AN: Still don't own. Just playing in their world.
Jack heard Zack sit next to him on the bed and take his hand in his bare hands. He had known it took a lot of courage for Zack to show his hands in public. He wanted to wake up and tell Zack he'd be okay but his body needed to rest so he curled into Zack's side as much as he could. He fell into a pleasant sleep with Zack carding his fingers through his hair.
Once Zack was sure Jack was asleep he waved Dr. Brennan into the room. She observed the two and sat in the chair by the bed. She asked, "How are your hands?"
Zack scowled but replied anyway. "Ninety percent dexterity." He didn't like thinking of his hands even though Jack kept telling him they were still beautiful. He only came up with one logical line of thought and that was Jack only said it because they were in a relationship.
His gloves became his wall and when they were off he more vulnerable. He went to let go of Jack but Jack didn't want to let go so Zack got comfortable next to him. He kept his hands hidden.
Brennan looked at Zack crawling back into himself and for once was truly sorry for how she made someone else feel. She went to Zack's side of the bed and said, "I'm sorry Zack." Zack looked at her and she reached for his curls. He let her card her fingers through his hair and she said quietly, "You're a good man Zack."
"I know but my logic was still flawed."
She found Zack's free hand and she asked, "Can I?" Zack heard her curiosity and lifted his hand. Brennan held his hand and ran her free hand over the scars. Most were fine red and white lines, the lines stopped just passed his wrist on that hand. "Jack's right."
"Right?" Zack asked quizzically.
"You have beautiful hands."
Zack pulled his hand out of her grasp and asked, "Can we please talk about something else please? I don't want to think about that right now."
"You pick the topic." So he picked a topic and they talked until he fell asleep. Brennan covered him and sat his shoes under the chair. Then she sat down and thought about what they talked about and the memories it dredged up for him. She left the room and told the nurse he was sleeping and that she'd be right back after a phone call.