-Venus POV-
We were called in at a crime scene in a parking structure at the top floor. We get out as Temp explains to Booth how she got a Rolex from her publisher as Booth says in disbelief, "A Rolex? They just gave you a Rolex?" Temp nods, "My book was number one on the best-seller list for 12 weeks. It sold 630,000 copies. They're, you know, showing their appreciation. They even tried to give Venus one since they know that she helps me out with the book." I nod, "Yeah, but I didn't want it. I don't really need it, since I already have a simple one that functions just fine." Booth then says, "Wow. So that means that you made-" Temp looks at him, "I don't really know how much actually. But I was told I'll never have to work again or Venus. But she never really has to work at all since about 2 years ago." Booth looks at us amazed, "Wow." His phone rings as he picks it up, "Booth. What? No. Slow down, pal. That is extortion right there." "What? No. No. Forget it. No. There's no way I'm paying that. Bye." He hangs up and says to us, "Some plumber, he wants to charge me 800 bucks to fix the plumbing in my walls. Forget it. I'll do it myself." Temp then says, "Oh, that should be no problem. You've told me numerous times how skilled you are as a repairman." I nod agreeing, "You even given me wonderful tips on how to do some stuff."
Booth nods, "Right. Well, since after the coma, I seem to have forgotten a few things. I'm gonna have to figure out how to do it myself all over again." Temp then says, "I could lend you some money." "That's okay, Miss Rolex. I'll be fine." I then say, "I could do it for you. I will not charge you at all." Temp nods, "She's really good. She does all the repairs in our house." "Thanks. But I think I should do it so I could you know, remember and not have to worry about it anymore." I nod, "Understandable." Temp then say, "Well, if you change your mind-" "I'm all right." We then see the corps with cats by it eating it as Booth then says, "This is exactly why I hate cats. Right there." I start smiling, "Kitties!" I start going over to them as Temp says, "They're feral. They're natural scavengers. Hodgins is going to have to sift through their excrement for evidence." I pick one up and begin to pet it as it purrs as Booth says, "Right. Don't wanna take his fun away from him, huh?" He then sees me, "Blueberry put that cat down. It just ate someone." "I'm just holding him so he doesn't run away..." "Sure with that petting, it's a guarantee that cat won't run away." Temp then says, "I need all these cats brought back to the Jeffersonian." I watch the two try to get the cats off the body as they just do some sorts of call that doesn't work. I just chuckle a bit handing one of the cats to the crew as they go to put them away. I then go over and begin to pick up the cats handing them to people as they put them away.
Once they were all removed Temp then begins to examine, "The victim is an adult male, Caucasian." I then speak next, "Bullet wounds to both the sternum and the third left rib. Hand is severed just below the radius." Booth then says, "Barely anything left of this guy. How long has he been out here?" Temp answers, "From the degree of scavenging, I'd say two days." I then found something as I called Booth over, "Ranger?" "Yeah." "He suffered comminuted fractures to the femur." "Right. He broke his leg. I get it. Somebody ran over him after he was shot." I nod as we watch him call someone over, "Hey you. Do me a favor and pull some paint samples off that speed bump, okay?" I stand up and back up a little as Booth stands next to me as we hear meowing. We look to see three cats looking at us as Booth asks, "Why are the cats staring at us?" They all begin to like their lips as Booth and Temp were weirded out. I then say pullout a bag of kibble from my pocket, "Oh, it could be they smell this kibble that I got from one of the people over there." They then have both a relief look as I bend down calling the cats, "Come here kitties." We watch as all three cats come over to me as I hand each of some kibble. They eat it as they were done, they all jumped at me surprising us. I hold two of them in my arms as one sits around my shoulders lying there all comfortable as Booth says, "Well that's one way to get them." I nod as I say, "Could they go with us?" "No." "Please. I'll give them to Hodgins later when we get back in the lab." Temp then says, "Sure. It's not like they are going to go anywhere." Booth then says, "You do know that's my car, right." We both nod as he sighs, "Fine they could ride along." I smile happily as Temp does some last preparations before they could take the body back to the lab.
I am back at the lab as I still had the cats with me. I go up the platform as the security slides his card for me. I then hear Cam say to Wendell. "Michelle's been asking for months if we can get a kitten. I'm thinking no." Wendell then says, "Actually, it's much more likely the family dog would attack and consume its owner." I then walk up to them as I say, "Huh, that's good to know when I get a dog. By the way Cam, if you're still up for that cat thing for Michelle I've got three here who doesn't mind humans." They both stop their work and turn to me surprised seeing me with three cats. One got out of my arms and is now resting on top of my head as the other two stay in their same spots relaxed as Cam says, "You're the literal what I imagine what a cat lady would look like." I chuckle, "Really? I'm more of a dog person to be honest." Wendell then says, "I would have never guessed. What kind of dog would you like to have?" I smile widely knowing that answer, "I would love to have a bullmastiff. They are so cute." Cam nods, "You never stop surprising me." "Uh, thanks, I guess. But I don't think I could separate myself from these cats unless someone takes them from me. I need them hand over to Hodgins..." Wendell chuckles taking off his gloves and throwing them away. He then proceeds to grab the cat off my head as one of the guards comes up. He hands the guard the first cat, as I hand over the cat in my arms to him as well. Wendell then takes the third cat off my shoulders handing him to the man as I tell him, "They go to Dr. Hodgins please." He nods leaving as I sigh leaning my head on Wendell's shoulder, "They were so soft, I'm going to miss them." Wendell smiles at me as he hands me some gloves as I take it putting them on as he does as well.
Cam is looking at the screen zooming in a particular spot as she asks, "Can either of you pass me the forceps? I think I see something." Wendell does so handing it to her as we watch her pull something. It was thin string as she says, "It appears to be steel wool. I found it in the exit wound." I then say, "Steel wool- commonly used in silencers to muffle the sound of a gunshot." "A silencer definitely points to a professional hit." Wendell then says finding something, "A Illizarov apparatus was used to lengthen his bone when he was a child. So he was definitely Russian." I then say, "Oh, please do not be a spy, please do not be a spy." Cam then asks, "Don't people limp in every country?" Wendell then explains, "Prior to 1981, the Ilizarov in the Soviet Union. Ergo, dead Russian." I smile a bit as Cam looks amazed, "Very good, Mr. Bray." He smiles, "Yeah, I don't often get to say 'ergo." "And for bonus points, any clue why his hand was chopped off?" I watch seeing if he knows as he begins examining, "The bone has been chipped and bruised around the triquetral. Like someone was trying to pull something off his wrist." I nod, "And when they couldn't, they cut off his hand." Hodgins then comes over to us as he says, "Wendell, my man, we still on for lunch?" I smile shaking my head as Cam says, "You are discussing lunch while holding a tray of cat excrement." Hodgins doesn't even looked fazed, "Everybody poops. They even wrote a book about it." Cam just nods not amazed as Hodgins explain his findings. "I found a piece of plastic in the cats' feces from a bag of airline peanuts."
Wendell uses tweezers to pick it up as I lean a bit towards him so I could see what it is as well. I then read out, "Aeroflot. No." Hodgins nods smiling, "Yep. Preferred airline of Mother Russia." Cam then says, "Looks like our Russian friend was a recent arrival." I sigh as I then get a call. I take off my gloves as I answer my phone, "Hello, Venus speaking." "Dr. Venus Brennan, correct?" "Yes, that is correct. May I ask who this is?" I could see the group looking at me as the man on the other side of the phone says, "This is from the State Department." I tense a bit not knowing what they are going to want. "Oh- okay..." I back up from the group just a bit holding my arm as I ask, "What do you guys need from me?" "You're being called in to the FBI Headquarters and discuses some issues alongside Agent Sealy Booth." "Why would you need me to deal with some issues if you have very capable people to do that." "This issue could be much more dangerous; we're considering it a national threat. And we believe you're the best to handle this issue alongside anyone else we choose. This is something at that you cannot refuse, or it will be breaking your contract in which will mean you'll receive national punishment." I sigh sadly, "I know... I know I cannot refuse. I read the whole contract before signing it. I'll be there in 15 minutes." I hang up taking a deep breath as I turn back to the team seeing them all leaned in from their spots looking at me. I know they heard the conversation and the questions that they have as Wendell asks, "Are you okay Venus?" Hodgins nods adding, "Sounds like you're going into some deep trouble." I smile at them shaking my head, "No, it's nothing like that. I'll be fine, but I need to go." Wendell then stops me by saying, "You want anyone of us to go with you?" I look at them as she nods agreeing with him as I shake my head, "No, it's okay. I'm just heading over to Booth's office. We're going to have a sort of meeting there." They nod as I leave quickly not wanting to be late.
I arrived as I hear Booth ask someone, "Why are you State Department guys all over this?" I hear someone say, "Because that's not it." "Well, what is 'it'? What else do you have for me?" I knock on the door as they both turn to see me entering as I close the door again as Booth asks, "Blueberry? What are you doing here?" I looked at him smiling, "I was called here by the State Department." The man turns to me, "You're Dr. Venus Brennan?" I nod, "That's me, but please continue on this conversation." He nods looking back at Booth as I take one of the seats in front of the desk as the man says nervously, "I was told to assess whether you'd be the best agent... with whom to entrust some very sensitive information alongside Dr. Brennan." I then cut in, "Just Venus. I don't want to be mixed up with my sister." Booth then says, "This is my case and why is Blueberry here?" "Uh, State has already assigned Dr. Venus to this case and is also supervising Agent Booth. We- I approve the other investigator." "Oh, you. I, okay, an ex-army Ranger... with multiple commendations and a pristine record at the F.B.I... isn't good enough for you or them?" "You shot a clown." "It was a mechanical clown. Hmm? You tell me you've never wanted to do that?" This seemed to convince the man a bit as he then says holding a file, "This one has to be done with discretion. I mean, it's not just your career. It's mine too. I mean, you're old, but I'm still-" I cut in, "Wrong words buddy." Booth stands up intimidating the man as I then say, "Just hand Ranger the file." The man does so, "Here." As Booth says, "Right. sit down." The man does sitting on the other seat by me.
Booth sits down again as the man begins to explain to the both of us, "Antonov went missing after arriving three days ago from Dulles International." Booth looks at the photos handing each one to me after he was done looking at them. We could see the victim with a briefcase cuffed to his wrist that was cut off as the man continues, "These photos were taken as he passed through the diplomatic checkpoint." Booth then says say, "Well, that doesn't make any sense. I mean, why would a diamond courier have diplomatic clearance?" "That's why this is so sensitive." I then say, "Let me guess, State didn't authorize a diplomatic visa." The man nods as Booth asks, "What about the briefcase? It wasn't found on the body. You sure we're dealing with diamonds here?" "We're not sure of anything, but we have to assume the worst." I then ask, "Is this why this is being treated as a national security threat making me co-lead this investigation?" He nods as I sigh rubbing my temple. Later on Booth and I thought it would be best to bring one of the victims employer. We told her of the news as she asks, "What about the diamonds? Have they been recovered?" Booth then says, "All right, well, we think that Antonov's hand was severed... in order to steal the briefcase." The woman nods, "Of course. He was carrying $2 million worth of gems from our mine in Siberia." I then ask her, "How did your courier manage to get cleared past the diplomatic checkpoint?" She asks, "The diplomatic?" I nod as she then says, "No. You must be mistaken." "I'm mistaken? I hardly make mistakes, right Ranger?" I look at him as he nods, "Yup, she's very precise on these things. I mean take a look." He shows her a image of the victim crossing, "See? Look. Here he is on the approach. And that's him clearing the diplomatic checkpoint. Briefcase."
The woman takes the pictures shocked, "I don't understand. As you can see, all the paperwork was in order. There should have been no complications at custom." She hands it to Booth as he hands it to me as I begin to take a look at it as she continues, "We have couriers bringing in stones all the time." I then ask, "You work with Antonov a lot?" "This was the first time." "Well, we're gonna need all your import and export information from the company... and any other information you might have on Mr. Antonov." She nods, "Of course. Every courier is thoroughly checked out. There are psychological profiles, recommendations from past employers. You two can have it all." Booth nods, "Right. Any reason Antonov, um, wouldn't want customs to see the diamonds?" "No. Unless he wasn't carrying diamonds." I nod as we let her go as she went to get everything we needed. I sigh leaning back onto the chair as Booth then looks at me, "So, how did you get to lead this investigation with me?" I smile at him, "The State Department called me saying that I had to lead this investigation alongside whoever they choose. I'm just glad it's you." "Me too. But you didn't have a choice?" I shake my head sadly as he asks, "Why?" I hum a bit, "Well... you already know of my past, so let's say that when I wanted to leave to go find Temp, they didn't make it any easier for me to go. I am a sort of asset to them and if they lose track of me, they don't know what I will do. For the worst go to another country and fight against the US. So I had to lose some of my freedom to attain what I have today. Now these are one of the things I have no opinion of saying, but rather accept it and complete the mission until they give me a new task." Booth nods giving me sorrowful eyes as I then say, "But I'll be fine. I chose this path, and I am not regretting it one single bit. Actually, I think that would be the first time I actually had the freedom to chose for myself. It's sort of nice..." He nods a bit as he then says, "How about for lunch I'll treat you to desert afterword's." I smile, "Deal."
I then get a call as I see it was Cam. I answered, "Hello, Venus speaking." "Hi Venus. It appears Mr. Bray's lost his scholarship. No scholarship means no internship at the Jeffersonian." I frowned a bit, "Oh, that's not good. How come I wasn't notified about the idea of this scholarship losing its funds?" "Sorry, I know. But it seems that it just happened about two days ago and it even went under my nose." "Allright, so what exactly happened?" "Apparently, the trust that funds his scholarship... ran out of financing because of the economic mess." "All right, does he know yet?" "No, I haven't told him yet. When I found out I called you first. Are there perhaps other funding options." "I will need to check. I can't just give him a funding that doesn't relate to what he's doing, or we will be accounted for, but I'll check. But if I can't find anything then the last option is for me to create a new scholarship, but that won't be of help either since it would usually take at least 4 months to get the details and papers correct and also the people to fund the scholarship." "Yeah, I hope there is another funding option for Wendell." "Me too, I'll make sure to get right on it, thanks for letting me know Cam." "No problem, I'll let Dr. Brennan know as well." "Allright." I end the call as Booth looks at me curiously as I say, "Let's just say that I'll be getting no sleep during this case... I also need to go to the lab and grab some paperwork, before we head out to lunch."
He nods, "Alright that's fine. I also call Bones and see if she wants to have lunch with us." I nod, "Oh, don't forget Sweets, he could be of help come up with a profile." "Right. I got it." I was in the lab looking at some paperwork regarding the scholarship as I go to the small filing room that contains different documents. I swipe my card entering the room as I didn't notice that someone was close by as I start looking through the files as I found the ones I need as I take them out. As I shut it some of the papers drop under a table next to it as I sigh a bit. I put the files down on the table and get down going a bit under the table to grab the papers as I then hear someone say, "Hey Venus I was just looking for you." I got startled as I jump a bit hitting my head against the bottom of the table loudly. I groan a bit touching my head as they say helping me up, "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to startle you, their Doll." I rub my head standing up with the papers, "It's all right. It's my fault not put much awareness around my surroundings. But how could I help you, Wendell?" "You seemed a bit down today, so I just wanted to check up on you. And I also wanted to give you this." I watch as he takes out a cookie from behind his back making my eyes light up smiling. "You really know how to make a girl happy Darlin'."
He chuckles and shrugs, "I guess, but I prefer just knowing how to make you smile." I blush a bit taking the cookie eating it in delight as he just smiles enjoying watching me eat my cookie. He then looks at the files on the table, "Are those for the case?" I look at them shaking my head, "No, these are for othering things I have to do at the Jeffersonian separate from the case." He nods understandingly, "If you need any help on those, I'm available whenever you need me." I smile, "Thanks, but these have to be handled by me only sadly. But thanks for the offer and the cookie. I have to go meet Booth and Temp outside." I grab the pile of files as I was about to walk out, I pull his lab coat down a bit as I tip toe at the same time giving him a kiss on the cheek. I walk out looking a bit red from thinking of what I did. But what I didn't see was leaving Wendell smiling widely.
We are at the dinner eating well, I was more into looking at different scholarships of opening funds for Wendell as Booth asks Sweets, "So, Sweets, you come up with a profile yet? Antonov a spy?" "No. Still putting the pieces together." Temp then says, "Whatever he says is a guess." "No. It's a subjective evaluation based on quantifiable psychological markers, okay? Do we have to go through this every time?" "He may as well be telling stories around a campfire." I just smile a bit not wanting to laugh at that as Booth asks Sweets, "You want some s'mores?" Sweets then faces us, "All of Antonov's answers from his psych evaluation are too perfect. No one is this perfect. Now that, coupled with the fact... that he had an unexplained diplomatic cover... and was killed by a professional, would leave... any reasonable person to conclude that-" Booth answers, "He's a spy." I groan, "No..." I slam my head against the table as Sweets says, "Spyish." Booth phone rings as he answers it, "Booth. Oh, great. I'll pick it up this afternoon. Whoa, whoa, whoa. No, no, no. It's not... Polatis for Dummies. It's Plumbing for Dummies. All right? Get back to me. Thank you." Temp then asks, "Why won't you let me or Ven help you, Booth?" I pick up my head nodding agreeing as he says, "I just wanna fix the leak in my wall. That's all. I'm very capable of doing it myself." "Sweets asks, "With a Dummies book? Is that wise?"
Temp then says to Sweets, "Sine the coma, Booth can't remember how to take care of his own plumbing." Booth then says, "You make it sound like I got to wear diapers." "I offered to lend him money for a professional plumber. I just received a very large check from my publisher." Sweets nods, "Ah." Booth repeats, "Ah! Here goes the 'Ah.' You had to bring this up. Great. Thanks." I then say, "Well if we are bringing things up then, I also offered my plumbing skills to fix it for him and charged him nothing for doing it." Sweets then says, "Ah." Booth then says, "Great we got another ah." "A very large disparity in income... can often have a detrimental effect on a relationship." Booth shakes his head, "No, no. This doesn't. I just get more satisfaction on relearning an old skill... instead of paying a plumber $800." "Okay." "Yeah. What was that supposed to mean?" "Nothing. I accept what you're saying." Booth then gets a call, "Booth. Okay. Great. We're on our way." Booth looks at me as I nod standing up as Temp asks, "What, the book?" "No. The killer's vehicle. I will pull the car around, and you can buy breakfast. Okay, Miss Rolex?" I chuckle a bit gathering my papers as he leaves. Sweets then hops seats closer to us as he asks, "You want my advice?" Temp automatically says, "No." I then say, "Don't mind her and tell us please." Okay. If you really wanna help Booth, you should let him teach you about plumbing." Temp looks at him, "I'm a wealthy, accomplished woman. Why would I want to learn a menial skill?" I then say, "Hey! I have that skill." She looks at me, "Sorry, no offence." I shrug, "It's fine." Temp then adds, "Plus, Venus does all of our plumbing and repairments." Sweets then says, "Well, for Booth- so he can regain whatever he feels he's lost. I think for once it would be beneficial if you were the student."
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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.