A/N: Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed the previous chapters. This one takes place anytime in the fourth season. No spoilers that I'm aware of.


He mounts the stairs two at a time, his legs pumping, his breath coming in long, even puffs. The smells of pork fried rice and moo goo gai pan fill his nostrils with every inhale. Almost without conscious thought, his legs carry him to the door labeled 2B. He knocks.

A grin splits his face when the door opens to reveal a woman with unruly auburn hair and piercing blue-grey eyes.

"Booth?"

"Heya, Bones," he says, ignoring the telltale grumbling of his stomach. "Thought you might be hungry."

Her intelligent eyes narrow as if she sees right through his charade. But how can she? He's not even one hundred percent sure why he's here.

"It's 11:36 at night, Booth."

"Yes." He nods.

"Why are you here?" She asks, even as she steps back and lets him in.

He walks past her without answering and sets the boxes of food out on the coffee table. He takes his usual spot on her sofa and waits patiently for her to give in and sit beside him.

"I thought maybe you could use some company after today's case."

It's an excuse and he knows it. The case hadn't been all that bad, as far as cases go, and Bones is very capable of compartmentalizing.

"I'm fine, Booth."

He nods, but stays silent as he dishes out some food.

"Really, Booth, I'm fine."

"Okay, Bones, you're fine."

He hands her a plate and glances up at her. She stares right back at him, almost like she stares at her bones at the lab. She's not very good with people, but the past four years have given her an uncanny ability to read him. He squirms a bit in his seat.

"Are you alright, Booth?"

He turns quickly back to his food and clears his throat. "Fine, I'm fine."

He sees her nod out of the corner of his eye.

"Okay, Booth."

Truth be told, sometimes it is he who is effected most by the cases, and for some reason this had been one of them. There hadn't been children involved, there had been no army connections. He thinks that perhaps it was the look of absolute anguish in the man's eyes when they'd told him that his wife was dead that had gotten to him. He imagines that maybe that is how he would look if anything ever happened to Bones. He shivers.

"Egg roll?" Bones asks, leaning closer to offer him the carton.

He watches her for a moment after he accepts it. Her attention is on her food, a half-smile on her face, her eyes calm and relaxed. She knows. She knows that it is he who needed company tonight. She knows that he isn't really the all-powerful, invincible superhero who he knows she sometimes makes him out to be in her mind.

"Thanks, Bones."

He's not thanking her for the eggroll and he thinks she knows it. Her eyes find his and she nods.

"You're welcome, Booth."

He nods once and turns back to his food.

After a moment, she speaks.

"What are your plans with Parker this weekend?"

He takes a deep breath and lets it out, allowing a very real smile to stretch across his face as he turns to her and answers.

"I don't really know yet, Bones. Any ideas?"

He loves this about her, he thinks as he listens to her ramble on about how she has no idea what a child of Parker's age might be interested in doing during his free time. He loves that she knows when to comfort him; when a few soothing words or condolences are all that he needs. She knows when to keep her mouth shut; when a simple touch or a much-needed hug will suffice. Most of all, she knows when to just change the subject.

"I always wanted to go to the zoo," she says quietly, a wistful look on her face.

"The zoo," he says softly. "I think that's perfect, Bones. We'll pick you up at ten."

He leaves before she can protest.


A/N: Thanks for reading! Don't forget to let me know what you thought.