A short post-ep to 4x02. Sorry it's so late, we only just started the season here. Tell me what you think. xo

She sat silently in her seat, sipping at her coffee and attempting to forget a on detective sitting next to her and the comment made by another.

"Bones, you okay? You've been pretty quiet." Booth grinned at her, although worry was evident in his eyes. They both knew she wasn't often quiet.

She nodded unconvincingly and took another sip of her coffee. She pulled out the in flight magazine from the seat pocket and turned her attention away from her partner. He glanced at her one last time before turning back to his movie. He knew her well enough to let it go.

And this fact alone disturbed her well enough to put down the glossy magazine and turn to him, mouth open, ready to speak.

"Yeah, Bones?" he acknowledged, his eyes still following the actors on the minuscule screen.

"Detective Pritchard thinks we should have sex."

He froze for a second, his muscles tense and his jaw open. She waited second as he pulled his headphones off hastily, getting tangled in the process.

"What – She, she said that?" He asked, his voice breaking slightly as his cheeks turned red.

"Well, no. I believe she encouraged me not to forgo Everest." Brennan replied calmly, her exterior contrasting strongly against the inner jumble of her thoughts.

Booth took the only cup he could find – hers and gulped it down quickly, wincing at the hot coffee. "Everest?! What's that supposed to mean?"

"Earlier, Detective Pritchard equated sleeping with Ian as climbing Mt. Everest. She suggested I do the same, but as Ian was murdered I can only deduce that she meant you."

Booth shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Do you think we should have sex?"

She quickly turned away, not wanting him to see her cheeks turn red. "I... I believe that sleeping with a colleague can eliminate any unresolved sexual tension which may inhibit a successful partnership. Not that I'm suggesting we have any unresolved sexual tension." She was thankful that Angela wasn't with them, because she would have made it much more awkward than it already was.

"Uh, of course not."Booth replied a little too quickly. He looked around him, glancing at the other passengers, if only to avoid his partner at that moment. Without making it too obvious.

She turned back to her magazine just as a flight attendant came to their row to serve them dinner. As she removed the tin foil off her plate, Booth leaned over. "Uh, Bones. Let's not mention this to Sweets. Okay?"

She nodded furiously, and began eating her meal. She hadn't realised how hungry she was. Though know it was obvious that Ian's case had held a higher priority than regular meals. She was sure Detective Pritchard felt the same.

After she had cleaned her plate, she looked over and saw that Booth hadn't finished his and was making no move to do so.

"Booth," she asked, touching his shoulder to get his attention. He turned and she continued, pointing to his plate. "Can I have your sausage?"

His eyes grew wide, and he just stared at her. For long enough that she realised what she had just said. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and she turned back to her plate.

"Oh, I - never mind."