A/N: Hello, again! Judging by the number of hits I get for the story (there are 241), I'd say that you like the story, but if I were to go off the number of reviews, it appears that there is little interest. That's totally fine, but if you guys like the story, don't be afraid to drop a review!!! For those who did take the time, thank you, thank you, thank you! They're very much appreciated! ;-)
A/N #2: This chapter is slightly different because it contains an article pertaining to...well, you'll see. The article is in italic, so it should be easy to understand.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bones. I own the plot and Rachel, but that's the extent of it. :-(
-CHAPTER 3-
The bright red numbers of the digital clock were burned to the back of Rachel's closed eyelids: 1:18. She couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned, hoping to see if one side of the bed would prove to be more comfortable than the other. Both sides were equally lumpy.
To try to soothe herself, she whispered the name softly, "Temperance."
It was such a beautiful name…the way it sounded; the way it felt on Rachel's lips…It was just perfect. The syllables rang through Rachel's head long after it had been spoken…Tem-per-ance. It was a beautiful name.
Rachel couldn't take it anymore. In a flurry, she tossed the piles of blankets off her legs and onto the floor. Sleep wasn't an option at this point. She slowly tip-toed over to the door and grabbed the bathrobe off the hook nearby her bed. But Rachel couldn't bring herself to turn the knob just yet. Instead, she rested her forehead lightly against the whitewashed wooden door, trying to gather her thoughts.
This wasn't her home. It was the Woods' home, not hers, because Rachel wasn't a Wood. Her rightful name was Rachel Brennan. She was truly the daughter of Doctor Temperance Brennan. She shuddered. That last thought triggered a new cluster of tears to gather around the edge of her eyes, blurring her vision.
Why? Why had she been left with the Wood Family? It didn't make sense. The woman on the television screen seemed neither drunk nor dead. There had to be another reason. Perhaps it had something to do with the man in the picture. Maybe he was dead, whoever he was. But that still left Rachel with one parent to care for her. Things simply weren't adding up.
Rachel had already tried to seek out a memory of her infanthood. She thought that, maybe, just maybe, she'd find one of her mysterious father. It didn't work; there wasn't even a faded, blurry image to speak of, not even one of Steven Wood.
Rachel realized that standing there with her head pressed to the door wasn't all that productive. If she were to continue to do nothing, as she was right then, there was no chance of finding her real parents.
Cautiously, she turned the doorknob and ventured out to the hallway. The bare window at the head of the hall basked the narrow passage in the eerie glow of moonlight. A closer look told Rachel that the door leading to her parents' room was shut, as was that of Beth's and Brandon's bedrooms. Rachel sighed relief. There would be less of a chance of waking them now.
Still on her tip-toes, she waddled over to the staircase and began her descent. Though Rachel didn't consciously realize where her feet were taking her, she trusted her instincts. That was something she was going to have to learn to do from now on, she decided.
Once she reached the family room, she hunched down on her knees to press the round button that would bring the computer to life. Then she situated herself in the leather swivel chair and waited. Rachel had never been good at waiting. Even she had to admit that. Most people would describe her as an impatient, stubborn girl. No one in the Wood Family possessed those qualities, and now, Rachel could attribute those characteristics to either of her birth parents.
As the computer booted, Rachel vaguely pondered what it would be like to meet her mother face to face. Would Temperance be happy? Would she embrace Rachel with open arms and welcome her as kin? Or would she be hostile and push her away and reject her? Rachel tried to hold back the urge to cry again. There was no way of knowing. After all, Temperance gave her own child up. That didn't exactly scream tender love and care.
Shaking off that last thought, she double clicked on the big, blue "e." With her shaky hands, she typed the words Doctor Temperance Brennan into the search box. The anticipation and promise that lingered was too much for Rachel to handle; she had to look away while the computer processed her request. It was all happening too fast.
After what felt like an eternity, Rachel returned her troubled gaze to the computer screen which had revealed the top ten results of the search. She brought her trembling hand to the mouse and shifted it towards the first result. After a deep breath, she clicked.
Doctor Temperance Brennan works as a forensic anthropologist at the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington D.C. She specializes in identifying human remains, but not without the help of her "squint squad." Her work doesn't stop in the lab; she's also a critically acclaimed novelist whose books following the life of forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs fly off the shelves. Check out the following interview for the inside scoop.
Her mother was an author. Rachel was smiled slightly. Was she supposed to be happy? Was she supposed to be sad? All of those writing contests that Rachel had won in the past, all those A's in English class…the talent must have been inherited.
So her own mother was a famous author, writing books about death and murder and decomposed corpses. Not only that, but she was a forensic anthropologist. What kind of person worked with dead people for a living?
The smart kind, Rachel told herself with a small smile.
The science fairs, the near perfect report cards…things were starting to fall into place before Rachel's eyes.
Q: It must be quite an emotional strain facing murder day after day. Do you ever find it difficult, or at least nauseating?
A: My line of work is quite rewarding. You're left with a satisfying feeling once you've caught a murderous bastard. Knowing that, it's easier to disregard the emotions triggered and focus solely on the task at hand. In short, no and no.
Was her mother a cold-hearted person? How can you not feel anything when you touch a dead body? Wouldn't you want to cry, or at least find the nearest restroom? Rachel couldn't imagine standing not feet away from a rotting corpse; she'd want to gag. All that emotional turmoil would tear Rachel up inside. The stress of the job would be too much for Rachel to ever handle.
Still, she couldn't help but to smile again. Her mother was a strong woman. She had brains and beauty, and she used it well.
Q: Oh. Well, this job must be difficult to handle on your own. Can you describe some of your associates at the Jeffersonian?
A:My partner, Special Agent Seeley Booth, refers to my associates and I as his "squint squad." He claims that as scientists, we're always squinting at things, hence the name. Our "squint squad" consists of highly intelligible scientists, contrary to their childish nick-name.
Rachel had to stifle a laugh. Squint Squad…what a funny name!
Our forensic artist, Mrs. Angela Montenegro Hodgins, focuses on the facial reconstructions, and provides us with a face to identify our victim with. Not only is she a great team player, but she is my best friend. Her spark really adds something to our team.
So her mother had a best friend…Angela Montenegro. Rachel decided that she already liked this Angela woman. Anyone who was a friend to her mom was a friend to her, too. Though it sounded silly, Rachel liked knowing that her mom had friends. Rachel just liked knowing that her real mom was out there alive.
Doctor Jack Hodgins is our entomologist. Using insect growth or animal excrements, he is able to date time of death. He is considered to be one of the most valuable assets to the Jeffersonian.
Doctor Camille Saroyan works as a forensic pathologist. She deals with the victims that have more skin than bone. Her line of work centers mainly upon bodily fluids, flesh, etc, etc. Though as a forensic anthropologist I am able to theorize cause of death, Dr. Saroyan performs autopsies for confirmation.
Then there's Doctor Zachary Addy. Once my graduate student, Dr. Addy has proven himself to be a promising, young scientist. As a forensic anthropologist himself, his work is similar to my own, therefore we work closely together on most cases.
Rachel was having a hard time understanding why anyone would choose to go into this field. All of those things that they had to deal with…facing that kind of crap day after day…It just seemed so over-bearing.
Suddenly, Rachel had a newfound respect for scientists. Sure, she always had an aptitude and passion for science, all of which could be explained now, but Rachel felt as though she had a deeper connection to it all. After all, Rachel's own mother used cold hard science to put away criminals…how could you not respect that kind of courage?
This last member isn't considered to be a squint. Special Agent Seeley Booth works for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He's been my partner of fifteen and a half years. He accompanies me out into the field, as well as in the interrogation room. He has quite the knack for nick-naming things, I'm afraid. Not only does he call my colleagues and I squints, but he addresses me as "Bones." I suppose the name can be attributed to my working with bones and what not. You get used to his antics after some time, I suppose.
Rachel felt like she couldn't breathe. Her body tensed and her muscles numbed. Suddenly she couldn't think. She couldn't see; she couldn't feel. Everything was so surreal. "Bones" was the name of the woman in the Polaroid. Bones was also the name of her mother. And the "me" was Special Agent Seeley Booth.
Rachel's dad was an FBI agent. An FBI agent! Was this all some sort of sick joke? How could her mother be a world famous novelist slash forensic anthropologist? How could her father be a special agent working with the FBI?
Why wasn't their daughter mentioned in this article? That seemed like a detail that was pretty hard to overlook. Her dad…God, she was a scandal! She wasn't planned, she wasn't intended. She was a mistake! That could be the only reason. It was the only explanation that made sense.
Just merely six or seven hours ago, she was Rachel Wood, the daughter of Lauren and Steven Wood. Now, though, she was Rachel Brennan…no, Rachel Booth, the daughter of Temperance Brennan and Seeley Booth.
Why had she been given up? Both parents were alive. This article here confirmed it! Rachel's head was spinning…things weren't making any sense. For once, Rachel couldn't rely on sense and logic to guide her.
Taking a deep breath, Rachel braced herself and continued on with the interview.
Q: This Agent Booth…does your relationship carry outside of the interrogation room?
A: My relationship with Agent Booth is strictly platonic. Pursuing romantic interests within the work place can only lead to trouble.
"Liar!" Rachel shouted aloud. "Liar! What about me? I'm proof she's a liar!"
Rachel was shaking with fear and confusion. She wanted to kick and scream and yell at the top of her lungs. She wasn't naïve! She knew better than to think babies were left on doorsteps by storks. She knew better! I was given up because I was a scandal, she told herself as the tears rolled town her face. I was a scandal!
Through her muddled thoughts, Rachel figured that her parents had chosen to give her up because she would destroy both of their careers. That had to be it; why else would they give up a perfectly healthy infant? They both maintained well-paying jobs. They could have both raised her!
Rachel bit her lip and tasted the salty, fresh tears. That's all she seemed to be doing lately: crying. She didn't want to read on, but she knew that she had to. If Rachel was ever to going to get anywhere, she had to read.
Q: Is it true that this Agent Booth is the real-life version of Kathy Reichs's partner, Agent Andy Lister?
A: As I've stated many times, all of the characters in my books are fictional. Though many of my colleagues have insisted that they are the inspiration of my characters, I assure them that my work is strictly fantasy, and I assure you of the same thing now.
She's probably lying about that, too, Rachel thought bitterly. Tomorrow, I'm going to the library. I need to see these stupid books with my own eyes.
The vehemence of her thoughts scared her. Within the blink of an eye, Rachel had gone from loving her mother to hating her. Look at the trouble she's caused! What about me? She had me, and then she swatted me away as if I was just an annoying fly on her shoulder, and then she lies about my existence! What kind of mother does that to her own child?
Rachel suddenly realized that she was dumping all of the blame on just her mother. It was Seeley's fault, too. They shared the blame fifty-fifty.
Wiping the tears away with her sleeve, her eyes hesitantly scanned the screen once more.
Q: It must be difficult to balance work with family. How do they react to they fit into your life?
A: My family isn't involved much with my work.
Rachel scoffed at her reply. Well, at least that much is the truth. Just look at what she did to me! Yes, Rachel concurred. Tossing your daughter aside like yesterday's trash would definitely be classified as "isn't involved much."
Q: Oh, what a shame! Well, if this Agent Booth isn't romantically involved with you, are there any other relationships worth pursuing on the horizon?
A: My line of work doesn't really permit for a strong relationship, or even a family of any kind for that matter.
Suddenly Rachel softened. Maybe that was why. Maybe she wasn't given up because she was a scandal after all. Maybe she was given up because of the danger of her parents' jobs. Her mother had a point: her line of work obviously didn't permit for a family. Perhaps her parents were just trying to protect Rachel.
Just look at how far Rachel had come along without her real parents. She was happy, living a life free from the murder and the gore her parents were faced with on a regular basis. Here, Rachel had the text-book definition of a perfect family: a mother, a father, a sister, a brother. If Temperance and Seeley had kept her, Rachel was certain that she wouldn't have all that she had now. Had Rachel not found the adoption papers, she wouldn't have even known that the Woods weren't her biological family.
Yes, that was it. Rachel could feel it. Her parents gave her up to see her safe, to spare her the horrors they had to deal with on a regular basis. It a twisted sort of way, it was a gesture of love.
Q: So what's up next for you, Dr. Brennan?
A: My latest novel, Bad to the Bone, will be out this coming fall. Other than that, I will continue doing what I do best in the lab: working as a forensic anthropologist.
Rachel smiled a genuine smile for the first time that night. Maybe she shouldn't look for her parents. Maybe she should just let it go, forget about it all. That was clearly how her parents wanted it to be. Perhaps Rachel needed to comply with their wishes.
Still smiling softly, she clicked on the tab that directed her to images. A tear of happiness escaped when she saw a picture of all of them. Or, as her father would put it: the squint squad.
Pictured above is the team of forensic scientists working at the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington D.C. From left to right: Special Agent Seeley Booth, Doctor Temperance Brennan, Angela Montenegro Hodgins, Doctor Zachary Addy, Doctor Jack Hodgins, and Doctor Camille Saroyan.
They seemed so happy, so normal. Their smiles brought a smile to Rachel's face, too. It was at that instant that Rachel knew what she had to do. She didn't care that her parents had kept their identities a secret from her. She didn't care that her adoptive parents didn't even know who her real parents were. All she cared about was seeing these so-called squints in the flesh.
Already her mind was at work. Clicking on the print icon, she realized that she wasn't going to be able to rest until she saw these people…her real family. As she walked back up the stairs to her bedroom with the printout of her family clutched in her hand, she made a silent promise to herself.
Rachel was going to pay a visit to the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington D.C. She was going to meet her parents. She as going to see Doctor Temperance Brennan and Special Agent Seeley Booth if it was the last thing she did.
Well, what do you think? Critisism and compliments alike are very welcome!
-Susan :o)