I wasn't going to continue this, but i had nothing else to do, so i decided to give it a shot. Hope you guys like it. Please review.

Chapter 2

2 weeks earlier.

Brennan sighed as she focused on her computer screen, opening her document and starting to read over what she had written the other day. She couldn't force her mind to cooperate, though. At this rate, she'd be finishing her book some time next year! She sat back in her chair and pinched the bridge of her nose, blowing out yet another sigh.

"Long night?" came a questioning voice from her door.

Looking up, Brennan saw Booth leaning against the doorway, hands in his pockets, a look somewhere between a smile and a grimace on his face.

"Yes, it was. I should have written a chapter for my book last night. Writer's block," she replied, leaning forward in her chair again. "Do we have a case?"

"Bones, you don't look well. Maybe you should go home," he told her, concerned.

She stood up, completely ignoring Booth. "Come on. Let's go."

"What? No, I think you should get some sleep or something." He grabbed her by the wrist and firmly placed the back of his other hand on her forehead. "Wow, Bones. You're burning up. I think you're sick…"

Brennan scrunched her eyes in anger, confusing. "Booth, what are you talking about? I'm fine."

"Are you sure? Cause, I could have Zach help me with this one."

"You never want Zach. What's wrong, Booth?" she asked, sensing something.

Booth took a deep breath, his eyes becoming soft and caring. "Look, Bones… I'm just thinking that maybe you should sit this one out."

"What!? Why?" she yelled, exasperated.

He looked down. "Bones, they found a kid…"

"So? I know it's harder when it's a kid, but it's not like I get carried away. You…"

"Bones," he cut her off. "The kid was in the system." He sensed Brennan stiffen, and stolen glance revealed her expression as neutral as ever. But Booth knew better. "Bones…"

"Let's go, Booth." She turned and left the room quickly, leaving Booth staring after her, concerned about things to come and frustrated over what to do next.

"Temp?"

She didn't answer him. She didn't even acknowledge him. Instead she gazed outside her window.

"Temperance," Russ said, sternly. "It's been days. They're not coming back."

She shifted a little, but she didn't turn to him. Instead she held her gaze outside the window, to snow covered driveway below. They had left, but they would return. Her parents would not leave without telling her. They wouldn't do that to her. Russ was just stupid and upset.

"Temp." She barely acknowledged the emptiness in his voice. "I can't do this anymore. I just can't do this…"

She didn't move.

He gave a sigh of frustration. "Please, say something."

She didn't even hear him.

A silence spread throughout the room. She heard him take a deep breath. Probably trying to figure out what to say next.

"Look… Temp… I'm going Johnny's house for a while. Ok? Will you be ok by yourself? I'll be back soon. I promise."

She turned to him, her blue eyes bright and wide. "That's what mom said," she told him softly, her voice raspy.

Russ avoided her piercing gaze. He hesitated at her doorway for a moment, unsure of what to do. Making a decision, he sighed, and quickly left her room. Temperance slowly returned her gaze to the window and she silently watched as her brother drove away. She blinked back her tears. She would stay at this window and wait for his return as well as her parents.

"Bones…"

She looked up. He had brought her out of her thoughts.

"…you alright?" Booth asked quietly, glancing in the rear view mirrors to avoid staring at his partner.

Brennan took a deep breath before answering, her hands folded neatly in her lap.

"I'm fine Booth. It's just another case okay?"

Booth raised an eyebrow. "You're sure? Because it wasn't just another case the last time it involved a foster child."

Brennan tensed and threw him an icy glance. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean you were emotional last time. You took it personal, it's understandable, but it's not going to do anyone any good if you hide it."

"Booth," The edge of her tone was sharp enough to draw blood, "I'll put this in laymen's terms for your benefit. I. Am. Fine."

Booth glanced at her; the look in her eyes left no room for argument. "Alright Bones. Point taken."

The rest of the drive was spent in complete silence.

"The body was found by a young boy who was taking his dog for a walk." A police officer escorted the pair down a dirt pathway and into a dense forest.

"The kid was walking his dog in here?" Booth asked in disbelief, ducking to avoid being hit by a branch. The policeman smirked as he looked back to see Booth glaring at the forensic anthropologist.

"No. They were playing fetch over their," the officer pointed to a park at the forest edge. "His dog suddenly ran away and the boy followed him." He stepped aside once they reached the large ditch for Brennan to have access to the remains.

"Be careful, Bones. If you trip you could break something."

She glared at him, as she snapped on a pair of latex gloves. "I'm always careful, Booth."

He smirked. "Of course you are," he said sarcastically.

She stared at him confused. "I know. I just told you that."

"Sarcasm Bones. It's called sarcasm."

As Brennan made her way down into the ditch, the officer looked over at Booth.

"Must be tough fighting with your girlfriend when you work so closely together." Booth's jaw twitched.

"W-we… s-she's not my girlfriend… we only work together." Booth said quickly, his cheeks becoming flushed.

"Uh huh. I'll believe that as soon as the Chargers win the Super Bowl." Booth scowled, and turned his attention to Brennan while she poked at the remains.

"…female early teen's ..." She moved up the body slightly to look at the bits of skull that were showing. "Most likely Caucasian though that's currently based more on what remains of her flesh..."

"Any signs for cause of death?" Booth pulled out his notebook and a pencil, warily eying the huge birds flying overhead.

"Damage to the cervical vertebrae and parietal bone suggests a fall."

"Well, there aren't that many cliffs around here to make that possible," the officer threw in as Brennan stood up. "Maybe she fell into this ditch..."

"Impossible," she told him sternly. "The ditch isn't big enough. The fall would have been from higher up.

"Anything else will have to be discovered in a lab." She snapped off her gloves and looked at the police officer. "Could you please have these remains shipped to the Jeffersonian? I have a lot of work to do."

I'll have the next chapter (hopefully) up soon. But could you guys please tell me what you think, because I don't want to continue this if it's bad.