TITLE: Bones – The Heart Knows What The Heart Wants.
AUTHOR: D M Harper
SUMMARY: How does Doctor Temperance Brennan cope with Agent Booth's absence?
RATING: M Contains sexual content between two female characters. (Be Warned)
DISCLAIMER: This story is written for entertainment only and no profit is obtained. No copyright infringement is indented to 20th Century Fox Television or creators Hart Hanson and Kathy Reichs. All original characters remain my property.
Chapter 2
Thirty-five year old, five foot ten Alex Tanner sauntered through the doorway of Special Agent Seely Booth's office in the J. Edgar Hoover Building and immediately scanned the room. The Agent took in the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Flyers paraphernalia adorning the walls and smiled.
Taking a seat behind the desk, Alex picked up the dossier on the staff at the Jeffersonian that Booth had left behind. As it was only 0735 hours, she took the time to familiarise themself with the Forensics Team before checking in with Assistant Director Andrew Hacker at 0800 hours.
At 0855 hours Tanner stepped past the glass sliding doors of the Forensics Division at the Jeffersonian and stopped the first dark blue lab coated person that came into view for directions, "Excuse me, could you tell me where I can find Doctor Saroyan?"
The dark haired man in his early twenties turned and pointed to his right, "Straight down the hall, second office on the right."
"Thank you and have a nice day." Alex proceeded past the elevated open lab platform and swiftly located the correct office.
Reading the name plate: Dr Camille Saroyan M.D., m.E. the Agent knocked on the door.
"Come in," answered a softly spoken voice.
Entering the room, she smiled at the attractive dark skinned woman and introduced themself, "Good morning, I'm Special Agent Tanner. It's a pleasure to meet you Doctor Saroyan."
Putting down the file in her hand, Camille moved closer and shook the outstretched hand, "It's good to have you onboard. I'll show you around the labs and introduce you to the team. At the moment they are all in our Facial Reconstruction Lab viewing our latest victim."
"I'd appreciate that ma'am. I'm led to believe you have a highly skilled team. Agent Booth's report speaks with great admiration for the work you do here."
Camille smiled fondly, "I must remember to thank Agent Booth when he returns. I'm afraid you have us at a disadvantage Agent Tanner, we know nothing about you."
"Considering my short assignment with your department, that may be a good thing," replied Tanner deadpan.
Camille ushered the Agent out of her office and back along the hall. Gesturing to the raised level, she clarified, "This is the forensics platform where Doctor Brennan and her Interns do the majority of their work."
Tanner nodded and followed the doctor around the corner to another lab.
Four heads turned to the right and two faces expressed shock while the other two grinned.
"Agent Tanner, this is Forensic Anthropologist Intern Wendell Bray," said Camille as Tanner stepped forward to shake hands.
Camille motioned to the curly haired man with a bright smile, "Doctor Jack Hodgins, our Entomologist, Mineralogist, Palynologist and Forensic Chemist."
"It's an absolute pleasure Agent Tanner."
"Likewise Doctor Hodgins, I believe Agent Booth calls you the bug and slime guy?"
"That's better than squint or threatening to shoot me," replied the bearded Hodgins.
Everyone but Angela and Temperance laughed at the joke.
"Next is Angela Montenegro, our resident Forensic Artist and Reconstruction genius."
"Miss Montenegro and I have already made acquaintance, as has Doctor Brennan. It is a pleasure to see you again ladies."
The room went eerily silent for a moment as it was filled with unexplained tension.
Angela spoke first, "Uhm yes, welcome to our world."
"Agent Tanner," was all Temperance said through pursed lips.
"So where are we on the identity of our victim?" inquired Camille.
Making several stokes on the keyboard, Angela brought up a three-dimensional display of a woman's face.
"Amazing," whispered Tanner in awe.
Hodgins smirked, "It's a cool piece of technology. We named it the Angelator."
Angela interrupted, "I ran a check with Missing Persons and got a hit. We are looking at Carla Ann Webster. She was reported missing by her parents when she failed to return home after school on May 10th, 2005. Carla was fifteen at the time of her disappearance."
Temperance took over, "My findings indicate the victim was bludgeoned four times to the rear of the cranium with a blunt object. Several large rocks were located at the grave site, but none match the indentations to the skull. Initial analysis indicts the victim died approximately four years ago. Due to the rate of decomposition and insect ingestion, there was no dermis present nor any muscle or viable organs on which to do tests. I did however find large traces of Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate secreted in the bones."
"So she was drugged then murdered," suggested Agent Tanner.
"That's not all," remarked Hodgins. "I found smears of hymen blood on the waistband of her briefs and the outside of her jeans."
Camille rubbed her chin in thought, "Suggesting she had been raped then redressed at some stage."
Tanner grimaced, "Which in turn implies the killer knew the victim and wanted to cover her up for either modesty or to hide his shame."
"We were fortunate her clothing survived four years of burial," commented Wendell.
"Only due to the fact the material was of superior quality," explained Temperance. "Dental results will be completed in an hour and will only confirm Angela's identification."
"Same goes for DNA cross match," announced Hodgins.
Camille nodded, "Good work people."
Tanner turned to the doctor while departing, "Our tour can wait Doctor Saroyan, it looks like I have a family to notify."
Temperance raced after the Agent, "If you will just give me a moment, I'll be right with you."
Turning, Tanner queried, "Why would I need to wait for you Doctor Brennan?"
"Because I am Agent Booth's partner and I investigate alongside him, that's the way in which we work together."
Alex stopped walking, "I made no such deal Doctor and unless directed differently by Assistant Director Hacker, I'll be working out in the field alone. I was given the impression that you are a consultant to the Bureau and as such have no business being involved in the investigation unless it pertains to forensics."
Tanner headed for the exit while Temperance returned to Angela's lab.
"We have a problem," she exclaimed. "Someone forgot to inform Agent Tanner how I work with Booth."
"Oh shit," jibbed Cam. "Leave it with me and I'll get back to you."
Angela followed a clearly perturbed Temperance into the restroom, "Holy crap Tempe."
Turning to face her friend, Temperance seethed, "This is highly unacceptable."
"No it's not. It's a second shot at your delicious one night stand."
"How am I going to survive the next four weeks?"
"You'll figure it out, but I suggest you talk to the hot Agent as soon as possible and set some ground rules."
"That's a rational idea."
"Sweetie, when it comes to complicated relationships, I am the Queen."
Temperance allowed herself a soft titter, "I'm behaving like a sixteen year old schoolgirl. I need to get back to work and focus."
"Oh sweetie, tell me who can focus with Agent Hottie walking around?"
"They've left the building."
"That's a real shame. If you need me, you know where to find me."
Temperance waited for her racing heart beat to slow down before returning to her lab.
Next chapter: