Brennan peered closely at the remains, biting her bottom lip, trying to concentrate on the bodies and nothing else. It was hard, especially since she felt like it could easily be her on that examination table, if he hadn't spared her life.

That and she was being viscously stalked, but she tried to push that out of her mind for long enough to focus on the remains in front of her. If she could find out who killed these women, it would lead directly to her attacker, and then maybe everything could go back to the way it was.

She had wiped away the tears, tried to hide how red her eyes were, and pulled on her blue lab coat like nothing out of the ordinary was going on.

Calling Booth had been a default. When she heard his voice on the other end, she had almost broke down and told him, but instead she mumbled something about the bodies and needing to talk to him, and hung up quickly.

It wouldn't at all be a surprise to her if after this Booth wasn't as warm to her as he usually was. She had closed up to him this past week, being short and cold to him when he asked her what was wrong. She wasn't trying to push him away, but it was for their own good.

Angela had asked her if she was ok when she emerged from her office. Another thing she felt guilty about, not telling her best friend what was going on. Something else she could add to her list of bad things she'd done. It was getting pretty long.

Focus. If I just focus on the bones, maybe I won't feel so horrible.

"Hodgins?"

The young entomologist stopped his conversation with Zach and Angela to look to Brennan eagerly.

"Yes?"

"I'd like you to examine the particles imbedded in the skulls. And the particles that are stuck on the clavicles and cross reference those to every single body to see if there are similarities."

Of course they're going to be similarities, it's a serial killer. I'm and idiot.

Hodgins nodded. He had too noted the change in the anthropologist's behavior over the last week. After shutting his mouth for a week, he decided it was time to say something.

"Dr. Brennan."

She looked up from the bones.

"Yeah?"

"Are you ok?"

"Yes I'm fine Jack."

"Ok, you just seem a little different then usual."

"I'm just tired."

"Ok, whatever you say."

She watched as he collected the samples. How could he tell? Was she really acting that different?

"Sweetie? Are you even listening to me?"

Brennan sighed, turning to face Angela who was standing next to her, tapping her foot impatiently.

"Sorry, what did you say?"

"I said that Zach said the tissue markers were fine, so do we have an ok on the facial reconstructions?"

God, they're all probably going to look like me.

"Yeah, that's fine Ange."

Angela nodded, about to walk away when she decided against it.

"I know you hate this question, but really, Bren. Are you ok?"

"I guess. Things have been really busy this week. That's it."

"Are you sure that's it?"

"Yeah, I mean what else would it be?"

Great, I'm lying again.

"Did something happen with Booth?"

"No, of course not. Booth's fine."

Its something that didn't happen with Booth. Something I didn't tell him.

The sound of a key card being swapped caused both women to pause their conversation to take in the sight of Booth ascending the stairs to the lab platform.

"Speak of the devil, Bren. It's Booth."

"Bones! What's up, you called me, but whatever it is make it fast please, because I got to pick up Parker."

She leaned against the railing of the platform, trying not to meet his eyes. Hopefully he didn't notice.

"I just thought you should know that it's definitely serial. The cause of death is all the same, but we haven't gotten an ID for any of them yet. Angela's working on it now."

Why won't she look at me?

Booth clapped his hands together, trying to lighten the mood between them. He looked at his watch. He was going to be late for Parker. Rebecca had called yesterday to say she and her boyfriend were going on vacation for 2 weeks and could he take Parker.

"Ok, that sounds good; call me when you get the ID's."

He turned to go, not meaning to be short with her, but he didn't want Rebecca to think he wasn't coming.

"Booth."

He turned, his heart almost breaking at how sad she looked. When she finally met his eyes he saw that they were bloodshot as if she had been crying. Not very Bone-ish behavior at all.

"Yes Bones?"

She sighed. He had to leave. She didn't want to keep him from Parker.

"Nevermind."

"You sure?"

She nodded. "Yeah, go and be with Parker."

"Listen, if you want to stop bye later. Eat with us? I can't promise more then macaroni and cheese, but…"

She smiled, his offer making her feel better. What was it about Booth that made everything better?

"Maybe I will."

"Okay, I hope I'll see you later Bones."

He grinned at her, and she smiled back, not being able to resist.

She watched as he sprinted down the steps, wishing that she had enough courage to tell him.

Brennan looked at her watch. 9:30? How had it gotten so late, so fast? It had been 5 when Booth came bye. She guessed she just didn't want to have to go home, but now she was at the point of falling asleep at her desk, she made the decided choice to go home.

Now she had blown her chances of going over to Booth's. They were probably already asleep. Or at least Parker probably was. She'd call Booth and apologize when she got home.

Even if she was scared as hell.

Grabbing her jacket off the hook, she strode out of her office, passing bye Zach and Hodgins who were still going over the particulates on the bones.

"Where are you going Dr. Brennan?"

"Home Zach."

"Its early."

"I'm tired, I'll see you guys tomorrow."

They waved goodbye, watching their tall dark-haired boss retreat out the front door of the lab, her heels clicking on the cement floor.

Brennan turned the keys into her apartment, opening the door. The darkness was overwhelming as she felt around for the lights. Something didn't feel right, and she had the unnerving feeling that she wasn't alone.

She felt blindly for the light switches. When she hit them, nothing happened, the darkness continued. It was then she realized that her power had been cut. Comprehending what was going on, she tried to get to the door, but was caught by a pair of strong arms holding her tightly, and a knife to her throat.

How did I let this happen again? Now he's going to kill me. I never told Booth.

"Dr. Brennan, it's been too long."

"Long enough."

"Oh, I wouldn't be getting feisty with me. Especially since I'm the one holding a knife to your throat."

She swallowed, trying to calm herself down.

"What do you want with me? I'm not going to tell anyone."

"I want you to suffer. I know that you're killing yourself wondering why I didn't kill you."

"You're wrong."

"Am I? So if another body turned up tonight, you wouldn't feel the least bit guilty?"

She didn't feel like lying anymore. Instead she just didn't say anything.

"Just what I thought."

He pulled up the sleeve on the arm that wasn't cut, removing the knife from her throat and pulling it roughly along her forearm. She screamed, but he covered her mouth.

"A little something to make sure you don't tell anyone. From me to you."

With that he shoved he into the darkness, and she heard the door slam behind her. Crawling across the floor of her apartment she knew so well, she leaned against the couch.

She waited, holding her arm, trying to stop the bleeding. He didn't come back, and when she was sure that he was gone, the sobs erupted. Her entire body wracking up and down as the darkness engulfed her.

Booth heard the knocking, as if it was in a distant dream. He tried to put the pillow over his head to muffle the sounds, but it was too much. The obnoxious glowing alarm clock read 10:32. 10:32? How old was he, 14? Since when did he fall asleep at 10 o'clock?

He pulled himself out of bed, ruffling his hair, which he knew was sticking up on all ends.

"Hold on, hold on. I'm coming."

He fumbled for the lights, the illumination of the apartment making his eyes ache.

Opening the door, he was surprised to see his partner standing there. He was about to speak when he noticed the tears streaming down her face. He looked to see the cause of her distress.

She was cradling her arm, where scarlet blood had stained her entire shirt. She sobbed quietly, looking up at him.

"Oh god Bones."

He pulled her inside, closing the door behind them. She didn't say anything; instead she collapsed into his arms, sobbing quietly into his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her hair softly.

Brennan closed her eyes, finally feeling safe for the first time in a week. It was an unfamiliar feeling. Unfamiliar, but definitely welcome.