants from the suit Jessica brought from home, his cell phone rang. "Hello…yeah…okay, I'll grab Agent Bower and we'll be there shortly."
Hanging up, Aubrey turned to Jessica as she finished putting on her bra and panties. "That was the hospital. Lee is awake and able to talk. Breakfast either has to wait or we scarf it on the way."
"We can grab something quick to take with us. I just feel bad that Mitzi had to find something to do by herself here while we work."
Aubrey scratched his head. "Jess, you don't need to be there in the room with us. You can wait outside if you want."
"I may still have to collect a DNA sample and I'm working the case, so it would probably be best to be in the room with you."
"You can wait outside." Aubrey didn't want her near Vincent Lee. "You're CSI…not an agent."
"Aubrey...what's your deal?"
"Nothing is my deal. I just don't think you should be in there unless you're needed is all."
Jessica stepped up to her boyfriend and tapped his chest. "Bullshit. I've been with you before dozens of times when you questioned a suspect. Dr. B gets to be part of interrogations, Aubrey. Karen has even helped with interrogations and she's not an agent, either. Come on, give me your next excuse...I'm waiting."
Aubrey was annoyed at her valid points, trying to ignore that she was clad only in her underwear. "Damn it, Jess that's not fair."
"No, it isn't. I know I'm not an agent, but there's a guard outside the door, and I have you and Steve. As a scientist I may hear or see something you two won't." Jessica softened her stance slightly. "Come on, Aubrey…"
Aubrey knew he couldn't argue with her logic. "Fine…fine…but I'm not happy about this."
"It's obvious you're not, and I'm not sure what the issue is here, but we don't have time to talk about it now. Now, my kit is in the living room and I have my jumpsuit to wear if you prefer it so I'm all official. I've even brought slacks to wear today instead of a skirt." Jessica picked up her set of skinny black pants.
"Don't be a smart ass, Jessica.", Aubrey retorted as he put on his shirt. "Come on. I'll text Steve in a few minutes and hopefully he and Mitzi are dressed and somewhat ready to go."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Aubrey, Steve, and a suited-up Jessica arrived at the hospital less than an hour later. Carrying her gear, the redhead stayed in the background as the agents talked to the doctor.
"He will be here until tomorrow and then will recuperate back at the detention center. He's lucky to only have the leg injury and concussion. From the report I received from the warden, it was a sneak attack with no one else around."
Aubrey took great interest in the doctor's last comment before being led to a hospital room with a marshal standing guard in front of it. Steve went in first as Aubrey turned back to his girlfriend.
"Jess, as a Special Agent, I have to caution you again to keep your distance and—"
"Keep my mouth shut. Yes, Agent Aubrey, I will defer to you as I always do when I've accompanied you in the past to question a suspect. Since the FBI trusts Dr. B to contain herself except when around misogynists, then I can do the same. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm waiting for her to get back with me regarding something I saw in the crime scene photos, so I'll sit on the couch in there like a good girl." Jessica walked right past Aubrey and into the room.
"Go right on in, Jess...you are such a pain in the ass sometimes." Turning around he saw the marshal smile. "What the hell are you smiling at?", Aubrey retorted before entering the room.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Brennan was in the Bone Room examining one of the sets of remains when Booth came by. "Hey Bones…I got here as soon as I could. What's going on?"
"Ms. Warren noted something this morning with one of the victims as she examined the crime scene photos. I'm going over Mr. Bray's findings on the woman in question." Brennan felt around the margin of a rib nodding before examining the fibula, sternum, and skull. "Just as Mr. Bray suspected...he's done excellent work. I'll document my comments in the case notes."
Booth watched his wife write with a stylus on a tablet on, growing impatient. "Bones...what did Wendell and Jessica find out that was so important? You called me and said I had to get down here right away, right?"
Brennan pointed to a board where the photos were posted. Indicating the pictures where the victims were inside of the hole before removal, she motioned for Booth. "Now all the sets of remains found were clothed, albeit the fabric was degraded, correct?"
"Yes, Bones, we've already discussed that. Whoever killed these women must have done it at the same time or a very short time in between because you said it looked like a large mass grave."
"Yes, and I still agree with that assessment. Now, take a look at each set of remains in situ when fully excavated and tell me what you see. I didn't see this until Ms. Warren noted it when she examined the photos early this morning. I had asked her to view them before Aubrey and Agent Bower went to talk to Vincent Lee, and she found something."
The agent carefully examined each picture, noting what each woman seemed to be wearing. "Possible uniform with shoes…what was probably jeans with some blouse…another uniform…a bra…a dress…wait a minute…"
Booth went back to the fourth set of remains. "Bones, I know the clothes degraded from being buried for a minimum of three years, but if I didn't know any better, this victim had no clothes on short of a bra…maybe panties before the bodies were buried under dirt. Are you thinking sexual assault?"
"Possibly, but Dr. Thompson said there's no way to determine that. Mr. Bray wrote in his notes that this set of remains had more defects typical of gunshot wounds than were present on the others, and I concur with his findings because while the other five victims had what presents as one bullet wound in their skulls, this one was not only shot in the head, but also the leg, chest, and ribs."
Booth nodded as he considered what his wife told him. "Seems a bit overkill compared to the others. Whoever shot her had to be in some sort of...rage…"
"Yes, I agree." Brennan pointed to something underneath the remains in questions. "See this? It's a scrap of red fabric with a zipper underneath her. Hodgins tested it and found that it's a polyester blend typically found in industrial uniforms. When he examined it further, he found that the zipper was stuck. Unfortunately, the only prints found were smudged, but Dr. Thompson extracted some possible DNA on the material. Because they were buried almost six feet underground, we're hopeful we can find something variable to compare to the prisoner database."
"We have that, then we will at least know who was with those women when they were dumped in that hole." Booth looked over the skeleton. "Which victim was this, Bones?"
"Changying Wang, the one that had the partially burned green card." Brennan saw her husband in a pondering look. "What are you thinking, Booth?"
"When Genny and I dug through Sunny Helpers' employment record for Changying, we never found an actual employer, just a company. The other victims had either people or companies with their manager's name listed."
"Just a minute, Booth. My phone is buzzing." Brennan looked the screen and read the message. "It's Ms. Warren. She had an idea about the absence of clothing…and it makes complete sense."
"What is it, Bones?" After hearing her explanation, Booth hesitated. "You know I never doubt you, Bones, but that seems like a stretch."
"Not for someone that immersed in the culture… whom I'm sure was a participant in this particular ritual back in China. I'll let Ms. Warren know to tell Aubrey and Agent Bower. At the very least it could rattle Mr. Lee's cell."
Booth opened his mouth and then shut it again, deciding it wasn't worth correcting his wife. Before he could say anything else, Dr. Thompson rushed into the Bone Room.
"There was a speck of viable DNA, and I did find a match in the database."
Booth looked at the results and smiled. "Want to take a trip with me, Bones?"
Brennan finished her message and looked up with a smile. "An excellent idea, Booth."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
"Vincent, you're already facing trial for concocting a murder for hire scheme to kill Tammy in prison along with the other victims that were supposed to testify at your trial. Why the hell should we believe you when you say you didn't kill these women?", Aubrey asked.
"Yes, I'm guilty of holding those women against their will. However, I did not try to get Tammy and the others murdered…and I also didn't kill these women here. I'm not a killer."
Aubrey saw the subtle trembling of the man in bed. 'Maybe he didn't do it, but he knows something…yeah he does.'
"You didn't put a contract out on these women? Your cellmate testified that you solicited him to get his girlfriend to kill Tammy in prison and her cousin to kill the other witnesses.", Steve barked.
"He's a liar. Did you know that he was paroled six months early because of his lies? Sandra is behind this…her and that other man."
Aubrey crossed his arms. "You know, you said at your first trial that she had someone higher up helping her get these women here, but we've never found a trace of this mysterious person."
Victor shrugged. "I don't know the name but he's someone very powerful and he is probably the reason I was almost killed in the laundry yesterday. He probably found out you gentlemen were coming here after seeing the story about those bodies on the news."
Jessica sat quietly and observed the interrogation, hoping Dr. B would get back to her soon. If her hunch was right, they would soon know who had killed those women and dumped them in that grave like they were trash. Hearing a buzz, Jessica grabbed her phone. Reading it, she jumped out of her seat without thinking and ran up to the prisoner's bed.
"Mr. Lee, are you Chinese?"
Aubrey and Steve both turned to the redhead in surprise. "Jess, what are you doing?", Aubrey murmured. "You said you'd stay out of it…"
"Bear with me, Aubrey." Turning to Victor, Jessica smiled. "Sorry, I'm Jessica Warren. I'm one of Dr. Brennan's interns at the Jeffersonian, and I need you to answer my question, please."
Looking at the woman like she was crazy, Lee shook his head. "I'm Vietnamese. Why?"
"Okay, so you're not Chinese. Tell me something, sir, who removed Changying Wang's work uniform from her body before you buried her?"
Aubrey gently pulled Jessica to the side. "Jessica, what the hell are you doing? Why are you interrogating my suspect?"
"I'm pursuing a lead...and Dr. B agrees with me...she thinks it's viable. I don't have time to argue with you now. Please give me five minutes, Superman…that's it."
Aubrey hated to be the bad guy, but he had no choice. "You're not an agent, Jess. Anything that happens here can be used in court and a good defense attorney can destroy you if you mess up...or even get everything he says tossed out of court."
"Superman, my mother and brother are attorneys and I know the drill. Besides, Dr. B talks to suspects all the time. I'll be fine. Please trust me and let me talk to him. This whole case depends on what I have to ask him. Please..."
Aubrey saw the sincerity in her eyes and decided to do what she'd always told him to do. "Fine, I'll go with my vibe on this one."
"Thank you." Heading back to Victor, she stood with her hands clasped behind her. "Mr. Lee, can you answer my question, please?"
Visibly rattled, Lee turned away. "I don't have to answer you."
"You're right, you don't, but let me tell you what we know." Jessica placed her hands on the sides of the bed, aware of the two men watching her. "Five of the bodies were found clothed. Of course, being buried at least three years the clothes disintegrated somewhat, but we found remnants of complete sets on those five women. However, the remaining body only had a bra that survived because it was polyester. No panties…no shirt…no pants or shoes...nothing else. All that was found with her besides those two items was a scrap of red material that looked to be partially ripped and cut."
Aubrey and Steve both noticed that Vincent Lee had grown pale. "Boss, what's she doing?", Steve asked quietly. "Lee looks like he's going to shit himself."
Aubrey watched with a smile. "Kicking ass is what she's doing."
"Now, the women were Asian, like yourself, but after identifying them, we discovered them to be women brought from Yambian with the help of Sunny Helpers. When I initially examined these photos, I figured this victim was sexually assaulted. When I was sitting here waiting for Dr. Brennan to email me back, I looked at the photos again. I was still thinking sexual assault, but then I remembered my Social Anthropology class back when I was attending Michigan State."
"Young lady,", Vincent interrupted. "I will hear no more…"
"Asian cultures have specific customs when it comes to burying the dead. For the Chinese, one of these customs involves making sure the deceased is never buried in red clothing, because according to folklore, that person will come back as a ghost and all their other clothing is burned. Through a series of tests, we realized that's what the burned material was that we found with the bodies…clothing."
Jessica kept her glee to herself as Lee's eyes widened in fear. "Westerners who have lived in China, particularly in the smaller villages, are often aware of these rituals, having possibly participated in them…perhaps even believing in some of them, such as the fear of being haunted by your victim."
Vincent's defiance and confidence of a few minutes earlier had dissipated into dread. "Please don't…they've already tried to kill me…"
Aubrey saw the naked fear on the man's face. "Are you talking about the man who you think helped Sandra Zinn in getting these women to the States.?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't she spill at her trial?"., Steve asked. "Smart people usually will do that to save their own skin."
"Because she wants to do just that, Agent Bower, so she's working with that man to silence me, first by somehow getting my cellmate to lie about this murder for hire contract that never happened, and now by being assaulted in the laundry. The officer who broke up the fight probably saved my life. Of course, I've probably signed my own death warrant by saying all that."
Aubrey spoke quietly but firmly. "We'll protect you, Vincent, but you have to be straight with us. Tell us what happened."
Closing his eyes, Vincent Lee told the story of what had happened three years earlier. The agents and Jessica grew more horrified by the moment as they listened to the details the women's deaths and of the body disposal. As Jessica listened, she fought hard to not vomit.
"When we got Changying into the hole, Sandra suddenly began removing her dress...muttering something about how she couldn't leave it on her. When the zipper got stuck, she yelled at me to get a knife out of her glove compartment. Giving it to her, she used it to cut the dress off the woman and put it in the piles of clothes that I was burning. I guess in the dark she didn't notice the one scrap under Changying. When the fire had burned down to a smolder, we climbed out and filled the hole with dirt."
"How did she do it?", Steve asked. "Was the gun hers?"
"No...she said she borrowed one of his. When I got the knife out of the glove compartment, I saw what looked like a .44 Magnum. I'm assuming that's the one she was referring to."
"Coldblooded…", Steve muttered.
"How do we know you're not lying about not knowing about the murders until she called you to help dispose of them?" Aubrey asked.
"Because I was on a flight from Los Angeles with a woman from Yambian that I had recruited. When I landed, I heard the voice mail, so I took our newest woman to the house and drove out to Ms. Zinn's home...where I found them." Vincent looked up. "Check my flight's manifest and my passport. I wasn't even here."
"What do you know about this person, Vincent?", Aubrey asked. "The man you allege was the one that helped her get women from Yambian and possibly assisted her in killing these women?"
"Not much, I'm afraid. He is someone who had diplomatic ties to China and she knew him through her relief organization. He paid for cleaning services through a shell corporation." Lee looked at Aubrey. "But whomever it was had enough influence to make Sandra suffer if the truth got out, so she went to prison instead of taking a deal."
Aubrey got on the phone and dialed Booth's line. "Booth, got some interesting info from Lee."
"Yeah, got something for you, too. You first."
Aubrey filled him in and then Booth told Aubrey what he found out. "You're shitting me, right?"
"Nope. Bones and I are almost to Hazelton right now to talk to Zinn. If she cooperates, then we have this douchebag."
"Alright, keep in touch." Aubrey hung up the phone. "Okay, Lee. Agent Bower is going to stay with you to protect you while I head back to DC. Bower, I'll call the Philly field office to get another agent to stay here with Lee so you and Mitzi can head home. I'm sorry that she's stuck by herself."
"Mitzi's fine. She's checking out the sights."
"Alright." Turning to his girlfriend. "Come on, Jess, let's go home."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Eight hours later, the Jeffersonian gang were clanging glasses of beer, wine, and sparkling water at Founding Fathers in celebration of solving their case.
"Man, how often do we get to take a douchebag like George Phelps down?"
"Not often enough, Hodgins." Aubrey sipped his beer. "I'm sure his nomination for Deputy Secretary of State is now in the crapper."
"So, Booth, we didn't get a chance to find out what happened.", Angela said.
Booth nodded as he finished his beer. "Changying worked for Phelps, and he'd made passes at her. She managed to avoid trouble until he tried to force himself on her one day. She fought him off and told Victor about it, which led to five other women also lodging complaints about his advances as well. He promised to handle it but Changying got impatient, so she convinced the other women to join her in going to the police."
"Victor made the mistake of telling Sandra Zinn, who knew if Phelps was outed it would destroy their human trafficking operation. After consulting with Phelps, they decided to eliminate all the witnesses except for Vincent, because they knew he'd be too scared to talk.", Jessica added before eating a potato skin.
"She called the women over to her house one at a time and after giving them drugged tea, shot them one by one. Changying, being the instigator, got the brunt of her anger and was shot multiple times.", Aubrey chimed in. "She called Victor while he was still in the air and when he finally got to the house, he saw what she had done. After threatening him with jail, he helped her bring the bodies to the dumpsite. They dumped their clothes and possessions in the hole as well and set them afire because Chinese custom states you burn the deceased's items."
"But what was the deal with stripping Changying naked?", Angela asked, still confused.
After ensuring there was no bacon on it, Brennan grabbed a plain potato skin. "She was killed in her work uniform, which was a red dress. Another part of Chinese custom at burial is the decedent does not wear red, as it's thought that wearing that color will bring them back as a ghost."
Jessica finished chewing her slider. "Ms. Zinn was familiar with the Chinese funeral customs because of her work and was immersed enough in it that she believed that Changying would haunt her. When the zipper on her dress was stuck, Ms. Zinn used a knife to cut off her dress, not noticing the scrap of dress in the bottom of the grave."
"I tested Dr. Brennan's casts of the bullet wounds in each decedent. Mr. Lee knows his guns.", Dr. Thompson said as she finished her wine. "The striations matched a .44 Magnum. Checking registrations, George Phelps owned a .44 Magnum, so we got a warrant for the gun, which the arrogant ass still had in a display case. I tested it and after reverse engineering the bullet, it matched the striations from the womens' bullet wounds."
"So what's going to happen to Vincent and Sandra Zinn?" Clark asked.
"Vincent Lee has been put in witness protection and will be transferred to another federal prison while the murder for hire case he's being tried for is now being reinvestigated." Booth said. "Caroline offered Sandra Zinn life in prison if she pled guilty to murder in return for taking the death penalty off the table. Smart woman that she is, Zinn took it."
"Hopefully, those women will now rest in peace.", Aubrey lamented. "Hell of a way for us to spend Valentine's Day, isn't it?"
"Not one I want to repeat, that's for sure.", Hodgins said while eating a shrimp.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Eventually, the group broke up and went their separate ways. After giving a ride home to Clark and a late arriving Wendell and Andie, Jessica and Aubrey headed back to their house. The ride was silent as each contemplated their day.
"Are you still mad that I worked with you in the interrogation today, Superman?"
Aubrey looked at Jessica before putting his eyes back on the road. "No, Jess, I'm not. I just…I know Dr. B and Booth are full partners but…sometimes, I deal with some nasty people and some awful situations, and I know that if I'm not careful I could get killed. Worrying about myself is easy, but you…"
"Aubrey, I know what you do is sometimes dangerous. It made me hesitate to go out with you in the beginning." She saw Aubrey's surprise when he turned to her. "Yes, it did. It was one of the reasons why I turned you down when you sort of propositioned me in Leslie Hodsell's house. However, you were cute and fun...and I saw you were quite handy with your gun when we found that weirdo in the attic."
"Weirdo is being mild…he was a Babe Ruth obsessed fruit cake…"
Jessica chuckled. "As I was saying, I realized I was a bit harsh, so I invited you to dinner, which was a date…"
"Well, yeah...even though we didn't call it that…"
...but, I know you take precautions and I know if something turns sideways that you'll protect me." She puffed out a small sigh. "Besides...he was restrained, right?"
"Jessica—"
"Yes, I understand your fear of someone hurting me, but if I'm asked to help again with a suspect, I'm doing it. Not to prove how fearless I am, not to show you up, but because it will help people. I would rather take a risk for a greater good than stand on the sidelines. You know that."
Aubrey couldn't fight with her logic. Her willingness to stand up for what's right was one of the reasons why he loved her. "I know. I'm sorry I was an ass about it."
Jessica took his hand. "No, I was being stubborn about not taking your feelings into consideration and I'm sorry."
Aubrey kissed her knuckles before pulling into the driveway and into the opening garage. "I will admit, it was nice working with you like that. You noticing Changying's lack of clothes and knowing that anthropological stuff was pretty clever. Without all that, we may not have broken the case."
Getting out, Jessica grabbed her stuff as Aubrey grabbed his travel bag to refill it and they went into the house. After Skinner greeted his owners at the door, Jessica paid attention to the tabby as Aubrey gave him some food.
"Okay, it's present time, Aubrey.", Jessica said. "Meet back here in one minute."
"Deal."
Jessica ran into her studio office and grabbed a gift bag from under her desk along with a smaller one in a closed drawer. In the den, Aubrey reached behind the television and grabbed a gift bag of his own. Less than sixty seconds later, the couple met back in the living room.
"This small bag is for Skinner…", Jessica said. "Here, boy...got something for you…"
Jessica wound up the mouse and let it go on the hardwood floor, driving the orange tabby in a frenzy as he chased it while inhaling the catnip.
"He'll be occupied for a while.", Aubrey said while holding out his bag to her. "Happy Valentine's Day, Jess."
"Happy Valentine's Day, Aubrey. Open mine first, please?"
"Okay...for you." Setting her gift bag on the center island, Aubrey took his gift and after moving the tissue paper, looked inside. "These are so cool!"
The agent pulled out a pair of black pajama pants with Darth Vader figures superimposed on red hearts along with the slogan 'Looking for Love' alternating with 'Alderran'.
"You really like them? I saw them on Amazon and I had to get them for you."
"I love these pants. Thank you." Aubrey kissed Jessica. "Your turn."
Jessica moved the tissue paper and pulled out a large box. When she saw what it was, she lit up like a Christmas tree. "A General Leia Organa figure. This is so cool….can I put it in our Star Wars room?"
Hearing her call it 'our Star Wars room' made him all bubbly. "Yeah, you can. You like it?"
"I love it, Aubrey. Thank you…" Jessica saw something else in the bag. "Superman, we promised not to be extravagant for Valentine's Day…"
"I know but...this is long overdue. It was on backorder and I was only able to pick it up Tuesday before we met for lunch."
"Okay…" Pulling out the small box, she lifted it and had tears in her eyes. "My necklace…"
Aubrey watched as she pulled out her heart lock charm with the new chain. "I went to get you a new chain the day you were released from the hospital, but I had to special order it. I'm just sorry it took so long to get here." Aubrey saw her face. "You didn't think I forgot, did you?"
"Well, no...but with me being hospitalized, and Gerald's hearing...you said you would get me a new one because he broke it but I didn't want to nag…" Jessica wiped a tear away. "Put it on me…"
Aubrey came around and put the lock necklace around Jessica's throat and secured it. "Looks good…"
"It's back where it needs to be." Jessica kissed her boyfriend. "Thank you, Aubrey…"
"You're welcome, Jessica." Holding out his hand, Jessica took it and the two shut off the lights before going upstairs to bed.
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