2
Angela stared at the computer screen. She knew the computer program would take a few minutes to work. She intended to use the few minutes to gather her thoughts. Brennan had been abducted. Zack had taken her. She had seen the panic in Booth's eyes when they had realised she was gone. She bit her lip, remembering other times she had seen the fear there - when the Gravedigger had taken Hodgins and Brennan she had felt it then.
"Angie?"
"Oh." She turned, smiling at her husband. "Hi."
He wheeled his chair over to her as she watched him.
"You ok?"
"Yeah." She rested her head on one hand as he approached her. "I was just thinking about Zack."
He nodded. He remembered Zack as the geeky lab rat that lived above his garage. His best friend and surrogate little brother. He took Angie's hand as he waited for her to continue.
"I thought he would kill her."
"Dr B?"
"Yeah."
"So did I." He laced their fingers together. "I know Booth and Wendell thought the same. Daisy was panicking." Angela nodded.
"Booth wants to reopen Zack's case."
"What?"
"He thinks Zack is innocent. That he was brainwashed and manipulated but that he didn't kill anyone." She watched as Hodgins closed his eyes. "He doesn't think Zack is capable of killing anyone."
"Now? After all this time?"
"I know."
"Angie, honey."
"I want Booth to be right." She blinked back a tear. "What if he is? Zack could have been executed. He could have died and been innocent. If the doctors hadn't said he was ill."
"Hey." He brought her hand to his lips. "Don't do this."
"Jack."
"Cm ere."
He tugged on her hand so that she was as close to him as possible, given the wheelchair. He kissed her gently on the lips as she held face carefully. He broke for air, resting his forehead against hers. Angela kept her eyes closed.
"I want Zack home too." He whispered. "I want him to be well, to be innocent but."
"You don't believe him?"
"I want to."
"All the conspiracy theories and you don't believe Zack might be innocent?" She raised an eyebrow as he shrugged.
"I'm a scientist. I need evidence."
Angela nodded, kissing him again before pulling back.
"It's late. Let's go get Michael and go home." He whispered as Angela smiled. She knew her friend had been troubled but he wasn't a killer. She prayed her husband could see what she did.
Xxxxxx
