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The trio trudged deep into the heart of the woods. Brennan felt weak from her lack of food and water but pushed on, thoughts of keeping Booth alive making her force her tired legs onward, one step at a time.

Brennan attempted to memorise the route they were taking but there were no obvious landmarks. Nonetheless, she tried her best to remember their long hike, hoping it would come in handy should an escape attempt be made. Jake led the way confidently, as if he had taken that particular non-descript route numerous times before. After what seemed like an inordinate amount of time, they stopped.

"This is where we found her." Jake spoke.

Brennan looked at the shallow grave a few feet infront of them.

"You dug up the area?" She asked.

"Yeah."

"How'd you know where to look?" Brennan turned, surveying the area. Only a trained eye would know how to look for clues in the vegetation.

"None of your business. We just want you to tell us all you can about the person buried here."

"Why didn't you just call the police when you found the remains?"

"Enough questions!" Jake bellowed.

Not intimidated, Brennan replied, "Knowing the circumstances of how a set of remains were discovered helps me put things in context and aids the entire process of identification."

"We think someone killed her. We wanna know if she's who we think she is and what happened to her." Logan answered.

"Who do you think she is?"

"Tell us what you know first." Jake said.

"Fine but I'll need to have my hands free."

Jake nodded as Logan pulled out a pocket knife and cut through the tape.

Brennan crouched onto the ground, looking at the remains. She felt weak and dizzy, something she didn't usually feel at crime scenes. She studied the remains silently, aware that holding back information was her only means of negotiating with her kidnappers at the moment. She took her times. Her mind had to quickly process what she saw, then decide what information to give to her captors.

"I stand by my findings from yesterday. Female, likely thirteen or fourteen. Numerous remodelled fractures. She was probably an individual who loved to engage in dangerous sports, or more likely a victim of some sort of abuse. She was athletic, a runner if I were to postulate. Where is the skull from yesterday?"

"We didn't bring it with us." Jake answered.

"If you could show me how it was placed in relation to the rest of the remains it might help me determine cause of death."

"So you still can't tell us how she died?"

"Not yet. Even back at the lab, it sometimes took me days to accurately obtain information. And there I had colleagues and equipment to help me analyse evidence."

"We'll bring you back tomorrow with the skull."

"Was I right about who she was?"

Logan looked like he wanted to answer but Jake shook his head. "We gotta start heading back."

"That's all?" Brennan asked. "After our long hike in the woods?"

"Yes. For now."

"Other than the skull, I would need Agent Booth with me here tomorrow."

"Why?!" Jake demanded.

"We work as a team. Our success in solving crimes stems from our partnership which relies on my scientific knowledge and his expertise and experience from years as an FBI Agent in the field. He is able to certain discern clues which I can't. Put together, we would very likely give you all the answers you seek."

Brennan rose slowly to her feet, a wave of dizziness causing her to stumble. Logan caught her.

"Think you can make it back?" he asked.

"She doesn't have much of a choice." Jake said, "If she wants to see her husband again."

"I can make the journey back." Brennan promised.

Booth grunted as he tried to sit up. Although he had been put in an awkward position, making it difficult to sit up, it wouldn't have been impossible if he had been healthy but now with a lack of nutrition, and with his ribs still hurting, it was frustratingly impossible to do so.

He wasn't sure what he hoped to accomplish by sitting then standing up but he was worried out of his mind for Brennan. His mind conjured up images of her hurt, raped or killed. Frustrated and exhausted he blew out an angry breath. The sweat he had worked up from trying to sit up dripped down his forehead.

He wasn't someone to quit at anything but now slightly out of breath, he decided he should just wait. Hours passed with only the sound of his pounding heart keeping him company. He missed Brennan, being held captive with her had helped pass the time. He hoped she was unharmed. Finally he heard the sounds he had waited so long to hear. The sound of something being dragged then the doors opening. He watched Logan descend the stairs. To his relief, Brennan followed behind him. Jake brought up the rear.

Brennan took her place beside Booth, collapsing as if exhausted.

"Release him." Jake commanded and Logan moved to cut the restrains from Booth's wrists. Booth groaned as he slowly rolled onto his back, allowing the blood to flow back to his now numb extremities. He inhaled deeply, and beside him he felt Brennan do the same, as if both collectively relieved that the other was unharmed.

The couple waited for Jake and Logan to leave before speaking.

"You okay Bones?" Booth spoke first.

"Yes. Tired, but they did not harm me. They took me to where the remains were found. I studied the rest of the skeleton. You?"

"I'm not gonna lie, I'm hurting all over. Wasn't a good position to be stuck in for hours. Tried to get up but the way I my hands were tied up…"

Brennan moved slowly, scooting herself forward to retrieve the jug of water, taking thirst quenching gulps before stopping herself. She helped Booth up then brought the almost empty jug to his lips.

"Drink."

"Hey I just lay here, you were the one who went to work."

"Drink." She repeated.

Booth took the jug, downing the last of their water.

"Let's hope they come back with more."

"They will. I think Jake is satisfied with what I did today."

"You think?"

"Yes."

Expecting to be left alone at least till the next day, the couple were surprised to hear the door opening again.

Logan descended the stairs, alone this time.

"Promise you won't try to escape and you'll have food and water."

Knowing that they badly needed food and water, Brennan was quick to agree. "We promise," she replied as he placed her hand on Booth's, hoping he wouldn't try to attach Logan.

Logan approached them, a bucket in hand and a brown paper bag in the other. The couple watched as Logan refilled the jug but only halfway. He dropped the paper bag onto the ground.

"Something to eat."

"She means something to you doesn't she?" Booth asked.

Logan who had turned to leave turned back to face Booth. He stared silently back at him.

"The girl that you want Dr Brennan to identify. She your sister? Girlfriend? Was it an accident?"

Logan bit down on his lip.

"Maybe your old man beat her. You know the fracture found on the skull? Suggests someone beat her."

"Her skeletal structure does show evidence of possible domestic abuse. Unless she was some sort of a daredevil, enjoyed skateboarding or rock climbing or some variation of a dangerous sport?"

"Stop! You don't know anything!" Logan yelled.

"I do know Logan. My old man used to beat me and my brother too. I've got healed fractures like hers too."

"Stop!" Logan shouted again pulling out the gun that had been tucked into the waistband of his jeans.

"You wanted answers, we're giving you answers." Booth replied.

Logan remained silent this time. He quickly turned, making a hasty retreat up the stairs.

"We might have got it right Bones."

"About which part?"

"Logan and the girl, they related?"

"From their skeletal structure, I don't think so."

"But Logan cared about her. That I'm sure. And the part about the abuse, I'm pretty sure we got that right too."

Brennan squeezed Booth's hand. "You didn't have bring up your father."

Booth squeezed back, thanking her for her concern. "As long as it helps get us out of here."

"How does Jake factor into all this?"

"We'll figure it out Bones. Baby steps. At least we're getting somewhere."

Booth picked up the brown paper bag. Hs stuck his hand into the bag, pulling out a slice of bread. He sniffed at it and his stomach growled loudly in response.

"Smells okay, I think."

"That's just one slice, hardly enough for one adult."

"It'll do for now. We've got water." Booth broke the slice of bread into half. He knew she would object if he offered her the entire slice and decided that arguing with her over it would be a waste of energy. He handed Brennan half and took a bite out of his half. The couple ate in hungry silence, finishing their share of the bread in a mere two bites. They then took turns to drink out of the jug of water.

"I requested for you to be allowed to come with me tomorrow." Brennan said as she leaned against the cold hard wall next to Booth.

"How'd you know they'd want you to go back?"

"Because I have not given them cause of death."

"But you figured it out?"

"I may have."

"Atta girl!" Booth grinned broadly at her.

"I told them that your expertise and experience in the field could give us clues to help us find out how she died."

"Look tomorrow, when we're out there, if we get the chance, we make a run for it."

"They have guns Booth."

"It's our only chance. Who's to say once they've got all the answers they need they won't decide to kill us?"

"You reasoning is sound."

"So whatever I say, you just do okay? No questions asked. We may get just that one shot."

"Okay." Brennan replied grudgingly.