New chapter! I mean, I know I just released a chapter yesterday and haven't recieved any reviews for it--people are liking this so far, right?--but I really want to get this story out. Thus, here's another segment. I hope you all enjoy. There's a little Kristen interaction with Zack, Angela, Hodgins, and Booth--I'll try to get some interaction with Bones, too soon--and some insight to Kristen's personality and past. So please enjoy. If ya do, please REVIEW! Thankies!

Chapter Four: Beetles, Identities, and Sharing… Oh, My!

The pond slimed and gangly body was taken back to the Jeffersonian and that's where the real work began. Because of how much time Kristen had spent with the squints—a word she had learned from Booth—in the past week, she learned they had to identify the victim before they had to figure anything else out. And apparently it was a very intricate process, which she found more than fascinating.

First, Hodgins took whatever particulates he could from the body, clothes, and whatever else was given to him. Next, they stripped the body of all its flesh—she didn't know how that occurred yet. Once it was cleaned and the skull was exposed, along with the rest of the bones, Angela could do facial reconstruction and give the victim their face back. After that, they'd try to find the person's identity through the face. Then, when that was over, they could find the murder weapon and the potential murderer. It seemed like a long process, but, according to Booth, the people of the Jeffersonian could get all of that done in a matter of days—they were all truly amazing to say the least.

Unfortunately, with all that happening, Kristen was left to just sit back and watch. That was an honor, at least to her, but it could get kind of boring. Besides, she didn't want to do nothing and stay on the sidelines with Booth because she was mad at him.

Thus, to avoid talking to him, Kristen went off to see how the squints stripped the body of its flesh—Hodgins had gotten all the particulates he needed. She eventually found Zack in one of the lab rooms where the body was in a case and he was holding two jars of little black/dark brown beetles.

The blonde hesitated.

Should she go in and talk to him? Or should she go find Dr. Brennan or Angela or Hodgins? Zack did not seem to enjoy Kristen being around. Her very presence appeared to make him uncomfortable.

Probably 'cuz he hates me…, she thought sadly. It was silly to be upset over a person who you barely knew, but Kristen believed that every person—good or bad—had a significant importance in her life. When she had met Zack, she thought he'd have a good significant importance. Because her mother, though, it didn't seem that way at all, but Kristen didn't want to give up. Sure was not sure why, but she didn't care.

Taking a deep breath, Kristen entered and leaned against the doorframe. Twisting a strand of gold, she cleared her throat to get the genius' attention. Zack looked back idly. "Um…hello, Kristen." he greeted—Kristen noticed a bit stiffly, like always.

Kristen placed a big grinned and stepped up to him. "Hey. So uh, whatchya doing?" she asked innocently, hands folded behind her back.

"I'm stripping the flesh from the skeleton with dermestes maculates." he explained, pouring the jarred bugs into the glass container that contained the victim's body. Kristen noted a hint of affection at the mentioning of the bugs, but it may have just been her imagination.

"With the who-do-what?" Her brows furrowed.

"Flesh-eating beetles." the brunet translated. There was that hint of affection again.

"Oooh. Sorry. Don't know Latin very well. Can only speak French and can only do ASL fluently." Kristen shrugged.

"You can speak French and know how to do sign language?" Zack glanced to her with arched brows.

"Yeah," the blonde nodded absentmindely, watching the little insects crawl over the body with childish fascination. "Can speak a little German and Japanese, too."

"Why do you know so many languages?"

"Looks good on a resume. Casting directors like variety and makes it easier for them to cast someone who already knows the language that is in the script. My resume is full of things like that because of my mother; she made me a lot of different things growing up."

In the corner of her jade eye, Kristen noticed how Zack went rigid at the mentioning of her mother. Inwardly, she frowned. Cheryl what did you say to this poor man? She quickly changed the subject, "So are these lil' guys your pets or something?"

Zack's brows furrowed quizzically at her random question. "What makes you ask such a thing?"

"'Cuz you sound so…attached. Like they're yours or something." the short woman pointed out. She looked up at him, the top of her head just shy of his shoulders. She cocked her head to the side, her bangs falling over her shoulder. "Am I wrong?"

Zack pursed his lips and peered to the flesh-eating before them. Should he answer truthfully? Hodgins had always said that usually girls didn't like bugs and would find it peculiar for someone to care for such creatures. Yet, as his brown watched Kristen inspect the creatures with such intent, Zack was thinking the bearded man was wrong despite his grand experience with women. Then again what did the graduate student know? He was inept in most social situations, couldn't read people easily, and wasn't very skilled with the opposite sex. Nevertheless, Kristen did not seemed creeped out or disgusted at all and not just with the bugs, but with his whole occupation in general; she actually seemed interested. So maybe she was the exception to the rule—there was always one to every rule.

"Yes," Zack said hesitantly, watching Kristen's face closely. Her skin tone was darker than his, he noticed, and made the brightest of greens in her eyes stand out exceptionally. Such observations, he pushed away as they made heat rush to his cheeks and made his stomach a tad queasy just like the first time he had taken in her features. "You could call them my pets in a sense. I-I have even named a majority of them." he admitted.

Kristen giggled, which made him frown in confusion. "Of course you did, Zack," she nodded. She smiled brightly. "And I bet you can tell the difference between all of them, too."

"Yes, actually." She laughed harder making his confusion deepen, showing on his boyish face—what was so funny? "I don't understand what you find humorous, Kristen." he said.

"Don't worry about it." The young woman shook her head, still chortling. Zack just stared at her blankly. "So how many of them have you named? There sure a lot in there." she stated, circling the tank.

"You don't find my affection for the beetles odd?" the anthropologist inquired.

"No?" Kristen answered, looking at him questionably. "Should I?"

"From what Hodgins has informed me and from what I have witnessed in past experiences, most women do."

"Hm. Yeah, makes sense. My friend Lottie is majorly scared of bugs, which is weird since her girlfriend loves creepy crawlers. But I digress, I'm not most women. Besides, I've dated guys who have weirder pets, believe me. Like one guy I dated in high school had a pet dragon."

"Dragons don't exist."

"Try telling him that. Refused to believe me every time I told him. He was one of those guys who were big on the board game Dungeons and Dragons and the card game Magic. Let's just say that relationship didn't last long."

"Oh…"

"Yeah."

"Have you dated many people?" Zack blurted.

Kristen arched a brow at the query as it was random yet, answered it since it seemed innocent enough. "Mmmm," she hummed for a moment, tucking her hands into her blue, gray, and green plaid dress' front pockets. She was gazing up at the ceiling, which Zack thought strange—did she expect the answer to be on the ceiling. Ultimately, the blonde answered, "Yeah, sorta."

"I don't understand."

"In other words, I've dated a lot of people. Not many were significant. Most were assholes."

"How unfortunate that very few pleased you, but it's not surprising you've had many."

Kristen's eyebrows shot up. "Really? How so?"

"Well, for starters, your face has very symmetrical features that common men would find appealing. As well, many might find your short-stature enduring since statistically most males like shorter women. You body is developed enough to be pleasing and so is your warm and inviting demeanor. Also, from what I witnessed at the club you move is such a fashion that would satisfy most men." Zack explained logically, not realizing that every word made Kristen blush harder and harder. When he finally did notice, his brows frowned at her bright red face. "Is something the matter, Kristen? Are you ill? Your face appears quite feverish." he said.

Jumping, she looked away embarrassed and twirled a finger in her flaxen hair. "…N-No, I'm f-fine. I just um…" she stuttered trying to find the right words to say, but couldn't—she was too flustered.

"If you are not ill then, you can take the skull to Angela. The beetles are finished, I just have to clear them away." Zack informed her.

"Uh, o-okay…" she said softly. What the hell is wrong with you, Kris?! He was just complimenting you! In his own, strange way…

Zack piled the flesh-eating beetles back into their jars, put the jars away, and picked up the now, clean skull before hanging into Kristen on a tray. She held it carefully and looked down at the flesh-free, white cranium—it looked so different than it had from before. Then, her long and dark-lashed eyes looked up at him, her cheeks still bright pink.

Should she say it? He couldn't hate her if he had said she was attractive. Right? Well, either way, she had to apologize for her mother and for not calling him back and tell him that she hadn't blown him off purposely. She wanted them to be on good terms, have the connection they had at the club—well, she thought they had had a connection.

"Hey, Zack--" she began uncertainly.

"You should take that to Angela, so we can identify the victim." he instructed monotonously.

Kristen made a face. "…Yeah, right." Sighing, she turned away from him and left the room.

She carried the tray to Angela's office with a deep frown on her slightly tan face. She entered the room to see Hodgins and the artist at her computer, going through the pictures of the body Kristen had taken earlier that day. They looked they were in engrossed in whatever conversation, but the twenty-one-year-old interrupted it when reached over their heads and placed the skulled tray on the table in front of them—a little harder than necessary.

Jumping, they turned to her with furrowed brows. "Something troubling you, sweetie?" Angela asked the shorter female.

"He hates me…" she pouted, plopping to the floor, kneeling between their chairs.

Angela and Hodgins exchanged glances before looking down at her. "Who hates you?" said Hodgins.

"Zack."

Angela looked at the girl sympathetic look while Hodgins laughed. Kristen's eyes narrowed at the curly-haired man. "What is so funny, Curly?" she asked with a glare.

"Zack is so clueless about people that there is no way for him to hate someone. Usually, it's the other way around." Hodgins guffawed.

Angela elaborated when she saw Kristen's confused look, "What he means is that Zack can't really hate anyone. He's just not use to you, he's not very good with people. So don't take his coldness as hate. He'll warm up to you eventually." she reassured gently.

"But I thought we had gotten along so well at the club the other night. Yeah, we didn't talk very much, but he seemed like he was having fun with me. He even called me when I told him to." Kristen pointed out.

"And your mother answered instead." Hodgins interjected.

"That wasn't my fault!" she cried frantically.

"How?" he questioned. Angela looked just as curious. They had never gotten Kristen's side of the story.

"If you haven't noticed Cheryl is really strict. My friends even call her the "Fuhrer" she's so dictating. She doesn't let me go out a lot even though I don't live with her and I'm an adult. So she wasn't thrilled when she found out I went to a club without her permission, especially before my audition the next day—that I clearly got despite how exhausted I was. Thus, she took my phone, my lap top, and my car away. I was surprised she didn't confiscate my iPod, too considering how mad she was. So it really wasn't my fault that she answered when he called. And now, he hates me because of it."

"Oh, so that's what happened." Hodgins said in realization, crossing his arms. "Well, that makes a lot more sense. You didn't seem the kind of chick to just blow a guy off like that."

"Thanks," Kristen said. "I think…"

"So why don't you just tell him that, Kris?" Angela suggested.

"I've tried!" Kristen admitted. "But he keeps avoiding me, so I can't ever do so. I was lucky to get more than a full sentence out him five minutes ago."

"You guys talked? He actually held a normal conversation with you?" Hodgins said in mock surprise.

"Normal for Zack."

"What did you two talk about?" said Angela, folding her hands in her lap.

"The flesh-eating beetles."

"He talked about the bugs?" Hodgins rolled his blue eyes. How many times did he have to tell his best friend to not talk about bugs in front of girls? "Of course he did."

"He also said he thought I was attractive…in his own way."

"Awww. That's sweet." smiled Angela, an unreadable twinkle in her caramel hues. Kristen didn't like that look, but didn't point it out--it was probably nothing.

"I guess, but then, he kinda made me leave the room to give you the skull. Like he didn't want to talk to me anymore." Kristen stated with a deep sigh. She buried her head in her hands. "He's so confusing…"

"He can be, but like I said, you'll grow on him, Kris." comforted the artist, brushing Kristen's bangs from her face as they had fallen when the girl had hung her head.

"The Z-man is basically an alien, Squirt. He sucks with women. Just give him time, I guess." Hodgins added, but he sounded less encouraging.

Kristen sighed and rose to her sneakered feet, ignoring the nickname Hodgins had bestowed her—did he have to go after her height? "I guess," she muttered, tucking her hair behind her ears, which each had more than one piercing. "Well, anyway, the skull is all yours, Angela." She pointed to it.

"Thanks, hon." Angela beamed sweetly. "By the way, these pictures you took are really good. They're going to be a big help."

The younger and smaller female shrugged carelessly, her cheeks a soft pink. "No prob."

"Where did you learn to take pictures like this?" inquired Hodgins, jamming his thumb to them on the computer's screen.

"I've been taking classes since sophomore year of high school. It's just a hobby, no biggie. Besides, I wanted to do something to help." Kristen muttered, becoming more and more bashful at the compliments—why was everyone complimenting her today?

"Well, they're good." Angela said, amused by Kristen's embarrassment.

"Bet you're a better photographer than you are an actress." teased Hodgins with a smirk.

Kristen deadpanned. "Ha ha. You're hilarious, Hodgins."

"Oh, there you are, Goldilocks!" came Booth's voice.

Inwardly, Kristen groaned, rolling her green hues. Did he have to call her that? Did she look like a little girl who ate bears' porridge and slept in their beds? Of course not! She hated porridge and bears didn't sleep in beds or ate porridge. Besides that, she was purposely ignoring him and he knew that, so why had he been trying to find her?

"What, Seeley?" Kristen asked nonchalantly, peering at him over her slender shoulder.

"Hungry?" he asked cheerfully—a bit too cheerfully, forced almost.

Her eyes narrowed while Angela and Hodgins stared at them puzzled. "Maybe, why?"

"I thought you and I could get some dinner while the squints worked on the I.D." the FBI agent suggested.

"…Do we have to?" Kristen said.

His handsome face became stern. "Yes." She was going to be difficult, so he knew he had to put his foot down.

She frowned and looked back at the other two, who looked like they were holding back laughter--how did they find this comical? Rolling her eyes, she sighed deeply in frustration. From Booth's tone it sounded like there was no room for arguments and frankly, Kristen had nothing better to do and she was starving. "Fine. Let's go." she answered with reluctance.

"Great." Booth smiled—he did notice her lack of enthusiasm. He turned to the others. "Tell Bones to call me when you identify the victim." They just nodded and with that, the ex-sniper exited with Kristen following grouchily.

"When are you going to stop being mad at me?" Booth asked the blonde across from him at the local diner that smelled so fresh and mouth-watering.

During the entire ride to the diner from the Jeffersonian and through most of dinner—even when they ordered their meals—Kristen had not said a single word to him. The actress was outgoing girl, especially in her occupation, but she was quiet more often than not—well, quiet for her. However, when she was this kind of quiet, it unsettled Booth. Mostly because it was his fault. But she was at fault too.

"When you apologize for getting all up in my business." Kristen grumbled before taking an angry bite out of her grilled cheese sandwich.

""All up in your business"?" he mirrored perplexed, in mid-bite of his burger. Who talks like that?

"For reading my file without my permission." she translated with a roll of her eyes.

Booth made a face. She acted more like a disgruntled teenager than an adult. "I told you I wanted to know what you have been up to in the past five years. It's not liked I expected you to tell me anything." he told her, his voice hard—he knew being gentle and sweet wasn't going to work at this point.

"…I might have." Would she have really? She knew she wouldn't have told him anything major like Sarah dying, but she would've told him something.

"No, you wouldn't have. It's not like you wear your heart on your sleeve, Kris. You act open and friendly, but you hide everything that's personal about yourself from everyone."

"…That's not true…"

"Who are you trying to fool? Me or yourself?"

Sighing deeply, Kristen lowered her Pepsi and gazed across at her old friend. "Seeley, you know this kind of stuff isn't easy for me and do you think it would be any easier for me to talk about someone precious to me being dead like Sarah?" she stated softly, her voice slightly shaky.

"No," Booth said just as quietly, softening at her sad, green eyes. He couldn't stay mad at her long, not when she looked like that. "But haven't known me long enough to at least trust me with something like that?"

"Yeah, but…"

"Look, Kristen. I'm sorry for invading your privacy, I won't do it again, I promise. Next time, I'll ask you, but you've got to try to let people in more. It's hard I know, but it'll be worth it in the end."

Kristen silently listened, her head hung so her hair curtained her expression. She picked at her fries. You make it sound so easy, Seeley… She knew he was right, though, but giving a little of herself to others was something that she was reluctant to do, especially nowadays. On the other hand, maybe…she could take his advice…let people in more…at least one more time…

"Kristen?" Booth called to the girl when she didn't reply for a while.

Lifting her head, the actress smiled slightly. "Okay, I'll try." she vowed.

"Atta girl." he beamed causing her to grin more herself.

Suddenly, Booth's cell went off. The two jumped briefly and then, he answered, pressing the mobile to his ear. "Booth, talk to me."

He talked to whoever was on the other end for a few minutes. Kristen watched him closely, quietly anticipating what was going on. Soon, Booth ended the call and slid his phone back in his slacks' pocket. His dark eyes met Kristen's light ones.

"Conner Reilly." was all he said for Kristen to understand.

She frowned. He sounds so innocent…