Chapter 4 As promised it has the appearance of Booth. I used the DC area's Burke Lake Park in this chapter. I took a liberty so please forgive me. Oh, and of course I made up the wine but the city where it came from is real. I actually met a guy from there recently and decided to use it to my advantage. And if anyone is interested I found a vineyard in Texas called Brennan.

As always thanks for taking the time to read. Enjoy!

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Angela Montenegro was brought grudgingly out of a deep dreamless sleep by a persistent pounding. There was a weight across her abdomen holding her in place. It was getting harder to breath as she drifted to wakefulness. Her mind wasn't quite there yet as she thought 'What the hell is going on?' She could feel a steady up and down rhythm of a currently unknown origin.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

'Stop with the pounding already' her brain screamed. She didn't want to open her eyes. When her thoughts became clearer she found she had fallen asleep sitting up with a now sleeping Temperance Brennan sprawled out over her legs. Angela sighed and placed a light hand atop Tempe's head. It had been a difficult night for both of them but now more than ever she knew they were going to be alright.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Her eyes opened slowly to bright golden sun light streaming through the window. As she woke she allowed her weary eyes to fall on the digital display. It read 11:45. Her sluggish mind reeled momentarily 'what did I have to do at 11:45?' For a moment she couldn't remember. Then it came to her all of sudden.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

"BOOTH!" she said loudly.

Tempe was jolted awake by Angela's exclamation of Booth's name, "what?"

"Bren, honey, we have to get up. You shower and change while I go answer the door. I have a feeling if I don't do that pretty soon a certain FBI Agent is liable to break down my door."

"…Booth?"

"…Surprise!"

"Angela!"

"Sweetie, just go with it. By the way I stopped by your place and picked up some clothes for you. The bag is over there in the corner." Tempe shot Angela a very dirty look to which Angela replied, "Bren, I promise it's nothing lewd. Trust me."

BAM! BAM! BAM!

"Okay Sweetie up and at 'em. 'That Secret Agent Man' out there on my door step is getting restless", Tempe slowly got off the bed and released Angela's legs. "God, I can't feel my legs."

Walking on pins and needles Angela limped her way out of the room. When she finally made to the living room she could hear Booth's voice muffled through the door, "ANGELA!"

BAM! BAM!

She opened the door with him in mid-knock, "Seeley you are going to wake the neighbors."

He barreled through the door hand over his holstered weapons ready to draw if necessary, "Angela what took you so long? Are you alright? Where's Bones?"

"Hey there 'Quick Draw McGraw' hold your horses. We're fine. She's in the shower. We were up late. Bren crawled into my bed in the middle of the night and…"

With that statement Booth's eyebrows shot up as his mouth fell open.

Angela saw his face change then she realized what she said. She slapped his arm then told him in mock anger, "Booth get your mind out the gutter. She couldn't sleep with the dreams and then thunder kind of freaked her out. We were up late talking then fell asleep."

"Sorry Angela but the imagery…" he told her sheepishly.

"Booth!" she cut him off pointing her index finger at him warningly. Exasperated by the man in front her she finally said, "Uh, just come in and make yourself at home while I get ready. Bren will be out in a minute."

"Angela I really am sorry."

"…Men!" She said waving him off as she turned her back to him and disappearing down the hall.

He sat on the couch waiting for the two women. After a few minutes Tempe stepped into his view. Her hair flowed delicately over her shoulders framing her features. She was wearing low riding slightly faded jeans and a powder blue low v neck blouse. The causal combination showed every curve and left plenty to the imagination. It was simple yet exquisite. Every day she amazed him. She was absolutely gorgeous even in jeans and a tee shirt. He was momentarily struck dumb while he gazed intently.

"Hey Booth how's going?" Tempe offered as she sat next to him.

"Good morning Bones. How are you feeling today? Angela said you were sick yesterday. You still look a little pale. Are you up for an outing?"

"Yeah, I'm still a bit tired but otherwise I'm fine. So, what do you two have planned?"

"It's a surprise Bones. Let it be a surprise."

"Ah, what is it a national secret or something. Angela won't tell me either."

"So, I take it you're not fond surprises."

"Not so much."

Angela strolled out, "okay kids let's hit the road."

"…Kids? I am not a child", Tempe said affronted.

"Bren it's an expression. For goodness sake get a TV. I'm begging you."

Booth couldn't help himself. He was stifling a laugh. Temperance Brennan and her knowledge or more accurately lack of knowledge where pop culture references were concerned was astounding, "let's just go, okay?"

The three friends filed out the door towards Booth's SUV. Automatically Tempe headed for the front while Angela climbed into the backseat.

"Buckle up and enjoy the ride."

"Where are we going?"

"You'll find out when we get there."

"…Booth!"

"…Bones!" he said in reply.

They drove south on I-95 until exit 160. Tempe read the sign Woodbridge, Occoquan, and Lakeridge. It didn't help her she still had no idea where they were going. She turned her head to look at her best friend. Angela had fallen asleep stretched out across the entire backseat.

"I feel bad. Angela was up with me last night and the night before. She looks exhausted", she told Booth absently as he drove. She could see him quietly singing along with the radio which made her smile slightly.

"She did that because she's worried about you. Frankly Bones we are all a little worried about you."

"I'm fine. I really am…Where are we?"

Taking the subtle hint from the Anthropologist he simply said, "…Fairfax Station, Virginia."

"…and what is in Fairfax Station?"

"A lake I used to visit when I was a kid. My grandfather used to bring me out here to fish."

"We're going fishing?" she asked with hesitation.

"No Bones we're not fishing…unless you want to. I haven't fished since my last visit here but I'm sure I could still show you and Angela a thing or two."

"I think I'll pass."

They're conversation continued as they drove a few more miles through a gate reading 'Fairfax County Park Authority' Booth paid the prescribed entrance fee. Once through the gate they took a lonely tree covered gravel path hardly big enough for a one car to pass. Booth seemed to know exactly where he was going.

As they hit the uneven road Angela woke, "Are we there yet?"

"…almost."

True to his word Booth pulled over to the side of the road putting the SUV in park and turning off the ignition. He got out asking the two women, "Are you girls ready for a little hike?"

They nodded in unison watching him gather items from the trunk. He pulled out a large bulky package and a backpack.

"Okay let's go", together the three friends began to walk the path they parked next to.

"What's in the bag?" Tempe asked curiously.

"'None of your damn business' is what's in the bag", he stated smiling slyly at her.

"…Booth!"

"Bones relax enjoy the scenery. You don't see scenery like this in D.C."

Tempe huffed at him. She really didn't like surprises. She hadn't had too many enjoyable ones to commemorate. Her mind drifted briefly to the first days without her parents. Russ tried to do right by her by making Christmas. She was unpleasantly surprised back then when she found her parents had not yet returned. Ever since that moment she had made it appoint to never be surprised again.

After 20 minutes of walking the trail opened up to a lake. The clear blue sky with its rolling white clouds reflected picturesque upon the clear surface of the water. The water so still it gave the appearance of two skies. The scene was beautiful. They stood on a wide insolated grassy knoll surrounded by trees and a small pier jutting from its bank.

"Welcome to Burke Lake", Booth announced dropping his load at his feet. He took a massive breath.

"Booth this really great. Now what's in the bag?"

"Gees Bones you are so very pushy. Go sit over there while I set up. Please."

"…Fine", she said curtly then stocked off. She didn't like being ordered to do anything but she fought it down to the bare minimum. These were her friends. They would not hurt her on purpose. 'Russ didn't mean to hurt you either' her mind said. "No!" she said out loud to herself. She took a deep breath smelling the lake on the cool breeze. She would not let 15 years of hurt ruin this. Calming down she walked to the pier.

When Booth was satisfied with his set up called out, "SOUP'S ON!"

He could see Tempe walking over to him. He had spread out a large crisp red and white checkered blanket. Upon it sat neatly three place settings with white china plates inlaid with dainty pink flowers around the edges, crystal wine glasses, silver ware, and cloth napkins. The food and a bottle of wine were sitting elegantly in the middle. There was even a wicker picnic basket off to the side. It was a scene from any number of 60s TV shows.

"We're having soup?" Tempe asked when she was in earshot.

"Bones, Bones, Bones…" was all he could say.

"Very impressive, Seeley, did you do all this yourself?" Angela asked from behind him.

"I am a man of many mysteries."

"I'd like to figure a few of those out", Angela said flirtatiously.

He just looked at her shaking his head then said, "We have homemade fried chicken just like mama used to make, homemade potato salad, corn on the cob and it would be un-American to not have apple pie for desert."

The only word that came from Tempe when seeing the set up before her was, "wow!"

"Okay ladies have a seat and dig in."

Before she could reach for anything, Angela held Tempe's hand back from the food. Angela motioned to Booth who had his head down in prayer. He silently blessed his meal. Out of respect the women did the same.

Booth looked up, "you didn't have to…"

"I know", Tempe said simply then her eyes fell on the wine bottle. She picked it up. Astounded she asked, "Where did this come from?"

Curiously Angela took the bottle reading the label, "Brennan 1976 made in Temperance, Michigan. Now that's ironic."

He lifted the bottle lightly from Angela's hand to place in back in Tempe's then in a soft voice he spoke, "I came across it a couple of months back. I was saving it for a special occasion. I figure now is as good as any." He wrapped his hands around hers before he spoke again, "Temperance, all of this is my small way of telling you I know who you are and who you always will be. Enjoy it."

Tempe looked into his deep brown eyes. Barely audible she whispered, "Thank you, Seeley."

Off to the side forgotten in the moment Angela quietly celebrated. They were finally acting on those damned suppressed feeling. She was almost bouncing where she sat watching the scene before her. Coming to there senses and realizing as if for the first time Angela sitting across from them watching as if they her favorite soap opera.

Together they said, "…sorry."

She answered with, "no, no! By all means carry on."

Booth spoke nervously, "ah…how about we just eat."

All were in agreement. Together the three friends ate, drank, and laughed. The day wore on pleasantly.

As the sun began to set Angela made it a point to make herself scarce and watch the couple from a distance. Booth had invited Tempe to sit at the edge of the pier and disregard their shoes. Together they sat with cool water playing over their bare feet. She leaned into him shivering slightly.

"Are you cold?" he asked wrapping an arm around her.

"…a little."

"Here take my jacket."

"Won't you be cold?"

"Not a chance in hell…" he said mostly to himself.

"What?" she asked

"Nothing Bones, noting at all."

For awhile they quietly watching the orange sun fall slowly beyond the water. The twilight brought with it a pink streaming glow. As they sat at the edge of the water the sun dropped and lay like a great golden globe in the low west. While it hung there, the moon rose in the east, as big as a cart-wheel, pale silver and streaked with rose color, thin as a bubble or a ghost-moon. For five, perhaps ten minutes, the two luminaries confronted each other across the level land, resting on opposite edges of the world.
In that singular light every little tree…drew itself up high and pointed; the very clods and furrows in the fields seemed to stand up sharply. They could feel the old pull of the earth, the solemn magic that comes out of those fields at nightfall. It made them silently wish they could be children again. (1)

"So how have you really been, Bones?"

"I'm fine, Booth."

"You know I don't believe you, right? You still seem a little…I don't know…off."

"Off?"

"Yeah you know 'out of sorts.'"

Tempe let out a sigh. He was not going to let her get away, "I…keep having dreams about McVicar…"

"Looking at Angela the other day I'd say they were a little more than just dreams."

She nodded her head in full agreement she couldn't fight it, "I keep seeing him with my mother. He killed her with that…that thing. I don't know…"

"We are going to figure this out together, okay? I won't let you drift off with nothing to hold onto. I promise."

"I know."

"Do you really?"

She looked at him blinking then said, "Yes I do."

"You know I think you need to get away for a while. Take some time off from the Jeffersonian and the FBI", Booth told her and thought 'and me'.

"You might be right. My services have been request in Darfur."

"Bones, that is not a vacation."

"It is away from the Jeffersonian and the FBI."

"Yeah but you are missing the point of the 'Great Escape.'"

"That is my 'Great Escape.'"

He shook his head, "you are an amazing woman, Temperance Brennan. Come on its getting dark."

She looked at him questioningly. He asked, "What?"

"You think I'm amazing?"

"Yes I do", he said with a wide smile then placed a light kiss on her cheek. He put a hand on her back and guided to the bank.

Finding Angela the threesome made their way back to the road as they were plunged into darkness. It had been a good day. Better than good. 'It was possible' Tempe thought. 'Maybe surprises weren't such a bad thing after all.'

(1) Always give credit where credit is due I wanted the sunset to be special but I'm no poet. At least not a good one so I borrowed a quote from Willa Carther, an American Novelist 1873–1947.