Disclaimer: I don't own Bones they belong to Fox and Hart Hanson. The character Lea belongs to Jim Butcher however The Leanansidhe belongs to Irish folk lore.
Yenyen76: Nothing like a good back cracking...ahhhhh
AngelBach: I've been pronouncing it La-gates. That's the way I've always heard it pronounced but I guess different areas will pronounce it differently =D Go with whatever makes you comfortable. My husband and I went back and forth about the pronunciation of Tanya *rolls eyes* I couldn't resist the pleasuring him with her feet line it was just way to easy.
luckywynner86: And there is sooo much more awesomeness to come =P Bwuahahahah *cough, cough*
Silver Maker: At some point all the chapter will become longer and if I had a cup of coffee I might have figured out which one it is. Maybe later today I'll do that and let you know. For now it's too early lol =D You will see lots of things that were only hinted at in Espionage. Like when they come back from Kansas. *giggle* And it's not what you think!
Nertoold54: I had a lot of fun creating personalities for everyone in this story. It was kind of interesting watching them unfold. I had a hard time with Cam because she's always been mama bear when it came to Michelle. Thinking she shouldn't date this one or that one but how could she think that about Legates (he's so much like Booth) so I had to stay near the middle only occasionally letting mama bear out.
DWWBfan: aww thanks for dropping me a review I REALLY do appreciate them so much. I'm glad you're getting a laugh out of it, hopefully, there will be more to come =D
Mendenbar: LOL I won't tell anyone if you don't (does it count we're having this discussion on line? lol). I love going through the chapter and grabbing random words just to see how confused I can make people. It's kinda mean and funny at the same time =D
Chapter 9 - The Leanansidhe
Michelle sighed, Cam had told her they were leaving early due to the Halloween Ball. She continued to study until the sounds of the machinery being shut down reached her ears. She closed her books, packed them into her backpack, and then pulled on her shoes. She walked down to the doors and waited with the scientists already standing there. They walked to the trucks, Michelle lost in her own world as she planned her makeup and wondered if she had everything she needed. She grimaced as she realized she was going to need help.
"What's wrong, Michelle?" Angela asked, seeing the grimace pass over her features.
"I just realized that I'm going to need help with my costume," Michelle said, frowning.
"Don't worry about that. Cam is going to need help too. So when we get back, give me an hour then meet me up in my bathroom. Bring all your stuff," Angela said, smiling brightly.
Michelle relaxed and gave Angela a grateful smile. The rest of the ride was pretty much discussing costumes and the ball. The CID members questioning the Jeffersonian crew about it. When the truck pulled to a stop and turned off everyone scrambled to get off the truck. As Legates was lifting Michelle down, he laughed at her eagerness to get down.
"In a hurry?" He asked, purposely lifting her down super slow.
"Yes, please put me down," she said. He chuckled and held her so her feet couldn't reach the ground.
"Why the hurry?" He asked with fake concern. She smacked his arm and glowered.
"Because unlike men, we women take longer to get ready," she pouted at him. He chuckled at her pouting.
"Pouting huh? Seems unlike you," he said, grinning then setting her feet on the ground.
She shrugged as she walked away. She hurried up the steps and into the house. She bolted down the stairs almost steamrolling Techie on her way through.
"Good lord," he exclaimed, twirling around as Michelle zipped past him.
He laughed and walked into his room. He saw the bag on his bed and groaned at it. He really did hate dress uniforms. Legates headed into the kitchen. They were supposed to be there by 7pm so they'd be leaving by 6ish, he figured. They had ten guys for patrols. Five of which should be laying everything out so when they finished their patrol at quarter of they could just shower and shave. Leaving fifteen minutes for the other five to stroll. He personally was going for the first option. He headed down to his room.
"You taking patrol?" Techie asked him as he passed.
"Yep," he answered Techie's question.
"Your girlfriend almost ran me down," Techie called out, knowing it'd irritate the hell out of Legates.
"Still not my girlfriend...yet," Legates said, closing his door immediately after that last word.
Techie chuckled then ducked into his room. Legates saw the bag on the bed and walked to it immediately. He picked it up, carried it to the wardrobe, hung it and unzipped the bag. He pulled each item out and hung it separately, looking for wrinkles. Finding none, he checked his boots and cap. Nodding in satisfaction, he laid everything he would be wearing in order. He pinned his insignia on and made sure everything was in order.
When he was satisfied, he left the room and headed up to the kitchen. He was the first to get there. He picked up the clipboard and scanned to see who he'd be relieving. He stepped out onto the patio through the French doors and headed around the house. Brown looked up in surprise at Legates' arrival. Legates waved his hand and let Brown go. Rolling his eyes, Legates started his patrol.
•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•
Michelle bustled around her room and gathered everything up. When the heck did this turn into more work than a prom, she wondered. She pushed the necessary items into her makeup bag, grabbed her shoes then her undergarments. Walking to the bathroom, she showered making sure to take her time washing, conditioning and treating her hair. When she got out of the shower she rubbed lotion into her skin from head to toe.
After looking at the clock, she pulled on her pajama pants, wrapped her hair in a towel, put on her robe then walked to her bed. Looking around she realized, she didn't have enough hands. She put her undergarments and makeup in the robe pockets, scooped up her shoes then her garment bag. Hustling to the door, she stopped to glance over her shoulder and grunted.
Walking back to the bed, she scooped up her wig with the stand and tucked it under her arm. She hustled out the door, through the hallway and up the stairs. She nearly bowled Goodman over as she walked past.
"Woah, watch it," he said, teasingly.
"I'm on a mission here. So move it or lose it," she grumbled as she headed up the stairs.
At the top of the stairs, she turned left and stopped. She heard Cam's laughter then Angela's. Heading in that direction, she stopped in front of the door at the far end of the foyer balcony. She tapped on the door and waited. The door swung open and Hodgins stood there grinning.
"Oh, yay, another woman. I'm totally the stud tonight. I have three women in my bathroom," he said, his eyes twinkling. She fake glared at him and waited. He swept the door open and she stepped in with a grateful smile.
"Angie, another of your victims...I mean people you're helping is here," Hodgins called out.
"Come in here, Michelle," Angela called out.
Michelle moved past Hodgins and headed to the open door that Angela's voice floated from. She entered to find Cam sitting in a chair and Angela curling her hair.
"Uh, Angela, your bathroom is bigger than my whole dorm room," Michelle said, looking around.
"Yeah, kinda big isn't it," Angela agreed. Michelle hung her dress on a hook and set her items down on the counter.
"Crap, I didn't have Brittney send my curlers," Michelle groaned.
"In that closet over there. Steam curlers, heat curlers, any kind you could want," Angela said, pointing with the curling iron in her hand.
"Cool, Thanks," Michelle said. She walked to the door opened it and gaped.
"Jeez, you must have every hair product on the market," Michelle whispered.
Reaching into the closet, she pulled down a set of steam curlers exactly like hers at home. She walked to the counter and plugged them in.
"So what is your costume?" Angela asked Michelle with a twinkle in her eye.
"The Leanansidhe," Michelle said. Angela pursed her lips and shot Cam a look in the mirror.
"A fairy," Michelle clarified.
"Nice. A sexy fairy?" Angela asked, still trying to figure out what Michelle had in mind for Legates.
"She's attractive in that scary way," Michelle said.
"This should be fun," Angela said, giggling. Michelle quickly started putting rollers in the wig as it sat on the stand.
"Wow, is that real hair?" Angela asked, eyeing the wig with interest.
"Yeah, I have a friend from school who hates her hair. She shaves hers off and wears wigs. She spends money on the good ones," Michelle said, still setting rollers.
"And boy should you see some of them," Cam muttered, rolling her eyes. Angela chuckled at Cam's statement. When the curlers were set, Michelle looked around for a place to get dressed.
"Use the linen closet," Angela said, pointing to another door. Michelle looked at Angela and burst into laughter.
"Did you seriously just tell me to get dressed in the linen closet?" Michelle asked as mental pictures of herself squirming in a closet lined with shelves.
"Trust me just use the linen closet," Angela said again. Michelle nodded, grabbed her bag and headed to the linen closet.
"Holy crap, Angela, this is huge," Michelle exclaimed after opening the door.
"Toldja," Angela chuckled.
Michelle went into the closet, hitting the light switch on the way in. Ten minutes later, she came out, holding the front of her gown up. Cam was leaned over the counter applying her eyeshadow and Angela had a different curling iron in her hair. Cam noticed her standing there and waved her over.
"Come here and I'll zip you up," Cam directed. Michelle walked over and turned her back to Cam.
"Wow is that a lycra garter belt?" Angela asked seeing the lacy garter belt that hugged the curve of Michelle's backside and hips.
"Yeah, it's a gut sucker," Michelle said, blushing slightly.
"Oh, Honey, no need to blush. I'm wearing one," Angela said, laughing.
"Yeah, guys expect you to fit into these godawful contraptions they think are sexy and I don't know anyone with the perfect hourglass figure they're designed for," Cam grumbled.
Michelle laughed at Cam's comment. When her dress was zipped, Michelle began digging through her makeup bag and pulled out a gray box. She then pulled out a brush. She began dusting the powder across her skin and watched as it began to sparkle.
"Can someone do the back of my neck and shoulders?" She asked, turning to look at the two women. Angela had finished with her hair so she nodded. She walked over and took the box from Michelle.
"Oh me, oh my," Angela giggled, "lickable honey powder."
"It does what I need it to," Michelle said.
"Umm humm," Angela murmured as she brushed it across the back of Michelle's shoulders and neck. When she finished, she popped the lid on the box and handed both the brush and box to Michelle.
"Thanks," Michelle said.
Angela nodded and stepped away. Michelle picked up her contacts and put them in. Angela watched as Michelle glued on false eyelashes and curled them. She then put gold eyeshadow on her lids and lightened it to her natural skin tone in an upward blend.
Pulling out her black eyeliner, she extended the outer corners of her eyes to make them more cat like. She then began to apply her mascara. Angela was nodding in approval and Cam was sucking on her teeth silently.
"Sign number one I'm doing it right...my parental figure disapproves," Michelle said, with her mouth slightly open as she applied the mascara. Angela laughed and Cam shook her head.
"Did you want large, loose waves on this wig or large curls?" Cam asked as she moved the wig towards her.
"Lots of messy curls," Michelle responded.
Cam nodded, picked up a hair dryer and started drying the curlers. When Michelle had finished with her mascara, she started pinning her hair up into flat curls then placed a wig cap on her head. Hodgins walked in and pursed his lips at the scene before him.
"Think of it as one of my paintings. You don't see anything at first but in the end it's beautiful," Angela told him.
He smiled, nodded, walked to another door and disappeared into it. Michelle opened the box of powder and carefully applied it to her face. When she was finished, she picked up her lip liner, lined her lips then applied a blood red lipstick.
"It's disturbing. You look so hot yet so incredibly untouchable," Angela mused. Michelle smiled and nodded.
"Exactly as it should be," Michelle said then pressed her lips together with a smack. Michelle looked over at Cam and grinned.
"Perfect," Michelle said.
"There are some things I can still do," Cam muttered with a smile in her voice.
Michelle shot her a grin and took the wig from Cam's hand. She settled it on her head and began pinning it to her head. When that was completed, she put on her necklace. The snowflake was gold with crystals on the front. Sliding a pair of earrings that matched into her ears, she eyed her outfit and nodded.
"Now I just need someone to hook my wings on," she said, walking into the closet and returning with her garment bag. She hung the bag on the hook and pulled out her wings.
"Those are very pretty," Angela said, her artistic side approving of the wings.
Cam walked to Michelle and took the wings from her hands. She saw the wings hooked on with a hook and eye. When she hooked the wings on the back of Michelle's dress, Cam frowned slightly.
"Michelle, these are going to be too long," Cam said.
"No, I still have to put on my shoes," Michelle said, moving to where she had set her shoes down.
She slid her feet into her heels and Cam's eyes narrowed. Angela bit back her laughter at the look on Cam's face. Angela just dared just dared her to say anything about Michelle's shoe choice. Yes, they were black fuck me heels and yes they were hot but who would see them under that dress. Michelle rose up to a nice even six foot in the heels.
"Are you going to be able to walk in those?" Cam asked her, eyeing the four inch heels.
"Yes, spent a lot of time walking around my dorm room in them," Michelle said, smiling.
Cam nodded and the three women assessed each other. Nodding, they left the bathroom.
•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•
Legates had made quick work of his shower and shave. Walking up the stairs, he saw most of the guys grunting, grumbling, and generally bitching about having to wear their dress uniforms. He knew before the night was over he'd be one of them. He felt his skin start to itch as he stood there. For now, he smirked at them then spotted Techie. Making his way over to him, Legates stopped next to him.
"God, I hate these stupid things," Techie muttered.
Legates chuckled as he looked around at the men shifting in their uniforms. He saw Booth approach them from over Techie's shoulder. His eyes squinted as he tried to figure out who Booth was supposed to be. Obviously a gangster of some sort, but which one?
Booth looked around at the men in dress uniforms and smiled. Angela and Hodgins were coming down the stairs and Booth paused to peruse their costumes. They looked like they had come straight out of the 1950's. Legates turned his attention to the pair descending the stairs, he had no idea who Angela and Hodgins were supposed to be.
Booth blinked twice at Angela's white dress that fell past her knees. It dawned on him where he'd seen pictures of it. Booth heard Young choke on his air and turned to look at the man. Young was standing with the other FBI Agents who were all wearing tuxes.
"Oh, please, tell me you didn't," Booth said with a laugh as he turned back to face the pair. Hodgins pulled his double breasted gray suit jacket down with a grin.
"Yes, we did, G-man," Hodgins said still grinning. Techie looked at them and then at Booth.
"Who are they supposed to be?" Morgan called out from his position near the security team.
"Julius and Ethel Rosenberg," Booth said. Addison burst into laughter and held his sides as he laughed.
Daisy and Sweets came from the downstairs doorway, causing the attention to shift to them. Booth groaned at the leather jacket, jeans and white tee shirt Sweets was wearing. His eyes shot to Sweets hair and his mouth fell open. Charlie started choking in laughter as he saw Sweets.
"Sweets, how the heck did you get your hair to do that?" Booth stuttered out as he stared agog at the Dean Martin hairdo Sweets was sporting.
Daisy smiled and carefully ran her hand over Sweets' gelled hair.
"Straightening iron," Sweets grumbled.
"So, he's James Dean?" Legates said with a confused look at Daisy.
Booth skimmed her form and took notice of the ruffled shirt and plaid skirt. Glancing at her face, he closed his eyes and hissed.
"Whose idea was this?" Booth said, shooting a glare at Angela. Legates followed Booth's gaze to Angela who stood to the left of the bottom of the steps with a smirk on her face.
"Don't look at me, Studly. This was all Bren," Angela said.
"So, if he's James Dean, who is she?" Legates said again, pointing towards Daisy. He was really confused at this point.
"He's not James Dean. He is Charles Starkweather and she is Caril Anne Fugate," Booth hissed.
Price started laughing and everyone turned to stare at him. The connection clicked in Legates brain and he started chuckling. He'd heard Addison prattle about famous criminals for the better part of two years.
"They're all…they're all...from the FBI most wanted list," Price said, between gasping breaths. Everyone else in the room started laughing. Booth put his hands in his pockets and stared at the ceiling.
That would make you what, Booth?" Addison said, trying to catch his breath.
"I'd say Al Capone but somehow I'm thinking no," Booth said.
Cam came down the steps and stopped at the bottom. She wore a dress straight from the 1880's and Addison paused. Legates' eyes traveled down the plum colored velvet dress. The sleeves were puffy at the top and became fitted at the elbow and stayed fitted to the wrist. The bodice was fitted and narrowed at the waist then the skirt belled out and fell naturally to the floor. The plum velvet was highlighted by black accents. Legates turned to look at Addison for the answer since he was a walking criminal history book. Cocking his head, Addison stopped and thought.
"Well, she's not from the FBI most wanted but I would guess she would be in the theme," he mused. Booth waited, he had an idea but wanted to see if anyone else got it. After a long pause, Booth rolled his eyes.
"Lizzie Borden," Booth said shortly.
Cam nodded and flicked open a fan with a smile. There was a sudden pause and quite a few groans as Michelle came down the steps. Booth heard Legates audibly swallow and grinned. Legates' eyes glowed and turned two shades lighter as he took in the form fitting gown that clung to Michelle's curves. The gown shimmered from black to green as she moved down the stairs.
Her skin shimmered as if it were sparkling in an almost, but not quite, unnatural way. The wings on her back swayed behind her as she descended showing a green and black swirling pattern on them. Legates' eyes traced quickly past her bust line since he was having enough trouble controlling his blood flow. His gaze stopped on her hair or her wig rather.
The maroon colored hair fell in riotous waves around her face framing it and then down to her shoulders. She caught his eyes and blinked slowly. The unnatural shade of green was eerie to look at. She let a slow, seductive, predatory smile cross her face and it hit him like a ton of bricks. She was dressed as Lea.
"The Leanansidhe," Legates breathed out softly, completely missing Cam and Booth's interaction. Booth chuckled and nodded in respect to her choice.
"Who?" Brown asked in confusion.
"Leanansidhe is the Gaelic fairy who was part of the Fae winter court. Second to queen Mab and in charge of the muses of artists," Legates explained. Michelle dropped into a curtsey with a nod. Her eyes skated over his form in his class A's and a look passed through her eyes he didn't quite catch. Booth smacked Legates on the shoulder.
"Don't make deals with the Fae," Booth whispered. Legates head jerked back and he laughed.
"Yes, I read Jim Butcher too," Booth laughed.
The air was split with Addison's laughter and with everyone else, Legates' eyes shot to the door that led to the stairs going down. He bit back a grin but almost choked on his laughter as Booth and Brennan's costume became blatantly obvious to everyone in the room. Everyone knew about the infamous Bonnie and Clyde.
Everyone began to move towards the doors and Michelle was praying she didn't have to ride in the back of a big truck to get there. She worried with her bottom lip as she walked towards the door.
"Something bothering you?" Michelle asked just over her shoulder.
Legates bit back a groan as he realized that whatever she had applied was applied to the back as well as the front and seemed to distinctly smell like honey. He wondered briefly if her skin tasted as good as it smelled.
Michelle bit back her bark of laughter as she heard his muttered inner voice monologue. She decided to cut the poor guy some slack and not say anything. Techie however was not so kind.
"Legates, turn your inner monologue off. He is using your voice again," Techie blurted out, his voice full of laughter. Michelle kept her face blank at Legates' following muttered curse.
"God, I hope she didn't hear that," Legates said in a low tone.
"Hear what?" She asked, offering him an out.
"Nothing," he said, smiling.
"She heard us," Techie snorted with a laugh.
Legates' face started turning red and Michelle looked at him with confusion on her face.
"Legates, are you blushing?" She asked, trying to save him from Techie.
Techie chortled as he caught her eye. She narrowed her eyes at Techie who suddenly realized that she was going to rip his spleen out if he didn't stop.
"Um no," Legates said, ushering her past Brennan and out onto the steps.
He stepped to the side where Booth was standing. Techie followed Legates without realizing that Michelle was also following. When Legates stopped, Michelle did as well. Techie not paying attention didn't stop quick enough and ran smack into the back of her.
He grunted when her wing poked him in the thigh. Michelle squealed lightly as her weight shifted and she couldn't catch her balance. She fell into Legates back and clutched the back of his jacket. He jerked forward and looked over his shoulder to see Techie trying to figure out how to help Michelle stand up straight without touching her inappropriately. Sighing, Techie put his hands on her hips and straightened her.
"Sorry about that. I didn't realize that you were there," Techie apologized.
"S'okay," she said, gaining her footing.
Legates turned and raised an eyebrow. Rolling her eyes, Michelle stepped away from the pair and walked down the steps and stood at the bottom.
"Good job, douche," Legates muttered from the corner of his mouth.
"Legates and Techie, you are with us in the middle car. The rest of security, in the first car. Charlie, Price, Young, DeWalt, Williams and Dunn I want you in the third car. This event draws a lot of reporters. It is similar to a red carpet event. I want you guys lined up to the entrance," Booth ordered.
"Sarge, we're right here. We can hear you just fine," Legates said.
Booth turned and glared at him. They smirked at Booth and trotted down to the middle Hummer limo. Techie opened the door and swept his hand, gesturing for the squints to climb in. Michelle smacked him as she walked past and climbed in. Legates grinned and went to climb in behind her.
"Whoa you'd only be doing that if you were her date," Techie said, putting his hand up. Legates grinned and patted Techie on the shoulder.
"You coming, Legates, or are you standing out there with your boyfriend all night?" Michelle called from the front of the limo. Legates grinned and ducked into the vehicle.
"Son of a bitch," Techie swore, his voice full of laughter.
Angela laughed breathily and climbed in after Legates. She was enjoying the view of one of his better ass-ets. Techie watched as everyone climbed in the limos and thanked his lucky stars that he was riding with the women in costume and not their class A's. Michelle took a deep breath as Legates slid onto the seat next to her. She could feel his thigh pressed against hers and the heat emanating from him. She shivered slightly and he glanced down at her.
"You okay?" He asked her with a worried frown.
"Yes, it's chilly," she said. He huffed out a laugh.
"It's October in Washington DC of course it's chilly," he said in a teasing tone. Angela sat down on the other side of Legates. Her teeth chattered a little and she shivered as well.
"Aww, poor baby," Hodgins crooned then wrapped his arms around her.
Michelle glared at Legates with a frown and flicked the heater vent to face her. Legates mentally smacked his forehand and rolled his eyes. He felt the limo take off and sat back. When he sat back, he let his arm overlap hers, giving her some heat.
"You know Lea doesn't have wings, right?" Legates whispered into Michelle's ear.
"Yeah, I wanted to add more fantasy so there was no question as to what I was," she said quietly with a smile. They turned their attention to the pair in the rear seat when Booth spoke.
"Bones, you could fit another ten to fifteen people in these cars," Booth said in astonishment.
"Hmm. Yes you could," Brennan said vaguely. Booth's eyes narrowed at her and she just smiled.
"You are up to something," Booth said. The rest of the squints looked at them and Brennan said nothing but smiled again.
"You're right, Booth," Angela said.
Legates pursed his lips and felt the road beneath the limo as it pulled around to the entrance to the Jeffersonian ballroom. Techie waited until Davis opened the door before stepping out. Techie reached his hand in and helped Cam from the limo. She walked through the line of the security and entered the building. Techie took his spot at the end of one of the lines that separated the crowd of screaming reporters from the carpeted entrance to the party.
Booth and Brennan were next, then Angela and Hodgins and last but not least Legates stepped out and put his hand in the door to help Michelle out. She stepped out and lightly gasped as her shoe rolled to the left. Legates steadied her then escorted her up the carpet.
When they entered the foyer of the party area they waited as the CID members and security made their way into the ball. After everyone was gathered in the lobby, they moved into the main ballroom. Legates' eyes swept across the room as they entered, automatically working. Dark, smokey, back lighting, great room for people to hide in, he thought.
Michelle felt him freeze for a split second and grinned. As they followed Booth and Brennan to a table the fog from the dance floor swirled up around their feet. The candles on the tables and on the ledge above their heads flickered making her skin glow in an unearthly light. She turned to look at Legates and he jerked back. Her eyes glowed a neon green color.
"That's fucking creepy," he muttered, leaning down and speaking near her ear so she could hear him. She sputtered in laughter and grinned at him.
"Glow in the dark green contacts. They also glow in blacklight," she said, chuckling.
"Stop sucking on Michelle's ear and keep scanning," Techie grumbled from behind them. Michelle turned to glare at him and he rocked back from the pair.
"Okay, yeah, umm," Techie muttered, stepping back.
Legates snickered lightly at Techie's reaction. Michelle's eyes narrowed again as she scanned the ledge that ran around the top of the room. She could see the fake cobwebs and what looked like gargoyles.
"Are those gargoyles on the ledges?" She asked Legates, still looking up at the ledges.
"Mmmhmm," he said.
He saw the pumpkins on the buffet tables and almost burst into laughter at the death star pumpkin. All of the pumpkins were expertly carved and extremely detailed. Each one glowed and flickered from the candle inside. Legates held Michelle's chair out and helped her adjust her wings. Angela nodded approvingly.
"Ass kisser," Techie muttered under his breath.
Michelle shot him a questioning look. He just grinned at her as Legates sat down on the other side of Michelle. He shot Techie a dirty look. He saw Addison sitting on the other side of Techie and scanned the table. He realized that the chairs were in pairs so the chair had to be filled by someone.
"Seriously? Oh, man these people are serious geeks," Addison sighed. Addison's comment caught Legates attention.
"Actually, George Lucas is one of our benefactors with a capital 'B'," Hodgins murmured.
"What?" Wilson squawked and danced around causing Hodgins to chuckle.
"You will see different benefactor related pumpkins around the hall," Angela said with a grin.
"Look over at the bar," Cam pointed out.
All ten men turned to look at the bar and as if by magic the crowd parted and a line of faces carved into pumpkins appeared. Michelle, Hodgins, Brennan and Booth's faces appeared on the bar. Legates looked down at Michelle who was purposely looking anywhere but at the group. Poking her in the side with his elbow, he gestured toward the bar with his head tilted in question. She glanced at the bar and shrugged. He tried to keep his eyes on her face as her breasts jiggled with her shrug.
"They worked so hard to solve my father's murder and get justice; I had some of the money he left me invested. Cam helped me to set up an investments that earns money and one of them pays the annual annuity to the Medico-Legal Lab," Michelle said briefly. She swallowed and tried not to think about the fact that her adoptive mother solved her father's murder or the fact that her father had been eaten by a tiger.
Legates rocked back on his heels at the news her father had been murdered. He knew Cam was her adoptive mother but he had never asked too much about the situation.
"What about you, Sarge?" Legates asked, leaning around Angela to ask Booth. Booth stared in confusion at his face on a pumpkin.
"I never," he turned a raised eyebrow on Brennan. She shrugged and slipped away towards the bathroom without answering. Booth turned a look on the squints who were suddenly interested in everything but Booth.
"Somebody better start talking or I will go to Goodman," Booth demanded.
"You won't have to go far. I'm right here," Goodman said with a laugh. Legates glanced at Goodman who was sitting at the table next to them.
"Don't start, Goodman. You know I was talking about your Uncle," Booth growled. Angela sighed and turned to look at Booth.
"She might have, hypothetically, set up a scholarship fund in your name when you were killed, that helps to pay for the Jeffersonian Interns," Angela murmured.
Booth sighed and pulled his fedora down lower and slouched down in the chair with a grunt. Legates listened as the Jeffersonian team talked about someone named Cullen and then they started discussing costume ideas.
"You know, Booth, you should be grateful," Angela said, popping a grape in her mouth.
"Why would that be, Angela?" Booth asked with a hint of sarcasm.
"Because we originally considered Sandy and Danny for you two," Angela said, grinning.
"Who?"
Cam started snickering at his denseness.
"He slept through it," Cam told Angela.
"You know John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. Grease," Angela said.
Booth's mouth fell open and he started choking. Brennan handed him her drink as she slid into the seat next to him. He took a sip then turned an evil look on her.
"You didn't seriously consider that," Booth said. She shrugged and took her champagne out of his hand.
"So, Sarge, I've heard you can waltz. I guess the real question though is, can you Hand Jive, Baby?" Legates asked while choking back a laugh. Michelle arched her eyebrow at him for the Grease reference. He shrugged and smiled.
"Time to take up our posts?" Angela said with a smile. The men looked around suspiciously and Booth chuckled.
"It's a wonderful position to defend, trust me. We've held up the same piece of wall at just about every Jeffersonian black tie function," Booth assured them.
Legates helped Michelle from her chair and they followed the group. The security team moved with them leaving the CID team sitting at the tables. The Jeffersonian team stood with their backs to the wall almost in the front corner on the other side of the room from the DJ.
As Sinatra's voice began to drift across the dance floor Legates scowled. Then shook his head, maybe later they'd play something that he could actually get Michelle onto the dance floor with.
"Did you want anything to drink?" He asked, leaning over so she could hear him. She smiled up at him and considered.
"Yeah, a sparkling chocolate water," she told him.
He pursed his lips but nodded then turned and headed towards the bar. Michelle watched his back disappear through the crowd towards the bar. She almost wished that she was twenty one. A beer would do wonders to take her nervousness down a notch. She liked Legates a lot, he was 180 degrees opposite of the guys she normally dated and she liked it. She would never have brought any of her past boyfriends to one of these events but Legates seemed to be comfortable here.
Legates moved his way to the bar trying to look relaxed even though his heart was pounding a mile a minute. He was out of his league with these people; they had money and a lot of it. He approached the bar and placed their orders. He blinked in surprise when the bartender nodded and began mixing drinks. Legates watched him drop a couple drops of a clear liquid from a glass bottle into a champagne flute then fill it with sparkling soda water.
The bartender then poured him a Mountain Dew in a tumbler. Nodding, Legates took the glasses and headed back to the other side of the room where the group was standing. When he was back at Michelle's side, he handed her the flute. Smiling, she took it from him.
"Thanks," she said almost too quietly. He smiled at her and took a sip of his drink. She eyed the drink and shot him a confused look.
"No alcohol while I'm working," he griped.
She nodded in understanding slightly off put that he was working and not on a date with her. Legates mentally groaned then sighed. He'd just stuck his foot in his mouth. He wished this strictly was a date but unfortunately it couldn't be that way with this situation. He stiffened as he saw seven figures start to duck and weave through the dancers towards them.
"Hold this please," Legates said near Michelle's ear, handing her his drink. She took his drink and looked up at him in confusion.
Techie stepped forward in a defensive position and Legates had taken a step forward when the women formed a line at the edge of the dance floor. They moved like wraiths toward them and Legates saw Techie stiffen briefly then heard him suck in a breath.
"Andrea, baby, is that you?" Techie said in a low rushed voice that barely carried over the music.
He rushed towards one of the women. She stopped, tilted her head, and let a smile sweep across her face. It slowly dawned on the other six men that these women were special. Techie picked Andrea up and spun her in a circle as she squealed in delight. Legates stepped back against the wall next to Michelle. She handed him his drink and gestured towards the pair.
"That's Andrea, Techie's fiancee. Denise, Wilson's girl. Julie, Johnson's fiancee. Nikki, Brown's better half. And Melissa, Oak's high school sweetheart," Legates told her, pointing to each as he named them.
Michelle grinned as she realized what exactly Brennan had done. Legates grinned at Michelle and she could see he was happy for the other men.
"What's with the shit eating grin?" She asked him, sipping her drink.
"Maybe now Techie will stop being so much of an ass," Legates said.
"I haven't noticed that particular trait," she said. He barked out a laugh and looked down at her.
"You haven't lived with him for the last eight months. God, he's worse than a woman with PMS," Legates told her.
Michelle narrowed her eyes at the PMS comment. They saw Brennan pass by and a young man carrying buckets. He looked to Michelle for an explanation. She shrugged her shoulders indicating she had no idea. Mentally smirking, she noticed he watched her breasts bounce when she shrugged. He wondered if he could come up with more questions she couldn't answer.
"I've never been to the Halloween Ball. I've been to the fourth of July picnic and the Christmas party," Michelle said, shrugging again with a mental grin.
"Huh," Legates grunted, mentally reciting monster stats.
His eyes shot to the door when it opened and light flooded into the otherwise darkened room. He stiffened and tried to get a good look at the people pouring into the room. He then realized that they were children escorted by adults and relaxed.
Michelle watched with a small smile pasted on her face as the children moved around the room calling out trick or treat. A large group of children came to stop in front of them, waiting to see Brennan and Booth. Michelle nearly jumped out of her skin when the man standing next to her yelped.
"Mom? Dad?" Legates yelped when one of the sets of older couples with children stopped in front of Booth and Brennan.
"Michael Joshua Legates, why didn't you call us?" His mother chastised him with a gentle smile.
Michelle clapped her hand over her mouth and attempted to stop her giggles as she realized what his middle name was and where she'd heard it before. Finally giving up, she took her hand off her mouth. Legates mentally sighed and groaned at his mother for giving away his name. He hated the name Michael and yet she insisted on calling him that.
"Legates, you are so busted," Michelle teased him with her voice still full of laughter. His cheekbones turned a faint shade of pink and he hoped that she couldn't see it.
"Mooommmmm," Legates whined.
Michelle just laughed even harder. Sadie Jackson eyed the young woman standing next to her son and laughing. She was a very beautiful young girl and Sadie briefly wondered if she and her husband had crashed a date. John stared at the young girl standing next to his son and pursed his lips.
"Ah Mama, Dad, this is Michelle Welton. Michelle, these are my parents, Sadie and John Jackson," Legates introduced them. Michelle put her hand out and shook their hands with a smile.
"Nice to meet you," she said sincerely.
Michelle felt a tug at her hip and looked down. She saw Parker standing there and grinned at him. Kneeling down, she examined his skeleton costume with a grin. He lifted his foot and pointed. Sadie watched the pair with interest as they interacted.
"Medial cuniform bone," he informed her. Legates snorted in laughter at Parker's comment. Michelle grinned, cocked her head, and shook her head.
"Nope, that's the navicular bone," she informed him solemnly. Sadie saw a very intelligent young woman talking to a young child. John saw a young woman, kneeling down with her breasts almost hanging out and frowned in disapproval.
Parker started giggling and moved away towards his father when the crowd started moving. Michelle rose to her feet and shook her head laughing.
"We need to take these kids around the room. We'll be back in a few moments, Michael," Sadie said, moving off with the kids.
When Legates' parents were out of earshot Michelle burst into laughter. She was leaning against the wall laughing and tears trickled from the corners of her eyes.
"Alright, Renee," Legates said, grinning when her laughter came to a halt.
"Who told you my middle name?" She demanded, spinning to face him. He smirked and took a drink of his soda.
"I don't give away my sources," he said, grinning. He heard the opening strains of I Don't Want to Miss A Thing by Aerosmith and leaned over.
"Dance with me?" He asked her, holding out his hand.
A/N: Dun Dun Dun...dancing, parental realizations, the scent of honey, you love to hate her but here she is, Barbie, grammar correction, who needs a purse?, weekend plans, it's just a flesh wound, poked in the butt, anxiety, music to sooth the soul, two hundred dollar shirts, hand waving, introductions, more butt kissing, and arriving home.
A/N2: Just so ya'll know I am aware that Lea doesn't have wings but it's Halloween but sometimes it's easier to not have people question your costume all night. They see the wings and they know you're a fairy. And I'm sure there's something else I've forgotten but I don't know what. The links went up on my blogg about forty minutes ago and I put up Chapter 8's as well.
Please, please leave a review. They're very important to the writer to let us know you're enjoying it!