A/N- This is part one of a three part story, part two is in the works now. This is my first Bones fic, so any pointers would be appreciated.

Temperance Brennan squinted at the clock on the desk, it read 10.23pm. She sighed, no wonder she was having trouble concentrating. This case was really beginning to get to her, they had found more than enough evidence, but none of it seemed to be adding up to a suspect. The fact that two of the victims were living under assumed identities didn't help, but the other two should have provided enough to go on.

But staring at their bones hadn't got her anywhere, and it had been all she'd done since Angela had tried to get her to agree to a night out three hours ago. She'd shaken her friend off, unable to face a night of frivolity whilst this case was still hanging over her head. There was something hauntingly familiar about it, something she should recognise, but she just couldn't put her finger on it. She really should go home, she had told Angela she was staying to wait for the victims original identities to be faxed over, but given the time of night they weren't likely to come through now.

"You're still here." His voice called from behind her. She knew it was him, she'd heard his quiet footsteps approaching, but hadn't turned around, hoping he might not see her. Normally she would have been glad to see Booth, hoping that they might be able to bounce some ideas off each other and come up with something. But Booth knew her too well, knew her better than anyone, and he'd see how off balance she was with this case. She'd spent a long time earning his respect, she didn't want to seem weak.

"Yeah, I'm just finishing up." She turned around to face him, hoping she was managing to keep her voice even.

Apparently she hadn't, as Booth stepped closer to her and said in the soft voice that sent shivers down her spine, "This one's really bothering you, isn't it?"

He just knew her too well, and attempting to hide anything was pointless. "There's something about these injuries, the positioning of the blows. I know who did this, I just can't seem to remember."

Booth watched her agitated stance as she gestured at the bones. Silently he thought that it was likely more than the wounds that were bothering her. Two of the women they had found were products of the fostercare system, and the false identities of the other two would more than likely prove them to be something similar. Three of the women appeared to be long term drug abusers, and one showed evidence of prolonged domestic abuse. The fate of these women was a little to close to home for him, and he suspected that it had shaken her too. But then, it was Bones, and he was never quite sure what was going on inside her head.

"They'll still be here in the morning Bones," was the best he could do at reassuring her. She heard the tiredness in his voice and realised he was struggling with this one too.

"You're right," she said as she removed her lab coat, grabbing her bag as they left the forensics lab.

"I know I'm right," he quipped as he followed her out to the parking lot.

She gave him a wan smile, all that she could muster. That drew him closer, his fingers bringing her chin up so that she was looking into his eyes, his breath warm on her face.

"We will get this one Bones, I promise you that."

She wanted to tell him that he couldn't know that for sure, that he couldn't promise that, but he was so damn close and she found she couldn't say anything at all. Then he stepped away and the moment was gone, she could breathe again.

"Thanks Booth."

"Goodnight Bones."