AN – Hey, this is my first Bones Fanfic so bit nervous bout how it'll be received. It'll be from Brennan's PoV for the first few parts (will let you know when it changes) and is slightly Alternate Universe due to the character I'm bringing in…hope you guys like it, but either way please review so if it's not good, I can improve. Thanks heaps :)

Chapter 1

Brennan looked over at the body behind the yellow tape, a frown crossing her face before she looked at Booth who was walking beside her. "Booth why am I here? The body appears---"

"Appearances can be deceiving Bones," he cut her off, trying not to grimace.

Her frown deepened as she ducked under the tape. It was only as the smell hit her that realisation set it. She looked at the blanket covering the head and upper chest before turning back to Booth, brows raised.

"If you haven't noticed, we're in the middle of a park Bones. We can tape off the area but it's not going to stop passers by having a look," he said, looking around pointedly at all the people who were walking by the area as they spoke. In a more hushed voice he added, "If you could just focus on the crime scene here and then deal with the body when we get back to the lab…it'd be greatly appreciated," he said, his eyes pleading.

Brennan sighed. It went against her procedure to not at least do a preliminary on the scene, but she just couldn't force herself to say no to him when he was looking at her like that. She sighed again, rolling her eyes at him but nodding slowly, smiling as he sighed with relief.

She instructed Zach where to take photos before looking around the scene. "This wasn't just a murder…the killer wanted to send out a message. It's a popular public place. Either they want to show the police they think they're untouchable or make a point to the victim's allies," she said, taking in the park bench the victim lay next to just outside the shade of a nearby oak tree.

"Or both," Booth groaned, following her over to the body. "Whatever you do, don't move that blanket Bones," he warned as she moved closer to the body.

She shot him a glare over her shoulder before returning her gaze to the victim. Any preliminary she might have managed was going to be difficult not only because all the damage seemed to be hidden under the blanket, but also because one of the officers had just spotted someone hiding in the oak tree.

"Hey I said freeze!" the officer spoke loud enough for them to hear him.

"Officer either put your gun away or I'll do it for you and you may never find all the pieces again," came a woman's reply.

Brennan was surprised to here a growl from behind her. Turning to look at Booth, she saw he was already making his way over to the pair.

"It's alright Stevens, you can lower your weapon," he told the officer, though his eyes never left the woman.

"But---"

"I said lower it!" Booth glared at the officer, who shuddered before holstering his gun and walking away quickly.

Brennan looked her over. She was a head shorter than Booth, wearing a pair of tight black cargo pants and a camo singlette top. Her blonde hair was tied in a high, neat ponytail and she stood eyeing the officer with an air of confidence, though a Cheshire grin spread across her face as she looked back at Booth. "Aww if it isn't Mr February to save me," she said walking over to him.

"I go by Agent Booth these days," he said, glaring at her, though the smile was obvious in his voice.

"Ooh an agent now?" she asked teasingly, her smile broadening. "And who might this be?" she asked looking over his shoulder at Brennan who'd made her way over.

Booth followed her gaze, a faint blush crossing his cheeks. "Oh sorry, Bones this is---"

"March," she said, extending her hand to Brennan. "Bones huh? That's---"

"My name's Dr Brennan," Brennan said with as much friendliness as she could manage, finding herself irrationally disliking this woman she'd only just met.

If March noticed it, she gave no indication. "Dr Brennan? The Dr Brennan?" she asked her eyes flicking back to Booth before steadying on Brennan once again.

Brennan noticed a hint of mockery in her tone, and glanced over at Booth for a clue on how to take it, only to find him cringing.

"March," he said warningly, causing Brennan to frown once again, though March showed no sign of guilt. "So what are you doing here?" he asked after an awkward silence had fallen over the group.

She smiled at him. "You know - the usual. You?" she asked, stepping forward as she tried to look over his shoulder at the scene.

Booth glared at her as he blocked her view. "Same. How long are you in town for?"

She whipped around to face him again, looking clearly upset by the question. "Uh…I hadn't given it much thought," she mumbled, her former confidence seeming to have vanished for a moment. It quickly returned though as she put a hand on his shoulder. "But I'll make sure you're the first to know when I've decided," she smiled. "Anyway, I should get going. It was nice meeting you Bones," she said looking at Brennan before turning back to Booth. "I might see you around," she told him before turning and walking away.

"Who was that?" Brennan asked turning on Booth as soon as she was certain March was out of earshot.

Booth sighed. "I can't tell you," he said softly.

"You can't---" her words were cut off by the ring of her cellphone. "Brennan," she snapped, annoyed to be distracted.

"Hi, could I speak to Agent Booth please," the woman's voice on the other end asked.

"Booth?" she asked, her temper rising.

"Yes, Agent Seeley Booth. I believe he's with you," the voice said, sounding frustratingly familiar.

Brennan glared at Booth as she passed the phone to him. "It's for you," she said venomously.

Booth took the phone very cautiously, giving her an apologetic look as he lifted it to his ear. "Agent Booth," he said, looking off in the distance.

Brennan glared at him as he first groaned then laughed heartily, running a hand through his hair.

"Why couldn't you have just gotten a taxi?" he asked grumpily, though he continued to smile, looking across to where he'd parked his SUV.

Brennan followed his gaze, her eyes bulging when she noticed March leaning against the SUV talking on a cellphone. Even from this distance it was obvious she was laughing as she looked directly at Booth before speaking again.

"Yeah, I don't move around as much as some people," Booth was saying, half glaring at her now.

Brennan watched as March looked to the ground, her face more sombre when she looked back up. She turned to look at Booth, whose smile had also faded a bit, returned with a gentler, reassuring one.

"Sure. And March?" He sighed deeply, an intense frown crossing his face as he closed the phone and passed it back to her.

Glancing back to the SUV once more, Brennan noticed March had already hung up the phone and climbed into the SUV, and she guessed she hadn't heard his last words. "She's taking your car!" she flared.

"Would you keep your voice down?" Booth said, spinning on her.

Brennan opened her mouth and closed it a couple of times before she was able to speak again. "She's stealing your car and you want me to keep my voice down?" she asked in an icy tone, though quietly.

"Yes," Booth said softly, unable to meet her gaze.

"And you can't tell me who she is?" she asked, remembering her earlier question.

"No," he said softly, looking to the ground.

"Or what this is about?" she asked hopefully, wishing he would meet her gaze.

"No," he said, his voice sounding even more regretful.

Brennan threw her hands up in frustration. "We're supposed to be partners Booth!" she seethed.

"We are!" he said, finally meeting her gaze. "Look, it's not so bad," he said, giving her a hopeful smile. "We're not that far from the Jeffersonian. I'll just get us a taxi---" he trailed off having patted all his pockets, his frown returning. "Umm could I borrow $20?"

Brennan's eyes bulged. "She steals your keys and your wallet, and you want to borrow money?!?"

"I'll pay you back," he said, giving her his best puppy dog eyes.