Thanks for reviews and you know I have been thinking about a totally new way for Althy and Zach to get together. Speculations are welcomed. Please review and share your ideas and suggestions for improving the story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bones, as if that wasn't obvious.

Chapter 10

Depression is her name and depression is me

"Alright," I replied smiling sweetly at Zack "What'd do you want to talk about."

"I was here the whole time, did you hear anything I said to you?"

"Sorry Zach, but no." I replied.

"Look Althy….I think we should forget about what you told me when we were underground and stay friends, it would be the rational choice." said Zach

Well to say that I wasn't expecting something along those lines would be a lie, but that doesn't make it hurt any less.

"Uh, yeah of course…w…we can." I said and smiled, it was a fake smile, but I doubt Mr. Clueless would see that.

"Thanks Althy, you're the best." he said and kissed my cheek. He left and through the glass door I saw him wave to Jack and leave. Finally at that moment I did something I hadn't done since I was sixteen. I broke down crying.

Jack came in and quickly noticed my state.

"Althy what's wrong?" asked Jack "Was it something Zach said or PTSD?"

"I don't have post traumatic stress disorder thanks." I replied. "Zach….when we were down there…I told Zach the truth and…he…now he…." Jack seemed to get what I was saying. He sat on my bed and pulled me into a hug. "Please…don't tell anyone about this, not even Angela."

"I promise, Well then this will only make things worse." said Jack "Andy's coming with Delia,"

"WHAT?" I asked. "Great just what I need now, my mother and my littlest sister," I calmed down "Jack, when can I get out of here, I want to go back to work."

"I'll ask the doctor." replied Jack and left as Angela came in.

"What's wrong Althy?"

"I don't want to talk about it." I replied angrily. Life sucked. Jack came back in and took me home. I went to my room silently and shut the door.

The following day my mother arrived with my sixteen year old sister Andora. Mom was frantic and as soon as she entered the house she tried to choke me.

"Mom, please release me so I can live." I told her and she let go apologizing.

"Hey Althy," said Andy as she too hugged me "We missed you.

"Thank you Andora." I said and glared at me.

"My name is Andy."

"Fine, fine" I said. "Mom, Andy, this is Angela Jack's….girlfriend." I said and they shook hands.

"Nice to meet you Mrs. Calloway"

"Mrs. Calloway? Oh Fiddlesticks call me Delia. I'm not old yet." she said.

"Great, you've all met; can I go back to my room now?"

"Ouch, somebody's grouchy." said Andy. I ignored her and went back to my room. "What's eating her?"

"Sorry, I'm sworn to secrecy." said Jack, I appreciated it. The last thing I needed was to talk to my mother about my problems, but who could I talk to? Saphi was out of the question, she had school and her own problems. Peter was eighteen and he was busy with college and my one and only older brother was in Iraq. James had become a pilot and he was doing missions all over Iraq. He was due back in two months. So that left with Jackie, who would just laugh or the twins. Of course there was also Angela, but talking about it wouldn't change anything.

"Althy, its Andy open this door or I'll break it down." yelled Andy. I sluggishly got off my bed and opened the door.

"What?"

"Snippy too," said Andy "Something's bothering this one" she sat down on my bed and starred at my posters, "You know mom almost had a heart attack when Jack called us. The boys wanted to come too, but Peter's busy with College visits and work and Adam has soccer practice. So what's going on?"

"I don't want to talk about it." I snapped as Angela walked in.

"Come on Althy you've been all depressed since Zach left your hospital room yesterday."

"Oh so this has to do with Zach." said Andy.

"I don't want to talk about it." I snapped. "Now would you please leave, I have to go to work, I mean somebody has to drive that…I mean somebody has to drive Zach to work and Jack's taking you so.." I pointed my finger towards the door.

"Alright, I'll see you at work." said Angela and left.

"And I'll see you after work." said Andy and left as well.

I got dressed and walked up to Zach's apartment above the garage.

"Zach let's go I'm not waiting all century." I snapped as he came down.

"Technically it would be impossible for you to…." started Zach but he stopped realizing that I knew and that I was in no mood for anything.

I arrived and before Zach could say anything I was already inside. Dr. Brennan welcomed me back as did Cam and I entered my office. I sat behind my desk and took out my sewing machine and began making my costume. It took my mind off a lot of things. I had broken a few hearts in my life, but I had never felt what it was like to have my heart broken, until now.

Angela came into my office and sat down on the couch.

"I'm not leaving until you tell me."

"Look, I told you already I don't want to talk about it." I said putting a piece of cloth through the machine.

"Althy, come on. I can help."

"No, you can't. I tell you, I don't tell you, it won't make any difference." I said.

"Maybe not, but why not try?" she asked.

"Fine, I thought we were gonna die down there, ok. So I told Zach…well the truth of how I felt about him. Then yesterday I wake up and he says, let's pretend it never happened it would be the rational thing to do."

"Oh you poor thing." said Angela and hugged me.

"Please let go of me." I told her and she let go.

"You have to tell Zach everything, tell him why you can't forget about it. DO it right now."

"What?" I asked.

"I'm not gonna do that." I said putting my things away and turning on the computer. "I had enough of Mr. Clueless."

"Althy men are….men you have to tell him that he's clueless, or else he'll never change."

"This is Zach, we're talking about." I said "He doesn't change."

"Althy, come on we both know he cares about you, he's probably just confused that's all."

"I don't want to do this." I said and began typing away on my computer. "I have some evidence to process."

"Fine, but until you do, you won't feel any better." she said and left. I sighed and took of my glasses to rub my temples. I hated to admit it, but Angela was right, it pained me to admit it, even to myself.

At lunch Zach came by with a couple of Paninis from Panera Bread. He sat down with me and we ate lunch, truly as if nothing had ever happened. I didn't understand how he could just disregard what I said.

"How can you do that?" I asked.

"Do what?" asked Zach as he was about to take a bite of his sandwich.

"Sit there and pretend that what happened didn't. Well I can't do that Zach. I won't take it back and I won't forget about it either. Why do you think I turned down so many guys, heck I even turned down a marriage proposal. I've been in love with you since I met you, which is why it never worked out with any of those other guys, because I compared them all to you." I said, there was a long pause. "Zach, say something."

"Althy…I….I….I think I better go." said Zach and left me sitting on the couch alone. I grabbed my bag and went to Cam.

"Cam…is that offer still stands?" I asked "The one about taking some time off?"

"OF course it does," said Cam "Take all the time you need."

"Thanks." I replied and headed home. Andy and my mother were having pasta when I got there.

"Althea…" started my mom, but I simply headed to my room and shut the door in aggravation. I took some stuff I had and got to working on my Halloween costume, anything to avoid talking to my mother, or my sister or anyone. My laptop beeped, telling me I had a video conference call. I plugged in the camera and clicked answer.

"Hey Althea." came the voice.

"Hi Jamesie," I replied starring at the image of my one and only OLDER brother. "How's Iraq?"

"Eh, you've seen the news." he replied.

"I have."

"How are you, I heard what happened with you and Zach. Underground, that must have been awful."

"Uh, James, I really rather not talk about it. I'm sick of talking about it and Zach. Everyone wants to know what's going on with me and Zach and I'm so sick of everything."

"Oh, somebody told him the truth." said James.

"How do you know?"

"Come on Althy, I'm your older brother, you can't fool me with that fake smile."

"Great, I feel better. Jamesie I don't know what to do. I want my best friend back, but I also don't like keeping my feelings for him bottled up."

"Well you have two choices. 1. You could pretend it never happened."

"Been there, failed at that." I replied.

"Or choice number 2. You could hope that Zach realizes his feelings for you…"

"Huh, is there a third choice?"

Meanwhile at the Jeffersonian: Zach was working on something when Jack comes up to him.

"Zach, you're a moron."

What could Hodgins be telling Zach? Well you'll find out next time. HA HA! REVIEW!