Sorry for the delay. It was my 40th birthday last weekend and I spent it getting pampered and perfecting this chapter. I hope it lives up to expectations.

Also, as this is AU, I say that Brennan knew about the grandpa milkshakes Max made for the kids.

Aubrey and Gordon sat at the table finishing their coffees. For fifteen minutes, the only sound in the room was when Skinner started purring while rubbing up against his owner's leg. Looking down, the agent saw the orange tabby looking at him with big eyes. Not able to resist, the agent picked up the cat and put him on his lap.

"Jessica gives me that look too, you know. Both of you know I'm a sucker for green eyes."

The chef heard the sadness in the young man's voice as he put his cup down. "Where is the lovely Ms. Warren this morning?"

After taking a drink with his free hand, Aubrey set his cup down as well. "Out."

Gordon heard the tone in his voice again. "I'm assuming not out to get breakfast."

The younger man sat and looked at the table while scratching his cat behind the ear. "Nope. She's a little pissed at me so she left."

Gordon finished his coffee. "How about I refill our cups and we can talk about it if you are comfortable?"

Aubrey shrugged. "Sure why not? She probably hates me now anyway."

Gordon smiled. "Aubrey…I don't think your girlfriend hates you. It's obvious how much she loves you."

"She may love me, but you didn't see her when she left."

Looking for a distraction from his morning, Gordon smiled. "Let me bring the pot to the table…and perhaps some eggs and toast?"

"Okay." Aubrey mumbled. "Four eggs over easy would be nice."

Brennan stood where she was, filled with sadness and regret. She wanted her husband to be comfortable discussing his medical problems with her. However, in hindsight, she realized that maybe presenting her research when he first woke up may not have been the best option.

Turning back to the center island, she put all of her research articles in one pile. Next, she saw Booth's bowl of oatmeal sitting there untouched. Not wanting the food to go to waste, she put the rest of the oatmeal in a container. Opening the refrigerator, she saw the leftover food from last night. As she looked at it, she remembered when her father came up in conversation.

"…Even in the shadow of grief, you two are a unit."

"Grief? What are you talking about?"

"Over your father of course, Doctor Brennan. You had such a complicated history with your father that I'm sure his loss was a great shock to both of you."

"I-it was. Of course it was. He was in excellent health after getting his pacemaker."

"I think it's wonderful that after the years apart that you were able to forgive him for leaving you and your brother the way he did."

"Yes, he was a complicated but wonderful man. I have many years of memories of him and of some to pass on to Christine and Hank when they get older."

Brennan exhaled and realized there was no room on the bottom shelf. Deciding the very top shelf was the only alternative, she looked up and saw the cream soda. Time seemed to stand still as she remembered the last one she ever had.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

"Grandpa milkshakes for everyone!"

"Yay!" Christine squealed with her arms in the air before running to the center island.

"I'm all over that, Max." Booth said holding Hank as he sat next to his child.

Max got out the six pack of cream soda and the heavy whipping cream. Turning around, he saw his youngest child in deep thought.

"Tempe…you know you want one."

Brennan held her arm out as she prepared to make her point. "Dad, cream soda is full of sugar from the vanilla—"

"Yeah, things have to taste good, Tempe or else one doesn't eat or drink."

Brennan crossed her arms. "Cream soda has no nutritional benefit—"

"No, but grandpa milkshakes have heavy cream in it, which has vitamin D, which will build strong bones for my grandchildren and this big guy here."

Booth snickered. "Bones, he's got you there."

Brennan pondered for a moment before walking up to her husband and taking their son. "I'll share one with Hank."

"Atta girl!" Max said before he began mixing the treat.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Brennan shoved the oatmeal quickly into the fridge and shut the door. She tried to think of something more pleasant but Gordon's words about Zack flashed inside her head.

'He always wonders now if he should have stayed in Michigan like his family wanted him to. That way none of this would have happened.'

'…he needed to confront the fear…head on. He has to face it, accept it, and then forgive himself before he can move on.'

Before she knew it, tears fell down her face. Sinking to the kitchen floor tears fell as she thought of her father and his sacrifice.

'If I hadn't insisted on him going to the safe house, he would be here. But if he wasn't there, my children would have probably been murdered.'

Then another thought came to her. 'Why did I fight a relationship with my father for so long? We could have had more years together…'

Brennan cried further as her sadness over the loss of time with her father finally sunk in. All her hurts, her pain, her grief all came out in a tumble. She knew that there was no way she could have known, but to realize the time they lost out on before and after he came back tore her up.

'Why didn't I forgive him sooner?'

When she was cried out, Brennan slowly got up. Getting a glass, she filled it with water and drank to fight the dehydration she was feeling. She finished her beverage and turned to face her hallway. She stared for a moment before straightening her spine and walking back towards the bedrooms.

When she got to the guest room, she stopped and took a shaking breath. Turning around, she took two steps away before stopping again. Spinning forward, she faced the door again and headed for it. She hesitated to turn the knob on the door, remembering her meltdown from a few days ago. However, she knew what had to be done.

"My father deserved more than to have his life and memories shoved away in his daughter's guest room."

Turning the knob, she opened the door. She took another deep breath before stepping inside and turning on the room light as the windows were covered with curtains. Standing there, she observed the boxes resting on the bed, besides the bed, and surrounding the nearby dresser and hope chest.

Walking over to the first box on the floor, her insides churned, but she knew she had to press on. Bending down, she lifted the lid and saw a number of ringed scrap books. Taking one out, she opened it and discovered an article on her and Booth. Turning the page, she saw more articles on her in her work with Booth or for her books. After reading through them all, she opened another box.

Quickly, she saw it was full of nothing but pictures of their family before they were parted. Pulling them out, she spent two hours remembering things like the trip they took to Six Flags Amusement Park where Russ threw up after eating six corn dogs and one ride. Another picture was of them at her eighth grade graduation. The next was Russ's high school graduation with her parents flanking them as she hugged her older brother. She cried in between laughter as she found the one of her and her father at the science fair where she won first place, their family Fourth of July barbecue when she was nine, and her father posing in front of the school he taught at.

She was amazed at the collection of memories her father kept with him. He always bragged about traveling light but he had to have a place where he kept these until he settled permanently in DC.

After looking through all those pictures, she found a small box at the bottom. It was worn on the top as if someone had opened it many times in the past. Gingerly, she removed it and set it in her lap. When she opened it, she was greeted with a picture of her parents when they were young. As she examined the clothing, hairstyles, and lack of rings, she realized this was from before they married.

Pulling out the next one, it was a photo booth set of them. Two were of them making funny faces, one was serious, but the last one was of them kissing. Looking at the back, she saw writing.

County fair 1968.

Her father would have probably just turned 21. Her mother was 19. Brennan was amazed at how in love they looked. Pulling out the next one, she saw them posing in front of the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit. Turning it around, she read the back.

Road trip to Canada. 1970

After looking at a few more, she found one of her mother solo, reading while pregnant. Turning it over on the back, she saw another inscription.

Ruthie and the baby. 1972

Going through the next several worn photographs, she noticed it was all of her mother or the two of them. She always knew her mother was the love of her father's life, but until now, she didn't truly understand how deep it really was.

Then it hit her. Booth trying to comfort her after her father's death…giving her space…his extra hours working on the Kovacs case…

His reluctance to make love…just like when he broke up with Cam after he talked her into bypassing safety protocols in her autopsy of Caroline Epps. Because of his insistence, she almost died from the Methyl bromide Howard Epps planted in his dead wife's head. Booth blamed himself for what happened.

Sadness washed over her as she realized how much pain her husband was in. He blamed himself for what happened to her father. As his penitence, he would maintain his distance from her until he could bring her justice. In this case, Mark Kovacs and any accomplices arrested, tried, and imprisoned for their crimes against their family, Aldo, Mike Reiss, and Margaret Kwan.

"Oh Booth…" Brennan said to herself. After a moment of contemplation, her face turned to one of determination. "I won't let you do this alone."

Getting up, she stripped off her pajamas and took a shower. After getting dressed, she brushed her teeth and got three boxes of books she planned to take to the lab next week around. Loading her car, she was about to get in when she shut the door and re-entered the house.

Walking into the kitchen, she stared at the fridge for a second before opening the door. Taking out a cream soda, she also pulled the heavy cream and made a 'grandpa milkshake' of her own. Putting it in her YETI cup, she put in a straw and sipped it as she walked out the door.

"So that's it." Aubrey said before chugging the last of his second cup of coffee. "She pushed me out of the way and stormed out of here."

Gordon put the plate of over easy eggs and sourdough toast in front of the agent. "It seems she needed some space and was frustrated when she couldn't get it."

"Yeah…" Aubrey said while taking a bite.

"It also seems that she is hurt about your discussion earlier." Gordon said before observing Aubrey text a message while shoving a piece of toast in his mouth. "Aubrey, what are you doing?"

"I haven't heard from Jess, so I'm sending another message." The agent said with a full mouth.

"You've already sent three to her, young man, along with a group one to her brothers, Doctor Brennan, and her friends. She'll contact you when she's ready."

"Skinner is worried about her, too." Sending the message, Aubrey put the phone down before pushing the rest of the eggs in his mouth.

"Using your cat is shameless, Aubrey."

"I know…you're right." Aubrey said with his mouth full of eggs.

"Young man, surely you know talking with your mouth full is not polite. Finish your last piece of toast before talking to me, please."

Aubrey quickly finished before standing up and pacing around the small dining area, considering what the chef said. "She was so upset when she left, Gordon. I love her so much."

"But…you're holding a part of yourself back from her. Why?"

Aubrey looked at the former shrink like he was crazy. "Because I don't want her involved in all that mess. My father brought a shit storm to my life and she doesn't deserve any of it."

Gordon hesitated for a moment, but he knew it had to be said. "Perhaps it's not that she doesn't deserve it, but you're afraid it will drive her away."

"No, I'm not like Kovacs!" Aubrey said forcefully. "I'm still not happy with that comparison by the way. I'm not a murderer."

"But you're afraid that Jessica will look at you differently, aren't you?"

"No…" Aubrey scoffed, not liking how accurate the shrink's words were.

"And that she'll realize that she deserves better than you. When that happens, she'll leave you behind like your father left your mother behind."

"NO!" The lanky man yelled as he stood up and knocked his chair over. "I'M NOT LIKE MY FATHER!"

Taken aback by the young man's response, Gordon sat down. "No, Aubrey, you're not. In fact, you're the antithesis of Philip Aubrey. However, you've let that man dictate varying aspects of your life. You're so scared that Jessica will get tired of dealing with the less than ideal parts of you that she'll go find something better."

Pouring each a final cup of coffee, he set the carafe down and looked Aubrey in the eye. "Have you ever considered that perhaps she has the same fears as you have?"

Aubrey slowly sat down. "I know she's gun shy about commitment…"

"Probably stemming from a parental example of a bitter divorce after years of living with a mentally ill maternal figure. She's probably afraid something similar will happen to you two. On top of that, the man she loves doesn't trust her."

"What are you saying, Gordon?" Aubrey said with a pit in his stomach. "Of course I trust her."

"You trust her to be faithful and honest with you, but you're not trusting her with your entire heart." The chef took a sip of his coffee. "Aubrey, not only do you both have fears to confront, but your communication as a couple sucks. You have to talk to each other…even the ugly, unpleasant things because honesty is key to a healthy relationship. Until you do, there will be no future for you two because in time, your fears will drive you apart."

The agent felt sick to his stomach at the thought of no future with his best friend. No future of growing careers and solving murders together. No Star Wars conventions, no Imagicons, movie marathons.

No more nights spent with the woman he loved talking about their days…sharing their pasts. No more nights strengthening their bond with passionate lovemaking. No future building a family…first days of school…family vacations…graduations…grandchildren. No spending their twilight years holding hands on a swinging porch watching their future generations grow.

Aubrey laid his head down in his arms, spent. After a moment, he lifted his head to look at the older gentleman. "Gordon, what do I do?"

The older picked up their coffee cups and walked them to the sink. Coming back to the table, he picked up the carafe of coffee. "I think you know what you need to do, Aubrey."

The younger man looked perplexed but then realized what the former shrink was saying. "Are you saying that I should…"

Gordon put his hands on the back of his table chair. "What I'm saying is, when you're ready, take a shower and get cleaned up and do what you need to do. When done, go to the FBI and work the Kovacs case for a while so you can clear your head and think. Right now, I'm sure Jessica is doing the same thing. Later tonight, you two can have a nice, long discussion."

Aubrey watched the older man head towards the bedrooms. "What do you have going on today, Gordon?"

The chef turned around. "I'm going to look over Doctor Addy's case some more before arranging a meeting with your profiler Karen Delfs. Then…I have some thinking of my own to do."

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Don't worry about what I'm doing young man! Get your head together so you can work things out with that lovely redhead." Gordon admonished before shutting the bedroom door.

Brennan parked her vehicle by a rarely used side entrance to carry in the boxes. Punching in the code, she awkwardly moved the box under one arm so she could open the door. She had just barely entered the hallway when she surprised Sammy Mills by a door.

"Doctor Brennan, what are you doing here?"

Taken aback, she looked at the young blonde. "I'm loading these boxes into my office before moving my car. Why are you here? I thought Cam changed the schedule recently so that there would be no work study students on the weekends."

"Oh, um, I wanted to get some extra hours in because I took Thursday and Friday off, so Doctor Saroyan gave me a list of jobs I could work on."

Brennan noted the room she came out of. "That's very considerate of Doctor Saroyan, but you're trying to enter the room leading to our evidence vault."

Sammy pointed to the door. "She mentioned some doors were squeaking so I was just going to test it before getting some WD-40 for the door. It's pretty loud she said."

"That it is. However, you have to have the code to enter the room. As you remember from your brief time as an intern, this is the room that leads to our evidence vault. While there are cameras to monitor the area, it's very important to maintain chain of custody of all evidence obtained by the FBI. Also, petroleum jelly is a better door hinge lubricant along with a finish nail. That's a job best left for maintenance, Ms. Mills. I'll put in a request on Monday."

"Of course, Doctor Brennan." Sammy said. "Would you like some help with the boxes from your car?"

"Yes…that would be nice, thank you."

After the young woman helped her bring her other boxes into her office, Brennan turned to her. "Well, I'll let you get back to what it is you need to do. I know Cam is lenient with the budget but she still has to maintain it so you may get as many opportunities as possible along with our other students."

"Yes, Doctor Brennan."

Brennan watched the young woman leave. Her gastrointestinal tract suddenly became unsettled, but it was probably from all the sugar from her grandpa milkshake. Taking another sip, she put it aside before pulling some books out of a box.

Aubrey arrived at his destination and felt a wave of nausea. For several minutes, he sat in the vehicle paralyzed while he gathered the courage to do what he needed to do. He wasn't ashamed to say he was scared, but Gordon was right. If he was going to move forward with his life, he had to confront this part of his past.

Taking a deep breath, he got out and hit the fob. When he was halfway to the door, his phone buzzed. Pulling it out, he was relieved to see a message from Jessica.

Tell Skinner I'm all rite. Need 2 think 4 a while. Going 2 work at lab. TTYL.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he stiffened his spine as he walked to the doors and entered. At the window, he flashed his badge and was immediately granted entry. He went through all the metal detectors until he got to the window where he signed in and was given a badge to wear. Led into a room, he didn't wait long.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in."

Pushing down the last of his fear, Aubrey sat straight. "Hi Dad."

The elderly man sat down and stared his only child down. "What brings you here? Guilt over turning in your old man? Putting your career over family?"

"No, I just have a few things to say."

Philip Aubrey's blue eyes stared down similar ones. "Well get on with it. I have things to do, you know."

"You mean besides conning other prisoners like you tried conning your own son?"

"Hey, you either shit or you get shit on. I learned that lesson the hard way and I tried telling you that more than once but you were all into fairness like your mother." The elder Aubrey said before sitting back in his chair. "What's the matter? Didn't get the promotion you wanted for selling me out?"

"No. I didn't need a promotion to turn you in. I did that because you're a criminal." Aubrey said. He sat for a moment to gather his courage. "Did you ever love us?"

"Us? You mean your mother and you?"

"No, the National Zoo. Yeah, Dad. Us…your family."

Philip scratched his chin with his handcuffed hands. "Of course I did. I've always wanted children and Rachel wanted the same thing. I was the happiest man in the world when she said she was pregnant with you."

"So why did you treat Mom and I like garbage?"

"Jesus, are you still whining about that?" Philip said. "Your mother always babied you. All I tried to do was make you tougher."

"Answer my question." Aubrey said, determined not to let his father steer him away.

"Your mother knew I had certain expectations when we got married. In the beginning it was great but after you were born, she got soft. Hell, I've even heard that she helped pay for your useless education at that fancy pants Syracuse University."

"Because her husband, the man she trusted to spend her life with, stole every penny from their son's college fund to run off to Eastern Europe while out on bail." Aubrey said with a sneer. "She was the most selfless, wonderful person I've ever known, Dad. Even when you screwed her over."

"Yeah, when she wasn't up on her pedestal. You think I was an asshole but she could be a pain in the ass as well, you know. I was never home enough, I never spent enough time with you, she whined about the parties I needed to go to for networking…"

"Networking?" Aubrey said with a sarcastic tone. "Don't you mean scoping out more people to con out of their money?"

"If people are stupid enough to trust their entire life savings to me to throw in the stock market, then they deserved it." Philip replied. "Your mother always had a way of making anything that brought us wealth and prestige out to be bad."

"Is that why you always cheated on her?" Aubrey said.

"When a man get nagged at home and is only offered the same shit time in and out, he needs someone to make his life more exciting. Your mother got boring, just like that little redhead of yours will someday, too."

"Don't bring Jessica into this." Aubrey said, barely holding his temper in.

"Why not? Isn't that why you're here? Obviously you don't have the balls to close the deal with her. It's too bad because if I were forty years younger, I'd do her myself. She's pretty cute with that red hair and smoking ass."

Aubrey stood up, knocking his chair over as he grabbed his father's prison jumpsuit and pulled him to his face. "Not one more word about her…not one. If you do, I'll forget that I'm a federal agent and I'll kick the living shit out of you in here. The guards here don't like you very much, Dad and I'm sure they'll back me up when I say you came at me first."

The senior Aubrey lost color to his face as he contemplated his words. "Fine…fine. Just let me go, James."

Aubrey shoved his father into his chair. When he was sitting down, he realized that his father was not the man he built him up to be. It was time to put the past behind him.

"I've had to put up with the stares and the comments that come when people realize you're my father. I had to develop a thick skin and push myself ten times harder than most to show I'm not like you."

The agent stood up. "I've let you also shadow my life…my choices. I've lived in fear that if I let myself get close to someone I'll end up like Mom someday. You destroyed her, Dad. She loved you until the day she died. She apologized for you, made excuses for you, worked herself to the bone so we could survive and I could get an education. The only good thing about her being gone is that she doesn't have to see you again."

Grabbing the back of the chair, he looked down for a minute before looking up. "Now, I found someone who loves me just as I am. Her family is fucked up in its own way, but I love her just as she is. I want a future with her but I've let you ride side saddle on every decision I've made about our relationship for too long."

Aubrey straightened his spine as he stood up. "But you know what? I'm done apologizing for you. When I walk out that door, my father no longer exists. No more will I let you keep me from being happy. I want to spend my life with Jessica. She's been trying to be there for me, but I haven't let her completely. Starting now, I'm going to let her help me and I'm going to help her conquer her own fears and demons. We may get married…or we'll just live together for the rest of our lives. Whatever we choose, it will be because it's right for us, not because we're scared of what will happen. We'll build a life together…may be even have a family."

The agent sneered at his father. "You could have been part of my life, but you were a selfish, greedy bastard then and you are now. Instead, you get to spend I hope the rest of your life behind bars. You deserve much more but it will come to you someday."

Aubrey walked to the door before turning around. "Before I go, I will demonstrate what you decreed my 'useless education' with Ezekiel 18:19-20

"Yet you say, 'Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?' When the son has done what is just and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live. The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself."

Aubrey turned the knob on the door. "Goodbye Dad. I hope you rot in prison."

Walking out, the lanky man felt a big weight being lifted off his shoulders. At the visitor's window, he signed out and gave the visitor's badge back before leaving. Getting into his SUV, he decided to take Gordon's advice. Starting the engine, he put the vehicle into gear and headed for the Hoover.

Brennan had Margaret Kwan's remains on the table in the Bone room. Usually, she could count on the bones speaking to her, but they were silent this time. Lost in thought, she didn't hear Jessica walk in until she spoke up.

"Doctor B, I brought lunch if you're ready for a break."

Startled, Brennan looked up. "I am Ms. Warren. Thank you. I'm finding nothing new by looking Ms. Kwan's remains."

"Can I do anything?" Jessica asked.

Brennan was about to say something, but she saw Sammy nearby and her gastrointestinal discomfort returned. "Yes, help me put these remains away and we'll eat in my office."

The two anthropologists carefully returned the remains to the container before closing it. After Jessica returned the box to storage, she joined her advisor in her office where they ate their lunch from the diner. Intermittently, the redhead saw Brennan look out towards the platform.

"Doctor B, is something wrong?"

Brennan finished the last of her soup. "Well, maybe I'm overthinking things, but Ms. Mills seems to be around quite a bit today."

"But she's a work study student, Doctor B…unless there's something I don't know."

Brennan took a drink of her coffee. "Yes, but due to the increased security over Zack's case as well as the Kovacs case, Cam rearranged the work hours of the students before the start of the new semester. As part of this work study students are not scheduled on the weekends. Sammy says Cam gave her a list of stuff to work on since she took part of the week off."

"Can you call Doctor Saroyan?"

"I did, Ms. Warren." Brennan said before taking a bite of her salad. "However, there was no answer. I'm assuming she's occupied with sexual intercourse with her new husband."

"Are you thinking she's not supposed to be here?" Jessica said before taking a bite of her club sandwich.

"Cam was very clear on the work study schedule, but until I can confirm it, I'm not going to accuse Ms. Mills of anything. Maybe I'm being sensitive, but we're going to work on the case in my office. We won't leave anything unattended and we'll lock it up in here at the end of the night."

"Sounds good." Jessica said before throwing away her container. "Not to sound paranoid, but do you want the curtains drawn?"

"Yes, please." Brennan said before gesturing to the evidence. "Now, everything is over here. I've obtained three dry erase boards and we can use the large monitor Angela installed for me to have conference calls to hang up items to examine. These two boxes the FBI only obtained recently and was found to have nothing. However, we will check them again."

"I still think it's cool you have a big screen like Angela does." Jessica said as she pulled the curtain cord.

"Well, I finally have a use for it. Also, we have my portable light table."

The two women pinned up various photographs and documents on the boards, back wall, and LCD monitor. Nearby, x-rays of the victims were on the portable light table. When done, they looked over their stuff.

"What are we looking for, Doctor B?"

Brennan crossed her arms. "Anything that stands out, Ms. Warren. Examine everything carefully and take notes if needed. I have a friend at the State Department that I can call if we need anything plus I know someone at the Bosnian Embassy."

"Got it."

Jessica examined the x-rays as Brennan took out a thick folder, sat down on her couch, and started reading. The two scientists examined each item carefully, not noticing the young woman looking at them through the crack in the curtains.

Aubrey placed an extra-large meat lovers pizza on the conference room table before going into a locked room nearby. He had to make three trips, placing a total of six large boxes on the conference room table. Pulling things out, he pinned things onto a board while eating a slice.

When done, he walked to the break room to start a pot of coffee. Just as he pushed the button to brew, he heard his name. He inwardly groaned because he recognized the voice. Wanting to be polite, he put a smile on his face before turning around.

"Karen, what brings you here?"

"I came to drop off a profile for IO but I saw you here. Where's your girlfriend?"

Not wanting to hurt her feelings, Aubrey tried to give a hint. "I'm working the Kovacs case. Jessica is working on her dissertation and helping Doctor B right now at the lab."

"If I had a boyfriend, I would be spending my free Sundays with him, not working on my college paper."

Aubrey bit his tongue. He wasn't up for the profiler's presence as he needed time to think. "Jessica has a lot on her plate right now, as do I. We make time for each other when we can and we'll see each other later tonight. However, you're here on a Sunday so I don't think you have the right to lecture me on working Sundays."

"Oh, I didn't mean anything by it."

"Of course you didn't, Karen." Aubrey said before turning around to check the coffee. Seeing it was done, he poured himself a cup and added some cinnamon. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."

"Maybe I can help." Karen asked as she kept in step with Aubrey.

"I don't need a profiler Karen, but thanks." He said as he walked faster towards the conference room.

"Are you sure? Maybe a profile can—"

The woman had hit Aubrey's last nerve. "Karen! I don't need your opinions right now. What I need is quiet while I work on the Kovacs case. Please let me work."

Taken aback by Aubrey's abruptness, Karen straightened her back. "O-of course."

Aubrey watched her walk away and exhaled. He didn't want to be rude, but her presence could be annoying at times. Especially since his father came back as she was always up in his shit as 'a friend trying to help.'

After Booth arrived a few minutes later, he wanted to let his girlfriend know where he was. Pulling out his phone, he sent a quick text message.

Wrkg at Hoover on Kovacs case w Booth. Call CR if u need me.

A minute later, he received a reply.

Wrkg w Dr B at lab on Kovacs case.

Chuckling to himself, Aubrey put his attention back to the task at hand.

Brennan was in the middle of reading Mark Kovac's medical file one more time when Jessica spoke up.

"Doctor B, can you look at this for me?"

"Of course." Brennan said before getting up to where her intern was, a group of photographs on a board. "What did you see?"

The redhead pointed to a particular photograph. "These two look very alike. Also, check out her left thumb with this scar. Isn't this zig zag type a typical scar from a polydactyly reconstruction?"

Brennan looked at the area in question. Getting out a magnifying glass from her desk, she walked back over and examined further. "You are correct, Ms. Warren. Excuse me a moment."

Brennan searched one of the boxes and pulled out a heavy chart. Opening it, she glanced through it as she walked over to her intern. "This is Mirsada Radik's autopsy at the prison after her murder in 1999. It seems she also has a history of radical polydactyly and Holt-Oram Syndrome."

"Radical polydactyly is fairly rare, isn't it Doctor B?"

"Yes it is. While polydactyly is rare in itself, you see it more frequently on the ulnar side." Brennan said before heading to her computer. "Come with me Ms. Warren."

The two women stood at her desk as Brennan did a computer search. Finding what she needed, she searched through until she found what she was looking for.

"Wait, Doctor B, with the similar features and if both had this anomaly…"

"Then they're related." Brennan said. "She's the accomplice. I need to call Booth. Ms. Warren, please remove the photos so we can call my husband at the Hoover's conference room."

"Aubrey's there, too." Jessica said as she took the photos off the monitor.

"Good. Saves some time." Brennan said while dialing the number. After two rings, she heard her husband's voice.

"Bones. Hey listen, I'm sorry about this morning—"

Brennan knew they didn't have much time. "That's not important right now, Booth. Please turn on the monitor."

A few seconds later, Booth and Aubrey were shown in the conference room.

"We may have discovered something, or more Ms. Warren discovered something and I concurred with her 'vibe'."

"Jess, what did you find?"

"I was looking at pictures of Kovacs, Radik, and other evidence when I saw something. So Doctor B read through Mrs. Radik's autopsy and we found that under pregnancies she was noted as multiparous."

"What?" Booth asked.

"She had at least two live births, Booth." Brennan said before continuing. "Also, according to the autopsy, it was noted that she had a history of polydactyly on her right hand. When she was seven, she had surgery to correct it."

"That's extra fingers, right?" Aubrey asked.

"Yeah, Superman." Jessica said.

"It was a radial polydactyly, an extreme rarity." Brennan said.

"Kovacs had the same thing?" Booth said.

"No, Booth."

The senior agent rubbed his face. "What does this have to do with this discovery you made?"

"We're getting to that, Booth. Please don't rush us." Brennan said. "As I was saying, Mark Kovacs didn't have this, but her other child did. According to records, this child, a girl named Zlata had the same procedure when she was four in a state hospital in Sarajevo. She was also taken and sent to the US for adoption—"

Suddenly, everything went black for the two women in Brennan's office as an explosion ripped through the lab's main area. Jessica was thrown into a wall while the elder woman flew into the LCD monitor. When the cloud dispersed, the lab was destroyed.

At the lab's exit, a blonde woman was lying dead with a hole in her upper back.