ATTENTION!!! Please click on my profile and vote on how Althy and Zach should get together winner will be the well winner and the idea I will use. Please vote, or PM me or leave a review with your ideas or theories or vote on my profile. Also please add your own theories cause i have more than the ideas posted on the profile.

Thanks. TimeWitch16

Disclaimer: I do not own Bones because Zach is in the loony bin. DUH!!!


Chapter 6

Reality bites

Mondays are usually hard for me, but this particular Monday I couldn't wait to get to work. I went on my run, showered ate breakfast and got to work an entire half an hour before Jack because he was busy with Angela, which is why I left as quickly as I could.

I was in a vast display of excitement especially with Halloween being not to far away, which means I had to desperately decide which amazing Marvel super hero I was going to go as this year. Last year I went as Araña, but this year I was stuck between going As the Scarlet Witch, or Hawkeye, the female one from the Young Avengers, or maybe Emma Frost, if I was desporate.

As I walked through the doors of the Jeffersonian Dr. Brennan was already there reading over some files. Agent Booth came in with…Jonah…

"Jonah, why are you here?" I asked surprised.

"Joint investigation with the FBI." replied Jonah. "Involving someone called Gormagon."

"Please be joking." said Angela as she and Jack came in.

"Why would someone joke like that?" asked Dr. Brennan "They filled me and Cam in. It's the real deal. I loosely examined the remains and it looks like we have another Gormagon on our hands"

"Gormagon, you mean the master?" I asked and they nodded. "The reason Zach Addy is at McKinley?" again they nodded. "Holy…."

"Dr. Calloway I need your full focus on this." said Dr. Brennan "The remains are waiting. I have already managed to photograph them. "

I nodded and grabbed a jacket and gloves.

"What exactly am I looking for?" I asked.

"Confirmation," said Dr. Brennan "Is it really Gormagon…look for teeth marks, anything. I am confident in saying so, but I would like a second opinion."

"Alright…this body is missing a few minor bones and yes there is what appears to be teeth and saw marks..." I said as Dr. Sweets came in.

"Great I'm driving to McKinley, Sweets you coming?" asked Booth.

"Zach won't talk to you." I said. "He's been really gloomy lately. He barely talks to anyone." I took a few pictures of the camera. "He puts on that fake smile for everyone who visits, but I can see strait through it"

"Well I'm his shrink," said Sweets

"And not a very good one either." I added. "I'll go."

"No, look Althea your great and all." cut in Jonah. "But I read the file on this Zach Addy character; he's a real nut job." I put down the camera after another click and turned my head sharply at Jonah.

"You don't know anything." I snapped "Zach is the nicest, most intelligent person I have ever met and I l…." I stopped my self as I realized what I was about to say,

"Ok, Althy," said Booth "You can come. I'll call the clinic."

"And I'll print of the pictures." I said

"Althy…" started Jonah

"It's Althea, to you. That right is earned and you have yet to earn it." I said and turned the printer on and placed the camera on top of it to print of the pictures.

"Sorry Althea. I'm sorry…about what I said…it's obvious to me that you're a friend of Zach's."

"Gee aren't you a genius." I added putting the pictures into a folder.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have insulted a friend of yours." said Jonah,

"It's not me you insulted; therefore it's not me that deserves the apology." I said and followed Booth out with the folder in my hand.

We sat down in the car and Jonah sat in the back, being that he was a Homeland Agent he had to accompany us since this was a joint investigation. I sat up front with Booth leaving Jonah to sit in the back.

"So what is it with you and Zach Addy?" asked Jonah.

"He's my best friend." I said "My dad was a marine so we moved around a lot. When I moved to Michigan he became my friend, my first friend in a really long time. Everyone thought I was the geek, or the freak with a giant brain. Those who didn't think like that were afraid of me. Zach wasn't like that. He was someone I could talk to. Someone I wasn't afraid to tell all my secrets too."

Booth turned a corner and a small silence ensued. Booth broke the silence.

"Althy are you ok with asking Zach about this?" asked Booth.

"Of course, if he helps us with this then his chances of getting out of McKinley go up."

"You want to let a crazy serial killer's assistant out of prison?" asked Jonah.

"Zach isn't crazy." I snapped. "Just because you read the file that his schmuck of a doctor wrote doesn't mean you know Zach and unless you want to end up mummified and buried underground I suggest you shut up."

"Are you threatening a federal agent?"

"It's not a threat." I replied. "It's a promise."

We pulled up infront of McKinley and they let us in through the gate. Booth parked the car and we all got out. "Jonah I think you should wait in the car. You know how those crazy people can be." I said sarcastically, he nodded after seeing the daggers in my eyes pointing strait at him. I smiled as he sat back down and Booth and I got out.

"He does seem sorry." said Booth.

"Not yet, but he will be…." I replied as we came in. A nurse led us to the visiting room and Booth and I waited for Zach. He came in looking gloomier than before. I gave Booth the 'I told you so' look.

"Althy, Agent Booth, did something happen?" asked Zach as he sat down "Is everyone alright?"

"They're a bit shaken up." admitted Booth, "But otherwise alright."

"Shaken up?" asked Zach

"Worried, surprised, and shocked," I replied "Our current case…"

"What does this have to do with me?"

"Zach….it appears that the killer is somehow relating to…the reason why you are currently where you are." I replied. "It has to do with Gormagon."

"That's impossible," replied Zack turning to Booth. "You killed him, unless there is someone who is a fanatic…but I'm not a psychologist."

"Luckily I am." I replied. Then Booth's phone rang.

"Booth…yes Sweets…no….no we're going with a different Doctor….yes I'll fill you in…" said Booth and hung up. "Sweets thinks that it's one of Gormagon 's former sidekicks or a retired Gormagon."

"There can only be two." replied Zach "Thus diminishing Dr. Sweets's first theory. As for the second…."

"I don't think it's a retired freak." I said "I think it's a fanatic. Someone who followed this case or this particular person…someone…Zach maybe it's someone you knew while you were with the master."

"Only the previous assistant." said Zach "But the master killed him so he could recruit me. There could only be too."

"So my fanatic theory looks more plausible." I said taking the pictures out of the folder "Zach, please help us." I put the pictures on the table one by one, side by side.

"This isn't the Master's work. The cuts aren't perfect and they aren't consistent. The master's work was always flawless. This marks an armature."

"Thank you Zach." said Booth

"Told you," I said "Sweets is a schmuck."

"Alright, I'll be outside I need to call Dr. Brennan." said Booth "As soon as you're ready Althy…." Booth went outside and left me with Zach.

"H…how are you?" I asked almost afraid of the question.

"Fine." replied Zach,

"Jackie's meeting with Caroline as we speak." I said "With any luck we'll have you out of here in time for Halloween, and I'll have it on record that you provided information on this case. I even started planning yout halloween costume. You want the Vision or Patriot?"

"Althy….you really don't have to divulge all of your time on this. Enjoy life…how did it go with that Homeland Security agent?"

"I'd rather not talk about that at the risk of saying something I'm going to later regret." I replied. "I better go Zach. I have to talk to Jackie and that genius lawyer that was present….oh…my…I really have to go." I said. I kissed Zach on the cheek, gave him a hug and left.

"Booth let's go I think I just solved your case." I said as he hung up the phone. We got back to the car and headed back to the Jeffersonian, ignoring Jonah's comments.

"What's going on?" asked Angela as I ran into the institute.

"Althy…" called Booth "Slow down. Will you tell us what's going on?"

"When you figured out Zach was working with the Master" I said digging through my bag. "Zach was in the hospital when he plead guilty in exchange for being declared Non compos mentis. Who was the lawyer present on Zach's behalf?"

"John Akins." said Booth "What about him?"

"Well how did he end up being Zach's representation? Was he asked or…"

"He volunteered." said Booth "I didn't think much of it. I'll go pick him up…what are you doing now?"

"Calling Jackie," I said and dialed. "Hey Jack's I think I just found Zach's ticket out of McKinley."

"Really, that's great! I just finished my meeting with Caroline. I can be at the Jeffersonian…in about…a half hour. There's also something I need to ask you."

"Perfect, see you then." I said and hung up. "Jackie's on her way." I told Booth and he headed out to pick up the lawyer.

"Althy is something bothering you?" asked Jack.

"No, of course not," I replied and walked calmly out of the area. Jack turned to Angela as I headed off.

"There's something bothering her." said Jack.

"I'll go after her, if she's upset where would she go?"

"She hasn't been really depressed since Zach was having that relationship with Naomi….but last time it was a Comic book store. It's Althy's escape."

"I'll talk to her." said Angela and headed after me. But I only got as far as my car before Angela jumped in.

"Not to sound like a bitch, but I'd rather be alone." I said.

"Jack and I are worried about you. Once you came back from McKinley you were happy, but I saw that smile disappear."

"Zach might be released soon and I'm happy, that was my whole purpose. I also know that Jackie is gonna try to do whatever she can to get me to tell Zach how I feel. But it won't ever amount to anything. Zach is…the king of clueless. He's a little clone of Dr. Brennan. I didn't really realize it until I actually met Dr. Brennan."

"So what,"

"Love to him, is a hormonal reaction to a sexual attraction. If I tell him, it will only make things worse. I'd rather not loose my best friend because I said something that has no sentimental meaning to him."

"Althy sometimes taking a risk is the only way to deal with things. You'll have to face him soon or later." said Angela "And face your feelings for Zach and you never know." Jack had followed Angela and was coming in now. He stood outside the driver's side door.

"Althy, Zach cares about you. Honestly, why do you think he went after Richard Sampson, knowing full well that he could turn him into a pancake?"

"Whose Richard Sampson?" asked Angela?

"He was a guy in the same engineering course as Zach. We dated and he…well let's just say that I was starting to fall for him….."

Flashback

I was sitting in the library the library when Zach came over looking very nervous.

"What's wrong?" I asked "Did you have another run in with a bully?"

"Yeah, actually and his name is Richard Sampson." said Zach. I refused to believe it.

"Zach, come on Richard's really sweet."

"He is not Althy. He's mean and he's cheating on you as well…I don't want you to be with someone who'll cheat on you."

"Oh and who do you want me to be with?" I asked rudely. He didn't respond. I gathered up my stuff and left. Zach followed me out. I ran into Richard on the way down the hallway.

"Hey Althy." he said and kissed my cheek. "Everything ok,"

"Your not cheating on me are you?" I asked and he paled.

"What of course not, who told you that?" he asked

"Zach said…well it doesn't matter." I said and kissed him. "Forget about it."

I turned the corner and headed off, Richard started heading towards where Zach was following me, mere four yards in distance.

Richard came up to him and pinned him up against the wall.

"I don't like you telling my business to Althy."

"She….has…a…right…to…know…you're…cheating…" said Zach struggling.

"No she doesn't I can do whatever I want. Althy is to in love with me to see anything." said Richard as he put his hand into a fist.

"DROP HIM!" I yelled.

"Uh, Althy…how much of that…" I simply responded by slapping him across the face.

"Get lost or I'll poison you from the inside out, with out leaving a trace. If you ever come near me or Zach again. Have I made myself clear?"

He gulped nodded and ran off.

"Hey, you ok?" I asked.

"Fine, I'm sorry Althy."

"Forget it. There's only one guy out there for me and you're the only one I need." I told him.

End of flashback

"Aw, see he was worried about you." said Angela.

"I know he does. He even got beat up for it once. When we were in high school these girls would always make fun of me. One day in chemistry Zach 'accidentally' spilled a mixture of H2O and something else on their clothes. They told their football playing boyfriends and well…Zach ended up with a hell of a shiner and a fractured arm." I said. "I know he cares about me, but I doubt it's the same way I care for him."

"It's totally the same way." said Angela as Jackie pulled up. She excitedly jumped out of the car and ran towards us.

"Hey guys. I got everything we need to get Zach out, but it'll take some time." said Jackie. "We have to talk to a judge and…why are you all out here?"

"Getting some fresh air." I said quickly.

"Well come on." said Jackie and we headed back inside. I felt like crap. Not just because of Zach, but because I really didn't feel well, not like I'd admit it to anyone, but myself.

Jackie gathered up everyone, (excluding Booth, who had gone to pick up that lawyer) together in Dr. Brennan's office. To my disappointment Jonah, was still here.

"I have great news." said Jackie "I got a way to get Zach out."


That's the end. I'm having a bit of writers block so I would appreciate some help. You can help me, by reviewing and giving me ideas as to how further continue. The more reviews. The faster the next chapter goes up.