Venus POV
Cam and I entered the main conference room by the agriculture department a bit earlier than the time meeting as my assistant Jimmy was there as well knowing the situation as the three waited for the others to arrive. And one by one the heads of each department arrived taking a seat all around. Once everyone has taken their seats I begin the meeting, "Hello everyone, thank you for taking your time to come to this meeting, I know many of you are very busy in your departments and research so I greatly appreciate for all of you coming." They all nod some even commenting on it as I continue, "The reason I call you all to this meeting is because I have some important news that you all should be informed off." Everyone now seemed to look curious wondering what I would say as I then tell them, "I'll be temporarily leaving the Jeffersonian and my position for a while." Many looked shocked and in disbelief as I could tell there were one or two that seemed to be a bit excited as one person asks, "How long will you be gone for Dr. Venus?" "I haven't yet be given a set deadline for how long I'll be gone but be assured that it will be longer than 2 months."
Dr. Bancroft then says with a smile, "You will surely be missed Dr. Venus. But if you'll be gone, then who shall be put forth into your position? I suggest that we can take on a vote between all of us to who shall step up into this role you're leaving behind temporarily of course." I smile knowing how much he wants my position and his dislike for me ever since I was hired here at the Jeffersonian taking his spot for someone being working there longer than me as I then say, "Yes, I very much understand your concern Dr. Bancroft and greatly appreciate your suggestion. But I've already taken into great consideration and thought on who shall take my place for the moment." Everyone listens in eagerness wondering who it would be as I continue to say, "Seeing how everything seemed to be working well and accustomed our system is going, I thought it would be best to bring back someone who you've all already worked with for many years before I arrived here, so you all wouldn't be needing to feel any sort of pressure or worriedness of any changes taking place while I'm gone. So..."
I turn looking at Jimmy as I whisper to him, "Would you please to see if he's ready? If he is please bring him in." Jimmy nods leaving the room for a moment as a few seconds later the door opens as Jimmy comes inside giving me a nod as I smile standing up, "As I was saying please welcome back Dr. Goodman." Everyone turns watching as Dr. Goodman enters the room as many are surprised seeing him back as he says, "Greetings everyone, it's a pleasure to see all of you again and work alongside you all once again." I smile as Dr. Goodman comes over to me as he and I shake hands as he says, "It's good to see you Dr. Venus. I'm honored to take your place once again until you come back." I smile nodding, "The pleasure is mine for agreeing to come back, I wouldn't have chosen anyone else to do this better then the person who taught me so well." He chuckles a bit, "You still give me much credit." "Rather than too much I don't think you get enough." He chuckles a bit more as we turn back to the others as I then say, "As we are still gathered together, I think it's best for each department to give us updates on any issues that are needed to be addressed and fixed and anything else that helps keep Dr. Goodman updated on how we are all doing so far." Everyone nods as Jimmy brings up another seat for Dr. Goodman as we all take a seat watching each head of the department take turn.
The following day I arrived at the parking lot of the Jeffersonian as I exit my car walking over to the building entrance as I slow down seeing a full-bird colonel in the U.S. Rangers seeming to be waiting by the entrance. He looks at me letting me know that he was waiting for me as I sigh walking over to him as I stand in front of him as I ask, "What is it?" "We're losing men every day. Men who don't have to die and wouldn't if they were trained." I nod seeing that Jones was right as I smile chuckling a bit as I say, "You want me to talk to him, don't you. Try to convince him to 'Do the right thing'." He just looks at me answering, "I was told he'd listen to you more than I was able to talk to him." My smile dropped as I tell him seriously, "No, I have done everything that you all tell me to do, even know so I'm still doing it. But I will not go and convince someone who I respect and see as family and manipulate their mind thinking that by joining the army again when he already made a life here and happy with being with his son and job. You can find someone else just as capable as Booth to do the same job Colonel." He just nods a bit as he then says, "Just think about it." He then walks away as I tighten my grip of my bag and grit my teeth disliking how they are bringing Booth into this situation, just to make sure I don't back away from them.
Later that day Temp and I are going over to the dinner as we were about to cross the street as we stop seeing the Colonal sitting across Booth at the table telling him something as Booth looked displeased shaking his head as the Colonal gets up and leaves not before handing Booth a envelop. Temp and I then continue walking into the Dinner over to Booth as he seems to be putting the letter away as I also now looked and felt displeased about what it was about as Temp says, "Hi." Booth looks at us as he says, "Hey, Bones, Blueberry. What are you two doing here?" I then say, "You asked us to come over here to compare notes on the murder." He nods recalling, "Right. Yeah." Temp then asks, "Who was that soldier?" "Uh, just, um- just an old army buddy of mine." "You didn't look like buddies." I smile chuckling nodding adding, "You looked a bit grumpy like the Grouch in the Sesame St. show." He then pinches my check making me whine a bit as he tells Temp at the same time, "All of a sudden you can tell stuff like that?" He then looks at me, "And your being cheeky all of a sudden." I then blurted out, "Sorry..." He lets go of my cheek finally as I rub it a bit easing the little pain as Temp says, "Well, you've taught me to be more observant of human interaction. I can also tell that you're reluctant to be honest... about your real relationship with him."
Temp looks at me for some sort of explanation that I might know of as I then say, "The soldier there is a Colonal more specifically he is recruiting Ranger." Booth sighs taking out the envelop handing it to Temp as he says, "Yeah, she's right. How did you know about that Blueberry?" I sigh a bit leaning back onto the chair crossing my arms, "He came to me this morning." Booth looks at me sitting more straight up, "About what?" "He was trying to convince me to convince you to join in." Booth then grits his teeth a bit, "That bastard." I then add, "Don't worry, I refused and sent him away." Booth nods as Temp finished reading the letter, "They want you to go back into the army? As a sergeant major. I thought you were a master sergeant." Booth explains, "They're just trying to tempt me with a promotion, but I'm not goin." I nod respecting his decisions as Temp then says, "This lists your commendations. You were really good at being a soldier. Why do they want you back?" "You know, they just think that my experience as an F.B.I agent... and a sniper in the first Gulf War-" "You could train soldiers in techniques for tracking and apprehending insurgents."
Booth then takes the letter as he adds, "Yeah. Well, I'm really happy tracking and catching murderers right here." "They say you could save lives." "Course they're gonna say it." I nod agreeing adding, "It's the army. They say that 'cause that's what they want." Booth nods as Temp asks, "You don't think you'd save lives?" Booth nods, "Yeah, but, I mean, anyone would in that position." "Not everybody is as good as you or Venus and she's going to be joining." I then add, "Not by choice..." Booth says, "I served my country. I have a kid here. I got responsibilities. I'm not gonna go to Afghanistan, and you're not gonna go to the Makapoopoo Islands." Temp and I correct him, "Maluku." "Right. Exactly. You know what? We have our jobs here, right? Plus we are going to be right here waiting for Venus to come back in three months with a party waiting for her." I smile a bit as Temp nods a little as Booth smiles, "Yeah."
It was quiet for a moment until my phone starts ringing as I check my phone seeing that it was Wendell as I sigh a bit turning my phone off not answering it as I put it away as Booth asks, "Who was trying to call you?" I looked a bit sadden as I answered, "Wendell." Temp then says, "Right, he called this morning after you left asking for you." I nod a bit as Booth then asks, "Why aren't you answering him? Did you two get in a fight or did he do something?" Booth seemed ready to take action if he did something as I shake my head, "No, no. Nothing like that. It's just that I broke up with him yesterday." They both looked surprised as Temp asks, "Why? You two seemed compatible with each other still. Did you perhaps started losing interest in him." I chuckle a bit at her use of words as I shake my head a bit, "No. The interest is still there and much more." Booth then asks, "Then why break up with him, he's a good kid and as far as I see, he's treating you good too." I nod, "Yes, he does. It's just that I'll be leaving, and I don't want him to ever worry or wait for me to come back."
I tap the table with my finger as I continue to explain, "I never had to think about someone worrying or waiting for me to come back before... and to be honest it was easier to get the job done when I didn't have to think about someone waiting for me... because I knew that I wouldn't be hurting anyone if I never did came back... you know... and before my only goal was just to meet Temp and Russ one more time before I left..." Booth and Temp looked at each other knowing as Booth then says, "You know Blueberry in my experience, I felt more reassured knowing someone was waiting for me, counting on me to come back home to them. It's what gives me and many other soldiers a reason to live longer, because we have someone waiting for us to get back home to, and things have changed since you first came here. You met Bones, Russ, and many more who all care for you." I nod a bit understanding as he adds, "Well all be worrying about you and wait for you to come back home. And Wendell will do the same even if you tell him not to, that's because he cares for you deeply." I nod a bit as I then say, "I-I just don't want to hurt anyone if- if something were to-" Booth cuts me off, "You are going to come back home to us, alright. Because you have people waiting for you here, you can't and won't allow yourself to give up ever. Plus you are the best soldier I have ever met, they'd have to be very stubborn if they ever want to make a dent on you." I smile chuckling, "Thanks Ranger." He smiles ruffling my head as I think about what he said.
Temp and I are back in the lab making our way over to the platform as Daisy comes over to us, "Excuse me, Dr. Brennan, Venus, if I could have a moment? And I'd like to preface my statement with a caveat Dr. Brennan. Your unquestionable brilliance-" We look at her as Temp says, "What is it, Ms. Wick?" "Okay, okay. In-In your preliminary report, you said the injuries to the temporal and parietal bones and squamosal suture were inflicted at time of death." Temp nods, "That's correct." We then swipe our cards going up the platform as Daisy continues, "That' meaning what I said or 'that' meaning what you said? I'll read what you wrote verbatim." "That's no necessary." But Daisy continues to read it, "'There are apparent perimortem injuries to the temporal and parietal bones and squamosal suture." Temp and I nod as Temp says, "That sounds correct." I see Daisy making a face as I then question, "What did you find Daisy?" Daisy looks a bit hesitant as she then asks Temp, "How angry would either of you be if it were not correct?"
I look a bit surprised but very interested on where this was going as Temp asks, "You mean if I were wrong." Daisy tries to lighten it up, "I would never state it in those kinds of bald terms. Does 'inaccurate' sound better? No. Um, erroneous?" I looked at Daisy amused as I ask, "What have you found, Daisy? Please do tell?" Daisy looks at me, "I can't tell if you're excited or mad..." I shake my head, "Not mad, more amused. But please do tell us already." She nods, "You'll both know instantly when I point it out." We go over to the computer as she brings out an image explaining, "Here and here, under 40 times magnification." Temp then says amazed, "Remodeling." I then also point out looking at the remodeling on the skull, "The wounds started to heal before the victim died." Daisy nods adding, "Which means we have no clear cause of death. And even after your superlative recommendation, I am stumped." I then decided to check the remains myself putting on some gloves as I pick up one of the bones as I tell Daisy, "Good finding Daisy. Now could you please conduct a histological study of the bones."
Daisy nods, "Yes, yes, of course. May I ask why you want to do that?" "There's something funny about the way these bones feel." Temp checks as well feeling it as well as she says, "I feel it too." Daisy asks confused, "Bones have a feel?" I nod, "Yes. Touch them. Compare them kinetically to the thousands of other bones you've examined." Daisy lifts one up finally realizing as she says, "Lighter. Oh, my God, yes. I wish you were both coming to Maluku." I smile a bit, "Sorry Daisy, but I have other things to do which is why I can't join you." She nods as Temp was a bit quiet as Daisy says to Temp, "It seems odd that you'd be missing something so important, Dr. Brennan." Temp then says trying to stay on topic, "The histological study, Ms. Wick." Temp begins to walk away as I follow as I could see how Temp does want to go as well to Study such rare findings.
Temp and I are in Angie's workroom as we look at her screen looking at photos of the victim's apartment as I explain, "The victim's apartment is like an archaeological dig. We should be able to put together a picture of his life from his effects." Angie then says to me, "This is the happiest I've seen you in these past few days." I blush a bit, "It just fascinates me is all..." Angie chuckles a bit as she then explains, "Hodgins is dating each pile of junk, according to insect larvae, rat dropping and the yellowing of the paper." I then look at the images closer as I then say, "It looks like he's been hoarding stuff for about four years." Angie looks at me impressed, "Yeah, exactly. How did you get that?" I smile shrugging a bit, "Practice." She nods as she then brings up the image where some of the stuff fell through the ceiling, "The oldest stuff is where he fell through the ceiling." I nod as I add, "Hoarders often organize their holdings by category and value, much like one would find in a museum." Temp nods agreeing as Angie says, "Oh, so he was curating garbage?" Temp then says, "Well, the term 'garbage' is relative. The only intrinsic value things have is what we give them. It seems odd now, but in Holland, tulip bulbs were once as valuable as houses. Maybe we all overvalue things that are essential worthless." Angie and I look at each other as it was more of her personal thoughts then about the case as Angie tells her, "Well, that was more than a comment on this case." Temp just looks at us as I ask, "Temp... What's goin' on?"
Temp asks us, "What separates what I do here from what this man did?" It seems I understand now that Temp really wants to go to Maluku more than I originally thought as Angie says, "Okay. So going to Malulu is worth more?" Temp and I correct her, "Maluku." But Temp nods, "Yes. The murders will never stop, but this find has finite value. I'd be able to answer questions about our origin, evolutionary track. It has implications for history, science." Angie and I look at each other as I nod at her as she walks right in front of Temp, "Listen- You're allowed to make life changes without picking a fight with your old life." "But I need a break from that life. I'm worried all the time. Worried that Booth or Venus might get hurt on a case and I couldn't prevent it. Worried about what Booth and my partnership means." I then ask, "So you want to get away from Ranger?" "No. It's just- I just need some perspective so that I can view my life with some objectivity." I nod a bit understanding as Angie asks, "Have you talked to him about it?" She shakes her head, "The army wants Booth to go to Afghanistan, to train soldiers in the apprehension of terrorists." "Is he gonna go?" I then say, "Even though I don't like the idea nor he said he wasn't, it felt like he wanted to."
Temp nods as she adds, "Perhaps it's for the best." Angie scoffs a bit as she says, "You three at opposite ends of the world?" It made her chuckle a bit, "I don't- I don't think so." I nod a bit agreeing as Temp then says, "We have work to do, Angela." Angie and I look at each other as I nod as we focus back on the case as I say, "Traditionally, hoarders have one section of possessions that has a greater value than the others." Temp nods, "We should be looking for that." Angie nods as we leave letting her work as I then tell Temp, "You know Temp, whatever decision you chose to make I'll still support you all the way through, both you and Ranger of course." Temp gives me a small nod as we continue to walk in silence. I then get a phone call as I check seeing it was Jones as I answer, "Hello." "Hey there little Lioness, I'm going to pick you up in a few minutes for dinner." I was confused, "Dinner? I thought I was just giving you some paperwork." "Well of course, but I thought it would be nice to spice it up with some dinner included." I looked a bit dumbfounded as I then ask, "You just got bored and lonely didn't you...?" "What does that have to do with anything right now?" "So you do admit that you are?" "Fine, I might be just a bit, but the point is that I'm coming for you so wear something nice but casual." "Nice, but casual..." "Yup, see you soon." He hangs up the phone as I was a bit annoyed, "Does he not know that I work as well?" Temp then asks, "Who was that?" "Oh, just an old friend of mine. He's around here right now so we are going to have dinner together." She nods understanding but she was a bit confused, "An old friend?" I nod as I start walking away to ask Angie for help.
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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.