Chapter 6 We're Here!

At Camp

Michael and Christine were disappointed to find that their bunk assignments were not together; even though they understood the logistics of boys and girls being separated. Having been best friends since babyhood, they could always hope, right? They agreed to meet back at the dining hall after depositing their backpacks in their respective tents, which only took a few minutes since their counselors had told them not to unpack all their clothes and belongings. The camp director had given them an introductory pep talk after they got off the bus. "You're attending a science exploration camp and researchers frequently need to react quickly to changing situations during expeditions, so get used to keeping your gear ready to grab and go at a moment's notice. Practicing this skill could save your life someday. If you're on an archaeological dig and a nearby volcano suddenly threatens to erupt, or if an unfriendly native tribe takes a negative view of your research project, or a Pacific rim tsunami or earthquake strikes, being able to react quickly to a fluid situation is a vital skill to cultivate. Learn to pack light and move quickly. Not all of you will end up in the military or government service, but we will be teaching you skills and imparting knowledge that you can utilize if you do join these fields. The mindset you learn here will serve you in high school, in college and throughout your lives. Granted, you guys are 10 to 12 years old, but you're smart kids and we're going to treat you in a grown-up manner, since it's never too early to learn practical skills."

"This is gonna be wicked intense, Christine," Michael Vincent remarked when they met up again.

"Mom and Dad would say that you sound like Uncle Sweets, Michael,"

"I know; I love that word 'wicked' that he always used. I miss him a lot."

"I used to could hear him talking in my head when I was younger, but I've forgotten how his voice sounded," Christine said sadly. "I miss him too. I remember how he looked, 'cause little Seeley looks just like him, but babies don't sound like their parents."

"Hey, Chris, let's go check the bulletin board to see what time our science sessions start in the morning," Michael said suddenly, trying to distract his friend from her sad recollections. "I'll race you there!"

"You won't beat me, Michael Hodgins!" Christine declared. And he didn't.

"I have a classroom session this afternoon and tomorrow morning from 8 to noon, it says. Yuck, we just got out of school, I don't really want to sit at a desk again." Christine sighed.

"Maybe they have to show you how to use the caving equipment. Sometimes spelunking is crawling but it can also involve using ropes and carabiners, I read," M ichael suggested. "It looks like you have a field trip in the afternoon. I have to learn lab safety procedures before I'm allowed to observe or handle any of the insects, Dad told me. So we're in the same boat, I guess."

"We don't have much free time until Thursday afternoon. Maybe we can ask them to pack us a sack lunch and go exploring together. By that time, we'll have a lot to tell each other. I think we should try to eat meals together, if our sessions finish at the same time, don't you?" asked Christine.

"Sure, Chris, I wanna spend as much time with you as we can. They do have swimming at 4 pm and show movie after dinner, so we can see each other then. It's time for the first classroom period, so I'll see you back here for supper, okay?"

"You got it, Michael, have fun with your bugs."

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Christine soon discovered that the spelunking procedures class was nothing like she expected. There were no desks in the room listed on her schedule. Each camper was assigned a numbered set of equipment near which was a camp stool on which to sit. She learned how to wear the safety harness, protective helmet, gloves, and lycra sleeves over her knees and elbows.

"These sleeves are to protect you from scrapes and scratches. Professional spelunkers don't use them, but we don't want you guys distracted by trying to keep bandaids on. You're going to get some bumps and bruises, but these will help. Take care of your equipment; at the end of the session your parents will have the option to purchase it if they wish, but if not, you must return it in good condition. If anything is lost, there will be a replacement fee."

Meanwhile, Michael Vincent was learning to handle petri dishes, test tubes, specimen jars, and other insect gathering tools. He had, of course, seen his father using these, and Hodgins had taught his son proper scientific technique and lab procedures, but doing it in front of strangers made Michael nervous, and he felt clumsy for the first time in his life. He had to concentrate hard to remember all the details the entomology counselors discussed with the campers.

By dinnertime, both kids were far more tired than they'd ever expected to be. "This is more work than soccer practice or volleyball workouts," Christine observed between mouthfuls of lasagna.

"My brain is so tired, I feel like I just tried to memorize the entire Encyclopedia Brittanica website!" Michael groaned over his turkey cacciatore. "I gotta say, the food here is really good, and I'm so hungry I could eat everything in sight."

After the campers and counselors finished eating, and washed up their dishes, they returned to the long tables and played games of chess, checkers or Scrabble for an hour and competed in a few rounds of "Sparkle" the math quiz game they remembered from third and fourth grade, but still enjoyed before being dismissed for the night.

After supper, the two pre-teens walked back to their tents, unrolled their sleeping bags, and were soundly asleep by 9 pm.

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Back in D.C.

Booth performed his nightly security sweep of the house, checking all the door and window locks, and set the alarm system for its overnight operation. He ascended the stairs and walked down the hall, pausing at the doorway to Christine's room. Its empty silence saddened him a little, but he knew their daughter would benefit in many ways from attending this camp sessions, and missing her came with being a parent. He continued down the hall, and walked into the master bedroom. Brennan was propped up in bed, against the headboard and several pillows, a scientific journal in her lap. She was staring off in space.

"Bones, you okay?"

"No, Booth, I'm not; I miss our daughter, and we only dropped her off this afternoon. How am I going to get through the next two weeks?" Brennan whined. "When she stays with Max or Angela, I know I can see her the next day. This camp is much too long, and too far away! What if she needs us?"

"How very mature of you, Bones, you sound like Parker used to when I told him he'd had enough chocolate ice cream or video games," Booth teased his wife. "We'll get through it just like we did Parker having the measles, or Chrissy's ear infections when she was small. As Pops used to say 'This too shall pass,'" he soothed her. "Roll over and I'll rub your back."

A short time later, after his tender ministrations and other distractions, Brennan drifted into a fitful sleep in Booth's arms.