"Have you got everything just about packed? Our car is coming early. I want to make sure we've got everything together tonight, and after work I'm not gonna feel like messing with anything-"

"Booth, I have been packed for days. I am more willing to believe you are the one who's unprepared."

"No. I got my duffel bag together sitting right next to the dresser. What about your passport? You got that?"

"It's tucked in the flap in the inside my suitcase. Have you located yours?"

"…um…"

Brennan smiled faintly and shook her head. That was just like Booth. Out of the two of them she was far more organized than he could have ever hoped to be. But as per usual he was more concerned with her than himself. "I saw it in the top drawer of your desk. I'm sure it's still there."

Without his passport their vacation would be over before it had begun. For months the two had been dying to get away from their hectic lives together. Surrounded by murder and mayhem day after day every day had at last mentally exhausted them both. And so while they'd clamored for a trip their different personalities clashed as to where to go. They couldn't agree until Booth happened upon her one afternoon while she'd been watching a documentary on Bora Bora. His eyes had lit like sparklers while taking in the images of the sandy beaches and expansive clear blue oceans. She knew then all their other options were out. Booth wanted a tropical paradise. Even though she'd been there before she gave in to his pleading. She was willing to give him anything he desired. For once she'd cave in to compromise.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll find it." He waved her off. Through the kitchen he moved to the back counter so as to pour himself another cup of coffee. Mornings were one of the few moments in the day in which they had time to relax. Spending quality time with their daughter was especially vital this morning seeing as she wouldn't be making the trip with them. Brennan's father would be babysitting all while they were gone.

Brennan smiled at Christine now as the toddler fiddled with her spoon. She hated to see how fast she was growing up. Becoming a mother had invoked emotions in her she never knew she'd been capable of before. This new life she'd settled into with Booth was one she wasn't taking for granted. Between the two of them she'd received all the family she'd ever wanted, and more.

"I'm just glad to finally get the hell out of here. We need it." Booth took a swig of his coffee. "We need some alone time."

The thought of it brought an exhilarated flush to her cheeks. When it came to being lovers the connection between them was like a sparking live wire of heat. She wasn't sure she'd ever had another who'd been so satisfying; who'd fulfilled her every need and desire. "Yes. I believe we're overdue."

His eyes darkened, the flame of passion having been ignited within him, as well. He crossed the space between them to kiss her. She couldn't help but to pull him closer. Oh, yes. It definitely had been too long. "Christine's here," she reminded him when he not so subtly indicated a wanting for more.

"She doesn't know what we're doing."

"Booth."

"Fine." He backed off. "I'll just save it for tomorrow. In paradise!"

"Yes. Where we can have some time to be alone to carry out our wildest fantasies."

He paused, staring at her with a cocked eyebrow. "You still have fantasies?"

"Of course. Don't you?"

"No. I mean, not really. I never did, exactly." Obviously he was puzzled, and insulted. "I thought I… you know… took care of all your fantasies?"

"You did. You do." She was regretting ever having eluded to anything. "There's just this one…"

Curiosity and ego both fueled his indignant demand. "What is it?"

Her eyes glanced to their daughter. "I don't know if I should be discussing it in front of Christine."

"Bones, you're always telling me she can't access her memory, or whatever. There's no way she knows what we're talking about anyway. So just tell me."

She bit her lip. Butterflies fluttered around in her stomach. This was a secret she'd never before admitted to any man. "I'd… I'd like to be confined."

He stared at her cluelessly for a few seconds before blinking rapidly. "What?"

"Just my wrists! And… I'd like to be blindfolded." For as long as she could remember she'd prided herself on being a woman who was always in control. The idea of surrendering that control to someone she loved and trusted was titillating. In just talking about it she could feel another warm blush heating up her cheeks.

Booth however, wasn't sharing the sentiment. "So… you want to be in bed with your wrists bound while having sex blindfolded?"

Christine had finished eating. Brennan rose from her chair to retrieve her plate. "Forget it."

"No, no. I'm just trying to understand."

She dropped the plate into the sink. "I was once watching a documentary on strange sexual practices of different cultures. Such activities were one of the highlights of the show. I um," she grinned shyly. "I felt something. Arousal. I was interested. But I've never tried it. You're the first man that I've ever even told. But I can discern by your tone and mannerisms that you aren't comfortable with it, and I don't want to force you into something you don't want to do."

"It's not that I'm uncomfortable with it. Wait." He joined her at the sink. "Are you trying to say I'm not adventurous in the bedroom?"

Her words were being misconstrued. She desperately wished she could put an end to the conversation. "No, Booth. You know you're perfect." She kissed him reassuringly. "But I know sex is never just sex for you. You place a high, romantic value upon it. And that's fine. Since becoming intimate with you, I do too. This is just a fantasy. It in no ways suggests that you are inadequate as a lover."

"But it's still a fantasy. It's still something you'd wanna try." He insisted gently.

"It's no big deal. I'm rather sorry I brought it up."

"No, it's fine. It just isn't something I'd expect from you, that all." He rested his hands on her hips and gazed into her eyes, hoping to accentuate his words. "It doesn't mean I'm opposed to it."

"But you aren't completely in favor of it, either. I don't blame you. Given your past in the military and as an agent anytime you've been confined your life has been in danger. I can understand you associating the two. Perhaps you'd feel like you'd be an aggressor towards me, or as if you were endangering my life. I suppose it could even drudge up some bad memories for you." She knew during his time serving in the Army he'd been captured, and tortured. Since he'd shared little of what he'd endured during those experiences with her (though his x-rays had told her more than he ever could have) she had no idea how he'd feel being put in such a position. "I told you, Booth. It's nothing. It was a fantasy dreamed up years ago by a completely different woman."

The wind had been taken out of his sails. "So you're saying I tamed you?"

She sighed. There was no use in continuing the conversation. As much as she loved Booth, it seemed as though everything she had to say was being taken personally. The topic needed to change before she found a way to completely offend him. "We need to get Christine ready for daycare. We're going to be late." With one last kiss she ushered herself out of the room.

Booth remained standing where he'd been, dumbstruck. "Bondage?" He repeated to himself in a whisper. It'd never in a million years occurred to him that such a thing could be a turn on for her. She may have denied it, but he knew when it came to sex he was a simple man. There were things he certainly liked. But he'd always felt incorporating toys and other such acts cheapened what was supposed to be a beautiful experience. He'd never been one who'd slept around, just to do so. Any time he'd ever made love it'd held meaning for him. Now he felt as though his morals were a disappointment to her.

Christine was becoming fussy. She wiggled in her high chair, drawing his attention back to the present. He quickly went to her and undid the belts securing her into her seat. All the while Brennan's words echoed through his mind. It was a fantasy dreamed up years ago by a completely different woman. He gazed down sadly at Christine. The baby had eyes just like her mother's. "Did I change mommy?" He whispered to her his question. So far as he could see she was the same woman he'd always been in love with. More and more he was becoming confused and unsure of himself.

This vacation was not off to a good start.