"From the day I met Zack, I knew he would cause me pain."- Dr. Camille Saroyan, Pain in the Heart, Season 3 of Bones

This is my salute to Zack- a vital part of the forensics team at the Jeffersonian Institute. I just finished watching 'Pain in the Heart' for the fifth time- and every time, I have cried. Zack was loved by everyone. This is what I would have told Brennan to comfort her, and the rest of them. It's from Booth's POV, since I relate to him in this particular situation; most of the time, I relate to Bones. The language is Bones-esque, partly because of my relation to Bones- the words (not to be confused with diction), however, are more Booth than anyone else.

It is not your fault. It is not any of your faults.

Hodgens, it was not your fault that Zack listened to your talk of conspiracies and secret societies.

Angela, it was not your fault- he did not need a girlfriend. He already had a family- you and the squint squad.

Cam, don't take it out on him- he was too intelligent, too logical. It was his ultimate downfall- he did not have enough feelings for humanity's little people.

Bones, you did give him something- you gave him love, compassion, a family by letting him in to the Jeffersonian. Actually, if Booth hadn't come around, you'd be exactly like Zack- the logical and intelligent part, not the serial killer part; you have a love of life that would not allow you to do such a thing.

All of you may not have seen this coming, but it is all right. Things slip by even the best scientists, even the best investigators. I've let many a suspect slip by unwittingly. I have even made mistakes during investigations that have led to deaths.

We all loved Zack. He loved all of us. If he had not, Hodgins would be in the hospital (*Hodgins wince*) or even dead (*All wince*). If you had not given him this, he would have become just another brilliant lab rat. I know, Bones, that he is not just another lab rat. He will never be just another lab rat to us- he will be the intern turned friend, the guy we all miss.

In fact, I admit that I will miss him. Don't go and analyze that Sweets, please, because it won't help anyone- especially yourself.

We will never forget Zack- king of the lab, socially-inept, brillant Zack-a-roni. (*Cam smile and laugh through tears*)

To Zack. That he will always be in our hearts.

That last bit was more of Angela than of Booth. But at least it made me feel much better about the last episode of the third season of Bones- the absolute ONLY episode that I hate in Bones, and the last. I don't think they could make a worse episode, an episode that made anyone cry more, if they tried. Review if you think otherwise. DO NOT FLAME- I usually encourage that, but NOT for Zack, Zack deserves a WHOLE lot better than that, and if you think otherwise- go jump off the Causeway in the middle of a hurricane. They'll never find the body.

If you flame Zack or this work, I WILL BLOCK YOU. Make no mistake. It is vile and disgusting to do so to Zack, who was only taken off the show because the actor was given a chance at another show.

IF YOU READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE ABOVE, OR IGNORED IT, AND THEN FLAME IT, I WILL TELL ALL OF MY FRIENDS ON FAN FIC TO BLOCK YOU. However, if you did not read it and then flame it, I will reply to ask you a specific question- probably about the second sentence. So read thoroughly if you do not want a bunch of blocks.