The Reporter in the Lab Parts 10-12
Footsteps pounded the hardwood floors outside Zack and Sarah’s room. They were still sleeping, however, heads together and facing each other, but not touching. The door opened and Zack’s nephew, Ian, poked his head in.
“Uncle Zack?” He whispered, almost inaudible. Zack and Sarah, of course couldn’t hear him. Ian stepped inside the room and stared at them while they slept. A devilish smile creeped across his face. “UNCLE ZACK!! IT’S CHRISTMAS!”
Zack and Sarah both jumped away, Zack falling off the bed. Sarah, though in no way indecent, covered herself up and turned around.
“Good morning, Ivan.” She said, groggily.
“Ian.”
“Sorry. Does your grandma have coffee?”
Ian nodded. “We’re gonna finish the tournament after breakfast. You two better play good. I bet Missy a whole week’s allowance!”
Sarah nodded.
Zack stood up and walked Ian to the door. “Goodbye, Ian.” He muttered, slamming the door in Ian’s face. He faced Sarah, and saw she was already out of bed and brushing her hair. “We don’t have to get up, now. We can go back to sleep.”
Sarah shrugged. “Once I break a sleep cycle, I can’t get back to sleep for another ten to twelve hours.” She set her brush back on the dresser and faced him. “I’ll go make small talk with your family. You go back to sleep.”
She kissed his cheek and hurried past him, closing the door behind her. He looked at the door and then to the bed. The bed was certainly comfortable, and it probably still had Sarah’s perfume on it from the night before. But she was downstairs right now. Looking all bright and pretty. He loved the way she looked when she just woke up. He’d heard horror stories about how people looked when they wake up, and he knew that he wasn’t anything special first thing in the morning, but Sarah. She just had a glow when she woke up.
Taking a deep breath, and catching a hint of Sarah’s perfume, Zack slipped on his robe and slippers and padded out the door.
* * * * * *
It was an Addy tradition that while the women made breakfast, the men would surprise them by actually knowing how to set a breakfast table. Sarah, as the newest member of the family, was only supposed to sit back and watch, but she begged for something to do, as she was a food network aficionado. She got put in charge of the eggs, and if they turned out terrible, it was on her head and she had to take any punishment that the family would throw at her.
Zack entered the kitchen from the back stairs and was immediately shooed into the dining room with his father and brothers. From what he saw, though, he was amazed at how at home she was in a kitchen full of women.
Sarah was busy at the counter, not only beating eggs, but chopping chives and onions. She slowly beat cream cheese into the eggs and dropped them into the hot skillet. Mrs. Addy watched, completely intrigued.
“Girls, I think Zack found himself his very own Barefoot Contessa.” Mrs. Addy laughed and patted Sarah on the back.
“Mom loves the Barefoot Contessa.” Zack’s older sister, Milly sighed and continued juicing oranges.
“Really?” Sarah asked. “I’m an Alton Brown girl, myself. Finding out all the scientific and historical aspects of certain foods.”
“Well, you are a scientist.” Chelsea noted.
“That, I am. And a Mathematician. And I’m thinking about another doctorate.” Sarah sighed.
“Ambitious, much?” Carolyn asked. Carolyn was Zack’s oldest sister. Continually superior, continually annoying and continually critical. “Aren’t you busy enough writing articles and running a museum and teaching math?”
“I don’t actually teach math, anymore. And I don’t run the museum. I just run one part of it. Small part. Blip, actually. Blink and it’s gone.”
“What are you thinking about getting this doctorate in?” Mrs. Addy asked. She was working on pancakes and had mastered the flip in the air maneuver. Sarah couldn’t stop watching her.
“Uh, journalism. I don’t really have anything to stop me from doing it. Not married, no kids, just a cat. I keep busy at work, but I have really good time management skills, so I could probably pull it off.”
“Wow. No wonder Zack likes you.” Milly chuckled.
“I’m surprised he’s not intimidated by you.” Carolyn muttered. “He was intimidated by his prom date because she’d won the science fair.”
“No.” Mrs. Addy interjected. “You just challenge him, I think. He said the other night that he was trying to find time to continue his engineering doctorate.” Mrs. Addy turned to Carolyn. “Carolyn, why don’t you go take drink orders from the guys.”
“But Ashley usually does that. Her spelling’s getting better.” Carolyn pointed at a niece, who stuck her tongue out at her.
“Just go.” Mrs. Addy waved her off. Carolyn grabbed a notepad and pen and stomped out of the kitchen. Mrs. Addy turned to Sarah. “Please forgive her. She still considers Zack a baby. I know that should be my job, but even I was able to cut the apron strings on that one.” She heaved a huge sigh. “Anyway, I think it’s wonderful that you’re going after another doctorate. I actually read some of your articles and they’re wonderful.”
Sarah nodded, modestly and looked at her eggs.
* * * * * *
Back in DC, Brennan awoke to a strange clattering coming from the kitchen. Russ and his family weren’t supposed to come until lunch, and Booth had gotten called away late the night before. Granted, he wasn’t with her, so it could’ve been him in the kitchen. But he also could’ve gone back to his own place. She got out of bed and grabbed the nearest blunt object. She slipped out of her roon and down the hall, peering around corners.
Standing in her kitchen was a little boy, blonde hair, happily munching away on cereal.
Parker.
Brennan sighed and set down her weapon. She walked around the corner and waved.
“Morning, Parker.” She sat down in the chair next to him and grabbed the cereal box. “Where’s your dad?”
Parker held his finger to his lips and hissed, “Shh! Daddy’s sleeping!” He pointed behind Brennan to the couch.
She stood and walked over, putting a hand on her hip. “How long have you been here?” She asked, pulling coffee out of the cabinet.
“Mommy had an accident last night. Bob drove us to the hospital and Daddy met us there.”
“She okay?”
Parker nodded and slurped up the chocolate milk from his coco puffs. “She’s fine. But I get to spend Christmas with you and Daddy.”
“I guess you get to meet my nieces, then. I think the younger one is about your age.” She turned on the coffee pot and hopped up on the counter. “Don’t you think we should wake your daddy so you can see what Santa brought you?” Brennan stopped and replayed what she’d just said in her head. She smiled to herself and looked toward the couch at Booth. He’d made even her believe in Santa.
Parker shook his head. “Santa wouldn’t know to find me here. I’m sure he dropped stuff off at mommy’s house.”
Brennan looked toward her own fireplace, where three full stockings hung on the mantle. One Said Parker, the next said Booth, and the third said Bones in glitter paint. “Are you sure about that?” She nodded toward the fireplace and Parker was off like a shot.
He grabbed the stocking this his name on it and dumped it out onto the floor. “Daddy! Daddy! Santa found me at Dr. Bones’s!” He cried.
Booth opened his eyes and looked up. Brennan was standing above him watching Parker with a smile. “Of course he found you. He knows everything.” Booth rubbed his eyes and sat up. Brennan sat next to him and he put an arm around her. “Did you do this?” He whispered into her ear?”
She looked at him, completely stunned. “Of course I didn’t!” She cried. She quickly looked at Parker. “It was…Santa?”
Booth chuckled and kissed her. “Merry Christmas, Bones.”
* * * * * *
In another part of town, in an extremely large mansion, Hodgins and Angela slept soundly in their dark bedroom. Angela stirred before Hodgins and looked over her shoulder at him. His arm was secure around her waist, and she knew from previous experience that she wouldn’t be able to get out without waking him. So, she could always use it to her advantage. She lifted his arm just enough so she could face him and she kissed him, lightly, on the nose. “Wake up, honey.” She whispered.
His eyelids fluttered, but that was it. She tried again, making her kiss a little less soft and her voice a little louder. This time he groaned a little and tightened his grip on her. She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. “It’s Christmas.” She said, tickling the back of his neck with her fingers. He rolled onto his back, taking her with him and groaned.
“Morning.”
“Good morning.” Angela replied, kissing him on the mouth. “Have I mentioned how much I love Christmas morning sex?” She laughed.
“Well, good.” He smirked, eyes still closed. “Merry Christmas, babe.”
* * * * * *
Later, after a couple more hours in bed, they were at the kitchen table, feeding each other breakfast, though it was almost lunchtime. Hodgins stared at her with that special way that made her feel like the only woman in the world, and she smiled, bashfully, wondering how she’d ever managed to get a man as wonderful as Jack.
“When should we do our presents?” She asked, finishing her juice.
“I thought you gave me a good one not too long ago.” He said, suggestively.
She snorted back laughter and kissed him, but couldn’t stop laughing. “Well, I got you something material, just so you know.” She smiled and stood up. She dropped their dishes in the sink and led him toward the living room. They sat in front of the small tree that they’d decorated with ornaments Angela had made, and she pulled a box out from the back of the tree.
“What is this?” He asked, lightly shaking it and holding it to his ear. It made a light rustling sound, and the look on his face indicated that he had no idea what it was.
“Open it.” She said, eagerly.
He undid the ribbon and carefully broke the tape, pulling out a plain box. He opened the box and inside was a toy stuffed Scarab. It was his turn to start laughing. “I love it. It’s adorable.” He leaned forward and kissed her. “Just like you.” They kissed again, and he set the scarab down next to him. “My turn.” He eagerly dove under the tree and pulled out a small box. “It’s not much, but I was shopping with Booth and I saw it, and I just thought of you.”
She opened the small box and inside lay a pair of earrings with brightly colored stones, in the shape of butterflies. She chuckled at them and held them up to her ears. “How do they look?” She asked.
“Only as beautiful as the woman who will wear them.” He replied. They kissed once more and the doorbell rang.
* * * * * *
Cam had decided to spend Christmas in New York. She had sisters there, and her parents. Nieces and nephews. But it still seemed a little lonely. She hadn’t had a Christmas relationship for a long time, and that seemed almost too long for her.
She stayed at her younger sister’s house, along with her brother in law’s brother and his wife, and another married couple that Cam had no idea who they were. She seemed to be in relationship hell no matter where she went.
On Christmas Day, she’d left her sister’s for her parents’ home early just because she had to get out of that apartment. When she walked up the stairs, she was escorted right upstairs to the penthouse apartment, where her coat was taken by a butler, the gifts she carried taken to the tree by a maid, and she was escorted into the parlor, where her parents were waiting.
“Ah! Camille!” Her father sighed. He made his way toward her and kissed her cheek. “We’ve missed you. When will you be returning to New York for good?”
“Probably never, dad.” She replied, giving him a hug and sitting down next to her mother. “How’re things holding up here?”
Mrs. Saroyan, always elegant, and slightly stuck up, just heaved a sigh. “Well, the caterers are late, your siblings are late, and you, my love, are the only one present. It’s going swimmingly.” She rolled her eyes. Cam patted her mother’s arm. “But enough about our problems. How’s that roaring social life of yours? Any new men on the horizon?”
Cam faced forward, forcing a smile. And the hits would just keep on coming…
* * * * * *
Everyone was surprised that Zack and Sarah won the tournament. Except Sarah. She’d played her hardest and working hard at something always seemed to pay off for her. It was as simple as that. For Zack, however, this was a first. He’d never even made it to the finals before, and now his team had won. He was so stunned that he kissed Sarah right in front of everyone. She didn’t mind. If this was what it was like to be pursued, then she was willing to take it.
Sarah watched as everyone congratulated them, and she got hugs from everyone. And not the kind where everyone acted like they welcomed you. No, she was given hugs that were equal to the hugs one gives a member of the family.
Mrs. Addy urged them all inside the house for egg nog, cider and presents, and the kids, as always, were the first ones inside. Zack and Sarah were the last. Zack was about t walk in, but Sarah stayed outside for a moment. She looked up at the house and sighed.
“You okay?” Zack called.
She nodded. “Um, tell your family I’ll be in in a bit. There’s a call I have to make first.”
Zack nodded once and turned to go inside. Sarah followed, but turned toward the stairs and took them two at a time to their room.
Once she was safely inside, she sat on the bed and pulled her phone off the charger. She dialed a number and held it up to her ear. “Hayley?” She asked. “It’s Sarah.” She paused as a tear fell down her cheek. “Um, I was just calling to say Merry Christmas.”
* * * * * *
Sarah came down the stairs and looked into the living room, where presents were spread out everywhere. Everyone had something. There was even a small pile next to Zack that were reserved for her.
“Honey, everything okay?” Mrs. Addy asked.
Sarah nodded. “Just a Christmas call I had to make. But all done now.” She wiped her eyes again, hoping that it didn’t look like she’d been crying, and took her place next to Zack. “What’d I miss?”
“Kids opening presents.” Milly sighed, picking up wrapping paper from her children. “Adults have to wait.”
“We go by age.” Mr. Addy noted. “How old are you, Miss Sarah?”
“Twenty-five…” She replied, slowly, looking at Zack.
“You go after Chelsea, then.”
Everyone was pleased with what they got. Some practical gifts like a toaster oven or a sweater, and then there were some fun gifts, like music and movies. When it came time for Sarah, she opened the presents from Mrs. Addy first, receiving a sweater and a stationary set that read From the Desk of Dr. Sarah Pierce, PhD with stars and moons around the border. Zack’s gift was her favorite, by far. She put the neckace on as soon as she opened it and even kissed him as a thank you.
Zack’s present from Sarah wasn’t nearly as personal (or so she thought), but she’d thought long and hard about what she wanted to get for him. He was a hard person to shop for, and she’d finally decided on a sterling silver telescope with Dr. Zackary Addy engraved on it. He took it out of the box, carefully, and examined it closely.
“For the next time we go look at the stars.” Sarah put her chin on his shoulder and linked her arm through his.
“Wow. That’s beautiful.” He breathed. He turned to her and gave her a chaste kiss. “Thank you.”
* * * * * *
Christmas was over too fast for anyone’s tastes. When Zack and Sarah were on the plane back to DC, they were both a little forlorn. Zack had never had so much fun while with his family. Sarah hardly remembered what a family Christmas was like, and they’d welcomed her with open arms. It was amazing.
As the plane took off, Zack, grabbed her hand and held it tight, fingers laced together. He shut his eyes and took deep breaths. She looked over at him and brought his hand to her lips and kissed it. He returned the gesture by gripping her hand tighter.
The next few weeks flew by. Sarah and Zack were practically living together, at her apartment or his. Their schedules were usually succinct, as they would wake up, go to work, have lunch, return to work, go home and make dinner, and do it all over again. Once in awhile, she would give him a private showing at the Planetarium, whenever they got new programs in. Then, she would take him out to the country and they would use his telescope.
Life was nice, and they easily fell into a routine. Neither complained, as they were both Type A and would freak out if even the smallest thing got out of place.
But Sarah had also become extremely secretive. She’d be on the phone in her office, and would promptly hang up as soon as he would poke his head in. She’d be writing an email, and if he asked questions, she quickly start spouting excuses. At first, Zack didn’t think much about it. Having sisters, he understood the need for privacy. But now she was getting ridiculous.
As he didn’t know what to say to her, Angela was sent to run interference. She marched down to the Astronomy Lab and knocked once on Sarah’s door. Sarah, as usual, was on the phone, but she quickly whispered, “Can I call you back? Bye!” And hung up. She turned to Angela with a bright smile on her face. “Hi, Angela. What can I do for you?”
Angela noted that Sarah was wearing the necklace and smiled. “Like your necklace, I see?”
Sarah’s hand reached up for the moon and star charm and she smiled. “Yeah. I’m guessing he didn’t pick it out himself.”
“God knows he tried, though.” Angela replied, sitting across from her. “So, what’s been going on?”
Sarah shook her head and looked at her computer. “Not much. You?”
Angela shook her head. “I’m here to talk about you.”
“About what?”
“Anything you wanna talk about? I’m a very good listener.” Angela leaned forward on her knees. “Really. You have no idea.”
Sarah took a deep breath and stood up. She walked to the door and closed it. She returned to her desk, but sat in the chair next to Angela. “Promise to keep a secret?” Angela’s smile grew wider. “And I’m a little embarrassed about this, just because of the outcome, but I have to tell someone!”
Angela took one of Sarah’s hands and clapped it in her own. “I’ll take it to the grave.”
“Zack and I were in bed last night, just talking. Not even doing anything,” She nodded for emphasis, and Angela laughed, “and I just out of the blue told him I loved him.”
Angela gasped and threw her arms around Sarah. “Congratulations! What did he say? He didn’t even mention it!”
“Yeah, well, he didn’t say it back, which is probably why.”
Angela scoffed. “He’s a guy. Sure he seems like a robot sometimes and he’s got more information than Encyclopedia Britannica, but deep down, he’s still a guy.” She stopped for a moment, but then continued. “Actually, that’s not why I’m here. Um, Zack is worried about you. Is everything okay?”
Sarah shook her head and stood up. “Don’t worry about me. Just getting back into contact with some old friends.”
“How about Simon?”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Simon Kendoo can go to hell. I hate that we have to work together. He can’t take a hint.”
“And he can have any other woman in the world. Why would he waste his time on someone who’s not interested?”
“I’ll assume that’s a rhetorical question.”
“I think it just hurts his pride that a woman would want to be with someone like Zack instead of someone like him.”
The two nodded in agreement and laughed. Simon was the type of man that you kissed up to for monetary reasons, but when it came to anything personal, get out while you still could. Unfortunately, no one had told this to the young, impressionable Sarah when she was employed by him. Sarah knew that Simon had info on her, but she also had a lot on him. Unfortunately, she had to bide her time until people’s trust in her was bigger than their trust in Simon.
* * * * * *
That evening, Sarah drove Zack back to her apartment, and they cooked dinner together. Pork chops and salad with wine. They sat next to each other at the counter and ate silently. Sarah enjoyed the silence. It gave her time to think about how she wanted to phrase questions to Zack. Zack, however, worried whenever Sarah wasn’t talking to him. What if she was mad at him? Did he do something wrong? It was almost too much for his analytical mind to take.
“How’s your food?” She finally asked.
“Good.” He replied. “You?”
“Good. Pork Chops are nice and juicy.”
“Can I ask you something?” She nodded. “Promise not to get angry?”
Sarah stopped chewing and thought for a moment. “If I get angry, I promise I’ll try hard not to show it.”
He nodded. Good enough for him. “Are you hiding something from me?”
“Like what?”
“I know I can trust you, but I’m just wondering. Whenever I come to visit, you get off the phone as quickly as possible, while saying as little as possible.”
“Personal calls.” She answered, simply.
He nodded. “Talked to Simon lately?”
“Only in a room full of people.” She set her fork down and took his hand. “I don’t want to talk about him. He leaves a bad taste in my mouth, and I really don’t need that right now when these pork chops are so delicious.”
That gave Zack a little chuckle and he nodded. “Booth and Dr. Brennan caught a killer today. Got a full confession and everything.”
“That’s amazing. Those two make such a great team.” She paused. “You’re all a great team. My group has never done anything that heroic.”
“But you educate people. That’s important.” He paused. “Except you still consider Pluto a planet.”
Sarah took a long gulp of her wine and scowled. “That whole thing is such a travesty! Pluto is too a planet! It shouldn’t be demoted just because of its size. And besides, now teachers have to come up with a new acronym to teach their students the planets.” She became very passionate about her planets, and Zack, while never one to consider something to be cutesy loved Sarah’s heated discussions on the solar system. “No more ‘My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas’! Now it’s just ‘My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine’! Nine! Nine what?!” Zack couldn’t contain himself anymore. He started laughing. “You only think it’s funny because you don’t consider Pluto a planet.” She sighed and finished her wine.
“I love how passionate you are.”
Sarah’s ears perked up. He’d said Love. It was a start.
* * * * * *
Hodgins liked Sarah. He liked how she distracted Zack from asking him asinine questions all the time. She answered everything for him. Hodgins had gotten a lot more work done ever since Sarah had come along, and he was enjoying the peace. Until Sarah did something that, while Hodgins didn’t object, he also found it to be very annoying.
“Sarah told me she loved me.” Zack muttered, staring into a microscope.
“Congratulations.” Hodgins replied, patting Zack on the shoulder, but then returned to his own microscope.
“What’s wrong with her?”
Hodgins looked up and smiled. “Perhaps she really meant it?”
“Perhaps she’s insane. Would you love me?” Hodgins raised his eyebrows. “You know what I mean. But what about me could she possibly love?”
“Your compassion, your intelligence…your hair.” Angela approached, carrying a sketchpad. “What does it matter, Sweetie?”
Hodgins looked up at her. “Whatcha got, babe?”
“Drawing of the skull. Nothing much.” She looked from Hodgins to Zack. Neither talked. She nodded. “Fine. I’ll just be up in my office working on a reconstruction.” She left them alone, shaking her head as she walked away.
Zack looked back at Hodgins. Hodgins just shrugged. “What she said.” Zack wouldn’t accept that. “I don’t know why she loves you, Zack! Perhaps she does have a screw loose. But let’s for just one moment assume that she is sane. How do you feel about her?”
“How did you know you loved Angela?”
Hodgins looked toward Angela. She was talking to Brennan, animatedly. His face broke into a smile. “Just look at her!” He sighed. “How could anyone not love her?”
“Not helping.”
“I don’t know Zack. It’s a feeling. It’s wanting to be with them all the time. Putting their needs before your own. Protecting them.”
“Would Booth know?”
“Whoa! Don’t go asking Booth! Remember what he said when you asked him a sexual positions?” Zack sighed, but nodded. “Yeah. Ask Booth about crime and capital punishment. Leave the romantic stuff to Angela, and for God’s sake! Stop whining about it and DO something!”
* * * * * *
Zack put his entire being into his work for the rest of the day. Anything to keep his mind off what he was going to say to Sarah. He had a plan. It was going to be romantic, he hoped, and fun, but in order to not be nervous, he had to not think about it.
He was so wrapped up in his work that he didn’t even hear Sarah approach him in Limbo. She knew from previous experience that Limbo make him slightly jumpy (especially after discovering Brennan’s mother there), so she calmly stood in the door and cleared her throat. He turned. “Ready to go?”
“Amost. Meet you outside?”
She nodded and walked out the door. She’d no sooner gotten out the door, when she was grabbed and pulled into an amorous embrace. She broke free as quickly as possibly, coming face to face with Simon Kendoo.
“Hey, babe.” Sarah slapped him as hard as she could. “Was that really necessary?”
“Yes, it was, you ass! What the hell was that for?!” She straightened her clothes and fluffed her hair, while looking inside to see if anyone had seen anything.
“We never see each other anymore. I miss you.”
“Amazing you can miss something you never had.” Sarah tried walking back into the lab, but Simon blocked the way. “Go away!”
“Sarah, I’ve told you time and again to stop coming to see me!” Simon bellowed. “Now, I understand that I am a sole benefactor, but that is no reason to continually harass me in this manner. We’re finished, and I would appreciate it if you would let me be. What we had was fun, but we’re finished.” Sarah gaped at him, but he looked over her shoulder. She turned her head, slightly and could make out Zack’s blue lab coat.
“I need to take these to Dr. Goodman, and then we can leave.” Zack said, pushing past them. He put his hand in the small of Sarah’s back for a split-second, and continued on. Sarah followed him.
“Zack, I promise you that I haven’t been to see him for anything that wasn’t professional.”
Zack nodded, curtly. “I know.” He said, quietly.
“I really need to talk to Agent Booth about what’s involved in getting a restraining order. But please, believe me, when I tell you that I would never hurt you that way.”
Zack stopped and turned around. “I know. I heard you slap him.” He continued on down the hall. Sarah followed close behind.
“But you’re mad about something. I know you are. Please, tell me why.”
“Are you hiding something from me?”
“What?” She asked.
He stopped in front of the administration office and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. “Whenever I come to see you, and you’re on the phone, you panic and hang up. When I ask why, you don’t tell me. I tell you everything.”
Sarah nodded and placed a hand on his arm. “I know. I was going to tell you. I promise. But this entire thing has to be handled very carefully.”
“What entire thing?”
“It’s actually because of you that I did this. And it’s a good thing, but I’m trying to take baby steps.” Zack, who never appeared annoyed, started to tap his foot and looked into the offices. “Christmas Day, I got back into contact with my sister. I haven’t spoken to her since our parents died. And I never wanted to explain it to anyone because family is a really hard topic for me.”
Zack looked into the office again, and held up his hand. He hurried inside, but emerged a moment later. “Now we can go.”
* * * * * *
Zack led Sarah to a park outside city limits. They’d stopped at Wong Foo’s and got food to go, and had a picnic under the stars. They laid a blanket on a picnic table and lay side by side, staring up. Sarah was usually the one to take initiative in kissing or holding hands, but on this evening, Zack took her hand.
“Sarah, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what you said the other day.” Sarah looked at him in the darkness, worried. “At first, I thought you were crazy. But, you’re not.” Sarah took a deep breath and waited for him to continue. “Uh, I think I love you, too.”
* * * * * *
They returned to his apartment once they’d gotten too cold, and they cuddled in front of the TV, watching a special on pubic television. They were soon fast asleep in that position.
* * * * * *
The following morning, they were back in the lab, Sarah was locked in her office, doing paperwork. Zack was busily rebuilding a skeleton in Limbo.
Dr. McGill knocked on Sarah’s door and entered. She carried a bouquet of roses and handed them to Sarah. “These just came for you.” Sarah looked at them and frowned. “Something wrong?”
“They’re from Simon.” Sarah muttered.
“How do you know? They could be from Dr. Addy.”
Sarah shook her head. “Zack, if he did decide to send me flowers, can’t afford roses, so he would’ve sent me something small and unusual. Roses are Simon’s thing.” She looked back at her work. “Exactly two dozen, all red, wrapped a particular way, sent by La Vie en Rose Floral shop.” Dr. McGill looked at the roses and counted. Exactly twenty-four red roses from La Vie en Rose Floral shop. “And the card will read, ‘Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, Here’s twenty-four, for the hours I think of you. Love, Simon.’”
Dr. McGill opened the card and read it. “You’re good.”
“No, he’s just been doing this a lot lately. Throw them out. I don’t want to look at them, and I don’t want Zack to see them.”
Dr. McGill nodded and handed them off to Alex, one of the Grad Students Sarah was teaching. She motioned for him to toss them. “So, things are going well with Zack?”
Sarah looked up, suddenly glowing. “He told me he ‘thinks’ he loves me!”
“Thinks? That’s hot, hon.”
“No. This is a big step for him. I think we’re well on our way to losing the ‘thinks’ all together.”
Outside the office, they heard heels clacking, almost in a run. Angela ran in, pushing past Dr. McGill and threw her arms around Sarah. “Congratulations, Sweetie! He thinks he loves you, that is so fantastic!”
Dr. McGill eyed them, and Sarah nodded. “See. This is a big step for us!” Dr. McGill just shrugged and left. Sarah turned back to Angela. “So, he told you?”
“After merciless begging for information. I do this to Booth and Brennan all the time.” Sarah just laughed. “I was so worried about it because I saw Simon before I left. I remember telling Jack, ‘Honey, if Simon does anything to screw those two up, I will beat him with my purse!’ He just laughed.”
Sarah shook her head and winced. “I was so relieved that Zack heard me slap Simon. He found us and Simon went off on me about following HIM around! I could’ve died!”
“Zack told us you’re talking to your sister again. That’s great.” Angela smiled. “When do we get to meet her?”
“She’s a high school teacher in Washington State, so probably not until summer. She just got married last year.”
“Are you going to visit her?”
Sarah nodded. “Probably in a few weeks. I have a vacation coming up. I usually go to Europe or something, but I think I’ll go to Washington. Zack invited me back to Michigan, but I really need to go see my sister.”
“What’s her name?”
“Hayley.”
* * * * * *
Zack had vacation, too, and was going to Michigan. There was something important he needed to discuss with his father. And he wanted to keep it as secret as he could. Unfortunately Angela, while being a great listener, could also be a busybody. He needed a woman’s point of view, and Dr. Brennan wouldn’t approve, he knew that immediately. That left Cam. He felt awkward asking Cam about relationships, however, as she’d been out of one for over a year. But, she would have to be the one.
Cam was in her office, reading over a case file, when Zack approached. She smiled when she saw him and motioned for him to sit down. “Hey, Zackaroni. How’s that skeleton coming?”
“All done.”
“Good. What can I do for you?”
“I’m going to be out of town next week. Sarah has vacation, too, and I thought this would be a good time to go home. I have to talk to my dad about something.”
“You’re not going on vacation together?”
Zack shook his head. “She’s going to Washington State.”
“Talk to your father?” She asked, narrowing her eyes. “Zack, are you gonna…?”
Zack shrugged. “I’ve been thinking about it. A lot. And I’ve been weighing the pros and cons. I could move out of Hodgins and Angela’s garage.”
“There’s got to be more Pros than moving out of Hodgins and Angela’s garage.” Cam noted. “I know feelings aren’t your forte, Zack, but tell me. Are you positive that you love her and want to spend the rest of your life for her?”
Zack thought about it for a moment, but nodded. “I think I do.”
Rain pounded the ground outside the Jeffersonian. Booth pulled up in front and parked his car. He bolted outside, using his jacket as an umbrella and ran up the stairs, where Brennan was waiting inside the door.
“Finally!” She cried, draggin him by his jacket lapels down the hall. “I don’t have time for this! Zack is on vacation this week, Hodgins, Angela and Cam are working as fast as they can, and I really can’t go anywhere today. Or at all this week.”
“Whoa! Bones! You have court appearances this week.”
“Yeah. About that…” She stopped at her office.
Booth was stunned. “What?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry, but I am up to my ears in work, and a lot of it is for you and the FBI, so I really am doing this for you.”She said, hurriedly, ducking into her office. Booth followed and grabbed her arm. “No. Really. I have to…”
“I’m sure Cam can handle it for a couple hours. I just need you to come to court, tell the jury what you found and then I’ll bring you right back.” He gave her his most innocent look. “I promise.”
“You and I both know that it will take longer than anticipated, and I can’t afford that today.” She grabbed a folder from her desk and slipped into her lab coat. She pushed past him and hurried down the stairs.
Booth followed her out, but not down the stairs. He leaned against the rail and saw Cam. “Hey! Cam!”
She looked up, slightly annoyed as Brennan passed her. “What?”
“Tell Bones that she’s gotta go to court! You can do without her for a couple hours, can’t you?”
Cam looked over at Brennan, who just rolled her eyes, and sat herself in front of a corpse that still had soft tissue. What a time for Zack to go on vacation.
“I’m afraid I can’t let her go, Seeley.” She replied. “Zack’s gone, and we need all the manpower we can get right now.” She shrugged. “Sorry.”
Booth pounded the rail, angrily and stormed out. Instead of returning to his car, however, he turned into the Astronomy Dept. He walked right past Dr. McGill, and the rest of the Astronomy squints and into Sarah’s office, badge in hand. “Agent Booth with the FBI, Dr. Pierce. I have a few questions.”
Sarah looked over her glasses at him. “I know who you are, Booth.”
“Where is Zack? He needs to be here, so I can take Bones to court, but no. He decides to take a vacation at one of the busiest times of the year.”
“The Jeffersonian gets busy when it gets busy. It’s not like a mall at Christmas or a restaurant on Mother’s Day. We don’t have a set time to be busy.” She took off her glasses and set them down. “When he decided to go visit his family, he chose this time.”
“So, he’s in Michigan?” Sarah nodded. “I guess I have to call the courts.”
Sarah sighed and stood up. “And I have to be off. I’m going away for a couple days, too.”
“Oh yeah? Where to?”
“Washington State. Gonna see some friends.”
“Good for you.” Booth pulled out his phone and dialed. “Yeah. This is Booth. Cross Dr. Brennan off the witness list today. Yes, she has a good reason.” Sarah leaned against her desk and watched him. He hung up the phone and looked at her. “What?”
“I have a question. And I was told to ask a cop.” Booth nodded. “How can I get a guy to stop coming by to see me? He isn’t doing me any physical harm, he’s just trying to break up Zack and I. Can I get a restraining order for that?”
“You can get a Persona non Grata order, so he won’t be allowed into the Jeffersonian.”
“The planetarium is named for him. I think that would be a little difficult.”
“All you can do is try. If things get worse, let me know. I’ll be sure to help you out.” Booth nodded to her and turned on his heel. Sarah turned off her desk lamp, grabbed her purse and followed him out the door.
* * * * * *
Zack and his father sat in a boat out on the lake. Mr. Addy was fishing, Zack was watching. Zack had never been a big fan of fishing, but he’d always liked going out on the lake. Perhaps he and Sarah should go out on the lake at night and look at the stars that way. It would certainly be something different, and perhaps even romantic.
Despite the fact that he wasn’t fishing, he was still forced to wear a hat with lures and plastic bait sticking off it, a vest with pockets filled with extra hooks, line and bait. He was also ordered to look like he was fishing, so he held a rod and reel.
“Perfect day for fishing, eh, Zack?” Mr. Addy chuckled.
“If I were actually fishing.”
“You are fishing.”
Zack shook his head. “Nope. I’m not.”
Mr. Addy shrugged and concentrated on his own reel. “Sarah couldn’t get off work this week?”
“She’s in Washington. Said she’s visiting old friends.” He sighed. “It’s good that we’ve gone on separate vacations.”
“Why’s that? When your mom and I were dating, I never wanted to be away from her.”
“Well, if Sarah had come with me, she wouldn’t have gotten to see her friends.” Zack paused. “Dad, can I ask you something?”
“Dr. Zack Addy needs to ask me something? He who knows everything?” Mr. Addy liked to tease, but knew that it was always a momentous thing when Zack wanted to ask his advice, and didn’t take it as lightly as some might think.
“I don’t know everything. Like, I don’t know if it’s prudent to marry Sarah, but I know that I really want to.”
Mr. Addy cocked his head to the side. He was completely stunned. “I didn’t think you believed in marriage.”
“Things change.” Zack answered, simply. “I didn’t think I wanted to get married until I met Sarah. She just…” His voice trailed off.
“Gets you?” Mr. Addy asked. Zack nodded. “Yeah. Women get under your skin, and then nest, and you just get used to them being there, so you don’t want them to leave.”
Zack eyed his father. “Are you comparing mom and Sarah to parasites?”
“Your mother has her moments, God love her.” Mr. Addy’s eyes sparkled, which made Zack smile. “I think I know what you’re getting at, though.”
“You do?”
“You want your grandmother’s ring for Sarah?”
Zack sighed. “Yeah. It’d be perfect for her.”
Mr. Addy nodded. “I’ll speak to your mother, but I’m sure it won’t be a problem.” Zack felt a tug on his line and he looked over the side of the boat. “Reel her in, son!”
Zack pulled on his reel, and a fish emerged from the water, writhing in midair. Zack nearly dropped his reel, but Mr. Addy caught it. “Oh my God!” Zack cried, dropping the fish in the boat. He kicked at the fish with his foot.
“You can be around dead people all day and a fish gives you the creeps?” Mr. Addy asked, picking the fish up and pulling the hook out. “You never cease to amaze me, Zack.” He laughed, shaking his head.
* * * * * *
Sarah returned to DC before Zack, and was waiting in the airport when his flight got in. Before they’d even gotten his luggage, he asked her if they could take a boat out on a lake for their next stargazing session.
“Sure.” Sarah replied, warily. “Why?”
“It’d be different.” He replied. “How was Washington?”
“Fantastic!” Sarah replied, suddenly changing tones. “I got to see so many people. Almost everyone I went to junior high with is pregnant! Or has about ten kids! Can you believe it?” Zack gave her a tight smile, but didn’t say anything. “How’s your family?”
“They’re all good. Tiny’s got a girlfriend.”
“You’re kidding!” Sarah didn’t try to hide her astonishment. Tiny was definitely not a lady’s man, so any woman who could tame him deserved a medal. “She’s met him, right?”
“She’d have to to be dating him.” Zack replied, not getting her joke. He paused a moment. “Oh.” Realization set in. “That’s funny.”
Sarah smiled and shook her head. She ruffled his hair and they walked to the parking lot.
* * * * * *
Angela stood in Brennan’s office, staring out the window. She watched Zack and Hodgins with a little smile on her face. Zack had put a small black box out onto the counter and Hodgins inspected it. Hodgins nodded and snapped the lid shut. Angela sighed and turned to Brennan.
“Something good is about to happen.” Angela breathed. “I can feel it.”
“Like what?” Brennan asked, staring at her computer.
“Like the joining of two soul mates. Always a beautiful thing.” Angela fell to the couch, melodramatically as Booth entered.
“What are you doing?” He asked Angela.
“Trying to be romantic, but that’s apparently lost on those in this room.” She replied, standing up and walking out.
“Any idea what she’s talking about?” Booth asked.
Brennan was preoccupied as she answered, “She said something about soul mates. I wasn’t paying much attention.”
“What are you working on? New book?”
“What else?” She asked. “My editor is dying for another installment. As if I’m not busy enough.” She pulled away from the computer and rubbed her eyes.
“Ready for lunch?”
“You have no idea.” She replied, standing and grabbing her purse. Booth put an arm around her waist as she tried to pass and kissed her. She kissed him back, but pulled away. “What was that for?”
“For being you.” He replied.
* * * * * *
Sarah had never been all that comfortable in boats. She wasn’t a strong swimmer, so she’d insisted on wearing a life jacket. Zack had to admit, he was a little relieved. He didn’t want to look like an idiot if he were the only one in a life jacket.
They lay back in the boat, staring up at the sky, Sarah pointed out constellations and planets as she lay in his arms. She looked over at him. “This was a good idea. It’s so peaceful out here.” She sat up and faced him. “I missed you last week. I kept going on about you to Hayley and her husband. By the end of my trip, they were so sick of you!” She started laughing, but paused.
“Thanks?” Zack asked.
“Not what I meant.”
Zack sat up and shrugged. “I know.” He reached for his pocket and felt the outline of the box. “Sarah, I’ve been thinking these last few weeks. About us.” Sarah rubbed her arms and hands, trying to get warm, but she leaned in. “I’ve realized that I don’t think I love you. I know I love you, and I’ve never expected to get married one day, but because of you, I really think that getting married would be a good thing.” He paused and looked at her. “So?”
“So, what?” She asked, confused. He pulled the ring from his pocket and handed it to her. She opened it, and the light from the moon made it glimmer and sparkle. Realization hit her. “Oh.”
Her response made Zack’s spirits fall. She didn’t sound pleased, but she also didn’t sound angry. Just slightly melancholy. “I did something wrong, didn’t I?” He asked. “I know I did. This was too soon. I should’ve gone with my gut instincts that told me to wait, but I listened to Hodgins, and seized the day!” He snatched the ring from her and slipped it back into his pocket. He grabbed the oars and slipped them into the water, rowing them to shore.
* * * * * *
They were in the car, driving silently through the streets of Washington. Zack sulked next to her, staring out the window. Every so often, he would shudder and Sarah would hear him say, “Stupid.”
When they arrived at his apartment, he got out, said a curt “Good Night,” and slammed the door. Sarah watched him as he walked up the stairs to his apartment, unlocked it and slammed the door behind him. She sighed and hit the steering wheel. She got out of the car, slammed the door and took the stairs two at a time, banging on the door. Zack opened it, timidly. Sarah pushed her way past him.
“I know that you don’t honestly think I gave you an answer.” Zack closed the door behind her, and crossed his arms. He looked down at the ground, unable to look her in the eye. “Zack, you told me you know you love me tonight. I love you, too. You just caught me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting that.” She sat down at the kitchen counter and held out a hand. “We haven’t even been dating a year.” Zack didn’t make a move toward her, but listened carefully.
“You don’t want to get married. I understand.” He sat on the opposite side of the counter and leaned on his elbows.
“I never said that.” She stood and joined him on the other side. She put her hands on either side of his face and made him look at her. “I love you.” She whispered, slowly. She kissed him, tenderly and he brought his hands to her face.
* * * * * *
Later on, they lay in bed, completely spent, but still awake, lounging in each other’s arms. Zack was slowly falling asleep, but Sarah looked over at him. “Ask me again.”
“Hmm?” He didn’t open his eyes, and was barely lucid.
“Ask me again.” Sarah whispered into his ear.
Zack was barely awake, but he just managed, “Will you marry me?”
Sarah kissed him once more and replied, “Yes.”