The Rings in the Heart
Chapter 2 – Mummy lurve
Disclaimer: BONES belongs to FOX and a whole swag of really talented folks who don't need a day job.
A/N: Thank you to all readers, particularly those who have alerted, favourited and reviewed so far.
Anthropology Unit – The Jeffersonian Institute
Dr. Camille Saroyan placed her hands to the small of her back, wincing as her muscles bitterly complained about being abused; leaning over a gurney for three hours did that. This morning she had been working with Dr. Brennan and her assistant Mr Vaziri, finalising their findings for a Federal murder case which was going to trial next week. The process was dry, methodical, precise, and absolutely necessary.
Dr. Brennan, with her astounding attention to detail and Zen-like ability to focus for hours upon end, was in her element, whereas Cam was simply pining for the more tangible and visceral discoveries that a fresh autopsy delivered. Mr Vaziri hovered efficiently, basking in the radiance of his Anthropology Idol, using his own considerable skill set to support and anticipate, and artfully adding his own commentary like an experienced back-up singer.
"If we are in complete agreement Dr. Saroyan, I will notify Booth that we have completed our forensic case for the trial. He can let Ms. Julian know" commented Brennan as she stripped off her gloves and threw them in the trash.
"I concur, Dr. Brennan. The evidence compiled by the Jeffersonian for this case well exceeds the minimum burden of proof requirements. I expect that the FBI will get their conviction" replied Cam, signing and initialling at a dozen flagged points on the documentation. Cam wished that she could charge by the signature, she would be a wealthy woman. Such was the lot of an administrator at the helm of a well-oiled machine like the Jeffersonian.
Dr. Brennan paused and studied Cam intently for a moment.
"Was there something else Dr. Brennan?" asked Cam, who no longer took any offense at that stare.
"Not relating to the case Dr. Saroyan. However, I do believe that your current back pain is related to a minor misalignment of a mid-thoracic infraspinatus ligament. I could make a slight adjustment..." offered Brennan.
Cam jumped into the pause. "That won't be necessary Dr. Brennan. My Chiropractor is extremely competent. Thank you for your offer though."
Brennan simply gave a curt nod of acknowledgement, completely non-plussed, and turned to Mr Vasiri to give additional instructions for packaging of the evidence prior to transfer to a secure storage facility. Cam re-checked the paperwork ready to hand to Dr. Brennan.
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"Hey Bones! We've got a case" boomed a familiar voice across the platform, as the security system heralded Booths' arrival, by bleeping to grant him access.
A cog slipped in Cams' well oiled machine as the chaos factor, also known as Seeley Booth, arrived to interrupt the smooth efficiency of the lab. The man was a shit magnet, his presence inevitably led to the derailment of the order train. Hodgins and Angela appeared on the platform as if beamed in Star Trek style; such was the attraction of a new case in their otherwise academic existence.
"You're gonna love this one Bones" enthused Booth, as he approached the gurneys in the centre of the platform.
"I find it hard to believe that you can predict my preference for this case before I even know the details" responded Brennan in a distracted fashion. She was half perched on a stool and leaning over a workbench, reviewing and signing the paperwork that Cam had handed to her.
Booth approached her and leaned over to whisper a single word in her ear, as her ponytail caressed the side of his face in an unconscious welcome.
"Mummy"
Brennan looked up and turned her head to face Booth, their noses mere centimetres apart (or an inch for the imperialists). "As in mummified remains?" she asked, with piqued interest and just a hint of huskiness in her tone.
Everyone on the platform was now actively paying attention; a Mummy case always exacerbated their rivalry with the Egyptology Department. Cam groaned inwardly; the fallout of academic turf warfare always landed on her desk, inevitably in a steaming pile.
"Told you that you'd love it Bones," Booth teased. "And this one is almost seven feet tall. Homeland security went on alert; they were told by local law enforcement that it was an alien! Even the local coroner concluded that the remains had abnormalities that he couldn't explain."
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"Wow! Now I'm in love" Hodgins chimed in. Angela used her elbow to jab him in the ribs, grinning.
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Brennan tossed her pen onto the workbench and stood to face Booth with a hand on her hip. "It is highly unlikely that the remains are non-human Booth. There are a significant number of scientifically valid explanations to explain most physiological abnormalities."
"That's what I told Hacker when he requested our input on the case. Well not exactly that...it wasn't as squinty as...what you said" added Booth helpfully with a charm smile on his face.
"Oh. I see," she capitulated with a small smile on her face, assuming a more relaxed posture. "So do we need to go out into the field, or are they shipping the remains here?"
A sharp intake of breath was heard from half a dozen staff on the forensics platform. Dr. Brennan had backed down from a conflict and looked for all the world like she had enjoyed it. Had she finally lost her immunity to the famous Seeley Booth charm smile?
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"Wow, Hodgins. Did you see that?" whispered Angela.
"That is L.O.V.E., baby" murmured Hodgins.
"The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved - loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves" quoted Arastoo Vaziri in a low voice.
Hodgins raised an eyebrow. "A Persian Ninja Poet? Dude, you have more layers than a French pastry" he said sardonically.
"Is that Victor Hugo, Arastoo?" asked Angela.
"Very good, Ms. Montenegro" said Arastoo with a smile.
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Booth had pulled out his swag of oversized post it notes and flicked through them referring to the case details.
"The mummy was found in a tobacco curing shed in Pittsylvania, West Virginia. Now that the 'Men in Black' have handed jurisdiction to the FBI, local PD are holding the scene for us and have arranged accommodation, so we can make an early start tomorrow. We can drive there in less than five hours Bones, are you ready for a road trip?" challenged Booth.
Brennan assumed her lecturing demeanour. "Angela informs me that the culture of road trips not only involves travel, it is also combined with risk taking behaviours such as high levels of alcohol consumption, and unprotected sex."
"I don't think you'll have time for that Sweetie" said the information source herself.
"We could...a'hem!...make time, if you want to..." whispered Booth behind his hand pretending to clear his throat.
"Then I am sure that we can find something interesting to occupy our free time" replied Brennan. The dual message was not lost on Booth who subconsciously hooked a thumb behind his 'Cocky' belt buckle and kept his thoughts to himself. If Sweets had been present, he could have written a paper based upon his observations.
Brushing the back of Brennans' hand with his own in farewell, Booth decided it was time to get back to the Hoover building.
"Great. I'll pick you up at five, Bones. You might want to take a look at the X-rays and scans that the Pittsylvania M.E. e-mailed over. Hacker said that there was something that the squint squad would find 'spooky'" Booth made air quotes with his fingers. "Sometimes I think that Hacker is an 'Agent Mulder' wannabe."
"I don't know who that is Booth. Have I met him?" asked Brennan.
"Never mind. See you soon" replied Booth as he departed.
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Angela triggered the ensuing flurry of activity. "I'll get the files from the server and set up the scans on the screens in my office. Ten minutes, okay everyone?"
The team scattered.