A/N – Thank you for all your reviews. They really do make my day. And mumrulz – I stole some of your words. Sorry! This chapter is sort of a 'wraparound' of the previous chapter, so if you cannot remember what happened it might just be worth talking a couple of minutes to re-read it. Thanks for reading.
Disclaimer – Not mine.
ooooo
In a confined space like an aircraft it is pretty hard not to notice the people around you. So Beatrice Heinermann had been instantly taken with the sweet young boy who bounded on to the plane just ahead of her. Taking her own seat opposite him and his family she considered how much he reminded her of her own grandson, David.
Had. How much he had reminded her. Until they took him into foster care when her daughter Karen, and his father had died in a traffic accident. It broke her heart to let him go, but her heart condition simply meant that she wasn't well enough to care for a young boy. His foster family had decided to adopt him, then moved out of state. He would be eleven now. Life could be cruel.
The couple accompanying him had begun to bicker as soon as they sat down. She couldn't quite catch what about – her hearing wasn't what it was – but it didn't matter. And she suspected it didn't really matter to them either. Simply a little verbal foreplay. Her husband Ernest, God bless his soul, swore it kept there own marriage alive for over forty years. Well, that and the great sex it always resulted in. A warmth ran though her at the memory.
After the first in flight movie had finished she noticed that the pretty woman was fast asleep, snuggled up against her husband. Could she assume they were married? You never knew in this day and age. They certainly behaved like a married couple. She watched him remove his earphones with his one free hand, as he looked down at her with affection. A lock of hair had fallen in front of her face and he gently pushed it back behind her ear. Recently married she suspected. The little boy perhaps was not her own child, but despite the blonde hair, he definitely had the look of his father. The same smile, the same bright eyes. Beatrice laughed softly to herself, imagining them both running rings around the poor woman.
Her view was obscured by one of the air hostesses pushing a drinks trolley into the narrow space between them.
"Good morning Madam, would you care for any drinks or snacks?"
"No thank you dear."
The hostess nodded at her in acknowledgment then turned to the row opposite.
"Good morning sir. Can I get anything for you or your family?"
"Parker, you want anything?"
"Can I have Pepsi and M&M's daddy?"
Booth considered the request. "I suppose.... we are on vacation. Don't get used to it though. Or tell your Mother. Cause then I might be in trouble and we don't want that do we!"
"No daddy," he giggled.
"Lucky your Mommy is sleeping then," cooed the air hostess. "Your son is very cute. He has a lovely smile. Like his daddy." She smiled at Booth seductively.
He returned her smile in politeness and placed his own order. Parker, impatient at waiting for his spoke out. "She's not my Mommy."
"Oh I'm sorry, my mistake." Realizing an opportunity she spoke again. "Do you live in the DC area? Maybe I could leave you my number?"
"I really don't think so. Perhaps you could pass my son his order, he has been waiting."
Sheepishly she handed them their order as Booth struggled to pull out his wallet without waking Bones.
As soon as she was out of earshot Parker spoke through a mouthful of M&M's. "I didn't like her, Daddy."
"I know bud. So, you know what we are going to do?"
The young boy shock his head.
"Anytime we see a lady wanting to talk to Daddy we say Bones is Mommy. You think you can do that Parker?"
He nodded enthusiastically. "I can Daddy."
Booth tipped his head back and relaxed. The scent of her hair drifted over him. This was really starting to feel like a vacation. The ones he had always imagined in his perfect life fantasies. Although he was fairly certain this was not how Bones had it visualized.
"Your little boy sure does like his candy."
Booth looked across to the elderly lady. "Yeah, he sure does." The TV monitor was showing a cartoon now and Parker was engrossed. With Bones still fast asleep he began chatting to the sole traveler.
oooooo
"You're awake then?" He grinned broadly at her.
"I've been awake for a while actually."
"I know."
"How?"
"You stopped snoring"
Brennan scowled. "I do not snore."
Booth looked over her head at Parker and the young boy began to giggle.
"I do not snore," she repeated in exasperation.
Beatrice Heinermann looked up from the glossy in flight magazine. The bickering was back. The sad thing was it only served as a reminder of everything she had lost in recent years. The daydreams caught up with her and for a little while was oblivious to the conversations around her.
Until he stood up abruptly. "Restroom." He paused. "I might be a while"
Beatrice watched him stalk down the narrow isle. Something had clearly upset him. And the woman, had he said her name was Temperance? She was purposely absorbing herself in a book. Although the pages weren't turning. She'd obviously said something that had crossed a line. And now she was regretting it.
She watched as Temperance raised herself out of her seat to looked back down the cabin.
"Are you alright dear?" Beatrice asked.
"Umm, yes, yes I am fine, wonderful in fact. Couldn't be better." He mood said otherwise as she sat back down in a huff.
Beatrice knew better. She herself had been – how was it people described her – feisty, in her younger days. With a tendency to push people away. It had taken her a long time to let Ernest into her heart. She empathized with the distraught woman.
oooooo
"I already explained that wasn't my fault, Booth."
"I heard you. But I'm afraid you were less than convincing. You should of known better than to have that kind of conversation with a child for Gods sake. A child."
"Excuse me, Mr Booth?" One of the cabin crew was stood over him. "I just wanted to let you know that your son can come for his tour of the cockpit whenever you're ready."
"Sorry?" Booth looked at the guy as if he was talking another language.
"I may have speculated that this is something Parker would enjoy and organized this for him." Temperance confirmed.
"Bones, you are just amazing. I just don't know what to say. Thank you!"
"Are you saying that from Parker or yourself?"
"Oh... Both. Definitely both!"
"Then you are both very welcome."
"While we're gone you can talk to Mrs Heinermann. She's led a very interesting life. You'll enjoy listening to her."
"You want me to converse with a stranger I will never meet again - for pleasure?"
"Yes." Booth nodded firmly. "C'mon Parker. Let's go meet the Captain."
"Booth!" she hissed.
"Look Bones, she's an old lady traveling alone. Show a little compassion."
As she watched both Booth's head off, the old lady caught her eye and smiled at her. Temperance awkwardly muttered a "Hello" as she wondered how she herself had turned into one of the very people she detested, having pity on a fellow traveler.
ooooo
After successfully conversing with Mrs Heinermann for some time they noticed two very happy people returning. Temperance stood, allowing Parker to climb back into his window seat. Before she sat back down Booth stopped her.
"If you like I could sit next to Parker for a while. He is my responsibility n' all. I shouldn't expect anything of you Temperance. It's not like Parker is anything to you. I'm sorry."
She cocked her head, looking confused. "Booth. Parker means everything to you. And that makes him important to me too. Why do you think I suggested you both come with me."
"Really? I didn't think.... wow." He smiled infectiously at her. "Guy hug?"
"Sure." She wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his chest. His hands settled at the small of her back. He could of stayed like that for eternity, the scent of her engulfing him into his own imaginary world. He might openly tell her that he purposely doesn't impose himself on her own imaginary world of Kathy and Andy, but she certainly exists in the one that lives inside his own mind.
Beatrice placed her hand on his arm. "You know, a long flight like this and I haven't seen you kiss her once! Shame on you."
"Sorry?" Booth looked confused.
"It really is astounding how much you both remind me of my husband and I. You know, we argued all the time. Strange how I remember that, more than the tender moments. You never appreciate a simple kiss until the moment you know it will never happen again. You both should savor every single one. Because one day... well." The sadness she lived with was evident in her voice and the sad expression that masked her exuberance.
"I'm not a huge believer in shows of affection when in public." Temperance interjected. Booth caught the sudden flash of anxiety on her face.
"Would one little kiss really be so bad, honey?" Booth teased. He was looking straight into her eyes, his own searching for her answer. To anyone else it sounded like a joke. To them...
"What?... I.... Just...."
Booth tapped his chest gently. She understood straight away. Heart over head. A little white lie couldn't hurt. She sighed, then smiled back in agreement.
Booth pulled her into him, tipping her chin up gently. Their eyes locked for a moment and they both froze. This was different to Christmas. The external motivation was still a major factor but the reward had changed. Mrs Heinermann was nothing more than a reason for them to experience that desperately craved kiss with validity. But here? There was no escape. No timid excuses to go about their own business. No way of avoiding each other for a few hours until the awkwardness passed. They couldn't avoid each other for the next fourteen days. Sensing her hesitation he leaned in against her ear and whispered softly, sending a shiver up her spine.
"This will make somebody very happy."
For once the double meaning was not lost on Temperance Brennan. "It will," she whispered in reply. She turned her head towards his warm breath and their lips brushed together. Booths arm lifted to cup the nape of her neck, pulling her in deeper. Her own arms snaked over his shoulder, her fingers finding a home in his soft hair. The initial tenderness gave way to a ferocity that invited him into her mouth, both tongues tangling together blissfully. Only when breathing became a necessity did they pull apart. Temperance couldn't comprehend just how many steamboats it had lasted but she knew it had been a hell of a lot more than at Christmas. And it had left her speechless. Booth too apparently as they both stood gazing deep down into the others eyes.
She felt a tug at her skirt, and glanced down to see Parker looking back up at her expectantly. Breaking from Booth's embrace she dropped down to Parkers level, giving him her full attention. "Hey, what's up?" She asked softly.
Booth, now concerned that his kissing Bones right in front of Parker would have some form of long term effect on his sons mental wellbeing, hovered behind the anthropologist and awaited the inevitable. Not that he was expecting Parker to say anything along these lines.
"Was there more tongue or is people watching still a problem?"
Brennan smiled weakly at the inquisitive boy, then turned her head to see an even more inquisitive look on her partners face.
He grabbed Brennan by the arm, pulling her down the isle."I need to speak to you now! Mrs Heinermann would you watch Parker please."
He reached the back of the plane and pulled her into the restricted area. "We need a little privacy, now!" he barked at the hostess, currently cleaning the food storage area. She hurriedly went to tend to the other passengers, pulling the curtain closed behind her.
"Was it really necessary to manhandle me that way?" Brennan complained rubbing her arm dramatically.
Booth took a deep breath. "What Parker just said...."
"If you wanted to blame anyone it should be Rebecca." Brennan interrupted "She really should be more conscientious of what she says on the phone while Parker is listening. He brought up the subject matter from his own observations. And I responded in a way that I believed at the time to be appropriate. You know how I hate lying, especially to children, so when he asked..."
"There is no one watching right now."
"I am aware of that. You scared that air hostess half to death Booth. I wouldn't be surprised if airport security are waiting for us when we land."
Booth spoke again, slower, emphasizing every word. "There is no one watching right now."
She looked up into his eyes. They seemed darker than usual. She realized what he meant. "Oh." Eyes locked together in the moment and they stayed that way for far too long before Booth leaned in towards her. She closed her eyes.
This was crazy. How was he able to do this to her? "We both know this isn't real," she whispered, her voice cracking with trepidation. He might of believed her if she could only convince herself.
"We do?" he questioned as the gap narrowed to almost nothing.
The air hostess nervously pulled back the curtain. "I'm sorry but we are coming in to land. The seatbelt sign has come on. I am going to have to ask you to take your seats right now."
His lips grazed her cheek as she turned to face their disturbance. "Of course. That's fine," she answered concisely. She turned back to Booth, now stood massaging his own temples. "Booth?"
"Yeah, um, just a little headache."
"You should know better than to drink alcohol at such a high altitude, Booth. And you've obviously had much more than is sensible. Come on, we need to sit back down."
Somehow her blatant skills of compartmentalization caused the tension to dissipate as quickly as it had appeared. He smiled at her, placing his hand on her lower back as he guided her back to their seats. Back to Parker.
And back to Mrs Heinermann. Who had just become one of his favorite people.
ooooo
A/N – I'm sure Air Hostess' are really nice people so I am sorry if I have offended anyone with my portrayal over the last couple of chapters, but I'm sure you will understand it was relevant to my plot.