Disclaimer: I don't own Bones.

Set in Season Five. Yes, I know season 5 has that wonderful christmas scene but meh I wanted that season so there. It's fluffy fun with that one character you have to hate. One chapter a day for the next twelve days.

December 13th:

Dr. Temperance Brennan swung her bag up on her shoulder and boarded the small plane. This year no one had tried to stop her. This Christmas everyone was busy. So, this year she just bought a ticket and left Washington D.C. for the jungles of Venezuela. Her father was spending the holiday with Russ, Amy and their children. Booth was on vacation, he had been very vague about his plans. Angela and Hodgins had gone to see her father.

So, Dr. Brennan was going to South America to, as Booth would say, dig up dead people. Three hours later, the plane landed and she climbed out, tired, dirty and ready to get to the campsite. At least there would be someone she knew there. Dr. Santiago from George Washington University was here with her interns.

They had done their internship digs together. Up until her 'family' at the Jeffersonian, Christine Santiago was as close as a friend as Brennan had ever had. Looking up, she saw a jeep and approached the driver. He looked up and smiled at her.

"Dr. Brennan?" He asked casually, as he nodded in her direction. She nodded in return and climbed into the jeep.

"We'll drive for about two hours then hike the rest of the way. We should arrive first thing in the morning," he told her briskly. She nodded again and he put the jeep in gear and began to drive.

"My name is John and I will be your general gopher for this excavation," he told her with a smile.

Brennan nodded again but said nothing. The entire drive was silent, it stayed silent as they reached the copse of trees where they would start their hike. John bit back a smile as the good doctor kept pace with him while hiking. She didn't complain, she didn't sigh, she didn't grunt, in fact she didn't say anything. When they stopped for breaks, she sipped water and munched on some type of trail mix.

As dawn stretched across the sky they paused on the cliff leading down to the site. Angel Falls spread out before them the falling water catching the new light. He looked over at Brennan and frowned. He could see she was past tired and plain exhausted.

"Almost there, Dr. Brennan," John told her.

"So, I see," Brennan said in a clipped voice.

December 14th - The First Day of Christmas

They began their descent into the valley and half an hour later, they arrived at the camp site. Dr. Santiago's dog Rover came bounding towards them. John's mouth almost fell open in surprise. The dog was not unfriendly but he had only ever seen the dog that affectionate with Dr. Santiago. Brennan reached out and scratched the Irish Wolfhound's ears.

"Rover," Brennan murmured as she continued to scratch.

The interns had just begun stirring and Brennan paused, looking around for Dr. Santiago. Spotting the woman, Brennan made her way to Dr. Santiago.

"Well, Tempe, I see you made it. I'm glad you are here. They sent twice as many interns as I can handle," Dr. Santiago said.

"Christine, I'm going to go get some sleep and I will come help with the excavation this afternoon," Brennan said tiredly.

"Your tent is over there. One of the interns gave up their tent for you," Christine said, pointing.

Nodding, Brennan headed to the tent Christine had indicated. She stopped as a group of interns trudged past her. She blinked then shook her head. She must be more tired than she thought. She could have sworn she just saw Booth. What was wrong with her? Sighing, she headed to the tent and dropped her bag on the floor. Flopping on the bed face first, she fell asleep before even taking her boots off.

Booth let out a low groan when he spotted Brennan walking into camp. Dang it out of all the digs why did she have to come to this one? Now he was going to have some explaining to do. Jen looked sideways at the man who had come at the beginning of the dig.

"What's wrong, Seeley. Does a genius like Dr. Brennan intimidate you?" Jen asked in a teasing tone she had adopted for him.

"No, Jen, she does not intimidate me in the least," Booth answered truthfully.

"Then what's with the groan?" She asked in curiosity.

Booth had been friendly with everyone but unlike the other guys he didn't hit on the females. He was nice but no sexual advances. Booth confused Jen but she liked him.

"She's going to be so ticked I'm here," he admitted.

"So, you are a little older than most of the interns here. Did you just start late or something?" She asked congenially, changing the direction of the conversation.

"No, I have a full time job and I work with a forensic anthropologist. Half the time I don't understand a word out of her mouth. So, I took classes. Dr. Santiago felt I did well enough to come even though I am getting my Master's in something other than what I got my Bachelor's in," Booth admitted. Jen smiled at the look on his face.

"You like your partner don't you?" Jen laughed while asking the clearly obvious truth in question form.

"No, I don't like her. I love her," Booth clarified.

"Well, she is one lucky woman if you'd take classes to understand something she does," Jen told him. They reached the dig site and stopped near the pit by Dr. Santiago.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are very lucky on this dig. For the next two weeks we will be joined by Dr. Temperance Brennan. You will respect her as you do me. If you are wise you will listen to any advice she may give you," Christine told the interns. Booth saw quite a few interns get excited. Some shifted nervously and wrung their hands.

"Booth and Jen, I would like you on the set of remains that were uncovered yesterday over in pit number two," Christine called.

Booth and Jen headed to the remains lying in the pit and squatted down with their tools. They began carefully brushing away the dirt that still partially covered the remains.

"So, why does Dr. Santiago call you Booth instead of Seeley?" Jen asked her brush moving over the skull.

"Because I prefer to be called by my last name. I don't like my first name," Booth told her as the coronal suture came into view.

"Coronal suture suggests 33-35 years of age," Booth muttered, looking intently at the skull. Sweeping more dirt from the facial features, he examined them closely.

"Supraorbital margin suggests male but until we uncover the pelvis that is only speculation," Booth continued murmuring.

"You seem to have the knowledge of someone who has a doctorate instead of a Master's," Jen said looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

"I said I worked with a forensic anthropologist. After five years, you tend to pick things up. She's better at it though. She looks at goopy bodies and does this," Booth said with a slight shudder.

Jen laughed at his shudder. They continued gently cleaning off the remains, casually chatting about random topics. The pelvis came into view and Booth paused to examine it.

"Definitely male," Booth said.

Jen nodded in agreement and continued to clear dirt. Booth paused in his examination and leaned closer. Using a brush, he carefully cleaned off the pelvis. He sat a moment staring and Jen paused at his intense examination.

"What do you see, Booth?" Jen asked, causing him to smile at her use of his last name.

"Remodeled damage on the iliac crest," Booth said, brushing across the damage. They paused when they heard Christine greet Brennan.

"Tempe, so glad you could join us," Christine said with a genuine smile.

"I'm glad to be here, Christine. It has been a while since I've been on a dig," Brennan said. Booth snorted lightly and continued to brush.

"What? Is she lying?" Jen asked when he snorted.

"Define a while," Booth muttered and Jen laughed at his comment.

"Now, how would you happen to know Dr. Brennan's dig schedule. Are you one of her biggest fans?" Jen teased him with a huge smile. Booth's mouth tilted up at the corners and his eyes twinkled.

"You could say that," he agreed vaguely.

"Tempe, we recently uncovered a set of remains. I have two forensic interns in the pit excavating and examining. Perhaps you could help them. They are both very intelligent and gifted in the field," Christine said, pointing towards the pit where Booth and Jen were crouched.

"Shit," Booth muttered.

Jen giggled at his low curse. Booth looked up at her and pressed his lips together. Brennan walked over to the pit and carefully made her way into the pit. Halfway down, she paused and shook her head. She could swear the male intern crouching in the pit was none other than one Special Agent Seeley Booth. She knew better, this was as he put it squinty stuff. Jen looked up when she paused and a giggle escaped her lips at the sight of Brennan paused.

Brennan internally rolled her eyes at the giggle. Just what she needed another Daisy Wick, Brennan walked over to the remains and crouched down. She fell over backwards and landed on her butt with a thump. Her mouth fell open and she sat staring into Booth's chocolate brown eyes. Jen clapped her hand over her mouth, trying to stop herself from laughing at the world renowned anthropologist who was sitting in the dirt. Booth's eyes twinkled and turned up at the corners.

"Bones," Booth said briefly before turning back to the remains.

"That's Dr. Brennan to you, Intern," one of the other interns snapped at Booth. Brennan got back into a crouching position.

"My apologies, Dr. Brennan," Booth snickered at her.

Brennan's eyes narrowed and turned a midnight blue color. Booth immediately backed down and began brushing off the remains.

"Booth, what are you doing here?" Brennan hissed in outrage.

"An internship, Dr. Brennan. If we are forced to be formal then I would appreciate it if you would use my title as well," Booth said calmly.

Brennan's eyes went wide and her mouth fell open. Booth could hear Jen muttering under her breath. A steady chant of 'oh my god' streaming from her mouth. Brennan's mouth pulled down at the corners and she turned on the intern who had corrected Booth.

"What's your name, Intern?" Brennan snapped in irritation.

"Smalls, Dr. Brennan. I'm Jeremy Smalls," he introduced himself.

"Mr. Smalls, if I wanted him corrected then I would do so myself," she snapped and the intern took a step back.

"Yes, Dr. Brennan," he gulped. Brennan turned wide eyes on Booth.

"Again, Booth, what are you doing here?" Brennan asked in calm voice that almost made him cringe.

"I told you, Dr. Brennan. I am doing an internship for my Master's Degree in Forensic Anthropology," Booth told her as he continued to work.

Brennan's laughter rolled out in waves and rang across the dig site. Booth turned a raised eyebrow on her causing her to stop.

"You are serious aren't you?" Brennan stuttered out in complete confusion.

"Did you assume that I was not smart enough, Dr. Brennan?" Booth calmly asked, glancing at Jen to see her working but paying close attention to the conversation.

"Booth, stop calling me Dr. Brennan. It feels unnatural. To answer your question I never assumed you weren't smart enough. I know better," Brennan said finally. A large grin spread across Jen's face as she realized exactly who Booth was.

"So, Booth, that would make you the FBI Agent that works with Dr. Brennan?" Jen said lightly, with a wide grin on her face. Booth gave an abrupt nod, hoping Jen would keep her mouth closed.

"So whatcha got, Booth," Brennan asked, imitating his question at a crime scene. Booth chuckled quietly at the change in their situation and her use of his slang.

"Coronal suture suggests 33-35 years of age. Pelvis and supraorbital margin indicate male. There is a remodeled fracture on the iliac crest," Booth said, continuing to clean.

As he brushed off the hand, he paused, and brushed a little more. Bending down, he looked closer, and leaned back onto his haunches. Brennan glanced and waited for him to say something.

"Jen, could you please finish brushing off the phalanx on the left side?" Booth asked her with a frown.

Jen paused her brushing and moved to the hand and began carefully brushing off the phalanx. When all five came into view Booth paused and leaned over again. Sitting back, he moved back towards the skull and began to trace his finger over the skull. Looking back from the hand to the head, he stopped and cocked his head. Jen watched and was fascinated by the look on his face.

"What do you see, Booth?" Brennan asked, having already seen what he was determining.

"It would appear that this person suffered from Postaxial Polydactlyly as well as Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome," Booth said slowly.

A smile spread across her face, she was pleased with his findings. Brennan cocked her head and waited for Booth to make the connection.

"Statistically speaking," Booth chuckled, "this set of remains would be post 18th century," he finished. Jen sat there staring at Booth with her mouth hanging open. He turned to look at her the corners of his mouth turning up.

"I spend a lot of time at the gym. Information on a range of topics can be downloaded to iPods," Booth told her, continuing to smile.

"How did you come to the conclusion of the age of the skeleton, Booth?" Brennan asked in her best professor's voice.

Booth had heard that tone before and knew she was testing him. Squinting at her, he smiled and cocked his head again.

"Postaxial Polydactlyly is most common in men of African descent. The rate in the White and Latino population is much lower. In order for this particular genetic mutation to surface there would have to be a recessive gene. The Spanish Missionaries did not come in contact with the Pemon people until the later part of the 18th Century," Booth said. Brennan's face lit up with a smile and she nodded.

"Very good, Booth," Brennan said. Brennan stood up and moved away from them. Jen looked at Booth and grinned.

"Ass kisser," she teased.

"If only she'd let me," Booth muttered and Jen burst into rolling laughter.

Brennan paused and her shoulders stiffened at the laughter that suddenly rang from the young woman Booth was working with. Booth saw Brennan stiffen at Jen's laughter from the corner of his eye. A moment later, he heard her screech ring out.

"Someone contaminated or destroyed something," Booth muttered.

"How dare you. You destroyed that artifact," Brennan's enraged screech rang across the pit.

The interns continued to work until the sun sunk low into the afternoon sky. Christine called a halt to the work and everyone began packing up their tools. Booth and Jen walked together down the path to the camp.

"I have to say that if Dr. Brennan's door swung my way," Jen sighed. Booth raised an eyebrow at her statement.

"I know she prefers men but with Bones one never knows. I hope for my sake that's not the case," Booth said.

After arriving at the camp and dumping their gear, everyone split up and headed to the river to bathe. Booth headed closer to the falls. He had found a spot just behind the falls that had a deep pool and the same pressure as a shower. He was washing his hair when he heard the guys that often bathed not far from his spot but in front of the water fall. Over the rush of the water, he heard the men boasting.

"I'm going to try to hit that. I've heard she will sleep with people on digs," Simon boasted. Booth paused his soaping.

"She would never look twice at you. Dr. Brennan could have any man she wanted," Smalls argued. The men laughed and Booth tried to keep his blood from boiling.

"Booth," Brennan called. Booth closed his eyes and stepped back into the deeper water so that it was now above his hips.

"Bones," Booth answered.

She stepped around the waterfall into the cavernous area behind the waterfall. Sitting down on a rock, she looked at him. Propping her elbow on her knee and her chin in her hand, she stared at him.

"How long have you been taking classes?" She asked him while looking him in the eye.

"Three years," Booth answered, grabbing his soap.

He began soaping his body and Brennan's eyes followed his hand. She felt her nipples pucker at the sight of his naked body.

"Where you ever going to tell me that you were taking classes?" She questioned him curiously.

"I honestly don't know," Booth told her with a shrug.

"I thought you were spending Christmas with Parker," she told him her voice wavered.

"I said I was going on vacation. I never said where I was going," Booth corrected her.

"Why did you take these classes?" Brennan asked him in her typical blunt manner.

"So, I could understand more than half the words coming from your mouth," Booth admitted.

The corners of her mouth turned up. She watched as he ducked under the water in the pool to rinse off. Her eyes glowed when he rose from the water, his body dripping with water.

"Enjoying the view, Bones?" Booth asked with a smirk. A blush spread across Brennan's face and she continued to look.

"I've told you that your features are symmetrically pleasing," Brennan said.

"It's not my features you are looking at," Booth teased.

"Well, your musculature is pleasing as well," Brennan said.

"Feel free to observe," Booth told her with a grin. Brennan blushed and stood up.

"I'll see you in camp," Brennan said. She turned and left Booth in the pool.

When she was gone, Booth pulled himself from the water and toweled off. Pulling on his clothes and shoes, he made his way back to camp. He joined the interns in the kitchen to help prepare dinner. They paused at a call from up on the cliff. John was bringing another person down into the camp. Booth turned back to the sauce and continued to stir. Jen looked over her shoulder at the two people coming down the cliff side. She squinted her eyes and frowned.

"Wonder why he is here?" She muttered in an irritable tone.

"Who?" Booth asked, ignoring the two coming into the camp.

"Dr. Stires," she said. She almost jumped at the feral growl that rumbled from the man next to her. He dropped the spoon and spun around to squint at the two men.

"I always hated his classes. He's an arrogant bastard," Jen whispered.

"Can you take care of the sauce? I need to find Bones," Booth said.

Jen waved him away, grasping the spoon. Booth strode from the kitchen tent and scanned looking for Brennan. He saw her standing near Dr. Santiago. He began to walk towards her but Stires reached her first. Booth saw her face go pale and her back stiffen. He moved quickly and stood behind her. Placing his hand at the small of her back, he let her know he was there. He felt her relax infinitesimally under his hand. Stires smiled at her with glowing eyes.

"Tempe, I'm so glad you're here. I was hoping we could renew our acquaintance," Stires said in a husky voice.

Brennan began to laugh at him. Stires blinked at her laughter and then his eyes narrowed. Booth put his hand on her shoulder and she reached up and squeezed. Stires' eyes narrowed even more and he frowned.

"Why did you bring a cop, Tempe?" Stires growled at her in anger. Dr. Santiago's back straightened as she realized things were not going to end well.

"Booth is my intern," Christine told him, her lips thinning at Dr. Stires arrogance.

Stires began to laugh and Brennan felt Booth stiffen behind her. She squeezed his hand again and glanced over her shoulder.

"That stupid cop is an intern," Stires said between gasps of laughter. Christine turned to look at Booth with an appraising eye.

"You're a cop?" She asked him with a hint of laughter.

"An FBI Special Agent, Dr. Santiago," Booth answered. She laughed merrily at his answer. He raised an eyebrow at her in question.

"With your field knowledge and GPA I should have guessed," she said. Brennan nodded a yes while she smiled at Christine. Straightening her back, Christine turned to look at Stires.

"Dr. Stires, although you are welcome now that you are here I would like you to remember that you were not invited. My interns are here at my request and should be treated with respect they deserve. Booth is here at my request due to his knowledge. He carries a 4.0 GPA and is close to completing his Master's in Forensic Anthropology," Christine said in a firm voice.

Stires brow lowered but he gave a jerking nod. Brennan turned towards Booth and smiled up at him. Booth blinked twice, he'd never seen that look directed at him.

"Booth, would you mind if I use your spot?" Brennan asked in a quiet voice.

Booth's mind spun as he tried to figure out what she was talking about. The light bulb came on and he nodded and leaned forward.

"No one else knows about it. Should give you the privacy you require," he said softly. She nodded, smiled her thanks, and turned to go.

"Tempe, mind if join you?" Stires called out to her retreating back.

"Yes, I do," she called back.

Booth wiped his hand down his face to hide his smile. Turning on his heel, he returned to the kitchen tent. Jen handed him the spoon and smiled.

"Well, that was all alpha male of you," Jen said. Booth grunted and continued to stir.

"I'd love to get Dr. Brennan's view on your behavior," Jen said thoughtfully.

"Don't ask her unless you really want to know. She will be blunt about it," Booth muttered.

"I am so asking her," Jen said with a grin.

Booth rolled his eyes and continued to stir. When dinner was finished everyone got their meals and sat around in various spots. Quite a few were sitting near the fire that had been built. Booth saw Brennan moving up the path into the encampment from the falls.

"Do you think you need twice as much food as everyone else?" Simon asked Booth in a snotty tone.

Booth looked over at the young man but said nothing. The kid stared defiantly at him with a frown. Brennan set her bathing items down near her tent and sat on a stump next to Booth. Booth held the second bowl up toward Brennan from his seat on the ground. He did not break eye contact with Simon. He nodded at her quiet thanks.

"Teacher's pet," Simon spat.

Booth still said nothing and Jen let a slow smile spread across her face. Simon finally looked down into his plate and grumbled. Brennan chuckled and started eating.

"So, Dr. Brennan, did you find a good place to bathe," Simon asked her with a gleam in his eye. She looked up at him and finished chewing.

"Yes, I did thank you," Brennan said.

"I know a very private place if you need one," he offered with a sly smile.

"No, thank you. The spot I have chosen to bathe in is secluded," Brennan told him.

"Are you willing to share your spot?" He asked in a flirty manner. Booth's eyes went flat and black as he looked at the young man.

"No," Brennan said bluntly.

Jen burst into laughter at the blunt remark. Booth turned to Jen and winked at her. Brennan's form stiffened slightly at his wink. Brennan ran her eyes over Booth's form and frowned. She reached his feet and she pursed her lips.

"Something wrong, Bones?" Booth asked, taking a bite of his food, he knew exactly what was wrong.

"You're wearing white socks," Brennan said in a slightly dazed voice.

"Way to point out the obvious," Booth said.

"We've had this discussion about sarcasm, Booth," Brennan said in a chastising tone.

Booth turned to look at her. Standing up, Brennan carried her plate to the kitchen tent and dumped it in the make shift sink. Stalking from the kitchen tent, she disappeared into the night forest. Simon got up to follow her and Booth held his hand up.

Booth stood up and walked in the opposite direction. Simon's eyes widened as Booth literally disappeared into the jungle. Jeremy let out a low whistle after Booth disappeared. The only thing they heard was the sounds of the jungle surrounding them. Jen mouthed a silent 'wow' as she glanced around.

"It's not all that special. He's ex Army," Stires said stiffly.

"My sister was in the Army and she can't move that quietly," Jen said.

Stires stood up and stalked after Brennan. He crashed through the jungle night like a herd of elephants. Brennan sat perched on a log near the edge of the Churun River, listening to the sound of the waterfalls. Booth sat in the canopy of a tree watching and protecting her time. He heard Stires crashing through the woods. Stires paused as the growl of an ocelot echoed around the area.

Booth turned his head and looked to his left. A small cat sat on the branch staring at him. The full throated growl came from the animal. Booth watched in fascination as the cat lay on the tree branch with its tail twitching. Brennan stood up when Stires stumbled into the small clearing. Turning around, she glared at Stires.

"Michael, what do you want?" Brennan almost growled at him. Stires stopped and looked at her.

"Tempe, why did you bring him here? He doesn't belong here," Stires said in a low tone.

"I did not bring him here. In fact he was already here when I arrived," Brennan stated coldly.

"You know we were always good in bed together. What else do you need?" Stires asked, looking at her but not seeing her.

"I need someone to show me how to break the laws of physics. I need someone to lift me up but not hold me back. I need someone that has my back no matter what. I need someone who respects me. All aspects of me not just some of them. And yes, Michael, sometimes I need a hero," Brennan said.

She stopped and cocked her head. Where had that come from? That was a completely irrational, illogical, emotional answer. It made her smile just a little bit. Booth had sucked in a silent breath at her statement. His eyes softened at her apparent need to feel loved. Had he not shown her how much he cared all these years? Had he failed her in that one important way?

"Next you're going to tell me you want someone to 'love' you. We both know that is ephemeral at best," Michael snorted out loud.

Brennan pulled up short at his statement. She bit her bottom lip between her teeth. From the moon light shining across the water he could see the tears glistening in her eyes.

"If love is actually what has been explained to me then yes I want someone to love me," Brennan said in a low voice.

"Temperance, you sound like a little girl," Stires said in a condescending tone.

Booth silently climbed down the tree and circled back. Taking the path towards them, he approached them just as quietly. He stopped behind Stires and sought out Brennan's eyes with his. She looked up and caught his gaze. Brushing past Stires, she walked up to Booth and leaned into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in closer to his body.

Stires looked up and snorted in disbelief, he cut it short when his gaze was caught by the utter rage reflected in Booth's eyes. Booth turned, taking Brennan with him. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, he guided her back to the camp fire.

"Come on, Bones. Let's go see what's going on at the campfire," Booth said with a smile.

They walked back to camp, leaving Dr. Stires standing in the dark Venezuelan night. The growl of the ocelot made Booth smile and Stires shiver. Booth and Brennan approached the camp fire and the interns fell silent. Booth flopped down on the ground. Brennan sat on the ground next to him.

"We interrupt something?" Booth asked with a twinkle in his eye.

"We were discussing our past adventures," Jen said with a lifted eyebrow.

"Ahhh, well don't worry about me. I have a few of those myself. Since they are in the past there is nothing I can do about them," Booth said casually. The group as a whole relaxed and smiled.

"Dr. Santiago was telling us about her trip to India," Jen said. Dr. Santiago's mouth turned up at the corners.

"Bhang?" Booth asked with a grin.

"You told him, Tempe?" Dr. Santiago almost screeched at Brennan. Brennan shrugged in Dr. Santiago's general direction.

"It was strictly for research purposes," Booth said while trying not to laugh.

The students looked around at each other. Jen began laughing as she realized that Bhang was something illegal.

"So what is Bhang exactly?" Jen asked, looking at Booth for an answer since the professors didn't seem to be giving one.

"Alcohol made from pot," Booth said.

The group around the fire began to laugh. Brennan shrugged, put her elbow on her knee and rested her chin in her hand. Stires sat gingerly down next to Brennan. Glancing at him, Booth narrowed his eyes.

"Tempe doesn't do things like that," Stires growled.

The group around him burst into laughter. Brennan tilted her head and glanced at Booth. He knew in that moment there was another something he knew that Michael Stires didn't. Booth's mouth ticked up at the corner at the thought.

"Oh, come on Dr. Brennan seems to lead an adventurous life. She's been on so many digs. She works with the FBI," Jen said.

"Tempe doesn't do illegal things," Stires said firmly. Booth barked out a laugh and glanced at Brennan who just let a grin cross her face.

"You know I don't, Booth," Brennan said.

"Oh, Tempe. I am going to put that on his next test. Tell me one thing Dr. Temperance Brennan did that was illegal in the last ten years," Christine laughed. Brennan groaned and covered her eyes. Peeking between her fingers, she glanced at Booth.

"What have you done to my Tempe?" Stires growled, glaring at Booth.

"I am not your anything, Michael," Brennan shot at him.

"Enough, Dr. Stires," Christine said firmly.

"Okay, topic change time. What's the national bird of Iraq?" Jen asked, looking around.

"Duck," Booth and Jen said at the same time. Brennan rolled her eyes and groaned.

"Oh, that was bad," Brennan mumbled.

"Can you do better?" Booth asked, knowing she wasn't good at jokes.

"Yes as a matter of a fact I can," Brennan said. Booth swept his hand towards the fire in invitation. The interns turned to look at Brennan.

"Three guys go to a ski lodge, and there aren't enough rooms, so they have to share a bed. In the middle of the night, the guy on the right wakes up and says, 'I had this wild, vivid dream of getting a hand job!' The guy on the left wakes up, and unbelievably, he's had the same dream, too. Then the guy in the middle wakes up and says, 'That's funny, I dreamed I was skiing!'" Brennan said in an even calm tone.

Booth's eyes bugged and his mouth fell open. The silence was deafening and then laughter erupted around the fire. Booth sat there with his mouth hanging open in shock. Did he seriously just hear her tell a dirty joke? Brennan reached over and pushed Booth's mouth closed with one finger. The interns laughed at the twinkle in the world renowned doctor's eyes.

"How crass, Temperance," Stires said in an affronted tone.

Everyone looked around and shrugged. A rumble of thunder and a gust of wind caused everyone to look up. Getting up, they headed towards their tents. Brennan's eyes followed Booth as he headed to the edge of the encampment. Her eyes got large when she saw him quickly and efficiently sling a hammock between two trees. She continued to watch as he slung a tarp, covered the sides in mosquito netting turning the whole thing into a tent of sorts. Turning, she walked to her tent. As she was unzipping her tent, she heard a voice sing out.

"On the first day of Christmas my dig site gave to me,

A Sexy Alpha Male Sleeping in the Trees."

"Good night Jen," Booth rumbled in laughter.

A/N: Oookay, yes I know that you would never be able to hear voices behind waterfalls (as my beta reminded me every chapter =p) but dammit this my story lol. I am also aware of how aggressive Ocelots are and that one would never sit in a tree near Booth but again this is FICTION. I also know they'd have been eaten alive by ginormous mosquitos during the wet season but I like to pretend mosquitos don't exist. So anyway if you can pretend for the next eleven chapters then sit back and enjoy the ride!

Leave me a review, please?