CHAPTER 2

Angela smiled at Zack. "So? You excited about the new girl?"

Zack didn't look up from his examination. "Should I be?"

Angela sighed. "Sweetie, I know your nervous about meeting new people, but at least try. Hey, maybe she'll be smart and socially challenged like you."

Hodgins let out a laugh from where he was working. "I doubt anybody could be as socially challenged as Zack."

"It's also unlikely she could be as smart as me either." Zack wasn't trying to brag, but it was true.

Angela laughed. "Great. Well, I'm gonna head out. Oh, and Hodgins? There's a package for you up front."

"Thanks, Ang."

She waved bye and left. Hodgins looked at Zack. "Any chance you could get that for me, bud?"

Zack frowned. "Are you unable to get it yourself?"

"No, but I'm in the middle of something here, while you're just reexamining the bone fragments. I'd really appreciate it. All you have to do is go get it; you don't even have to talk to people."

Zack sighed. "Very well. I'll be back in a few moments."

He started towards the door. There wasn't a logical reason why Hodgins couldn't get the package himself. It was very irksome. He got the package and started back to the lab. He heard voices he'd never heard before outside Cam's office. They were female.

"You little witch! You're gonna be sorry..."

Zack turned the corner. Four women stood. The blonde one was carrying a stack of books and papers along with a jacket hanging over her arm. The other three were huddled together facing her. To Zack it appeared as if the three were getting ready to attack the other one. It reminded him of a documentary he'd seen on territorial animals challenging a new arrival.

The blonde girl froze. "I apologize, but I-"

"Save it. How dare you act like your better than us just because you're smart…"

A puzzled expression crossed the girl's face. "Didn't you just ask me to apologize? I thought-"

"You really are an idiot. Don't you know anything?"

"On the contrary, I know quite a lot and-" The girl was cut off as the dark haired girl pushed past her, causing the blonde girl's books and papers to fly everywhere.

"Whatever, just stay out of our way next time." The three girls left and the blonde girl bent down to pick up her things.

Zack frowned. The exchange unnerved him. Why would the girls be so rude? What had the girl done? Surely they couldn't hate her because she acted smart? Then again, people had hated Zack for much less than that. Sighing, Zack bent down to help the girl with her things.

She didn't notice him at first, but when he handed her the stack of papers she jumped in surprise. "Oh!"

She took the papers from him. "Um, I believe I'm supposed to say thank you."

Zack nodded. There was a response to that, but he didn't remember it at the moment. The girl was pushing her hair over her shoulder. "I saw you and thought it would be courteous to assist you."

She smiled hesitantly, as if she didn't know if it was the right thing to do in response. "I'm sorry did I say the wrong thing? I'm not very good at talking to people. I've been told I'm socially inept and-"

She cut herself off. "Now I'm rambling. I do that when I'm nervous and I get nervous around people…"

Zack nodded. "I understand. When I get nervous I talk rapidly. I don't socialize well either and others have problem understanding. Why would you have a problem socializing? Your face is nearly symmetrical and your appearance is appealing. I've found that attractive people are usually proficient at socializing." Zack's statement was merely observation. Although she was dressed plainly, the girl looked nicer than the other girls.

A blush rose her cheeks and Zack was worried he'd said the wrong thing. But she just smiled. "I really don't know. Why do you have a problem socializing?"

"I'm not sure either." He handed her the rest of her things. He turned to go, but she stopped him.

She smiled. "Wait, could you help me find the anthropology lab? I believe my first meeting with Mrs. Saroyan has left me a bit shaken. I'm lost."

"Yes. I'm on my way there now. If you'd like, I could show you." They started down the hallway.

"What is the purpose of your visit?"

"I desperately hope it's not only a visit. I have been hired as a Biochemist consultant."

Zack froze. This was the new biochemist? He blushed. Suddenly he didn't want any part of Hodgins 'hazing' as he called it. For some reason, it just didn't seem right. In fact, it made him feel almost sick to his stomach. The girl noticed his stop.

"Why did you stop so abruptly?" he pushed the illogical thoughts away.

"It is nothing. I just had an epiphany." Zack didn't normally lie, but he had a feeling Hodgins would not approve of him telling the girl of his pranks. Speaking of which, what was she doing here? She appeared to be no more than 19 at the most.

She accepted his statement and they continued. She frowned. "Oh, dear. I'm supposed to introduce myself. I always forget greetings. I'm Dr. Abigail Cornwall."

"Dr. Zack Addy, forensic anthropologist here at the Jeffersonian." So she was a doctor. Of course Cam wouldn't hire her if she wasn't, but Zack wasn't aware people his age were able to complete their doctorate… apart from him of course.

Her eyes shifted to him. "You work here as well? You must know that you have the most wonderful job in the world."

"I do find the work fulfilling. I was Doctor Brennan's intern, but was recently added on as a forensic anthropologist. What year did you get your doctorate?"

"Two years ago. I've been working with my professor on a project for the past two years. When I applied to work here, I had no idea I would be presented the opportunity to work here."

"I've been told it is a place like no other."

She frowned. "Well of course not. It would be impossible for there to be two identical facilities, even if the architectural plans were reused."

Zack was silent for a moment and she looked at him with panicked eyes. "Did I say something wrong again?"

"No. I was just thinking that your reaction to the phrase was quite similar to my own." She smiled at Zack again and he almost stumbled although the hallway had no obstacles for him to trip over. Zack recovered himself and they entered the lab.

Her eyes lit up as she silently took in her surroundings. "Come, Dr. Cornwall. I believe it would be wise for you to meet the others we will be working with."

"Call me Abigail."

He just nodded as he led her to where Hodgins and Angela were. He glanced over at Abigail and hoped she wasn't too distressed over the prank Hodgins had planned. He didn't know why it bothered him, but he didn't want to be the cause of her anguish.

ZACKATTACK! ZACKATTACK! ZACKATTACK! ZACKATTACK! ZACKATTACK! ZACKATTACK! ZACKATTACK!

Abby was ecstatic, but she tried to maintain a semblance of calm. She really didn't want to make a bad impression on her coworkers on the first day. Abby suppressed a giggle. First day of work! The idea sent attacks of euphoria through her system.

Dr. Addy seemed very nice. She couldn't be a complete 'freak' if there was another doctor that was as young as she. Dr. Addy led her to a room where two people were conversing. One was a dark haired woman and the other was a curly haired man. The man turned to them.

"So, Zack, who's your friend?" He had a smirk, but Abby couldn't discern what it meant.

Zack frowned. "this is Dr. Abigail Cornwall. She's the biochemist Cam told us about."

The man's eyes lit up and Abby saw something hidden in his eyes. "Oh, so you're the newbie, huh?"

The woman frowned and slapped his arm playfully. "Hodgins, quit. You're scaring her. Hey there. I'm Angela and that idiot…" she gestured to the man "is Jack Hodgins."

"But you can call me King of the Lab." He grinned.

Angela scowled. "You can call him Hodgins, like the rest of us. Try not to let his ego upset you too much."

Abby shook her outstretched hand hesitantly. "Call me Abigail."

" So…" Angela looked at Abby and Dr. Addy in a way that reminded Abby of a starving carnivore who had just seen a buffet. "How did you two meet?"

Dr. Addy answered. "I was picking up Hodgin's package and I saw her on the way back."

Angela raised an eyebrow. "And what, you just introduced yourself?"

Abby shook her head. "I, um, dropped some papers and Dr. Addy assisted me by gathering them."

"Call me Zack." He said automatically. Hodgins and Angela looked at Zack curiously, but let it drop.

"Are you the ones that I'll be working with?"

"For the most part. There's also Dr. Brennan, and-"

Hodgins cut off Zack's explanation. "Yah, and there's this F.B.I. guy. He's all macho and irritating. He calls us squints… though you don't look like ANY 'squint' I've seen."

Abby frowned, confused. "Is that bad?"

Angela jumped in. "No, no sweetie. He's just being an idiot. Ignore him. You look great."

Abby was fairly certain the "F.B.I. guy" meant Seeley. Wouldn't Seeley be surprised that she was a 'squint' as well. Abby hid a smile to herself. She looked at them.

"So, where exactly will I be working?"

"I believe your work area is over there." Zack gestured to a desk on the far wall. Abby sat her books on the desk and laid the jacket over the back of the chair. The desk looked to be the adequate height for observations and such. That was as close as saying something was perfect as Abby would ever say.

Angela interrupted her thoughts. "So, now that you're here, tell us about yourself."

I frowned. "I'm not sure how to answer that. There's not much to tell."

"Come on, there's gotta be something hobbies, friends, family, lover?"

Abby frowned at Zack. "Is she always this straightforward and candid?"

He nodded. "Well, I've never had much time for 'hobbies' other than experimenting with chemicals. My family is… complicated and I don't have social skills to maintain the other two fore mentioned subjects."

"Hey, Zack, maybe she is as socially hopeless as you." Hodgins grinned. Abby opened her mouth to speak when Angela interrupted.

"Ooh! There's Booth and Brennan now. Come meet them!" She grabbed Abby's arm and dragged her a couple of feet before letting go. Abby suspected she was expected to continue to follow.

Abby didn't have time to tell Angela that she'd already met Seeley, but oh well. Everybody would find out soon enough. As she heard Seeley's voice she had a horrible thought. What if he didn't recognize her?

As soon as she saw Seeley, though, all inhibitions fled her. She charged at him. She didn't even think about how she must look to the others. With a grin on her face she ran up to him. "Seeley!"

His eyes widened before he smiled and caught her in a bear hug, swinging her in a circle in a way that reminded her of when she was a little girl. He laughed as she let out a string of very un grown up giggles.

"Haha. Little Abby!" He set her down and grinned down at her, not letting her out of his hug. It was fine with Abby. Booth was her idol and he was the only one in her life she'd ever been able to call friend.

She scowled. "Hey! I'm not little anymore!"

"You are to me, squirt." He ruffled her hair and she tried to fix it unsuccessfully. He laughed at her again.

"So, Abbs, you meet everyone else besides me? That hurts." Her eyes widened in alarm.

"Seeley? Are you hurt? I'm sorry…"

"Silly Abbs. I meant I feel left out that you talked to the squints before me." Angela and Hodgins eyes widened. Zack was also confused. Booth never showed this patience with anybody other than Brennan.

Hodgins finally found his voice. "Uh, Booth? 'Little Abby' is one of the squints now."

Booth scowled momentarily. "I know." He turned his attention back to Abby, smile returning immediately. "I just got off the phone with your parents."

Her eyes widened in horror. Anytime ANYONE had a conversation with her parents they couldn't help but brag on their 'genius' child. Booth mistook her fear.

"Don't worry. They didn't tell any embarrassing stories. They were just telling me about their 'genius child' and I could only assume they meant you."

Booth was the only person who Abby could discern humor from. This was something that made her unpopular in school and college, but it didn't matter now. She could tell Booth was teasing and it made her laugh, if only out of joy to have him back.

"Of course they meant me." Inwardly, Abby breathed a sigh of relief. At least her parents hadn't told Booth her I.Q. It was really quite humiliating when they did. People would hear it and act like she knew everything. It was of course impossible to know everything so this assumption often led to trouble in the form of being forced to do extra people's simple work or merciless teasing.

Seeley grinned at her. "Why didn't you tell me your job was here?"

"You're not mad?"

"Mad? Of course not, Abbs. I couldn't be more proud of you. I always knew you were bright, but graduating high school at 11? I wish I could have been there to see it."

Abby blushed furiously. "Well, you're here now."

"Yep. How's lunch sound to you? I'll take you and Bones to this diner I know… how about it?"

"Sounds wonderful Seeley." The grin left Seeley's face. Abby looked puzzled. She turned to face where he was looking. Angela, Hodgins, Zack and Dr. Brennan were staring with open mouthed expressions.

Abby frowned. "Did I say something wrong again?"

Booth put a protective hand on her shoulder. "No, Abbs. You were great." He glared at the four.

Abby looked at them curiously. "Is something the matter?"

Angela and Hodgins couldn't speak, but Zack did. "You bear no resemblance to the description that Agent Booth gave on your appearance. He said you resembled-"

Angela interrupted him. "It's just a surprise, sweetie."

She looked at Booth. "That's good, right?"

He nodded. "Yah, Abbs. I only had that picture you showed me from when you were 11. Pretty sneaky of you to act like that was your picture as a high schooler."

"That was my senior year picture." She smiled lightly.

"You little scamp." He grinned at her before turning back to the others.

"So, does anyone have a problem with Abigail coming to work here?"

Abby frowned. She recognized the voice as the one Seeley used when he was silently threatening somebody. He'd used it when other kids were making fun of her and he was telling them to stop. But Angela, Hodgins and Zack weren't being mean to her.

Angela and Hodgins were quick to answer. "What? Oh no. no problem here. You Ang?"

"No problem at all. She seems very nice." Abby thought that Angela's smile seemed very sincere, despite Booth's threat.

Seeley turned on Zack. "And you?"

Abby put a hand on Booth's arm. "Calm down, Seeley. They aren't being mean. They've been very civil to me since I've been here."

Booth's eyes stayed on Zack. "That's what I'm afraid of."

Abby didn't understand the implication. Booth asked his question again directed towards Zack. Zack frowned. "I'm simply trying to conclude if there would be a problem with her working here. I can see none."

Abby grinned at Booth. "See? It's fine. There is no need to intimidate anybody."

Booth frowned. "Sure. I'll pick you and Bones up for lunch in an hour or so. I got work to do at the office. I'll be down the hall if you need me." He turned to go.

Before he left, he whispered something in Dr. Brennan's ear that Abby couldn't hear. Zack could. "Look after her, Bones."

Bones nodded and Booth finally left.

Abby waved bye and followed Zack and Hodgins back to the lab. Abby went to organizing her desk when she looked up to see Hodgins watching her. She looked at him.

"Hodgins, is there a reason you've been observing me for the past…" She glanced at her watch. "the past 4 minutes?"

"What? No. No reason." He pointedly went back to work, smiling. Needless to say, Abby was not convinced.

Abby just sighed as she noticed a drawer that seemed to be jammed. She tried to pull it out gently, but it still wouldn't budge. Sighing, she stood to leave. Zack glanced at her. Hodgins frowned.

"Where are you going?"

"To get Booth. I can't get my drawer open and it seems to be jammed. He's the best person I know to deal with things like this. He can open it."

Hodgin's eyes widened and he looked panicked. "NO! Booth can't open the drawer, I mean… Zack can do it."

Zack frowned partially. "I cannot. As you can see, I'm already behind on my report for Dr. Brennan. Otherwise, I would."

Abby nodded in understanding. Her superiors had also been strict about time frames for work and she didn't want to get him in trouble. Zack continued with a small smile. "Why don't you open it, Hodgins?"

Hodgins glared at Zack before stomping past Abby and jerking the drawer open. He tried to jump back as soon as possible, but before he did, a stream of greenish black liquid came out of the drawer and sprayed him. He glared at his ruined outfit. Abby's eyes widened in alarm.

"Are you alright?" She sounded genuinely concerned, unaware that the mess had been intended for her.

Hodgins opened his mouth to answer when a stern voice came from behind.

"He's fine, Abs… for now."

Hodgin's eyes widened at the figure whose solid frame took up the entire doorway. He gulped.

"h-hey, Booth. When did you get here?"

AN:Awww… booth is such a good brother figure. Yep. It's a zack/oc. Not much Booth/Brennan because it is VERY hard to duplicate the tension that the writers of the TV show write. I'm not even gonna try.