Although the lead-lined apron isn't quite the fashion statement I wanted to make, I couldn't turn down the chance to watch rats getting their innards x-rayed. This was a first for me, and it seemed an entertaining way to spend an hour of my time. Hodgins wanted me there, anyway. When he's not loitering around in my office, I usually find a reason to loiter around with him. But really, it's not like we're shirking our respective jobs—we're just two colleagues exchanging ideas and broadening our knowledge. It's actually been a good thing. Hey, who would have identified the mold from the Terry Bancroft case if it wasn't for the hours I spent canoodling with Hodgins over his microscope after hours?

So now, my knowledge of rats is getting broadened. Pet store rats really are cute little creatures, what with their glossy coats, plump bodies, and inquisitively whiskered faces. I watch as Zach hoists one by the tail out of its container and dangles it over to Hodgins.

My boyfriend regards my girlish delight in the rats' cuddle-factor with a gentle sneer.

"Now, well, don't grow too attached. These little guys are destined to become snake snacks," Hodgins cautions me, taking the large rodent from Zach and proceeding to maneuver it into a tube for the x-ray

Considering that one of these rodents contains the bullet that killed Sadie Keller, I thought they'd be spared such an ignoble end. Hodgins sets me straight in no uncertain terms. "It's not like they know sign-language, Angela…"

I'm thinking about all the ways I'll get him back later for his patronizing sarcasm, when I'm unpleasantly diverted by Zach's enthusiastic description of how he used to kill lab rats in grad school. After I hear the words "warm dish of water" and "ball pen hammer" in the same sentence, I cut him off.

At that moment, the x-ray divulges the secrets of the rat's belly. It's our smoking gun--or at least the bullet from it.

Zach, however, is still taking a trip down memory lane. "…warm water soothes them like a bubble bath, then…"

I'm wondering then at what point in his early childhood development Zach became destined to be a forensic anthropologist instead of a serial killer.

Turning to Hodgins, whose morbid interests at least seem slightly endearing to me because they're his, I change the subject.

"Can't we just wait until nature takes its course?" I ask him, plead with him.

Hodgins gives me an incredulous look and responds as if he's speaking to an idiot. "Do you have any idea how tight a rat's rectum is?"

First of all, when your boyfriend uses the words "tight" and "rectum" in the same sentence, how do you respond to that?—I mean, without running in the opposite direction? The fact that he's describing a little furry animal's ass only makes it worse.

"Please, tell me you don't…" I begin. I can't tell if the look on his face expresses puzzlement, annoyance, guilt, or amusement. I'll assume it's the latter.

Doctor Saroyan chooses this opportune moment to pop her head in and inquire about the "ammo thief." Before she leaves, she informs us that the rats won't have any trouble expelling bullets, or digested rat food, for that matter—tight rectums notwithstanding.

We all look at each other, trying to process Cam's words.

"She fed all of them laxatives?" Hodgins repeats, looking at me for verification.

I'm sure the look of revulsion on my face was all the proof he needed. "I need to go to my… office…" I lamely excuse myself, beating a hasty retreat out of the small lab.

I'm outside the room tearing off my lead apron and choking down my laughter. I can still see Zach through the window, staring blankly at the container of rats.

Hodgins stumbles out after me, laughing so hard he can't breathe. "Did you see the look on Zach's face?" he bursts out, doubling over and gasping for air. I help him remove his apron, and then hustle him out of the room.

"C'mon, let's get out of here before the proverbial shit hits the fan…" I manage between shrieks of laughter, taking Hodgins by the hand to hurry him along.

"Baby, that shit's not going to be proverbial in any sense of the word…" Hodgins replies, "…and I'm thinking Zach's going to be thumbing it home today…"

We take one look back and both burst out laughing harder than before.