Chapter 1

Dr. Temperance Brennan had had a hard life. She had learned

at the tender age of fifteen that it was best to stay detached. Dr.

Brennan protected her heart at all costs. This technique had worked

well for her. She never would have survived her time in the foster

system or her captivity in El Salvador if it had not been for her

ability to remain detached. It helped her to keep fighting. However,

she was beginning to wonder if she was right to protect herself the

way she did. As she thought this she was watching Booth walking

toward the exit door having just dropped a file off for her. Since

their kiss under the mistletoe she had been thinking more and more

about risking it all.

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8:30 pm

Booth was sitting in his living room watching TV when he was surprised by a knock on his door. He wasn't expecting anyone so he walked slowly to the door his ranger instincts kicking in. He looked though the peephole. Booth smiled at the surprise waiting for him on the other side as he opened the door.

"What's up, Bones?" He couldn't help laughing as he watched her eyes shoot up before she seemed to realize what he meant.

She held up the brown paper bag he hadn't noticed she was holding.

"Merry Christmas, Booth."

"Christmas was two days ago Bones."

"I know, but we never celebrated." She smiled as she walked through the door he was holding open for her.

"You hate Christmas." Booth stated with a slightly confused look on his face.

"I don't hate Christmas. I simply do not believe in Christ and have seen no reason in the past to celebrate a holiday that has no significant meaning to me." A slight smile graced her lips that captivated Booth. "However, this has been the best Christmas I have had in fifteen years. It seemed wrong not to end it with you." Temperance couldn't quite meet his eyes after making her revelation. It may seem small to someone listening in but both occupants of the room knew what it had taken for her to admit that fact.

Booth couldn't stop himself. He felt his arm reach out. He gently tilted her face up so she was looking him in his eyes. "I'm glad you came." He stated simply.

Both seemed to come back to their senses at the same time.

"So, drink?" Bones asked as she walked toward the kitchen.

"Sure." Booth said watching as she walked straight to the appropriate cabinet. It's not like this was the first time she had been in his kitchen.

Bones put ice in both glasses and took the bottle of vodka out of the bag trying to keep the rest of the contents concealed.

Booth walked up behind her, quickly downed the glass she had already poured and handed it back for a refill with a smile.

"So, what's on your mind?" Booth was still curious about what had brought her to his house. He wasn't completely buying her Christmas excuse.

Temperance took a long sip from her glass trying to summon her nerve.

"I want to talk about our kiss." She blurted out.

Booth nearly chocked on the vodka. He began coughing trying to catch his breath.

"I'm sorry. I've made you uncomfortable."

Booth looked at her through watery eyes. She was still beautiful.

"That was three days ago Bones. I figured we just weren't going to mention it. You know. It was no big deal. Just paying a sneaky blackmailer. Right?" Booth said searching her eyes half hoping and half dreading the answer that was coming.

She just looked back into his eyes for what seemed like an eternity to Booth before asking the question they were both wondering.

"Was it nothing?"

By now Booth was finishing his second glass and Bones was refilling hers. By mutual agreement they headed toward the couch; Bones made sure to take the bag with her. This act did not go unnoticed by Booth.

"What's in the bag?" Booth asked as they set side by side on the couch.

"Oh…it's…uh…something I brought. We'll talk about it later." Bones couldn't seem to meet his eyes.

Booth was very curious by her actions. He just couldn't stop himself. He reached around her and snatched the bag away before she realized what he was doing.

"No!! Don't Booth." Bones didn't drink often so she was already feeling the liquor she had ingested.

"Aww…come on. What is it? You were planning on showing me eventually, right?" Booth reasoned.

"Yes."

"So the logically there is no reason why I shouldn't look now. Right?" Booth continued arguing with his charm smile at full wattage.

"Well, I guess not." Temperance found herself relenting.

"Great." Booth smiled victoriously as he opened the bag and peeked inside. He couldn't believe his eyes. Temperance watched the look of shock fade to understanding as he pulled out the contents of the bag. In his hand was mistletoe.