"Come on, Bones. Let's go."

"Go where, Booth? Can't you see I'm busy?" Temperance tried to shoo him away with her hand. It didn't work.

"Let's go," he said again, this time grabbing her by the wrist. She turned to face him. He didn't let go of her wrist, afraid that if he did, she might take a swing at him.

"Booth, I have work to do." With her free hand she gestured towards the bones she had been examining before he showed up.

Booth pulled her away from the table. "It's Thursday. We have an extra-long weekend for the Fourth of July. And I have a surprise for you."

Temperance, who had grudgingly allowed herself to be dragged towards the exit, dug her heels into the ground. Booth jerked to a halt. "I don't get extra time off. People don't just stop dying. And you know I hate surprises."

Booth pointed back to the remains they left behind. "You and I both know that those have been dead awhile. We even know who they belong to, so I don't see what you're so worried about. And this is a surprise that you'll like." He gave his partner the most boyish smile he could muster.

Temperance sighed. "Fine. I'll go see what your surprise is." If it was possible, Booth's smile grew and he dragged her off again. They hadn't made it three steps before Temperance yanked her wrist out of Booth's grasp. His smile faltered, but only slightly and he kept on walking.

"I've been planning this for long time," Booth was saying. "You're gonna love it." Temperance wasn't so certain that she would be impressed.

They emerged from the darkness of the Jeffersonian to the bright light of the July afternoon. Temperance blinked a few times before seeing what was obviously supposed to be Booth's surprise.

She was too shocked for speech.

Call it what you want. A motor home. An RV. A camper. To Temperance it was hell on wheels.

"Booth, what is that?" she asked in what she hoped was a calm voice.

Booth was practically jumping up and down. "It's a camper! We're going camping this weekend! Just you and me!"

She almost groaned. "Booth, I can't. You didn't even ask if I had plans for–"

"Do you have plans?" he questioned quickly.

"Well, no, but…"

"Then what's the problem? And besides, it's going to be fun." Temperance found herself thinking it was going to be anything but. "Come on." Booth walked up to the horrid house-on-wheels, opened the door, climbed up the two steps, and disappeared inside. Temperance followed.

It was hot. And dark. And small. And musty smelling. Booth was standing in what was supposed to be the kitchen area. He reached up and pushed the curtains covering the window over the sink out of the way. The window was dirty, but it let through enough light for Temperance to get a visual tour. Which was about as much as a tour as she would need, as there was hardly enough room to move. In the front was the driver's and passenger's seat. Above that was a bed. Behind the passenger seat was an armchair; behind the driver's a booth and table. Booth was standing in the kitchen, which housed a sink, stove, oven, mini fridge, and microwave. Behind Booth was a bathroom and another bed. Temperance looked down. The carpet was peach shag. A small TV sat atop a stand to the left of the door. Feeling claustrophobic, she took one last look around and stepped out.

Booth stuck his head out. "What's wrong?"

Temperance simply shook her head.

"It's great, right? I mean, this is going to be our home for the next four days." He vanished inside again.

Oh, god.

"Coming?" Booth had stuck his head back out again. Temperance thought for a second. He had clearly put a lot of thought into this trip and he seemed so excited. And it was Fourth of July weekend. And the bones that lay on her examination table were from an old cemetery, so no murders there. So, really, she didn't have anything better to do this weekend. Camping with Booth wasn't exactly her idea of fun, but she supposed it had potential. Maybe. Possibly. Okay, so she didn't want to go. But Booth was looking at her with that sparkle in his eyes that could sway any woman.

Hating herself for it, she looked up at Booth and nodded. He flashed her another grin and hopped down. "Your chariot awaits, m'lady." He swept open the passenger door and Temperance climbed inside. Booth walked around the front and got into the driver seat. He stuck the key in the ignition and turned it, the fingers on his other hand crossed in a good luck gesture. He breathed a sight of relief when the engine roared to life. "She doesn't like to start sometimes," he explained, seeing the look on Temperance's face.

What have I gotten myself into? Temperance asked herself as they pulled out of the parking lot. I can't go camping with Booth!

Too late. They were traveling along the highway now. Other cars were flying past them. Every time the camper hit a bump or pothole, both Booth and Temperance would be jarred from their seats.

"Why don't you drive a little faster?" Temperance suggested through gritted teeth when a car that was older than she was passed them.

Booth took his eyes from the road to give her a shocked look. "No way. And I'm driv–" They hit yet another bump and Booth refocused road and getting them to the campground in one piece.

They drove on in silence. The air conditioner blasted. The radio played a country station quietly in the background. Temperance sighed.

"This campground, not a lot of people know about it," Booth assured her. "So, even though it's a holiday weekend, there won't be tons of campers. I wouldn't be surprised if we were the only ones." Once again he looked over to smile at her. Once again another bump jarred him back to his senses. Temperance said nothing. "Look, I know this isn't your idea of fun," Booth said, facing the steering wheel. "But, just give it a chance. Don't sulk before we even get there."

"I'm not sulking." She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Yes, you are."

"I'm not."

"You're wishing you were back at the lab, examining the bones, when in reality, you're in a camper–alone–with me. Any woman would die to be in your position." Temperance could tell that he was only teasing, but he was right.

"That's part of the problem," she muttered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

Booth just smiled.

An hour later Booth turned onto a dirt road with pine trees growing on both sides, forming a sort of tunnel. A sign proclaimed: Hartman's Creek Campground and Lake.

"We're here."