AN: This is a strictly-American holiday. You can still read it (of course), but you may not enjoy it as much as if you lived in the USA, and possibly if you don't live in North Dakota (this is how we do it up here, not sure if that's how it's done anywhere else). If you don't live here, but have a holiday you would like me to take a stab at, send me a PM with all the details of the holiday and especially the day it occurs. Thanks! And the stories aren't all going to have BB romance; some will be just them (or the whole gang) celebrating the holiday.

Independence day:

"Bones! What are you still doing here?" Booth had sauntered into her office, wearing a red, white, and blue striped shirt and faded jeans. It was the Fourth of July, almost seven o'clock. Bones was still in her office, though almost everyone else had gone home, except the janitor, Ed. She was sitting in her office working on some paperwork.

She glanced up from the file. "Working. What did you think I was doing?"

"Work? That's exactly what you're not supposed to do. Come on." He grabbed her coat and purse.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" She stood up, closing the file.

"Luring you out of the office." He smiled as she made a move to get the keys from his outstretched hand. She missed.

"Why? What's so important about getting me out of the office?" She stood still, trying to figure out how to get the keys from Booth.

He sighed. "It's the Fourth of July! Independence Day? Day where most people are out picnicking with friends and family! And I find you here, doing paperwork, when you should be out with everyone watching fireworks!"

"It's not even dark out yet, Booth! The fireworks won't start for another few hours at least. If they started now you could barely see them."

"But, there's the whole picnic at Hodgins' place. And after that we're all going someplace out in the country to watch a private fireworks show." He took a step back, trying to get her to come out of the office. She eyed him.

"If you let me drive, I'll leave right now." She knew he hated it when she drove, but she also knew he wanted her to come.

Now it was his turn to eye her. "Really? And you'll drive right there, no funny business? Leave right now?"

"Yep."

"Fine." He tossed the keys to her, catching them midair.

"Let's go." She brushed past him, taking her coat from him.

- Have a GREAT Independence Day!-

After getting into the car (Bones' car, much to Booth's dismay), the duo drove off to Hodgins' place. Upon arriving, they saw that his house was covered with blue, red, and white streamers. He had two large American flags on either side of his door, illuminated by two lights positioned at an angle from the ground. The rest of the team was sitting outside, enjoying the fresh air. Angela was the first to look up when the car pulled up into the driveway.

"She came!" Angela exclaimed when she saw her friend get out of the car. She went down the steps off the porch to go and greet them, excited about the fact that her friend was actually here.

"Bren! I can't believe you came!" Bones smiled at her friend.

"It's all because of me. She just couldn't pass up driving her car somewhere with me in it." Booth grinned as he exited the car.

Angela leaned towards her friend. "What did you do to him? He let you drive? Next thing you'll know you'll be driving his car!" Angela whispered, grinning.

"I can hear you!" Booth called back to them as he walked up the steps to the porch.

"So, you got her to come?" Hodgins was smiling at Booth. He handed him a fresh beer.

"By letting her drive."

"Well, she still came." Hodgins noted. Zach quickly emerged from the house.

"I'm supposed to tell you that the food is ready." He was out of breath, probably from running from one of the hopelessly romantic ladies who worked in the kitchen. He had smears of red lipstick on his face.

"Thank you. What happened to your face? Having some fun on this already-fun holiday?" Hodgins grinned.

"What? No! Some woman was chasing me saying I was an 'amazing piece of meat' that she 'just had to taste.'" Zach was clearly puzzled at her words. Booth chuckled.

"Well, looks like someone in the kitchen got her lipstick all over your face."

Zach's eyes widened. "Excuse me." He rushed into the house, heading for the nearest bathroom. Suddenly Angela and Bones were on the porch.

"What happened to Zach?" Angela asked.

"He's just being stalked by Liz, of course." Liz was the main cook, and probably ten years Zach's senior. She was known around the house to follow young men around the place.

Angela grinned. "Did he say anything about supper?"

"Yep. It's done."

"Well then what are we doing out here?" Angela smiled before walking into the house.

-Have a GREAT Independence Day!-

After eating a delicious meal of steak, French fries, baked potatoes, fresh corn, and banana-creme pie, everyone was stuffed and ready to go watch some fireworks. They had all driven their own cars, each loaded with chairs, blankets, some carrying coolers, and little firework kits. They were going out to some remote area to watch the fireworks, and it was about a half-hour drive. Booth had convinced (or just stolen the keys) Bones to allow him to drive the way there. When they arrived there were two other groups there, each no more then five. After finding the perfect place, they set up camp.

"Why did we bring both blankets and chairs?" Zach was looking at their area.

"Because," Booth said matter-of-factly, "that way we can either lay on the ground and watch the fireworks, or sit in the chairs. And if we get cold we can always wrap up in the blankets."

"Oh." Zach sat down in one of the chairs. Angela and Hodgins were snuggled up on a blanket, and Bones was sitting in a chair, book in hand. Booth lied down on the ground. Two Army jets flew over, signaling that the show would be starting soon. Bones didn't even look up from her book.

"Bones!"

"What?" She didn't look up from her book.

"Come on! You are not reading a book during the fireworks show. It's like not singing the national anthem before a game."

Bones looked up at him. "How is it like that?"

"I don't know." Booth was puzzled for a moment. "My mom always told me that. Well, her version was 'you're not playing baseball'..." He paused. "But that doesn't get you out of watching them. Come on, it's more comfortable down here. You can see the fireworks better without craning your neck all the time." He patted the blanked next to him. She sighed and set her book down, laying on the ground next to him. She started to think of all the things (mainly work) she could be doing right now, but then the fireworks started. A big burst of red, white, and blue streaks illuminated the sky right above them. Moments later a bright red one was set off. Bones stared up at the sky, glad Booth had talked her into comeing.

"So, glad I convinced you to come?" Booth whispered, smiling.

-Have a GREAT Independence Day!-

So, that wasn't my best, but I'm typing this in a motor home, the screen on the computer is dark (saving battery), and I don't have Grammar-Check (stupid Mac computer...), so I'm very sorry. I also had to type this in one day in order to get it up. But, I still would love some reviews!!!