Hi! Here's chapter 4 :) Enjoy and don't forget to Review!

xo

Angie

Chapter 4

Previously in The forensic anthropologist and the FBI agent;

Ouch that actually hurt. I didn't know that people thought of me that way – unemotional. I didn't even know that it was like that people saw me. Neither did I expect anyone – especially Dimitri – to voice something like that to my face. But I guess it's legitimate – he is my partner after all and we need to communicate if we ever will be able to co-operate.

I stayed quiet the rest of the way to the crime scene and when we arrived I quickly jumped out of the car and approached the scene. It wasn't nice – the scene – there were multiple skeletons buried together. Some of them belonged to kids. I believe that this investigation isn't gonna be pleasant – with kids involved.

I started my examination and informed Dimitri that there's one body of a middle aged woman and one of a middle aged man. The other three bodies belonged once to children around ten to fourteen years old. And with a further examination I could conclude that they'd been murdered. But I couldn't say much more how or when before we got back to the lab. And when I got up from the ground and took of my gloves an unsettling feeling rose in the pit of my stomach. There were something in the back of my mind that I couldn't grasp – something familiar with the setting of the crime. It was like I'd seen this before – but how?

Rose POV

This case we're working with are bugging me and my mind. I don't know why it is bugging me so much, but there's something deep in my mind that's saying – there's something I'm missing. Something important. The key to close and solve this case. But I can't grasp it, it's not in the reach for me. But if it's really important – as I think it is – it will come up to the surface soon. Or that's what I'm hoping for.

When we got back to the lab I started to work with the remains of the murdered family. It's horrible – very, very horrible. And Lissa isn't making anything better – she's in chock and in denial that there's bones on my table from children. This is the part that I know she hates. Before this partnership began Lissa was quite content with her work here at the Jeffersonian. But now I can see that she's struggling – struggling to stay sane. It isn't easy for anyone of us, that we're working with murdered children. Even to me it is a battle to stay sane and professional – so I can do the right thing and solve this murder. I need to – not just for me and Lissa – for everybody. No one likes the thought of murdered children – no one. I might be cold on the outside, but I'm also dying a little on the inside for the human being who was robbed the opportunity to live a happy life. This children were robbed and taken away brutally from a living life. I need to make sure that they can have their justice – by figuring out how they died and who killed them.

I'm beginning to see the benefit by working with Belikov. I can make sure that we're able to catch whoever kills innocent human beings. I'm an important piece of this puzzle together with Belikov and my team – to solve murder cases. Even though I miss my "old" call with the ancient bones – I'm content with this new way with work. It is much more important – right now anyway.

I was done with the examination of the two adult's bones and the conclusion were that they've been tortured. Their kneecaps had been brutally crushed so they couldn't escape. The female victim had been raped with so much force that her bones were cracked. I don't think that she was raped only in the "old fashion" way. When raped, you didn't get crushed bones like that – no it was a sick SOB who did this to her and her family. I don't know how the murderer did the raping with her to cause the cracks in the bones. But it was torture – true. And I can tell you this – no sane person would do this to another human being. So this murderer we have on loose – he's a really one sick SOB – for sure.

This bones from this family are telling me what they experienced in their last moments in life. Tortured to death – everyone of them. It wouldn't surprise me if the murderer did everything in front of everyone of them. He needed them to see what exactly he was doing – so there would be more pleasure for him or her. It kills me that there can be people out there who's capable to such evil. If there's a God – which I don't believe in – why isn't he doing anything about this? Why did he create our species with people who can do such things? And why doesn't he do anything about it? He's just living wherever in heaven and looking down and thinks that he made a stupid race, doesn't he? If God exists – he doesn't love us that much.

I really am not a believer – but Lissa is. And she's praying right now for the people who got murdered. For us – so we can finish this and solve the case. No one of us wants it to be a cold case – no I need to solve this. But the only thing I can do right now is examine this remains and give everything to Belikov – so he can be put to use as an FBI agent.

Dimitri POV

Sometimes I hate my work – especially when children are involved. I just got a text from Roza with all the information about the victims. Typed with every detail of what happened to this poor family. I'm sick to my stomach of what this SOB did. Why the hell – and how the hell – did this person do this? How could this murderer torture this family without anyone's knowledge? I bet the murderer did this in a remote place – somewhere were they could scream bloody murderer without anyone hearing. I bet the murderer loved it – loved their screaming. Because you must be so sick to do this to someone else.

How are we going to find this SOB?

And why did Roza look so nauseated when we were at the crime scene? I know it wasn't just because of the victims. There were something deep in her eyes – recognition. Something bad have happened to her before – but what? And why did she recognize it now? I need to figure this out so she doesn't get hurt or killed. I need to protect her!

The feeling to protect her comes from nowhere. It's so strong that it almost suffocate me – and I don't know why I'm feeling this way. I don't even know her that well. This is, after all, our first case together as partners. But I'm sure as hell making this a promise – to protect her no matter what.

I was heading out from the FBI HQ when my phone ringed;

"Belikov" I barked out to whoever was on the other end.

"Hey, it's me" I heard from the other end. Sydney. Calling about what?

"Watcha want Syd?" I asked her curiously. She never calls if it isn't something important.

"There's been another family murder. Same as the one you're working on right now." she said, deadly serious.

"You've got to be kidding me. It's starting to look like we have a serial killer on the loose." I said disbelievingly.

"So it seems. The partnership between you and Dr. Hathaway couldn't come in a more appropriate time than this. It is very good to have her on the team. Because all the victim's we're finding are just bones. Nothing more left than bones."

"Yeah, it's fucking good to have her on board right now. I'm starting to realize that those superiors of ours wasn't so wrong after all about this partnership." Even though it was hard to believe that a bone-lady would work with us – it's sure reassuring that she is. Our own people can't do the work she's specialized in – the coroner's only working with victims with flesh still intact. But now we have a serious and competent weapon against murderers like this one – a person who's able to read the victim in its bones. And that is fucking reassuring – indeed.

"She needs to be with you on every crime-scene you're going to. So that the evidence around the victims isn't compromised by anyone."

"Isn't it better for her to stay in the lab? So she doesn't get hurt if we got attacked at the scene?" I said back, because I sure as hell didn't want the sexy forensic-whatever-titel-she-had-lady on the field. It isn't safe for anyone, not even me, and especially not her.

"No, she needs to be with you on every scene you're going to. She can see stuff that you and the others doesn't. And besides – you're there to protect her right?"

"Yes of course I'll be there to protect her. But Syd, she isn't any of us, she isn't trained to fight if something threatening comes up. She's just a squint!" I barked out angrily. I couldn't believe what she was saying. Roza shouldn't be on the field – ever. She needs to stay put in the lab – where I know she'll be safe.

"I'm sorry Dimitri, but that's just how it's gonna be. The superiors at the Jeffersonian and the FBI have made their decisions. She need to be out there so she can do the proper survey of the environment that the victims were dumped in. And she's going to get help from that Ozera guy at her lab. He's the king of bugs and dirt. He can inform you when the victim were dumped there and everything else that you need to know, so you can solve the murder case."

"Well I guess I can't do anything against those stupid superiors. Why can't they see the danger with her out in the field? And I really don't understand why my superiors would put someone who isn't FBI out in the field – without proper qualifications." I'm really pissed right now, I can't believe that they're putting Roza at risk just to solve something the FBI did long before she got on the ride.

"You just have to suck it up, Dimitri. Like I said – there isn't anything you can do about it. It is how it is and will be for the time being. And now you need to inform your partner about the new victims, she needs to see them and you're taking her to the scene – without any complaints." And with that as her last words, Sydney hung up on me.

Damn her and damn those superiors and fucking damn this SOB serial killer. And without breaking my stride I dialed the number to Roza and jumped in the SUV so I could go and pick her up.

"Hathaway"

"Hey Roza, we have more victims of the same caliber that you just examined. I'm driving to pick you up right now."

"We have more victims? Did they die the same way as the last ones? What does that mean?" she fired of a lot of questions. She's really and surprisingly talkative now – I wonder why.

"Yes we have more victims and I don't know if they died in the same way – I haven't been on the scene yet. And what it means? It means that we have a serial killer to catch." I said with a level voice. I really hope that she isn't panicking. We really don't need that to happen.

"When are you here?" she asked and I heard muffling sounds in the background.

"I'm there in ten. And bring Ozera. We need him on the scene too."

"Why?"

"So he can do some magic with the dirt I suppose. I don't know what he does but I was ordered that he would come too."

"Alright, I'll tell him to come with us. See you soon."

I hung up the phone and stomped on the pedal to get to the Jeffersonian faster, without breaking any rules.

Rose POV

Shit, more victims. And it's supposedly a serial killer we're looking for. Shit... How will Lissa survive this? How? Shit!

After I hung up on Belikov I went to Christian and told him that he was coming with us to the crime scene.

"Christian, you here?" I called out for him.

"Yeah, what's up Rosie?" he said while smirking at me. That stupid smirk of his – always on place whenever he calls me Rosie. I should hit him for it but that isn't important right now, is it.

"You're coming with me and the Russian to the crime scene. He said that they need you to do the dirt-job." I smirked at him. A totally good joke – that no one but me seems to understand.

"Cool, I'll get my gear."

"I'll meet you out front. Don't be late. He's here in less than five." I said.

But before I went outside to wait for Dimitri, I went by Lissa's office. I really needed to talk to her about this case, if she's up to do the facial reconstruction of everyone – including the children. She's been hiding in her office since we got the victims in and I don't really blame her about it.

"Liss, are you in here?" I called out when I went through the door.

"Hi Rose. What's up?" she said without looking up from the work she's doing.

"Just thought that I'd stop by and see how you're doing. Are you alright?" I asked concerned about my best friends well being.

"I'm fine or rather I will be after this is over and done with" she said with a small smile on her face that didn't reach her jade green eyes.

"I'm really sorry that you have to go through this, Liss. If there were someone else as good as you at this reconstruction-stuff I would ask them. But you're the best and I need the best."

"I know Rose and don't worry about me – it'll be over soon right. I can survive this."

"I know that you'll survive, but I'm sorry to inform you that there's been another murder. Another family's been found and it's about the same shit as the last family."

"What?! Noo, no, nooo! Why is this happening? How can we get through this? How will I survive more reconstruction with murdered kids? I can't do that Rose!" agony dripping from her voice. She's so distressed that she's almost screaming at me.

"I'm sorry Liss, but that's the truth. We have another case and it looks like a serial killer's on the loose. We need to solve this shit. And I can't do that – we can't do that without you – and you know it. We need your skills with the facial reconstruction so we can identify the victims. Without it we can't know who they are and where their from. Only you can give us that valuable information." I said to her, trying to sooth her ache about the dead children. I need her to focus on the right thing to do. She need to understand the importance of her work with every case we take from now on.

"I'm so sorry Rose, but truly – I can't do this. I can't deal with the dead kids. I'm not strong enough to do it." she's on the verge of crying now. Her eyes brimming full off withheld tears for the murdered kids and their parents. Now I really need to make her see the importance of her work.

"Lissa I know this is hard for you – it's hard for all of us seeing those kids on my examination-table. But don't you see the importance of justice here? We need to solve this cases so that their killer can be put behind bars forever. And we're not able to do that without your help. We need you! We really need you for the reconstruction." I told her while hugging her tight to me so she could feel me – a living person in her living hell.

"But I can't. I'm not as strong as you Rose. I'm going to break down every time I reconstruct their faces. And those faces are going to hunt me forever. I can't deal with that – how can I?" she whispered to me. Her tears free falling now, wetting my shirt. But I didn't care because I needed to stay strong for her. I need to share my strength to my best friend – the only friend I have.

"You can Liss. You're strong enough and I know it. We'll get through this together – you'll see. Together we will fix this. Together we're strong." I said to her – reassuringly.

"How can you be so sure that we'll survive this?"

"I just know Liss.. Because together we're strong. And we'll help each other on the way to recovery from this – that I promise you." I looked into her eyes while saying this so that she'd understand that she isn't alone in this mess. "And I know too, that Christian will be there for you." I finished with a teasing blink. I needed her to loosen up a bit, before we got to work on the new victims.

"What are you talking about? Why would Christian be there for me? And why are you blinking at me like that? Are you teasing me?" she said while eying me suspiciously.

"Don't play innocent Liss, I know how you feel about him. And I think that he's feeling something about you too. You're just blind towards each others feelings." I smirked at her.

"How did you figure this out? I didn't mean for it to show."

"Liss, it's quite obvious of the way that you'll look at him from time to time. Or the blush you keep getting every time your talking to him." I said to her teasingly.

"Is it? I didn't know that" she said with a small smile. A smile that I needed to see on her face to know that she'll be okay after all.

"Well now you know." I said to her while hugging her again. "And for now, I need to get going. The Russian's picking me and Christian up. We're going to the crime scene."

"Why is Christian going?" she asked curious.

"Don't really know yet. Belikov only told me that he needed to come too." I answered her.

"Alright, but be careful out there. I don't want anything to happen to you guys."

"I promise that we'll be careful."

And with one last hug I left her office to go outside where Dimitri sure would be right now.

There you have it!

What do you think? There's a serial killer on the loose and something's up with Rose and the familarity of the victims. She doesn't know the victims but there's something she's recognizing in the way they're being killed and dumped. What do you think it is she's recognizing? And what will happen when she figures it out? I know it isn't much action in this chapter but sometimes it is like this, isn't it?

Anyway, until next time. Take care :)