Okay everyone, I know you're wondering when Booth finds out. Look for it in chapter 10. So, we're not too far away. Anways, this is predominately going to be Brennan/Cam. Ha. What else is there to say?
"Hodgins, Booth found this at the Laundromat. Zack, look at the skull again and see if you notice anything strange. Angela, can you use the Angelator to find scenarios for how the victim died?"
"And the Dr. Brennan we all know and love is back," Hodgins said with a smile.
"Just, go analyze that, will you?" Brennan asked with her own smile.
"Wow, your spirit sure picked up."
"I just had a rough morning."
"Uh-huh," Angela gave her a knowing smile as she left.
"Dr. Brennan, I looked at the skull."
"What was the weapon?"
"I would say a smooth, heavy object. The gap between the two prominent dips in the
skull suggests the weapon used is multisided, angular, like a rectangle."
Brennan picked up the skull and peered closely at it. She moved so she could place it under the scope.
She pulled back and sat on the stool.
"Did you find any particulates in the wound?"
"Which one?"
"The skull."
"I found small flecks of something and gave it to Hodgins this morning."
"And his arm. What about that?"
"Nothing. But that awful detergent was found in high amounts on the bone."
"Someone covered him with that," Brennan whispered.
"Dr. Brennan? Can I talk to you?"
With a startled look, Brennan turned to where Cam was standing at the foot of the platform with a very strange look on her face.
"Yeah, I'm coming."
She turned to Zack.
"Examine the skull more and I want you to narrow down the possible murder weapons, and tell Hodgins to get to me as soon as possible on the particulates from the skull."
"I'm on it Dr. Brennan."
"We should probably go to my office."
Brennan followed Cam and wondered why Cam would want to talk to her in her office. Was she in trouble? Was this about last night? That could be it. She might just want to make sure she didn't hit her boyfriend anymore. That was probably it.
Once Cam shut the door behind her, Brennan jumped at how spooky it was in here. Not that it was really spooky, but it just had that feel. She hadn't been in here too many times.
"If this is about last night, I'm sorry you had to see that."
"Oh, no. Last night is old news, Dr. Brennan."
She smiled as she sat down and folded her arms.
"Are you sure? Because I know, well I know that you and Booth must have had plans and
I hope I didn't mess things up too badly."
Ha. Not really, she murmured internally.
"Don't kid yourself. Everything was fine."
"Okay."
Brennan waited, then began tapping her fingers against the chair. Cam kept looking at her with the strangest expression.
"So, why did you want to see me?"
"Why don't you tell me?"
"What do you mean?"
"Brennan," Cam sat forward, "I just received a call from Gail Perkins."
"Oh? Oohhhh. Gail, yes."
"Ah, so you do remember? That's good because he was just informing me that not only are you planning on going to South Africa for his project, but that you are considering a job offer at Perkin's. Is that right?"
"Which part?"
"Both."
"Well, I was going to come talk to you about South Africa, but, it may have slipped my mind with everything else going on."
"Oh, I have no qualms about you going there for a few weeks. But I am surprised at his
saying he is waiting for your acceptance concerning his other offer."
"He just made an offer. I haven't answered yet."
"And which way are you leaning?"
Brennan paused, letting herself think about Gail's proposal. She hadn't even thought about it since he had asked her at dinner.
"To be honest, I'm not sure."
Cam nodded her head.
"Fair enough. Do you think I should at least be looking for a possible replacement?"
Again, Brennan paused.
"I think…you should have a list."
Cam blinked. She had been sure Brennan would say no. How long had she been working here? What would her team think? What would Booth think?
"Well, that's one start. Do you know when you'll make your decision?"
"No. Soon. I don't have much time."
"Dr. Brennan, as a professional, I have to say this. This offer? I think it's the best thing you'll ever get. You can practically run a whole team without answering to a soul at Perkins. You'll probably receive wide fame. I'm sure the work will be much more
diverse and enriching. It's a great opportunity."
Cam paused, gauging Brennan's reaction.
"As an acquaintance, and maybe even your friend, I need to say this. You have everything you need here. You're co-workers love you. Booth is practically attached at the hip with you. You fight crime while restoring history. That has to count for something."
As she sat there, Brennan stared at her hands. These hands had restored so many bones. They had caressed the broken bones of unknown soldiers and warriors. She looked up and shook her head.
"I used to think that I would die before I left the Jeffersonian. I love it here. It's my life."
"But…?"
"But it's gotten so much more complicated lately. I just, I can't think anymore. I've been through so much in the past few years. I think I just want to leave it behind me. Maybe I need to let it go. Move on."
"And you can't do that here?"
"Honestly? I don't know. Too many things. Too complicated."
Cam nodded her head and made her way to lean against her desk in front of Brennan.
"When was the last time you had a relationship?"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Just humor me."
"I don't know. A long time."
"And why is that?"
"I've been busy. They've been psycho killers. I had work."
"Work. Have you ever thought that what you needed is just a break? Not one where you work, but where you lay in the sun on the beach?"
"No, I burn. Plus, the chances of melanoma-."
"Okay, my mistake, Brennan."
Cam pursed her lips and clasped her hands together.
"Should you decide to leave, I will understand."
Brennan smiled tightly and looked up at Cam, wondering whether Cam really wanted her
to stay here.
"Thank you."
"Have you told anyone else?"
"No."
"So I take it this is our secret?"
"Just for now. Today. I'll tell Angela, Hodgins, and Zach, today."
"What about Booth?" Cam asked softly.
"Booth? I'll tell him today."