Jim wasn't so stupid or blind to not see how things could get a little dangerous sometimes, but that was often the nature of their job. He also knew that sticking around him sometimes meant pulling risky stunts that could land them in tricky situations, so he wouldn't by any means say that Bones would always be safe around him, all the time.

But he did know that he'd do anything to protect him, anything to stop him from being hurt— even if that sometimes meant he himself jumping into the line of fire. Something that Bones didn't like at all, as he was well aware, but nothing to be done about that. He'd just have to deal.

"And ruin such a sweeping and romantic gesture? Don't be like that, Bones, you know you like carrying me around," Jim grinned warmly, his tone softening up, fingers sifting through the short strands of Bones's hair, eyes closing and smile growing fonder at those words. "Anything for you, Bones. And I'm very lucky to be part of all this. To be part of your life."

And to be able to help Bones get his daughter back into his life, too? That was more of a privilege than he could ever put to words.