This first chapter is focused on the case because I want this to feel true to the show, but there will be some great B/B moments next chapter. Also, I'm really sorry if the forensic information is inaccurate. I did some research but didn't feel like going out of my way to verify every detail. I hope you like it.

"The body was found washed up on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay, severely decomposed but otherwise completely intact," explained Cam, describing the team's latest case.

"Female, mid to late twenties, there are no visible wounds. All bones are unbroken with no evidence of bruising." Brennan circled the body, leaning down a few times to get a better look.

"It looks like it…melted," Hodgins commented to the group. "Do you think she was cooked like that woman in the microwave?"

"No, the condition of the flesh and organs seems to indicate freezing then thawing post-mortem," Cam pointed to the woman's arm. "See how the flesh sags loosely away from the bone. Cooking would have made the muscle more solid." Then she turned to Brennan and said, "I'll run a tox screen to see if she had any drugs in her system."

As she finished, Booth dashed up the steps to the forensic platform, swiping his card as he passed. "So what's up with this latest corpse?" he asked, grimacing at the unsightly remains.

"Young adult female found washed up on a riverbank; appears to have been frozen," Brennan summarized.

"It's winter, so couldn't she have been frozen by the river itself?" Booth looked to the squints to confirm.

"That is possible, but of course we'll need more information to be sure. We will keep you informed as data comes in," Brennan reassured Booth, then turned to Angela. "How soon will the face be ready?"

"I'll have the rendering complete by tomorrow morning," answered Angela.

"Thanks, Ange," Brennan walked off the platform to returned to her office for more research, The obvious absence of physical injuries was strange to her and she needed to decide if this was simply an accident or if it was a homicide.

The next day, Cam strode into Brennan's office while waving a file in her hand. "Tox screen came back, she had trichloromethane in her blood stream."

"Chloroform," Brennan stated.

"Exactly, Hodgins also found traces in her mouth, throat and sinus cavity. It can be fatal in higher doses but the concentration in her blood was low enough that if likely only knocked her out for a few minutes."

Brennan was pacing the floor with the folder in her hand. Her forehead wrinkled in thought as she asked, "Is chloroform readily available?"

"Only in specialty store or online. To get it from a legitimate source one must provide a verified report of what they are using it for," Cam elaborated.

Brennan thought that over for a few seconds then decided that Booth would investigate more into that part of the murder, leaving the forensic part to as always. "Have we found a cause of death?"

Cam quickly replied, "Yes. The way her blood had coagulated in her core before she died indicates hypothermia."

Angela stepped inside as Cam was talking, "She was still alive when she was dumped in the river? Why would someone drug a girl then leave her to die in the river? Seems odd to me."

Brennan ignored Angela's questions and asked, "Have you identified the victim?"

"Erica Poulson, age 24, missing for 2 months, her age and height match the body," Angela looked slightly shook up as she explained.

Brennan took the folder from Angela and after reviewing it added, "As well as medical history and likely time of death." She glanced up at Angela and remarked, "You seem tense, is something bothering you?"

Angela shrugged, "It's nothing, just…she was an artist, like me."

"Don't worry, Ange. I doubt her profession has anything to do with her murder. Plus, this seems to be a single occurrence."

Angela nodded, "I know, but I feel like I can connect with artists in a way I can't with others. Killing an artist seems like a personal offence to me."

"Angela, that doesn't really make sense…" Brennan started to tell her friend.

Angela cut her off and smiled weakly. "Of course not, sweetie. Forget I said anything."

Brennan looked at her slightly confused, then shaking her head she stepped out to meet Booth who was walking towards her office door.

When she approached, Booth asked, "Got the I.D.?" When Brennan nodded he continued, "Great, we found the victim, let's find the murderer." Booth put out an arm gesturing for Brennan to go ahead as they walked to the car.

In the SUV, Booth was thinking aloud, trying to form a picture of the murder in his mind. "So, Erica was an artist, do you think this is another person trying to get more money for her paintings now that she's dead?" Booth speculated.

"Doubtful," Brennan replied. "Her file says she had only just finished school and she has only had one exhibit at the studio where she works. I imagine someone trying to get money would wait until she had completed more professional work. And there's her curious lack of wounds that almost entirely rules out a crime of passion."

Booth smiled at her, seeing how frustrating confusion was to her. "Well, right now, we are going to Baltimore to visit that studio where she worked, so perhaps someone there can give us more answers."

An enlightening conversation with the studio owner revealed that Erica had been the third girl this year to go missing while working for that studio.

"I simply thought that the first two were coincidences. Both those girls were the flighty, impetuous type. I wouldn't have put it past either of them to just leave without telling a soul," the manager explained the situation, "But you see, Erica, she was responsible, careful. Most people called her a perfectionist. Actually, quite an unusual personality for an artist. But still, I know that she'd speak to me if she was planning to leave."

Booth evaluated the man and stated, "So that's why you didn't report those girls missing until now. Not trying to cover tracks are we?"

The manager gave Booth a horrified look. "Of course not! I would never do something to those girls, but I am starting to worry something about my studio might be attracting a kidnapper…or a murderer."

Booth raised an eyebrow to the man, "I never said that she was murdered."

"She's a forensic anthropologist," he replied nodding towards Brennan. "I'm not stupid, I know what that means. But did she suffer… when she died ?"

Brennan told him, "No, she died from hypothermia which is uncomfortable but the victim usually feels warm in the end, and they just fall asleep."

The man look comforted as Booth began asking him some more questions. "Do you know of any people close to Erica? Family or friends?"

"There was this guy, Richard. I think they were dating. He came to visit her at work a few times. Besides him, she didn't really hang out with anyone else. She'd only been living here for a few months."

"Do you know where we could find him?" Booth asked politely.

"Yeah, he lives here in Baltimore but I'm not sure exactly where. His last name is…uh, Collins," he said snapping his fingers as he remembered the name.

"We appreciate your help," Booth and Brennan turned to leave when the manager called them back.

"Wait, there was also this creepy guy who came to all of our shows. He always seemed to be admiring the artists more than the art. I asked him to leave several times but he'd always be back for the next show. His name is Derek Jackson. Could he be a suspect?"

"Possibly, we'll look into it." Booth and Brennan left the studio and returned to the car.

They tracked down Richard Collins and met at his house where Booth wasted no time before he started grilling the suspect.

"So how was your relationship with Erica?"

"Great, until just a few months ago. I met her when she first moved into town and we really hit it off. But then, all of a sudden she broke up with me. She told me that I was holding her back. I thought this would pass after awhile but she stopped returning my calls. I even went to her apartment a few times but she was never there. Do you know what happened to her?" Concern filled the young man's face.

"I'm sorry to have to tell you this but she's dead." Booth felt some pity towards the seemingly heart-broken boy but he wondered if the pained expression was merely the cover-up of a murderer. The shocked pain in the man's face seemed genuine but Booth had learned long ago that murderers could be excellent actors.

"Dead? How's that possible?"

Brennan quickly replied, "The body shows signs of hypothermia. She was likely knocked unconscious then left to die in a freezing river." Booth cleared his throat to remind her to be sensitive when explain a victim's death to her loved ones.

"That's terrible. How could anyone possibly think of hurting her?"

"That's what we're trying to figure out, Mr. Collins. Were you angry when you guys broke up?"

"Of course I was upset," Richard replied, "but I loved her so I respected her decision. If I was supposed to be a part of her life, then she would come back to me eventually. I have to admit I was pretty depressed when she told me that I was holding her back. I told her I could change, but she wouldn't believe me. I just can't believe she was murdered. Someone like Erica deserves so much more than that." Tears he was trying to hold back were sliding down his face.

Booth glanced at Brennan but his slight frown showed that he didn't think this was a hopeful lead. "Thank you for your time. We'll keep in touch." The young man gave a mournful nod to the pair as Booth lead Brennan back to the car.

As soon as they made in back to the lab, Hodgins approached Brennan looking very excited. "I found particulates on the victim's clothing. There are some wood chips indicating she was either pushed or was leaning against something made of rotting wood, but more importantly I found trace of Boltonia asteroids. Commonly called White Boltonia, this flower is only found in a small region of southeastern Pennsylvania and northeast Maryland along the Susquehanna River."

"Excellent work, Hodgins." Brennan complimented. "Let's look for wilderness areas along that section of the river."

Hodgins pulled up a map on the computer and highlighted the area of interest.

"That's only a 10 mile length; we should be able to cover that in less than a day. Let's go, Bones!" Booth nearly ran off the platform excited to find the possible crime scene. Brennan made a quick call to confirm with backup then yelled back to Booth.

"We'll go search first thing tomorrow."

I hoped you liked the first chapter. Review!! There will be some Brennan/Booth moments in the next chapter, I promise!