A/N: Hello! This is just an idea that I had in the back of my mind for a while, and finally thought I'd post it. Please let me know what you think if you read it! Oh, and I realize that Brennan does not specialize in Cultural Anthropology, but for the purposes of this fic I thought I'd let her give it a try... :-) This is pure fluff, so no need to take it seriously! I mean, shirtless Booth in the hot sun? You know you want it...
Disclaimer: I don't own Bones, just this storyline...
Enjoy!!
CHAPTER ONE
"Thank you, Dr. Goodman, I appreciate your support." Brennan said as she stood and shook hands with the man in front of her.
"Dr. Brennan I trust that your expedition will be one of great benefit to the Jeffersonian's research department and I eagerly await your findings."
Temperance Brennan smiled contentedly to herself as she left Goodman's office. She had just been cleared to go on a two month sabbatical to Africa where she would be researching a large tribe known as the Effetis. Though it was a far cry from her usual work, Brennan had always been interested in the more general forms of anthropological observation that didn't always require dead bodies and angry murderers.
In light of her Russ and her father's disappearance, Brennan also decided she needed to get away for a little while. Not one to normally take vacations, she thought this was ultimate way to stay intellectually active and free herself from her true reality.
Sure, she would miss everyone. But it's only two months… she reasoned to herself. She knew Angela would be disappointed that she'd be missing the hot summer months here in DC, but would eventually understand what a great opportunity this would be.
Booth, on the other hand… he probably won't get it. He'd probably worry about her safety, complain about having to work with Zach, and do anything and everything in his power to get her to stay. God, what an alpha male… Brennan smiled to herself.
Her modest heels clicked across the hard floor of the Jeffersonian towards her office. She opened up the thick door and was surprised to find Booth already inside, sitting in her chair with his feet up on the desk.
"Booth." Brennan said, creasing her eyebrows, "Why do you insist on sneaking in here? And why are you ruining my desk?" She asked, shoving his huge feet off the desk with her clipboard.
"Aww come on, Bones, I was tired." He tried, but then got up from the chair with two hands in the air "Okay, okay… I surrender." Brennan shook her head and sat in the recently vacated chair.
Booth continued to stand by the desk, staring at her as she pretended to be hard at work. He was sure that she knew he was staring, but continued to do so to see if he could make her blush. He was tempted to tell her how cute she was when she pretended to be angry, but decided that for his own personal safety he'd refrain from any such remark.
"So Bones… what's new?" Booth said in a light tone, trying to steal her attention away from what appeared to be a slew of travel documents.
"Actually Booth, now that you mention it I do have news." She replied, watching him take a seat on her big brown couch.
"I'm leaving in three days to go on a 2 month sabbatical to a remote African village. I'll be gathering information for the Jeffersonian Cultural Anthropology department as I live with one of the lesser studied tribes in the area." Booth's jaw dropped.
"You're what? I mean, you're trying to be funny right?" Booth said, trying not to sound too confused.
"Oh no, I'm quite serious. I was just cleared by Goodman, and he's informing Cullen as we speak. Look, I'm sorry I didn't mention it earlier, but to be honest I didn't even think my proposal would be accepted. I mean, between my work here and the FBI… well, I keep pretty busy."
Busy. Ha, yeah. That kind of sums it up. Booth thought to himself, dumbfounded.
Booth was surprised at her ambitiousness, but could feel himself become more and more disappointed by the second. 2 months with no Bones… 2 months with no Bones…
That disappointment was quickly translated into worry.
"Bones, do you have any idea how unsafe it is there right now? There's civil war brewing and all sorts of violent acts occur each day. And you'll be living with a tribe? –"
"Well, of course I'll be living with them Booth. To gather the most unbiased data, I must fully immerse myself in their culture and accept all aspects of their lifestyle. Any good anthropologist –"
"Wait a minute, hold up."
"Hold what up?"
"Figure of speech. Okay so what about all of your work here?"
What about ME here? Booth wanted to ask… but figured her work was a good place to start.
"Well, while I'm away Zach will be the appointed FBI liaison and will take over my projects here. I'll catch up when I return."
"So you're actually serious about this?" Booth said after a moment.
Temperance sighed slightly. She could tell Booth was concerned and was restraining himself from asking her not to go. "Booth, I think this is something I really should do. I just… I just need to get away from everything and do something completely different."
Brennan noticed his face fall slightly and then quickly corrected herself, "I don't mean you, I just mean DC in general. After what happened with dad and Russ, and rushing to get everything done, I just think I need a break. Plus I think I can really learn a lot from these people, they live –"
Brennan's train of thought was interrupted with Booth's cell phone rang.
"Booth." He answered, motioning to Brennan to just wait one moment. "Oh hello sir. Yes I am, okay I'm on my way." Booth clicked his sleek phone shut and turned back towards Brennan.
"Sorry about this, but that was Cullen and he says it's urgent. But – uh – I'm definitely not done this discussion. How about Wong Foo's at 7?" Booth suggested as he put his suit jacked back on.
"Alright that sounds good." She smiled slightly. She was definitely going to miss Booth.
"And Booth?"
"Yeah Bones?" He said, turning around in the doorway on his way out.
"Thanks for understanding." She said. Brennan saw something flicker in Booth's eyes and she couldn't quite understand what it meant. He didn't answer her, he just smiled strangely and exited her office.
Once she was alone again, Brennan sighed and sat back in her chair. Smirking to herself, she mimicked Booth's earlier stance and plopped her feet up on the desk.
Yes, she was definitely going to miss Booth.
Booth knocked on his boss' door and entered slowly. "Sir? You wanted to see me?"
"Oh yes, Booth, come and sit down." Cullen said, motioning to the large chair opposite his desk.
"I was informed today that Dr. Brennan will be leaving for Africa for 2 months. I trust you have been informed of this as well?"
"Actually I just found out before I came here." Booth said, silently praying that Cullen would object to her plans as well. Booth knew that his feelings of displeasure toward her impending absence were purely selfish, but they were strong feelings nonetheless.
"I see. Well, Booth, I'm sure you are well aware of the political tension currently in that area, are you not?"
"I am, sir. Are you saying that Bon – Dr. Brennan shouldn't go?"
"No, not at all. Goodman made it clear that her pre-graduate work in cultural anthropology was impeccable and that the research would be indisputably beneficial."
"Okay." Booth said, clearly confused.
"What I am suggesting, Agent Booth, is that we send along an agent to act as a bodyguard – an assistant, of sorts. Brennan will obviously dispute the idea, but it is in the best interests of her safety. Booth, the FBI has no jurisdiction in Africa, so that agent would have to go on their own free will. They would be paid, but it would also be considered a leave of absence."
Is he implying what I think he's implying? Oh please… Booth thought to himself.
"Sir, I think that that would most definitely be the best solution. Who do you have in mind?" Booth asked, trying desperately not to shoot his hand in the air like Parker in kindergarten.
"It would have to be someone trustworthy, someone who is able to follow Dr. Brennan's instructions to the letter and not interfere. Someone who would put her safety first and foremost over everything."
Booth rubbed his hands together and clapped them once. "Soooo… when does our flight leave?"
Booth pushed open the door to Wong Foo's, hearing the bells above the door jingle in their normal song.
He scanned the restaurant and finally spotted Brennan, who was sitting back-on to him at the bar. She was slightly hunched over and was reading a thick textbook while sipping a drink. She seemed completely oblivious to everything around her, as if in a world of her own. Booth smiled and made his way over.
He'd just come from the meeting with Cullen, and his mind felt as if it was swimming with information. Cullen had notified Dr. Goodman that Booth would be accompanying Brennan – now all Booth had to do was tell her.
"Booth, my man!" Sid called, which caused Brennan to turn around and smile at the man behind her.
"Hey Sid, hey Bones." He greeted, plopping down in the barstool next to Brennan.
Sid continued to prepare drinks for the other customers, while Booth leaned into Brennan. "What're you up to?"
"Just doing some light reading. How did your meeting go?" She asked, taking a sip of her drink.
Booth took a skeptical glance at the textbook, figuring it was anything but light reading, and then answered her, "Oh, it went well. Eventful, but well."
"Oh? How so?"
"Well, Bones, there's something I've got to tell you about your research sabbatical."
Bones face fell a little bit. "Booth – what did you do?" she asked calmly, trying to hide any brewing upset. If he'd ruined her chances, she'd be extremely mad…
"Oh don't worry, you're still going." Booth said quickly, noticing the redness in her cheeks. "It's just, well it's not safe for you to go alone. Cullen said."
"Booth, that's ridiculous! Of course it's safe. They will accept me into their community, and treat me as one of them once I have proven myself trustworthy. Sure, there's tension between two of the tribes, but I will be in the company of many –"
"Bones, I'm coming with you." His words hit her like a ton of bricks.
She paused for a moment before speaking, "You're what?"
"I'm coming with you to Africa."
"No, no you're not." She said, shaking her head.
"Oh, yeah I am." He said, his lips slightly curving into a smile but then quickly hiding it when he saw the shocked look on his partner's face.
"Booth! No, this will ruin everything! How am I supposed to collect viable, unbiased data if I have some huge, hulking – no offense – man following me around everywhere I go?! You'll disturb them and –"
"Hulking?"
"Booth, be serious. This means a lot to me, and there's no way I can do my job if you're around." She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I'm calling Dr. Goodman, this is absurd…"
"Bones, I am being serious. And Dr. Goodman already approved it. Look, please don't be mad at me, but we all just want you to be safe." He paused for a moment, watching as a look of defeat crossed her face. "I want you to be safe." He added quietly.
She looked up for a moment, as if assessing him. "I don't need protecting, but… thank you. I'm still not happy with this, but if I have no choice, then I will be professional."
"Uh – thank you?"
"Booth, you have to do exactly as I say if I have any hope of learning anything true about their culture. The entire point is that they won't feel imposed upon." She said, as if teaching a lecture.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Do exactly as you say." Booth said, feeling like his dear anthropologist might be taking things a little too seriously.
Just then, Sid came with two heaping plates of hot food and set them down in front of his two favourite clients. "So what are you two bickering about now?" Sid joked, looking back and forth from Booth and Brennan.
"Bones and I are going to Africa." Booth said, picking up a hot French fry and sticking it in his mouth, motioning to Brennan.
Sid raised his eyebrows, "Africa, huh? Business or pleasure?"
Booth chuckled as Brennan replied, "I'm leaving on a two month research sabbatical for the cultural anthropology department. I'll be living with a tribe… we'll be living with a tribe…"
"Ha! I guess I don't need the answer to my question then." Sid replied, casting a teasing glance at Booth before getting back to work. Booth rolled his eyes, "Sid and Angela would make great friends…"
"Sweeeeetie?! You're going to Africa? By yourself? And you're only telling me this now?" Angela said later that night in Brennan's apartment. She had invited herself over and, just as Brennan had hypothesized, was very shocked by her sudden plans.
"It's only for two months, and it'll be a great experience, Ange." Brennan said, then remembering one thing. "And I'm not going by myself…" she mumbled.
"What do you mean not by your--- oh my god! Booth's going, isn't he?" Angela said, her eyes widening in excitement.
"He was ordered to come, something about it not being safe…" Brennan's explanation was drowned out by her best friend's squeal.
"Bren that is the best thing I've ever heard! Shirtless, sweaty Booth in Africa? Welcome to HEAVEN –"
"Ange, this is an educational sabbatical. You know? Like learning?" Brennan said, crossing her arms. She did, however, have to work hard to keep a smile from exploding across her face. She was still slightly disappointed that Booth may undermine her research, but on many levels she was almost excited that Booth would be her travel companion… or, whatever he was.
"I know, I know, and I'm sure you'll do great work. But Booth?! Sweetie that's fabulous! I'm happy he's going for more than just eye candy though, Bren. I think it will be good for you to have someone there to look out for you."
"How many times do I have to say –"
"I know, you don't need protecting. Which is probably true, but just think of it as an extra layer of security okay?"
"I don't really have a choice."
"Excellent. I can't believe you're leaving in three days! Now, let's get you packed!" Angela said, grabbing Brennan's arm and pulling her towards her closet.
"Bones! Do you have any idea how many needles some nurse just jabbed me with? FIVE. Five flippin' immunizations – Oh, sorry. Am I interrupting something?" Booth said as he barged into Brennan's office the next morning to find Hodgins and Zach hunched over a file with Brennan.
Zach snorted in laughter and Brennan rolled her eyes. "Afraid of needles, Booth?" she asked, her voice monotonic and clearly forcing back a laugh.
"Me? No way!"
"Hodgins, run the soil samples and send them to Zach – he'll be taking over this investigation."
"Yes, Dr. Brennan. We'll be in touch." Hodgins said as he headed towards the door. Before leaving, he absently slapped Booth on the shoulder "Have fun in Africa, dude."
Booth groaned and pulled his sore arm away, glaring at Zach and Hodgins as they left the office. "Squints…" he muttered.
Brennan laughed and watched as Booth stretched his sore arm over his head. Maybe having an 'extra layer' of security wouldn't be so bad after all…
TBC if you want! Please tell me what you think!
