[Fanfiction] 'It’s Just a Bug...or Something' by willowwood
Title: It’s Just a Bug...or Something
Author:
willowwood
Fandom: Bones
Characters: Jack Hodgins, Angela Montenegro.
Challenge:
50scenes
Prompt: Table #5, #29 – Waiting
Word Count: 821
Rating: G
Summary: Jack’s worried about Angela.
Authors Notes: A companion piece to, and yet another scene following the story line that was established during ‘Listening In’.
Disclaimer: I do not own this show, or these characters. I wish I did, but I don’t.
It’s Just a Bug...or Something
The last time something like this had happened it had been her first day at the Jeffersonian, because despite however many pictures they’d showed her at college or how many gruesome variations she’d managed to come up with in her head – she’d quickly realised they were nothing compared to the real thing.
That was why as the FBI agents had wheeled in the remains of 19-year-old Donnie McAllister – the maggots still clinging to what little remained of her flesh, the air suddenly reeking of dirt and putrefaction – she’d run to the bathroom clutching her mouth. Vowing that it was the last time she made sure to have breakfast before leaving her apartment in the morning.
Three years on it was purely coincidence she’d done the exact same thing just as the burned remains of 6-year-old Charlie Hunter were wheeled into the lab. Yet bracing herself against the toilet seat, she once again found herself wondering why she’d even contemplated having breakfast that morning.
By the amount of people that had watched her race into the bathroom, she anticipated the knock at the door. What she didn’t expect was the voice that accompanied it.
“Angela?” she winced at the entomologist’s familiar tone “You ok?”
“Yeah I’m fine-” her reassurances were cut short by an involuntary heave “-I’ll be out in a minute,” she heaved again, mocking her own attempts at trying to reassure her co-worker nothing was wrong.
“You don’t sound alright” she could hear the amusement in his tone.
Rolling her eyes, she took in a deep breath, sweeping her loose hair over one shoulder before gripping the toilet base once more, its cool porcelain soothing her sweaty palms. “Trust me Hodgins. I’m fine, the doctor said it was just a stomach bug...or something” she tried not to put too much emphasis on the ‘or something’ knowing that he of all people would notice it and she wasn’t in the mood to have to avoid awkward questions.
When he didn’t reply this time, she straightened back up, more than a little thankful when she heard the door suddenly open and close, the bathroom falling back into silence.
Yet when she had finally managed to compose herself, leaving the cubicle, she was surprised to find him leaning against the row of sinks, still waiting for her.
“You do realise this is the women’s bathroom right?” she asked half joking, half annoyed.
“Really?” he replied a hint of a smirk pulling at his features “You know I wondered why these urinals were so high” He shifted, indicating towards the basin that she’d moved to wash her hands in.
“Maybe it’s just because you’re short” She teased, her tone a little harsher than she intended it to be.
“Hey!” despite his offended tone, his smirk finally broke out “and here I was thinking I only figured it out because Crystal came in here, saw me, shrieked and fled back out the door” at least that explained what she’d heard.
“Crystal? As in the girl from accounting?”
He nodded.
“Isn’t she the one who’s been after you at every company party for the last 2 years?” she smirked.
Jack smiled, crossing his arms and leaning back deeper against the sinks. “Yeah I’m expecting her to come back in high heels and a baby doll any second now,” the grin returned.
Angela grimaced “Please stop” she said holding up a wet hand “As though I need anything else to make me throw up today”
Suddenly Jack’s expression became serious, as though finally remembering what he was doing there. As he watched her apply water to her flushed cheeks he asked “Are you sure you’re alright?”
She straightened, bracing herself against the sink, all too aware of the way his eyes were burning into the side of her face. “I’m fine Jack-” she couldn’t bring herself to look at him, worried that he’d see through her facade “-Like I said it’s just a bug, I’ll be fine soon enough”. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as he nodded in agreement and for the first time since he’d entered the bathroom, it appeared as though he was actually starting to believe what she was saying. Yet it wasn’t until he’d watched her dry her hands with a paper towel that he finally turned to head towards the door.
She was just about to take in a deep breath, tightening her grip on the basin when he turned to look at her “You know you can talk to me right? I mean if you need to...about anything” she grimaced slightly, remembering that he’d witnessed her little argument with Brennan earlier in the week.
Finally, she turned to look at him “Yeah I know” she assured, offering him the faintest hint of a smile. He nodded, returning it before reaching for the door handle.
“Thanks Hodgins” she added quickly, watching as he disappeared back into the lab.
TBC
Author:
willowwoodFandom: Bones
Characters: Jack Hodgins, Angela Montenegro.
Challenge:
50scenesPrompt: Table #5, #29 – Waiting
Word Count: 821
Rating: G
Summary: Jack’s worried about Angela.
Authors Notes: A companion piece to, and yet another scene following the story line that was established during ‘Listening In’.
Disclaimer: I do not own this show, or these characters. I wish I did, but I don’t.
The last time something like this had happened it had been her first day at the Jeffersonian, because despite however many pictures they’d showed her at college or how many gruesome variations she’d managed to come up with in her head – she’d quickly realised they were nothing compared to the real thing.
That was why as the FBI agents had wheeled in the remains of 19-year-old Donnie McAllister – the maggots still clinging to what little remained of her flesh, the air suddenly reeking of dirt and putrefaction – she’d run to the bathroom clutching her mouth. Vowing that it was the last time she made sure to have breakfast before leaving her apartment in the morning.
Three years on it was purely coincidence she’d done the exact same thing just as the burned remains of 6-year-old Charlie Hunter were wheeled into the lab. Yet bracing herself against the toilet seat, she once again found herself wondering why she’d even contemplated having breakfast that morning.
By the amount of people that had watched her race into the bathroom, she anticipated the knock at the door. What she didn’t expect was the voice that accompanied it.
“Angela?” she winced at the entomologist’s familiar tone “You ok?”
“Yeah I’m fine-” her reassurances were cut short by an involuntary heave “-I’ll be out in a minute,” she heaved again, mocking her own attempts at trying to reassure her co-worker nothing was wrong.
“You don’t sound alright” she could hear the amusement in his tone.
Rolling her eyes, she took in a deep breath, sweeping her loose hair over one shoulder before gripping the toilet base once more, its cool porcelain soothing her sweaty palms. “Trust me Hodgins. I’m fine, the doctor said it was just a stomach bug...or something” she tried not to put too much emphasis on the ‘or something’ knowing that he of all people would notice it and she wasn’t in the mood to have to avoid awkward questions.
When he didn’t reply this time, she straightened back up, more than a little thankful when she heard the door suddenly open and close, the bathroom falling back into silence.
Yet when she had finally managed to compose herself, leaving the cubicle, she was surprised to find him leaning against the row of sinks, still waiting for her.
“You do realise this is the women’s bathroom right?” she asked half joking, half annoyed.
“Really?” he replied a hint of a smirk pulling at his features “You know I wondered why these urinals were so high” He shifted, indicating towards the basin that she’d moved to wash her hands in.
“Maybe it’s just because you’re short” She teased, her tone a little harsher than she intended it to be.
“Hey!” despite his offended tone, his smirk finally broke out “and here I was thinking I only figured it out because Crystal came in here, saw me, shrieked and fled back out the door” at least that explained what she’d heard.
“Crystal? As in the girl from accounting?”
He nodded.
“Isn’t she the one who’s been after you at every company party for the last 2 years?” she smirked.
Jack smiled, crossing his arms and leaning back deeper against the sinks. “Yeah I’m expecting her to come back in high heels and a baby doll any second now,” the grin returned.
Angela grimaced “Please stop” she said holding up a wet hand “As though I need anything else to make me throw up today”
Suddenly Jack’s expression became serious, as though finally remembering what he was doing there. As he watched her apply water to her flushed cheeks he asked “Are you sure you’re alright?”
She straightened, bracing herself against the sink, all too aware of the way his eyes were burning into the side of her face. “I’m fine Jack-” she couldn’t bring herself to look at him, worried that he’d see through her facade “-Like I said it’s just a bug, I’ll be fine soon enough”. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as he nodded in agreement and for the first time since he’d entered the bathroom, it appeared as though he was actually starting to believe what she was saying. Yet it wasn’t until he’d watched her dry her hands with a paper towel that he finally turned to head towards the door.
She was just about to take in a deep breath, tightening her grip on the basin when he turned to look at her “You know you can talk to me right? I mean if you need to...about anything” she grimaced slightly, remembering that he’d witnessed her little argument with Brennan earlier in the week.
Finally, she turned to look at him “Yeah I know” she assured, offering him the faintest hint of a smile. He nodded, returning it before reaching for the door handle.
“Thanks Hodgins” she added quickly, watching as he disappeared back into the lab.
TBC
