Chapter Three:

Officer Huatare had been listening to the partners arguing, from the driver's side. Booth and Brennan had opted to sit in the back, so that they could go over case notes if needed – but after their argument, both were feeling car sick driving down the highway past the harbour, and decided against reading the files until they got to the Hotel; they knew nearly everything from Officer Huatare anyway.

Brennan still fuming realised they were now in Lower Hutt, they had crossed a bridge she recognised from the map she had seen of Wellington. 'Melling Bridge' a train station with an old sign for 'fresh Christmas trees' rested against the door – even though it was February. There was barely any traffic, but then – she figured it was nearing 7am, not many people would be up that early on a Sunday. Even she tended to sleep in on a Sunday.

"Will you need a rental car? I recommend that I drop you off to get one now; there are less people in so early." Officer Huatare said looking in the rear vision mirror again, this time meeting Booths eyes.

"That would be great; could you give us directions to a Hotel first though…?"

Booth asked. Brennan was furious; he didn't even ask her opinion! He wasn't even meant to be here. Yvonne had asked for her. She became distracted from her anger; as she wondered again, about Yvonne. Unless he came to see Yvonne; that thought made her feel cold, and she wrapped her arms around herself.

"Sure, I already have it marked out on the map Dr. Brennan has there." He pulled into a Rental Car parking lot, and waited for them to get out, he seemed impatient to leave.

"Thank you Officer Huatare" Brennan said before helping Booth take all their bags out of the car boot, the officer drove away before Booth could say anything to him. Brennan raised an eye brow. "Well he was in a hurry, wasn't he?" They dragged their bags out of the way and Booth went looking for someone to help them.

Brennan sat on her bag checking the map. "Angus Inn" The name put her in mind of Donkey's and old dusty carts. She hoped it would be nice though, she didn't know how long she would be here for. She was still very confused about the whole thing, why the hell was Booth here? Not really to protect people from her, honestly – that was such a rude thing to say. She wasn't that bad.

"We can have this car," Booth said a little while later, not looking impressed. Brennan honestly didn't care what car she had, she was feeling the symptoms of Jetlag, and just wanted to get to the Hotel, or Inn, or what ever it was they were staying at. They could be sleeping in a shed for all she cared. She decided against going straight to the remains, she wouldn't be able to do a proper job when she felt this ill, and exhausted.

"Okay, let's go." She dragged one bag, and lifted her other to a black car, she didn't see anything wrong with the car.

"It's a Honda," Booth said, as if it explained everything. Brennan still didn't get it, but wasn't going to pick a fight. She was still stinging after some of his remarks from the last argument, plus she was far too tired.

xx

Booth tried to lift Brennan's bags, but she snatched them from him, even though they were too heavy for her, and practically threw herself into the passenger seat. She must have taken him attempting to help, as an insult; she probably imagined he believed her to be weak. Which; was far from what he thought of her…

--

A man came out and helped them take their bags inside; Officer Huatare had obviously forgotten to call ahead. They were lucky, there were 3 rooms left. The old woman at the receptionist desk was far too cheerful for 7.30am. Booth thought she looked strange with far too much make-up, including bright red lipstick; her hair which should have been grey was dyed black. She gave them a toothy grin; two teeth were missing from the top of her jaw. Brennan gave the woman a tight smile.

"Thanks," Brennan muttered. Booth noticed Brennan looked pale, he handed her one of the keys, and they followed the man with their bags now resting on a trolley, to rooms 24 and 25. They were opposite each other; each door had the numbers in swirled silver writing on dark wooden doors. "Twenty Four, Twenty Five" the man left the bags on the trolley and left without a word. He was younger than the receptionist, but walked with a limp – and seemed slightly stooped. Booth watched him leave down the hallway; so far he had met some really strange people in New Zealand.

Booth was tempted to ask Brennan if she was okay, she had the key to 24, and her hand shook slightly as she tried to open it. He reached over and unlocked it for her, earning him a glare. He decided not to risk helping her with her bags; but cringed as she dropped the heavy bag on her foot.

He entered his room, and was pleasantly surprised. It was not as he expected it to be – bare like the entrance hall. The large bed looked soft and covered in silver and gold duvet, a small bathroom was connected to it, thank god he would have his own bathroom!

xx

Brennan collapsed onto the double bed without looking around, the feel of the soft mattress and the feather filled cushions made her sigh with relief. She closed her eyes, and fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

The thunder in her dream slowly became a persistent knock on the door. Damn. She rolled over throwing the pillow over her head, covering her ears. But the knocking continued.

"Bones get up! It's important." Booths impatient voice

"It's open," she said leaving the pillow over her face.

"You left your door unlocked…?" Angry Booth…

"Oops" she said, her voice muffled by the pillow. She couldn't be bothered talking to him, her head pounded. What was so important?

"Do you have a phone in here?" What. That was the important thing he needed her for? She reached over and switched her lamp on. She stayed silent but slowly pulled the pillow away from her face, rubbing her eyes discreetly as she did. Did she have bed hair? More than likely…

"I don't have one; the receptionist said only even numbers have phones." He shook his head despondently. "Can I borrow your phone, please?" He said already searching for the phone in her room, which was identical to his. She swung her legs over the bed about to go into the bathroom and 'freshen up' as Angela would put it.

"Here it is," She showed him the phone. Then she wandered into the bathroom adjoined to her room.

"Thanks, Bones." Booth said, and she heard him dial a number.

Just how long had she been asleep? Her stomach rumbled loudly, and she covered it looking at her messy reflection in the mirror. She flattened her hair and splashed water on her face. How long had she slept for? Why did her head still pound? She glanced at her watch and realised it was nearing dinner time, she couldn't believe she had slept that long! No wonder her stomach was rumbling, she hadn't eaten since the night before.

Trying hard not to listen to Booths conversation she searched for new clothes and her make up bag, but she couldn't help but hear.

"Hey Bub," "Yeah, I'm in New Zealand," "Sure I'll tell you if I see a Kiwi" Booth looked over to Brennan and winked, she smiled. He was talking to his son, Parker. She had tried hard not to think about why Booth was in New Zealand with her; she tried not to think about Yvonne, was it her he came to see?

She moved into the bathroom and quickly dressed in clean clothes and put a little foundation on, she contemplated putting mascara on, but decided against it as she watched Booth hanging up the phone. He was her work partner, nothing more – why did she have to dress herself up for him? She didn't.

"Hey Bones, want to go down to the Restaurant for dinner?" Booth asked her, standing in the doorway of the bathroom, leaning casually against it.

"Yeah… Sure." She said covering her stomach as it emitted yet another loud rumble. He looked really quite – No Brennan, don't go there. But no, she couldn't deny he looked quite gorgeous out of his suit, in his 'casual' clothes.

A/n: Not much happening in this chapter, but I wanted to give you a feel for where they are etc. at the moment. Review and tell me what you think, any ideas to improve it?

I have added some things into Chapter Two, so you might want to re-read it… Thank you to casualsavant for pointing out some mistakes, and also giving me some fantastic ideas!