Disclaimer: I don't own Bones. It belongs to Hart Hanson and Fox. Which I guess is a good thing since they have the time and money to produce the show.
SilverMaker: Glad I can give you something to go with your coffee (if you drink it) or whatever else goes with your morning =D. Lol I guess if I didn't have a clue I do now. Didn't know that about vinegar *snicker* too bad I didn't know that when my husband went through the state's training for DOC. He got capstunned (pepper spray) and it didn't take so they did it again (lovely right?) Well it took and that night he comes over to visit and gives me a kiss. Yep that's right my face lit up light a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. I was not happy.
Angelbach: I'm getting the feeling *snicker* that you don't like John. Best part is it will a while before he finds out about it! Ha I always thought that Dr. Goodman was rather staid so I figured I'd make Goodman the kind of guy that would intentionally rattle his uncle's cage just for fun =D. Yes, I know it's fanfiction but apparently my readers were not happy with the level of superhuman I made them. I will try to balance them out in the sequel =/
1956JohnDeere50: *snort* yeah poor Legates =( although I know he had to have been at one point little it's hard to imagine him "little" lol. Yeah, I love Sadie to death and we'll be seeing/hearing more of her both in chapters to come and stories to come *whistles innocently*
Yenyen76: Tomorrow you'll get their POV on the Taffet trial =D
Thank You guys for your reviews! I really do appreciate them.
Chapter 16 – The Sound of Silence
Michelle continued to work, her hands shaking, the vomit rising to her throat again. This time she couldn't swallow it before it hit her mouth. She shuddered and swallowed it anyway. Tears gathered in her eyes as she stepped back and watched them drape Brennan in the milk covered cloths. Turning on her heel, she fled from the room.
Legates watched her go but knew he was needed here and now. Michelle scrambled to the bathroom and proceeded to get sick on what she'd eaten that morning. Legates stood while Carter bellowed for Techie and Goodman to go to the hospital with Booth and Brennan for security. His eyes scanning the people around the platform, he caught Wendell's eye. He mouthed Michelle to him in question. Wendell pointed to the bathroom then turned back to the platform.
Legates spun around and left the General standing there barking orders. He strode to the bathroom and pushed the door open. He heard silence then grimaced when he heard her start dry heaving. Walking to the sink, he wet a paper towel and pushed into the handicapped stall. She was on the floor hanging over the toilet sobbing and dry heaving.
Sitting down behind her, he pulled her off the toilet and back into his lap. He wiped her face then tucked her head against his chest. He brushed her hair back and rocked her as she cried. Rowan came barging in the bathroom.
"Corporal Legates, what the hell do you think you're doing?" She railed at him a snarl on her face.
"I am taking care of Michelle," he said in a low tone.
"She wasn't the one attacked. She can take care of herself," she snarled at him. The look he shot her made her take a step back.
"I'll let that slide since you know nothing of the situation. When she is ready we will come out. Until then please find somewhere else to be," he snarled back.
Rowan paused, she could see that Legates was highly defensive and that Michelle was really not doing well. There was a time and a place to pull rank and now just didn't seem to be it. Turning once she left, she made her way to find Cam.
"Dr. Saroyan, I believe your daughter needs your help in the bathroom. She is attached to Corporal Legates and won't let go of him," Rowan told her in a calm tone.
"Legates is not needed at the moment and he is what she needs right now. There was nothing I could do then and nothing I can do now," Cam said bluntly. Carter had walked up behind her as she spoke.
"What are you talking about, Dr. Saroyan?" He asked in confusion at the doctor's statement.
"Maluku," was all Cam said before turning on her heel and returning to the autopsy room. The door slammed closed with a thunk.
"Oh, Jesus," Carter said horrified as he realized that Michelle was the second person in the file. She was just written as MW.
"Sergeant Rowan, leave them be," Carter ordered. Rowan nodded and returned quietly to the platform.
Michelle was still sobbing and Legates was worried she was going to make herself sick again. Sure enough, a minute later, she scrambled off his lap and started getting sick again. Grimacing, he could see she was throwing up stomach acid now. Grunting, he stood up and slipped from the bathroom. Walking to the autopsy room, he knocked softly.
"Come in," Cam barked.
He stepped inside and saw Cam wiping her eyes and stuffing down her tears. He felt bad for the woman who wasn't sure of her friend's health or her daughter's emotional state.
"Dr. Saroyan, what does she prefer when she's sick? She's throwing up stomach acid," he said softly.
"Saltines, in my bottom left drawer," she said, pointing to her desk, "and Sprite in the small refrigerator over there."
He quietly went around the office gathering up the supplies. He left the room without saying anything. What could he say? 'I'm sorry your daughter is more comfortable crying all over me than you' just didn't seem right. He was heading back to the bathroom when he was intercepted by Lewis as she was headed to the same place.
"Use the men's bathroom," he rumbled at her. She stopped in shock and glared at him. He returned the glare and she looked at the floor.
"Fine," she said.
She stalked to the men's room and he returned to the women's. He found Michelle hanging onto the toilet and sobbing again. He sat on the floor again and pulled her into his lap. He cracked the Sprite and pushed it into her hand.
"Drink," he ordered softly. She shook her head and shuddered.
"If you don't drink your stomach lining is going to get irritated. Just a sip," he wheedled.
She took a sip then set the bottle down. She shuddered and curled into him. He brushed her hair back and placed a kiss on the top of her forehead. Before he could blink she started crying again. He rubbed his hand down her back. It took almost a half hour but she started to calm down. He tilted her head back and was going to ask her something but when he looked down he realized she was sleeping.
Laughing lightly, he lifted her up so he could kneel then rise to his feet. He was walking towards the door when he realized he had to pull it in. Sighing, he shifted her around adjusting her weight in his arms.
Lifting his leg, he hooked his foot in the handle and pulled. He repeated this procedure three times before he managed to jam his foot in the crack when the door opened. He slid his foot down the crack and pushed the door open.
Walking through the doorway, he found an astonished Carter standing near the bathrooms speaking with Cam. He nodded and walked towards the lounge. He gently laid her on the couch and sat down near her head.
He looked around but didn't see a blanket. Standing up, he moved down the stairs and towards Angela's office. He knocked lightly on the door. Hodgins yanked the door open and glared at Legates. He could hear Angela sobbing behind Hodgins.
"Sorry but I was wondering if there was a blanket in here for Michelle," he said quietly. Hodgins eyes softened and he nodded. Hodgins walked into the office and returned with an afghan.
"Thanks," Legates said.
Turning, he walked to the bathroom, knocked and receiving no response entered. He picked up the Sprite and crackers. Carrying everything back to the lounge, he set them down. He pulled the blanket over Michelle and pushed her hair back from her face. Standing up straight, he took Goodman's spot in the patrol.
He checked on Michelle each time he walked past the lounge. He was approaching for the eighth time since she'd fallen asleep when he saw her thrashing and mumbling in her sleep. Stopping, he shot Johnson a signal with his hand and stepped over to the lounge. He knelt down next to Michelle and brushed his hand down her arm. He murmured to her and she calmed down.
When she was sleeping evenly again, he stood and walked away ignoring Dr. Sweets sitting on the other couch. Sweets pulled on his bottom lip and nodded. Sweets had been running the scientists, who were taking breaks, away from the lounge while Michelle slept. He knew she had nightmares. He knew she screamed, mumbled and cried in her sleep and she wouldn't want people to hear her mumbling.
Somehow though, Legates had become the exception to that rule. Legates continued to patrol, keeping an eye on Michelle, and watching the activity below. At one point, he saw Cam and Hodgins standing next to the door arguing. Stopping, he let out two whistles and pointed to the doors. Addison and Wilson left their positions and went to stand near the two doctors.
Cam gave Hodgins a smug look then punched in her code. The doors slid open and the four of them left. They continued the circuits and Legates started to worry that Michelle was sleeping so much. He glanced down and saw Angela pacing in a counterclockwise movement to their clockwise patrol. He glanced at his watch and saw it was approaching dinner time and then he saw Cam and Hodgins return with Cam's mouth pressed in a firm line and Hodgins was grinning.
Shaking his head, he continued walking. An hour later, there was a delivery person at the door. After the food was inspected, Oaks carried it up to the lounge and set it down on the coffee table. Legates sighed as he realized that Michelle was about to be woken up. Jogging to the lounge, he sat down put his feet on the table then stretched out and pulled Michelle into his lap. He tried not to laugh when she draped across him like he was her personal mattress. He had set himself up like one so it was okay to take advantage of the situation.
The squints squeezed in around the table and started eating. He tried not to turn green at the discussion going on around him. He saw the rest of his unit lined up against the railing, eating their dinners and smirking at him. Rolling his eyes, he flipped them the bird.
"That doesn't bother you, Dr. Saroyan?" Murphy asked her, waving his fork at Legates and Michelle on the couch. Cam looked over at the pair and shrugged.
"What's to bother me, he's being her pillow. Albeit a big pillow but a pillow nonetheless. Besides he makes..." Cam stopped to look for the right words.
"I make her l-" Legates was cut off when Michelle's hand shot up and covered his mouth.
"Laugh. I make her laugh," he said, swatting her hand in reprimand.
Rowan started choking on her dinner and everyone turned to stare.
"Sorry, swallowed wrong," she said.
Everyone turned back to eating but Legates raised an eyebrow at Rowan, who shot a wink at him. He leaned over picked up the package of crackers, opened them, and pushed them under Michelle's nose. Her hand shot out and pushed them away. Leaning over, he grabbed the Sprite and pushed that under her nose. She took the Sprite and held it in her hand. Legates looked up at the silence around him. Everyone was staring at him.
"What?" He asked defensively.
Cam smirked at him and raised an eyebrow. Rolling his eyes to the ceiling, he shook his head. Michelle set the bottle on the couch between his and Wendell's thighs. Her hand snaked out and filched a cracker from the package.
Cam silently watched as the large man, with her daughter in his lap, did her job. It hurt but she knew that when her little girl grew up and found a man, a real man, that someone else would be taking care of Michelle. Until now Michelle had dated boys instead of men. This would be what Cam considered Michelle's first real adult relationship. At least she had chosen a good man. Legates had Boothish tendencies and Cam could appreciate that.
"Michelle, you should really talk to me about this," Sweets said after swallowing his mouth full of food. She shook her head no against Legates chest.
"It's not healthy. You really do need to speak with someone about this," Sweets pushed. Michelle ignored his statement.
"Michelle," he said coaxingly.
She stuck her hand out with her thumb stuck up between her curled fingers. Legates barked out a laugh and put his hand over hers and pushed it down. The laughter rolling from the unit made everyone turn to look at Michelle.
"Well that was rude," Sweets muttered.
"Not really, Dr. Sweets. She said she didn't want to talk about it and you still pushed. So, she let you know that she disagreed. The dulya is only rude in Turkish or Slavic cultures. Otherwise it's considered a refusal, usually for loans or physical work," Legates said. He was still chuckling as Sweets glared at him.
"I am a psychologist and it would help her to talk about it," Sweets argued.
"No disrespect, Dr. Sweets, but she will talk about it when she is good and ready with the person of her choosing and not before," Legates said, glaring now at Sweets.
"What I would like to know, Michelle Renee Welton, is where did you learn that?" Cam asked in a fake angry tone. Michelle shrugged and let out a sigh.
"Was that an I don't know or I'm not telling you?" Cam asked watching her daughter, worried that she wasn't speaking. Michelle held up two fingers.
"You know, Michelle, it would be good if you said something, anything at this point," Sweets said patronizingly.
Michelle shook her head again and Legates felt two things. First were the tears on his chest and the second was her stomach roiling. Sighing, he dropped his feet, leaned forward. Michelle shifted in his lap. Picking her up without saying anything, he carried her out of the lounge and down the steps. He stopped in front of the bathroom door and put her down. He opened the door and pushed her in. He leaned against the wall and cringed when he heard her getting sick again. Cam walked up behind him and crossed her arms.
"Is she getting sick again?" Cam asked quietly. He sighed then nodded a yes. She let out a sigh and shook her head.
"Just keep giving her Sprite and crackers. Eventually she'll stop sleeping so much and getting sick," Cam said softly.
"How long does this go on?" He asked her, looking over his shoulder at her. Cam's eyes were cloudy and troubled.
"When she first came back I took some time off because she was like this for days. She'd stay silent during the day refusing food and drink. Then she'd have a nightmare at night and spend the next day vomiting. I let this go on for about a week and then it just stopped. I thought she had figured out how to deal with it but I was wrong. It took me about a week to figure out she wasn't sleeping. On the sixth day of not sleeping, I spoke with Sweets then took her to the hospital. She was in for about a week and something just suddenly changed. She got better and headed back to school. The reporters found her on campus and physically attacked her," she hissed the last statement. Legates shook his head and turned to face Cam.
"Has she talked to anyone at all. I know she hasn't talked to Sweets but you don't always tell your psychologist everything," he said.
"No," she said, shaking her head.
"She's just not ready then," he said softly. Cam nodded her head in agreement.
"Well, at least she's not curled up under a blanket refusing to eat or drink. You're good for her," Cam said, turning she walked off.
Legates cocked his head and listened. He didn't hear anything so he pushed the door open. He stepped into the bathroom and saw her sitting on the floor with her back to the wall. He walked over, put his back to the wall and slid down to the floor next to her. She let out a sigh and dropped her head to his shoulder.
"Gonna try to make me talk?" She asked, her voice cracking from abuse.
"Nope," he said, shaking his head. She let out a sigh and snuggled closer to him.
"I am, however, going to make you walk back to the lounge," he said, teasing her.
"'kay," she croaked.
She struggled to get to her feet. He helped her up and walked behind her as she walked to the sink. She rinsed her mouth out and used a wet paper towel to wipe her teeth off. She left the bathroom and walked to the lounge. She ignored the people still sitting there waited for him to sit down. Laughing at her, he sat down and she crawled into his lap.
"Don't get used to this. I am not a piece of furniture," he admonished her. She shrugged and he ran his hand down her back. Rowan looked at the pair and narrowed her eyes.
"Is there going to be a problem with security, Corporal?" She asked in a slightly snippy tone. Legates looked at her and frowned.
"No, there are seven men patrolling and everyone is on the platform. There is no problem," Legates said, cutting his eyes at her. Daring her to say anything.
He was left in charge of security and she knew it. She nodded, sucked her teeth and stood up and quietly left the lounge. Clark looked around and shook his head.
"Always with the personal stuff in the workplace," he muttered.
"Dude, neither of us work here and more than likely after this you won't see me again," Legates said, laughing at the uncomfortable squint.
He felt Michelle stiffen and glanced down at her in confusion. She pinched him making him yelp and jump.
"What the hell was that about?" He growled then leaned down to listen for an answer.
"My mother works here. Sometimes I'm here," she whispered. He sighed and looked at the ceiling.
"Sorry, point of clarification. You probably will see me again as I walk in, take Michelle, then leave," he said. She elbowed him in the gut. He sighed again.
"Okay whatever. You'll see it so just suck it up and deal," he said.
"Been doing it for years," Clark said.
"You are a pain in my stomach, Woman," Legates grunted.
The men around the table sucked in a breath and held it in anticipation. Michelle reached around and pinched the side of his butt.
"Lovely, now you're a pain in my ass," he grumbled. He felt her shaking in silent giggles and shook his head.
"She's not Dr. B, guys," Hodgins pointed out. The men released their breaths. Legates looked at Hodgins in question.
"They were waiting for immediate verbal retribution for you calling her woman," Hodgins explained. Legates chuckled and rolled his head to look at the scientists sitting around.
"If she felt like talking she would probably tear me a new asshole but she's not talkative today," Legates said, grinning. She reached over and pinched his thigh. He jumped and moved his leg away from her.
"Hey, watch the goods," he said.
The men around him gaped in stunned amazement. Wendell barked out a laugh and sat back further in the couch.
"They prefer the term penis," Wendell said, waving his hand at the scientists. Legates snorted and looked at them.
"The only one I say that word to is my doctor and that's only if I have to. Which I haven't so I'm not saying it," Legates told them.
Michelle tugged at his shirt and he leaned down. He brought his head back up and roared in laughter.
"I'm...no...nuh..uhh. Yeah that's good but I ain't saying that," he said, gasping.
"Aww come on, man. Share," Wendell said, laughing at Legates inability to get a coherent sentence out.
Legates started to speak but busted out laughing again and couldn't say it. He waved his hands and shook his head no. His mind scrambled to try to figure out where she had heard the term purple headed yogurt slinger.
"You'll have to ask her when she's up to talking," Legates said. He ran his hand down her back again.
"You, young lady, we're going to have to talk about your vocabulary," he told her.
She shrugged and tried to curl up into a tighter ball on his lap. The squints went back to work and Legates' eyes shot to the patrols and scanned what he could see of the lab. He felt her breathing even out and knew she'd gone back to sleep. A few hours later, Addison walked up and Legates looked up at him.
"Sup?" He asked Addison.
"The squints are packing up to leave since it's close to nine. None of us are certified to drive the deuce," Addison said.
"Well go see if any of the others on the platform are," Legates said, rolling his eyes. Addison nodded and headed down the steps. Addison returned a few minutes later.
"Cruz and Rowan can drive them," he said. Legates nodded and glanced over the railing.
"Have Cruz drive the other one," Legates told him.
He nodded and took off at a shuffle. Another hour passed before he noticed the squints heading towards the door. He looked around and saw her backpack on the floor. Picking her up, he shifted her onto the couch. He packed up what was obviously her stuff and slung the bag over his shoulder. Pulling the truck keys from his pocket, he bent over and scooped her up.
Grunting, he adjusted her backpack, then her and then he left the lounge. He went down the steps and stood next to Cam. He looked over his shoulder and Oaks met his eye and nodded. Looking over at Cam, he nodded and she put her code in the panel near the door. The doors slid open and everyone began moving carefully through the hallways to the exit.
The guys were being extra cautious since Brennan had been shot with pepper spray and now they swept the hallways and rooms before anyone entered. When they finally had everyone loaded up into the truck, he stood staring at the door to the deuce wondering how the hell he was going to get the door open and her in without dropping her. Cruz laughed as he walked over and opened the passenger's door.
Stepping up carefully, Legates lay Michelle on the seat, tucked her legs in, put her backpack in the floor, and slammed the door. He walked around the truck and climbed into the driver's side. Putting the key in the ignition, he started the big truck and glanced at Michelle to see if it woke her.
She sighed, shuffled across the bench seat towards him and dropped her head in his lap. Laughing lightly, he put the truck in drive and hit the gas. They were halfway back to the Hodgins house when Michelle's cell phone went off. She jumped up and slammed her head into his elbow.
"Ouch," she whined.
Bending over, she dug her phone from her backpack. She hit the speaker button.
"What are you bitching about? I'm the one that managed to not wreck a two ton vehicle full of people when you slammed your noggin into my elbow," he told her with a smirk. She stuck her tongue out at him.
"Hellooo, Mr. Hottie," Tanya cooed from the line. Legates snorted and shook his head. Michelle flopped back down and stuck her head in his lap.
"She's your friend. I'm not talking to her," he told Michelle with a grin.
"Oh come on, big boy. You can talk to me. You sound hot," Tanya flirted through the phone. Michelle grunted at the phone.
"So, we're having one of those days. Fine. You're going out with me and Rachel in three weeks. No ifs, ands, or buts. Well, we may see some butts," Tanya told her firmly. Michelle shook her head and Legates laughed.
"I think that's a negative, ma'am," he said.
"Did he just seriously call me ma'am? What the hell? I am not a ma'am. I'm a hot, boobalicious, young woman," she said.
"Jesus, Michelle, did she just seriously say boobalicious?" Legates said, trying to concentrate on the road as he drove.
Michelle's head moved in an affirmative manner. He gently pushed her hair back from her face.
"So, are you the tall, dark, and handsome drink of water I've been hearing about?" Tanya asked, laughing as she asked the question.
"I prefer the title of Greek God. Thank you very much," he said wittily. Michelle reached up and dragged her hand down her face. Tanya belted out a laugh.
"Huh, I thought Technician or whatever was listening to that conversation," Tanya said, her voice still full of laughter. Michelle let out a sigh and curled up tight again.
"Ah, no that would have been Sergeant Rowan listening to that conversation. And I believe you're thinking it was Techie not Technician listening. I was outside the bathroom door," he said mischievously. Michelle stuck her pointer finger up and made a no no gesture.
"Ooooo, Michelle, you are so dishing on that one," Tanya informed her. Michelle grunted and ignored the statement.
"Michelle, what's got your panties in a bunch today? You haven't pulled the silent thing in awhile," Tanya said. Legates sighed when he felt Michelle try to burrow into the seat.
"We had a bad day," he said in a clipped tone.
"Yeah, well she has them sometimes and she needs to talk to someone about them," Tanya snapped back. Legates growled and glared at the phone.
"When she's ready she'll talk but until then she'll deal with it in whatever way she sees fit," he said with a soft deadly intensity. Tanya realized something more than what she thought was going on here.
"I'll talk to you later, Michelle," Tanya said with a sigh. She glanced at the phone when the connection abruptly clicked closed.
A/N: Lalala let's see what's up for tomorrow...happy asses, explanation of silence, power and rippling muscles, smutty comebacks, Sesame Street dreams, drugged fog, matching shoes, gentle reminders, beta quadrant, marking territory, sweetcheeks, mental images, driving lessons, sleep, Pelant, couch hog, removal of jewelry, and arriving at the courthouse.
Please leave a review, I really do love them! Really I do...