Brennan looked over to Sweets as the elevator began moving them to the 8th floor. She paused for a moment. She wanted to ask Sweets how things were going with his secret girl, but….

Brennan shook her head. No…she could do this. She'd just had total success with Mia, right? Booth…he…he didn't know what he was talking about. She could do this.

"So…Sweets. How are things going with your mystery girl?"

Sweets' eyes flew to hers, and he smiled. "Well…I'd say they're going pretty well, I guess. She...I haven't gotten to talk to her much, but…I'm hoping that will change soon." He answered as the doors opened on the 8th floor.

Brennan smiled as she moved toward her door, then turned to look at him at his door.

"Well…I think that is possible." She smiled again, unawares. See, she could be encouraging. Sweets was a nice enough kid. Whoever this mystery girl was, she was probably nice also. Although…Mia was also nice….

Brennan entered her room, not noticing the way Sweets was staring at her, stunned.

Booth looked down at his bag to pick it up. As he did so, he noticed a scrap of fabric underneath. Picking it up also, he realized it was cashmere. Her scarf. Clutching it in his hand, he moved toward the elevator, glad to have an excuse, but annoyed he needed one.

Brennan had just finished washing her face when she heard the knock on her door. Sighing and pressing the towel to her face, she moved to open the door.

"Bones, did you even check to see who it…"

She didn't let him finish and shut the door in his face.

Booth stood staring at the door for a moment. She…she'd shut him out. Him. Out. No.

He knocked again, and he could hear her standing inside the doorway. "Open up, Bones."

After another moment, she did.

"What took you so long, Bones?"

She raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms. "I had to look to see who it was."

His eyes narrowed. "You knew it was me, Bones."

"Did I?" She responded coldly.

Booth responded by moving toward her, trying to intimidate her with his body. Of course she responded by doing the same. Would he ever learn that she wouldn't back down from him?

Shaking his head, he pulled her scarf up between them.

When she reached for it, he pulled it back. "Not so fast, Bones."

She sighed, "What, Booth. What do you want?"

He swallowed. "Well, if you want your scarf back, you have to accept my apology."

She wasn't buying it. "So…in order for me to get something, I have to take something?"

He considered this. "Okay, yes…that actually makes sense. Yes. You have to take my apology."

He could see she wasn't pleased with this.

"Maybe I don't really care about that scarf." She replied.

Now it was his eyebrows that rose. "I bought you this scarf for your birthday, Bones."

She paused, remembering the way he'd gone back to the store and purchased it after she casually mentioned she thought it was pretty. She reached out her hand. "Thank you for bringing me the scarf, Booth."

He placed it in her hand, but still held onto it. "And?..."

She looked at him and tugged a bit. "And, what?"

"And are you going to accept my apology?"

"I don't recall there being an apology, Booth."

Booth flinched and realized she was right. He hadn't apologized to her. Oh…

Brennan watched surprise and regret flash across his face, then a determination he usually reserved for the interrogation room. She took a step back, inadvertently pulling on the scarf, and thereby pulling on the man also holding the scarf. Now he was six inches inside her hotel room door, and all of a sudden, it was very late, and she was very tired, and…his eyes were very warm….

"Booth?..."

"I'm sorry Bones." He whispered, letting the scarf drop from his hand and moving his arm up to rest against the doorway.

"I accept" she whispered in return, turning to move back into her room, but he stopped her with a hand on her arm.

She didn't turn around, but that was fine with him. He moved inside another six inches.

"Bones. I don't think you being you is the worst thing. I'm sorry I said that."

"Okay" she whispered

"I think you should be yourself, Bones. I…I like you." He released her arm and took a small step back.

Once she was released, she turned of her own will to face him.

"Thank you." She replied. "I…I like you too."

He smiled at her and took another step back. "Lock up behind me, Bones."

She shook her head as she closed the door. "I always do, Booth."