AN: Here is chapter two! I'm sorry for the short chapters, but that is what is easier for me to write. I'm really new at 'creative writing' most of my practice comes with term papers, so if my style is a bit stuffy or formal, I apologize. I'm trying to make it flow, so if you have any suggestions it would help. Oh, BTW, Zach is still around. I adore that kid. I like him so much more than the new assistants.
The Jeffersonian Institute, 8 AM, Following Day
The whole team gathered around the mound of evidence brought to them by the local forensic team. The amount of evidence was remarkable; Bones was very impressed with the capabilities of the locals. Usually they were sloppy; apparently these ones wanted to prove their worth. Bones only hoped that they were not –too- zealous, sometimes having too much data to verify is as much of a hindrance as too little.
She's so young! It's such a shame; she hardly had a chance to live; now she's dead. Temperance shakes her head slightly to chase away those thoughts.
"Dr Brennan, what should I start on?" interrupts Zach, drawing Bones out of her musings.
"Ummm… nothing presently Zach, we need to let the others get their things done before we can clean the bones. Why don't you finish up with our soldier from yesterday and I'll let you know when this poor girl is ready for your attention." Nodding, Zach walks away to deal with the unknown soldier still waiting to be dated.
"Dr. Brennan" breaks in Hodgins "Do you want me to start on bugs and particulates? There appears to be quite a bit on the body. I'll be able to find some good stuff in the folds of this… clothing." Pointing at what appears to be the remnants of a green skirt around the girl's waist.
Bones nods and leans down close to the remains. "Yes Dr. Hodgins, please do. Be careful when removing what is left of the blouse and skirt, we don't want any damage to what is left of the flesh. Cam will kill us if we damage her further."
A beeping noise behind them draws Bones' attention away from the corpse. Cam walks up to the team with a smile. "I heard my name, and what sounds like a threat. I like it." Rubbing her hands together she looks down at the girl. "What do we have so far?"
"Not much" answers Angela. "I can't get much from the face until you guys are done, I'll start some preliminaries and get back to you, once you get done with the sciencey stuff."
"Sounds like a plan Angela. I'll call you when we are done here."
"Okies. I'll be in my office." Ang smiles and meanders away to her office to start her sketches.
Cam looks between Hodgins and Bones. "That was nice, but unhelpful. What do we have that is cold, hard, fact?"
Bones shrugs. "Now not much more than I had in the field, female, most likely Caucasian, between nineteen and twenty two based on fusion of the epiphysis." pointing at the end of the exposed femur bone. "Until I can get a good look at the bones that is all I feel comfortable inferring."
Hodgins' nods in agreement "There is quite a bit of animal damage, especially to the face. From what I can see here I agree with Dr. Brennan's earlier assessment of five to nine months since time of death. I'll get you a better window as soon as my tests are done."
"Ok, sounds good. I'll get on identifying her through dental or tissue samples. We need to get this one solved, poor girl. She needs to be put to rest properly." Cam pauses and gazes down at the halo of Auburn hair surrounding the decomposed, mutilated face. "Poor girl, she hardly got a chance to live, now she's gone" echoing Bones' earlier sentiment.
"Yes, it is a shame." Temperance takes a deep breath. "Let me know as soon as I can start with the bones. Booth wants to be updated regularly, so let me know if you find anything major he should know. Right now he's busy interviewing the campers who found her."
Cam looks over to Bones with an amused expression. "You do remember that I'm in charge around here, don't you?" with a slight smirk.
Bones looks up, her face completely innocent. "Of course I do"
Chuckling, Cam turns and walks away, calling out "I was teasing you, Bones."
"Oh!" a look of understanding crosses her face. "I see."
The sound of Cam's chuckles fill the lab and gradually fade as she walks away.
Bones looks up to Hodgins'. "Alright, lets get started."
AN: Ok, next chapter, Booth interviewing the campers!