It's a late night for Bones, ' Localized staining on the endocranial surface, indicating subdural hematoma, death was not instantaneous.' she says out loud to herself.' She noticed one chunk of the home's fireplace was missing while she was sitting by Alex. She makes a note to herself to talk to Hodgins about the particulates he collected from the victims, particulates hopefully belonging to the fireplace. Once Hodgins came in for the day Brennan had instructed him to finalize his analysis of said particulates. "The staining on the skull suggests that she was still alive when she was bludgeoned." Bones says out loud. Hodgins soon came up to the platform confirming that some of the particulates were fire wood and red brick, consistent with the fireplace. Booth acquired a warrant to the home and while he did that Brennan took it upon herself to go to Alex's school. Brennan approached the building and saw many children playing on the playground and soon she spotted Alex on a picnic table reading a book. Bones smiled, uninhibited, and began to walk up to the little girl. Alex spotted and waved to her, Bones waved and smiled. "Do you remember me Alexandra?" Bones says as she sits next to the child. Alex smiled and said, "Yes, I do. Are you here because of my parents?" she asks. Brennan sadly smiles, "Yes, I am. Do you know what happened to them?" she asks her. Alex looks down at the table and she slowly begins to sob. "I didn't mean to make you upset." Brennan says and she raises her hand to try and comfort her but Alex flinches. Brennan noticed immediately and reassured her, "Alex, sweetheart, i'm not going to hurt you. I just want to be sure you're safe. Do you feel safe at your uncle Miguel's house?" she asks. Alex slowly looks up at Brennan, and shakes her head no. "Why don't you feel safe? Did he do something to you? Or to your parents?" Brennan asks. Making sure she keeps eye contact with the child, keeping a calm composure. Alex continues to look at Brennan, "Yes. When I'm alone bad things happen." she says and she continues to sob. Brennan goes in to hug Alex and Alex notices. Brennan looks at her kindly, as if she's asking for permission, Alex grants her permission and goes into the hug. Brennan could feel Alex's body crumble into her own and she could tell the child probably didn't receive any appropriate attention. Bones could see some bruises around the child's neck. They had been recent.
Bones immediately calls Booth to inform him of the child's statement. The child could obviously not return to her home and would need to be taken in by the state. "Booth, I'll take her. I'm a registered foster parent, I can take her. I wont allow her to go with anyone else." Bones tells her partner, Booth signs, "Of course, Bones. You can take her today. I'll send someone over from protective services. Stay with her." he said. Brennan agreed and hung up the phone. Brennan had taken the child out of school for the day and was granted permission by social services to take her. The social services worker bent down to Alex's level and asked her, "would you like to stay with Dr. Brennan for a while?" Alex stood up and went to hold Brennan's hand who of course held onto her tightly. "I'll take that as yes." the worker said as she began to process some paperwork. Brennan walks Alex into her apartment and Brennan invites her to sit on the couch. "Would you like some hot chocolate?" She asks and Alex nods her head. Bones noticed that Alex did not speak much and when she did she spoke with a frail and frightened demeanor. She made the hot chocolate and sat next to Alex who looked even smaller to Brennan and much sadder but she could feel that Alex felt much safer. Brennan stood up to get a blanket and cover Alex up with she handed it to her. Alex gladly took the blanket and covered herself up and took the hot chocolate as well. "Are you feeling any better, Alex?" She asks. Alex takes a sip of her hot chocolate, "yes, thank you. For watching me, Dr. Brennan." She says. Bones smiled, "you don't have to call me that, my name is Temperance, but you can call me Tempe, whatever you're comfortable with." She says. Alex cuddles up with the blanket, "okay, Tempe. Do you think I can visit your lab soon? I'd love to see it." Alex asks. Brennan softly smiles, "yes, of course you can see it. Do you like science?" and the girl's eyes lit up like a christmas tree. "Yes, I do. It's all I think about." she says. Alex's eyes begin to get heavy and Brennan could tell the child was exhausted in every way. "I'm going to finish setting up your bedroom, okay? You need to rest, sweetheart." She says. Alex nods, "Thank you." 20 minutes later Brennan comes back from finishing setting up the spare bedroom. But by the time she came back Alex was fast asleep. Brennan smiled and left the girl to sleep.
Brennan stays in the living room with Alex making sure she was not alone when she woke. She called Booth to inform him of the bruises and the obvious lack of medical care. Brennan would be taking Alex to the pediatrician to get a check up and get her the care she needs. Booth had a feeling the child knew too much about the cartels activities and was most likely exposed to things a child shouldn't be. The child needed protection and so did Brennan. She would need to have a light security detail around her and Alex at all times. The FBI, especially Booth, were not taking any chances. By the time Alex had awakened it was already morning and she smelled eggs. Brennan was making breakfast. Alex stood up and Brennan noticed and smiled, "good morning, are you hungry?" She asks and Alex nods, "yes, I am. Would I be able to take a shower?" She asks shyly. Brennan moves towards the girl, "of course you can. You never have to ask." She leads her to her bedroom and opens up some drawers with clothes and essentials. "I hope everything fits you. Please let me know if they don't." She then takes her towards the bathroom. "This is your bathroom." And shows her how the shower works. Alex looks at Brennan at disbelief. "Are you sure this is mine? I don't have to share?" Alex asks. Brennan chuckles, "no, it's all yours. You're safe here okay. I won't let anyone hurt you. After breakfast we can go to the lab if you like?" Alex ears perk up, "I would love to! Thank you, Tempe." Brennan para the girls shoulder and walks away leaving the girl to shower. "No one can see me or come in, but Tempe, I'll be okay." Alex says to herself. However, Brennan was still in earshot and heard her. She immediately suspected sexual abuse and felt her eyes begin to swell.