A/N: Well, this story all came about because of a lovely author here who goes by the penname stevieLUVSAlex, if you aren't familiar with her work please check it out! stevieLUVSAlex and I tossed around some ideas and decided to co-author a story and this is our brain child. Thanks so much stevieLUVSAlex, this wouldn't have been possible without you!

A/N 2: Thank you so much for the reviews, alerts and favorites! They mean the world to us!

Disclaimer: Still unable to claim Bones as my own.

"Bones," Booth poked his head around the corner, and caught her examining remains. It was Marie. Brennan glanced up, looking slightly annoyed.

"What is it, Booth?"

"I got a call from Cullen… he has a new lead for the Marie Jackson case," he told her.

Brennan gave him the attention he was looking for, and stripped off her gloves, placing them on the table, before she stepped off the platform to meet Booth on the floor. She stood before him, her arms folded, seemingly shy.

"What is it?" she asked.

He cleared his throat. "A young girl came in, claiming that she knows more about Marie than we do. Apparently she spied on her…" he explained. It was a far-fetched idea, but there wasn't much else they had to go on, the case was drifting further away, all they really knew were the bruises all over her body and the ill-health she suffered. As far as who did it, they were clueless.

Brennan rolled her eyes. "I don't have time to waste on childish antics, Booth!" she turned to leave him.

"We got nothing else, Bones, we may as well listen to her," he frowned. Brennan wasn't herself again, and he was beginning to worry that the old Brennan would disappear entirely soon enough. This case was wrecking havoc with everyone's emotions. Booth was determined to close it, and regain their sanity, if nothing else.

"Fine," she snapped.

Booth gave her the address to the girl's house, and they drove in silence, Booth watching the road, and Brennan looking out the window, looking extremely dazed. He wondered what she was thinking about, but he couldn't bring himself to ask.

A young blonde girl opened the door.

"Hello…" she greeted politely.

Booth flashed his badge, and recognition crossed the girl's face, her eyes dimming instantly.

"I'm Sam… I called about Marie…" she widened the door and stepped aside. "Do you want to come in?"

"Thank you," Booth said. "I'm Special Agent Seeley Booth, and this is Dr. Temperance Brennan," he introduced as the three of them moved through to the living room.

"Can I get you something to drink?" she offered.

"No," Brennan answered abruptly. "What do you know about Marie?"

Sam flopped down on the couch, a dark sadness crossing her eyes. She folded her arms across her chest and looked up at Booth. "I'm not popular!" she stated matter-of-factly.

"I don't see how your social status is relevant in this case-"

"Bones," he scolded. "Let her talk."

Brennan lowered herself to the couch, and sat back listening.

Sam spoke again, her head lowered, as she focused on a spot on the carpet. "Marie was pretty… she was smart and clever… she always had Puck with her. I felt so isolated… no one cared about me. I was on my own all the time. She was nice to me, I was a Klutz, and she- she helped me pick up my books one day. I liked her. I know that I must sound weird and creepy, but I just… she was so nice. I followed her sometimes, wishing that I was her real friend."

Brennan frowned. "The law calls that stalking," she snapped. "And it's illegal!"

"I didn't stalk her…" she denied defensively.

"It's alright, Sam," Booth encouraged. "Go on."

She smiled weakly. "I was walking the same way as her once, her house was near mine, and I… I watched her go into Saint Peter's church, and I followed her. I'm not religious, but Marie didn't seem that way either, from the outside. I snuck in," Sam shifted uncomfortably. "I heard arguing. Marie kept yelling at a priest, she called him Father Michaels, telling him that it was a sin, and she was dirty. I heard what they were talking about…" she waited for more encouragement.

Booth nodded, silently waiting.

"What were they talking about?" Brennan asked her voice softer and less abrupt than before.

"Alcohol. Marie wanted wine and Father Michaels kept saying no… but he wasn't angry at her because she wanted the wine, he was angry because she didn't want to…" her cheeks burned red.

"Wanted to what, Sam?" Booth asked gently.

"I saw him kissing her… and he held her down on the platform, and… he wanted to do… you know," she muttered embarrassingly.

"Sex… Are you talking about intercourse?" Brennan asked in her own blunt way.

Sam nodded.

"You're sure of this?" Booth asked sternly.

Sam nodded. "Yes. But she didn't want to, she kept saying no. I was so scared… I know I should have said something, but I screamed really loud and then ran out of the church."

"Did they hear you?" Booth asked.

"I think so," she answered shyly. "I didn't stay to find out. I just heard Marie gasp and tell him that she heard someone…"

"Why did it take you this long to come forward?" Brennan questioned.

She fidgeted with her hands. "I was scared. Marie wasn't my friend or anything; she was just a nice girl. I kept thinking 'what if it were me' and I didn't want the person to go free."

"Did you see Father Michaels murder Marie?" Brennan asked pointedly.

She shook her head. "No."

Booth nodded. At least they had another lead, and while they may not have solved the murder, Sam had helped identify a pedophile. That was definitely something. It was a piece to the puzzle they hadn't before, who knew where it would lead.

"You did good, Sam. Thank you," he told her.

Sam nodded. Booth and Brennan excused themselves. They had a long day ahead of them, and an interview with a priest from Saints Peter's church.