A quick conversation that I wrote in an hour. You yourself can decide when and where this conversation takes place.

"Bones?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did."

"Funny."

"Yes, Booth, you may ask me a question."

"Do you ever get scared?"

"Of… what?"

"You know, anything. Do you get scared when you're home alone at night, or see a spider on the floor, or… when you're interrogating a suspect with me. I don't know. Is there anything that scares the hell out of you?"

"I'd have to think about that."

"No, just tell me off the top of your head. No thinking."

"Okay, um… Oh, I was certainly scared of those snakes we encountered on Halloween. Does that count?"

"Sure."

"Okay then… Glad we had this talk."

"Wait, that's all? You've traveled around the world and been in the most insecure places on earth and snakes are all you come up with?"

"Booth, why are you pushing this subject?"

"Because I want to know."

"So that you can use this information against me later?"

"What? No!"

"Then why do you want to know?"

"To be honest, I've been wondering about this for a while. You're such a strong, stubborn and independent person but there must be something that gets you scared. Or makes you feel weak, even."

"Of course I get scared, everyone does. Sometimes my fears are irrational, sometimes they're legitimate. I have feared for my life on numerous occasions, and you have witnessed some of those. I have feared for other people's lives. But all the times that I've been scared have encouraged me to pull myself together and be braver in the future. I guess that is how I've become this strong-willed… Why are you smiling?"

" No reason. Saying that you're 'strong-willed' may just be the understatement of the year."

"Very funny."

"Not trying to be. Now, please continue what you were saying earlier."

"Actually, I was done."

"Oh."

"So, did you get anything out of this conversation? Did you benefit from it in any way?"

"Yes, I did, Bones. As a thank you you get to ask me a question."

"I am truly overwhelmed by this honor."

"Are you being sarcastic? I thought I'd never see the day."

"Everything happens eventually, right?"

"Was that your question?"

"No. My question to you is: why did you ask me if I ever get scared when you've seen me get scared many times in the past?"

"I guess I wanted to hear you say it."

"Is this one of those psychological things where I have to face my weaknesses? Did Sweets tell you to do this?"

"No, it was all me."

"Why would you want to know about things that scare me?"

"I wanted to know if you'd admit that you have doubts and fears. And you did."

"Does that make me look weaker to you?"

"Quite the opposite."

"Huh. So I guess this conversation wasn't a complete waste of time."

"Nope."

"Can we go to the diner now?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

"Can I drive?"

"No."