12 Moments of Christmas Chapter 1: Believe: Booth, a bones fanfic

Author's Note: I love Christmas, especially the music. Every year I start listening November 1st. I have an IPod Playlist with over 700 Christmas songs. Every morning I post Christmas Song of the Day both on my twitter (missmary424) and my facebook. My friends, my family, my co-workers think I am nuts (in a very loveable way!) and I wouldn't have it any other way. So with the inspiration of the holiday I am posting 12 (yes for Christmas it is always 12!) vignettes that take place during one holiday season. Each will be from a different character's point of view, and will be inspired by a different Christmas Song. They will all together tell one story.

I am planning on starting off each post with the lyrics. Let me know if this works or if I should skip them…

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Chapter 1- Believe- Booth

Believe by Josh Groban

Children sleeping, snow is softly falling
Dreams are calling like bells in the distance
We were dreamers not so long ago
But one by one we all had to grow up
When it seems the magic's slipped away
We find it all again on Christmas day

Believe in what your heart is saying
Hear the melody that's playing
There's no time to waste
There's so much to celebrate
Believe in what you feel inside
And give your dreams the wings to fly
You have everything you need
If you just believe

Trains move quickly to their journey's end
Destinations are where we begin again
Ships go sailing far across the sea
Trusting starlight to get where they need to be
When it seems that we have lost our way
We find ourselves again on Christmas day

****

Christmas is by far my favorite time of the year. The smell of cinnamon and evergreen, gold balls and holly branches, cheerful music, and an overall feeling of wonder…what isn't to love? I have long since decided that I wasn't going to apologize for my blatant adoration of the holiday season, I find nothing wrong with wallowing in the festivities. It makes me rather sad when I think about all the people that feel that they have to "get through" the season, that it was just another chore on an already too long list.

Sauntering into the Jeffersonian, unconsciously swiping my ID as I approach the platform, already starting to formulate a plan to spread a little Christmas Cheer. The most critical part of my agenda was to convince my partner that she too needed a little holiday spirit. Somehow I think I might have an easier time convincing Parker to eat all his lima beans. But I am prepared for battle; I am a SPECIAL Agent after all.

"Hey there Bones!" my cheerful voice resonated in the sterile lab environment.

"Hi, Booth." She acknowledged my presence without missing a beat or breaking her stare on what was inevitably a 5,000 year old skeleton.

Watching her I once again appreciated what she did, of the concentration that she possessed. It was as if the rest of the world melted away. I know exactly how she felt too. The way she looked at her bones was the same way I look at my "Bones." When she was in the room nothing else mattered either.

Her thought completed she stood up straight, snapped her latex gloves off and turned to face me. "What's up Booth?"

I could feel a smile spread across my whole face, she just has that effect on me. "Just wondering if my favorite Forensic Anthropologist wanted to join me for dinner it is after all past eight." I loop my arm around her shoulder, gentle guiding her toward her office. She knows that saying no to me really isn't an option.

****

We sat in the diner, at our usual table, in our usual seats, consuming our usual fare. With so much of our lives in constant flux, we both take comfort in the regularity of the diner. Many of our deepest conversation had taken place in the safety of this comfort spot, this neutral territory. I admired the slightly garish decorations that had adorned the diner. Glittery garland hung from the counter, red velveteen bows were around every light, and plastic poinsettias were on each table. A tinny version of "Winter Wonderland" quietly drifted from the jukebox.

"So Bones" I said between bites of hamburger "do you know what today is?"

Without missing a beat Bones replied. "The day of the week is Tuesday."

"Nope, that's not it!" My eyes left my plate and I seek her gaze in return.

She looks at me, "Yes Booth, it is in actuality Tuesday."

I flash her my trademark charm smile, and know that a glimmer of micheif is in my eyes. "No, what I mean is that is not what I was referring to…What ELSE is today?"

Her face remained set and impassive. "Oh…the date? December first."

"Well, yeah Bones. Jeze you are ruining this game!" I throw up his hands in mock disgust, but the smile stays in place to let her know I am just teasing.

"Booth, I don't know what you mean. It isn't your birthday, or Parker's birthday, or any other major holiday that I can determine." The quizzical look on her face made me struggle with laughter.

"Wow, you think of my Birthday as a holiday, that's awesome!" I can't help but let the joy show on my face. I am genuinely touched at the way she things of me and my son. "But no I am talking about starting Christmas."

Brennan set down her fork, as she did when she was about to launch into a diatribe "Booth, you know I don't celebrate Christmas. Besides if you are going to start celebrating Christmas it is traditional to start the Friday following thanksgiving. Though it appears marketing campaigns often begin before Halloween has ended. Although I still do see the rationality with celebrating in December, the evidence supports that if Jesus did exist he was born in the springtime. Anthropologically…."

"STOP!" I interrupt her knowing exactly what would come from her mouth next. "I draw the line with you going all anthropologist on me. Yes Christmas starts on Black Friday, but we haven't had the chance to really talk since then, and yes I know stores start too early, and yes I know that many think Jesus was born in the spring. But none of that matters. It is about the fact that December is all about warm fuzzies, and I don't just mean my wool topcoat. You know what forget it!"

She dropped her eyes from my face, noting that I no longer look happy, but instead am visibly upset. I feel a bit bad knowing that despite her inability to read others, when I am upset she is upset.

What she doesn't know was that this was all part of my plan. I know she can't resist a lively debate about the realities of Christmas. In fact I was betting on it, and the fact that she would take the banter a bit too far. This was supposed to be my leverage to get her to company on this holiday journey. Her regret at "upsetting me" would be just what I needed to make her guilty enough to go along with my plans. "I'm sorry Booth, please don't be mad. I don't mean to lecture you."

I allow my eyes to soften, pleased she was convinced by my anger, someday I should get an Oscar. "No worries Bones, I just wish that you could feel the joy that I do. I want to share it with you, you are my family after all."

Her frown evaporated at that sentence. While we both knew that this was true, saying it aloud was rare. Family was still a tenuous thing for Bones. I always try to tread lightly, but I really want her presence this year. Her voice was so quiet, if I wasn't listening to her closely her words would probably have been missed. "I sometimes wish it too. I just don't think that it is possible for me anymore." Her face was far sadder then I anticipated, her vulnerability was not something that I predicted. I was hoping that I could trick her into joining me by convincing her that I was offended, and she would begrudgingly tag along in an attempt to make me happy.

But her face, her words were telling another story. Deep down SHE wanted this too. This was going to be easier then I thought. But the ante had just been raised as well. She was doing more than joining me for a little light holiday celebrating; she was putting her trust in me to show that wishes could come true. I always have believed they could. I wanted her to believe; to believe in magic and love and family and the goodness of strangers. Could this be the chance I have been waiting for, could this the opening I have been looking for?

I reach out across the table and take her hand in mine. We have always said more without words. I think she is comforted by the physical contact. I look deep into her eyes. Choosing my words carefully "Bones I believe that anything is possible, especially in December." She doesn't reply, but instead keeps her eyes focused down at our joined hands. "I use my other had to gently lift her chin so she is looking at me.

"Bones I have a proposition for you……."