Mind Games

Chapter 7-Lunch Date

AN: IT'S HERE!! The long-awaited return of Mind Games!!! Haha, Morgan's reeeeally mad that I'm not writing about her anymore. So, I pulled some strings on my priority list to get you a new chapter EARLY!!! Yay, I'm special. Anyway, make with the chapter!!! Enjoy, my minions, and review!

Morgan's POV

Idiot, I thought to myself, what is wrong with you?

I was having another one of my famous internal duels, where the part of me that wants to grow up and the part that keeps reversing my maturity progression fight with each other. It's incredibly annoying. I think I need therapy.

You actually have a chance to do something for someone, and you blow it by complaining about losing your job. You disgust me.

"How can I disgust you? You are me!" I shouted. Lucky I was alone.

Oh, grow up. Maybe we do need therapy. You always act like a teenager.

"I'm only 23."

You act 13.

"I don't need this crap from you. Get out of my head."

I exhaled sharply and sat up. It was almost daylight, yet I still had an hour before work. "I hate mornings," I muttered to no one in particular.

A strange scratching noise startled me, and I stood up quickly. It was just Reepicheep, attempting to climb out of the cage. I swore and moved to replace the top, amazed that I had passed through my entire room in the dark without tripping. I made a mental note to continue working in the living room.

Breakfast was simple enough: cereal, as usual. What else do you make when you're alone? I thought Reepicheep would give me someone to talk to, but all he ever does is attempt escape plan after escape plan until I let him out. I should buy him one of those ferret leash things. That way I could take him outside or something.

Still 45 minutes until work starts. Great. Why do I have to be the insomniac? Of course, I thought, it could be worse. My youngest brother's a transvestite, and a lunatic one at that. My little sister's been pregnant twice, and she's only 18. My other brother isn't really that weird, but he's incredibly shy. I think he said maybe 2 words at my graduation ceremony. I suppose that makes me the normal one. Again, it could be worse.

Giving up on sleeping, I got a quick shower and flipped on the TV. There is absolutely nothing on at 6 am. I settled for the morning news, but I didn't pay any attention to it. I heard Reepicheep scratching again, so I decided to let him out.

"Reep, why is my life so messed up?" I muttered. Reepicheep tried to bite at my fingernails. "I'm a scientist, studying my favorite subject ever with one of the best anthropologists of all time. So why am I still so upset? Maybe Lynn's right, and I do need therapy. Of course, Lynn seems to think she doesn't need birth control, and look where that got her." I laughed a little, and Reepicheep sniffed at my hand. I set him on my shoulder and wandered over to the mirror.

My hair was hopeless, as usual. It just lays flat in whatever style I put it in. Updos just…fail. I tied it back with an elastic and tried to fluff it up a bit. No luck. Figures.

I remembered what Angela said about me needing mascara to bring out my glaring green irises. I barely got the tips of my lashes done before poking myself in the eye. I could have sworn Reepicheep was laughing at me. "Shut up," I murmured. Talking to animals. Not a good sign.

I threw on some mineral foundation to hide my sleepy look and grabbed my coat. I'd take the metro today. My motorcycle was too fast; I couldn't show up much before 7 or the squints would be suspicious.

I swiped my card onto the platform at exactly 7:02. No one else was there except Zack and Hodgins. Oh, fabulous.

"Hey, guys," I greeted half-heartedly. It was not a good time for cheerfulness.

"Hey Morgan!" replied Hodgins excitedly. "Why are you so early?"

"I'm an insomniac," I answered flatly. "It sucks."

"Oh," was his answer. He got back to work.

I headed in to the break room and grabbed some coffee. Just what I needed. While it heated up, I happened to glance around and see a blonde woman sitting on one of the couches. When she turned toward me, I gasped.

"Naomi?" I asked her. She looked confused.

"Yeah," she answered slowly. "You are…?"

"Morgan Whitaker! You remember, from 10th grade English?"

Recognition swept over her face. "Oh, Pipsqueak! Hi!" She laughed, and I rolled my eyes at the nickname. Being the only 7th grader in a 10th grade English class was a drag.

"What are you doing here? I would have expected you to be a writer," I joked, and she laughed. Both of us knew that she was at the bottom of our class.

"Actually, I was going to say the same about you. What happened to that story about the kids and the time machine? Or the one with that ghost and the freak who made her human? Or--"

I stopped her. "Naomi, please. I hated writing! I mean, I love it, but I could never do it for a living! This is what I love."

"Well, what do you do? Sift through excrement? Gross!"

"Actually, I'm an anthropologist. I examine human remains."

She looked at me like I had three heads. "I prefer the time travelers and the humanizer."

We both laughed, and my coffee pinged. I grabbed a mug and filled it, picking up cream and sugar as well. I sat down next to Naomi and we talked for a few minutes.

"So, what are you doing now? AV work? Security? Are you a curator?"

"Actually, I'm in paleontology." She paused and let me laugh at that. "I know, I know. But I tried it once, and I actually kinda enjoyed it. So, that's what I went to college for. I got my Master's." She smiled.

"Nice!" I commented. "I didn't expect you to have that kind of patience. I'm actually working on my doctorate now, and it's impossible."

"Oh, I doubt that. You always were a genius." I blushed. She paused and sipped her coffee. "So, are you still in therapy?"

I glared at her, and sighed. "No," I answered irritably. "I think I should be, though. I'm not a lunatic, but…well, you know how that is."

She nodded. "You're—and don't take this personally—but you're just a little bit messed up. Just a little."

I slapped her playfully on the arm and we both laughed. I stood up and sipped the last of my coffee. "I should get going; Dr. Brennan will get mad if I'm too late."

"Yeah, I guess. Well, it was nice seeing you! Good luck with that degree!"

I smiled. "Thanks, I'll need it."

Dr. Sweets was waiting for me on the platform. "Morgan," he called out and ran up beside me, making it difficult to ignore him.

"What do you want?" I demanded.

"Well, see, I was hoping that you would join Zack and I for lunch today. You know, since we won the court case…" I raised an eyebrow. He rolled his eyes. "Okay, my girlfriend got the flu and now I don't have any plans. But are you in?"

"I guess so," I grumbled. I knew it was best to agree; otherwise I'd need an excuse. "Not like I have any other plans."

"Awesome. See you at noon." He smiled and left me alone. I went to talk with Dr. Brennan, trying not to think about having lunch with Zack.

AN: So…opinions?? Really, reviews make me SUPERHAPPY. I could use some encouragement, believe me.

Also…

LENT TIME!!

If you don't know what Lent is, it's a 40-day stretch where Christians have to give something up to prepare to celebrate Easter. Anyway, I gave up Internet, so I'll be off fanfiction from Feb. 17th till March 31st. This shouldn't affect MG, since I won't be updating it then anyway (it needs to wait its turn). But, I just thought I'd let y'all know.

Finally, if you're reading this, please go to my profile and TAKE MY POLL. I need opinions on what to do with this story!!

REVIEW. And read fudgeface's stories, because she's awesome.