(A/N:- Wow, what a fabulous response! To be honest, I wasn't expecting a lot of reviews for this one. It took me about twenty minutes to write the first chapter, and nearly as long to edit and proofread, so to get so many reviews after that is amazing. I assure you, a lot more work has gone into this one, so I hope now that I haven't over edited it. Again, this chapter is dedicated to Allison, who even after having a story dedicated to her, still cannot be bothered to review. :) I'm only kidding, Al. I know you don't have an account, but that's why I enabled anonymous reviewing. Hint Hint Nudge Nudge.
Right. So, thanks everyone for the 'advice' as such, on who to kill in my next fic. I'm actually having a hard time deciding between two plots, and the two characters I mentioned. Maybe I can mix them together and end up with a kind of double-plot. But then again, I could kill the other person, who nobody knows about! Yeah, I know. I tend to babble. So, what do you think about this so far? Okay? Good? Bad? Let me know!
Disclaimer:- I don't own Bones, or any of the characters involved in this fic. Except Allison of course. :) Nor do I own, Shakespeare, or Much Ado about Nothing. :( All I own is the plot. Again, maybe I'll get them for my birthday?)
Oh so Upfront.
"So, Dr Brennan. Is it true that you're in love with Agent Booth?"
Temperance Brennan spat out the coffee she had just began to drink, and turned towards Zach, completely shell-shocked. She dragged him into her office, dabbing at her front furiously with a rag.
"Wha—What?" She managed to stutter, licking her burnt lips fiercely.
"Is it true, Dr Brennan, that you are in love with Agent Booth?" Zach repeated, pronouncing each syllable slowly, as if speaking to a stupid person, rather than the genius he called his colleague.
"Where... Where did you get that idea?" She asked, face paling.
"You know, Dr Brennan. I may be slightly slow on recognising what's happening around me, but I'm not stupid. As I said to Agent Booth earlier, you two could wear neon signs on each others foreheads announcing your love for each other, and yet still deny it."
"What does that mean exactly?" Brennan queried, looking incredibly confused. Zach shook his head, and shrugged.
"I really have no idea. I read it in this book that Angela bought me for christmas – Telling Jokes for Dummies, I think it was called." He explained, blushing slightly.
"Maybe we should ask Angela what it means..." She muttered, making for the door.
"Doctor Brennan." She stopped, and turned back towards him, slowly.
"Yes, Zach."
"You never answered my question." He pushed, determined to get an answer out of her.
"And what question was that, Zach?" She asked, stalling for time.
"The one that I repeated twice, just two minutes ago." He sighed, exasperated. "Would you like me to ask you again? I can do a very good job at projecting my voice across rooms. I'm sure Angela would be very curious to know what we're discussing. Especially," He added, thoughtfully, "if it's about Booth."
"Did Angela buy you a 'How to be pushy for dummies' book for Christmas too?" Brennan muttered, looking annoyed. "Fine. Just... fine."
"So you admit it, then." Zach pressed, eagerly. "You admit that you have," he coughed, and whispered, "unprofessional feelings towards your partner."
"No! I mean, I... Yes! No! I meant no! Oh, I don't know, Zach." She whispered back, putting her head in her hands.
"Why are we whispering?" He asked back. She shrugged, and sat down on the couch, pulling her legs up underneath her. He sat down beside her.
"You know, Dr Brennan. You can tell me anything, you know. I can keep whatever you decide to share with me completely confidential. No one will ever know." Well, except Booth. But it's all for a good cause, right? Wrong. Oh, God. I feel so horrid for betraying Dr Brennan like this.
"You know what, Zach. I might take you up on that. But I swear, if this gets out... I'll... get Booth to shoot you. No, in fact... I'll shoot you myself." Zach gulped, and nodded.
"Of course. No one will find out." He crossed his fingers behind his back, thinking about how childish he was being. This isn't right, Zach. You shouldn't use Dr Brennan to get a girl. That's just wrong. But, it's not like she's ever going to find out. She'll be too wrapped up in her new love life with Booth to find the time to shoot me... What harm can it do?
"Maybe... Maybe I do have some unprofessional feelings towards Booth. But I'm not admitting anything here... And I'm not saying I don't either... I might, but I might not."
"'But believe me not, and yet I lie not; I confess nothing, nor I deny nothing'" Zach commented, quietly, and Temperance turned to him slightly confused. "Much Ado About Nothing. Act four, Scene One..."
"Of course. I knew that, I was just... surprised, I guess.. to hear a man quoting Shakespeare. Impressive, Zach. Though of course, I expect nothing less than that of you, Zach." She patted his arm, proudly, and looked back at the door. She watched Booth, who was talking to Angela, and as he caught her gaze, she smiled softly. He returned the gesture with a wink, and his so-called 'charm smile.' She felt her face redden, and turned back to Zach.
"Okay, so maybe I do like Booth in a way that's not strictly professional. It doesn't make much difference. He doesn't like me that way... Just leave it, Zach. I don't even know why I've told you any of this. Lets just get back to work..." She left the room, leaving Zach to mull over his thoughts, all of which were considering not telling Booth what she had said at all. He shook his head, and stood up, before walking back to the examination table, and picking up one of the bones that lay there.
(A/N: Well, this is fairly short, I think. What did you think? Did I do a better job at portraying Zach than in the last chapter. Oh, someone commented in the last chapter (thank-you, by the way) that they thought it unlikely that Zach would know the 'neon-lights' joke, so that's where the telling jokes for dummies came in. You know, those annoying yellow books that people buy you as a joke when you comment on how much you suck at something. I bought one for my friend when I lived abroad – she didn't really appreciate it, though. :(
Thanks for putting up with me, all this long. Do you think you could just spend a couple of minutes longer on her and just drop me a quick line, and tell me what you thought? All you have to do is click that very charming purple button down there, and voila! A little screen pops up, and you can say whatever you want! Constructive criticism, though, please. No one likes nasty comments, but advice is greeted with open arms. :)
I'll update soon, I guess. I have two weeks off, and my internet seems to be working again! – Holbonesfan
P.S: How ironic – when I was just typing this end message, hot blooded came on VH1. I find that rather amusing. "I'm Hot Blooded! Check it and see! I've got a fever of 103..." HBF)