"This is a child, approximately four years old, possibly Caucasian." Temperance Brennan frowned as she examined the tiny body in front of her. "Female" she continued professionally, but inside she was still reeling. It wasn't that she had never seen a body this young before, she had, in Guatemala, but that had been a massacre, not a planned murder. Who could possibly do that? Who could look down into the eyes of a terrified child, and still take their tiny fragile life.
The only other person currently in the lab was Special agent Seely Booth of the F.B.I. Brennan's partner for the past five years, they had been through a lot, and Booth knew how much this would be hurting her, even though she would hate to show it. Thinking of his own son, Booth was pretty distressed as well. He lay a comforting hand on the Forensic Anthropologist's shoulder.
Brennan didn't flinch away from the physical contact as she once could have. She was glad Booth was here. Brennan looked at the tiny skull, seeing the angelic face of a little girl, as she imagined she would look. And in a moment of overwhelming emotion, she turned around and wrapped her thin arms around her partners waist, and lay her head on his shoulder.
To say Booth was surprised would be an understatement, but he recovered quickly, enclosing her in a tight embrace. He stayed unmoving for a minute, before deciding to do the wrong thing for once, he slowly stroked his right hand through her hair.
Brennan stood stock still, so surprised she was speechless, a rare occurrence. It took her a minute to remember she was standing in the middle of the lab, where anyone could walk in at any time. Realising this, she reluctantly pulled away, although her face betrayed no hint of her inner emotion.
Booth let her go, just as he always had. It had been a stupid impulse move; he only hoped that she hadn't read too much into it. But just holding her, and knowing that he had to let go? That was never going to be enough.
Brennan returned to her work, trying to remain detached, and trying to ignore how acutely aware she was of the man standing behind her. Internally cursing emotion, she picked up the skull once more and squinted at the tiny bones.
Booth took his leave, silently stealing out of the room, as he reached the door; he took one look back through the glass. He sighed, no, holding her was never enough.