CHAPTER 3

Angela entered the room and observed the awkward silence, though she didn't know the reason. "What's going on? I heard a pin drop." She tried to joke.

Booth glared at Jack. "How could you prank her?!"

Zack looked between the two. He felt very uncomfortable with the situation. Abby had no clue as to why Booth was upset.

"Seeley?"
Booth answered her, although his eyes never left Hodgins. "That desk with that stuff coming out was a prank, Abs. Squint and Squinty over there rigged your desk to do that as a prank."

Abby's look of confusion was replaced with one of contemplation. She had been "pranked" before, but it was mostly horrible things that got her hurt or ruined a project she was working on. She didn't like being pranked like that. But Dr. Hodgin's prank wouldn't have hurt her. If her assumption was correct, it had been meant to 'embarrass' her. It would have failed anyways. Sarah had told her that she was too oblivious to know when to be embarrassed.

Dr. Hodgin's prank hadn't been mean, she concluded. If anything, it symbolized that he accepted her as a new coworker. She had seen her roommate and their friend play pranks on each other. Sarah had explained they were 'all in good fun'. Abby had discovered that expression meant they were 'nice pranks'.

Dr. Hodgin's hadn't meant to be mean, she was sure. He just wanted to have fun. She was almost sorry she had ruined it. Glancing down at her nice outfit, she backtracked and emphasized the 'almost' in the previous sentence.

All of these considerations flew across her mind in less than a few seconds. Strangely enough, only Zack noticed that she was deep in thought whilst Booth yelled at Hodgins. He recognized the look on her face because that was how he appeared when trying to reach a decision or process information.

Abby interrupted Booth's rant with two words. "Thank you."

"What?!" Three shocked voices (not including Zack's silent inquiry) said at the same time.

Abby looked at Zack and Hodgins. "T-thank you. I know that's not the appropriate thing to say, but it's the right thing, I feel."

Booth frowned and Angela stood beside Abby. "I don't think you understand, Sweetie, Hodg-"

"I understand. He and Zack pranked me. I know what pranking is and the motivations behind it. I've been pranked before. I can only assume that was because the people didn't like me." Abby subconsciously touched her arm where a scar laid under her sleeve, a bitter reminder of just how cruel people could be. She continued.

"Hodgins and Zack have not met me before today, so there is little possibility that they did this to spite me. Two reasons remain. They either did it for 'fun'," Abby stumbled over the word 'fun'. She was not used to having it come out of her mouth.

"… or, they are malicious by nature. Booth would have warned me if that were so." Booth frowned as Angela's hand rose to her mouth. Silence swept over the room until Abby went back to straitening her desk and cleaning the mess.

A tap on her shoulder made her turn. "Lemme do that. Think of it as an 'you're welcome' for your thank you."

Abby smiled at Hodgins as he started wiping up the liquid. She glanced at Booth, who still hadn't moved. "Booth? When were you planning on lunch?"

The tension left his face. "Actually, now. Are you ready?"

Abby nodded. "Sure. Lemme just grab my jacket."

Booth's phone rang. "Hello? Hey Bones… yah I'm getting her now…Oh, crap. I'll be there in a second. Just don't let them tow my car! I don't care what you do, Bones…Bye!"

"Meet me out front, Abs. I gotta go. Some idiot is trying to tow my car." He rushed out before Abby could reply.

A mischivious glint had entered Angela's eyes. "Hey, Zack? When do you get off for lunch?"

Zack glanced at the clock from his work area. "In a few minutes, but I might skip today. I'm very busy."

"Surely a break is just the thing you need."

Zack frowned. "That makes no sense. How would a break speed up my work? It seems to me it would take time away. I'm already distracted enough as it is."

His eyes darted to Abby momentarily, but Angela caught it. She inwardly grinned triumphantly and pressed onward. "Please, Zack. I promise it'll do you good… you need a break."

"There is no need. I have too much-"A new voice interrupted them.
"People who take regular lunch breaks have better concentration and work ethic than those who don't."

They both looked at Abby with questioning eyes. She blushed. "My Science fair Project, age 11." Zack finally shook his head. "A juvenile survey preformed for a science fair is not a sufficient-"

"My findings were published in the Medical Journal that year." Abby's eyes were suddenly hard as she straightened to her full height. She did not like people thinking her work was less than exemplary.

Angela tried to refrain from laughing. Zack nodded in defeat. "Very well."

Angela grinned. "So, Abby. Why don't you take him with you?"

"Why?"

"Oh, so you can make sure he eats a decent lunch and…"

"I'm sure Zack is more than able to supervise his nutrition intake." Abby raised an eyebrow in an expression that clearly said 'give me another excuse so I can nullify it as well'.

Angela smiled. "What would it hurt? I'm sure both of you would be great, uh, friends if you got to know each other. This is a great chance. That, and I'm sure you don't wanna be by yourself with Brennan and Booth."

Exhausted of the conversation, Abby shrugged. "Ask him. He's perfectly capable of attending, and I have no objection to his coming."

"You ask him." Zack was beginning to wonder if they realized he was still in the room. They acted as if he were not here.

"Zack, would you like to eat lunch with me, Seeley and Dr. Brennan?" He hesitated, but on seeing Angela glare at him he quickly answered in the affirmative. Abby gave a slight smile.

"Very well. Come on. Seeley will be waiting."

Angela stopped Abby on her way out. "Abby? I'm glad you're working here."

Abby raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Why? You barely know me."

"I just think you'll be good for some of the people here." Angela's glance at Zack was lost on Abby.

"What do you mean?"

Angela sighed. "Well, Booth for one, and-"

"OH! We will be late. Good day Hodgins and Angela." She rushed out of the room and was followed by Zack. They got down to where Booth was waiting in the parking lot. Booth and Brennan were arguing.

"I did what you told me to!" Brennan looked annoyed.

"I did NOT tell you to flirt with that cop."

"You did. You said and I quote, 'Just don't let them tow my car! I don't care what you do.' I did what I thought would be successful. And it worked."
"HE TOOK MY LISCENSE!"

"And my phone number, and not your car. I still have a liscense." Brennan looked a bit too smug.

"Oh, no you are NOT driving." He noticed Abby walking up with Zack. "Abby! Thank goodness. You can drive."

Abby's eyes widened in fright. "Booth, I don't drive. I can't." Her hands gripped her long sleeves protectively. Booth looked at her quizzically, but nodded.

"Fine, Bones. But if you break one traffic law…"

The three stared at him. Booth frowned. "Why are you all looking at me? It's kind of creepy."

"You didn't finish you sentence." Booth glared at Zack.

"Since when did you get here?"

"Since Abigail came down. It seems I'm attending lunch with you."

Booth eyed him suspiciously, glancing between Abby and Zack. "Who invited you?"

"Actually, Seeley, Angela suggested he come. I agreed. Now, can we leave now? I am starting to get hungry."

Booth nodded. Abby got into the back of the car. Zack tried to get in but Booth stopped him. He glared at Zack viciously.

"I'll be up front, but I can still see you."

Zack got the impression that Booth didn't trust him around Abby. It was a confusing situation. Sighing, he slid into the seat next to Abby and they left for the restaurant.

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

Booth was watching Zack like a hawk. Even though Zack was a squint, he was still a guy. And if Zack even thought about coming near to his Abs other than to hand over a file, Zack was gonna regret it.

Abby didn't understand Booth's disdain for Zack Addy. He seemed like a very amiable person, and she hadn't met many of those people. He seemed nice. Dr. Brennan must have noticed Booth's attitude because she spoke about it.

"Booth, is there is a reason for your ostracizing Zack, or is it another emotionally based response?"

Booth frowned at her. "I don't know what you're talking about, Bones." But he did, of course. Abby decided to ignore it and instead concentrated very intensely on driving. It was bizarre to say the least.

When they did get to the restaurant, things were a little less hectic. Mostly because Abby, Booth and Brennan did most of the talking. Zack couldn't help feel a little left out, but sitting by Abby took some of the edge off.

Booth asked Abby about her college and Brennan discussed her recent accomplishments. Abby felt very happy and knew that she'd finally found somebody to converse with. She couldn't help but get the feeling she had forgotten something, and it was a most unwelcome sensation.

They finally paid for their meal and got ready to leave. They piled back into Booth's car and headed back to the Jeffersonian.

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

Zack drug his feet back to the lab. Hodgins was there working. Abby had run into Angela on her way back to work and they started talking. Angela was a wonderfully nice person, Abby decided.

"So, how was lunch?"

Abby smiled at her. "It was nice. Brennan is very nice."

"Really? What bout Zack?"

Abby's eyes widened. "!"

Abby tried to leave, but Angela was faster. "Slow down, girl. What's the matter? Do you mean you forgot Zack at the restaraunt?"

Abby shook her head furiously. "No of course not. I really got to go now. Thanks for talking, Angela. Bye."

Angela shook her head as she watched Abby speed out of the room. She sped down the hall, nearly running into several interns in the process. "Oops. Sorry."

She made it to the doorway of the lab just in time to hear Zack talking to Hodgins.

"So? You went to lunch with that Abby chick. What's the problem?" That was Hodgin's voice

"I don't know. I didn't find lunch very enjoyable. I'm used to being ignored by people, but that doesn't mean I like it."

Hodgins made a hmm noise. Peaking around the corner, Abby could see he was looking at something under a microscope. Zack sighed.

"I just didn't like it very much. I felt isolated"

Abby blushed furiously. Not only had she been rude to Zack, but now she was eavesdropping. What should she do? She found herself not wanting to upset Dr. Addy. He didn't deserve the rude treatment she'd received all her life. She felt guilty. Cautiously, she stepped though the doo, cutting off whatever Hodgin's reply might have been.

She looked down at her feet when she spoke. "Um, Dr Addy? May I please have a word with you?"

She looked up long enough to cast a glance at Hodgins. He nodded. "Um. Yah. I gotta go do… something."

Hodgins left the room swiftly. Abby looked up at Zack. He frowned slightly. "Yes?"

Abby sucked in a deep breath. "I'!"

His eyes widened. "What? Why are you sorry?"

"I completely forgot you had accompanied us. I just got so distracted with seeing Seeley after so long. Please accept my apology."

"Oh, um…" Zack hadn't had much experience being apologized to and he found it a bit awkward. "It's alright?"

She shook her head. "No. Let me make it up to you, please."

"How?"

Abby frowned slightly. "I know! Why don't I take you to lunch, just the two of us? Then I'll be able to talk to you. I can't forget about you if you're the only one there." She looked at Zack for reassurance.

Not wanting to disappoint, Zack nodded slowly. The grin that lit up Abby's face was reward enough. "Great! I'll have to get settled at Seeley's but… maybe after that we can go to lunch?"

Zack nodded. "That sounds reasonable."

Abby's face was pure happiness as she gave Zack a quick hug. He stiffened noticeably. She pulled back, upset.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I forget. Coworkers aren't to be hugged. I apologize. There are so many rules of society to remem-"

Zack cut her off. "It's alright. I was just surprised is all. No need to apologize. You can hug me any time you'd like."

Abby smiled and waved at him before dashing off. She needed to get to Seeley's to organize her things. Zack snapped out of his Abby induced daze when Hodgins strode back in, smirking. Zack frowned at him.

"What?"

Hodgin's smirk grew wider. "What was that all about?"

Zack frowned, turning back to his work. "I'm afraid I don't know what you're referring to."

"Oh, really. 'You can hug me anytime you'd like.'"

Zack rolled his eyes. "I was being polite."

Jack nodded, still grinning. "Oh, is that what they're calling it these days?" Hodgins clapped Zack on the shoulder. "Good luck, buddy."

Zack turned to Hodgins, who was already walking out of the room. "Wait. Good luck with what?" He tried to follow Hodgins, but he couldn't keep up.

Angela quietly watched the exchange, a plan slowly forming in her head.

AN: Eller everybody! YAY! Abby asked Zack on a date… to bad neither of them recognize it. I just love Booth as the protective brother. It suits him so well.