Bones FF by Akarana: Life changing moments (chapter 2)

[akarana]

Wow, there really are a few people still out there reading this. Thank you for commenting on the first chapter, it really made me happy.

Last chapter I forgot something very important: Thanks to Gianna! Without her there would be no sequel and no readable story. Honestly, when I get the chapters back and see all the red in it from the corrections she made I am sometimes really embarrassed.

Now on with the story. I had no idea for a title so I just picked the two most provocative words out and put them there. Don't let it fool you.

Chapter 2: Sexes and porn

"At least we were able to find the identity of the victim," Cam said to Perotta as they walked from the artist's office to Cam's autopsy room.

"Honestly, you were able to find out the identify. I would still be lost on this one," Perotta admitted and sat down in one of the chairs in front of Cam's desk.

"Only took us three weeks," Cam sighed, obviously dissatisfied with the work of her team.

"It's the result that counts, right?" the agent tried to be supportive.

"If she would have worked with the tissue markers the way she should've, we wouldn't have had to deal with a picture of Quasimodo first," Cam grumbled. "But anything new, besides the fact that he was working for the theater?" she asked then.

"Mosse is still interviewing the other actors and actresses and trying to find out why no one reported him missing. I'll go over his records and financials as soon as I get back to the Hoover," the blonde woman replied.

"You already have the autopsy and the analysis reports. Clark and Wendell didn't find much on the bones, but they're going over them again," Cam summed up her team's work.

"You don't sound too happy about the work," Perotta said with a small, sympathetic smile.

"When the old team was here we had a sketch of the victim in a day, maybe two. Now it takes weeks, literally. Dr. Edison sucks the fun out for the interns because he's even more focused on work than Dr. Brennan and doesn't allow any kind of personal interaction and on top of it all I need a translator to understand the sentences out of the lab rat's mouth," Cam summed it up.

"Give them some time; they're all new in their positions. Rome wasn't built in a day," the FBI agent tried to support Cam.

"Hodgins thinks my short temper is a case of hormones. It drives me crazy that he and Michelle shrug off whatever I say with that look on their faces. I'm pregnant not crazy," Cam fumed.

"Everything ok again between you and Michelle?"

"Perry is still banned from the house and she from his. One baby will be enough in the foreseeable future," Cam shook her head.

"I know it's not any of my business, but don't you think you're too strict on that? From what you told me I figured they only made out a bit. It surely wasn't the first time and it won't be the last," Payton pointed out.

"I know. I just freaked out that night and as long as she has this attitude and won't talk to me, I won't try to talk to her either. I have enough troubles as it is. I don't even fit in my clothes anymore," the pathologist replied and sounded whiny when she said the last sentence.

"I really think this pregnancy suits you. You look great," Perotta complimented.

"Thank you. I never thought I'd say this but I actually like being pregnant so far. Sure, it's annoying that I don't fit in my old clothes anymore, but at the same time it gives me an excuse to buy new ones," Cam grinned and placed her hands on her baby bump without even registering it.

"Any news on the gender question?" Payton smiled back.

"Nah, he or she is still not cooperative. We have a 3D ultrasound on Wednesday though and I hope we'll be able to tell if we need pink or blue stuff in the future," Cam replied.

"Ok, I should get back to the Hoover and start working so we can solve this case at some point," Perotta said with a sigh and got up.

"And I have to change so I can get to the autopsy of my newest possible suicide candidate," she replied and stood up as well.

"Shot herself?" Perotta guessed.

"I wish. Jumped from the roof of a 30 story building into heavy traffic," Cam informed her and the agent scrunched up her face.

"Have fun with that," she laughed then and was off with a wave.

"You know, kid, if you have the same sleeping schedule once you're born I might not like you all that much in the evenings and during the night," Cam said quietly as she stroked both hands over her belly, where she felt real kicks now. She lay in the living room at her condo after a long day at work and wished she could sleep for half an hour, but little one was making it impossible with the kicks. "Let's do something for the stretch marks at least while you practice your somersaults," she sighed, knowing it was playtime and it would last for a while. She picked up the baby oil from the table, which she had brought with her, then lay back down and pulled up her long sleeved shirt. She squeezed some oil in her hands and warmed it up, then massaged it into her skin, trying to feel the kicks on the outside, but couldn't. She was feeling them alright inside of her, but for Jack's sake she hoped one would be able to feel them on the outside as well soon. "You like that, huh?" she asked her baby when it seemed to calm down and she kept massaging.

"What are you doing?" Michelle asked as a greeting and with one raised eyebrow. Her tone wasn't too friendly, more annoyed.

"Trying to prevent stretch marks," Cam replied calmly and tried not to let the attitude get to her.

"You sure got bigger these last two weeks," Michelle unnecessarily pointed out and threw her backpack on the ground, still looking into the living room from the entry.

"I know," Cam only shrugged and didn't stop what she was doing, unwilling to let Michelle ruin this moment. "Ah, there you are again," Cam laughed after a moment, when she felt another kick after a while of none.

"What?" Michelle asked confused, thinking Cam had spoken to her while she was untying her shoes.

"Nothing. The baby is kicking, that's all," Cam replied, still running her hands over her baby bump.

"You can feel that already?" Michelle seemed intrigued and dropped her attitude for the first time in nearly three weeks.

"For about a week now the flutters have become kicks. The feet are right here," Cam explained and pointed to the right side of her lower abdomen.

"That's pretty cool," Michelle grinned and sat down next to Cam, then placed her hand where Cam had just pointed.

"I'm afraid you won't be able to feel it yet. Jack always tries, but so far he hasn't been lucky," her legal guardian replied.

"Where is he anyway?" Michelle wondered, keeping her hand on Cam's belly anyway, trying to feel something.

"At his place, talking to the contractor. They called today and said they were done, so he's taking a look," Cam let her know.

"So when are we going to move for real?" her daughter wanted to know.

"Probably this weekend, if everything is done and they didn't forget the floor heating again," Cam rolled her eyes.

"What about the baby's room?" Michelle finally took her hand away, realizing that Cam was right and she wouldn't feel anything yet. She got up and sat down in the armchair next to the couch.

"They already put a new floor in and replaced the electrics and the windows. We just need to paint it and put the furniture in when this one here," Cam pointed to her belly," is more cooperative."

"Ok, just tell me when to pack my stuff," Michelle nodded and wanted to get up when silence spread between them.

"Hey Michelle, wait a moment, please," Cam requested and the teen sat back down. "I wanted to talk to you about that evening and everything," she went on uncomfortably. She sat up then and pulled her shirt back down, feeling stupid lying on the couch like that while having a serious talk with her teenage daughter.

"What's there to talk about?" Michelle asked defensively. "You banned him from the house and I'm not allowed to see him anymore outside of school."

"I know what I said and I'm aware that it was over the top. I want to apologize for that to you and to Perry," Cam admitted and Michelle looked up from her hands surprised. "I just didn't expect to find you... like that, that night and I lost it, I'm sorry. You just couldn't have chosen a worse night to let yourself get caught. The pregnancy, preparing for the baby, the new team at work and then this..." Cam trailed off.

"Chose? I never wanted you to walk in on us like that. You have no idea how mortified I still am," Michelle admitted and blushed just thinking about it.

"So I take it you and Perry..." Cam couldn't finish and just waved her hands helplessly.

"No, we're still not having sex if that's what you're asking," Michelle put it in words what Cam wanted to know. "But I don't understand what the big deal would be if we were. I mean, you sent me to the ObGyn and I'm on the pill and we've been together for nearly as long as you and Hodgins. And you are having a baby and moving in together," Michelle spoke her mind without becoming hostile.

"The big deal would be that you are sixteen and I'm responsible for you, Michelle. I know it's hard to fight some feelings at your age, believe me. But certain things can have certain consequences," Cam pointed out. "I mean, look at Jack and me. We are both adults, we knew what we were doing, we were careful and I still got pregnant without either of us wanting it- the first time that is," she went on. "I know you might feel like you have it all under control, but things can happen no matter how careful you are. And I'm not sure you'd be able to deal with the consequences."

"You mean a baby?" Michelle asked.

"Or an abortion, whatever it would be that you'd choose," Cam nodded. "You know I'll always be there for you no matter what, but before you take that step be aware that no method of birth control is 100% - and I speak from experience," she emphasized. "I don't want you to get hurt, honey. Just be careful and know what you're doing, that's all I'm asking," she requested then.

"Ok, I will," Michelle agreed quietly. "I just... it gets harder not to do it, you know?" she said then and Cam just nodded. "Would you punish me if it happened?" she asked and then hurried to add, "You know, one day in the future, not like, tomorrow."

"No, I wouldn't. I would just want you to be safe and experience it with someone you trust and who loves you," Cam replied with a small smile and Michelle smiled back. "And you should probably wait until the baby is here, otherwise I can't guarantee anything with me being hormonal and all," Cam laughed then.

"See, now you know how I feel all the time. It's not easy being a teenager," Michelle laughed with her.

"Tell Perry I'm sorry and that he's welcome anytime," Cam added next.

"Thank you, Cam," Michelle said relieved, went over to her and hugged her.

"Sorry again for the way I reacted," Cam said once more.

"It's ok. Perry and I shouldn't have snuck in like that, that night," Michelle replied and then pulled back, her eyes landing on Cam's stomach again.

"You want to come tomorrow to the ultra sound?" Cam asked her. "Hopefully we'll find out the sex."

"You're doing the 3D thing at Paul's office, aren't you?" Michelle knew.

"Yes, he has one of those," Cam nodded.

"I don't know. From what I've heard you and Hodgins might get all mushy gushy and I don't want to see that again. You could bring me some pics though," Michelle decided and Cam nodded.

"We will," she agreed and then changed the topic of their talk, getting all the gossip from Michelle's school so she was in the loop again after two weeks.

"You're both grinning like a Cheshire cat," Michelle laughed the next evening when Hodgins and Cam came back from their doctor's appointment.

"We saw the baby, of course we are," Hodgins said excitedly. "Come on, we brought you something," he went on and pulled her by her hand into the living room, while Cam only laughed at his enthusiasm and took off her shoes before she followed them.

"From your smiles I gather you know what we're having now? Michelle the second or Michael?" the teen teased them.

"Michelle the second, sure," Cam snorted laughingly. "I think Jack Stanley the third in this room is enough."

"The fourth," he corrected automatically and fiddled with the DVD player. "You're ready?" he asked Michelle. When she nodded and sat down beside Cam on the couch he started the disc they had brought from Paul's office.

"Is that the heartbeat?" Michelle wanted to know when the sound set in, while the picture was still a bit blurry.

"Yes, it is," Cam confirmed and scooted a bit to the side so Jack could squish in on the couch next to her.

"Isn't it a bit fast?" Michelle wondered.

"That's normal," her mother let her know.

"Wow," the teen said then and seemed stunned upon seeing the picture on the screen, clearly showing the face of the unborn baby inside of Cam. "You can really see the face."

"So amazing, right?" Hodgins grinned, still running high on excitement.

"Look, now the baby is waving his arms around. And now she's kicking. Or he?" Michelle wondered.

"Wait for it," Cam winked at her. "And don't you think little one looks like Jack?" she asked her.

"I think it looks like a baby," Michelle shrugged and cocked her head to the side then to the other, trying to see any resemblance. "You can even see the fingers and the fingernails," she said then in wonder.

"I'm really relieved to see the baby has all ten fingers and toes and just one head," Cam laughed and smiled at Jack when he took her hand, laced his fingers through hers and gave her a squeeze.

"Uhm, ok, is that what I think it is?" Michelle asked when the picture slowly ran down the body of the baby, showing the belly and then further down.

"If you're thinking that we're having a boy, then you're right," Cam nodded and smiled brightly.

"A little brother," Michelle gushed.

"A son," Jack said, still in awe of the mere fact and pressed a kiss against the back of Cam's hand.

"Meaning we'll need lots of blue or green for his room and we can finally start searching for a name," she told them.

"Do I get a say as well?" Michelle wondered.

"As long as you're not coming with stuff like 2Pac, Ne-Yo or 50 Cent," Hodgins teased her, making her pout and Cam just laughed.

"No rapper names and no royalty either. No Jack Stanley the fifth, no Henry, Charles, William or Harry. Got it?" Cam decided.

"Then what's left? I vote strongly against the crazy names that seem to run in your family," Jack intervened.

"Seems like we have some work to do," Cam nodded.

"We could just write down whatever we like when we find something, put it all in a box and then decide in a while," Michelle proposed.

"Good idea," Cam said and Hodgins nodded as well.

"Sweets, what happened to your face?" Hodgins asked him when the psychologist walked into his lab Friday morning.

"What do you mean?" he asked and wiped his cheeks, thinking he had something on them.

"You have something there," Hodgins pointed and grinned. "Or are you really trying to grow a beard?" he teased him.

"It's stubble. I was told it's manly and sexy. You should know, you have it as well," Sweets complained.

"Yeah, but unlike you I have some beard stubble and not just some fuzz," Hodgins laughed.

"Why does everyone think I can't grow a beard? I'm not fifteen anymore, you know?" Sweets was getting upset.

"I know, I know, sorry," Hodgins apologized still laughing. "What are you doing here anyway?" he asked him then.

"Just stopping by. Thought maybe you could use my opinion on the gutting case," the psychologist shrugged.

"Cam's in a meeting right now and I don't know much. Maybe you should talk to Perotta or Mosse," Hodgins replied and turned around so he could finally give Sweets his undivided attention. "So how are you doing? Feeling better?" he asked him, because they hadn't really talked since the night Daisy and Brennan had left.

"A bit. It comes and goes in waves. I think I've reached the stage of anger now. I mean, how could she be so selfish? We wanted to get married and everything and then she just tells me 'Hey, my career is more important than you' and leaves," Sweets ranted.

"You didn't give up your career either to go with her," Hodgins pointed out.

"Hey! You're not helping. You wouldn't have left either if it had been you and Cam," he insisted.

"In a heartbeat," Hodgins disagreed. "Speaking of heartbeats... you wanna know something really cool?" he grinned then and leaned in conspiratorially.

"What?" Sweets asked quietly, wary of what was coming.

"Cam and I... we're having a son," Hodgins said with a smile that spread over his whole face.

"That is awesome news. Congratulations," Sweets said truly happy and patted Hodgins on the back.

"Originally I wanted a girl, but now I just can't remember why. I mean... a boy… it's just... wow," the entomologist went on excitedly. "And check this out," he added and turned his monitor around, showing Sweets his new desktop background: the picture of the 3D ultrasound of the baby's face. "We have the whole video of it at home."

"When is the due date?" Sweets wanted to know.

"30th of December," Hodgins informed him. "But first we need to move Cam and Michelle completely in and get all the stuff we'll need for the baby's room when he gets here."

"Will Cam stay home after the birth?" Sweets asked.

"We haven't really talked about it yet. I'm not a big fan of daycare though," Hodgins admitted.

"Personal experience, right?" Sweets knew.

"Just one nanny too many," Hodgins nodded.

"Jack? Jack?" they heard Cam call then and were about to hurry out when she came in.

"What's wrong?" he asked when he saw her, worried something was wrong with the baby.

"Oh, Dr. Sweets, that's even better," Cam sighed when she saw him. "Could you please go over there and tell this idiot that it's not normal and appropriate to watch porn at work, not even during lunch hour. And then I probably need counseling so I'll get those pictures out of my head," she told him and waved her index finger around, in the direction of the office of their 'lab rat'.

"You have seen porn before," Hodgins said stunned about her reaction and didn't mind at all that there were other people in the room with them.

"Yes, but I don't need the live show when it comes to what guys are doing watching porn," she made her problem clear and blushed.

"Oh no he didn't..." Hodgins started to laugh.

"He did," Cam nodded and scrunched up her face again. "Why does he have to be so..." she wanted to ask, but couldn't find the right adjective.

"Gross?" Hodgins tried.

"Juvenile?" Sweets guessed.

"Cliché," she finally found the word she had been looking for.

"You really want me to talk to him? Because I will," Sweets vowed.

"I would really appreciate it. After the meeting today I have even more paperwork than usual," she sighed.

"Bankcroft again?" Hodgins asked.

"No, he was just a jerk as usual. 'Oh Dr. Saroyan, I can see you now cultivate the next generation. Won't that get in the way of your work?'" she repeated what he had said.

"Cam, really, if it bothers you I will talk to him," Hodgins said and pulled her closer by her waist, looking her in the eyes.

"No, it will just egg him on even more, but thanks for the offer," she declined. "I'll get you when I'm done?" she asked him then.

"Yup, I'll be here," he nodded and let her go with Sweets so they could all go back to work.

"It is really early for you to be here," Zach stated when he entered the visitors' room of the psych ward.

"Hey man, good to see you," Hodgins said happily when his friend entered, hugged him and patted him on the back.

"I always wondered why males do that. I can't say I find it pleasant," Zach commented on the light slaps on his back and made Hodgins laugh.

"Hey Zach," Cam laughed as well and hugged him without slapping him. "That better?" she grinned.

"Much," he nodded and his eyes widened slightly when he took in her appearance. "Oh," he said. "You are obviously expecting."

"Yes, we are. I'm gonna be a dad, man," Hodgins replied with a smile.

"We were surprised you didn't notice the last time we were here," Cam teased him and sat down on a chair.

"I was wondering, but I thought it would be rude to imply you're pregnant when maybe you weren't," her former colleague said.

"I really appreciate it," Cam smiled.

"We're having a son," Jack added then, not able to keep this piece of information to himself. Before Zach could reply he had taken out the ultrasound pictures from his jacket pocket and showed them to his friend.

"He looks very well structured," Zach nodded and made Hodgins snort.

"That's the best you can do?" he asked and shook his head, without really being angry.

"I don't know what you want me to say. If you bring him here once he is born I might be able to say something else," the younger man defended himself and Cam had a hard time keeping it together and not start laughing at the strange talk.

"We will bring him Zach," she said instead and pointed to the free chairs so the guys would finally sit down as well. "How are you?" she asked him then.

"I'm well. And out of riddles. Maybe if you have time you could bring me some more?" he asked Hodgins.

"Sure," he nodded. "How did it go with... what was her name again? Leslie?" Jack asked him.

"I was able to cook for her last week. Now that I am able to control my hands better and was granted access to the kitchen I cooked us lasagna and she said she liked it," Zach reported.

"Way to go, Zach," Cam complimented him and nodded approvingly.

"Hey, I cook you dinner nearly every night and you're never that excited," Hodgins complained.

"Maybe because you don't put candles and a white tablecloth on the table?" Zach suggested, although he hadn't told them before that he had done that.

"See, Zach's right. Can't remember the last time you made me a romantic dinner," Cam used the opportunity to tease him.

"That's not fair," Jack complained. "What about that evening two weeks ago?" he asked.

"I don't know what you mean," Cam looked puzzled.

"The grapes, the sorbet..." he enlightened her.

"Oh, you mean that," she nodded. "That wasn't a romantic dinner, that was your way of getting me into bed because I was angry at you for lying about the spiders. Just hiding them in another part of the lab was not what I had meant," Cam shot back. "And then to top it, you lied to me."

"It was very romantic," he defended himself and then turned to Zach, leaning towards him. "And those pregnancy hormones, man, I'm telling you..." he grinned and winced when Cam slapped the back of his head.

"This is becoming a habit. And not one I particularly like," Hodgins said and rubbed the back of his head.

"I'm sitting right here Hodgins," Cam pointed out.

"What? I witnessed only snippets of your girl-talk on the phone once and I'm still not over it," he let her know.

"You eavesdropped on my conversation. I'm sitting right here. There's a difference," Cam shook her head.

"Watching you two is like watching a tennis match," Zach told them and then shook his head. "And now I feel dizzy," he stated and made the two grin at each other.

"Have you heard anything from Angela?" Jack turned the talk to something else.

"Yes, she sends me postcards from Paris every other week. She seems to like it there," he nodded.

"You have no idea how much I wish you were able to work at the Institute again. We really need you there," Cam sighed when she thought about her new team.

"If I were out I most likely would be on the Maluku Islands with Dr. Brennan so I wouldn't be able to help you out," he stated.

"We still miss you, Zach," Cam said aloud what she had meant before.

"And I really miss work," he nodded sadly.

"Hey, once the baby is here we can just bring him to you whenever we need a babysitter," Hodgins grinned and tried to lighten the mood.

"I am not good with infants and kids don't like me," Zach stated.

"This one will like you. You'll be Uncle Zach," Hodgins tried again.

"I will not really be his uncle. We're not related," he pointed out without emotion.

"Now you're making me want to slap you," Hodgins said in frustration.

"Ok, guys, I'm gonna wait outside while you have your boy-talk," Cam said when silence set in. "It was good seeing you Zach. As soon as things with the new team get better, we'll be by more often again, most likely with the baby," she smiled, got up and hugged him for a moment.

"You're waiting outside?" Jack asked her.

"No, I'll be at the diner across the street, baby wants some chocolate. Take your time," she smiled and left with another wave in Zach's direction.

"You have the measurements?" Cam asked Jack as they stepped into the furniture store.

"Yup," he nodded and wrapped one arm around her middle. "We need a bed, at least one additional closet, maybe a rug or something and the furniture for the nursery, right?" he asked, hoping he hadn't forgotten anything.

"That seems to be it for now," Cam agreed.

"Ok, bedroom furniture is to the right," he said when he saw the sign.

"Anything you absolutely don't want?" she wanted to know, thinking it might be wise to know what was a no go before they started looking.

"I'm not too fond of those metal beds with the squiggly headboards," he replied as they walked past the dining room furniture. "And it needs to be big," he added with a naughty grin.

"Agreed," she chuckled. "I don't want it to be too dark," she added another criterion.

"Ooh, look, cribs," he gushed and pointed to the right where the nursery furniture was set up.

"I was thinking maybe we could get one of those bassinets as well for our bedroom. We wouldn't have to walk as far during the night," Cam told him and followed him to the furniture.

"Nothing too girly with ruffles and lace," he immediately said.

"Do I have that anywhere in my apartment?" she asked him with raised eyebrows.

"No, but you never know what will happen once the nesting instinct sets in," he teased her.

"No ruffles for our son," she said with a nod and he kissed her in agreement."Oh, look, that one is actually really nice. Maybe if we find a bed in the same wood?" Cam pointed to a bassinet at the other end of the set up room.

"Espresso Cariboo Bassinet," Cam read aloud.

"Eco-friendly and meets or exceeds all US government safety standards," he went on. "I like it," he agreed.

"So shall we take it? Just like that?" Cam asked, thinking that this was way too easy.

"Why not? We agreed that we wouldn't pay much attention to prices, since we're selling all of your furniture, so let's just take it," he shrugged.

"Ok," she laughed, still surprised how easy this had been.

"One down, lots more to go," Hodgins said after another look on his list and wrote down the name and the number of the bassinet for later.

"Look, there's the crib that goes with it," Cam said and took his hand to lead him over to it.

"I like the form, but don't you think the wood is too dark? Imagine all the furniture in the room this dark," he gave her something to consider.

"They say here that it is also available in 'attractive teak', whatever that means," Cam wondered.

"That's the same as the changing table here," Hodgins knew and showed it to her.

"If we take the crib in teak and then take this changing table and the dresser over there it would all match," Cam said and tried to picture it. "I think we should try to find blue and green striped wallpaper for the room. Together with the new floor and the furniture I think it would look good and we wouldn't have to re-decorate the whole room once he's three and decides bears are for babies," she added with a knowing smile.

"You had bears?" Hodgins laughed.

"No, Michelle had elephants in pink tutus and wanted them gone after the older kids in kindergarten had told her that they're only for babies," Cam laughed at the memory.

"So her father had to re-decorate?" Hodgins asked, still grinning.

"Yes, problem was, once she actually went to school her best friend there was a ballet dancer, so you can imagine what was suddenly 'in' again and which wallpaper Andrew had to put up," she chuckled.

"I'm just glad she has everything picked out for her new room by now," Hodgins added while he wrote down the product numbers of the other furniture.

"I actually really like what she picked out, which kind of surprised me. When she first told me she wanted one wall painted burgundy I was expecting the worst," Cam said appreciatively.

"Last night the guys set up the rest of her furniture and it really looks great. Now we just have to keep her out of there until tomorrow, so we can surprise her with it," Jack informed Cam.

"You know she'll move in the second you show her the room," Cam warned him when they made their way over to the adult bedroom furniture.

"I don't mind her staying at my place alone. You, however, will stay away as long as the paint fumes are still in the air," Jack replied and made her roll her eyes.

"There's the overprotective hovering again," she commented.

"Then let's pick out furniture otherwise you'll never move in. I already doubt that they'll be able to deliver it all until next weekend," he said and pulled her towards the first bed he saw.

"What do you think about this one?" he grinned pointing with his open hand to the bed that had a golden frame and golden leaves that decorated the four pillars which framed the bed. It looked like Louis XIV might have slept in it.

"That is about the most hideous thing I have ever seen," she told him.

"Good, I agree," he chuckled and pulled her to the next one.

"Where should I put your two... ten… fifteen... approximately hundred pair of shoes?" Hodgins asked Cam from her built in closet that was used for shoe storage only. It was Sunday and seemed like the only day they actually had time to pack her things before the planned move the next weekend.

"Leave it, I'll do it or you'll ruin my system and I'll never find anything ever again," she waved him off and he stuck his head out of the closet.

"You need a ladder to get them all," he pointed out, grasping the door frame for balance as he bent farther back so he could see her in her study where she was packing photos into boxes.

"I know, that's how I put them up on those shelves," Cam rolled her eyes at him. He sighed quietly and knew he couldn't win this from a distance. Slowly he walked over to her, his sneakers squeaking slightly on the wooden floor. When he reached her, he put his hands on her hips and pulled her closer to him. She laid the frame she held in her hands down on the desk and looked at him.

"Cam..." he started and pulled on the seam of her blue shirt, his fingers brushing softly against the skin of her stomach that he exposed between her jeans, where the first button had to remain open, and the loosely fitting light blue tank top.

"Jack," she replied in the same tone and slung her arms around his neck, her eyes twinkling playfully.

"You're not climbing a ladder," he told her and shook his head no.

"One day you'll lock me in a padded room until after the baby is born," she smiled at him.

"Not a bad idea, crazy," he teased her and chuckled when her gaze expressed what she wasn't saying with words. "What? The words mood swings ring a bell?" he went on.

"You said yourself that I'm not that bad," Cam protested, knowing herself that besides some minor incidents she really had not caused that much trouble yet.

"I said that I rather enjoy some of your moods, especially for the last two or three weeks," Hodgins grinned.

"Get your mind out of the bedroom, Hodgins," she only rolled her eyes, but grinned when he kissed her longingly. "We don't have time for that now. We need to pack, otherwise the couple who rented the apartment won't be able to move in on time. And they already terminated their former lease," she said when she broke the kiss.

"Ok, then where do I put the shoes now?" he asked again.

"The shoe boxes are up in the attic. You have to get them down and then sort the shoes into the belonging box, then put the boxes into a larger box and we can move them," she let him know and turned back to the pictures.

"Please tell me you're kidding," he groaned.

"No, why?" she asked him innocently, knowing that she might be a tad extreme when it came to her shoes.

"How about this," he started with a sigh, "I get the boxes from the attic and get down the shoes for you. You sort them into the boxes, put them in a bigger box and I carry them to the car?" he suggested.

"Fine, but while I sort shoes you'll have to wrap picture frames and pack the clothes in my bedroom that I don't need during the coming week," she agreed.

"Deal," he nodded, grabbed his set of keys from the dresser and made his way up to the attic. He had just left when Cam's phone rang.

"Saroyan," she replied.

"Hello Camille," she heard a familiar voice, although the quality of the connection was more than crappy.

"Seeley!" she squealed happily and let herself fall into her desk chair.

"I got three calls this weekend and I thought I'd check in on one of my oldest friends," he laughed.

"I hope you mean it the way I want you to mean it," she laughed with him and looked at the picture she had just started to wrap. It was a shot that had been taken at her father's sixtieth birthday and Booth was posing with her and her dad for the camera, pretending to be her boyfriend.

"Of course," he assured her. "So, I hear Hodgins' house is like the Walt Disney castle, at least according to Parker," Booth told her.

"He seemed to like it there, yes. I think the four wheelers especially made an impression," Cam nodded.

"Please tell me he wore a helmet," Booth begged.

"He did and safety clothes, don't worry. He didn't fall off though, just nearly drove it into the pond," Cam laughed at the memory.

"And I might be mistaken, because the quality of the phone line sucks, but I think he said something about you having a funny argument over a name for the baby? Something you want to tell me?" he finally came to the reason for his call. He had been curious ever since Parker had let that detail slip.

"Well, it seems like by the time you're back you'll officially be Uncle Seeley to little Hodgins junior," Cam admitted with a smile in her voice.

"I knew it!" Booth exclaimed. "Congratulations, Cam! I'm really happy for you," Booth said.

"We're really excited, Seeley. And I still can't believe I'm going to be a mom- I mean, besides to Michelle that is," Cam admitted.

"You're going to be a great mom, Camille. That kid is really lucky."

"Thank you, Booth," Cam said touched.

"Ok, listen I've gotta go and get back. You take care of yourself and the little one. Say hi to him from Uncle Seeley," he announced the end of their conversation.

"I will. And you take care yourself. I'm sure he wants to get to know his uncle in one piece, alive and without holes in him," she said goodbye and then hung up.

"Hey lazy, I carry the stuff and you nap?" Hodgins teased her when he came back, carrying one big box with the smaller ones for the shoes in it.

"I wasn't napping. Booth called," she corrected him and stood up again.

"From Afghanistan? Is he alright?" Hodgins immediately worried that something had happened to the agent.

"He seemed fine. Parker spilled our news during his latest call and Booth wanted to know if he had understood him right," Cam said.

"And what did he say when you confirmed it?"

"He was happy for us," Cam just replied.

"I wish we had an address or a phone number for Angela so we could reach her. I feel bad for not telling her," Hodgins sighed, remembering that his ex-girlfriend still didn't know about the fact that he was becoming a father.

"Jack, she chose not to give us anything. Besides the postcards we haven't heard from her since she left. And maybe it's better," Cam pointed out. "She left to have some distance. If we call her now and tell her we're expecting it would hurt her."

"I'm just afraid that once she comes back and is confronted with baby it will hurt her even more," he worried.

"We could always call Brennan and ask her if she has an address or a phone number," Cam replied calmly, showing him the only way to get in touch with Angela.

"No," he decided with a deep sigh. "She decides when she wants contact and if it is once she gets back, then I can't change it."

"Ok," Cam just nodded, accepting his decision.

"Thank you," he said softly and kissed her, letting his lips linger on hers. "And now I'll get the tons of shoes down," he added and walked back into the closet to start his task.

Monday morning Hodgins found himself driving up to the theater rehearsal house with Sweets. The psychologist had requested to see the scene where they had found the body and the organs so he could get a clearer picture.

"I see you already put on your rubber boots- you'll need them," Hodgins said. He had spent two full days in the building and it still gave him the creeps thinking about going in there. He was fine with the rats and insects. He didn't mind the mold or the stinking water in the basement. But something about the plastic body parts being mixed in with real ones, the black walls, low ceilings, caskets and weird atmosphere freaked him out. He had made sure that the spotlights were still there, because he simply refused to enter the building with only Sweets as his backup and a flashlight.

"I'm really intrigued by this. From what I heard the interior sure is unique," Sweets replied and actually looked excited to go in.

"That's one way to put it. Damn creepy would be another," he replied and led them in. "Pay attention, water is coming down here," he warned Sweets just in time, so the stinking water wouldn't drip on his head.

"Everything is black in here," the younger man said. "And those shelves don't help the atmosphere," he went on and warily looked at the body parts of the prop dolls.

"Now comes another strange thing. Stay in the middle of the elevator, otherwise you'll get killed by the grids that fall down to the sides," Hodgins warned him and then pressed the button so they could ride up to the fourth story and start their tour there.

"Whoa! You weren't joking," Sweets exclaimed when the grids came down.

" Welcome to the fourth story of the house of horror. I hope you'll have a very unpleasant stay," the entomologist said like one of those announcers at the haunted house at fairs.

"Ok, you were not exaggerating," Sweets admitted as he looked around and suddenly didn't seem to find it all that exciting anymore.

"Over there we found the maggots raining down," Hodgins pointed to one shelf as he plugged in the lamps and the room lit up.

"From what Cam told me someone bashed the guys head in and then sliced him open, took out some organs and put them on a shelf and then dumped him on the stage. When the water entered he was washed into the ventilation system and when it sank he landed down in the basement," Sweets tried to get the facts right.

"Yeah, the water entered when a pipe burst up here and flooded the room, then the water made its way further down, finally staying in the basement," Hodgins nodded. "When we were here last week we couldn't get into the rooms that were used as changing rooms before. We would have needed divers and the FBI decided that it was too expensive to go through all that trouble because of a single body," Hodgins summed it up with some resentment in his voice. He knew that Booth would have brought in the divers.

"Those rooms are over there?" Sweets asked.

"Yes, we could check them out now," Hodgins replied, not too fond of the idea himself.

"I don't think the light will be of any use over there, right?" Sweets asked and Hodgins only shook his head and took his flashlight out of his pocket, which he had brought for a worst case scenario.

"I'll stay right behind you," Sweets vowed and made Hodgins snort.

"My hero," he said sarcastically. Walking down the still damp and narrow hallway they found several doors to their right. Most of them were open and the rooms showed the damages the water had done to them. Clothes, requisites and furniture were on the ground with layers of mud or sand over them. Shelves had toppled over, chairs had broken and what seemed like manuscripts lay wrinkled in the corners.

The second to last door on the right was the only one closed. While Sweets wanted to walk past it, Hodgins stopped and made the younger man crash into his back.

"Sorry," Sweets apologized.

"Do you smell that?" Hodgins asked him and sniffed again.

"You mean that... sweet, nauseating stench? Wasn't that hanging in the whole building?" the psychologist replied.

"Before it was mold, water and dirt. This is different," Hodgins knew and tried to open the door, after putting on rubber gloves. "It's locked," he stated then.

"Maybe we should leave it that way," Sweets said, sounding scared.

"Stand back, I'm going in," Hodgins replied, took a few steps back and then kicked the door in. The wood splintered and let them get a glimpse inside.

"Oh my god," Sweets exclaimed and pressed his hand to his nose and mouth when the smell became even stronger.

"I knew it," Hodgins said and didn't seem as affected. He shone his flashlight inside and in the last puddle on the ground he found the naked body of what once had been a woman- and now was an obscenely swollen and decomposed body with maggots crawling all over the place and through the strangely well preserved long blonde hair of the dead. "Ok, I think I'll give Cam a call," he commented dryly.

"Can we please do that outside? I think I'm gonna be sick," Sweets groaned, not used to the smell of death. The only bodies he had seen were always in Cam's lab with the drain and ventilation, which meant barely any corpse smell. This was nasty.

"Yeah, let's get you out. If you throw up in here it will attract the rats," Hodgins replied and led them to the elevator and then back outside. While Sweets took deep breaths of fresh air and tried to get the smell out of his mind, Hodgins dialed Cam's number.

"Hey, you survived the house of horror?" she teased him when she picked up.

"We did. But you need to call Perotta and Mosse and then get over here. We found a second body," he told her and leaned against the car, knowing it would take at least half an hour for them to get to there.

TBC