A/N: What a week it's been. I'm not sure words can explain the craziness and stress my life is having. But I'm not here to complain; I'm here to post.

Effie and Melissa…I don't think I could do it without either of you. Thanks for being such great friends.

Disclaimer: I still don't own them. I just like to make them my puppets for awhile.

ooo

Brennan flipped open her laptop and, with a few strokes of the keys, was connected to the private wireless Internet that allowed her direct and secure access to the Jeffersonian. Seconds later Cam and Hodgins appeared on her screen.

"Good morning Brennan," Cam greeted with a smile and Brennan only nodded her hello as her eyes scanned the information that they had sent ahead to her. "The dentals and medical records confirmed your findings. The remains are Alyssa Jasper."

"I thought so," Brennan said quietly and motioned for Booth to join her on the conference feed. "Hodgins, time of death."

"The insects samples provided showed several Popillia japonica larva and some pupa. I would say that the body was only at the location you found it for six to eight weeks. However, there were traces of Gastropoda mucous that shows a time of death around August."

Booth leaned over to Brennan and whispered, "Do I even want to know what that is?"

Brennan shook her head and then turned back to the screen. "Was there anything to show a location about where he kept her before he killed her or before he dumped her at the park?"

"I'm working on pulling particulates off the shreds of clothes that we received," Hodgins offered as an apology. "I'll have something for you as soon as I can."

"Thank you Dr. Hodgins," Brennan responded finding her way back to the professional tone and address that usually accompanied casework. "Any leads on cause of death?"

"I'll let Wendell take this one over," Cam answered and less than a minute later Brennan was viewing the lab's platform and Dr. Bray and Mr. Manning examining the remains. "Dr. Bray, please fill in Dr. Brennan with your findings."

"Of course," Wendell stated and turned to the microscope and pulled it over a section of the ribs. "There are fractures on the third, forth, and fifth right ribs, all results of blunt force trauma. And both of her legs were broken below the knees. In addition we also found a subdural hematoma near the back of the skull."

"Cause of death?"

"I would venture to say the hematoma," Wendell offered and then after a moment added, "but she suffered quite a bit before she died."

"I concur," Brennan answered affirmatively, her voice dropping in sadness. "Please confirm cause of death and the murder weapon."

"Of course Dr. Brennan," Wendell assured her immediately and Brennan flipped back over to Cam's feed. "Did you run a tox screening?"

"The results aren't in yet," Cam answered, "but I will let you know if anything comes up."

"Thank you Cam."

"Of course Brennan," Cam replied with a smile. "What is your next plan of action?"

"We are going to go inform Alyssa Jasper's family that we found her," Booth replied sadly. "Then we question the Girl Scout troupe leader."

"Good luck."

"Thanks Cam," Booth answered before Brennan could say anything and terminated the conference feed. "You ready Bones?"

"I'm never ready for this part," Brennan answered honestly, "but I know it's what we have to do."

"It is," Booth answered and wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Let's head out, get the addresses from the local sheriff's office."

Brennan nodded but instead of pulling away from Booth's embrace she squeezed her arms around him tighter and rested her head against his shoulder. Booth rubbed his hands up and down her back.

"Bones, you okay?"

Brennan nodded against his chest and took a deep breath in. "I'll be fine Booth. But thank for you for caring."

"I'll always care about you," Booth answered and pressed his lips against her forehead. "Okay, let's go."

ooo

Sweets sat behind his desk and flipped through the newest draft of his book and sighed. It was finally completed, edited with the information that Booth and Brennan had corrected about their first case and the events of the past two years added in. The only drawback is he had kept this draft a secret from the crime-fighting duo and he wasn't sure what they would think of it.

When his computer dinged signaling a request for a video conference he couldn't help but jump slightly.

"You're awfully jumpy today Sweets," Angela's voice teased through the screen of the computer. "What do you have there?"

"Nothing," Sweets answered much too closely and Angela raised an eyebrow in question at him. Sweets changed the subject briskly, "What can I help with you with Angela?"

"I was wondering if you and Julie had any plans for tonight," Angela responded with a smile.

"Nothing as of yet," Sweets responded, "aren't you working on the case with the remains from Indiana?"

"We are," Angela confirmed, "but I was hoping that you might be able to help out with Zander tonight. Julie mentioned giving her a call whenever we needed her…"

"She loves babysitting for him," Sweets assured her, "is everything okay with Carrie?"

Angela nodded, in reference to the nanny that had been employed by the Hodgins since two months after Zander's birth, "it's just simply her night off. Jack would take him home but he's frustrated that he can't figure out some of the evidence from the clothes. And Wendell just gave me some of the measurements from the murder weapon and I want to get a head start on figuring out what it is."

"I'll give Julie a call," Sweets assured her, "but I don't think it'll be a problem to watch him tonight."

"Thanks Sweets," Angela said with a sigh of relief. "We really appreciate it."

"It's totally cool," Sweets answered, "I'll call you right back as soon as I've talked to her."

Angela bid him a quick goodbye and Sweets hit the speed dial for Julie and waited for his girlfriend to pick up her phone.

"Perfect timing," Julie greeted after only two rings, "I just sent the kids to recess. What's up?"

"You up for a night of babysitting?"

"For Zander?" Julie questioned, "of course. What are Angela and Jack up to?"

"They're working on a case and Carrie has tonight off," Sweets explained, "Angela called and asked me if I thought we'd be interested."

"I'm always interested in watching Zander," Julie assured him and he could hear the smile through the phone. "Does she need us to pick him up at the lab?"

"Not sure," Sweets answered, "but I'll check with her."

"Okay," Julie said, "text me to let me know. And if we do I'll run by the lab after I get out of school."

"Sounds good Jules," Sweets responded. "I'll let you know as soon as I talk to Angela."

"Sure. Have you heard from Brennan and Booth? Do you think they'll need you for this case."

"I haven't heard anything yet," Sweets said with a sigh. "But they'll let me know. It depends, I think, on what the facts say."

"Well, I'm sure they'll use you. You're always a great help to them."

"You're feeding my ego today," Sweets teased, "I like it."

"I have to go," Julie said a few minutes later, "I'll see you later tonight."

ooo

Booth pulled up in front of the modest two-story home and Booth took a deep breath as he turned off the engine. He reached across the console and threaded Brennan's fingers through his own and smiled as she squeezed his fingers.

"Are you ready?"

Brennan nodded slowly and their hands separated as they left the car. "This will never get easier, will it?"

"No," Booth answered honestly, "but I think that isn't necessarily a bad thing."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because it means that even after six years of dealing with death and murder we hadn't been hardened by it."

"That is logical," Brennan agreed quietly. "But I think sometimes it would be easier if I didn't see their faces."

Booth paused on the front lawn and pulled Brennan to his chest. "You're amazing," he whispered in her ear, "just know that. And remember, I love you."

"I know," Brennan assured him, "and I love you too. And thanks."

"Come on," Booth said and gently pushed away, "let's not freak them out by standing on their lawn."

"You're probably accurate about that."

Brennan followed Booth up to the door and before he raised his hand to knock, Brennan gently removed her entwined fingers from his as she switched into work mode. His eyes met her for a brief moment before he rapped on the door. The door swung open and they were face to face with a brunette that Brennan was able to determine nearly immediately was Alyssa Jasper's mother.

"Mrs. Jasper," Booth greeted and pulled out his badge, "I'm Special Agent Seeley Booth and this is my partner, Dr. Temperance Brennan of the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington DC. Is your husband home?"

"Yes, I'm Caroline Jasper" the woman answered as Brennan watched her face visibly pale. "It's Alyssa right? This is about Alyssa?"

"We're afraid so," Brennan answered quietly, "may we speak to you?"

"Come in," Mrs. Jasper responded, "let me get my husband."

She lead them into a comfortable looking living room and motioned for them to sit before she hastily made her way out of the room. Brennan took in the pictures on the mantle and the obviously lived in room.

"I'm Mike Jasper," a man's voice said and interrupted Brennan's thoughts. She rose to her feet alongside Booth as he went through their normal greeting once again. "You've found Alyssa?"

"Was it the body they found out at the park?" Caroline Jasper questioned and Brennan knew she was close to hysterics. "I…I'm sorry."

"The remains we recovered," Brennan started and Booth cleared his throat as a sign for her to ease up before she continued, "I'm sorry to tell you, were confirmed as your daughter earlier today."

"Oh my god!" Caroline gasped and leaned into her husband's embrace. "Can I see her? Please, I need to see my daughter."

Booth took a deep breath and Brennan waited for him to speak. His voice was soothing when he finally did. "Dr. Brennan is a forensic anthropologist that specializes in identification when, when the body is unrecognizable by normal procedures."

"Oh god," Mike exclaimed as a new set of sobs were released from his wife's lips. "Do you know what happened to her?"

"Not yet," Booth answered, "but we have our best team working to find out that very question. I know this is difficult, but we need to ask you a few questions."

Both Caroline and Mike Jasper nodded and for the next thirty minutes Booth and Brennan questioned them about Alyssa, the activities she was involved with, and if either of them had any enemies that would be interested in hurting their family.

The front door slamming is what pulled the four adults from their conversation. A voice called through the house.

"Mom! MOM!"

"I'm sorry," Caroline apologized right away, "that's our son Jeremy."

"MOM!"

"Living room Jeremy," Mike called back and a tall brown haired boy walked into the room. "Jeremy is our oldest, he's sixteen."

"What's going on?" Jeremy asked as he took in Booth and Brennan.

"This is Agent Booth and Dr. Brennan," Caroline explained, "from the FBI."

"The FBI?"

"They are investigating Alyssa's…" Caroline's voice trailed off as she found herself unable to complete the sentence. She took a deep breath, but was unable to stop the tears from falling again.

"We're just asking some questions to see if we can find out what happened to your sister," Booth interjected. "To make sure whoever hurt her can't hurt anyone else."

"She's dead," Jeremy stated his body going limp as he sank into the couch between his parents. "I heard that they had found a body…"

"I think we have everything we need," Booth informed the family as he pulled a card from behind his badge. "If you have any questions for us, or can think of anything else, please don't hesitate to call."

Mike nodded and Booth turned to Brennan and silently beckoned for her to follow him. They left the house, however they sat in their rental car on the street for several minutes before Booth even put the key in the ignition.

"Do you think they had anything to do with it?" Brennan asked breaking the silence between them for the first time.

Booth shook his head, "my gut says no. They were genuinely broken up about it."

Brennan nodded and found her fingers playing with a stray thread from her sweater. "I've been thinking…" Her voice trailed off and Booth turned his head and waited for her to continue.

"About what Bones?"

"It just doesn't make sense."

"What doesn't?"

"Alyssa's murder."

"Murder doesn't often make sense Bones," Booth answered with a sigh. "What makes this different?"

"I don't know yet."

"You aren't making sense right now Bones."

"I know."

"Can you help me out here?"

"It just," Brennan started, "when you look at the facts it appears as if Alyssa's murder was part of a serial killer. Everything seems random, from her abduction to the body dump, but there hasn't been any other victims."

"Not in this area."

"Now what are you saying?"

"What if that is the fact that ties it all together," Booth stated, "state parks. What if this guy travels from state to state?"

"It's possible," Brennan admitted, "but I don't like jumping to conclusions like that."

"I know you don't," Booth assured her as he pulled up in front of the Girl Scout troop leader's home. "But it's something we can look into, but that in no means makes me believe it's true."

"Then why look into it?"

"Because we don't have much else to go off on, right," Booth answered, "and any idea is a good one."

"Maybe we should call in Sweets."

Booth stopped and turned to her a look of shock on his face. "You want to call in Sweets, with his 'soft science', and ask for his consult? Who are you and what have you done with my partner?"

Brennan furrowed her brows in confusion, "I'm still me. Though I discredit the guessing game in which he comes to his conclusions, he has proven himself helpful in the past."

"I'll give him a call later," Booth promised her and with a quick glance around he rested his lips on hers for a split second.

"Booth!" Brennan chastised as she pulled away, "We are working. That is highly inappropriate."

"It was just a quick kiss Bones," Booth argued, "and there isn't anyone around us."

"True," Brennan relented, "but you couldn't have been certain of that when you kissed me and besides, we should conduct ourselves with proper work behavior when we are on the clock."

"You're right Bones," Booth admitted, "Can you forgive me?"

"Of course," Brennan replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Besides, once we're done here and we've checked in with the lab we can be done for the day."

"Does that mean what I think it means?"

"It means," Brennan whispered seductively, "that I believe we should have some time to get in some baby making practice tonight."

Booth leaned down close to her ear to respond. "Perfect."

Brennan pulled back and rested her palms on her cheeks to mask the pink twinge there and adjusted her jacket. "Come on Agent Booth, we have suspects to question."

ooo

"There you are. I was wondering where you disappeared to."

Hodgins looked up to his wife who was standing in the entrance of his office. He ran his hand over his face, his beard scratchy against his hand. "What time is it?"

"Almost eleven," Angela answered and Jack's eyes opened wide. "Yes, you've been here that long. I brought you a sandwich."

"From the diner?"

"Yes," Angela confirmed with a nod, "I grabbed a late dinner with Cam and Wendell since you were pretty enthralled in whatever has you stumped."

"It's this fungus thing that was on the girls' clothes," Hodgins groaned, "I can't seem to figure out what it is or what family it comes from. I'm pissed."

"You need to eat."

"I know."

"And sleep."

"I'll grab a couple hours on your couch," Hodgins suggested and Angela shook her head no. "I need to figure this out."

"Which you can do in the morning Jack," Angela assured him, "but I am not leaving this office without you."

"But…"

"No buts," Angela interrupted, "we made a promise to each other when we had Zander, that we wouldn't pull anymore all nighters here. Remember?"

"Yes."

"Then don't argue and just come home with me," Angela suggested, her hands on her hip.

"Ten more minutes?"

"Five," Angela compromised, "and that's it."

"Okay."

"Really?" Angela questioned, "you aren't going to argue."

"You're right," Hodgins stated simply, "we made a promise to each other and I'm not going to break that. Give me five minutes and I'll shut everything down. I can pick back up in the morning."

"Thank you Jack."

"Anything for you Angie," Hodgins said with a grin, "I thought you would have figured that out by now."

ooo

Brennan laid her head on Booth's bare chest as they both worked to catch their breaths. Their joined hands rested gently near her head and she could feel Booth's free hand running through her hair lightly.

Brennan smiled at his light ministrations and pressed a gentle kiss to his chest.

"That might have done it," Booth whispered against her hair and Brennan had to giggle. "What?"

"You've said that every time since we decided to try for a baby."

"And one of these times I'll be right."

"It's not like we'll know right away."

"I know," Booth assured her with another kiss. "But the practice will be fun."

"Will be?" Brennan asked coyly, "I thought we were already having fun?"

"Oh we are," Booth assured her, "and we're about to have even more fun."

"Is that a threat Agent Booth?"

"Not even close Dr. Brennan," Booth growled hungrily in her ear, "it's a promise. A promise I will very much enjoy keeping."

"Well then," Brennan purred, "it would be a shame if you didn't keep your promises."

ooo

A/N: I have to admit, I was a little discouraged with the lack of reviews for the last chapter. I hate begging for reviews, but I'm not above it. So please, I'm begging you, review. After the day I've had (well, week really) every review will be like a virtual hug. And I need lots of them.