There are so many great Zack/OC stories out there on that I couldn't help writing one myself. I've been writing this one for a while, I'm pretty satisfied with it, so I decided to post it for you all to read and hopefull, enjoy. Anyway, as I said before this will be a Zack/OC fanfiction because he was my favorite character and I miss him terribly in the show--there is no way someone as sweet and innocent as him is a murderer or an accomplice to murder. Thus, here is a story dedicated to him with an original character. It will be following pretty much the original plot of Bones with my own twists and turns up until season three--I'm completely changing the whole Gormagon thing, don't worry. So here's the preface to "You Found Me". I hope you all enjoy the idea and if you do, please review. Constructive criticism is invited, but if flaming is unnecessary.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bones. Many people know I wish I did or at least that I owned Zack. :3
Preface
Tonight was definitely a night to celebrate. First, they had a successful opening night and second, it was one of their birthdays. Thus, after the show, despite how late at night it was, the three and only members of the traveling theater group, K.I.N. went out for a celebration dinner at the closest and local diner in the D.C. area.
Various foods that were most likely not good for you were scattered about their table. Big, bright smiles were plastered on as they laughed and talked definitely being the loudest customers. The adrenaline from tonight's show and the positive responses of the audience still rushed through their veins making them hyperactive and joyous.
Kendall Williams couldn't be happier gazing between the brilliant faces of her best friends/family, Nathan Valerie and Ilene Scott. Nights like this made everything that life threw at her worthwhile, even for just a moment.
Her family was small, very small, but she was grateful for them. So what if they weren't a real family and just made up of three friends? A family was a still a family. That's why they had called their little group K.I.N. while using the first initials of their first names.
"Here you go, kids. One happy birthday cupcake, one chocolate ice cream, and one coffee." their waitress announced as the curly-hair woman placed their dessert before them. That was after she had cleaned away their many and cleared dinner plates in disgruntlement.
"Thanks!" they had said energetically, speaking purposely louder than necessary.
The waitress tried not to flinch at the obnoxious noise before stiffly saying with a forced smile, "No problem." Then, she left quickly.
The minute the freckled server was gone, Kendall, Ilene, and Nathan burst out laughing causing a couple of other customers and a few of the staff to turn around and glare—the people who didn't turn didn't bother to do so because they knew where the ruckus was coming from and was trying to ignore it.
"She sooooooo fucking hates us." guffawed Kendall, her almost purple optics twinkling.
"Oooooh, yeah." Nathan chuckled, shaking his head making his black, sweeping bangs to swish over his eyes.
Through the cute giggles that emitted from her small, glossy lips, Ilene said, "We should probably tip her well for troubles."
The three exchanged looks, smirked, and then, "Naaaaaaaah!" They erupted into another fit into of hysterics. Again, they got looks, but ignored them—they were in their own little world.
Once she was calm enough, Kendall brushed her blonde bangs from her face and slid an arm around redhead's shoulders. "Now, Ilene," she smirked mischievously to the younger girl sitting next to her. "Tonight is your sixteen birthday and that means Nate and I have to sing you that ridiculous song while trying not to burn the place down with that dinky little candle." Kendall stated, pointing to the pink and white candle stuck in the red velvet cupcake that was placed before Ilene.
Speaking of Ilene, her cheeks had become redder than her wavy locks.
Kendall's smirk grew on her pale face and she turned to Nathan, whose expression matched hers. "Nate, my dear, if you will do the honor?"
"Of course, Kenny, darling." the green-eyed boy said jovially.
He reached into his baggy jeans' pockets and fished out a lighter which was metallic black with silver wings engraved in it. The dark-haired male leaned over the table, flicking the lighter causing red, blue, and green lights to sparkle from it before fire appeared. He lit the cupcake's candle, its light shining on Ilene's flushed and light face.
With that, Kendall and Nathan began singing the customary birthday song, but with their own little twist—meaning, they used abstract and animated voices. The entire time, Ilene was trying to stifle her laughter behind her tiny hands, her gray eyes a happy misty color.
Once they were finished, Nathan beamed, "Now, blow out your candle, kiddo!"
"But make a wish first, sweetheart!" Kendall added.
Chortling with a shake of her head, Ilene closed her eyes for a moment thinking of the perfect wish. Her eyes shortly opened and she blew out her candle. At that, Kendall and Nathan cheered like children, clapping their hands.
"Okay, enough acting like dummies and let's finish our desserts, so we can leave." Ilene pointed out with a pleasant smile. "We're starting to annoy everyone here."
Just laughing, Kendall, Ilene, and Nathan began consuming their desserts—Ilene having the cupcake, Nathan having the coffee, and Kendall having the chocolate ice cream.
It didn't take them long to finish their desserts. Maybe longer than most people considering they were so busy talking and laughing, but they ultimately did finish. Well, Kendall and Ilene finished. Nathan was slowly sipping his coffee, saying he wanted to savor its bitter taste (Kendall and Ilene rolled their eyes at that). Either way, they were almost finished with the diner and had requested for the check.
"Here's my share," Ilene said, placing down a ten while standing from her chair. "I'm gonna go outside for a moment. Can you lend me a smoke and a lighter, Nate?"
"Sure, cutie." he nodded. He pulled out his lighter again and pulled out his pack of Marlboro Reds from his leather jacket before handing them to youngest member of their little group. "Here ya go. Don't lose or scratch my lighter."
"Of course." she smiled with a roll of her eyes—that lighter was precious to him.
Kendall clicked her tongue. "Y'know, you shouldn't smoke, Ilene. It's not good for your lil' sixteen-year-old body, there's a reason it's illegal to buy them at that age. And you're a dancer and singer that makes it even worse."
"Relax, mommy. I'm a big girl and it hasn't affected my marvelous talents yet, so I'm not worried." Ilene remarked, sticking her tongue out playfully.
"Whatever." the older female said, waving her hand dismissively.
Ilene just stuck her tongue out again before turning to head out of the diner to go outside. Kendall watched the adolescent go before turning back around in her seat with a sigh.
Taking a drink of his hot beverage, Nathan looked across at the twenty-year-old woman. He knew that look all-too-well. That was Kendall's "I'm worried" face. She was a great actress being able to hide her emotions with a snap of her fingers, but having known her for so long, Nathan could read her like a child's book. The blonde always got like that when Ilene or him went off on their own, especially Ilene, since they were younger than her.
Rolling his emerald hues, Nathan said lowering his drink, "Put your cash down and go out there. I'll wrap shit up here."
Kendall's eyes flashed to him in surprise. "I don't—"
"Go." he said sternly.
She smiled a bit bashfully. "Thanks, man." Kendall stood, taking a ten from her wallet and placing it down. Then, she turned on her booted heel and made her way out of the diner. Nathan just shook his head with a tiny grin—what was he going to do with those girls?
Kendall stepped out into the autumn air, wrapping her boy's navy blue hoodie closer to her frame, and peered around the sidewalk in search of the younger, but taller girl. She shortly found Ilene leaning against the brick wall of the diner with the cigarette hanging limply between her lips, her eyes gazing up at the night sky.
"Heya, baby." Kendall greeted, approaching her friend. "How much?"
"Too much for you." Ilene joked back once her vice was taken from her mouth and resting between her index and middle fingers.
The blonde laughed and stood next to the ginger, but kept a good enough distance away from the smoke. Ilene pointed it away Kendall for extra good measure. They didn't speak for a while, just looked up at the stars and the moon and enjoying each other's company—it seemed their desserts had ironically subdued them a little.
"This is probably my best birthday so far." Ilene spoke suddenly.
Kendall looked to her with an arched brow. "Really? You had fourteen years of extravagant birthdays with huge parties and expensive presents and you think this so ordinary, present-less birthday is your best so far?" she inquired skeptically.
"You make me sound like I was some pampered princess." Ilene scoffed, but good humor in her big, doe-like spheres.
"You were."
"Oh, hush you."
"You still sound and act like one, you just have a few new, developed edges."
Ilene stuck out her tongue again.
"But really," Her features softened—that was hard to believe considering her features were already so delicate looking. "This is my best birthday so far. I don't care that I didn't have a big shindig or a bunch of presents. Just doing our show tonight, have a pleasant dinner, and being with you and Nate makes me happy."
Kendall grinned, her cheeks coloring. "Awwww, Ilene! You're such a sweetie!" she gushed playfully, throwing her arms around the scrawny girl.
"You are so weird, Kenny!" Ilene giggled, but returning the hug.
When they pulled away, Kendall curiously asked, tucking her hands into her jacket's pockets. "Say," she began. "What did you wish for?"
"I can't tell you! If I do it won't come true!"
"...You're sixteen, Ilene, not six."
"You're just mad because I won't tell you."
"Whatever. I'm gonna go back inside and see what's taking that dumbass so long." Kendall admitted, jamming her thumb in the direction of the cafe.
"Kay." Ilene nodded, placing her smoke back between her lips.
Kendall was just about to step into the building when Ilene's airy voice said gently, "I wished that you and Nate have long and happy lives, finding your proper places in the world."
That made the blonde female stop in her tracks. Furrowing her brows, she peered back at her friend, whose face was shadowed by the night and the light of her cigarette. "...Th-That was your wish?" she choked out once she found her voice—that statement had caught her off guard.
"Mmhm," the teen nodded, a lovely smile gracing her lips.
"Why would you waste a wish on us?"
"It concerned my friends, my family. It wasn't a waste."
"Why, Ilene?"
"Because you and he deserve it."
"Why, Ilene?"
Sighing in frustration, Ilene took a drag. She blew out smoke and responded "Because life hasn't been as kind to you and him, especially you. Life has been for me despite the fact I ran away from it. I had a good life, so you two deserve to have one too."
"Ilene," Kendall began. She's so incredibly innocent..., she thought regrettably yet, she was grateful for it as well—one of Ilene's traits that Kendall loved.
"It was my wish and I can wish for whatever I want and I did! Can't take it back now! So there!"
Kendall deadpanned.
"Oh, don't be such a fuddy-duddy, Kenny. It's not like you believe in birthday wishes anyway. Besides, I told you it, so it won't come true. It was just wistful thinking." Ilene said with a kind smile.
Smiling a tad too, Kendall shook her head. "And you call me weird."
"Oh, hush up."
"Whatever, princess. I'm gonna head back inside. It's too damn cold out here. Let's hope Idiot-Boy is done by now so we can go back to the hotel."
"Okay."
Just nodding, Kendall marched back into the dinner. She thought it was silly of Ilene to waste her birthday wish on such a thing, but she couldn't help but feel warmed by it.
Little did Kendall know that that would be Ilene's last birthday wish...
Thanks for reading. Please, review! ^-^