A/N:Hey, so we all know that Bones is a workaholic, especially in the early seasons but I felt that we never really got to see how that might affect her, or what consequences it might have. It won't be heavy but I might weave in some angst in there somewhere! This will probably be a glorified one-shot split into a few manageable chunks. Will update frequently, happy reading :)

Temperance sighed scanning the bones on the table again; fractures to most of the carpals and phalanges, extensive trauma to the occipital region of the skull (definite cause of death.) Added together all the bone markers are consistent with a violent attack – one in which the victim struggled. Brennan almost hated cases this clean cut, feeling as though she should spend more time with each victim. Her cursory examination felt all too impersonal, they deserved more of her dedicated attention, and despite her often perceived absence of emotion she often felt guilty about it.

Brennan's joints protested as she stood up and stretched out her muscles, she took the time to gently place the skeleton back into its box labelled with the victim's name, soon to be joined by cause of death. It would take around an hour to complete her part of the paper work, then the simple open / close case would be solved, it's the least she could do to put the remains back herself and not leave the job to an intern.

After printing out a new label Brennan sealed up the box and took it back to storage where it would sit until the paperwork was cleared and then remains could be released to the family. She ran a palm delicately over the lid, wiping away invisible dust.

Lilith chandler : age 27 : Cause of death; fatal blow to the skull : Case closed.

Another case solved, back to the office to complete and send the paperwork to Booth for submitting, and then maybe there might be time to finish that chapter for the publisher's impending deadline.

45 minutes and a cold coffee later the paper work had been emailed to Booth, and her work had been done for the night. Glancing at the clock at the corner of the screen she sighed, 11:23. If she left the office now she wouldn't get home until gone midnight, by which the chances of her actually sitting and working would be significantly reduced on account of being in such close proximity to her comfy bed. With the decision made for her Brennan pulled up the working document of 'chapter 14' then she walked purposely up to the brake area to replenish her coffee mug.

Brennan had been waiting for the kettle to boil, sat postulating on whether Kathy should escape from her kidnappers unaided (Brennan's preferred option.) Or if she should be saved by Andy (the scenario that her publisher would no doubt tell her would please the readers more) she became deeply immersed in her internal musings, so much so that she missed the delicate clicking approaching up the stairs to the platform.

"Doctor Brennan?"

Cam's voice cut through her consciousness, startling her out of her thoughts, she immediately sat up straightening her back and ironing out her expression. "Oh, I apologise Doctor Saroyan, I thought everyone had left." Brennan got up from the sofa and walked to the kettle and began to make refill her mug, and remembering the polite thing to do she extended the courtesy. "Would you like a cup of coffee?"

Cam held her hands up "No thank you, I'm leaving for the night. I just came to remove my week old salad from the fridge before I get another lecture from Hodgins about bacteria and food."

"Yes, Hodgins is right; it could potentially be very harmful…" Brennan stopped herself launching into a lecture, even she could tell that it would benefit neither one of the women as both already had knowledge on the subject.

"I know, and I will put it in the nearest bin available" Cam shot an awkward smile as she gathered her things, Brennan was stood putting the milk into her coffee. "Aren't you heading home yet Doctor Brennan? I've approved and signed off the paperwork for the case, so there isn't any work left to do!" Cam had noticed that Brennan had consistently been the last member of the lab to leave these past few days, with a sneaking suspicion that the good doctor maybe hadn't been home in a few nights.

"No, I'm working on a chapter of my new book; I find that I can concentrate more when I'm in the lab." Wrapping her tired fingers around the warm mug Brennan blew on the hot liquid and started towards the stairs "Good night Doctor Saroyan."

"Yes, good night Doctor Brennan, see you in the morning." Cam watched Brennan disappear down the stairs and into her office, and after a brief internal debate she pulled out her phone.

"Booth"

"Hey Seeley, it's Cam…"

"Hey Cam, what's up?"

"Are you still at the Hoover?"

"I am, if it's about the paperwork for the case then I'm just co-sighing Bones' part and then I'm sending it!"

Cam chuckled "No, it's not about the paperwork, I was just wondering if you wouldn't mind maybe popping by the Jeffersonian on your way and check up on Doctor Brennan?"

Booth was instantly on alert "Why, what's wrong with Bones?"

"Nothing really, but I don't think that she's been getting a lot of sleep lately, I've checked the records and she hasn't clocked out at least twice this week. I don't want her to expire from exhaustion when a new case comes in."

"Urm, okay…"

"I know it's late, but maybe just persuade her to go home?"

"Yeah, sure thing Cam, thanks for letting me know. I'll drag her home if I have too"

Cam nodded smiling at the image "Thanks Seeley, I don't think she would take it well if I was the one to ban her from the lab at night…"

"Well if she keeps not going home you might have too" They both laughed at the thought "Anyway, I'll make sure she gets home, thank for calling Camille…"

"No problem Seeley, and thank you." Cam disconnected the call and continued on home, making sure to let security know that Booth would be dropping by soon.

A/N: Cheers for reading, let me know what you think if you so desire!