Chapter Text
[Present Day]
Margot sat in one of the bright green chairs of the Jeffersonian Institute Medico-Legal Lab Lounge. Across the table from her were, in her opinion, a terrifying cast of people. Cameron Saroyan: The newish head of her department. Margot would be the first to admit that her presence took a while to get used to- Dr. Brennan’s adversity to her arrival didn’t help- but after the incident she has grown to appreciate her boss. Speaking of Dr. Temperance Brennan, she sat to Cam’s left, her face comfortingly unreadable.
Margot remembered the race that almost destroyed her relationship with her twin brother, Zack. They had both been fighting to work alongside Dr. Brennan to the point that Margot sprained Zack’s wrist by pushing him and his failure to catch himself correctly. Thankfully, in the end Dr. Brennan accepted the two mini-geniuses, agreeing with her team that it's better their brains worked for good.
To Cam’s left sat Erin Strauss, a woman who Margot had met briefly when she’d come in for her psyche evaluation. Being on Dr. Brennan’s team meant she was associated with the FBI, and the FBI needed to know the people working for them weren’t psychopaths. She could still remember the first time Seeley Booth, who was standing behind the group, yelled at her. He hadn’t meant to be so aggressive, but Brennan and Hodgins were buried alive and time was running out. A week later he had been the one to pull her out of an air-tight metal box The Gravedigger buried her in at the bottom of a pond.
She hadn’t quite been the same after that. Zack, who currently sat beside her, had moved her into his room, him taking the couch, in the small apartment above Hodgin’s garage. Jack had tried to make a joke about collecting Addys- but he knew, after experiencing it himself, the kind of horror she was getting through. Still, she was grateful to the boys for helping ground her.
Finally, a man she had never met was directly in front of her. His intense stare makes her pinch her elbows underneath the table. She awkwardly looks between them all, waiting for someone to tell her why she was there. Her eyes lock with Dr. Brennan’s, and the older woman gives her a comforting nod.
“Dr. Addy, you don’t need to look so scared.” It’s Erin Strauss who breaks the silence. She clears her throat, straightening the small pile of folders in front of her. “The FBI has been observing the relationship between us and The Jeffersonian Institution. The results were better than we could hope for.” A smile graced Margot’s lips and she brought her hands up to rest on the table. “It’s doing so well, we have made plans to expand the partnership. However, we want to cover more of the country.” Strauss and the man both open up a file in front of them.
“It says here you have a PhD in BioChemistry, Forensic Anthropology and are working on a third in Psychology. Is that correct?” The man spoke, raising his eyes to hers.
“Oh! Yes. That is correct, Agent…”
“SSA Aaron Hotchner.” He closes the folder. Margot takes a second to store his name away, scanning over how confusing two Erin(Aaron)s are. “How long until you finish this course?” Margot scooted forward a bit in the plastic chair, reaching her hand over the table to point somewhere in the file.
“If my file is accurate, which it should be, it should say I finish next year in April, sir. I just need a topic for my dissertation. ” She shook her head and leaned back. “I’m sorry if I sound rude, but why am I here?”
“I am the unit chief of The Behavior Analyst Unit over at the FBI.” Hotchner explains. “We heard about your work here, helping Dr. Brennan and Agent Booth. It was between you and Dr. Addy.” He motioned towards your brother. Zack adjusted in his seat next to her, sitting up to look more engaged. Margot can’t tell if her twin knows what the ‘it’ Agent Hotchner is talking about.
“Seeing as Mr. Addy went as far as to slack off on getting his doctorate to stay here with me. We thought you would be the better candidate to go.” Dr. Brennan’s words weren’t a lie. When it was discovered Zack wasn’t doing his work towards his doctorate it surprised Margot. Then she saw all the work he went through to finish his doctorate and secure a job at The Jeffersonian. Maybe that is what this was about- her not living up to her brother’s work.
“...Go?” Margot’s eyes furrow with confusion. “Dr. Brennan, are you firing me? Am I being fired?” Her breathing quickens. “Is it because of what happened? I am sorry if I have been slacking! I know I shouldn’t have let it get to me so bad but-”
“Margot.” Her eyes lock with Booth’s who had been silent up till now. “You aren’t being fired, in fact I would say you’re being promoted.” He smiled for a moment doing his classic jig. Margot couldn’t bring herself to smile back at him, causing his to drop. “You know we understand what you are going through.”
“I do at least.” Brennan butts in. “But, Agent Booth is correct, you are not being fired. Dr. Addy.”
“The BAU needs someone like you.” Hotchner’s words are clear. Margot feels like her head is spinning. Everyone is taking turns talking, but she can hardly keep up. She knew they were scouting her, that was clear, and if she were to show how lost she was- they may change their minds…think she is unable to work with them. Margot takes a deep breath and looks at Hotchner.
“A doctor?” She jokes, half heartedly.
“Believe it or not, we have one of those.” His lips curl up into a small smile. “No, we wanted someone familiar with forensics. The fact that you are studying human mind and behavior is just an added bonus.”
“So would I be a part of the BAU, or a contract worker still with The Jeffersonian?” This is what she was most afraid of. She had worked hard to build something strong here.
“You sadly would be leaving us.” Cam speaks up. Margot’s eyes move again.
“Oh.” She fidgets with her elbow again, shifting them under the table. “You know my one goal was to work with Dr. Brennan.”
“It’s true! She- she sprained my wrist out of frustration when I got Dr. B’s letter before her.” Zack piped up causing Margot to kick him slightly under the table.
“I have apologised for that.” She looked towards the BAU agents trying to gauge their reactions. If anything they looked slightly amused, it calmed her down.
“Dr. Addy, I taught you well.” Brennan catches her attention again. ”I am an excellent teacher, and you were an excellent student. I hope I have taught you how to think logically.” Brennan motions towards Hotchner. “The most logical thing to do here is use what I taught you over at the BAU.”
“Do they even have a lab?” Margot inches forward. “It’s over at Quantico, isn't it? I know about all the Marine-related labs…but a forensic…” She trails off.
“Yes.” Strauss answers. ”However, I doubt you would be using it often.” The blonde motions behind her towards Booth. “Hopefully The Jeffersonian won’t be busy enough locally for you to have to use it. You would be traveling with the team, using local coroner's offices or your field tools.”
“It will be very different from how things work here, but my team and I are hoping you’d accept our offer.” Hotchner closes her file. “I understand you are a family here, and we aren’t looking to replace that. Maybe just add to it.”
Margot looks between the group of people in front of her. “When do you need my answer?” She brings her hands above the table again, rubbing her hands together slowly.
“I had hoped to be leaving with one, but the end of the week will work.” Strauss answers, standing up before holding out her hand. “It was lovely seeing you again, Dr. Addy.” Margot stood and shook Erin’s hand before holding her hand out to Aaron. The man stood and gave her a warm smile and the BAU exchanged parting pleasantries with the rest of the group.
Margot watched as the FBI agents cleared the room. She looked towards Cam who gave her a comforting smile as she stood up. “We love having you here, and it’s been great getting to know you. I do think this is an amazing opportunity for you though.” Margot nodded her head and watched Cam leave with Zack.
Logically, as Dr. Brennan pointed out, it was a no brainer. The mentioned scientist had walked out last with her partner leaving Margot alone. The BAU would be a huge jump in her career. While working with Dr. Brennan, the best forensic anthropologist in the world, was her main goal… she couldn’t be like Zack. She knew she couldn’t be her intern forever, and she knew she couldn’t be her equal.
Later Margot was sprawled across the sofa in Angela’s office. The artist fiddled around with the Angelatron, letting the doctor do her thinking. Every now and again Margot would open her mouth to speak- before sighing causing Angela to pause her work- hoping to get something out of her friend.
“Sweetie, do you maybe want to voice any of those thoughts in your head?” Angela moves over to sit beside Margot’s head, putting her tablet down next to her.
“Everything is changing.” Margot whispered, moving her head to lay on Angela’s lap. “First, Dr. Saroyan comes. Don’t get me wrong she’s growing on me, but her and Dr. Brennan are always clashing! I get caught in the middle of that, and my brother’s undying loyalty makes me feel like I’m doing something wrong when I do what my boss tells me to do.”
“Oh honey, you don’t have to feel bad for wanting to further your career.” She started. “Brennan wouldn’t have suggested you for this job if she didn’t think you were ready. Zack wanting to stay by her side is his problem.” Sensing her hesitation, she continues. “Don’t you want to see what that brain of yours can do on your own?”
A groan escaped Margot’s lips as she brought a hand up to her eyes. “I do! Really I do…” Her voice trailed off as thought about actually leaving The Jeffersonian. She had worked with the team for years now, Brennan more so. This was her family, and she knows that they always will be- it's not like they’re disappearing when she goes. Technically she could still work with them sometimes- she’d just be on the opposite side- part of the FBI. There was also the fact that Angela would still be down to bird sit for her…hopefully.
“Oh my God…” Realisation hit her like a truck and she sat up. “Angela, do you know what this means?” She grips her friend's arm.
“What? You’ll be the smartest in the room?” Angela smiled and turned her body to Margot.
“No!” She paused. “I mean yes- but this means I have to do FBI training.” Angela stares at Margot’s serious face before breaking out into laughter
“So you have decided to accept their offer, Dr. Addy?” The women on the couch look up to see Dr. Brennan in the doorway closest to them. “I assume you talking about the physical training the FBI requires means you know it is the most logical thing to do.”
Margot cleared her throat and let go of Angela, the smile was gone from her face. “Dr. Brennan, I always knew it was the logical thing to do.” She stated. “I was thinking more selfishly. A new team means new people, and I am not great around new people.”
“I think we got a long quiet fast Dr. Addy.” Brennan raised an eyebrow, confused.
“That’s because our first conversation after my interview was about the Gedi Ruins in Kenya.” She cleared her throat. “I don’t know what to talk about with…normal people.” Her voice raises at the end as if she was asking a question.
“You seem to communicate with Angela just fine and she isn’t a genius.” Brennan pointed out.
Angela scoffed, but her smile was still on her face. “Thanks, as always, for that, sweetie.” She shakes her head and grabs Margot’s hand. “Really though, I am sure everything will work out. There will be at least one person there who sees how great you are.” Margot frowns, not because she’s upset, but she thinks she might cry.
“Thanks Ange.” She turns to her mentor. “Dr. Brennan I would like to apologize for not working as hard as my brother to stay here.” Her voice wavered a little.
“Don’t apologize for getting a job Dr. Addy.” Brennan laughed a little. “I was never expecting you to stay. I expect you to use what I taught you. You are brilliant and you will use that at the BAU.”
Silence fell over the group as Angela and Margot just stared at Dr. Brennan. Angela’s mouth was slightly open in awe. “Brennan, that was surprisingly really sweet.” She placed a hand over her heart.
Margot’s eyes were watering, but she knew better than to cry in front of Dr. Brennan. “Thank you, Dr. Brennan.” She ducks her head. “Would it be okay if we still remained in contact?”
“Of course! I want to know about what you learn over at the BAU.” She was very enthusiastic about it too. It made Margot feel kind of silly for thinking everyone would just forget about her. “Your work will predominantly be profiling and flesh, but I believe you have the capability to give your new team what they need.” She pauses and gives a shrug as if she was congratulating herself. “I am proud of what you have become, Dr. Addy.”
“Oh wow.” Margot breathed out. “You do not know how much that means to me.” She looks between the two others. “I love you guys…”
“Aww, I love you too, Margot.” Angela stands and brings her into a hug. “And we’re not going anywhere! We still need to do our monthly breakfasts at The Firefly.”
“Of course, Ange.” Margot parts from her and looks towards Brennan. “I should tell Dr. Saroyan, and call Agent Strauss.” She gives a tight lipped smile and looks back to Angela. “To think a month and a half ago I was buried and now I'd estimate a month I’ll be walking around Quantico.” She tries to joke but the two of them just end up cringing.
“You should also go talk to your brother, sweetie. I have a few things to finish up in here, and I assume Brennan didn’t come in here for sweet words.” Angela motioned towards the door as Dr. Brennan starts spouting things she needs Angela to look up.