An Oklahoma Getaway
A/N: This is the last of three Secret Santa stories I'm concocting for ecv. Her wish was for an adventure or story involving only Booth and Brennan, no work, no kids, no bad guys. It isn't going to be completed by Christmas Day, so I'm posting just a bit to tide her over with hints of things to come, like treats poking out of a stocking. To all the fan fiction readers who've left me kind reviews, and all the writers who've given me countless hours of reading pleasure by sharing their creative genius, I want to say a Merry Christmas, or whatever holiday you celebrate. May this weekend and season be a time of relaxation and happiness for you and those who hold dear. May the coming New Year bring fulfilled wishes and harmony for us all.
Booth had made his arrangements very carefully to combine a work-related trip with a romantic get-away to surprise his Bones. The pair had been asked to participate in a symposium on investigative and forensic techniques at a disaster site. Held at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, it was financed by Edith Gaylord's Inasmuch Foundation.
Brennan greatly admired this innovative Oklahoma journalist who had served as Eleanor Roosevelt's press conference committee secretary and media liason. Booth knew that her quiet philanthropy had inspired his wife to rebuild the bridge in Andy Taylor's West Virginia hometown. Having read that Gaylord's foundation took its name from Matthew's Gospel, "Inasmuch as you do it to the least…you have done it to Me," Booth knew better than to point out this similarity to his generous aetheist wife.
Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Murray Federal Building bombing destruction by Timothy McVeigh, an Uncover-Discover Lab had opened to teach structural engineering and forensics to students not yet born when the bombing occurred. Dr. Hodgins had enthusiastically taped several presentations discussing how particulate matter collected after the bombing was analyzed and led to McVeigh's arrest.
His truck's rear axle blown a block away by the force of the blast bore a VIN number traced back to him. The clothing he wore held so much chemical residue that one of the first FBI agents on the scene remarked that FBI lab analysis found McVeigh to be "the explosive equivalent of a powdered sugar donut."
When an invitation arrived for Brennan to participate in the OKC National Memorial Forensic symposium, she had accepted immediately and burst into Booth's office waving the envelope. "This state of the art learning experience will show young people how useful STEM can be!" she declared. "The more scientists we train, the more crimes we can solve!"
Enchanted by her childlike enthusiasm, Booth reflected how much heart Brennan possessed. FBI training at Quantico covered the work of FBI agents at the Murrah site in exhaustive detail, and he shared her passion for making kids aware of their important mission. He was excited to meet Jim Norman, Bob Ricks, Barry Black and other retired agents who had participated in the McVeigh investigation. He waved his own envelope at her in response
"We're both invited to speak, Bones! We can make a long weekend of this trip and explore Oklahoma. I've always wanted to see the Artillery Museum at Fort Sill, and visit Geronimo's grave. He was one of the greatest scouts the Apache had!"
Brennan looked at him thoughtfully for a moment. "I agree; we could use a short vacation. I'd like to visit Tulsa to see their Art Deco buildings and Philbrook Museum. Maybe we'd have time to tour Gilcrease Museum as well. Both institutions have extensive collections of Native American artifacts, which would be quite fascinating. I would relish the opportunity to compare what Phillips and Gilcrease collected to the Jeffersonian's holdings. Thomas Gilcrease in particular was an avid conscious gatherer of art and historic items. Waite Phillips was a dedicated philanthropist not only to that city but also to the Boy Scouts.
"In fact, you and Parker might very much enjoy a visit to his brother Franks' nearby ranch Woolaroc. The world's only documented T. Rex track in North Ponil Canyon by the Anasazi Camp Trail was discovered on Philmont Boy Scout Ranch, which Waite donated and funded in perpetuity. Osage County has the largest tract of intact tallgrass prairie left and protects it as a heritage ecosystem. Perhaps we could arrange with Billy for Parker to join us," she mused.
"Hold up there a minute, Miss Oklahoma Tour Guide. This side trip is just for you and me, Bones! We can bring Parker and Christine back next summer if you want; he probably would thoroughly enjoy getting the chance to see all that! But this go-round, our free time is limited. I could only convince Cullen to let me off for two extra days," Booth protested, seeing his romantic plans nearly sidelined by her anthropological rambling.
"You're right, Booth, we'll have to make a longer trip in the future," Brennan agreed. "I'll have my agent book some reservations. Perhaps this time we can arrange for you to observe the artillery bombardment practice held every morning at 5:30 at Falcon Range. It provides a range for soldiers and aircrews to practice a variety of tactical skills. I know a few generals at Ft. Sill who owe me some favors."
"That's my girl!" Booth chuckled as he kissed her.
"Don't call me 'girl' Booth! You know I despise that label!"