Chapter 3

The Royal Diner

*Sam's POV*

"SAM!" Shouted Zack and he ran up to me and gave me a bone crushingly tight hug.

"I Can't believe I've found you after all these years" I cried.

"Where have you been? I've tried my best to find you but I never could."

"I know. It's a long story. Can I tell you somewhere else. You know maybe when we're not looking at the bones of a dead body." I said.

"Yeah, of course," he replied, "I know just the place".

For a few more minutes I watched as Zack and Dr Brennan looked over the body.

Apparently the body was a 20-25 year old female who was killed by a blunt trauma to the head.

Once they were finished Hodgins and I looked it over and found that the woman had originally been in a swamp in Chicago but was found in shrubs in DC.

It had been 3-4 years since she died and 48 hours since she was moved and buried in DC.

After we had finished Cam let us leave work early.

We went to a diner which was really quite nice.

"What happened Sam? Why did you leave and not tell me?" he said. He sounded genuinely hurt.

"You remember Graduation Day. When we kissed for the first time? Well my mum saw us and well... I never told you but… she got something against Lutherans. She thinks they're filthy and are always up to no good. I found out later that it was because the man she was in love with before she met my father was a Lutheran and not only broke her heart but embarrassed her in front of the whole school. It was school prom and she was in a port-a-loo and… well… you can guess what happened next."

"But why did you leave without saying goodbye?"

"We left that night. I tried to run but she knew that's what I would do. I tried to call you but for the past 9 years I haven't been allowed any outside communication except for Uni."

"So what changed?"

"My mum died of cancer last year. I went to live with my Aunt for a while that's when I found out about the thing against Lutherans"

"So then you came here."

"Yeah pretty much. I had no idea you worked here. I tried to find a job in Michigan in entomology but there wasn't any so I settled for DC. I was determined to find you. I guess I didn't have to search for long." I smiled.

"Would you like anything?" asked the waitress as she walked up to us.

"Uh I'll have the Mac and Cheese thanks. How about you Sam?" said Zack

"Uh…" I said as I looked at the menu, "I'll just have a small chips thanks"

"Oh! You're Australian! I love Australia. I've always wanted to go. I love the accents and… oh sorry… I guess I'm getting carried away." she blushed.

"Nah, don't worry about it. Every second person here's said that" I grinned.

"Okay well I'll have your meals soon okay" and she walked away.

I could see Zack trying not to laugh.

"Ha ha very funny. I think I'm going to have to start talking like an American if I want to keep a low profile here" I said trying not to laugh my self.

"I thought you left me because you didn't really love me. Maybe someone dared you to do it. Like in 'Mean Girls'. You've watched that right."

"Many a time. They have it on endless repeat in Australia"

"I was so scared Sam. I didn't know what to do. I love you so much" he turned away I could see the tears in his eyes.

"It hurt me so much to leave you. I knew how much it would hurt you. I love you Zack and I always will." I said as I held his face gently in my hands.

He leaned in and kissed me as tears streamed down his face.

"Never leave me again. Promise?"

"I promise".