AN: The initial idea for this story came after re-watching the Doctor in the Photo episode. I couldn't help but imagine what Brennan's holidays and reactions would be following her admission to Booth and his reaction. This is my first fan fic story, so constructive criticism and reviews are greatly appreciated.
I do not own Bones, or any of the characters within.
The room was dim, lit only by a single small lamp near the hallway to her apartment. Outside, snow was softly floating to the ground, gentle remnants of the day's surprised snowstorm. Inside, Brennan was at her desk, a pen hanging idle in her hand over a copy of her latest chapter in the manuscript she was writing. She hardly noticed the lack of light in the room. She had been staring blankly at the same paragraph for the past two hours, unable to comprehend or alter the words on the page.
On the desk her cell phone vibrated, moving it slightly towards her hand, as if trying to encourage her to answer the call. Brennan glanced at the screen and sighed softly. This would be Angela's third call since she had left the lab earlier that afternoon. Brennan ignored the incessant buzzing of the phone and pushed away from the desk.
She slowly rose from her chair, rotating her shoulder muscles back in a scapular retraction, trying to relieve pressure in her rhomboideus major and trapezius muscles. As her cell phone beeped twice, indicating yet another voice message had been received, Brennan walked over to the window, mindlessly watching the last few crystals land on the balcony barrister outside.
The snow outside gave the night a blue overcast, reflected by the street lights. Cars were left parked on the side of the streets, waiting to be cleared in the cold light of morning. Even the snow ploughs had not yet made their rounds to the secondary and side streets of the city. Everything was quiet and shrouded in a blue-white blanket of silence.
The sudden trill of her apartment phone sounded exceedingly loud. She walked over to the bar counter and picked up the receiver, walking back to the window before answering the call.
"Brennan."
"Sweetie! Thank God! "Angela exclaimed. "I have been trying to call you all evening! "
"Yes, I saw your calls. I was busy working. Was there something you needed?"
"Brennan! I was worried sick! Everyone was worried! You left in the middle of a snow storm and no one has heard from you all afternoon! You should have at least called someone to let us know you had arrived home safely!" Angela admonished.
"I'm sorry Ang. I didn't think anyone would be concerned. It is not like we are not prone to occasional frozen precipitation. I am an excellent driver, and was able to avoid any accident or concerns on my way home from the lab."
Angela sighed loudly over the phone. "I know you are a good driver Brennan. But in a snow storm, anything could happen. When I couldn't reach you on your cell phone, I was afraid you had an accident, stuck in the snow, bleeding…unconscious…"
"I think your overactive imagination may be more affected by the hormones produced during pregnancy than you think, Angela. I was working and simply lost track of time. I'm sorry to have worried you unnecessarily. I am fine."
"You have not been fine in more than three weeks Brennan. You and I both know that since you started on the Lauren Eames case you have not been yourself. You aren't sleeping well…you are coming and working odd hours at the Jeffersonian. In the last two weeks, you have spent more time holed up in Bone Storage than actually spending time with real people. It's as if you are trying to avoid us-everyone…me," the last word Angela whispered.
Brennan was silent for a moment, trying to think through her answer. Angela was correct. She was trying to avoid contact with her friends. Working by herself in bone storage allowed her to focus on her work alone, without the unnecessary socializing or explanations to questions which might be asked in regards to her mood, her new habits, or the absence of a certain FBI agent from the lab.
"I'm sorry Ang," Brennan started. "I didn't realize how upsetting my actions were to you. I told you last week the Eames case was just one that I-I took too personally. I just need some more time to gather my thoughts and rationally deal with my emotions. I just –I just need some more time, can you understand that?"
Angela was silent. Brennan could hear her breathing over the phone, but for at least 30 seconds, she made no sound. Finally, "I understand what you think you need Brennan. I just happen to know you are wrong. Separating yourself and trying to rationally compartmentalize your emotions is not the way to deal with what you are feeling. Please, please let me help you."
"I-I really don't think that-"
"Do you even know what day it is Brennan?" Angela interrupted.
"Of course I do. It's Wednesday."
"The date Brennan," Angela responded dryly. "What is today's date?"
"Oh, it's December…22nd. I don't understand the importance Angela."
"Sweetie. Tomorrow is the Jeffersonian Christmas Party. Did you forget about that?"
"Oh, well, you know I prefer to not attend rituals which celebrate the Christ Myth"
"Christ myth? Damn it Brennan…I'm talking about egg nog, a chance to wear a fancy cocktail dress and maybe relax a little…not participate in a Living Nativity Scene!"
"Angela, I just am not in a very festive frame of mind right now."
"Exactly my point! Besides, I need someone to help me monitor the eggnog punch bowl. You know Hodgins always spikes it with that alcohol he has been distilling in the lab behind Cam's back."
Brennan turned from the window and sat on a bar stool. She knew when Angela got an idea in her head there was little she could do to help dissuade her. Perhaps if she offered to come to the party willingly, she would be able to make an easy escape soon after the festivities began. With so many people present, she was sure her presence or absence would not easily be observed.
"Alright Ang. I will be at the Jeffersonian tomorrow morning and will plan on staying to attend the party with you."
"Nope. Not good enough, I'm afraid."
"What? What else do you require?"
"I want the whole day. I am now in the second trimester, and baby Hodgela is finally allowing me to enjoy mornings again without being wrapped around the nearest toilet. I want a girl's day…hair, mani, pedi, facial…shopping - The whole enchilada. You, me and Cam."
"Angela, I think this is a little much just for what constitutes as an office party, don't you?" Brennan tried to reason.
"Nope. Don't care. I am using my token pregnancy card to be completely unreasonable on this Brennan. You have spent way too much time by yourself in the last couple of months. I absolutely insist on some girl time. We'll take Cam along to help keep us on schedule. As the team leader, she cannot miss the party and will make sure we do not get side tracked."
Brennan rubbed her hand across her forehead, where she could feel a tension headache beginning to form. "Fine", she said weakly. "I agree to your terms."
"Great! I will pick you up tomorrow morning at 8 a.m.! That will give time for the roads to be cleared some and we will still have time to meet Cam at the Diner for coffee before starting our day of beauty!"
Brennan agreed and after saying goodnight placed the receiver back on its base. She walked through her apartment to her bedroom. She undressed and laid down on the large bed, covering herself with the antique quilt that was laid on the foot of the bed. Tomorrow would take all of her energy. But afterwards, she would be able to enjoy a long weekend of solitude and silence. Time to try and gather her thoughts and make new plans. Time to refocus and rationalize through the events of the past three weeks…the past six months.
In the darkened silent room, Brennan tried to relax her body and allow sleep to overtake her conscious mind. As sleep overtook her, she failed to notice the single tear than slid down her cheek onto the pillow.
