"Dr. Hodgins?" Dr. Fisher stood in the doorway of the office. "Hodgins, are you in here? Dr. Brennan would like the results of your analysis if the report is ready."

Hodgins cautiously peered around the mass spectrometer. "Are you alone? Cam isn't with you, is she?"

"No, I'm alone." Taking a step into the office, Fisher gave Hodgins a confused look. "Why are you avoiding Dr. Saroyan?"

"You know why! After that crazy spider fiasco, she's been gunning for me. She warned me that she'd get back at me when I least expect it, but I don't think she's gonna wait too long. She's gonna want to do something really awful, especially since the spiders were on her face and in her hair….hey, are you laughing at me?" Hodgins glared up at Fisher. "You think it's funny, don't you? Well, I'm not going down alone. You were there, too, you know? You could've done something...you are laughing at me!"

"Paranoid much?" Fisher gave his colleague a small smile. "You know I don't really laugh at things, Hodgins, so I'm not laughing at you. However, I am glad to see things are back to normal…"

"Normal? You call it normal when my boss threatens retribution for something that was totally beyond my control?" Hodgins was quite agitated as he turned his chair away from Fisher. "I thought we were on better terms than that…I thought we were friends."

"Well, to be honest, you might have warned Dr. Saroyan about the spider invasion, but I think you were afraid that she was gonna squash your precious little eight legged friends, and then their brief existence would be consigned to oblivion without them ever reaching their full potential." Fisher snickered softly at Hodgins' grimace. "But yes, things are back to normal as far as I can tell." The younger man sat down on a stool in the office. "See, at the loony bin one of the first things they tell us when we're in treatment is that everybody has their own version of normal. When we first enter treatment, our goal is to achieve that 'normal' status again, whatever it may be. That's how we know we've recovered."

"Really, Fisher? I'm concerned for my professional life and you're trying to teach me about psychology?" Irritated, Hodgins moved over to his computer. "I've got work to do…"

"Just listen, okay, Hodgins? When I was working here last time, it was shortly after you were injured, right? And everybody was walking on eggshells around you, afraid that they'd say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing. Nobody treated you like they normally did before the injury. We were all afraid we'd hurt your feelings or upset you somehow." Fisher arched an eyebrow at his friend, wondering if he understood. "But now, when you do something stupid, nobody bats an eye when it comes to telling you about it. In fact, now people can't wait to point out your mistakes. Do you know what that means?"

Hodgins shook his head, impatient to be rid of Fisher's preaching. "No. What does it mean? Come on, Fisher. I need to run this test…"

"It means that things are back to normal. It means that you've recovering. It means no one gives a second thought to your paralysis or your wheelchair. All they're thinking about is you."

Hodgins sat in stunned silence as he studied the perceptive young man in front of him. Finally he spoke softly. "You're right, Fisher. It's been a long time since anyone has mentioned anything about my chair or my injury. Everybody is back to treating me just like they did before...you know…"

"Since before the explosion. I know. If I was ever happy, that might be one thing I'd be happy about, Hodgins. You're probably over the worst part of your problems. You're almost completely recovered. I mean, there'll be times when you're gonna feel down, but those times won't last nearly as long, and it'll be easier to get back to normal." Nodding solemnly, Fisher stood up to leave. "I'm glad things have worked out well for you, Dr. Hodgins. If anyone deserves a happy ending, it's you."

"Thanks, Fisher. You know, you've kind of been an inspiration for me. I know you've had your struggles, but you keep plugging along, even when you're feeling really blue…" Hodgins shrugged, hesitating slightly, wondering if he'd said the wrong thing. "Anyway, I appreciate it, man. Oh, here's that report that Brennan wanted." Hodgins handed Fisher a file folder.

"No problem. I'll let you get back to work." Pulling his lips back into something that approximated a smile, Fisher nodded to Hodgins as he left the office.

Hodgins sat quietly for a few minutes, thinking through what Fisher had said. Things were really getting back to normal. He hardly gave his situation in life a second thought any more. Sighing happily, he turned back to his computer. Life was good.