A/N: Ok, so... this is my 4th fanfiction story. Hopefully if you guys like it, I will be motivated to see it through and keep uploading new chapters. I hope there are no spelling errors that I have missed but if there are, I apologise in advance! Review and tell me what you think. Enjoy!

Christine Booth collapsed on her new bed and winced as the mattress springs formed uncomfortable lumps beneath her. She sat up and arched her back, telling herself she would have to get used to many uncomfortable nights in this bed. She had just returned from freshman orientation and visited a few of the rooms where she would be taking classes in a couple of days, plus she'd sat through a tedious PowerPoint presentation about dining options and financial aid - she already felt exhausted. She had tried to memorise the layout of the campus earlier this morning but she'd given herself a headache and given up, instead opting to scope out the best places for coffee and return to the Anderson Building where she, like many of the other freshman, had been housed. Later on she would have to have her picture taken for her I.D pass, so she decided to add a little light make up and secure half of her hair up in the pretty, antique looking clip which had been a gift from her Aunty Angela. She turned on her laptop and whilst she waited for it to boot up, she took a few remaining photo frames from the last box she had started to unpack before she'd left her dorm earlier that day so she could place them on her desk beside her computer. She lightly blew dust off the largest picture frame which was silver and adorned with mother of pearl lavender flowers and dark green vine weaving itself all the way along the rectangular frame. She smiled at the memory the picture produced. She was fifteen years old wearing a light pink summer dress; her blue eyes shone and she smiled into the camera with a red flush dusting her cheeks and nose from sitting in the sun for too long the previous day. She had her arm draped around her mother's shoulders, whose identical blue eyes were slightly squinting from the sun and on her other side, her father's face was set in a huge grin as he stood with his own arm around her shoulders whilst he held a large bucket of shell's in his other hand. That picture had been taken three years ago on the beach in Fiji where she had been vacationing with her parents and she smiled as she remembered her father's mad dash towards her and her Mom after he'd set the timer on the camera. The next picture she set down was of her and her older brother Parker. She was six years old wearing a pair of denim shorts and a sunny yellow tee with little red rosebuds on it whilst sixteen-year-old Parker was smiling and had his arms around her shoulder's from behind whilst his curly hair flopped into his eyes. She set down the final picture which was smaller than the rest and showed her mother in a bright orange tunic with her hands on her huge round stomach smiling up at her father who had been taking the picture. Her Dad had told her that he had taken that picture 3 days before she was born. It was her favourite picture of her mother and before she had left for college, it had sat on her dresser in her bedroom at home. She turned to her computer and decided to check her email. The first one was from her mother's best friend; her Aunty Angela, asking if she had arrived safely and if Michael had stopped by her dorm room yet. She clicked the reply icon and wrote a brief description of her room and told Angela of her terribly boring morning and that she hadn't seen Michael yet. Thank God! Although she didn't include that last part. Michael was one of her least favourite people and had been since they were children. He had endlessly teased her when they had been younger and her dislike of him had carried on through pre-school to junior high, up until she was a freshman in high school and he had been a sophomore – that was when he had eventually just decided to ignore her. Of course neither her parents nor her Uncle Jack and Aunt Angela were aware of this fact since he went out of his way to be polite to her in front of them. Creep! She thought. The very thought of Michael Hodgin's made her want to heave!

The second email was from Parker checking in and she took her time replying; filling him in on every detail and even adding a few lines about the rat, Michael, who hadn't shown up yet. She had just clicked send, when her roommate whom she had met the day before, burst in with a coffee in one hand and a stack of paper's in the other with a bag that looked so heavy on her shoulder that it almost caused her to walk lop-sided. "Hey Christine", she said dumping everything but her coffee onto her bed and sitting down. Rachel was, in stark contrast to Christine, short. She stood at about five feet two with a tangled mess of red curls, pale skin and a little button nose dusted with freckles. She was slim but shapely wearing a denim mini skirt and a pale blue shirt with the first few buttons open showing the thin white vest top she wore underneath. She had teamed it with a pair of trendy brown sandals that looped around her big toes that were painted a deep shade of red. She was a scatter brained sort of girl with huge hazel eyes and an easy smile. Christine had liked her instantly and was glad that she hadn't been roomed with a stuck up bitch like the skinny blonde, Megan, next door. "I was thinking we could grab some dinner in a while if you're up for it"?

"Sure but first I have to have my picture taken for my ID pass. You want to come with"?

An hour later the two girls stood anxiously in line wondering if their picture would turn out to be horrendous or just mildly awful. Each girl that had been in line before them plopped down onto the little stool only to be shocked by a quick flash before they had even positioned themselves comfortably and were subsequently told to move along. One by one they protested but the photographer clearly didn't have a heart. When it was her turn Christine quickly sat on the little wooden stool and faced the camera. The photographer went so fast, she wasn't sure if he'd caught her smile or whether she'd be walking around with a picture of her eyes shut where she'd accidentally blinked for the next four years. She'd have to wait and see. Once Rachel had had her turn they headed to the cafeteria to see what was on offer. Christine opted for the chicken salad and diet coke whilst Rachel came away with the skinned chicken breast, mashed potato and a cream soda. It was only a little before six and the dining hall was only half full so Rachel and Christine sat at a table by themselves and scanned the room for cute guys. After seeing only three okay looking boys they turned their attention back to the food.

"So your Mom's a forensic anthropologist"? Asked Rachel sounding impressed.

"Yep, she works at the Jeffersonian Institute".

"What does your Dad do? Is he like a mad scientist"? Both girls laughed at once, especially Christine at the thought of her father working in a lab.

"God, no. He's an FBI Agent".

"Really? Wow. And what does your brother do"?

"Parker? He works for the DA's office in Chicago and plays every sport imaginable when he's not working", she laughed. Just then a leggy brunette wearing stone washed jeans and a high pony tail approached their table and handed them a flyer.

"Hope you girls can make it", she said before disappearing.

They both studied the flyer informing them of a party in their building tomorrow night at eight o' clock.

"Maybe we should check it out", said Rachel excitedly.

"I don't know. I can just see my father's face now".

"Oh, come on! Please? It'll be a great way to meet new people", pleaded Rachel putting her hands together as if she were about to pray.

"Okay, okay. We can go".

"Oh. My. God", squealed Rachel. "What are we going to wear"?

It was four in the afternoon the next day and Rachel had ducked out for coffee. Christine was stood with her head upside down, pointing a hairdryer at it when she heard a knock on the door. She shut off the dryer and stood up going dizzy for a split second. She straightened and moved toward the door to open it. Instantly she regretted answering; on the other side of the door stood Michael Hodgins. He grinned and moved straight past her, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. He flopped down on her bed only to sit up immediately. "Jeez, Chris. You might want to invest in a new mattress"!

She rolled her eyes and slammed the door irritably. "It's Christine! And what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be out, spreading your seed or something"?

That must have amused him because he gave a husky laugh and looked her up and down. "All things in their proper time Chris. By the way, you might want to do something with your hair".

"Shut up", she said snatching her dryer and taking a seat at her dresser to continue blow drying it.

Michael rolled his eyes and began to raise his voice over the noise. "If my Mom asks, I stopped by yesterday", he said standing and walking over to her wardrobe - an emerald green lacy top hung over her favourite pair of dark denim jeans. "Cute", he observed before turning to look at her. "You going somewhere"?

"What"? She shouted, turning off the dryer once again.

"I said, are you going somewhere"?

"Not that it's any of your business but I am going to a party tonight".

"The one in this building"? He asked as he reached for the clothes hanger and unhooked her top to study it further; no doubt another ploy to get on her nerves.

"Yes, Mikey", she smirked and snatched her top from his grasp. "The one in this building".

"What a small world", he chuckled. "Me too. See ya there, Chris". With that he opened her door and disappeared.

She hated him. It annoyed her even more that he was so good looking. He resembled his mother more than his father. He had her dark eyes and olive complexion with her straight white teeth plus her nose and the same chocolate coloured locks, only he wore his in a short style with a little spiked at the front. Whilst Christine was taller than a lot of her friends at five feet eight, he still stood taller than her at a little over six feet. It was worse when he smiled and the same cheek dimples that were always present when Angela Montenegro laughed or smiled also appeared on his face. It was clear through his t-shirts - like the dark blue one he'd worn today - that he worked out. The shape of his hard pecks, and obviously wash board abs, were evident as his shirt moulded to his body perfectly. Today, he'd had on a pair of worn Levi's that she noticed hung low on his narrow hips and hugged his butt.

"Eugh"! She disgusted herself thinking about him in that much detail and went back to drying her hair before she started picturing him naked.

By eight fifteen that evening both Christine and Rachel were dressed and ready to go. Rachel had teamed a beaded silver top with white skinny jeans and a pair of silver stiletto's – conveniently adding a few inches to her height. Christine was wearing the lacy emerald green top with sleeves that stopped in the middle of her forearms and her dark denim jeans. She'd added a pair of simple black flats and a silver charm bracelet adorned her wrist whilst her golden brown hair was tousled and fell past her shoulders. Both girls wore light make up with matching blood red nails. "Let's go", said Rachel grabbing her thin grey cardigan and opening their door. They made their way along the corridor and up the stairs to the third floor. They heard the thud of music instantly and moved toward a door half way along the corridor from which students were moving in and out.

They stepped inside and were met with the smell of beer and the ruckus of about fifty underage guys and girls, engaged in conversation or dancing in the middle of the room; each with a drink in hand.

"Chris"! The voice was unmistakable. "You made it!" Michael ambled towards them and handed both girls a beer.

"Gee… thanks". She rolled her eyes and then noticed Rachel looking at her expectantly. "Rachel this is Mikey. Mikey, Rachel", she said deliberately cocking her head towards him with a sweet smile and using the name that was usually reserved for his Mother. He gave her a quick smile before turning on the charm.

"It's just Mike or Michael", he said extending his hand to Rachel who was blushing furiously and shaking his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Mike or Michael", she said with a giggle. "Christine hasn't mentioned you." A low chuckle erupted from his lips.

"Really?" He said in mock surprise. "Chris and I go way back." He winked at Christine and grinned.

"For the last time, it's Christine".

"Whatever", he turned his attention back to Rachel. "Would you like to dance?"

"Sure, I'd love to."

As Michael and Rachel moved towards the middle of the room where a group were gathered writhing about to the beat like a pack of animals, Christine swigged her beer and made her way over to a group of girls she recognised from freshman orientation.

As one hour passed into the next the place began to fill up as more kids began to hear about the party. The festivities had spread into the two adjoining dorms to make room for everyone. Christine was on her fourth beer but with Seeley Booth for a father, she rarely drank and she realised it had gone straight to her head as she found herself giggling uncontrollably and dancing with a cute blonde guy named… she couldn't remember his name but he was a pretty decent dancer. At least she thought so until he started to put his hands where they didn't belong. She politely moved them away only for him to rest his palm firmly on her behind. She was about to tell him to keep his hands to himself when Michael approached them and took her by the hand. "It's time to go Chris", he said casually and pulled her away toward a small table where Rachel stood getting herself a coke.

"I could have handled that", she said yanking her wrist from out of his grasp. She knew she was being ungrateful but she couldn't stand the thought of Michael thinking he had come to her rescue.

"Sure you could", he said. "There's a group of kids hanging out outside. Let's get some fresh air", he suggested to Rachel but giving Christine a pointed look that suggested if she didn't follow him willingly he'd pick her up and carry her outside.

"Okay", said Rachel.

"Whatever". Christine shoved past Michael without Rachel noticing and linked arms with her friend as the three of them made their way along the corridor, down the stairs and out through the main entrance.

There were a group of students sat on a cluster of benches out on the grass whilst some sat under the surrounding tree's chatting and laughing – others lay in the grass on blankets. A group of girls called Rachel over to sit with them as they made their way towards everybody. "Do you mind guys?" She asked politely.

"Of course not", said Michael before making his way over to an empty bench and sitting on the table whilst resting his feet on the seat. Christine joined him, only because she needed to sit for a few minutes. As she took a deep breath and closed her eyes she was relieved that the cool night air was beginning to clear her head but she wished she had brought a jacket with her.

"Didn't you bring a jacket?" Michael asked as if reading her mind.

"Excuse me but I didn't know we'd be sitting outside. Besides", she added defiantly. "It's not that cold".

"Right", he exhaled sounding exasperated. Nonetheless, he shrugged out of his own brown leather jacket and placed it around her shoulders.

"Who asked you to do that?" She almost accused him, jumping at his touch.

"Most people just say thank you", he scoffed. He took a swig of the beer he'd brought with him from the party. "So… Rachel's a nice girl. Not exactly my type but she's cute".

Christine let out a snort at that and regarded him with amusement. "I thought female was your type".

A grin turned up the corners of his lips. "You're hilarious, did anyone ever tell you that?" he drooled disingenuously.

"I hear it every day", she said, clearly keen to have the last word. She was thinking of what else she could say to insult him when they heard a loud scream. A couple, who Christine had seen sneak behind the back of the building whilst making out only minutes earlier ran towards the group of students on the grass. Even in the dark the girl looked pale with wide frightened eyes.

"What's wrong?" Several people asked at once.

The girl grasped her chest as if to steady her breathing. "There's a body back there!".