A/N: Okay. Apologies first for how long this has taken. In my defense I've been very busy and I'm uploading this while on vacation (does that count for anything?)
I'm hoping by next week things will be somewhat closer to normal (or what passes for normal in my life) and I can get to writing more chapters on this. I do have an idea on where it's going, just hang in with me for a little while longer, 'k?
Disclaimer: I do not own Bones.
The Secret's Out:
Cam glanced down at the drawer she'd put her purse in that morning. A pack of cigarettes was in there, with a lighter. Her fingers twitched at the thought of it.
For two days she'd had to resort to fast talking and a little bit of a "I'm-in-charge-here-do-not-question-me" attitude to keep Dr. Brennan and Booth from discovering that Hodgins was helping out with the evidence. Wendell almost let things slip to Brennan that very morning when she'd asked where some evidence had gone. Cam had stomped on his foot before the assistant could blurt out that Hodgins and Angela had taken it to show Zack.
Hodgins and Angela were on their way back to the Jeffersonian. Sweets was supposed to show up too, so the team could review what evidence they'd gone over. Booth and Brennan were both on site already, along with Wendell.
Cam rubbed her temple as her eyes drifted back to the drawer. She'd never wanted a case over as bad as she wanted this one to be. Hodgins was freaking out, barely kept in check by Angela. Dr. Brennan was more obsessive than usual in going over every piece of evidence they had.
Then there was Seeley. Cam leaned back in her chair, shaking her head ruefully. She'd known Booth for years and still there was so much he kept hidden. For as long as she'd known him, that was his first response to anything painful – hide it from others.
Sometimes it leaked out anyway. She'd known of the nightmare his life at home was, thanks to his father. When he came back from Bosnia, there had been a dark sea of pain hidden behind his eyes. When they'd been together – both times – there were nights he'd wake up shaking and crying, once in a while screaming which scared her to death.
She never asked him what the dreams were. She knew he didn't want her to know. So she'd hold him and speak to him as if he were Parker until sleep took him again.
Cam was willing to bet every cigarette in her purse that Booth was having nightmares again. He needed help to cope. She doubted he'd let her in that far, but perhaps Dr. Brennan…or maybe even just closing this case once and for all…
Cam sighed. One cigarette. What could it hurt? She opened the drawer, reaching for her purse…
A sharp knock on her door. "Dr. Saroyan?"
Cam slammed the drawer shut so fast a long red fingernail was caught and ripped off. Her finger flew through her mouth as a moan of pain escaped her.
A couple more knocks, and Wendell Bray's voice sounded more concerned. "Dr. Saroyan? Is everything okay?"
"Come in!" she shouted, blinking back tears of pain. The assistant opened the door and took a couple of hesitant steps into her office. He stared at his boss.
"What is it?" she asked, her finger still in her mouth.
"Uh…" Wendell stammered, "Dr. Sweets, Dr. Hodgins, and Angela are all here. You wanted to start the meeting when they arrived?"
"Yes," she said quickly. "I'll be right out."
Wendell nodded, still staring at her face. "Dr. Saroyan, are you okay?"
"I'm fine!" she said, pulling her finger out of her mouth and pasting a smile on her face. "Just fine!" She hoped her gritted teeth sent the message to Wendell that he should not question her words.
He nodded as he backed towards the door. "Okay…I'll just tell…tell everyone that you'll be…right out."
She nodded. "Thank you!" She kept her glare on him until the door shut behind him.
Cam moaned softly and buried her face in her hands. She remembered her days as a cop in New York, chasing crazy people through garbage-strewn alleys, dealing with rude drunks and human scum in general.
Days like this made that seem downright attractive.
#
When Cam came to the platform, she saw Booth, Dr. Brennan, Sweets, Wendell, and Angela surrounded the stainless steel table. Hodgins had moved over to his station to the side.
Whether it was the lingering pain from her torn fingernail or her frustration with the case, Cam decided to throw caution to the wind. "Dr. Hodgins! Get over here!"
She wasn't sure who was more surprised – Hodgins, whose eyes went wide as he turned to face her, or Booth, who stiffened at her words.
Brennan was the first to speak up. "Dr. Saroyan, I thought that Dr. Hodgins was supposed to stay off this case?"
Cam frowned at the anthropologist. She started to wonder if perhaps Dr. Brennan hadn't been fooled at all the past couple of days. "I authorized Dr. Hodgins to examine the evidence under supervision –"
"You did what?" Booth exploded. "Cam, how are we gonna get a conviction with Hodgins on the case? Next thing you'll tell me is that you called in Zack as well!"
Cam winced. Of course Booth caught it and his face reddened as he swore. "You did? You did, didn't you? Have you lost your mind?!"
"Booth," Brennan had a hand on his arm. "Why don't we hear Cam out and see what she was thinking? Perhaps she has a logical reason for risking our chance for a conviction."
Cam paused at Brennan's words. How could she make something sound so bad? "Actually, I do. Have a, logical reason that is."
"Look," Jack broke in. "Can I say something?"
"No," Booth said.
"Yes," Brennan and Cam said at the same time.
Booth threw his hands in the air. "Okay, fine!" He folded his arms across his chest and glared at the bearded man.
Hodgins swallowed. "Here's the thing. They're already gonna question the evidence. What we need to do is bury the Gravedigger in evidence – make her think she can't win. We can out bluff her. When you see the stuff Zack and I came up with – "
"Out bluff her?" Booth looked incredulous. "When Caroline hears about this, she's gonna have a cow!"
"Booth, that's physically impossible," Brennan said with a frown.
"Not now Bones," he muttered.
Cam swallowed. She certainly wasn't looking forward to speaking with Caroline Julian, that was certain. "Look, it's done. Let's look at the evidence we've gathered and work on the best way to present it."
Looking from one squint to another, Booth saw he was outnumbered. He sank onto a stool, his shoulders slumped. "Fine," he muttered, rubbing his face. "I hope you know what you're doing, Camille."
She saw a look of concern on Brennan's face as the anthropologist put a hand on her partner's shoulder. "It could work, Booth. I've seen you successfully bluff suspects in the past."
Cam took a deep breath, grateful for Brennan's support. Booth's words came back to her. I hope you know what you're doing, Camille.
Yeah, she thought. Me too.
A/N2: I admit I don't see Cam as evil. If you do, just pretend for this story - I like it when she's stressed out boss!