In the back alley he wiped the sweat beads off his face. The DC air was cool this time of year but Zack was nervous and very angry with himself for doing this.

It was simple, really. He was responding to temptation, as would every other normal person. Although with his IQ Zack was hardly normal.

"What's your name?" A boy who looked to be younger than his own twenty-four years asked. The boy had strong features and a shaved head.

"I thought you didn't exchange names in drug deals." Zack tried to sound strong, despite the fact that his body with brittle bone syndrome in the lab was fifty times stronger than him.

"Maybe I'm a narc, and I need your name for the cops." The boy said.

Zack called on his best Agent Booth impression. "Maybe I am a cop." He reached his hand in his pocket for the money. The boy pulled out the drugs and quickly they exchanged goods.

"You look too clean cut to be a junkie." The dealer addressed Zack. He looked up and sighed.

"I'm a first-timer."

"Stay a first timer." The dealer almost begged. "I'm seventeen." Zack saw the fear and softness in his eyes. Why would this kid be on the street? Who was supposed to take care of him? What would happen to him?

Questions raced through Zack's mind. The one that he said was "Where are your parents?"

The boy looked up. "My dad killed my mom. The cops found out. He was sentenced to death three years ago. My dad thought he would be safe. When they found her she was all rotted but some lady figured out what really happened. Serves him right. Bastard."

Zack could barely comprehend the dysfunction of this boy's family. His own had been so big and loving and supportive. He knew that Brennan's family was like this, too.

On a whim, Zack scribbled his number down. "I work with the lady who found your mom," that might have been a lie but Zack heard Booth and Brennan talking about how in some cases it's acceptable to lie to people to make them feel better, "My name is Zack Addy. Call me if you need anything."

Zack started to walk away but turned around at the sound of the boy's voice, "I just bring people down!" He yelled after the grad student.

All that was offered from Zack was a dismissive shrug. I'm already down, he thought, gripping the plastic baggy tighter in his palm.