A/N: Look at this, this is me studying…at my finest

A/N: Look at this, this is me studying…at my finest. I started this a while ago but got a little stuck on what was going to happen next. This is kind of a filler, 'cause Bren has one more secret to reveal and it's a doozy. Hopefully should have more done soon-ish but we'll have to wait and see, in the meantime, enjoy! Also this is especially for Immy, who's been sick, but is now living it up overseas. Have a great time Luv and we'll hopefully chat when you get back!!

Chapter 8

I wake early the next morning, Booth's arms wrapped tightly around my middle. I twisted in his arms, dropping a kiss on his chin. "Morning," I whispered, kissing his chin again. Groaning, Booth opened one eye, and then the other, "Morning," he whispered, his voice cracking. Sitting up I broke from his grip, and slide my body over to the side of the bed. My feet hit the cold floor, sending shockwaves up my legs, making me want to climb back into bed and into the safety of my boyfriend's arms. "Coming?" I ask him, holding my hand out. His hand slid into mine and moments later he too had feet firmly on the floor. Together we trudge into the bathroom, stripping down as we go, climbing into the safety of the shower. I adjust the water temperature to scalding hot, water burning my skin, washing away the bad memories from the day before. Tentatively, Booth steps into the stream of water, shifting his body so it was pressed against mine, my head resting over his heart.

An hour later I arrive at the Jeffersonian, making a beeline for my office. Setting my takeaway coffee on the desk I power up the computer, flipping through one of the files that has made itself at home on my desk. "Dr. Brennan," I looked up to see Zach approaching my office. "Are you coming to assist with the examination?" I shook my head, "You can do this one yourself Zach." I held the file up to him. Confused, he reached out to take the file and turned to leave, exiting the office as quickly as he'd entered. As Zach scanned himself onto the platform, Cam appeared in the doorway, knocking lightly on the glass. "Zach said you're excusing yourself from the case."

"I knew the victim, she was my foster mother."

"Do you need time off?" I shook my head vigorously.

"It's ok, I'm going to work." Turning on her heel Cam left quietly, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Tossing my now empty coffee cup into the bin I slid my fingers over the photograph that now lay on my desk. I rarely look at it anymore. The memories it conjures up cause me just as much pain now as they did then. Forcing back tears I hastily gather up the photo and deposit it back into its home in the back of one of drawers.

The rest of my day passed slowly as I sifted through the mountains of paperwork that I found spread throughout my office. Clicking out of the document I was working on I slide my chair away from the desk and stand, stretching out the kinks in my muscles that have developed over the long work day. Late in the afternoon Booth appeared in my doorway, knocking on the glass as he walked in. As he approached my desk I looked up, offering him a smile as he leaned down to press a kiss to my head. "Hi," he whispered quietly. "I missed you today. It's not the same without you."

"I don't want anything to do with it. I can't be around him. It's just…" I trail off, not knowing how exactly to voice my opinion. Booth nods, looking me straight in the eye, "I can't guarantee that what happened between the two of you won't come out during the investigation, but I'll try and keep you out of it." Tears pooled in my eyes at the thought of my past being dragged out into public. Already this case has generated media attention although my withdrawal from the case has not yet been announced and when it goes public the press are sure to be all over it. "You ready to go?" he asks, moving to grab my bag. "Yeah, I think I'm done for the day." I close the windows on my computer and push my chair back, standing and accepting Booth's offered hand. Together we leave my office, passing the others, still working up on the platform.

The next morning I'm greeted by his face, plastered across the front of my morning paper. Scanning the opening stages of the article it's clear that someone's put two and two together, about why I withdrew from the case. Tears well up in my eyes as I take dainty sips from my coffee cup.

'Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan yesterday withdrew from the case, citing unexplained personal reasons. Overnight it was discovered that the renowned Anthropologist has a past with the victim and her family. At age sixteen Dr. Brennan was fostered in the O'Daley home for several weeks until she fled, accusing Mr. O'Daley of rape. The case went to trial and he was acquitted of all charges.'

The bile rose in my throat as I read on through their version of events. Clearly on his side, they labelled the accusations I made as false, stating that I was after money and hoped to sue the family for almost a hundred thousand dollars. They pulled up old records from fourteen years ago, publishing select quotes from them, the basis of their argument being that the O'Daley's volunteered to take me in, and no, a middle class man could never do the things I accused him of. The one that hurt the most was the, if I was unconscious, how could I know what really happened. As much as I wish that I could remember everything, so that maybe he would've been thrown in jail where he belongs, what I do remember is painful enough. The actual sex part, I don't want to remember what he did while he violated my body.

I'm still sitting at the bench when Booth arrives to take me to work. The look on his face tells me that he too, has seen the paper. "They're outside," he informs me quietly.

"I'm not going out there…did you read it? They've twisted so much of it out of proportion. They've taken his side before I've even had a chance to defend myself."

"I know…I know," he whispered, taking me in his strong arms, his chin resting on my head as I cried.