Shattering Secrets

by DianneRose2016

Sweets has a past that no one expected. When a case comes up that brings Sweets' past to the team they are about to find out that their Psychologist is much more than they ever expected him to be. Booth is rocked by an even bigger secret from Sweets' past that he never expected. With this new information Booth is determined to not only keep Sweets alive and finally start living.

2. Chapter 2

A/N: So when I started this I totally forgot that Angela and Hodgins had broken up already. I thought that didn't happen until later into the season. I had this story taking place just before season 4 to bridge the gap between the way everyone now reacts to Sweets. Season 3 they didn't really like him and was accusing him of being a serial killer's apprentice and all that. It seemed like a quick jump to me. So for the sake of this fic let's just pretend that whole breaking up thing didn't happen yet.

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Chapter 2

It wasn't until nine the next morning did Hodgins call Booth. They had spent the last six hours waking Sweets up every two hours. Each time he had woken up and been able to answer the simple questions. Booth had made sure he was the one to wake up Sweets and not Bones. He didn't know how Sweets would react to Bones being there. He wasn't reacting too well with Booth being there either. Booth could tell that Sweets just wasn't used to someone being there for him. Sweets was surprised every time he was woken up that Booth was still there. Booth had even changed out the ice pack each time as well. Sweets just wasn't used to someone taking care of him and that fact hurt Booth. Sweets was still young and he had already come to be used to being on his own and not having anyone there for him. It wasn't something anyone should be used to, but especially someone so young. Booth had waited each time as Sweets went back to sleep. He wanted to make sure Sweets was alright. Booth could tell Sweets was in pain and he was getting sicker. Booth was hoping that Sweets would be alright. It sucked that he was injured so badly, but it was made worse by the fact that he had pneumonia and that would make him cough causing pain to his broken ribs. Booth knew all too well how painful a broken rib could be. He's had plenty of them in his life to know just how painful they can be. Booth wanted to catch these bastards that hurt Sweets and he was hoping that the lab had been able to find something.

Booth's phone went off and he pulled it out to see that it was Hodgins.

"Hodgins, tell me you have something and keep it simple I've been up all night."

"Angie was able to find the video footage from the parking lot. Sweets' car is right next to a camera so the whole thing was caught on tape. We can email it to you. It's brutal though Booth. He didn't even see it coming. They came up behind him as he was putting a box into the backseat of his car. One grabbed him from behind while the other put the cuffs on him. The one holding him stood behind him as he choked him and the others took turns beating him with a crowbar and their fits. Then they left him for dead. He could have been even more hurt than he was for all they knew. He didn't stand a chance man." Hodgins said and Booth could hear the anger in his voice.

"Send it to me and I'll look at it. Did you find something that will tell me who these bastards are?"

"Ang was able to track the guys from the video feeds in the parking lot. They didn't take their masks off until they were in a drove off. Ang is going to see if she can track the car to a location. They did however talk to Sweets, at least one of them did. We can match his voice to a suspect once we have one. She is also going to see if she can find the car and who owns it. The hand that was choking Sweets would have left DNA and a hand print around his neck. DNA might have come off by now, but if we got a picture of it then we can run it through the system and see who was behind Sweets. Sweets' clothes had particulates from his attackers' shoes as well as two separate shoe impressions on his jacket. There is also particulates from the pavement, but that's not going to help prove who did it. We can get the blood off from the cuffs once you have a set for us to look at."

"Ok so I need to talk to Sweets and see what he remembers. You need to find who owns that car. One of the four of them owns the car they used to get away."

"Ang is on it. I was thinking these guys left afterwards. So you could see who was still in the building after this happened and who left before Sweets was attacked. These guys wouldn't have gone back to work."

"That's good Hodgins. I'll pull the records and see who wasn't in the building while Sweets was attacked. That will help narrow it down. Good thinking Hodgins. Let me know when you get something I can use to bring someone in. I gotta call Hacker and let him know what happened. When Sweets wakes up we'll send the pictures of his neck."

"I'll get Ang focused on finding the car and I'll call when we got something."

"Thanks Hodgins."

Booth ended the call and turned to Bones who was waiting to see what they had found out.

"Angela found the video footage. Sweets' car is parked right next to a camera. There were four of them and they came up behind him. Sweets didn't even expect it. Hodgins is going to send me the video. Angela was able to follow them out of the parking lot to a car, but they never took their masks off. She is going to try and see if she can find out who owns the car and where it went. Hodgins found particulates from Sweets being on the ground and off the shoes of his attackers. He also found imprints left on Sweets' jacket from shoe prints. Hodgins also thought of that Sweets' attackers wouldn't have gone back into the building. So I need the records from security to see who was in the building when Sweets was attacked and who had left around that time."

"I have my laptop in my car I can grab it and you can use it to access what you need. Angela will find the car and get you the ownership of it."

"I know she will. I need to call Hacker and let him know what happened. I don't really want to leave Sweets just yet."

"I agree. He shouldn't be alone just yet. He's only been back for six hours now and he could still have problems. I will get my laptop while you call Assistant Director Hacker." Bones said as she stood up.

Booth gave a nod as he dialed the phone while Bones headed out of the room to go to her car to get her laptop out of the car. After three rings Hacker answered.

"Assistant Director Hacker."

"It's Booth, we have a situation Sir."

"What situation would that be at just nine in the morning Agent Booth?"

"Last night Sweets was attacked by four Agents in the parking garage next to his car. He called me and I took him to the hospital he has a long list of serious injuries including six broken ribs and internal bruising on three of his organs. He's home right now and I have spent the night with him waking him up every two hours from his moderate concussion. Angela and Hodgins have been working since three this morning on getting evidence. Angela has the video from the attack and the four Agents were wearing masks. They got into a car and she is trying to find the owner and where the car went. One of the Agents spoke we might be able to ID him from the sound of his voice. Sweets was also handcuffed and the cuffs cut into both wrists causing the doctor to use surgical glue to close the cuts. There will be blood on the cuffs. They were also so tight that it broke his right wrist."

"And you are certain that it was Agents that attacked him and not four random people that are looking to hurt him from a past case?"

"They had handcuffs and they wore masks. Two Agents had a problem with Sweets just the other day. Angela is running the car ownership to see who it belongs to and where it went. He was attacked right at his car it's too much of a coincidence for it to be random people. I'm going to pull up the security logs and see which Agents were in the building when Sweets was there and who didn't come back in once Sweets was attacked. Sweets was also strangled and there is a bruise of a hand on his neck. Hodgins thinks we can match the handprint to someone in the Bureau, we may also be able to get DNA from it still. Hodgins also has found shoeprints on Sweets' jacket and particulates from the attackers' shoes. These guys were Agents Sir."

"Alright has Dr. Sweets said anything about it?"

"I haven't asked him. He's in pain and talking hurts I would imagine. He just said that there were four of them and a crowbar. I was going to ask him later when he was awake."

"What Agents had a problem with him recently?"

"Agent Anderson and Agent Richards. Agent Richards gave Sweets a death threat in my presence just the other day after his meeting with Sweets."

"Neither Agent has come to me with problems with Sweets. I sent Richards to speak to Dr. Sweets before he could be cleared for duty. Anderson got the wrong person arrested and I didn't agree with it. I asked Dr. Sweets to review it himself to confirm which he did. So they could be two out of the four."

"It's possible. He's also doing the evaluations and reviews for every Agent's case files. It could also be four Agents that are feeling threatened by Sweets reviewing their work. They might be thinking they could lose their job."

"Alright. I will email you the security logs. I'll call Richards in so you can speak to him and Anderson is supposed to be in today as well. See what you can find out within the hour before Richards gets here."

"Yes Sir."

"I want this case closed quick Agent Booth. We can't have Agents beating up other members of the Bureau. Close it quick."

"Got it."

Booth ended the call as Bones was coming back in with her laptop.

"Hacker isn't too happy right now. He's going to bring in Richards. I have an hour to find something that we can use to point us in a direction. He's going to email me the security logs so I can go over them."

"But Richards isn't an active Agent right now so he's not going to be on the list."

"I know, but I'm hoping there will be the other three. I need the name on that ownership."

"Angela will get it for you. She's very good." Bones said as she sat down on the couch and Booth sat down beside her as she loaded up the laptop.

"I know she is. I just hate that this happened. He didn't just get a little beat up Bones, they jumped him from behind and beat the hell out of him."

"I agree. His injuries are nothing to laugh at. He's going to be in pain for weeks and it will take eight weeks for his ribs to be fully healed. He has some recovery ahead of him." Bones said sympathetically.

Booth signed into his email as he spoke.

"It shouldn't have happened. He's just doing his job and even if his job is annoying at times he still helps a lot of people and helps us put killers away. His profiles have been very helpful to us, especially when we get stuck and have no idea what to do once the evidence gives us nothing. He doesn't deserve to be beat up over his job."

"I know Booth and I agree with you. Even if psychology is a soft-science his profiles have been helpful in leading us to a suspect. Regardless of what people think he doesn't deserve to be attacked liked this because of him just doing his job."

"Alright here is the video." Booth said as he opened the video and hit play.

Bones leaned over so she could see the screen as well. They watched as Sweets walked over to his car carrying his briefcase and a box in his hands. He opened the back door and put the box down on the back seat and put his keys onto the driver's seat as he put his briefcase down on the backseat. They saw as the four men came up behind Sweets and the one quickly grabbed him around the neck with his hand and pulled Sweets back. Sweets instantly brought his hands up to the man's hand and tried to get it off from him. They saw Sweets fighting against the man holding him, but he was still dragged back into the darker part near the wall. They watched as his wrists were cuffed and the one man came over to Sweets and spoke. They knew what was coming, but it didn't help to prepare them very much. They watched as the men each began to beat Sweets. Booth also felt a touch of pride as he watched Sweets try and fight off his attackers. He had kicked at them and tried to wiggle out of the man's death grip on his throat. At the end it wasn't enough and he was left bleeding with broken bones on the pavement.

"Did you see that?" Bones said as she went over to her laptop and moved the video back near the first.

"See what?"

"He scratched the guy's hand. Look." Bones said as she paused it right where Sweets scratched the guy's hand that was around his throat.

"He scratched him. If he hasn't washed his hands that DNA could still be there. He also landed a few kicks on that second guy. The one that spoke was definitely Richards. I would recognize that voice anywhere. We got him at least." Booth said as he saw what Bones was talking about.

"Maybe he has other friends that he has outside of the Bureau. He's on suspension you said."

"It's possible. We'll know if we can get any DNA off Sweets."

They heard some shuffling and they both looked towards the partly open door. They heard Sweets take a sharp breath in and they both knew he was awake. Booth got up and so did Bones. Booth went down the hallway first and Bones followed behind him. They didn't know what Sweets would be like at first and they didn't want to have him feeling overwhelmed. Booth gently knocked on the door before he walked in. Bones stayed by the door as Booth walked into the room. They saw Sweets laying down on his back and he was clearly in pain. His head turned at the knock and he was surprised to see Booth and Bones here. Booth didn't know why Sweets would be surprised to see him. He had been there since three this morning waking him up. He should have known he would still be here.

"How you doing Sweets?" Booth gently asked.

"Fine." Sweets' voice was rough and raw and it was clear that he was in pain.

"I'm sure there is some psychological mumbo jumbo that you have that explains why when someone is clearly not fine they say they are." Booth said with a small smile.

"What are you both doing here?" Sweets asked weakly as he tried to push himself up to a sitting position.

"Whoa hey Sweets don't move around too much. You got a lot of broken ribs its best if you just lay down." Booth said calmly as he went over closer to Sweets to get him to stop moving to sit up.

"Booth is right Sweets you should lay flat on your back. It will help with your ribs as well as the internal bruising on your stomach. Moving around too much will only cause you more pain." Bones said calmly.

Sweets laid back down and fought the urge to cough as he knew it would hurt like hell if he did.

"Why are you both here?" Sweets asked weakly once again.

"Why wouldn't we still be here Sweets? You are seriously injured and sick. You shouldn't be alone for long right now." Booth answered.

"I'm fine. I'm sure you both have more important work with your case. You don't need to be here with me. I'll be fine on my own."

"People shouldn't be alone when they are injured like this. Just because you are used to being alone doesn't make it right Sweets. As for that case we made an arrest yesterday thanks to your profile. It was a male by the way and he did it because she cheated on him twenty years ago. Only for him to marry her sister. Right now the only case we have to work on is yours." Booth said.

"Mine?" Sweets asked confused.

"You didn't think I was going to let those bastards get away with this did you?"

"I just figured local police would work it."

"Agents were involved in your attack Sweets. That's not something for local police to handle. Besides even if it was junkies I wouldn't be passing this case off to anyone else." Booth said.

"Agents?" Sweets asked confused.

"Agents attacked you Sweets. One of them used their cuffs on you. One of them spoke to you." Booth said with patience in his voice.

"I don't remember. It's all hazy right now." Sweets said with pain in his voice from talking.

"It's your concussion. It should come back to you once your brain has time to heal." Bones said.

"The attack was caught on the camera by your car. Angela already got the footage and I was able to ID the one Agent from his voice. It was Richards. You also kicked another one and scratched the one holding your neck. Bones is hoping that maybe you still have his DNA on you." Booth said gently.

"If not then the bruising around your neck will be enough for Angela to get his finger prints from." Bones added.

"You want a swab." Sweets said as his voice got weaker and weaker.

"I have a kit in my car. I just need to swab your neck and do a scrapping under your fingernails. It would help to identify your attacker." Bones said.

Sweets just gave a weak nod and Bones gave a very small smile before she headed out of the room to go to her car to get her kit.

"Do you remember anything Sweets?" Booth asked gently.

"Just four guys and a crowbar or tire iron I don't know. It's fuzzy right now."

"That's okay. Don't force yourself to remember it'll come back to you. Richards spoke to you and it was caught on tape. I was able to ID his voice. Hacker is going to bring him in. Hacker doesn't know yet that I was able to make Richards. I'll go and talk to him and see if he will tell me who the others are. I have the security logs from last night too and they might be able to give us the other Agents. Can you remember if there is anyone from the files that you read that wouldn't be happy with you going through their cases? Besides Anderson."

"I don't know. I can't… I can't really think straight right now. I'm sorry." Sweets said weakly and Booth could hear the pain clear in his voice. He was in a lot of pain right now and he was trying to hide it and put on a brave front.

"Its okay don't worry about it. I'll find out who the other three bastards are. Don't stress over it. Angela got the footage and saw that the four Agents got into a car. She was going to track it and see who it belonged to and where it went. Hodgins found particulates on your clothes and he'll be able to match them to your attackers. We'll get them Sweets I promise you." Booth said with strength to his voice.

"The little girl, do you know if she was found?" Sweets asked changing the topic to one he really wanted to know about.

"I'm not sure. I have to go into the office to interrogate Richards. I'll ask Hacker if she was found. If they followed your profile I'm sure they found her. I'll ask for you."

"She's only three. She was taken off her front lawn when her mother ran into the house to get her daughter some water. Her front lawn was fenced with a gate the little girl should have been safe. It was only seven in the morning. It was someone that knew her."

"I'll check for you. I'm sure they found her Sweets. Don't try and talk too much right now." Booth said calmly.

Bones came back into the room with a small metal kit in her hand. She went over to the bed and put the kit down on the bedside table.

"I just need to swab your neck, take a picture of the bruising and scrap your fingernails. None of this will hurt." Bones said clinically.

Sweets just gave a small nod as Bones got her gloves on and grabbed a swab. She gently took the swab of his neck all around the front and sides before she put the swab back into the box it came in. She then took a couple of pictures of the bruising around his neck before she took the fingernail scrapings. Once she was done she put the evidence in her kit before she closed it.

"I will get this back to the lab and Cam will be able to see if she can get any DNA."

"I need to go into the office and interrogate Richards. I'll be about an hour and then I'll be back to check in on you. I don't like the idea of leaving you alone, but we don't have much of a choice right now. Do you need any pain medication or your anti-biotic?"

"Not yet. You don't have to come back. I'll be fine on my own. I'm just going to sleep."

"You need to just sleep, but I'm still coming back here to check in on you. So do you have a spare key I can use?"

"No. Just take my keys. You really don't have to though I'll be fine."

"You will be fine and I'm going to make sure of that. I'll come bring you a new ice pack to help your ribs then I'll head out. Bones can you drop me off at the office?"

"Of course."

"I'll get you a new ice pack and then we'll head out." Booth said as he got up off the bed and headed out of the room.

Sweets just closed his eyes and tried his best to ignore the fact that Bones was still in the room. Sweets just wanted to be left alone right now and he didn't want to have to deal with anyone right now. Bones just stood there waiting for when Booth would be back with an ice pack. Thankfully the apartment was small so it didn't take him long at all before he was back in the room with a new ice pack. Booth went over to Sweets and he removed the no longer cold ice pack and gently placed the new one down over Sweets' right ribs. Sweets hissed at the new pain the cold caused him, but he knew that he would feel better after his body adapted to the cold.

"Alright I won't be long and I'll come back and check in on you. Just rest and don't move around too much." Booth said in a serious voice.

"Really you don't have to come back. I'm fine on my own Agent Booth." Sweets tried one more time.

"And I told you I'm coming back. Just rest up Sweets." Booth said gently.

"Booth is right Sweets. The best thing for you to do is to rest and try not to move around too much." Bones said with a small smile.

Sweets just gave a nod and both Bones and Booth headed out of the bedroom and back to the front door. Booth grabbed Sweets' keys that he put down on a table by the couch before they headed out. Booth made sure he locked the door and they both headed down the stairs to Bones' car. They got into the car and they headed off for the Bureau so Booth could get to the office and interrogate Richards and update Hacker about what they had discovered.

"He didn't look too good at all Booth." Bones said after they headed down the street.

"I told you he was injured. He doesn't have any food in that place either. I'll come by later with some things for him. He's going to be in too much pain to be doing much of anything."

"Soft and easy foods will help his throat and stomach. Things like soup, potatoes, ice cream things like that."

"I'll pick him up some stuff before I head back. I can also make him some soup that he can just warm up throughout the week."

"Hot honey, lemon tea will help with his throat and soothe his stomach as well. I can make him some simple foods that will be good on his stomach that he can reheat in the microwave. I'm sure Angela will make something as well. He shouldn't be moving around too much in this next week."

"I'll make him some soup and get him some of that tea at the store before I go back. Hopefully this won't take long to wrap up. I don't want to drag this out."

"I'm sure there will be plenty of evidence that you can use against these assailants. You will get them Booth you always do."

"I also have to ask about the little girl that was kidnapped. Sweets said she was only three years old."

"I hope they found her. Hacker would know wouldn't he?" Bones asked with concern.

"He would. I'll ask when I get there for Sweets he was worried about her."

"I'm sure they found her Booth."

"I hope so. A three year old little girl out there is never something anyone wants to happen. Hopefully they found her."

Booth's phone went off and Booth pulled it out to see that it was Angela calling him.

"Ya Angela what did you get?" Booth asked as he answered the phone.

"So I found out who owns the car. Anthony Walker, he was in the military for twenty years before he retired. Get this, Walker was on a team with Richards and two other men; Michael Roth and Jeremy Gardener. All of them are retired and Richards went into the FBI from the military. They all retired at the same time after a bad operation. According to the file the military felt that their service to the country was complete and they were given retirement. Now Walker works for a security company as a rent a cop at a mall. Roth has his own business of landscaping and Gardener is currently unemployed from what I can find. I was also able to track where the car ended up and it went to Walker's house."

"Good work Angela. I recognized the voice on the video as Richards. Can you see if his voice is anywhere on record and do a comparison?"

"I'll start looking for something to compare it to. How's Sweets doing?"

"He's in pain. Bones is heading in with some evidence from Sweets. I'm heading into the office to interrogate Richards. Then I'll head back and check in on Sweets."

"Well let me know if there is anything I can do to help."

"You getting the evidence helps. Thanks Angela."

"No problem. Get these bastards Booth."

"I will, I guarantee it."

Booth ended the call and turned to Bones. "Angela was able to find the owner of the car, Anthony Walker. Walker, Richards, Roth and Gardener, were all on the same military squad. After a bad operation they were all given retirement and went their own ways. Walker is a rent a cop at a mall so he might have cuffs. They all went to Walker's house afterwards."

"That's good that they were in the military. That means their fingerprints and DNA will be in the system. It won't take long to match the DNA and bruise on Sweets' neck."

"Good hopefully this will all be over with today. It makes sense that Richards would call up some old army buddies to help him beat up Sweets. They all clearly went through something bad enough that the military gave them retirement and let them leave. I wouldn't be surprised if the file leans more towards force retirement than them requesting it."

"Good this might be over with quickly then."

They drove to the Bureau and once there Booth got out and headed inside and up to his floor so he could talk to Hacker. He headed to Hacker's office and he knocked on the door. Once he was told to enter Booth walked in to see Hacker sitting down at his desk. Booth closed the door before he headed over to the desk, but he didn't sit down.

"Agent Booth, what do you have?" Hacker asked with complete seriousness to his voice.

"Angela sent me the video feed from the attack last night. You can see all of the assailants on the video. The whole thing is caught on tape and one of them spoke. I was able to make the ID of the one speaking being Agent Richards. All of their faces are covered with a mask, but his voice is distinctive."

"Can you do a comparison so it's sealed up for the courts?"

"Angela is working on that right now. If nothing else he will talk in the interrogation so she'll have it from that. She did trace the car back to its owner and it came back as Anthony Walker. The car was driven to his house. Walker and Richards were in the military together on a squad with Michael Roth and Jeremy Gardener. According to records after a bad operation they were all given retirement and they went their separate ways. Walker is a rent a cop at a mall and he would have access to handcuffs if Richards' were not the ones used. I am going to call Caroline and see if she can get me a warrant on Walker and Richards' phone based on the evidence we have she'll be able to. I want to bring in Roth, Walker and Gardener and talk to them, see if they will give anything up."

"I'll have Agents go out and pick them up. Is there any physical evidence yet?"

"Bones took a swab of Sweets' neck and a picture of the hand shaped bruise as well as nail scrapings. In the video you can see Sweets fought back. It didn't help him any, but he did scratch the man choking him and kicked one of his assailants hard enough to bruise. There is going to be proof of an attack on them. We have Walker's car on video and going to his house with everyone in the car. We have Richards' voice and either his cuffs or Walker's will have blood on them. We got those two easily. Hopefully the evidence will give us more or they turn on each other."

"I'll have Agents go and pick up the other three. Richards is in interrogation room one and he is not too happy. Go take his badge from him and make sure he never gets it back."

"With pleasure Sir. Sweets was also curious if you were able to locate that missing little girl."

"Agent Sanders was able to locate the little girl. She was taken by the man that delivers the flyers in the morning, once a week. It was his first offense and he didn't do anything to her. She was kept in a locked room the whole time. She spent the night last night back in her own bed with her parents."

"That's a relief. I'll let Sweets know he was worried about her."

"His profile is what led Sanders to an arrest. It was crucial. Thanks to his profile that little girl was found and unharmed."

"He's great at what he does. He'll be pleased to know that he could help. Thank-you Sir."

Hacker gave a nod and Booth headed out of the office and headed for the interrogation room. He pulled out his cell phone and called Caroline as he walked. After two rings she answered.

"Hello Cherie."

"Hey, Sweets was attacked last night by four guys all wearing ski masks and a crowbar. He was seriously injured. The one who organized it all was Agent Richards. I have him in the interrogation room right now. I need you to get me a warrant for his phone records as well as the other three men involved; Jeremy Gardener, Anthony Walker and Michael Roth. I also need a search warrant for their homes to search for evidence and to Walker's car. It was used as their get-away car." Booth said skipping the normal small talk he would do with Caroline.

"I'll have the warrants within the hour. Is the good doctor okay?" Caroline asked with a mix of anger and concern.

"He will be, but he has six broken ribs, internal bruising, a concussion, sprained wrist, cracked jaw, multiple stitches plus he is sick with pneumonia right now. He's a mess and in a lot of pain. I want this case wrapped up nice and tight so he doesn't have to worry about it and maybe not have to deal with a trial."

"I'll get you those warrants. You give Sweets my best wishes and if he needs anything to have him call me."

"I'll let him know. Thanks Caroline."

"You just get these bastards that hurt our good doctor Cherie."

"I can promise you that."

Booth ended the call just before he headed into the interrogation room. He walked into the room to see Richards seething in anger as he sat in the chair. Booth closed the door and went over to the table as Richards spoke.

"What the hell is the meaning of this Booth?" Richards said with complete anger dripping from his voice.

"You know why you're here." Booth said with control to his voice.

"I know I was at home minding my own business when an Agent told me I had to come in for questioning. What bullshit are you playing at here?"

"You don't know why you are here really? Well how about a little reminder." Booth said as he pulled out his phone and pulled up the video on his phone of the attack.

He held it out for Richards to see. He watched as Richards watched it and after it was only playing for a moment Richards spoke.

"So the brat got what was coming to him. It has nothing to do with me." Richards said defensively.

"Oh no? Well I would imagine that seeing how it's your voice that is on that tape it makes it have a lot to do with you."

"That's not my voice." Richards said automatically.

"Yes it is. I know your voice and I bet you that when Sweets hears it he'll agree."

"No one would ever believe that little shit over me." Richards said with anger.

"Yes they will and they will believe me over you. And if that isn't enough all we have to do is show them the voice comparison and any doubt will be put to bed." Booth said as he put his phone back.

"I wasn't there and you can't prove that I was. A voice comparison doesn't mean shit. You need actual evidence which there is none as I wasn't there." Richards said as he crossed his arms over his chest and sat back.

"Yes you were. You and your three army buddies, Anthony Walker, Michael Roth and Jeremy Gardener. You called them up and you came up with the plan to assault Dr. Sweets. I'll find the phone logs easily enough. Caroline is already on the warrant for it and to search all of your homes and Walker's car that you used to leave the parking garage and go to his house. I'll find the masks and the cuffs that will have Dr. Sweets' blood on them. Not to mention the DNA evidence from him and the hand bruise around his neck. You and your three army buddies are going to jail for a decade all because you didn't like what he had to say about you."

"I didn't do anything. I'm innocent. Doesn't mean I'm all broken up over him getting the shit beat out of him. He deserved it. Trying to tell me that he won't clear me. Like he even understands what life is really like. Like he understands what it's like to be an Agent. He's just some snot nose bratty kid playing dress-up. He doesn't know what pain is. He doesn't know what a hard life is. He wanted to take my badge from me. I had nothing to do with what happened to him, but I'm glad it did. He deserved it and more." Richards said with complete hate in his voice.

"See that is where you are wrong. He didn't deserve it. He wasn't trying to take your badge from you, he was trying to do everything he could to make sure you got to keep it. His job is to make sure you are mentally stable enough to be trusted with a gun and with the lives of innocent people and in his opinion and mine you weren't. But on the bright side he won't be taking your badge. I will be. You're under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon on a Federal Agent." Booth said as he stood up and Richards' erupted.

"Go to hell! I didn't do anything to that little bitch you can't prove shit Booth!"

Booth went over to Richards and grabbed his arm tight and pulled him to his feet as he spoke with anger in his own voice. "Ya well Hacker is more than happy with the evidence that I have on you. You and your friends are going to spend the next ten years in jail. That's assuming Caroline doesn't want to add attempted murder to the list. Now shut the hell up you know your rights."

Booth pulled out his cuffs and cuffed Richards before he dragged him out of the room and handed him off to another Agent that would take him and book him. The whole time Richards yelled that he didn't do it and that Booth would regret it. Booth just ignored him and pulled out his phone and called Angela. Booth walked back to his office as he waited for Angela to answer.

"Hey Booth." Angela answered after three rings.

"Tell me you got something for me."

"Well I ran the voice comparison on Richards and it was a perfect match."

"And you're sure that will hold up?"

"Absolutely. There's no room for argument its perfect."

"Good I don't want him getting off on this. I just arrested Richards. He's denying the whole thing, but I didn't expect anything less. Caroline is working on a warrant to search the four residents and get phone records. Anything come back on the DNA?"

"Cam is running it right now. I ran the handprint and it came back as a match to Jeremy Gardener."

"So he was the one that was choking and holding Sweets. Good work Angela I can use that to arrest him."

"Cam is putting the DNA and nail scrapings through right now so if there is anything she will have it quick."

"Good. Agents are bringing in the three of them. I can arrest Gardener with the handprint and he'll have the cut on his hand from Sweets. The car will let me arrest Walker. I just need something to arrest Roth."

"Hey is that Booth?" Hodgins asked as he walked into the room.

"Ya just a second let me put him on speaker phone." Angela said as she hit the button.

"Booth man I found something that you are gonna like." Hodgins said.

"Keep it simple Hodgins." Booth said already getting the feeling that this was going to be a long and confusing conversation.

"After seeing the video I went to the crime scene and searched the ground for any trace of the fight. Sweets had a weird particulate on his jeans that he got when he was on the ground. It's a high-end soil that is used by landscapers for those rich clients. There was some of the ground there that I brought back as a comparison. There was also a shoe print with the stuff on the pavement right where the attack happened."

"Landscaper, Roth owns his own landscaping company." Booth said as he understood what Hodgins was getting at.

"I took a picture of the shoe print so you can use it to compare it to his shoes. Sweets also had a small couple of drips of blood on his pants down near his knee. They were the only blood on his pants so I had Cam run it to see who it belonged to. It's probably from his attackers the one that he kicked a few times." Hodgins said.

"Sweets told me he used to play soccer in a community centre when he was in college. He probably still has a good kick to him that he made his attacker bleed." Angela said.

"Ok good work you guys. Get Cam to call me right away when she has the results for the DNA, but that's enough with the warrants for me to be able to arrest these bastards."

"How is Sweets doing?" Hodgins asked.

"He's not doing too well. I'm going back over there once I am done here."

"Can we do anything?" Angela asked.

"Bones said with the bruising to his throat and stomach that he won't be able to eat much food. I'm going to make him some soup and pick him up a few things. He won't be able to move around much for the next week. It might be nice if you want to cook him something so he just has to reheat it. He doesn't really have any food in his place right now. Something that I need to talk to him about."

"I can cook him some meals. I know a lot of great things that would be simple on him and easy to just reheat." Angela said.

"Ya I can make him some things too. Ice cream, popsicles, freezies and tea is going to be really good for his throat and stomach. The bruising will make his stomach hurt from time to time. Oatmeal is good too and potatoes." Hodgins said.

"I'm going to pick him up some soup and tea. I'll get him some vanilla ice cream too. He's also sick so he's not really feeling great at all. Anything would help so he doesn't have to stress over it while he's trying to recover." Booth said.

"What about his family have they been notified?" Hodgins asked.

"He doesn't have any family and no friends in the city. He's on his own." Booth said as he kept the sadness from his voice.

"That's so sad. Well we will keep an eye on him and make sure he is healing up good. I'll make some food for him so he doesn't have to worry about it." Angela said.

"Ya and I'll pick him up a few things that will help with his throat and stomach. Let us know when you get the cuffs and shoes and we can compare them and run them for any blood or particulates." Hodgins said.

"I'll let you know. Good job guys."

"Thanks." Angela said.

Booth ended the call and he went over and sat down at his desk. He didn't want to be doing nothing, but he couldn't do anything until the other assailants were brought in so he could interrogate them. He had to wait for other people to get what they needed done so he could get this over and done with for Sweets today. Booth knew that it wouldn't make everything all better, but it would be the start of healing for Sweets. To know that these men were off the street and they couldn't come after him again would at least help to make Sweets feel safer. Booth knew that he still had healing to do and not just physically. Sweets was one of the best psychologists in the country though and Booth was confident that he would be able to work through what happened to him and be able to move forward. Booth also knew he would need to keep a closer eye on Sweets to make sure that he wasn't getting too lost in his work and neglecting his own life and health. Booth was going to keep a closer eye on Sweets to make sure that he wasn't slipping through the cracks.

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It was just after three by the time Booth got back to Sweets' apartment. He had spent the last five hours getting this case wrapped up. The DNA from Sweets' neck came back from Gardener as well as the nail scrapings. The soil traces and the small blood spots on Sweets' pants came back as a match to Roth. The cuffs that was used on Sweets came back as Walker's and they were found in Walker's house. It was a slam dunk case and one that was solved quickly. Booth was thankful that it was over and done with in the legal sense. Booth was certain that Richards will fight the charges, but the other three had too much evidence to even try and fight it. Booth was confident that they would plead guilty and skip out on a trial.

Once he had all of the paperwork taken care of Booth went to the grocery store and picked up a few things for Sweets so he wouldn't have to worry about it. Angela, Bones, Cam and Hodgins were all going to make him a few easy meals so he would just have to reheat them when he was hungry. It wasn't much, but it would help him get through the next week without having to move around too much. Booth grabbed the two bags and he headed out of his SUV and headed back up to Sweets' apartment. He walked in and he saw that Sweets was laying down on the couch with the TV on a baseball game. Booth went and put the two bags down in the kitchen before he went over to the back of the couch and looked down at Sweets. Booth didn't say anything when he first walked in, because he didn't know if Sweets was sleeping or not. When he looked over the back of the couch he saw that Sweets was awake and he looked even worse than he had when Booth and Bones left. He was covered in a light throw blanket with a pillow behind his head. He was shivering though and Booth could see that he had a fever and was in a lot of pain. The bruising on his face and neck had only gotten darker and his left eye was still swollen shut and Booth could see the side of his jaw was slightly swollen as well.

"Hey Sweets. When was the last time you had any medication?" Booth asked gently.

"Couple of hours ago." Sweets said through clenched teeth as it hurt to talk.

Booth moved his hand gently and slowly placed the back of his hand against Sweets' forehead. Sweets flinched slightly, but he calmed down a lot quicker than he had last night when Booth touched him.

"You have a high fever. Did you take your anti-biotic?" Booth asked as he moved his hand back.

Sweets just gave a nod.

"We need to get that fever down." Booth said as he moved back from the couch and he headed down to the small and short hallway and opened the only door besides the bedroom and bathroom. He saw that it was a small linen closet and Booth grabbed a cloth before he closed the door. Booth went into the kitchen and ran the cloth under cold water before he rung it out. He then grabbed a new ice pack before he went out into the living room. He went over to the back of the couch and he spoke as he gently placed the cloth across Sweets' forehead.

"This is going to be cold, but it will help bring your fever down. I also need to pull the blanket down from your torso to help cool your body off. I have a new ice pack too. What side hurts the most?" Booth asked gently.

"Right."

Booth pulled the blanket back and folded it over Sweets' hip before he went and placed the ice pack against Sweets' right side.

"I'll be right back." Booth said calmly before he headed to the kitchen to put the few things away in the fridge or freezer. He went back out into the living room and he sat down on the coffee table.

"So I got you a few things to help you for the week. Bones said that lemon, honey tea would be good for your throat and your stomach. She said that your stomach will hurt from time to time with the bruising and that simple food would be best for it for the first week. I got you some vanilla ice cream, popsicles and freezies for your throat and they will help with you being sick. I got you some soup it's in the fridge all you have to do is warm it up." Booth said calmly.

"Thank-you. You didn't have to do that Agent Booth, I appreciate it."

"It's no problem. You would do the same for any of us. I did speak to Hacker and they did find the little girl. Hacker said your profile led them right to the kidnapper. It was the man that delivers the flyers to that area. It was his first offense and he didn't do anything to the little girl besides keeping her locked up in a bedroom by herself. She spent last night with her parents."

Sweets closed his right eye in relief before he spoke.

"Thank-you for asking for me. That's great news."

"It is great news and Hacker said she wasn't hurt at all. Your case is closed up and it's air tight. Do you want to know who they were?" Booth asked gently not sure if Sweets was ready to hear this.

Sweets just gave a small nod and Booth spoke deciding to leave out all of the technical stuff.

"Richards got three of his old army buddies; Anthony Walker, Michael Roth and Jeremy Gardener. They were all in a squad together and something happened on an operation that the military had them all retired early. Richards wanted to make sure you didn't take his badge from him. I took great pleasure in doing it and slapping the cuffs on him a little too tightly. There's enough evidence that it's air tight. Richards' army buddies believed Richards when he said that you were trying to ruin his career. They were loyal to their army buddy. They are going away for ten years at least."

"So it's done?"

"Yes Sweets it is done. Hacker wanted me to let you know that with your ribs being broken he is going to give you a month of paid leave. Just take this time to heal up from what happened Sweets."

"I'll be fine. I'm fine."

"You are not fine Sweets and no one expects you to be. You were just attacked last night by four large men, one of which was a fellow Agent. I saw those guys, I interrogated and arrested them. They weren't small at all the last thing they needed was a crowbar, which we found in Walker's car. You are lucky to be alive Sweets. Of course you are not fine, but you will be. If you ever need to talk about what happened you can always come to me. I'll always be willing to listen to you." Booth said sincerely.

"I appreciate that, but I'll be fine. I've been beat up before in school it's no big deal." Sweets said with a small shrug.

"My offer still stands and it always will. Now do you want to stay out here or do you want me to help you go back into the bedroom?"

"I'm fine here. The TV works as a distraction from the pain."

"Ok well why don't you try and get some sleep." Booth said as he got up off the coffee table and went over to the chair and sat down.

"What are you doing?" Sweets asked confused.

"I'm going to stay here for a while to make sure you are okay." Booth said calmly.

"You really don't have to. I'm fine on my own really." Sweets said not understanding why Booth wanted to stay.

"I know you are, but this isn't a time for when someone should be alone. Just try and sleep don't worry about me. I got nothing I would rather do. Sleep Sweets you need it." Booth said gently.

Sweets didn't understand what was going on right now, but he figured he would chalk that up to having the concussion. Sweets was too tired and in too much pain to keep arguing so he just closed his eyes and allowed his body to try and relax and fall asleep where he could escape the pain and all around shitty feeling. Booth watched as Sweets let himself fall asleep. He could see that he was exhausted and in a great deal of pain, more so than he was showing. Booth was worried about how Sweets' mind was doing with all of this. He wasn't fine and Sweets knew he wasn't fine yet he automatically said he was like it was ingrained into him. Booth figured that it probably was which means that those scars wouldn't have been the first time he was abused. Booth wasn't going to leave Sweets alone though with this. He wasn't going to be stuck on him, but he wasn't going anywhere tonight. He was going to make sure that nothing comes up from Sweets' injuries. Booth knew that Sweets was confused about why Booth would want to stay there with him and Booth knew he would need to make a serious effort to get to know Sweets and be there for him. No one could go through life totally alone, because if they did then those people normally die from loneliness. No one deserved to go through life alone and Booth wasn't going to let that happen to Sweets, not while he could do something to stop it. Booth put his feet up on the coffee table and watched Sweets sleep for a little while before he turned his attention to the TV. He wasn't going anywhere tonight no matter what Sweets said.

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It had been a week since the attack on Sweets and Booth was sitting in his office. They had just wrapped up a case and Booth was finishing up some paperwork from his other duties. He had spent the second night with Sweets making sure that he was okay. Booth could tell he was in a great deal of pain and he didn't want to leave Sweets alone when he was in that level of pain. Booth headed home that next day and he had come by once a day to make sure that Sweets was doing okay. The others had gone by to see Sweets and bring him some food for him to just warm up later. Sweets was very appreciative that everyone had come by to see him and check up on him. It was all new to Sweets as he had never had anyone there to check in on him. He was used to doing everything on his own and now it seemed like he didn't have to be so alone as much.

Sweets was still in a great deal of pain. He had a lot of broken ribs and he also had some serious bruising both internally and externally. His voice was still hoarse and it got weaker and weaker the more he spoke. Sweets had spent the week going through his files. He was on leave, but that didn't mean that he didn't have responsibilities as well. He had to refer his patients to a temporary psychologists until he returned. He still had the Agent files that Sweets had to go through to see who was neglecting their duty and who wasn't. Sweets' apartment had become very cluttered with files and file boxes everywhere, but Sweets didn't mind. He was used to the small little apartment. He's only ever lived in small little places so it was normal for him.

Sweets headed into the Bureau and up into the elevator. He had a file box full of files that he needed a second opinion on. He was just wearing simple blue jeans, a red t-shirt and his black leather jacket and converse shoes. It was the first time he had ever shown up this casual before, but he wasn't here on a professional level, he was here to get a second opinion on something. Sweets headed up in the elevator and once there on his floor he made his way through the hallways and through the desks ignoring the looks he was getting from the other Agents. He headed towards Booth's office with the file box in his hands. The door was open so Sweets walked in and Booth looked up and instantly stood up when he saw Sweets and walked around to him as he spoke.

"Sweets, what the hell are you doing here? And carrying a box around?" Booth gently took the file box from Sweets as Sweets spoke.

"I'm fine." Sweets said with a heavy voice. It was the furthest he had walked since being released from the hospital and he was feeling a little shaky.

"Sit down before you fall over." Booth said as he put the file box down on one of the empty chairs before he went and closed the door as he continued to speak. "You have multiple broken bones, serious bruising and pneumonia. You shouldn't be out of bed let alone here. What are you doing here?" Booth asked as he went and leaned against his desk looking at a clearly sick Sweets.

"I was going through the files for Hacker." Sweets started, but Booth cut him off.

"You aren't supposed to be working Sweets."

"I'm not technically, but just because I am injured doesn't mean that I don't have responsibilities still. I need to get the files read through and finished so when I do come back in three weeks I won't be drowning in work. I still have the Agent assessments to do for the annual review. I have my own patients outside of the Agency that I need to see plus profiles for Agents. I need to get these cases reviewed before I come back."

"Ok you have a lot of work that you do I get that, but why are you here and not doing this in your bed?" Booth asked calmly.

"I need your help. I know you are busy, but I need your help." Sweets said awkwardly.

"You need help going through the case files? I don't mind helping you going through them, there has to be hundreds of them for you to read through." Booth said understandingly.

"There's actually five years' worth of files I have to go through. There's thousands and I wouldn't be saying no to getting help reading through them, but that's not it."

"Five years' worth. Holy shit Sweets that is way too many for one person to go through. When are you supposed to have it done?" Booth asked shocked that it was that many files that Sweets had to go through.

"I have three months to get them done before the annual assessment comes up. I also have to do psych evals on every single Agent before that time as well for Hacker and the Deputy Director to include in their assessment."

"That's a lot of work for one person to be doing Sweets. I can talk to Hacker and see if he will let me help you go through those files if you want."

"I wouldn't be saying no to that, but I know you are busy with your own cases and responsibilities."

"Sweets I don't mind helping you go through them. It's a lot for one person to be taking on. I'll talk to Hacker and see if he has a problem with my helping you. If that isn't why you are here, then why are you here?"

"I think I found something really bad, but I don't know if it's just my mind seeing something that's not really there. I am on pain medication and have a slight concussion still. You're the only one that won't be afraid to tell me that I am crazy if I am wrong. And if I am right then the problem is bigger than me and I know you will do what needs to be done no matter what." Sweets said honestly.

"I don't like the sound of this. What do you think you found?" Booth asked in a serious voice.

"I think there is a serial killer."

"Ok whoa that is one hell of a statement. Start at the beginning." Booth said as he went and sat down in the chair next to Sweets once he put the box down on the ground.

"I was going through the files when I started to see a pattern. The files in the box are the ones I've found so far that fit the pattern." Sweets started and Booth opened the box and grabbed a handful of the files as Sweets continued. "They are all the same, but different at the same time. They all appear random and all are killed by different means. All of them are from different races and ages there isn't anything that connects them victimology wise."

"Then what makes you think that they are the works of a serial killer?" Booth asked not understanding where Sweets was going with this.

"Look at the crime scene photos where the body was found." Sweets said understanding that Booth wouldn't see his point.

Booth flipped through to the crime scene photo where the body was found, but it was just an alley he didn't see anything special about it.

"Look at the wall, see the graffiti of the red devil face?" Sweets said calmly.

Booth looked at the alley wall and he could see the devil face. It was just in the background and it wasn't a close up shot, but Booth could see it.

"Ya I see it. Does that mean something?" Booth asked.

"Probably. I've found that same thing on alley walls in fifty files. All in different parts of the city in just the past three years alone and that's just the files I've gone through so far. One or two crime scenes it's a coincidence, but fifty in all areas of the city seems hard to believe for a coincidence."

Booth looked through a few more crime scene photos from different files and sure enough there was the devil face spray painted on the walls as well.

"Was there anything else that you noticed?" Booth asked as he looked at Sweets.

"The crimes all come across as random and disorganized. They read as a heat of the moment kills. There was no forethought or after thought. The killer didn't try and clean up the mess they just left the body where they killed them. Out of the fifty files thirty-three of them had arrests that went to trial and they were found innocent. They were ex-boyfriend or girlfriends, spouses, anyone that had a motive really that the Agent would pin it on. Seventeen were arrested and found guilty, but from what I have read they are innocent. Some have been sitting in prison for the past three years completely innocent. Booth, all of these files were handled by one Agent. Agent Anderson." Sweets explained as his voice began to grow hoarse.

"Wait all fifty files?" Booth asked shocked.

"Ya I checked twice. Over half of them he wasn't even on duty when the call came in. He stated he was in the area and took the case."

"You're right, there is a serious problem. Cases get handled by different Agents you can understand why they didn't make a connection. But you handle fifty cases and all of them have the same devil face by the body there is no way you don't make a connection by the time the fifth case comes around. You obviously have a profile in your head, does Anderson fit it?"

"The profile isn't that simple. The crimes read as disorganized and they are, but there are some inconstancies with that. Like how all of these people are killed right where the devil face is. Some were alone for blocks before the attack, there were other opportunities for the killer to strike. Yet the killer strikes the victim right where the devil face is and all were killed by whatever the killer could get his hands on in the alley at the time of the kill. If the killer is that disorganized then why does he wait to kill them when they are near the devil face? Why paint the devil face on the walls before or after the kills? Someone who is so disorganized that they are killing random people, in random parts of the city with whatever weapon was laying around at the time. They wouldn't spray paint a devil face before or after the kills. That is something that an organized killer would do."

"Meaning what?" Booth said not fully understanding Sweets' point.

"Meaning there is only two ways this plays out and all of them include partners. The first, there is a dominate partner who is controlling the submissive partner into killing these people. The dominate would have a reason for why these people and not someone else. The submissive kills them where the dominate has placed the devil face on the wall. The dominate in this case would be Anderson. He is either keeping the same submissive partner or after a while he kills the submissive partner and finds himself a new one. He works the cases so he can cover up the crimes with an innocent person. The second option is that there is a dominate and a submissive partnership. The dominate is controlling the submissive partner into the killings for his own personal reasons. The dominate may or may not be killing the submissive partners over time. The dominate has something on Anderson and he is using Anderson to cover up the crimes. Either way these killings are done by a partnership and like all serial killers they won't stop until they are caught."

"Shit. So this is why Anderson had such a huge problem with you reviewing his one case. He didn't want you to find any of these. How many more of his files do you have to go through?"

"In five years, about five hundred of them and that is assuming this only goes back five years. Anderson has been in the Bureau for fifteen years. So I'm not crazy or seeing something that wasn't there?" Sweets asked looking to hear it from Booth.

"You're not seeing something Sweets. This doesn't sound good or look good. Fifty cases is too many cases to oversee. What happened to the ones that were found not guilty?"

"They went to the cold case file and haven't been opened since. What do we do?"

"I'm going to call Hacker and have him meet us in your office where we can talk without anyone paying attention to us in here. Your office is more private and away from everyone else. Then we will figure out where to go from there. I have a feeling though that Bones is going to want to exhume these bodies to see for herself if there was anything missed." Booth said as he got up and picked up his office phone to call Hacker in his office.

"Can she do that?"

"Caroline will have to clear it and get warrants from a judge, but with your profile and proof that all of these bodies were found by the same graffiti it should be enough to prove it was a serial killer." Booth answered as Hacker answered his phone.

"Assistant Director Hacker."

"Hacker, it's Booth. We have a situation here Sir that I need to speak to you about."

"What kind of situation?"

"One that needs to be explained in person. Could you come down to Sweets' office and we can discuss it?" Booth asked.

"I'll be right there."

Hacker ended the call and Booth placed his phone back down.

"Let's get into your office. We can talk more about this there where someone won't overhear us." Booth said.

Sweets just gave a nod and he slowly stood up. Booth could tell he was still in a great deal of pain and he couldn't blame him. He had just gotten seriously injured barely a week ago plus he was sick. Booth could tell that Sweets was also exhausted. He was clearly not sleeping enough from either the pain, working or both. Booth figured it was both. Sweets was working because he couldn't sleep from the pain. Booth knew he would need to keep a closer eye on Sweets so he wasn't pushing himself and not healing properly. Booth had done it many times in the past. He had worked when he shouldn't have and his body was a wreck from it. Because he didn't take proper care of himself when he was injured or sick he now dealt with pain first thing in the morning from all of his joints being put through hell over the years. He didn't want Sweets to damage his body further like he had done because he didn't take it easy when he should have.

"You okay?" Booth asked with concern as he went to help Sweets stand up fully.

"I'm fine." Sweets said with a heavy voice.

"Ok why do people do that? Why do people say they are fine when they clearly aren't fine? Tell me why." Booth said with genuine interest.

"Socially speaking people naturally say they are fine when they are not because they want to fit the social standards that society has placed over the centuries. By saying when something is wrong they open themselves up to being told they are weak or just complaining. It's a behaviour that is naturally ingrained into children as they grow up and that is passed down through generations. That instinct can become more ingrained if a child goes through a hard life where being anything other than fine could lead to a negative reaction. So it's actually both sociology and psychology." Sweets answered.

"You know Sweets me and you are gonna need to have a conversation about a few things later." Booth said in a serious voice.

"About what?" Sweets asked and he couldn't keep the worry and slight fear from his voice.

"Just a few things. Nothing to worry about. Come on let's go deal with this first." Booth said with a gentle smile as he picked up the box of files.

They both made their way out of Booth's office and down to Sweets' office so they could speak in private about what Sweets had discovered. Booth walked slowly so Sweets wouldn't have to try and keep up. Sweets was thankful for that as he was really starting to hurt. He was only used to moving around his very small apartment and that was only when he had to. Having taken a cab here and then walking inside, up the elevator and to Booth's office his body had enough. He was looking forward to being back home where he could sit in his bed and go over some more case files. When they finally reached Sweets' office they headed in to see Hacker was already there and waiting for them. He looked annoyed that he had to wait until he saw Sweets and then the annoyance turned into understanding.

"You need to sit down Sweets." Booth said as he placed a gentle hand on Sweets' arm to guide him over to the couch and helped him sit down. Sweets didn't flinch at Booth's touch this time and that was something Booth was happy about. He was hoping it meant that Sweets was getting used to his touch now after the past week.

"How are you feeling Dr. Sweets?" Hacker asked as Sweets sat down on the couch and sat back with a shaky voice.

"I'm fine Sir." Sweets said with a heavy voice that was filled with pain and exhaustion.

"He's not fine don't listen to him." Booth said as he put the box of files down on the coffee table.

"What was so important that you needed to discuss it in here?" Hacker asked moving this along.

Booth went over to the blinds and closed them as he spoke.

"Sweets was going through some case files for the evaluations." Booth started, but Hacker cut him off.

"You are supposed to be on medical leave Dr. Sweets. Why are you working?"

"It's a lot to go through Sir. With this time off I figured I could use it to go through some of the files. There are literally thousands of them Sir." Sweets explained.

"Thousands? How many years did you have to go back? I thought it was only going to be two years." Hacker said as he was originally told it would be just two years from his bosses.

"It was changed to five years for every Agent." Sweets said.

"That's too much for one person to go through. You'll need someone to help you go through them all. You only have three months to get them all in plus the psych evaluations." Hacker said.

"I was going to ask if it would be alright if I helped Sweets with the case files. I know I'm not a shrink, but I can review case files and keep track of their solve rate." Booth said.

"That's fine with me as long as Dr. Sweets doesn't mind." Hacker easily agreed.

"It's fine. I would love the help on it to ensure it gets completed on time."

"Obviously Booth you can't do your own case files." Hacker said.

"I've already completed Agent Booth's case files." Sweets said.

"Really? How'd I do?" Booth asked with a modest smile.

"Very well actually. So far you have the lowest cold case rate. You've even managed to solve a good number of cold cases from other Agents. Having the resources from the Jeffersonian has truly helped and benefitted the Bureau. You can see the difference in Agent Booth's cases from five years ago compared to four years ago. Before he didn't have the resources that he does now and that brought a slowing solve time due to having to wait on evidence. Working with the Jeffersonian has eliminated that waiting time allowing Agent Booth to solve not only more cases, but faster as well. Not to mention the number of cold cases he was able to solve when previously the Bureau didn't have the ability to solve." Sweets answered to both Hacker and Booth.

"And everyone thought I was crazy to be working with them." Booth said with a cocky smirk.

"Can you write up a report for me stating just that? There has been some talk from the upper brass about not seeing the benefit of having the outside help from the Jeffersonian. Having some solid proof to show that they are an asset would help me prove to them to continue to allow Agent Booth to use them." Hacker said.

"I can totally do that. You could even argue that they could begin working the cold cases themselves while Agent Booth doesn't have an active case. That might please them as nothing looks better to the press than solving cold cases." Sweets said.

"Do you think they would be willing to take on some cold cases?" Hacker asked Booth.

"They love cold cases. The older the better. They all like the challenge and working cases gives them that." Booth answered.

"Add in their need and desire to achieve justice and their need to challenge their intelligence. The harder the better for them." Sweets added.

"Good I can use that as a selling point if it comes down to it. Between their willingness to help and the added solve rate time, they can't give me a reason to not utilize them. Now what was so important that we needed to speak about it in here?" Hacker asked getting them back on track.

"Like I said I was going through some of the case files and I found something weird." Sweets started.

"Weird how?" Hacker asked.

"I was going through them by Agent and I was on Agent Anderson's case files. So far I've only gone through a hundred of them, they aren't in order just the ones that have been closed the latest through the courts and were finalized to be placed down in the file room or the cold case room. I found a serial killer that Agent Anderson missed." Sweets answered.

"Are you sure?" Hacker asked and it was clear he was now worried as an Agent missing something this important was a serious issue on many levels.

"He brought fifty case files here to me so I could look at them. I haven't gone through them all just a couple, but Sweets is right something is wrong." Booth said.

"Wrong like he missed that we have a serial killer?" Hacker asked hoping that was what Booth was getting at with having to talk in private.

"More like he is the serial killer or working for him." Booth said.

"Most likely he is working for the serial killer." Sweets added.

Hacker ran his hands over his face for a moment before he spoke.

"Start at the top. What do we know?"

"I came across the first case file Melissa Reid, she is the most recent victim that I have found so far. Her murder occurred four months ago and Agent Anderson was first on scene. He was off duty that night, but came because according to him he was in the area and saw the commotion. Personally took the case to help ease the stress off local PD, according to him. She was killed and found in a side alley down on Jackson just before Pine. She was killed with blunt force trauma to her head. Agent Anderson believed it was from a piece of wood that they found all busted in a pool of her blood. He arrived on scene at just after six in the morning and by noon he had made an arrest. Her ex-boyfriend, Eric Denver, they had a few arguments that had the police being called. He's never physically hurt the victim in the past and Agent Anderson claimed it was escalation. He didn't wait for any physical evidence to come back from the lab. He arrested Denver on speculation alone. Denver had no alibi for the time of the killing, but he stated he was at home alone sleeping. Denver is currently still sitting in prison waiting for his trial, but he's innocent." Sweets started.

"What makes this a serial killer?" Hacker asked.

"There was a painted red devil's face on the wall of the alley. I don't know if it was there before or after the kills. I believe it was before to mark the location for the kill. On all fifty cases I've come across they all have the exact same red devil's face all over the city. I checked there is no gang affiliated with a red devil's face within the city. All of the victims appear to be random and killed all in a different way and always with whatever was available at the time. Agent Anderson has not made the connection and by fifty cases he should have. Thirty-three of the people that were arrested were found innocent and those cases are now considered cold. Seventeen though were found guilty and are in prison, some for three years. If I'm right and I know I am, they are innocent and just the escape goat Agent Anderson used to close the case off quickly. There was only circumstantial evidence at best for any of those cases. They just had bad luck compared to the people that were found innocent." Sweets finished.

"You know just as well as I do that after fifty cases Anderson should have made the connection. A rookie Agent would have made the connection long before fifty cases. Five ya okay maybe, but no more than that." Booth said.

"I found it in two." Sweets said.

"And Sweets isn't an Agent. There's no way an Agent of fifteen years missed this." Booth said.

"How far back does this go?" Hacker asked Sweets.

"I don't know yet. I've only gone through a hundred case files. So far it looks like it goes back at least three years. I won't know until I go through all five years' worth of case files and even then I might have to go further back. He's not the serial killer though. He's just the one covering it all up." Sweets answered.

"Who are we looking for?" Hacker asked.

"Someone that is intelligent enough to organize these murders to look disorganized. My gut is telling me that this is a copycat." Sweets said in a serious voice.

"Copycat of who though? I've never heard of any serial killer like this." Hacker said.

"That's because he doesn't exist as a serial killer. And the information on him is classified. I only know of him because I was granted access to the information four years ago to create a profile on him. I can't say much about it, but I can say that the M.O was the same. Random people in a random alley all across the city. He had been killing for fifty-seven years completely unnoticed. He had a great deal of money that he paid officials off including Federal Agents and Coroners. Always worked with a partner that he could control and manipulate into doing the actual killing. He also had a Federal Agent to do the cleanup and cover up any connection between the murders. Every five years or so he would kill both using his new partner and new Federal Agent. He's never physically done any killing that could be connected to him. The only thing linking any of the murders was the symbol he left at each crime scene. Every five years it would change with his new partner." Sweets said.

"I've never heard of this guy. How could no one notice fifty-seven years of murders? Where is this guy?" Booth asked with anger that someone could get away with murder for so long.

"Ya that's the thing. When I was asked to do a profile for him he was seventy-five. Two years later he died from a heart attack. At least that's what everyone believes." Sweets answered.

"What do you mean?" Hacker asked.

"Everyone believes he's dead. His body was recovered in his home, finger prints and dental were taken as a precaution. I've never believed it though. No one believed me and the cases were closed to solve. He would be eighty this year." Sweets said.

"Why didn't you believe it?" Booth asked in a serious voice.

"It was just a gut feeling. It didn't feel right to me. He had a lot of money and even three years ago he could have easily gotten his hands on a beta blocker and stopped his heart. It would put him in a temporary death state for a couple of hours. The coroner that was used for his body was suspected in taking money from him. It wouldn't have been hard to get what he needed. His body was never claimed and cremated a couple days later. No one believed me though, said I was crazy and paranoid. I had no choice, but to let it go. It's the same M.O."

"You are the top psychologist in the country. Your gut is worth a lot to me." Hacker said.

"And me. This guy would be eighty though. Is it possible he could have told someone what he was doing? Maybe took on an apprentice?" Booth asked.

"I don't know it's possible. I don't think an apprentice, but he was the leader of an old mob. Members within his organization that were younger would have known what was going on. It's possible that one of them has taken up his mantle in the past three years." Sweets answered.

"But you don't think so." Booth stated.

"No I don't. I think serial killers don't stop killing until they are dead or in jail. And if I am right then there will be more case files than this, a lot more. He killed one person a week every single week. That's a hundred and forty-four people in the past three years." Sweets said.

"For fifty-seven years?" Booth asked shocked.

"Roughly. The first two years he didn't kill that many, but he has a total of about twenty-eight hundred victims. More if you count all of the innocent people that spent time in jail because of the Federal Agents that were covering it up. He would be the best serial killer in history if people actually knew about him. It was never made public because of the nature of the original investigation. If this is a copycat than it would have to be someone very close to the original killer." Sweets said.

"And who was that? He might have a son or a daughter." Hacker said.

"Its top level classified. I can't reveal that information not without committing treason." Sweets said.

"Without that name though Sweets we can't look into this case fully. We need a name at least so we can run it to see if he has any children or a younger sibling. We won't look into anything classified just basic information on him. Something to give us a place to start." Booth said calmly.

Booth knew that to Sweets his word meant a great deal. He always kept his word, he always kept the secrets no matter what. That was his job, but that was his character he didn't betray anyone and that included his country. They needed that name though so they could begin to look in a direction. They could see if they could confirm that this man was actually dead. Booth knew it wouldn't be that hard to fake a death if you had enough money and the right people on your pay roll. He also trusted Sweets' gut as he was hardly ever wrong. Why someone wouldn't believe him Booth didn't know. Sweets knew what he was talking about and his skills were undeniable. Even Booth could see that and he hated therapists. After a moment Sweets spoke.

"Rasputin Romani."

"We need to keep this outside of this building. Until we know for sure what is exactly going on. Have the Jeffersonian working this with you." Hacker said.

"Bones is gonna want to exhume some of these bodies and look at them herself." Booth said.

"I figured. Call Caroline and make it happen. We need to know just how many of these cases Agent Anderson has covered up." Hacker said.

"I'll go through the rest of his files today so we know tomorrow." Sweets said.

"Sweets." Booth started, but Sweets cut him off.

"I'll do it from home in my bed. I'll just look through the crime scene photos and take any case that is related out. I won't read all of them."

"Alright fine, but I am taking you home and I will pick up the files tomorrow morning. You need to rest Sweets or you'll never heal." Booth said in a no argument tone.

Sweets just gave a nod.

"Make this happen and let me know everything when it happens. For now I will keep an eye on Agent Anderson and keep track of any new cases that come in for him. We need this solved quickly and as quietly as possible. Have Caroline working on release forms for those seventeen people who are in prison. If this does come back that they are innocent we need to be ready to have them out of there." Hacker said.

"I'll make sure she knows the situation so she is ready for the worst outcome. I'll let the Jeffersonian know what to prepare for if we can get these bodies exhumed that's going to be at least fifty bodies." Booth said.

"Make sure they are willing and ready. I want bodies being exhumed by tomorrow morning at the latest. Get on it Booth." Hacker said.

"Yes Sir." Booth said.

"Keep me posted. Dr. Sweets make sure you are resting and healing. That's an order."

"Yes Sir." Sweets said.

Hacker headed out of the office and Booth pulled his phone out. He decided to call Caroline first and get her started on this before he would call Bones and let her know. After three rings Caroline answered.

"Hello."

"Caroline I need a huge favor from you." Booth started.

"Well this better be good."

"I need court orders for fifty bodies to be exhumed and brought to the Jeffersonian right away."

"Fifty bodies? What the hell do you take me for a miracle worker?" Caroline asked annoyed and shocked.

"Yes I do. You are amazing and the best. That's why you can do this. They may be connected to a serial killer that is using a Federal Agent in this building to cover them up. There may be seventeen innocent people in jail right now because of it. I need those bodies Caroline and I need em now."

"God Lord Booth you are going to put me in an early grave. Alright I will see what I can do, but I make no promises. I'm assuming you need me to keep this whole Federal Agent part out of it."

"Ya and Hacker wants you to work on release orders for those seventeen people just in case they are officially innocent and we need to get them out of jail."

"I'll get to work on it and see what I can do. Send me the information. You are going to owe me big for this Cherie."

"I know I will, but it's worth it."

"I'll let you know."

"Thanks Caroline."

Booth ended the call and turned to Sweets.

"Caroline will take care of it and hopefully tomorrow morning Bones will have some bodies to look at. Did the previous bodies have anything in common from the original killer?"

"Nothing that was ever found. No one really looked at them from what I can tell though. They were handled as a simple homicide, basic autopsy was done and it was signed off. There might be something on the bodies that was missed. I don't know." Sweets said and he was sounding even more tired and his voice was getting even weaker.

"Alright. Let's get you home and then I will head over to Bones and get her caught up."

Sweets just gave a nod and he slowly stood up. Booth placed a gentle hand on his arm and helped Sweets up. He could feel Sweets shaking slightly and it was clear his body had enough.

"You need to rest Sweets and let your body heal. Take it from me and my messed up body because I didn't rest when I was supposed to. You're too young to be waking up in pain every morning for the rest of your life." Booth said calmly with a caring voice.

"I'll rest I will. I can go over the case files in my bed."

Booth picked up the file box and they slowly made their way out of Sweets' office and down the elevator to Booth's vehicle. Once inside the vehicle Sweets put his head back and closed his eyes. He needed to try and get the pain under control and the only way he knew how was mind over matter. It was something he learnt when he was very young. It was the only way his mind would survive everything he had been through. If he could focus his mind on something other than the pain, other than the horrible reality that he faced every single day. He had gotten very good at creating his own little world within his mind. One where he had a loving family, a warm place to sleep at night and food in his belly. It had helped him to stay sane during some of the worst times in his life. Now all Sweets wanted was for the pain to go away so his mind could truly focus. This case was bringing up some bad memories, memories that he wanted to stay buried and Sweets was worried that those memories wouldn't with the longer this case goes on for. He didn't want this secret to get out. He didn't want to deal with the backlash that it would bring. He just wanted to start a new life and try to forget and move on from his past. Sweets knew he needed to try and get some real sleep. His mind would only get worse without proper sleep. He needed his mind to focus so he could get this case closed and move on from it.

Booth didn't say anything the whole way to Sweets' apartment. He knew that Sweets was in a great deal of pain and talking would only hurt his jaw, throat and ribs. Booth knew they needed to have a serious conversation about a few things, but they could wait until he was rested a little bit more. Booth figured that he could talk to Sweets tomorrow at some point and see what was going on with him. They weren't really close, but Booth couldn't just ignore this and let Sweets continue to live this way. He had been by every night this week to see Sweets and he had seen that he wasn't sleeping that great. Booth knew that Sweets would have some nightmares after being attacked. It was only natural for it to happen. Just like it was natural for the attack to bring back some memories from when he was younger and abused at some point. As much as Booth didn't want to talk about it he also wanted to know more about what happened. At least the basic information about it. He was saved by his grandfather, but Booth knew that he wouldn't have lasted long if his grandfather hadn't stepped in. Booth couldn't help, but wonder if Sweets had someone to step in and get him out of the bad situation or if he was trapped in it for years until he was able to finally get himself out. The problem was as much as Sweets could talk he didn't often talk about himself. At least nothing serious anyways. Booth also knew that he had given no reason for Sweets to share at all with him. He hadn't been exactly accepting of him and his job. Booth knew he had to try though and be more accepting and understanding of Sweets' job. He was very good at it even if Booth just had a natural dislike for therapists. Booth knew he needed to try and put that dislike aside and try to see Sweets for more than just a therapist. He was a person, someone that had obviously been through more than Booth ever thought possible. He deserved an honest chance and that was exactly what Booth was going to be giving him.

Once they arrived at Sweets' apartment. Sweets opened his eyes and removed his seatbelt as he spoke.

"Thanks for the ride."

"I'll walk you up to make sure you get in okay." Booth said as he removed his own seatbelt.

"You don't have to do that." Sweets automatically said.

"I know I don't, but I'm gonna anyways. Come on." Booth said as he opened his door.

Sweets knew he didn't really have much of a choice so he opened his own door and slowly got out of the vehicle. His whole body was stiff and sore now from sitting in the car. He really just wanted to get home, take a pain pill and relax in bed. He would go over the case files first so he could just rest afterwards. Booth placed a gentle hand on Sweets' arm to help guide him inside. His body was shaking slightly from exhaustion and pain. Booth knew that Sweets needed to rest and get inside so he could sleep and try to feel better. He was still sick with pneumonia and he needed to get that taken care of as well. The longer he had it the more rundown he would be and the more dangerous it would be for Sweets. Once they got inside Sweets' apartment Sweets slowly removed his jacket and placed it over the back of his couch.

"Thanks again Agent Booth. I'll have the files ready for tomorrow morning for you." Sweets said with a faint voice.

"Don't worry too much about it. Get some rest Sweets. You desperately need it. I can stay for a little while if you want."

"Thanks, but I'll be fine. I'll see you in the morning."

"Alright. Get some sleep Sweets that's more important than any case file right now. I'll see you in the morning for nine."

Sweets just gave a nod and Booth headed out of the apartment and back down to his vehicle. Once he was alone Sweets went and locked his door before he went into the kitchen to grab a glass of water before he made his way down the small hallway to his bathroom. He took a pain pill before he went into his bedroom to get changed into some sweat pants and a t-shirt before he grabbed the ten boxes filled with case files just for Agent Anderson and placed them on his bed. Sweets then crawled under the covers and began to go through the case files. Tomorrow was going to be another long day and Sweets knew he would need to be there for it. For the rest of the afternoon and tonight he would go through these files as quickly as he could so he could get some much needed sleep. With that in mind Sweets grabbed the first case file and began to look through it with sleep filled eyes.