Dr. Sweets sat facing his latest patients, tapping the eraser of his pencil against his chin. He paused for a moment, observing the way they interacted with one another. They were bantering back and forth playfully, but with a hint of passiveness on Booth's end.

"Agent Booth, it seems to me as if you have a very strong protective and maybe even possessive side of you."

Booth straightened in his seat, and crossed his arms. "What makes you say that?"

Sweets smiled slightly. "Dr. Brennan just expressed that sometimes she feels like you don't give her enough responsibility when in a sticky situation. And that you never let her drive."

Booth crossed his arms defensively. "It is my duty to protect my partner!"

Bones shook her head. "Booth, I don't need protecting. I can take care of myself!"

The trio fell silent as Sweets eyed them curiously. "Are you afraid of losing her?"

Booth's eyes widened and he thought for a moment. "She's the best partner I've ever had."

Dr. Sweets shook his head. "You didn't answer my question. Are you afraid of losing her…Not as your partner, as your friend?"

Bones looked at Booth curiously, as he went rigid in his chair. "You get close to your partner…it's how you work so well together."

"Booth…" Sweets repeated. "Are you afraid of losing her." He said it as more of a statement than a question.

Booth looked at the man for a moment, and ran his hand through his hair. "Yes."

Temperance turned to face him. "Booth…you're not going to lose me. I will always be your partner."

Booth's jaw clenched, making it obvious that he was thinking about this issue deeper than his own partner was.

Sweets decided it was best to move on to something else, and pick up this issue later.

"Agent Booth, why do you have such a problem with authority?"

Booth scoffed and crossed his legs, revealing bright yellow cartoon socks. "I don't have a problem with authority, only with twelve year old shrinks."

Sweets smirked. "I am one of the best in my field…"

"And…you're twelve." Booth repeated.

"I'm not the one wearing cartoon socks." Dr. Sweets said with a mocking smile on his face.

Bones covered her mouth, trying to hide her smile. She looked at her partners socks. "Hey, it's Big Bird!"

Sweets nodded. "Yeah, I always liked that bird! He was great on Mr. Rogers."

Booth's mouth hung open. "Actually, Big Bird was on Sesame Street. And this isn't Big Bird anyway!" He said, pointing to his socks. "It's Tweety Bird!"

Bones nodded. "I stand corrected!"

Sweets laughed out loud. "Now who's twelve, Agent Booth?"

Booth looked at Sweets blankly, and then attempted to pull his pant legs down to cover the socks. When he failed, he stood up. "I have a five year old son, Sweets. What's your excuse?" He said, with his arms folded tight across his chest.