6 months later…

"I can't seem to figure this out- goodness this is going to be the death of me!"

"Charlotte, you've been here all night. You need to go home and get some sleep."

"Booth, that's the last thing I need right now… I just need to… to…" Charlotte starts to tear up and Booth reaches for her and holds her close as she sobs into his chest.

"Charlotte, you can't have all the answers."

"But… Bo… Booth, these girls died so young. I need to know why and if I can profile who this is, we might have a better chance. It's my job."

"It's not just your job; it's the responsibility of all us. You're not alone in this lab or this world. You have me," He says taking her by the chin and wiping her tears from her eyes. Hodgins comes in with results on the demographics of the case.

"I'm sorry, I should've knocked."

Charlotte insists that it's fine as she wipes her tears away hoping he didn't see too much. She assures that Booth can go.

"What have you got for me?" she says regaining her composure.

"Judging by soil samples we're were looking for neighborhoods closest to Martin's Elementary School and he has to live on…" she cuts him off with pure fear in her tone.

"Mulberry Street?" She backs up slowly horrified as though she can't breathe.

"Yeah, wait Charlotte- what's wrong? BOOTH!"

Soon more of the team gathers reacting to Hodgins' yelling. Booth comes running in asking what's wrong, ready to draw his gun at a moment's notice.

"Y… you said that he wasn't around anymore; you said he was locked up."

Cam starts to question what she's talking about as Bones walks in asking what's wrong and Booth announces that everyone should leave the room so he can talk to Charlotte alone.

"He was locked up three years ago, but he got out on stolen evidence."
"And you didn't think this was important enough to tell me?" she says drenched in anger and sympathy.

"I thought if you didn't know then he wouldn't find you anyway."

"I can't believe you didn't tell me. I thought I could trust you."
"You can trust me. I only did it so that you wouldn't change your pattern because that's how he got you the last time."

"Booth…"

"Plus I've had agents watching you for the last three years. I've known where you were at all times. You were always safe."

She stutters and tries to say something, but instead nods and sits in her chair holding her head. Booth puts both hands on her shoulders and asks if she needs anything else before he leaves; she puts a hand over one of his and shakes her head. He hesitantly leaves the room, but before he does he adds: "I don't think you should go home tonight- you could stay at my place; just to make sure you're safe."

"I don't need to hide, Booth. I'll be safe by myself."

"No, you need to trust me on this, like you used to."

"I'll think about it."

"I guess if that's all I can get," he smiles softly and leaves her hoping she'll take him up on the offer.

Hodgins comes in soon after Booth leaves.

"Charlotte, I don't mean to bother you and I have no idea what you've been through, but if you need to talk- I might be of help. I kind experienced some of my own trauma… when I was buried alive."

Charlotte looks up, amazed that he'd share that with her so soon: "I had no idea that was you. I'm sorry that I have no idea what to say."

"It's not a problem. It was a long time ago, but again if you need anything just let me know."

"Thank you."

"No problem," he replies as he's about to leave.

"Hodgins, wait!"

"Yeah," he says hurriedly sticking his head back into the room.

"I know we are just good friends, but you said anything and I was wondering if I could go home with you tonight- not in that way, but I figured if you've been through something similar then maybe you have an idea of what it's like to be to afraid to sleep because you might never wake up the next day… was that rude of me to say?"

"No, I know exactly what you're talking about," he chokes up slightly on the mentioning of the issue.

"I'll be taking of in about ten minutes if that works for you?"
"That will be perfect. Thank you Hodgins."

"Don't mention it."

She thinks a little about how much she's just asked of him, but there's just something about him that feels so… so… safe. She calls Booth to tell him where she's going and he tells her to call if she needs anything else.

On the drive home Charlotte and Hodgins hold on a casual conversation; both knowing that heavier issues lie ahead. He helps her out of the car and into the house. He asks her if she'd like something to drink and she asks for water to settle her nerves. While Hodgins is in the kitchen, she begins to look around the living room; gandering at all the family photos and souvenirs and finally decides to sit on the couch. She hunches over holding her temples trying to unscramble her brain. He comes in handing her a glass and sits as she thanks him. They sit for a few silent moments that occur without any discomfort.

"So…" she laughs at the silence.

"I would ask how work is going, but I kind of already know the answer to that," he says trying to break the ice.

"Yeah, I think you have a pretty good idea, but I guess there are still some things you don't know."

"Listen," he puts a hand on her knee, "You don't have to tell me anything- we can just talk about random things or nothing at all."

She looks at his hand and puts hers over it, "I know, but there are just some things that can't stay secrets. You know that."

He nods and flinches a little thinking about being trapped in that car all over again.

"I don't know anything about what you've been through, but I know that I can relate to you because thinking about being in that car, counting the minutes down until the oxygen would run out and…" he chokes up slightly and she grabs onto his hand even tighter.

"We don't have to let it all out now- we can do it slowly."

He nods and clenches his jaw trying to think about something else as she bites her lip worrying that she's mentioned the wrong thing and that coming here was a bad idea. She suggests they talk about regular things like family and passions and that's how the night continues; they share their happiest memories and their greatest achievements while their deepest secrets dwelled deep into their minds. Soon the sun rose and Hodgins woke up to find that they both fell asleep on the couch and she with her head resting on his chest and he with his arm around her. He tried dearly not to move for fear of waking her. He liked just knowing that she might feel safe with him, because he knew he felt safe with her. He gently moved her so he could get up, but she awoke in the process and looked kind of embarrassed as she suggested they should leave for work. He kindly agreed and helped her stand up and reminded her where the bathroom was. They drove to work in an agreed silence and went each their separate ways once they arrived, not before sharing eye contact that said that everything was going to be okay.