The next few days, Zach often ended up staying up late at Hodgins's main house, asking him questions about Lexi and how to further their relationship.

"Listen, man, just be yourself. But don't get stuck in the friend zone; look her in the eyes, touch her gently, those kinds of things. I don't really know how to explain it to you..." He trailed off, sighing at what could possibly be a lost cause.

Zach shook his head persistently. "But you always have girlfriends. How could you not know how to become involved with them?"

Hodgins laughed. "One, because I'm hot," He watched Zach frown, then went on. "Two, I'm normal." Zach's frown grew into a scowl. "Three, you and Lexi... you two have such a weird relationship... I'm not sure exactly how to explain it to you in your case."

"I see."


At work the week after the two anthropologists had returned, Zach was on his guard, trying to impress Lexi. She sat down in the lounge, eating some kind of pasta and going over some catalogued injuries. Lexi was quite focused, that was until Zach came over and began a conversation with her.

"Good afternoon, Lexi." He greeted, shrugging off his lab coat and handing her a can of soda.

She grinned. "Thanks."

There was silence for a moment, before Zach interrupted it again. "Lexi...I was wondering if we could have a more in depth conversation than the one we had last week." He waited anxiously for her response.

"Which conversation?"

"The one we had in the car after I held your hand in the hospital."

"Okay." Zach was taken slightly aback by this response. From what he had gathered, most girls were reluctant when addressing such subjects.

Lexi gestured forward with her hand. "Go on, Zach."

"Right. I was going to say that I find your presence very calming, and was wondering if you have noticed that I've been acting different lately."

Lexi eyes twinkled. "Actually, I have been wondering about that. Even though I have several thoughts on the subject, I have found that the one most likely situation seems to be less plausible." Her manner of speaking was a cross between casual and intelligent, so she wouldn't have to think very hard but could also make sense to Zach.

"And that situation would be?"

Her eyes grew serious and hard, looking square into his. Zach had never been one to believe in this, but at the moment he thought he could see just a hint of reluctance in their dark shade, but also excitement.

"That you like me as more than a friend," She stated, dropping his gaze.

Zach opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out, just an occasional noise or start of a syllable.

"I pegged it, didn't I?" Lexi joked, laughing and giving him a gentle push on the shoulder.

He finally had the nerve to respond. "If 'pegged it' is a phrase implying that you were completely correct, then yes, you have 'pegged it.'" His cute 'I'm confused but think I get it' look appeared, making Lexi reach for his much larger hand and intertwined their fingers.

"Do you have a question for me?" Lexi inquired, trying to coax him into getting to his original point.

"Yes. My inquiry is as to whether or not you would be comfortable pursuing a romantic relationship with me. However, it is my understanding that the way you are holding my hand is a sign of approval, but forgive me if that isn't so. I have also been led to believe that-"

Lexi silenced him by placing a finger to his lips. "I would love that, Zach. But can I ask one favor?"

"Anything."

She wasn't sure if she was offending him by asking, but Lexi asked, "Do you mind if we keep it between us for the first month or so?"

"Why?"

"If... this doesn't go the way we want it to... I don't want the rest of the team to be split between the two of us as if they think we won't be able to work together again. That would just make it worse." Lexi said, giving his hand a squeeze before retracting it.

Zach let this process in his head for a second. "That seems logical."

"It's going to be hard, you know." She joked.

"I am well aware of that."


The two of them found it exceedingly difficult to conceal their mutual feelings towards each other as they worked side by side every day. In fact, they actually tried to keep a larger distance than before.

Hodgins became aware of this, and pulled Zach aside into Angela's office.

"Dude, what happened? I thought you were trying to get her to like you." He looked kind of pissed off, giving him a look of confusion combined with exasperation.

Zach blinked at him. "I've decided that I should focus on my research for just a while longer while I am working towards my second doctorate." Hodgins shook his head.

"But if you stop showing interest entirely, you and Lexi will always be stuck in the 'friend zone'!" He cried.

Angela stood in the doorway, her expression a mix of confusion, pleasure, and anger. "What?"

Both of the men looked warily in Angela's direction. "Oh...Hey Angie." Hodgins waved and then began side-stepping his way out of her office, only to have her whack him on the head with her sketchpad.

"Both of you. Sit. Down." She pointed stiffly to her couch and watched in amusement as Hodgins and Zach obeyed as quickly as possible.

"You," Angela aimed her finger at Zach. "You like Lexi, correct?" Zach tilted his head to the side before nodding.

Hodgins squirmed under Angela's gaze, which was now directed at him. "Why the hell didn't you tell me! This is my project too!" She exclaimed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I..uh..."

"Right. Now, here's how all this is going to go down. Lexi likes you," She said, indicating Zach, who tried to look just a bit surprised. "And you like her. So, you go ask her out. Now."

Zach furrowed his eyebrows and struggled to come up with a statement. "Wouldn't she be taken aback by the sudden question?"

"Yes. Which is good."

"I fail to see how."

Angela stomped her foot on the carpet, making a scuff mark that she adjusted by brushing back over it gently. "Just go."

"No thank you." Zach stated curtly, before pushing up to a standing position. "If I'm no longer needed, then I'm going to get back to work on my dissertation." And with those words, he exited to his work area.

Angela sighed. "Hopeless."

Hodgins grinned. "I have an idea."


Later that day, Lexi and Zach were in Zach's work area, 'looking at x-rays' from their latest victim. Well, at least that's what they were supposed to be doing. What was actually happening was that Lexi was sitting atop of Zach's desk, holding his hand while he looked over the x-rays.

"You know, Zach," She said warily. "Breaks are typically used so one can have a time without work." Lexi knew that Zach wasn't going to stop until he found his cause of death, but it was worth a shot to just ask.

He shook his head, his floppy brown hair bobbing along with it. "I'm well aware of that. However, you may be taking your break now, and I will simply take mine later." Zach squinted down at the photo negative, then held it up to the light to see it better.

"You should take your break now, Zach." Lexi coaxed, brushing the back of her hand along his cheek.

Zach, instead of acknowledging her suggestion, took note of an odd habit. "Have you noticed that when you are speaking to me, you almost always end your sentences with my name?" She tilted her head to one side.

"Explain to me, Za-" Lexi caught herself before she uttered the entirety of his name, realizing that what he said was, in fact, true.

"Why do you think that is?" He asked, putting down the x-ray sheet and swiveling to take both of Lexi's hands in one of his, looking up into her eyes as he did so often before they were even a couple.

"I think it's because I like you so much," She teased.

All she got in return was a nod before Zach picked up the x-rays once more and gave them all of his attention. "Zach," Lexi whined.

"Yes?"

"Take your break with me."

"I'm busy."

Lexi shook her head and sighed. She then plucked the pictures from his hands and turned his chair with her feet. Lexi looked into his eyes with intensity, before leaning in just a bit...

Zach could see what was happening and bent forward to meet her halfway, feeling her lips just barely graze his for a second before they were fully pressed against each other.

That's right- their first kiss with each other was in the Jeffersonian. At a work station. Which, for them, was oddly romantic.

It was a sweet kiss, with no making out of any sort. Lexi pulled back and grinned. "Now will you take your break with me?"

"Of course."

After hanging out for a little while, Zach and Lexi both had to get back to their jobs.

Which is when Hodgins and Angela decided to interfere.

Sorry about how long it took me to update. :( not happy with this chapter, really. Probably because of the suddenness of the relationship, but I know firsthand that sometimes things happen like that. Oh well. Review please!
~SnowKoyuki13