Zack
and Howie sat in Booth's office for a long time, Zack crying and
Howie comforting him. Soon the sobs coming from Zack tapered
off in to hiccups, making Howie fall in love with Zack all over
again. After a few minutes, Booth came back in with Brennan
following behind him, unsure as to why she had been
called to the
FBI agent's office.
"Zack, I thought it was your day off today" Brennan stated as she saw her former assistant crying on the shoulder of the wing commander they had all met yesterday.
"Someone is following us" Howie said as he carried on comforting Zack, who hadn't looked up from his arms when Brennan had entered the room.
"How do you know?" She asked. On cue, Booth passed her the note that was sent to the young men.
"Right I'll take this to the lab and get it analyzed. Booth, can you take them home on your way to interview the families, please?" Brennan took charge of the situation, a rare thing for her to do.
"Sure, I can that" Booth replied as he stood ready to take the couple home
"We have my rental with us" Howie said as he stood, helping Zack up.
"I'll get an agent to drive to your hotel" Booth instantly began making phone calls to make the arrangements.
"Thank you, Seeley and Temperance" Howie smiled in spite of the situation. He had made a connection with the agent over both being in the military and the scientist over her want to protect Zack.
Soon they were all doing what Brennan had told them to do; Booth driving the couple home, Brennan analyzing the note, and Howie protecting the young scientist now sleep in his lap, in the back of the car.
"What are you going to do for the rest of the day" Booth asked as he looked at Howie trough the mirror
"Well, I think food first, as we haven't had any yet…then it's up to Zack" The young scientist whimpered, obviously having a nightmare. Howie smoothed his hand through Zack's hair,
trying
to soothe him.
"
Is he alright?" Booth was concerned for the younger man in the back of his car.
"He will be as soon as we catch the person who sent that note" Howie continued to run his fingers through Zack's hair as it seemed to keep them both calm.
"When
do you go back to Iraq?" Booth pulled in to Hodgins
drive way.
"Tomorrow…but I'm back in a month" Howie said as he carried Zack out of the car and up to his apartment above the garage of Hodgins' house.
"We'll look after him for you" Booth affirmed as he followed Howie in the house, closing the door for the military man. He watched as Howie put Zack in the young man's bed, which was in disarray from their morning of love making,
Later, they were in the kitchen sharing war stories, when they heard a scream coming from the bedroom.
