A/N: First-person perspective from Dr. Brennan. No shipping except a very very very little bit of Hodgins and Angela.

So, ive just recently gotten into the wonderful world of Bones. I loved loved loved seasons 1-3, but after that im a little iffy. When Zack was taken out, i lost some interest. The little tight-ass smarty pants was no longer there to make things awkward. He and Hodgins are no longer making stupid experiments or competing for King of the Lab. Not to mention, Zack's "replacements" are super annoying. It made me depressed. So, here's a little story to make me, and whoever felt the same way, feel a little better xD

Side-note: Sorry if i get anything wrong. Ive been watching late at night, so my brain isnt exactly memorizing every inch of the show.

Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing.

Enjoy! Reviews greatly appreciated :3

My hand was on my gun before i had even woken up. My heart was racing for who-knows-why; and my eyes wide open, though it was too dark in the room for that to be useful. A few more raps on my door calmed me down, as i realized no one was trying to break in. I merely had a guest at...3o'clock in the morning..

"Booth, i swear i will shoot you if you're here for something stupid." I growled as i walked to the door and fumbled to tie my robe into place. I stood behind the door and worked on a few angry facial expressions. My apparent insomniac parter has made a habit of showing up at my door at odd hours, but this was ridiculous. I had only gotten back from the lab a few hours ago and just got to sleep when he decided to interrupt.

I decided with the i-just-woke-up-but-im-going-to-kill-you-anyways look and swung the door open. "Booth, you s-" My scolding came to a sudden halt as a shorter, not so manly figure stood in her door way. One eye was closed- the other half open. He was swaying, standing in a strange position, and his hair and clothes were sopping wet. He held a single coat over his shoulder and his white hospital clothes clung to his wet skin. Both hands were wrapped in gauze and blood could be seen pooling around the finger tips. His cuts and scrapes from the explosion were still stitched.

"Is Booth here too?" The lad at my door asked with a groggy tone as he tried to lift his eyes to meet mine. I could see fear strike across his brown eyes.

"Oh my- Zack.." I had no idea what to say, so instead i gathered the boy in my arms and pressed my lips to the top of his head. I looked down to see that his eyes were open just a sliver and tears were pooling in his eyes. They overflowed, and slowly made their way down his face.

"You're..cutting off my..circulation..Dr. Brennan." Zack muttered weakly. I loosened my grip and slung his arm around my neck. I slowly and carefully helped the boy to the couch, where he flopped over and heaved a large sigh. I was about to ask what the hell he was doing here, but he was already asleep. Labored breaths and twitching muscles indicated that i should probably leave him alone, so i covered him with a blanket and did just that. Looking outside, i finally noticed the rain. It fell soft, but menacing, as of it was pounding the pain back into my heart.

I pressed my hand to the window and leaned my head up against the restricting glass as i stared back at my ex-colleague. The boy i hand-picked from a thousand applicants. The genius i had trained and later worked with. He felt like a son to me, in a weird way. And here he was, laying in a hospital bed because not moments before, he had been blown almost to pieces. That genius kid was now a murderer.

Tears ran down Zack's face as the pain-killers started to kick in. His eyes were wavery and his body limp. Tears soon began to run down my cheeks as i watched him. Angela sobbed into Dr. Hodgins' shoulder and i knew Hodgins was staying strong just for her. I felt a hand pat my shoulder and looked up to see Booth pull me into a hug. I accepted, but never took my eyes off Zack he slipped into a deep sleep.

My phone somehow found itself across my room and up against my wall when i woke up the next morning. I guessed my sub-conscious self didnt want to be awaken by the likes of a puny cell phone. I dragged myself up and rummaged, blinded by the sunlight, for my phone. By the time i had found it, the call had gone to voice mail. I was about to call the person back, but instead he did it for me.

"Brennan." I yawned as an answer to the person on the other line.

"Hey, Bones, good morning." Booth answered in his usual knowing tone. "How'd you sleep?"

"Fine, thank you." I answered, completely oblivious to my partner's sarcasm. "What do you want, Booth? Its my day off remember? You're making me take this." I added the last part with a little bit of a growl to let him know that i was not fond of the idea of staying home from work.

"Hey, its good for ya!" Booth chuckled. "Anyways, i got a call from the hospital. Evidently your little Zack escaped."

"Impossible." I yawned again as i stood and made my way to the kitchen for breakfast. "I mean, he was in a hor-" I froze when a snore erupt from the couch to my left. I looked down and saw Mr. Impossible sprawled across the cushions.

"Bones? Bones?" My phones squawked at me.

I closed my eyes and shook my head. "Yeah, anyways, impossible. I need to go." I hung up before i could hear any protest and slammed the phone down on the side table beside Zack's head.

The boy startled awake, and fell off the couch to the floor. "Ow.." He groaned as he held one bloody hand to his head and the other across his stomach as he balanced on his elbow. Pain seared through hisface as he became part of reality - reality without pain killers.

As much as i wanted to make him get himself up, i crouched down and grabbed the younger boy's arms to help him up. I sat him back on the couch and ran to the kitchen to grab medication.

"Its okay, Dr. Brennan. Pain killers give me nightmares." Zack called the best he could from the living room. Sighing, i returned instead with a glass of water and a medical kit. I helped him take a few sips, then placed the water on the side table. Zack looked at me with unsure and weak eyes. It killed me to look back with disappointment.

"Zack. What are you doing here." I mean for it to be a question, but it came out as a demand. I felt bad for being harsh on him, but he could get us both in trouble. Zack dropped his eyes to his hands and frowned.

"The hospital would not stop giving me medication. I explained to them that they give me nightmares. I figured that fact alone would steer them away, as my condition requires more than the appropriate amount of sleep, but they thought they knew better." Zack scrunched his nose at the thought. His hunched over posture, droopy, blood-shot eyes, and limp muscles indicated he was right: he wasnt getting enough sleep.

"Why did you come here?" I asked as i pulled the medical kit closer. I took his hands in my lap and rebandaged them as he answered.

"I was drunk on drugs. Your place was the only place i could think of, although ive never been to your house before.." He winced and let out a sharp gasp when i yanked the bandages a little too hard on his hands. "Dr. Brennan, you cant tell Booth." His tone became more desperate, even pleading. "If you dont want me to stay, you can drop me off with Hodgins. I dont mind."

I raised an eyebrow at him and searched his eyes. "Dr. Hodgins and Angela are practically living together now. Do you really want to see that?" I asked as i finished up the last of his bandages. Zack gave me a lost look and i rolled my eyes. "You can stay here. But only for now. You're not supposed to be here, Zack."

I was suddenly attacked by Zack in what i thought was a hug. "Thank you so much, Dr. Brennan." He said as he squeezed me tighter and buried his face into my shoulder.

I hugged him softly back. "You're welcome." I replied with a slight smile.