Angela was sketching hands. Not the gross, disembodied bone hands that seemed to follow her from table to table, no. Sometimes she needed some good old life to draw. It was a relief to add pinkish tones to the skin, deviating from the gray that so pervaded flesh on the platform. She heard faint footsteps on the other side of her closed door and looked up after a while when she realized they didn't finish their path past her office. Zack was patiently standing in the window, hands clasped behind his back. Angela motioned for him to come in.

"You know, you can knock, sweetie. How long were you standing there?"

"Not long..." Zack hesitated, then added, "Three minutes and forty six seconds."

"Yeah, definitely knock." Angela responded. Zack stood quietly in front of her. Angela placed her paper on the ground next to her chair, and her pen on the arm. She leaned on her arm and after an uncomfortable silence, added,

"What's up?"

"I take it you don't mean literally."

"You're right." "I have something to tell you." Angela crossed her legs.

"Yes?" For some reason, it was harder to tell Angela than it was Brennan. Maybe it was the eye contact that put him off, the rapt attention. He looked at the ground and opened his mouth. There it was again - that choking feeling in his chest. He tried to force the words out, to spit them, to push them, anything.

"Zack," Angela's voice reflected her growing concern, "Is everything alright?"

"Just say it," Zack commanded himself, a little louder than he intended. "JustsayitsayitjustsayitI'mgay." A small smile broke across Angela's face.

"Oh, Zack," she said, rising from her chair to give him a hug. In her arms, Zack relaxed a little, and Angela pat his back as she felt him release tension. "Thank you for trusting me."

"Please don't tell Hodgins," Zack said. Angela stepped back, sill holding his arms.

"Zack, you know he won't care. Yeah, he's rich and his family's awfully conservative, but you know he's not like that. You kno-"

"I know," Zack cut her off. "I want to tell him myself." Angela nodded and let her arms fall.

"Have you told Brennan?" She asked. Zack nodded. "You're a good boy, you know that? You're a really good guy." Zack nodded stiffly.

"I thought for the sake of full disclosure you ought to know."

"That's what friends are for," Angela laughed. "Remember, I'm no stranger to sexuality. Hey, have I ever told you about Roxanne?"

"I think I met her once."

"Alright, so no explanation needed. So you know I'm always here if you have questions or anything."

"Thank you, Angela," Zack said earnestly.

"Uh, Zack, this is kind of an awkward question on a few counts," Angela started, "but I feel obligated to ask. Do you know about safe sex for gay couples?" Zack cocked his head.

"I've read."

"A lot?"

"Enough."

"Alright...I trust you, but be careful," Angela warned.

"I'm always careful," Zack deadpanned. Angela laughed.

"True, true. My conscience told me I just had to ask you."

"I understand."

"You do?"

"Enough."

"Thank you for coming to me," Angela took Zack's hand. Zack flinched, but Angela didn't let go.

"I'd say you're welcome, but it seems odd that you should be the one thanking me."There was a silence that was a beat too long. Angela smiled and placed Zack's hand back at his side.

"Do you want to go back to work now," Angela asked, knowing Zack was unsure how to end the conversation. Zack nodded. "I'm going to stop before you get any more uncomfortable. I'll see you around."

"Yes, thank you." Zack turned and left the room. One he was outside with the door closed, he started breathing again. With newfound confidence, he marched back to the platform.