A Present at Christmas Time

Spoilers: Slight ones for Man in the Fall Out Shelter

Timeline: Man in the Fall Out Shelter, S1.

Summary: Temperance did get a visitor when the group was locked in the lab.

A/N: This is a slight relationship developer in my Bones series.

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Tempe was holding back the tears; everyone had someone to visit them, someone who was worried about them. She had no one, all of her friends were in this building, she didn't have a lover, and her family was non-existent. She hated holidays, she remembered the ones from her childhood, but even those had been lukewarm at best. The best thing she remembered about them was her family, now, she didn't even have that.

She had watched silently from over the top of her forensic journal as Booth nearly skipped to the doors to talk to his son. Now he was walking back, a smile on his face, until a few hours ago, she hadn't even known he had a son. She had thought they were close, but how could he not tell her, he knew a lot about her life, but his remained a mystery. She shook her head and jumped slightly as she noticed that said man was right in front of her.

Booth was offering something, "Someone wants to see you."

Those simple words dragged her back to earth, she was alone, no one was there for her. Still, she took the headset and walked towards the door, curious. She noticed Sid first who waved and smiled at her, "Merry Christmas Dr. Brennan, someone else wants to talk to you."

Temperance followed his gaze to the beautiful blonde boy, she crouched down so she was on his level, he was smiling almost nervously, "Hi, Dr. Bones. My name is Parker, Daddy tells me all about you."

Tempe couldn't help but smile at the new nickname, "Hi, Parker."

"Daddy says you're real smart, and he likes, you. Guess what, I like you too Dr. Bones."

"Well, I like you too Parker."

"Dr. Bones, will you give Daddy a present from me?"

"Temperance was puzzled now, "What is it?"

Parker mumbled something that was nearly unintelligible, "I think I could do that. Merry Christmas, Parker, and sleep tight."

"You too, Dr. Bones, and don't forget."

Bones stood up and waved one last time to the duo on the other side of the glass. She smiled, maybe she wasn't quite as alone as she thought, she walked back up to the platform, and Booth was sitting in a chair next to the autopsy table. He was staring at the ceiling, not really paying attention.

Bones cleared her throat and Seeley straightened and looked at her, she crossed the distance easily, and gently pressed her lips against his cheek, giving him a half hug in the process. When she pulled back, they were both blushing slightly, "Parker asked me to give you a present."

She walked away, closing the door to her office behind her, she left Booth alone, slightly stunned, and very thankful.

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In the entryway to the Jeffersonian, Sid grinned; he looked down at Parker and laughed. He and Parker would get those two together eventually, but Parker's idea was genuine brilliance, or perhaps it was frighteningly cunning. Who knew a child Parker's age, would ask a woman he had never met, to kiss his father.

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-Finis-