(A/N: - Hello, again. So, I haven't had a lot of internet access recently, which kinda sucks, but you know, c'est la vie. My computer seems to be playing up constantly, and my internet has now gone bust. Joy. I'm having to use my dad's office computer to put this up (which I'm not supposed to do, but oh well), but I didn't want to hold off posting something any longer. Thanks to everyone who has read my stuff, put me on author alert, story alert, or favourite-d me. I really appreciate it, and it really makes me happy. :)
Well, I noticed that hardly anyone writes about Zach (if anyone who reads this has written about Zach, let me know. He's one of my favourite characters, and I love reading about him.) So, I decided to write a little fic. I don't know what to think of it really, 'because it's a little rushed, but whatever.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bones, or Zach, unfortunately. Of Booth, either, for that matter. :( . Maybe Fox'll give them to me for my birthday? Oh, but I do own Allison. She's based on one of my best friends, who loves Zach even more than I do. So yeah, this one's for you, Al. Thanks for reading, and I hope you all enjoy. Oh, and review, if you can. It makes me happy – Holbonesfan)
Exchange of services
The little red book was glaring at him from the table on which it lay. He stared at it, as if trying to read it through the cover. Oh, come on, Seeley boy. Just ignore the book, and leave already. Bones isn't here, and nobody else seems to be either. He made to walk away, back out of the building, when he caught sight of the book once more. He sighed, and made his way over to the desk. Seeley Booth, do not touch the book. It has nothing to do with you. Back away from the book. I repeat. Back. Away. From. The. Book.
He sighed again, and took the small notebook into his hands. It was light, and full of pages and pages of scribbled notes, all in scientific mumbo-jumbo language. He groaned, and threw the book onto the table, where it landed, open. He cursed, and picked it back up; hoping he hadn't tore any of the pages. Turning it over in his hands, he noticed something written on it... something, he noted, written in literal English. He grinned, and began to read.
Zach. The name that when mentioned, everyone snorts at. Everyone laughs at, and comments on my lack of communication skills. Everyone jokes about how my head is always in the clouds. But believe me; I am not like that at all. Not really.
I can see what's happening around me. I can see love, and pain. I can see war, and peace. I can see everything just as clearly as the next person can. The only difference is that I choose not to acknowledge it. I choose to ignore it, pretend that it isn't happening.
Angela and Jack, they're in love. Dr Brennan and Agent Booth, however much they try to deny it, are most definitely in love as well – with each other. Even I can see that, and apparently, 'that's saying something.' Has anyone ever thought that maybe, just maybe, I'm not as socially retarded as everyone makes me out to be. Maybe, just maybe, I am actually a human being, and just once, would like to be treated as one. I can see these things happening around me, whatever people think. So, Angela and Jack .Brennan and Booth. Cam has a new man as well, and me? Well, I have
no one. Not yet, at least. That doesn't really surprise me, of course. I mean, come on. Who in their right mind would want me? Shy, socially inept Zach. Because that's exactly what I am. I am shy, and I am socially inept. However, I'm not stupid, nor do I intend to spend the rest of my life alone. And you know, at the moment, that's proving unlikely.
You want the honest and complete truth? (Did I just sound like Angela then? Oh, well...) I'm in love, too. It took me a long time to admit this to myself, and even now, when I think about it, it doesn't seem rational... logical... doesn't make any sense at all.
But that doesn't mean that it isn't true. I am in love, and the girl I'm in love with? She's wonderful. She's smart, and beautiful, and for the first time ever, I actually feel loved. She's kind to me, doesn't laugh when I don't get a joke (although, maybe that's because she doesn't get them either...). She's a scientist, like myself. She specialises in forensic pathology, and finds my discussions about anatomy fascinating. I get along with her, and don't feel completely alienated by her. I finally feel as though I have something in common with someone. Don't get me wrong, Jack and I are great friends, and I absolutely love Angela to bits, but Allison – that's her name – she's... different. She makes me feel special – you know, like there's something about me that she likes.
And you know what? I really want to ask her out. I want to ask her out on a date, and just 'live a little' as Angela is always telling me to. I want to be able to wake up in the morning and for once – just once – actually feel as though I have something to live for - someone to live for.
But there's a problem, of course. It's typical, isn't it? I finally feel as though something good is going to happen, and then my brain begins processing and I come up with something that just... changes my mind about whatever I'm thinking about. The logicality sets in, and I 'chicken out'. What if she doesn't like me back? What if she doesn't feel the same way about me, as I do about her? What if our entire relationship – friendship – falters because of a silly little crush. Except it's not silly, and it certainly isn't just a crush. I just don't want to ruin a friendship with just about the only person who understands me.
I don't know what possessed me to write all this down. My psychologist told me that to work things out, sometimes the only way to do so is to get everything down on paper. But sometimes, maybe I should just learn to not over-process things. I should just go with my gut feeling, like Booth says, and jump into something without a second thought. Maybe if I did that, I wouldn't be sat here, writing this. Maybe if I did that, I'd be with Allison just talking and laughing, and then, maybe, just maybe it'd lead to something more. Something that I've been dying to have happen for a long, long time.
I think it's about time I followed my gut, and got the girl. For once, in my entire life.
Booth frowned, and put the book back down on the table. Did Zach really think all of this? He sat down on one of the stools, thinking about everything he'd just read. See, Booth. This is exactly why you don't read peoples private journals. They get you thinking too hard, and you know what happens when you think this hard... Yes, see. I can feel a migraine coming on already...
Wait, what? Zach's in love? Angela and Hodgins? Okay, I knew that already. They're married for Christ's sake... Wait a second... me and Brennan? In love. She doesn't love me. Does she? Wait. Do I love her? Oh my God. I do... do I...? Hold on a second... Zach? In love? LOVE? Yeah, right. As if. What was her name? Allison? Cute name... Now, what to do about all of this.
"Are you waiting for someone, Agent Booth?" a voice called across the lab. Booth raised his head abruptly, causing the book he now held in his hand to fall to the floor. Zach's eyes widened, and he grabbed at the book.
"Did you... Did you... Did you read my journal?" Zach stuttered, tucking it into his inside pocket, and looking as though he was going to faint.
"Um... I'm sorry." Booth gulped. He had never seen the young scientist look quite so... mad. "But you know, it was sort of... I don't know, glaring at me from the table. I thought it was Bones' at first, so I didn't think it would matter if I read it. Most of it was science-y stuff. The sort of stuff I have no idea about. But then I came across the writing part, and got kind of engrossed, and before I knew it, I'd read the entire thing, and I couldn't help myself-"
"Agent Booth. Stop rambling already. You read my journal?" Booth responded with a nod, and Zach groaned. "Great. Just great. Of all people to read it, it just had to be you, didn't it?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Booth snapped, hurt.
""Oh, look at this everyone. Guess what!"" Zach said, doing a very impressive job of imitating Booth's voice. ""Little Zachy-boy's got a secret. You know what it is? He's in love! Who would-a thought, eh?""
"I do not sound like that." Booth argued, looking slightly irritated.
"You so do, and you know it. Look, just don't tell anyone about what's written in there, will you?" Zach practically begged the agent. Booth grinned, and nodded.
"Sure, whatever. Just one thing though. Something you wrote is kinda... eating away at me..." Booth trailed off, looking at Zach for confirmation to continue. When he continued staring at him, Booth carried on with what he was saying.
"Um... yeah. You wrote that Dr Brennan and I... that we're in love. Where did you get that idea?"
Zach snorted. "Oh come on, Agent Booth. I might be a little bit socially challenged, but I'm not stupid. You might as well wear a neon sign across your forehead saying 'I love Temperance Brennan.'" Booth frowned. "What?"
"Did you just make a joke?" He asked, smiling.
"Um... I guess so. It that such a big thing? I can make jokes. Occasionally."
"Yeah, right." Booth laughed.
"So, Agent Booth. What're you going to do about you and Dr Brennan?" Zach asked quietly, attempting to take all of the attention off himself.
"Well, I was wondering if you could do some snooping – find out whether she feels the same way as I do..." Booth muttered, looking at the floor.
"What do I get in return?" Zach retorted.
"Well," Booth replied, impressed by how fast Zach had come out with that. "I could do the same thing with this Allison girl. You know, find out if she likes you. Seriously, Zach. You deserve some
happiness. I know I've given you a lot of stick in the past, about you being socially inept at all, but now I feel really bad. I never realised that it hurt your feelings so much. I don't mean to be cruel, it's just how I am. Let me do this for you. All I ask is that you ask Bones a few questions about me..."
"Deal." The two shook hands, finalising everything. Zach gave Booth the address of the cafe that Allison worked in, and Booth told Zach what he wanted him to say to Brennan. By the time everyone had returned to the lab, after their lunch break, Booth was nowhere to be seen, and Zach was acting as though nothing had happened.
"Oh man..." He mumbled, picking up the nearest bone and examining it. "What have I got myself into...?"
(A/N: So, here's chapter one done and dusted. What did you think? Should I continue, or just end it here as an unfinished fic? I really hope that you all like it, and you choose to review. How much grovelling do I have to do to get some reviews? I can offer you... a lovely afternoon with the most wonderful Seeley Booth, and the chance to do whatever you want to one of your least favourite characters. Oh, in my next fic. The one I mention in my profile? Well, it's a crime-y one. You know, with a murder. You get a choice who I kill – Cam, or Sully? Either way, I'm happy. Take your pick, and let me know! :) A little rhyme anyone??
If you're happy and you know it... write reviews,
If you're happy and you know it... write reviews,
If you're happy and you know it and you really want to show it,
If you're happy and you know it... write reviews.
Come on, surely my pathetic attempt at making you smile warrants me a review? :-)
HBF)