Booth looked over at Brennan, who was staring blankly out the window. Her hair was pulled in a loose bun, her legs drawn up on the seat, as she hugged her knees to her chest. She looked small and afraid, and he wanted to comfort her.

As they came to a stoplight, he drummed his fingers nervously on the steering wheel, trying to think of something to say. She hadn't spoken a word since he told her about the other body, except "Lets go," and "I'm fine."

He suspected that she was just taking it all in. Thinking. She usually thought at a million miles and hour, and it was rare that she took the time to process things. Besides he couldn't imagine the guilt she was feeling. It was one thing to be attacked. Another thing to be attacked by a serial killer. And another thing all together to be attacked by a serial killer, not be killed, and have new victims popping up all over the place.

And Brennan being who she was, he knew that was exactly how she was feeling. For someone who put up such a good front of not caring, he knew how much she really cared. About the other victims, about the squint squad, and most of all about him.

They pulled up to the sight which was swarming with FBI agents, and as soon as Booth parked the car, he basically ran to the other side of the car as Brennan as opening her door, he blocked her in.

"Booth, what are you doing?"

"Good, now I know that you're not mute."

"Let me out Booth, I need to examine the remains."

"We both know that this isn't easy for you Bones. Please let me in."

"It's fine Booth. I'm fine. Everything is FINE!"

She heard herself yelling. She hadn't meant to yell. She was tired of saying she was fine. She thought everything was going to settle down, even if he hadn't been caught, she just wanted to forget everything, but now there was another body, it wasn't possible. She definitely wasn't fine.

"You're not fine Bones. You've been brutally attacked twice, stalked, and now another body has turned up. You're not fine."

"You know what. I'm not fine. I'm horrible. I can't take this anymore. Maybe it would have been better if…if he killed me."

How could she say that? That she'd be better off dead. Doesn't she know that I couldn't live without her. God, I don't know what I'd do if I lost her.

Booth took he by the shoulders, forcing her to look into his eyes, which were now flashing with anger.

"Never, again say that Temperance. You are not better off dead. Do you understand me?"

Brennan felt a tear slip out of her eyes. Booth knew that his words had sounded harsh, but she needed to understand. She nodded, and Booth touched her cheek, tenderly wiping away the tear with his thumb.

"I don't know what I'd do without you Bones. Or what anyone would do without you. The squint squad, Angela. They all care about you."

"Booth, I just wish that this was over. I'm scared."

He knew it took a lot for her to admit fear. She didn't want people to think that she was weak or vulnerable.

"You don't have to do this you know. I can get Zach, he does have his doctorate now."

"I know. I need to do this."

"You're sure?"

She nodded, as she linked her fingers in his, smiling weakly. He squeezed her hand softly, as they walked out of the SUV to where the body was lying. They were at another wear house, quite similar to the one where the first sets of bodies had been found. It was like Deja Vu.

Brennan crouched next to the body like she always did.

"Female, ages 25-30. Time of death, approximately 1 week. Slit larangus, cranial fractures, deep cuts on both ulnas."

Standing up, she snapped off her gloves.

"It's him Booth. Same serial killer."

"Did you guys here that? Get these remains to the Jeffersonian Medico Legal Lab immediately. Chop, chop."

The FBI agents moved quickly, not wanting to get on Booth's bad side.

"Can we go now?"

"Sure Bones."

"Wait, Dr. Brennan."

She turned to look at a small man who seemed to be almost engulfed in his blue FBI jumpsuit.

"What?"

She didn't want to be there any longer then she had to. Seeing the body was making her feel physically sick, and she didn't want to throw up and get the reputation of being queasy around Bones.

"Don't you want the note that's addressed to you?"

Damn it. I forgot about that. He really knows how to get to Bones, no wonder she's freaked.

"Yes, where is it?"

The little man handed her over a crumpled piece of paper which Brennan kept folded in her hand until they got to the car.

Booth intertwined his fingers in his, giving her a reassuring squeeze as she shut the door, unfolding the dirty paper. The front read in scrawling letters, Dr. Brennan.

"Are you ok Bones? Are you sure you want to do this?"

She took a deep breath, looking into his eyes, immediately feeling a little better about the situation. It was funny how Booth could do that. Make her feel better so fast.

"I need to. This could lead us to him."

"Ok."

She opened the paper, reading aloud. It was only a few lines, so it didn't take long for her to get the message.

"Dr. Brennan, I know you told him. Did you think you were being smart telling your FBI agent? That he could keep you safe? Wrong. You made the wrong decision doctor, and now you have to die for it. No one can save you now."

She felt tears spilling down her cheeks, not able to stop them, the sobs rising up from her chest, stinging her throat.

Booth wrapped his arms around her, as she cried. He felt the anger boiling up, his fists clenching instinctually as he held her tightly.

Whoever this person was was going to pay. No one laid a hand on Bones, let alone made her so upset. He knew that he needed to keep her safe, but from now on, she literally wouldn't leave his sight.

I can't loose her. Not now. After everything that's happened.

Booth wouldn't let anything happen to her. If only he could protect her the way he wanted to. It was impossible to protect someone all the time, just like it was impossible to protect from a broken heart. It simply couldn't be done. But god damn it, Booth was going to try.