-No Ones POV-
It is dark outside as Hodgins went over back to the shaft and have a drink with Dane by his trailer drinking beer. Dane spoke first, "Well, my father worked a fishing boat, his dad before that. Heck, me and my brother, we never knew anything but the sea. Hunting for treasure just sort of grew out of that, I guess. " "Any regrets?" "Sure. My brother." "Yeah." "That and the fact they might shut us down." "Hey, not if we find something. Huh?" "You know, I thought you were going to turn out to be just another desk jockey who'd read a few books and was looking for something to brighten up his boring-ass life." "I'll tell you what, I'd be down that shaft right now if Big Brother didn't have a minimum time requirement between dives. Or if Venus give me the thumbs up to go down there."
"You deserve to be here. You really do. But it would be nice to see that pretty doc of yours." "Thanks for that, man. Oh, and Venus is fun to be around with until you make her pissed... You don't want to see that. I guess it's all right to tell you. The bones were planted." Dane smirks and does a small chuckle, "You don't seem surprised." "Eh, nothing surprises me out of that pit anymore. Nah. I mean, you dig down far enough, you'll come out in hell. So, uh... if you don't find anything, are you gonna shut us down?" "Hey, I'm not FBI. I'm just a scientist." "It's a crime scene. I'm surprised they let you down there." "I'm an expert in silt, plants, and insects- I got three doctorates... and Venus is able to be very persuasive with the FBI. But still..." "Whoa!" "When you got three doctorates, and you tell the FBI you need more samples, who's gonna argue? One doctorate, yeah, maybe they argue, but three?" "You want to go back down again, don't you?" Hodgins inhales and exhales sharply, thinking about it for a few seconds. "I could use your help, man." "You got the bug, man!" "Hey, like I said, I am the bug man." They both cheered and raised their beers up.
-Venus POV-
It is morning and Temp, Booth, and I were back at the docks talking to Hardewicke. "If you lost the bones, how do you know they're fake?" Booth answers, "Thieves, they didn't get everything." "Ah. Stroke of luck for the good guys." I nod, "We will find out how those bones were stolen from the Jeffersonian." "You still think I did it, don't you?" Temp then asks, "Why were you going to break up the company?" Hardewicke laughs, "Let me guess, Katie Ney told you that?" Booth then asks, "What makes you think it was Katie?" "That was a stock part of Macy's seduction technique, and it was very effective. 'I risk my life down in that hole while my partner stays safe topside.' That's how he positioned himself as the heroic explorer... which he was, by the way, when it came to the ladies." "Your partnership was intact?" "Till death did us part. I'll tell you what. I'm gonna give you guys full access to the books. You don't even need a search warrant. There's not a single way in which my life is better off without Macy. Like I said, I miss the man." He then leaves us going back to his work.
-No Ones POV-
Dr. Goodman is in Angelas workspace as they were working on Venus's theory about who could've broke into the institution and stole the bones. Angela speaks first, "The bones were stolen twice-- the first time from the pirate exhibit, the second time from the Bone Room here in the Medico-Legal Lab." Dr. Goodman nods, "The security in the lab is tighter, so the camera is continuous, but the camera in the rotunda is stop-action, every three seconds." "I started with the lab theft because we know the bones were stolen between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Okay. Watch.. here." "The bones are gone." "Notice the time-code." "What's that?" "The camera was turned off." "Camera was turned off for one minute and 46 seconds. "It would take a lot less time than that to entire the room and gather up the bones and escape."
Dr. Goodman and Angela goes over to the Bone room and exists it as he speaks. "Now..." Angela then start the stopwatch and times themselves as Angela asks, "Dr. Goodman?" "Yes?" "Could I ask, why are we doing this investigation instead of Security?" "We shouldn't walk too quickly; it would arouse suspicion. Neither would our thief." "I'm happy to help, but we do have actual security professionals who..." "Is there any way to tell if those tapes have been doctored?" "Yeah. Since they're physical magnetic tapes, not stored digitally." "I always did like analog better. Now, I know why. I should thank Dr. Venus for installing the system that way." "My point is that I'm only an amateur at this, and I'm sure the Security Department is better equipped and trained..." "Afternoon, Paul. Best to Susan and Laura. I hope Jonny feels better." "Okay, you don't want to talk about it. I get it." They then ended up at the front desk where there are two security officers there doing their jobs. Angela then speaks, "Sir?" "Hit your stopwatch, please, Ms. Montenegro." "35.6 seconds." "Double that for a round-trip. That's one minute, ten seconds, leaving approximately 30 seconds to bag the bones and get back." "Get back where?" Dr. Goodman looks over to the front desk as Angela also looks over, "Oh... ah. Wow, you must think I'm an idiot." "I was grandstanding. I can be like that." "So we find out what guards were on duty the two thefts and we might have our thief." Dr. Goodman nods, "It seems Dr. Venus's theory is true, I shall call her and tell her of our discoveries."
-Venus POV-
We are at Booths office as we interrogated our security officer from the Jeffersonian Hughes. "I didn't see the harm." Temp then asks, "In stealing human remains?" "After 300 years, it's not like he's got a family grieving for him out there." I sigh and put my hands on my head as Boss speaks, "Think of us as a grieving parent." Booth then speaks, "Grand theft, buddy; you're looking at eight years." Boss then adds, "If we don't kill you." "Come on. What's a bunch of old bones like that worth? Nothing." I got a bit irritated, "Hughes!" He looks at me seeing my fuming dead eyes staring down at him as I ask, "How much do you get for them?" "Couple of hundred bucks..." Booth then cuts in, "Yeah. So, this wire transfer into your bank for ten grand- What's that? Inheritance?"
I then spoke again, "I am highly disappointed in you Hughes. Who did you steal them for?" He looks at me then away feeling a bit frightened by my stare, "We didn't really do the name-exchange thing." "Somebody approached you?" "Yeah." Booth then starts laying out some pictures for him, "Let's see. Okay. Which one was it?" "Which time?" I then spoke, "The first time, Hughes." He then points at the dead victim, "Him... but he looked better." I asked again, "And the second time?" "Um.. him." He then points to Hardewicke, "Look, guys, I'm cooperating all right? I will give back the money. I will quit my job, all right? How's about we just call it even?" Booth then says in a mocking tone, "How about we call the DA? You know, you need a better screening process down at the museum." I chuckle, "Well, isn't that ironic Ranger, given we contract that out to the FBI." Boss smirks as Booth stutters a bit, "The..." but he just nods.". Boss and I did a fist bump, and they start taking Hughes away for further questioning."
It is dark and late already and Temp, Booth and I are back at the crime scene looking for Hardewicke as Temp asks, "You think he's dangerous?" Booth then answers, "Grand theft, murder, yeah." We then start hearing music of bagpipes playing as Temp speaks, "The music. Shh. He's down there." I chuckle, "Sis that's not music. It's bagpipes." Booth then sees something and starts taking out his gun as I do the same and stand in front of Temp and behind Booth a bit as he takes the lead. "Mr. Hardewicke?" We go closer to him as Booth tries again, "Mr. Harde... Whoa." Temp then says, "Maybe we're looking for someone else." I sigh nodding my head, "This is one interesting case."
We are at Harry examination room listening to his findings, "The larynx was crushed." Temp then asks, "Is that going to be your cause-of-death ruling?" "We gonna have another fight about this?" Booth and I look between the two and he starts speaking, "I'm pretty open guy, Harry, but if you keep pushing like that, it's gonna be me who smacks you around." "How do you know that won't work for me just as well?" I try to hold my laugh in as Booth looks at him and quickly moves away standing a bit in front of me looking down at me with a bit of disappointed eyes. I try my best to not look at him at the eyes as Temp speaks, "You ruled that Macy died from crushed larynx." "A crushed larynx is fatal, ergo it results in death." I shake my head taking over for Temp, "I'm sorry, but your wrong then..." as Temps adds, "...and you're wrong now." Booth then adds, "See? He like it."
I try not to look a bit disgusted as I keep on my smile and say, "We need to see both sets of X-rays, his and Macy's. please." Harry does what I say adding, "It's not always about being right or wrong. It's about the dialogue. An intense conversation can be the most wonderful kind of intercourse." I just stare at the x-rays as Temp gives him a weird look and Booth speaks, "Know what? This guy is a pervert. Get away from him Blueberry." Temp pulls me over towards her and away from Harry a bit as I speak, "Damage between C-2 and C-4, 45-degree angle, exact same pattern of injury as Macy. These injury patterns look so familiar though." I look at it for a bit longer than it clicked to me, making my heart drop a bit. I sighed, "I now know why it's so familiar..."Booth then asks, "What is it Blueberry?" I look at him, "Let me show you. Harry I will be borrowing you for a minute." I then grabbed Harry's head putting in front of me as I spoke, "His head was wrenched around, while the other hand crushed the larynx." I do the move with ease without actually hurting Harry as he adds, "That must really frustrate you that I missed that." Booth then starts following, "That's a Special Forces move. Take a sentry down, crush the larynx, so he can't scream. That's why it was so familiar to you." I nod as Temp asks us, "You've both done that to people?" Booth then speaks, "No. I haven't" I look down at the ground as I spoke, "Our murder is Special Forces, same as I."
We are back at Booths office as we brought in Mr. Rose as Booth speaks, "Your Internet bio says you spent time in Special Air Services." Rose lawyer then speaks for him, "Mr. Rose has led a diverse and full life." Temp then asks, "How did you fell when you found out the dig site had been salted?" Rose then speaks, "I was disappointed, certainly." Booth then asks, "Just disappointed?" "Look, I wasn't irked enough to kill Ted Macy. Now, could we get to the point, please?" Temp the asks, "What is Special Air Services?" "The SAS is widely regarded as one of the finest and best trained special forces units in the world." I then ask, "Seen any active service?" The lawyer then speaks up, "Mr. Rose is not comfortable discussing specifics." "I don't like to exploit my role in operations which cost good men their lives. Mow, if all you're interested in is my history, there's a bio on my Web site." Booth then says, "Great. We just want to know if your reputation is for real, sir."
I nod adding, "We'll just contact the SAS. They'll tell us." Rose looks at me and walks up to me, "Look..." The lawyer cuts in, "Fine." Rose adds in, "Don't expect a speedy response." I smile at him, "No, need to worry I could check if it's true right now." I then slap Rose as Booth was surprised saying, "Whoa, Blueberry." The lawyer then yells out, "That's assault!" I chuckle shaking my head, "No, I was speeding up the process of checking if he what he claims is real. I mean would a Special Force guy have been able to stop that? I know that I would." Booth then smirks at me, "I don't know, you kind of got the jump on him there." I nod chuckling, "Well we are trained to react fast even if it is a surprise, but I will make sure this one won't be a surprise. You ready Mr. Rose?" "What?" I slap him again as his lawyer speaks, "This is common assault! Charges will be laid!" Booth smirks saying, "No way he's Special Ops. It's just PR crap." I nod, "Yeah, he is a disgrace using that title so freely not knowing what people like us actually had to go through." I look back at the lawyer and Rose, "All right, no more questions." The lawyer then speaks, "I demand she be arrested for assault!" Rose then speaks, "Shut up, Kendall. You think I want it all over the newspapers that I'm taking a woman to court for slapping me?" Before they leave Temp adds, "Don't forget to add that she is an actual Special Ops that slapped a fraud pretending to be one." Rose looks at the both of us and hurriedly starts walking out, "Come on, let's get out of here." They leave as I give Temp a high-five and Booth a fist bump and lied down on my beanbag on my corner of the office.
-No Ones POV-
Hodgins and Dane were at the shaft as Dane spoke, "You won't get into trouble for this?" "Three degrees. Just doing some research." They laugh as Hodgins continued, "I'm telling you, salted or not, there's something at the bottom of that shaft. Ohh, Venus would've loved to be here doing this with us." "Never got to go all the way down." The bones were laying on wood. I want to see what's underneath." "Always thought it'd be me who'd find it." "Hey, all for one and one for all, right?" "That was the Three Musketeers." "Yeah, they were always pirate-y to me." "Let's do this." "Okay." Dane helps Hodgins down the shaft slowly as he goes underwater to the bottom.
-Venus POV-
We are in the car as Booth is calling in through the radio, "Dispatch, 22705. Last name: McGinnis; first name: Dane, middle initial: P. I need to know which branch of the military he served in." A man then answers, "Affirmative, 22705. Stand by." Temp then asks, "Why Dane?" "He said Hodgins swam like a squid." "Squint. He must have said 'Squint.'" I shake my head, "No, Ranger said 'squint'. Dane said 'squid', which is a military slang for a sailor." Temp then asks, "Is this what they call a Hail Mary pass?" I chuckled as Booth ignores her statement. I then speak, "I say he is Navy." Then the man from earlier speaks, "22705, Dispatch. McGinnis, Dane, served in the Navy. Rating: Chief Petty Officer, Naval Special Warfare." Booth nods, "Oh, yeah. Had to be." I sigh as Temp asks, "What?"
We make it to the crime scene as we all get out of the car quickly, as Booth speaks. "Guy was a Navy SEAL." Temp then speaks, "So? You were a guide..." Booth quickly cuts her off, "A Ranger. I was a Ranger, Bones, okay? I was not a guide. Guides, they show you waterfalls. They sell you cookies. I was a Ranger." Temp nods as she adds, "Ven was also a Navy SEAL... What's he doing at the shaft? Oh. Are Rangers afraid of SEALs?" Booth looks at her as I start chuckling, "What? Come on, Bones, no. Rangers aren't afraid of anybody. All right SEALs are pretty good, though." We start following Booth as I add, "We aren't pretty good Ranger, we are very good, like extremely good." Booth nods, "Yeah, sure Blueberry." We climbed up the steps and we see Dane. Booth spoke first, "Hey Dane." Hey. What's up? You brought along the pretty Doc with yah. We were just talking about ya." I blushed as I covered my face with my hand as much as I can as Temp speaks, "We know it was you." I look at Temp with wide eyes as Booth says, "Bones." "Why? You both have a gun. What's he got?" I answered, "He has somebody in the shaft sis?" Then we hear Hodgins speak through the radio as Temp asks, "Is that Hodgins?" Dane than takes out a knife and puts it on the oxygen pipeline.
Booth and I take out our guns and point it at him as we listen to Hodgins speak, "I can't read my depth display. Hey, is something going on? Is there anybody up there? Why don't you answer me?" Booth then speaks, "CPO McGinnis, step away from the air hose." "Yeah? Well, I need you both to toss your guns into the shaft. Then toss me your keys. Then, the pretty Doc here handcuff you both to the crane and tie her arms with you both. I take your truck. Otherwise, I am gonna cut this hose, and your buddy's gonna die." Temp then pulls both of our shirts from behind me, "Yeah, do that." Booth then speaks back, "Bones. Not gonna happen." We then hear Hodgins again, "If you can hear me, tug on the air hose. Feel a blast of cold water. Either a spring or some kind of conduit from the ocean. It's clear, clean water, so visibility is better." Booth then speaks, "You killed two men. I can't just let you drive away." "Those guys... putting fake bones in there, making the whole thing into a con job. My brother died down there looking for that treasure. Lot of good men did. This was their life. Those men dishonored them." Hodgins then speaks again through the radio, "Dane, cane you hear me, man? I am on the bottom." "Either of you good enough to take that shot before I cut this air hose, Ranger, pretty Doc?" Booth answers, "We're pretty good." Temp then asks, "Just pretty good?" I whisper to Temp, "Temp, he's kind of busy, right now."
Hodgins then speaks, "I'm going to need some more slack in the line, Dane. What's going on? I'll get a sample. I can see where the shaft walls collapsed before. Oh, my God. Holy... Damn... Can you see this Dane?" Dane then asks, "What is it?" Booth then answers, "Why don't you take a look?" "Yeah. I do, you'll shoot me." We then hear Hodgins laugh getting excited as I answer Dane's question. "It's a gold coin." "Yeah, it's probably something else they stole from your museum and threw in there." I shake my head, "Nope, never seen that in our exhibit before." Booth then shoots the screen cutting off Hodgins and our communication. I then add, "Well, if you want to see it, you're going to have to bring Hodgins up. Please. He's down there because he believes. He's no different than you, or me, no different than your brother." I still have my gun up pointing at him as I give him pleading eyes as Booth speaks, "Bring him up." I then add, "Do it for your brother." Dane looks at me in the eyes and gives stabbing the knife down on the ground. I sigh and look at him, "Thank you." He looks away but still nods acknowledging me as Booth goes over to him and arrests him and I quickly get Hodgins out of the shaft with his new discovery.
We are back at the lab as Hodgins speaks to us and the rest of the team, "An original Breen 984 half doubloon, designed by Ephraim Brasher, engraved by Ephraim Brasher, and, hold your breath, gentleman and ladies, 204 grains." Zack then speaks, "A real gold pirate coin." Booth then adds, "How many more are down there?" I smile as Boss speaks, "Branson Rose has agreed to have the museum do the authentication of the entire treasure when they bring it up." I nod as Booth speaks, "There won't be any more." Temp then asks, "What makes you say that?" Hodgins speaks, "I was down there. It's not gonna give it up that easily." Boss then adds, "But the treasure's been located." Booth then says, "And I'm sure it's been located before." I then go up to Hodgins, "I'll take that." Hodgins struggled for a bit before letting it go as I placed it in a case. Temp then asks, "You think he's happy to be back home?" Angie then answers, "Well, he looks that way to me." She shows us a drawing of Hodgins dressed up as a pirate as we all laughed and Hodgins speaks, "He's not happy." Zack then asks, "What do you mean?" Booth then adds, "Hodgins is right. He'd be a lot happier at the bottom of that shaft." I add, "With the other pirates." Booth nods and takes out an eyepatch handing it to me, "Yeah, and I bet he also wanted everyone to be a pirate once in their life." I look at the eyepatch and smiled as I put it on showing it to everyone as I imitated a pirate, "Arrr!". Booth and Hodgins had decided to join me on imitating a pirate as the rest of the team laughs.
******************************************************************************************
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN "BONES". IT IS OWNED BY JOSEPHSON ENTERTAINMENT, BY HART HANSON. I ONLY CLAIM MY CHARACTER VENUS BRENNAN. I ALSO DON'T OWN ANY OF THE IMAGES. THANK YOU.