Meep, another short chapter. Sorry. My summer reading essay is draining the imagination out of me.

Closing the car door, Booth pulled out his badge and went inside the car shop. "Hello, I'm looking for Nickie Aguilar."

The shop owner was a short, bulging man with greasy black hair and a mustache. "Why."

"I just need to ask him a few questions."

"Did his brother do something stupid again?"

"No."

"Yeah, well Nickie is over there." He gestured to where a boy was sorting through some parts. "Go easy on him. Nickie's a good kid."

"Thanks." Pulling out his badge, Booth strolled over.

Hearing him approach, Nickie looked up and put the parts he had down. "Can I help you?"

"I'm Special Agent Seeley Booth, FBI." Booth pocketed the badge and pulled out the photo from the Angelator and held it out.

"What's with this photo of Liz?"

"It's from a facial reconstruction program. I'm sorry, but your girlfriend is dead. I'd like you to come to headquarters with me and answer a few questions."

The boy just nodded and let himself be led outside.

The ride back to the FBI headquarters was silent, thankfully. Booth was worried sweets would start spouting psychobabble about how the loss of someone important affected the adolescent mind, with the suspect in the backseat.

"For the record, please state your name."

"Nickie Agilar."

"What was your relationship with Liz?"

"We had been dating for 3 months."

"Had?"

"Well, you told me she was dead."

"Right, sorry. In the past months had she changed in any way? Did she have any problems? Was anyone bothering her?"

"No. She was the same as ever. Happy, kind, looking out for me. I know she was having a problem in math, but I don't think that's the kind of problem you're looking for. I know my ex, Hollie, didn't like her that much, but she wouldn't kill anyone."

"Why'd you break up with Your ex?"

He shrugged. "Life I guess. I didn't feel like we were going anywhere. I liked her, she liked me, but I'm 17. I want to find something more than a relationship."

"When did you last see Liz?"

"A month ago. I've been having some problems with my parents, so I haven't been home and we don't attend the same school."

"Did you have any contact with her after that?"

"She called once a week after. Her parents were ragging on her about her grades slipping since she started dating me."

"Had they been slipping?"

"Yes, but like I said, she was having a problem in math. Other than that her grades were the same. She told me she had to do after school tutoring sessions to help bring her grade up. I may not care for school, but that doesn't mean I don't respect her caring."

"Did you try to contact her after that?" Booth asked.

"Yeah. Her parents took her cell phone until her grades went back up. I tried calling her house a few times, but her parents don't like me. I'm a dropout. They think I'll never make something of myself." Nickie scowled. "I know how to fix cars. I'm learning how to fix other things, my brother is teaching me."

"There are technical schools you know."

"Agent Booth, I mean no disrespect, but my grades aren't good enough to get in. I'm joining the army when I turn 18. That's why I don't get along with my parents."

"Thank you for your time." Booth handed Nickie a business card. "If you think of anything else, call me. Do you need a ride home?"

Pocketing the card, Nickie stood. "No thanks. It's about time I get home. Hopefully my parents have cooled off." He walked out the door.

Gathering the files, Booth walked through the door to be met with Sweets. "So, Sweets. Do you think we have a killer?"

"Not as far as I can tell. He's angry though. He hides it well, but he's angry and upset. His girlfriend just died."

"Do you think he's hiding something." Booth didn't think so, but lately he'd been so immersed in his own emotions he had trouble reading people. The things Bones did to him.

"No."

Stopping briefly to have Charlie run some checks on the new information, Booth stored the files in his office and picked u p his coat.

"Leaving early?"

"No. It's 6 o'clock Sweets. I'm going to pick up Parker and then have a quality movie night with my son."

"Oh, well I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, sure." The elevator doors closed.

Temperance Brennan had never had a problem focusing on work before.

Before, she hadn't known Seeley Booth.

Before, her work was all she had.

Now, the bones on her table were people.

Now, the faces of the victims haunted her waking moments.

Seeley Booth did that to her. He took her from where she was happy. He made her chest ache with despair when the victim was her mother. Loneliness when brother deserted her again. Betrayal when he spent two weeks dead to her. Irrational fear when he was kidnapped by the gravedigger. Regret even when she was only doing what was best for him.

Burning. Emptiness.

She still wanted a child, but thinking of a child with anyone but him didn't appeal to her. Other men have lost their attraction. Her stomach felt queasy when his gaze lingered on her from across the lab. Jealousy stabs at her when he goes out on dates. Her stomach churns nauseously when they apprehend a suspect. If he got hurt… She doesn't want to think about those two weeks.

She hates him. Everything was so much simpler before he barreled his way into her life.

Still, she couldn't say it was all bad. He helped her find and reconnect with her family. He was always there for her. If anything it was annoying how much he cared.

She still hates him. He changed her…. wait. Her train of thought is interrupted.

He.

Changed.

Her.

Yes, she was a scientist, but she wasn't the same person she was 5 years ago. She trusted Booth with her life. She would die for him. She would kill for him. It nearly killed her when the gravedigger kidnapped him.

She would try. She would try for a different outcome. The only problem was, she didn't know how.

Well, they're no closer to finding the murder.