A/N: so I know I really should update my other story before starting a new one…but this came into my head and even though its 1:30 AM Christmas night (or I guess, the day after) and I couldn't sleep so I decided to write. Set around Christmas of Season 3, but Santa in the Slush never happened. Hope you enjoy!

"Hey, Bones. Whatcha doing for Christmas this year?" asked Booth as he strolled into Dr. Temperance Brennan's office, clutching a manila folder.

"I'm planning to fly to Mauritania to help identify multiple human remains found in a desert in the northern part of the country. The arid desert climate has preserved the skeletons extremely well – they could be centuries old. I'm very excited.," replied Brennan as she typed busily at her computer, only pausing to look up at Booth when he dropped the manila folder in front of her face.

"Not anymore, you're not. We're headed to New England, Bones, so you'd better do some repacking. Anything you were planning to wear in that Maritanian desert of yours is not suitable for a New England winter." Brennan scowled at Booth as she replied "It's Mauritian desert, and I am not going with you on this case! I've already bought my plane tickets, I've told Cam I'm taking a vacation, and I've informed the supervisor of the dig that I will be arriving to help. I'm sorry, Booth, but you'll have to take Zach on this one."

Booth plopped onto her couch and rubbed his head in his hands. "Bones, Zach left yesterday for Michigan. Angela and Hodgins have agreed to drop their vacation plans and do whatever we need for the case. Please, just cooperate with me on this one." He looked at her hopefully. Brennan gave him an appraising glance "You don't get Parker for Christmas, do you? Really, Booth, I am sorry, but I just can't go on this one."

"Bones, you just don't get it, do you? You're coming with me whether you like it or not, because we're partners. As in, we do stuff together. This isn't exactly my idea of a dream vacation, either. Look, if you're gonna be difficult, go yell at Cam. I just do what I'm assigned."

Brennan stood up angrily and grabbed her coat. "Fine, Booth. That's exactly what I'll do. I'll go talk to Cam. See you in 3 weeks." she spat at him before storming out of her office.

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Agent Booth grinned happily as he cruised down the highway, leaving the clutter of the city behind. He glanced over at his traveling companion, and his grin grew even wider as he observed Dr. Brennan, world-renowned forensic anthropologist, slumped in her seat and glaring at a spot on the windshield. "You know, Bones, the poor windshield didn't have anything to do with Cam exerting her executive authority, so I doubt scowling at it like it mortally offended you will help you fly to that desert-place in Africa."

"How much longer until we reach wherever the FBI is sending us? And why did you have to bury my laptop in the back? Staring out the window is not conducive to getting work done, and I haven't been very productive lately." replied Brennan, her eyes never leaving the windshield.

"We're headed to the White Mountains, Bones, in the heart of the 'Granite State', otherwise known as New Hampshire. Plus, you're supposed to be my travel companion, ya know, keep me awake and all that stuff, although you're not doing a very good job."

Brennan gave him a Look and said "I'm going to sleep. Wake me up when we get there."

Nine hours later…

"Mhmm, Booth..Why are we stopped? Are we there yet?" mumbled Brennan sleepily as she stretched and yawned.

Booth was the picture of annoyance and frustration as he replied testily "No, we're not there yet. The car's broken down on a godforsaken back road miles from anywhere, with no cell service, in the middle of a snowstorm. Just great. Look, you stay in the car, I'm gonna go see if I can figure out what's wrong with the engine"

"What!? Booth, no! I'm coming too!" exclaimed Brennan as she woke up completely. Booth began to argue "Bones, it's way too cold out there. You'll freeze to death!" but quickly gave up when he saw her determined face. "Just, wear your coat, okay? And come back inside the car if you get too cold."

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Booth slammed the hood of the car down angrily. He hadn't been able to figure out what was wrong with the stupid car, and to make things worse, Bones had insisted on standing outside with him the entire time, in the middle of a snowstorm. "C'mon, Bones, let's get back inside the car. We can wait 'till morning, maybe someone else will be driving down this road then. Anyway, it's stupid to wait out here; we'll both get frostbite.

Too cold to protest, Brennan climbed into the SUV when Booth opened the door for her. She neglected to make a scathing remark when he repeatedly glanced at her, concerned. "You all right Bones? You can't stop shaking." Brennan replied, "Well, if I had been in Mauritania, where I wanted to be, I wouldn't be cold, now would I? This is all your fault, Booth, so just let me be, please."

They sat in silence for the next 45 minutes, with only the howling of the wind and the chattering of Brennan's teeth to break the quiet. Finally Booth burst out "Bones, you're obviously not all right. Maybe this is my fault, but I can't do anything about it now. The car is freezing, and the heater is broken. I noticed a barn out the window a little while ago; we can take shelter there. The snow has stopped for a while and the barn has got to be warmer than this."

It was sign of just how cold Brennan was that she didn't comment on his little speech, but just grabbed a blanket and got out of the car while she waited for him to grab another blanket and his keys.

Booth was right in that it had stopped snowing. The icy drifts crunched underneath their feet as the two lone figures made their way across a field, towards a large barn silhouetted against the night sky. The wind, too, had died down, but in place of the snow, icy pellets of rain began to pelt the pair, who were still a long way from shelter.