More and more facts are coming to light, and Cam is finally back to work at the lab. There's a lot going on for our favorite couple. Do they make any progress on their case? Read on to find out...

Friday morning was cold as Aubrey and Jessica stumbled out of bed when their alarm went off at 6:00. After the agent fed Skinner, he joined his girlfriend in the shower and they planned their day.

"So you're picking up the cake, right?", Jessica asked.

"Yeah, I'm grabbing it from Kroger's at 2:00 before heading over to the lab, barring any last minute issues. I got chocolate cake. I love chocolate cake…"

"You have to share with the others, James Aubrey.", Jessica chuckled as her boyfriend rubbed shower gel all over the front of her. Shivering when he brushed her nipples, she controlled herself. "While you're there, can you pick up some Reddi-Wip? It's on sale two for $3.00 this week."

Aubrey grinned before brushing Jessica's breasts again purposely, suddenly feeling very amorous. "I could grab some more Hershey syrup while I'm there, too. It's been a few weeks since we've had naughty food sex…"

"It has...but I think someone doesn't want to wait until we get home tonight…" Jessica shivered again as he held her closer and his hand traveled south as he kissed her. "Aubrey...we're going to be late for work…oh…"

"Jessica, I have to do something about this." Aubrey pointed down. "I woke up this way and I can't go to work with a boner."

Jessica chuckled. "You had another sex dream involving us and food, didn't you?"

"Noooo…." Aubrey chuckled nervously but Jessica continued to stare at him. "...yeah…"

Jessica smiled before caressing his face. "What was it this time?"

"Chocolate cake and mint chocolate chip ice cream. We attended a party at Booth and Dr. B's...you took me home and...I got to lick the cake and ice cream off you in some extra special naughty spots before we destroyed your old dining room table…"

"Was it good, Aubrey?" Jessica chuckled as she shut off the water and got out of the shower.

"Oh yeah…", the agent said as he followed her out. He couldn't help but stare as he watched Jessica dry off, mesmerized by how the towel went up and down her legs. 'Oh to be that towel right now…'

Jessica turned around, getting wet at the look in her boyfriend's eyes. "Aubrey, get a move on. You said you wanted to be at work at 7:30 this morning, remember?"

"Yeah, I did...but not anymore…" Taking two steps towards her, he quickly grabbed her and kissed her passionately while one hand kneaded her rear end. "Jessica...I need you now…"

Jessica let Aubrey back her up into the sink and lift her up on the counter, knocking several items out of the way. As his lips nibbled on her neck in the spot that drove her crazy, she tried again to reason with her boyfriend. "Superman...we have to...oh…you have to...stop...oh yes...we're going to be late for work..."

Aubrey kissed a path around her breasts before moving onto her abdomen and further down before lifting up her left leg onto his right shoulder. "Yeah...we're going to be late, Jessica, but it's for a good cause…you've been such a big help on the Vacchio case, and I'm too hard to go to work..."

Jessica groaned as her boyfriend's lips and tongue trailed down her inner thigh before he reached his goal. "It is...oh God…oh my God..."

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

At 9AM, Hunter Geren signed in at the security desk and after asking directions, walked briskly across the lab toward Ms. Montenegro's office. Curling his fingers around the flash drive in his pocket, he grimaced slightly, hoping she was as talented in working on computer forensic issues as Agent Nguyen had suggested. Without her assistance, their 'official visit' to Maxco would end up being a colossal waste of time...and there'd be no chance to try again without more proof of wrongdoing on the part of the men running the place.

Nguyen had been adamant...Angela Montenegro was the only person he knew who could break what appeared to be a very sophisticated encryption that had been disguised as a computer virus. Hunter had been doubtful...after all, Angela seemed to be merely a flighty artist with an earthy sense of humor. He knew that she'd patented several software innovations, but still...getting her to focus long enough to solve his problem would probably be a longshot at best. Unfortunately, a longshot was all they had left if they wanted to take down the crooks at Maxco.

Reaching his destination, he rapped on the doorframe. "Ms. Montenegro?"

"Yes?" She grinned broadly, arching her eyebrow at the handsome accountant. "Well, it seems today's my lucky day...I'm getting a visit from a gorgeous man. What can I do for you, Agent Geren?", she purred. "Are you here on business?"

"Um, yes...I am." Unsure of her tone, he cleared his throat nervously. "Well, you see...Thom Nguyen at the FBI says you're the best computer forensics specialist he knows, and we have a little problem here, so we need your help...if you have time, that is."

Angela chuckled. "I always have time for a computer problem. I love a good challenge, don't you?"

Slightly uncomfortable, Hunter smoothed his tie before holding up the drive in question. "We went out to Maxco's offices yesterday, serving a warrant to check their computer files and stuff like that. Their IT manager, a Ms. Gaffney, said that they'd had a major issue with a computer virus...according to her, all the data we needed has been totally corrupted. Thom is suspicious...he thinks Maxco stored their data in the cloud and then encrypted whatever information was on their drives. He hopes you'll be able to figure it out…he said to tell you hello, by the way..."

"Oh, he did? That Thom...he's such a cutie...too bad I'm already married. Tell him that I said hi back to him."

Hunter gulped noisily. "I can do that. He asked me to put in a good word for him, too…"

"Yeah, he's been begging for a job here for a long time. He's almost as good as I am." She eyed Hunter appreciatively as she pointed to a chair. "Have a seat...let me see what we have here….want some coffee? Amazing stuff at the coffee cart near the entrance of the Jeffersonian."

'Damn, she's married and about to pop out a kid...she's making a play for me...I'm a married man…Genny would kick my ass...and hers...without a second thought...' Hunter was growing more uncomfortable by the minute with Angela's flirting and suggestive tone. "Um….I'm good…I don't mind standing..."

"Suit yourself." She inserted the drive into her computer and opened it. "My anti-virus software isn't warning me about any problems originating from this unit. I think Thom's correct...the info has been scrambled in some other way...it was damaged on purpose."

Hunter relaxed slightly. "That's good...so when do you think you'll know if it can be deciphered?"

Giggling softly, she nodded at him. "It's gonna take me awhile to figure it out, but you can wait if you want. Hey, I know...after I grab my daily cup of coffee, maybe you can tell me how things are going between you and Shaw...you know, in the bedroom department. Hot and heavy, I bet...I bet she climbs you like a tree, right? The honeymoon is still in full swing, isn't it?"

Feeling himself blush, Hunter tried to stammer an answer. "Well, um….you know…we're really...happy…together…with that stuff..."

"I imagine so." Angela laughed as she typed on her keyboard. "I'm sorry...I know I shouldn't pry, but the pregnancy hormones make me horny sometimes…and I always like to hear about whether or not my friends are getting any. I guess I'm a natural voyeur...just ask Aubrey and Jessica...now those two are very interesting...she ran in here about 20 minutes late this morning, telling Brennan that Aubrey couldn't find his car keys...lost car keys, my ass...I bet with them it's gymnastics almost every night...and the way he loves to eat, there's probably lots of chocolate syrup and whipped cream, too…."

"Right….bet they...enjoy that." Glancing at his watch, Hunter inched toward the door. "Oh, look at the time...I need to go. I've got an appointment…"

"Really? Gotta go meet the wife for a quickie, huh?" Angela chuckled as he edged away from her. "Okay...I'll be in touch, Hunter…"

"Yeah...okay. Thanks." Taking a deep breath, the agent trotted out of the office. Shaking his head as he entered the elevator, he pushed the button for the parking level. "Next time, I'm bringing Nguyen as my chaperone…that woman is crazy…."

Angela sat at her desk and began her work. "Damn...I really need to get some, but it's a little difficult with Hodgins' wheelchair and my cargo…" Looking down at her belly, Angela made a declaration.

"Okay, little boy, I can't wait until April 14th for you...Momma needs your Daddy in the worst way…"

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

At 3:30, Cam and Brennan were driving back from their business luncheon at the Watergate Hotel. Both were grateful to leave, each hating this part of their jobs, but also realizing it needed to be done to keep the Jeffersonian solvent so they could have the best equipment and manpower.

Cam turned onto Constitution Avenue, and then spoke to her colleague. "Thank you for coming with me, Dr. Brennan. I know you hate these functions as much as I do."

Checking her phone, Brennan looked back up at her supervisor. "It's fine, Cam, although seeing Alexander Stephens from Histavark was a bit...unnerving. However, I kept my distance as much as I could until I met up with him and John Higgins at the at the hors d'oeuvres table."

Cam grew immediately concerned. "Dr. Brennan...what happened with them?"

"We discussed my latest book...apparently both men are fans of my work. Then Mr. Stephens mentioned that his brother is the president of Pennsylvania State University, and on his behalf he offered me the position of dean of the anthropology department."

"W-what? Dr. Brennan…you're kidding..."

"Oh, I told him I was under contract to the lab and American University, but Mr. Higgins said he knew US Senators who could help me break both of my contracts. I told them that while flattered, I've already received tenure and that I was content at the lab. Mr. Stephens talked about how Philadelphia had a lot to offer and that maybe if I accepted the position, Booth would reconsider the offer for the SAC position open in Philadelphia for the Secret Service."

"Oh no…" Cam tried to keep herself calm. "Outside of us working the case, did Booth mention that offer to anyone?"

Brennan shook her head. "No. Not wanting to let my concern show, I let the gentleman know that since my husband had turned down the offer from Homeland Security, we were staying in Washington DC as we were both satisfied with our current positions. Then, as I was walking away, Mr. Higgins insinuated that turning down the offer could lead to unfortunate circumstances for my family."

"He openly threatened you?"

"I took it as such. My response was to remind the two men that extortion and threatening a federal agent and/or his loved ones were federal offenses which could lead to unfortunate circumstances for themselves, particularly for someone who held dual citizenship to the US and Canada, such as Mr. Stephens. Both men seemed to be unpleasantly surprised at what I had to say, since they could not come up with a response as I walked away."

Cam's concern grew exponentially. "Dr. Brennan, as soon as we get back, I will be calling security…we need to be on the alert for any actions to stop the Vacchio case from being investigated. You need to call Booth-"

"Don't worry, Cam. I plan on letting Booth know when we get back to the lab so we can document what happened." Brennan looked out the window, ready to change the subject. "At least the luncheon had excellent vegetarian options, although I barely had time to enjoy them since we were so busy smotzing people. I do recognize that it's important, although our work should speak for itself when it comes to donations to the Jeffersonian."

'Smotzing...oh, schmoozing…' Cam thought. "I quite agree. I was hoping to avoid this my first week or two back, but with the beginning of the fiscal quarter for many foundations and companies coming up in a few weeks on April 1st, it had to be done."

Brennan chuckled. "So, how has your first week back been for you?"

"Stressful, but good. The boys said I seem happier. They must have sensed that their mother needed to go back to work." Cam smiled. "Mother...I'm their mom…that's….amazing."

"Yes, you are, Cam. When we met eleven years earlier, you were a career woman with no life other than having sexual intercourse with Booth, and now you're married and a mother of four children." Brennan heard Cam snicker. "Did I say something humorous...get it...humerus...humorous?"

Cam smiled. "Yes to the joke, and yes to what you said. I knew that there was something special with you and Booth even back then."

Brennan chuckled remembering their rocky time during the Dylan Crane case. "Even when you threatened to fire me?"

"Maybe, but I wouldn't be a mother of four if it wasn't for you, Dr. Brennan." Cam turned into the parking garage for the Jeffersonian. "I'm glad to have you as a colleague and a friend."

"I feel the same way, Cam." Brennan waited for the pathologist to park her car and turn off the ignition before sending a quick text. "I'm just letting Booth know we're back at the lab. If I don't, Booth will have a myocardial infarction before driving here in a frenzy."

"Yes, that is something Booth would do." Cam nodded. "It's not a bad idea to play it safe until we conclude the Vacchio case."

"I know, now that it seems Booth, Aubrey, and Genny were correct in their assumption that with everyone turning down their 'job offers' that things would escalate into attempts at intimidation." Brennan scanned her badge onto the employee entrance scanner and opened the door. "Aubrey and Booth now insist on taking Ms. Warren and me to and from work every day. Genny drives her husband to work as well as taking precautions with Danny at his school...and Booth has done the same with Christine and Hank."

The two women walked through the employee entrance. "Well, it's possible, and it's better to be careful now, Dr. Brennan. I still think about the Glen Durant case, and I hope we're not going to have a repeat of that."

"I don't either.", Brennan said before she dropped her keys right at the lab entrance. Waiting for Cam to scan them in, the two ladies entered a darkened lab.

"Where is everyone?", Cam asked.

Suddenly the lights came on and the lab crew along with Arastoo, the boys, and Michelle, Booth, Aubrey, Genny, Hunter, Caroline, Andie, Wendell, and all the other interns, Daisy, Oliver, using a quad cane, and Rani yelled out, "Surprise!"

Brennan smiled as Cam looked around the lab. Hanging off the platform was a sign, WELCOME BACK DR. SAROYAN! Some of the lab stations had streamers hanging around and nearby was a makeshift bar with a list of Hodgins' specialty cocktails.

Cam smiled as she shook her head. "Angela, were you behind this?"

Waddling up to her supervisor, the heavily pregnant woman hugged her friend. "Damn right I was. You really thought I would let this go?"

Turning to her colleague, she glanced at Brennan with a smirk. "Dr. Brennan...the text to Booth…that wasn't just a friendly, 'I'm back at work' text..."

The anthropologist chuckled. "No, it was to Angela, to let her know we'd returned."

"I helped with the party", Daisy, holding a cocktail in an Erlenmeyer flask, chimed in, wearing a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Cam looked around again. "So...we have alcohol...food up on the platform..."

"Beau and I donated barbecue for today!", Daisy loudly chimed in again. "We put in a lot for this party."

"Yes, you've made everyone aware of that, Daisy." Rolling his eyes, Hodgins wheeled up to the front of the stairs. "...and there's also a cake up at the platform. Go see…"

Unable to resist, Cam badged herself up and chuckled at the photo cake with 'Welcome back! Now eat me!' in red piped frosting. Laughing, she turned back to the group. "Aubrey...did you pick up the cake?"

Putting his hand in his pockets, his sidearm peeking out, the agent laughed. "Guilty as charged...can we have some cake now? I'm a little hungry."

"Soon Aubrey…", Cam laughed as she joined her family. "Okay folks, if there's a party, let's celebrate."

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

Shifting from one foot to the other, Hunter ate a bite of cake as he kept an eye on Angela, who was mingling with the crowd of guests. He definitely did not want her to sneak up on him...not after she'd acted like she wanted to play grab ass this morning. He was so intent on watching the artist that he hadn't noticed his wife walking up behind him.

"Why are you being so standoffish, Honey?", Genny asked. "You know everyone here…" Seeing that she'd startled her husband, she giggled. "You must've been lost in thought...or else you're really enjoying that cake…"

"What? No! I mean, yes, I like the cake, but...you know I'm not much of a party guy…", he stammered as he scraped up some icing from his plate. "I'm more of a homebody…and it's kinda weird standing around at a welcome back shindig for someone I barely know..."

"That's bullshit." Genny narrowed her eyes at him as he fidgeted with his fork. "Something's up. What's going on? You might as well spill it...you know I'm good at interrogations...I'm going to find out anyway…"

Trying to hide his embarrassment, Hunter shrugged as he turned away. "Nothing's wrong...it's just that...okay, this is going to sound bizarre, but when I went to see Ms. Montenegro in her office this morning, she acted like she was really checking me out, and not in a professional manner." He shuddered slightly as he remembered that morning's conversation. "She wanted to know stuff...about you and me...you know...sex stuff…"

"So did you tell her that it's great? That you're the man? That I've had more orgasms in the last three weeks than I've ever had in my entire life? That my handsome husband keeps me well satisfied in the sex department?"

"Genny!" Hunter was shocked, but obviously proud of himself. "Of course I didn't tell her that! I mean, we were talking about stuff on a flash drive…"

"And she wanted to talk about your sex drive. Yeah, I get it. It's kinda odd talking to her about that stuff, but that's just her. You'll get used to it after awhile."

"Even other people's sex life? She brought up how wild she thinks Aubrey and Jessica's lovemaking is. I mean...wow…she even brought up how Jessica was late for work this morning and it was probably due to them...doing it…it was definitely TMI..."

"Hunter, Aubrey was almost thirty minutes late this morning and while he said it was because he misplaced his keys, I don't believe it. I know what really happened, because when Aubrey saw that his favorite long john donuts were gone before he got there, he didn't complain like he usually does. My boss had a good morning and Angela is pretty perceptive about that stuff." Waving at Angela, Genny grinned up at her husband. "You know what? I think it's time to brag about my hunky husband a little bit. Maybe I'll tell her about how you do that thing with your tongue…"

"At Dr. Saroyan's welcome back party? I don't think so." Seeing that she was teasing him, he smiled. "Okay, you can brag about us a little bit, but let's keep a few secrets for ourselves, okay? After all, I don't want her to be so jealous that she doesn't want to look at the computer stuff for me…"

"Oh, alright. I'll leave out that part, but from the hints she's given in the past, she and Dr. Hodgins don't have any issues in the bedroom, wheelchair or not." Giving him a squeeze, Genny winked at him. "You know I trust you, right? I know you'd never cheat on me…"

"Because you'd kill me if you found out." Hunter chuckled softly. "You're right. I've waited too long for you...and I'd never ruin things for a silly fling. You're stuck with me…"

"Good." Seeing that Angela was headed over, Genny finished her drink. "Since you're afraid of Angela, I'll protect you by making sure she knows that you're off limits. Hi, Angela…"

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

Two hours later, Jessica saw Daisy staring out into space. Walking up to her friend, she tapped her shoulder, startling her. "I'm sorry, Dais. Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Daisy crossed her arms over her chest and shrugged. "I'm just tired."

Not convinced, Jessica looked around at the party guests. "So when is Beau coming? I figured with the barbecue he would be competing with Aubrey on who eats the most."

"No, he's not coming...he said he didn't feel like a party." Daisy looked at the floor before glancing at her friend. "Ever since last weekend, he's been withdrawn...sullen...hasn't spoken to anyone unless they address him first. He's still ignoring Lance..."

"Do you know what's wrong?"

"Obviously, it's his father and that damn audit." Daisy chugged her cocktail. "Beau is not talking to his father, Martin isn't talking to anyone, and Denise was in a tizzy yesterday, talking about who else they can call to 'make things go away' since the favors she called in already didn't work out the way she wanted."

Scared, Jessica pushed carefully. "W-what do you mean?"

"All I know is she called a couple of senators she knows so they would use their influence to get whoever is investigating Martin moved to other departments. but it didn't work. I told her to stop, because she was skating towards bribing government officials, and I would report her if she kept it up."

Jessica's eyes got large. "That must have really pissed her off."

"It did, and she accused me of trying to destroy their family, which is ridiculous. I told her that her fishing expedition and hinting to Aubrey about the important people she knew only made her look stupid, since he has nothing to do with the IRS. Her response to that? She asked if maybe Aubrey, Booth or that Agent Shaw needed more encouragement 'to do the right thing', whatever that meant."

"Really?", Jessica asked in surprise. 'Holy crap…'

"She's...oh my God, Jessica. First she went on this...tangent thing about how Booth and Aubrey were too smart to be stuck where they were when they could be higher up in the food chain. Then she asked me if there was a way I could use my influence with them to see what I could find out for Martin's audit."

'Shit, Denise is getting desperate, trying to drag Daisy into this now.' Jessica said. "Oh…"

"I thought she was joking, but when she asked me again, I refused,because I wouldn't ask Booth and Aubrey to risk their careers by snooping at the IRS, and if Martin didn't do anything wrong, then she was worrying over nothing. She then asked me to talk to Aubrey and find out for her if he's involved in the Vacchio case since he wouldn't tell her last weekend. When I asked her why she cared so much, that crazy woman said something like she didn't want Aubrey to ruin his career chasing after a case that needed to stay closed…"

"She said that?", Jessica replied quietly.

"Yeah, she did. What I asked her to elaborate, Martin piped in and said that Denise was just worried about me since you and I are friends and she didn't want me or you in danger from the mobsters that killed that guy last fall." Daisy shook her head. "I said that you and I were in no danger whether the case was opened or closed. Of course, my mother-in-law pushed the issue again until Martin told her leave me alone or leave the room. She chose to leave the room and Beau and I left with Lance after that."

Jessica kept her emotions in check as she listened to her friend speak. "That must have been very awkward."

"Yes, it was. I told her multiple times that one, the FBI doesn't work with the IRS unless asked, and two, if Aubrey was somehow involved with Martin's case in any way, he would have avoided us like the plague on Saturday night because he could be accused of entrapment."

'Unless there was no way to avoid it...like if he ran into them in a restaurant in some…'coincidence' That bitch and her cronies were trying to bribe Aubrey and then tried doing the same with Booth, Genny, me and now Dr. B…' , Jessica thought. Coughing softly, she carefully chose her words. "So, I got another email from that contact of hers at VCU today, asking to set up an interview time. Once again, I replied that I was flattered with the offer, but I couldn't accept at this time. The response was a new offer with $9,000 more per year, stating that I came highly recommended from the Jeffersonian and Mrs. Pixler. I talked to Dr. Saroyan, and she said no one called her for a reference, and as for your mother-in-law, she's never seen me in action, so how would she know I would be a good candidate?"

"I don't know, Jessica. Maybe she tried to get you a job as a weird way of kissing Beau's ass by helping me. Honestly, her main hobby is moving up in the social scene and trying to make Melinda Henne-Maxwell look bad, but it usually blows up in her face."

Hating herself for what she was doing, Jessica prodded her. "What would she do that?"

"Beau told me that when they were all in college together, except Mrs. Maxwell, because she attended Georgetown, Denise had the hots for Harold Maxwell...like major hots. I guess they had an occasional hookup, but always pushing for him for a commitment. It seems she was all clingy, annoying, and practically was a wanna be groupie when they played in their curling league back then."

Daisy looked around the room before dropping her voice to a whisper. "Yeah...and when that didn't work, she tried bad mouthing Harold to Melinda during the engagement so she would dump him. When Melinda just ignored her, Denise also tried sabotaging the ceremony by canceling stuff on the sly before Melinda threatened her with her family's influence."

"How does Beau know all this stuff?"

"He said he overheard Denise and Mrs. Maxwell having a heated discussion when he was fifteen, something about Denise overstepping on something Melinda was involved in. I guess it's pretty well known that Mrs. Maxwell only tolerates Denise because of Harold's friendship with Martin. Denise tries to impress people but she'll never have the class Mrs. Maxwell has."

"Um, wow…", Jessica muttered. "That's crazy…"

"I know, right? Hopefully Denise doesn't do something stupid, or it'll make Martin's audit blow up into something worse." Daisy pinched the bridge of her nose. "Ugh. I'm still certain that something is up with Beau and his dad, but I can't get any straight answers from anyone."

"Beau isn't talking either?"

"No. What I know is the IRS planned an audit for Pixler's later this week, but last weekend they got an anonymous tip about his partnership with Maxco and a loan Martin got years ago. Because of this tip, they came first thing Monday morning and talked to the company accountant as well as pulling copies of everything. Yesterday, Martin talked to them and I was just told by Beau at dinner that 'Dad's in trouble with the IRS'." Daisy exhaled. "I've tried to talk to him but he just says he's fine and it's none of my concern, even telling me to leave him alone. Jessica...I agreed to stay with him because he was a good father to Lance and he turned down the CFL for me, but now he just ignores us and…"

Guilt seeped through Jessica as she put her arms around Daisy. "Dais, he's hurting for his father right now…"

"Jessica, it's more than that. He even said once it was his fault the IRS is investigating his father, and when I questioned him about it, he just said never mind." Daisy looked down at her glass. "I'm going to get another special party drink-"

Jessica touched her friend's arm to stop her. "Daisy, you've had three of Curly's cocktails in two hours…they're pretty potent...especially that one with tequila and other stuff..."

"...and now I'm getting a fourth." Daisy smiled. "Don't worry, Jessica. I'm not leaving for a couple of hours yet. If I'm drunk I'll crash with you or take a cab since Beau is home with Lance. Will you excuse me?"

Jessica watched her friend walk away and bit back the guilt she felt at what she knew she had to do. Walking around the general lab area, she found her boyfriend mowing on his third piece of cake and hurried over. "Aubrey, I have to talk to you..."

Smirking because he thought she was looking for a quick tryst, Aubrey sat back. "All right...are we going to the locker room so you ride me again? Hopefully, I won't get so excited that I rip your panties..."

Usually, she joked with her boyfriend, but now wasn't the time. "Not now, Aubrey. This is serious. Come on."

The agent barely finished off the last bite of his cake before he let his girlfriend pull him across the facility. Passing Angela's office, he spotted Daisy and Oliver chatting privately until they arrived in Brennan's office.

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

Trying to make small talk, Daisy smiled faintly. "So, Oliver...it seems you're making so much progress. Any thought of returning back to the NFL?"

"We'll see...I'm still...wo...rking on...my…" Frustrated, he pulled out his pad and wrote down his thoughts.

It depends on Rani's ability to drive me to work since I can't take the Metro alone. I got a pass from the rehab facility to come here today but I'm supposed to be there until at least April.

"Oliver, I can take you to work once you're discharged from inpatient rehab. Beau could also drive you. Rani is not your sole contact with the outside world, you know!" Seeing the irritation on his face, Daisy relaxed. "I'm sorry...I just...I miss talking to you, Oliver. You're so smart, and it looks like you're making amazing progress."

"I'm...getting...better at... practicing with...lab tools...I can't work...until...maybe fall...or next winter…" Oliver smiled. "Rani...been very...good to me...Beau been...good for you?"

Not sure if was vanity that kept her from wanting Oliver to know about her worries, Daisy smiled. "Beau and I have recently decided to start over, and it's been amazing. He's such a good husband to me...a wonderful father to Lance...he gave up the offer from the CFL to stay here for me, you know? We're not perfect and some days are still a struggle, but we're committed to being a family."

Oliver nodded slowly. "I did...right thing...by you…Jessica was...right…"

Daisy was surprised at what she heard. "What? Jessica was right about what? How did you do the right thing?"

"She called me...out on...dou...duke...douche...ness...and treating...you crappy...putting your...marr...marry…" Oliver grew frustrated and wrote down his thoughts again.

Your marriage was in big trouble because I was leading you on. I was pissed since you married someone else. She said that I had to either step aside and do the right thing by letting you be happy with Beau or say I loved you and stand by you.

Daisy was confused. "But you don't have feelings for me...I don't understand...you said you missed your chance...I don't…"

Feeling tired, Oliver slowly sat down on Angela's couch. "I did...I...have feel...feelings for you...but you...better off...with Beau...I'll be...alright...with Rani. I did...right thing by you...first time…I screwed up...but life goes on. You're...happy now and...that is better...I did...right thing...Jessica made me see...that Beau was...right for...you..."

"You...have feelings for me? Like real feelings? You care about me?" Daisy's head was in a tailspin as she reconciled what she just heard with what Oliver was telling her. "But Jessica said...you moved on…and that you're content with Rani..."

"Rani good...for me...have good...relationship...we're better now...Daisy. Messed up...with you...almost...mess...ruin your life. Took Jessica and almost dying...to see that…"

'He loves me! But wait...my best friend lied to me!' Daisy had warring emotions of loss and anger at what she had learned in the last few minutes. "I see…"

"Jessica...good friend for you...need to go...find Rani now. Getting tired…"

"Of course, Oliver." Daisy moved out of the way as the intern maneuvered his quad cane so he could stand up. "Hope to see you again soon…"

"Yes...bye, Daisy…"

When she was alone, hot tears fell down her cheeks, and she felt sick. "Jessica lied to me. Why?"