005 || [audio/limited action]

[bonescientist]

[Brennan is seated by the kitchen table in Angela's apartment, several sheets of paper spread across the tabletop. An empty coffee mug and her Network device are perched on the edge of the table where a small space remains paper-free. She's perusing the documents with a frown, pausing to scribble notes on a yellow legal pad every now and then. She

Comments

i just want some eggs and bacon. i'm not interested in spam;

[bonescientist]

[Brennan snaps the coffeemaker on and gives Angela a grateful smile. The smile, however, turns into a confused frown at the revelation about Justin's age.]

You're saying that the head of the forensics department may not even be legally an adult? How is that possible? He can't possibly have had any formal training being so young, can he?

i just want some eggs and bacon. i'm not interested in spam;

[bonescientist]

[Mechanically, Brennan opens a drawer and takes out a fork, handing it to Angela while still having an expression of dazed confusion on her face. This is just not computing to her.]

But surely he can't have gained that much information from such a form of training to run a whole division successfully? I can understand how he might have had no choice, considering there was nobody else but him. Still, I'm... undecided on how to feel about this. Does he have the necessary mental capacity for the job? He is extremely young.

i just want some eggs and bacon. i'm not interested in spam;

[bonescientist]

[Brennan laughs at that, recalling the scene that greeted her upon arriving to Dulles airport four years ago. Smirking in amusement, she gives Angela a sideways look before reaching in the cupboard, pulling out a mug for Angela as the coffeemaker splutters.]

Yes, you would know that, wouldn't you? Although I'm not certain how effective flashing your underwear at him would be as a method of reprimand. It seems more like an encouragement.

[Brennan pours coffee in the mug and sets it on the counter next to Angela, while moving over to the table to fill her own mug.]

But I promise to withhold judgment until I can form a better impression on Mr. Pendleton's talents and capabilities as an administrator.

i just want some eggs and bacon. i'm not interested in spam;

[bonescientist]

I see.

[Brennan returns the coffee pot in the machine, her other hand holding her mug for the milk. She stares at Angela's raised pinky with a small frown, but raises her own in the air. She's not certain what the correct protocol here is: she's has a vague feeling she's heard Parker talk about pinky swears, but can't for the life of her recall what it was about. Confused, she speaks up:]

I... don't know what that means, Angela. [The frown deepens a little.] And I don't make people cry, children or otherwise. At least... I don't think I do.

i just want some eggs and bacon. i'm not interested in spam;

[bonescientist]

[Brennan purses her lips a little and shrugs, taking a sip of her coffee instead of trying to figure this out.]

I will promise to show him due approbation when he exhibits the appropriate abilities or insights to earn it, just as always. False praises aren't helpful to one's personal evolution.

[Angela's revelation genuinely puzzles her, possibly even shocks her a little bit.]

What? When? [Pause.] But... Miss Wick is extremely sensitive. I... imagine she's moved to tears quite frequently.

i just want some eggs and bacon. i'm not interested in spam;

[bonescientist]

[Brennan is mildly relieved, possibly because it's not like the particular scenario would be entirely impossible.]

Oh.

[Brief pause, her tone turning sliiightly defensive as she speaks up again.]

Well, in case it were true, I'm sure that any disapproval or unflattering estimates from me that might possibly cause Miss Wick to cry would have been justified because obviously she'd then done something incorrectly. Sweets couldn't possibly have nothing to say about that.

i just want some eggs and bacon. i'm not interested in spam;

[bonescientist]

It's erroneous to expect them all to pick up on their mistakes, it's not conducive to learning, Ange. I believe it will better prepare the interns for the realities of working in the field. Nobody will be there to hold their hands, they need to have sufficient self-assurance and skill to manage.

And I... I encourage them.

[Her tone has gone feeble by now, though. It is true, she does not allow herself to get attached to the new interns. It's probably why she never settled on choosing just one but keeps them rotating. She'll rather risk being unlikeable than have another Zack incident happen. It's best for everyone involved.]