Brennan pulled off her gloves and deposited them in a nearby trash receptacle as she quickly walked down the steps of the lab platform and strode toward Hodgins office. She inhaled deeply to gain control of her emotions before knocking on the door. Hodgins is my friend...he needs to hear the truth from a friend...
"Dr. Hodgins? I need a word with you." She tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for him to turn from his computer monitor to acknowledge her request.
"Can't it wait? I'm really busy." Hodgins turned away from his computer to look into his microscope. He held up air parentheses. "Anyway, I've already said I'm sorry for 'disrespecting the dead person'. End of discussion. You don't have to lecture me anymore, Mom. Really, I get it. I promise I'll try to do better, okay? I'll be a good boy now. So leave me alone, Brennan…." He turned back to his monitor and entered some information with his keyboard.
Clenching her jaw, Brennan took a few steps into the office. She realized that Hodgins' tone of voice was familiar to her, and then she remembered why. Parker had addressed Booth in this same manner a few years ago when his behavior was being corrected. The results had not been pleasant for Parker, as Booth had resented his attitude. The difference is that Parker was thirteen, and Hodgins is in his forties, she thought. She decided to continue the conversation as calmly as she could. "I'm glad that you've decided to show more respect to the bodies we examine in the lab, Dr. Hodgins, but that's not what I want to discuss with you. I'm quite upset at your attitude toward Ms. Montenegro. You appear to denigrate her many contributions to the success of our team."
Hodgins waved his hand dismissively at Brennan as he typed something else into his computer. "Angie's fine. She's known for a long time that I'm a hateful, selfish bastard, and she chose to stay with me anyway. She thought she could change me, but it didn't work…she'll have to learn to deal with me just the way I am if she wants to hang around much longer."
"I don't mean Angela, your wife, Hodgins." Brennan moved to stand in front of Hodgins' desk. "I would appreciate your full attention as we discuss this matter."
"FINE! You have my attention." Hodgins banged the keyboard loudly and pushed it out of the way. "What could be so goddamn important about Angela that you think you should interrupt my work? I thought you wanted to solve this case. It's a serial killer, right? So what the hell so you want?"
Brennan glared down on Hodgins as she began to explain. "My point is this, Dr. Hodgins. I'm under the impression that you are not pleasant to be around when you and Angela are at home. While I'm not happy about that, I suppose it's none of my business at this time. However, while we are work, I expect you to behave in a professional manner toward your colleagues. Ms. Montenegro is one of the members of our team, and as such, she deserves your respect and your cooperation. You will address her in an appropriate manner at the lab, or you will be asked to leave and you will not be allowed to return until you can act in a more acceptable manner."
"What's with the Ms. Montenegro shit?" Hodgins was obviously angry and confused. "She's my wife, dammit. She's Angela to me…"
"Not in a professional setting, Hodgins. Your marital status is not relevant here." Brennan shook her head. "When Booth and I are out in the field together, or at an interrogation or in some other professional situation, he introduces me as his partner or his associate, not as his wife. I have my own title, and my own responsibilities, just like he does, and he has always treated me in a professional manner. Even when he was with Hannah, or when we were having difficulties because of Pelant, we've been able to work together because we maintain that respect for each other's skills and abilities."
Rolling his eyes, Hodgins turned back to his computer. "Great. I'm happy for you. I need to get back to work now, if you don't mind."
"I do mind. You need to listen to me, Dr. Hodgins." She tapped the top of the monitor to get his attention. "If you cannot treat Ms. Montenegro with the respect she deserves while you are working in the lab, I will ask Dr. Saroyan to terminate your employment here. I refuse to work with anyone who chooses to treat her so badly."
"You wouldn't dare, Brennan.", Hodgins blustered. "You need me. You need my expertise…"
"Dr. Hodgins, I would like to be able to rely on your expertise at this facility, but you are not irreplaceable. The Jeffersonian has hundreds of applicants for our lab positions every year. I'm sure we can find a qualified entomologist who is more socially acceptable than you have been recently. Ms. Montenegro, on the other hand, would be much harder to replace. Her artistic abilities in facial reconstruction combined with her computer skills make her very valuable, especially considering her impressive instincts in dealing with other people. We would be hard pressed to find someone who could take her place."
Hodgins' jaw dropped in shock. "Of all people, Brennan...I didn't think it would be you that would give into emotional shit like that. I don't have to be Mr. Personality to do my job. I just have to look at bugs and particulates…"
"You're correct, Hodgins, and if this lab was a place for research only, I might agree with your assessment. However, at this institution, we have to deal with others in many different types of situations, and you have not been successful in most of those situations recently." Brennan sat down on a stool across the desk from Hodgins. "You know, Hodgins, both Booth and Wendell said that you should be allowed to come back to work after your injury because you needed a purpose. I was doubtful, but they convinced me that you needed to come back to feel useful. Unfortunately, it now seems that your purpose is to upset your co-workers, which makes for a very uncomfortable workplace. I suggest that you take steps to improve your attitude, so this lab can continue to take advantage of your expertise. Otherwise, we will be forced to look for someone to take your place."
Avoiding eye contact with Brennan, Hodgins sighed as he stared at his computer keyboard. "I don't have any idea what you're talking about, Dr. Brennan."
Brennan nodded sadly. "I know you don't, Hodgins, and I'm sorry for that. I also don't know why you seem to be blaming Angela for something she has no control over. She didn't cause your injury, but you seem determined to punish her. I hope you can improve your attitude in that area, as well." She stood up and turned toward the door. "I'll be glad to help you, Hodgins, if you'll let me know what you need…."
"Thanks, but I don't need any help." Hodgins turned back toward his microscope and paused, thinking about how he had treated his wife earlier in the day.
Every time I look at Angie, I think of everything I've lost, and it makes me so angry…