A/N: In an attempt to get into the elusive Christmas spirit, I am going to post a Christmas fic. I was, as usual, inspired on the drive to class. I have no idea what brought it on, however, which made me curious. To all the other authors out there: Where does inspiration usually hit you? Also, since I want to finish this before Christmas, I'll be focusing on it a bit more, so those reading P&P and/or Coed, please be patient with me if updates slow or cease for awhile. I'm intending this one to be short, so hopefully that'll happen. Let me know what you think and enjoy!

The True Meaning of Christmas

Chapter 1: December 21st

Zach was anxious to leave work that day. Normally, he wouldn't want to be anywhere else, but today was the day he would catch the bus to head home for Christmas. He couldn't wait to see everyone. He had spoken with his mother that morning, assuring her that all was ready and that he would be careful. She had sounded unconvinced, as she had every year since he'd left home.

He glanced up from his work as he heard a noise. Hodgins had just slammed his cell phone down on the table, his face radiating frustration.

"Something wrong?" Zach asked.

"You're very observant Zach. Anyone ever tell you that?"

"It's a characteristic that has often been associated with me, yes. Care to share?"

"Not really," he said, but continued anyway. "I was set to fly to Sweden, but all the flights are cancelled. Something's going on over there. Now I'm stuck here. Flights elsewhere are booked."

"I'm sorry for you."

"Don't be. It's not gonna stop me from enjoying the holiday with my good buddy Jack Daniels and a lap dance or two."

"Such activities aren't synonymous with the holidays."

"You got a better idea?"

Zach thought. He looked over at Booth and Brennan. Booth had been trying to convince her all day to spend Christmas with him and Parker. She looked like she was starting to consider the offer. Angela had already left to spend the holidays with her father.

"No one should be alone for Christmas," Zach thought, decision made. Out loud, he said, "You can come home with me and spend the holiday with my family and myself."

"What?"

"I was speaking clearly and at an appropriate volume; I'm guessing you heard me perfectly."

"I did, but, are you sure? Your family won't mind?" Not that he was considering going, but…

"One more person won't matter."

"I don't know Zach."

"Really, it's ok. You'll just have to get a bus ticket at the station."

"What? Oh, no. If I'm going from here to Michigan, we're driving."

Zach had to admit the prospect of not being cooped up on a bus for an extended period of time was very appealing. "So, you'll come?"

"I didn't say that."

"You shouldn't be alone for Christmas Hodgins; no one should."

"Dr. Brennan will be," Hodgins pointed out.

Overhearing, Booth shared his victory with them. "Not this year. Bones has finally agreed to spend Christmas day with me and Parker."

Hodgins looked to Brennan for confirmation. She nodded. "After countless hours of prodding and pleading."

"It'll be fun Bones, trust me. Do you even have a stocking? You can bring it over Christmas Eve and hang it with ours. Then, when you come over the next morning, maybe you'll find something in it from Santa." He shot her a grin, which elicited a shake of her head and a return grin.

"No, I don't have a stocking. And Santa? Booth, you don't…"

"Ok, leaving now. Good night all!" And with that, he turned and left, a bounce in his step.

Zach turned back to Hodgins.

"Just go, Dr. Hodgins," Brennan prompted. "I'm sure Zach's family would be happy to have you."

"Fine. Let's get going then. I need to pack before we go. Are you all packed?"

"Yes. I've been ready for days. My parents kept my old room as I left it. You can stay in there with me until Christmas Eve."

"What's Christmas Eve?"

"You'll see."

"Great. I love surprises," Hodgins said dryly.

"Good bye Dr. Brennan. Merry Christmas!" Zach called as he headed out the door.

"Bye Zach! Merry Christmas to you too. And you, Dr. Hodgins." After they left, she headed to her office to close up for the day, a hot cup of tea and a book waiting for her in her apartment.

After Hodgins packed, he had their luggage loaded into a car, and he and Zach hit the road.

"Thank you for driving Hodgins."

"No problem. There was no way I was taking the bus. How can you put up with it?"

Zach shrugged. "It's not the most perfect mode of transportation, but it gets me where I need to go. Speaking of which, do you know where you're going?"

"That's what GPS is for. Give me your address."

They'd been on the road for a couple of hours, when Zach looked over at Hodgins.

"I need to stop next time we're near a rest stop."

"No you don't."

"Oh, but I do. I won't take long."

"But we just got started! I wanted to put some road behind us. Didn't your mother ever tell you to go before you leave?"

"Yes, but I didn't need to go before we left. Now, I do."

"Fine, there's one at the next exit."

"Thank you. When are we going to stop for the night?"

"When I get tired."

"How about ten?"

"Sure Zach. Ten."

He pulled into the parking lot of the rest stop, and Zach got out, power walking to the restrooms. Hodgins followed at a more leisurely pace, scanning a map of the United States to see exactly how far they had to travel. Late tomorrow, they should be there. Well, if he had anything to say about it. On the other hand, if Zach had to stop every two hours, they might not make it in time for Christmas.

Once they were back in the car, Zach handed him a CD. "Can you play this please?"

Hodgins looked at the disc. "What is it?"

"Just some Christmas music. To put you in the spirit."

"Christmas music started playing shortly after Halloween. Any spirit I had was trampled on by Christmas starting before Thanksgiving."

"Then you need more." He gestured to the CD player, and Hodgins slid the disc in with a dramatic sigh. His head smacked against the back of the seat as the first song began playing.

"Grandma got run over by a Reindeer?"

"It's a Christmas song. All the Addys know it."

"Even you?"

"Yes."

"Let's hear it."

Zach sang along with the song, proving that he did, in fact, know all the words. The next song began to play.

"Ok, now I'm really confused. Monster Mash?"

"Oops. I guess this is the Addy holiday CD mix, not the Christmas CD."

"Your family makes holiday CDs?"

"Yes. Christmas is the most important one though. My mother is very enthusiastic when it comes to Christmas. She'll put you in the spirit."

He tapped his hand on his knee to the beat of 'Monster Mash', humming along with the chorus. When the theme song for 'The Addams Family' began playing both Hodgins and Zach snapped their fingers along with it.

"I believe 'Jingle Bells' is next," Zach said, and he was right.

At five minutes to ten, Hodgins turned onto the nearest exit and from there turned into the nearest hotel. "Ok, I've had enough holiday cheer for one night. Let's check in and get some sleep. I'll pay for your room."

"Wouldn't it be cheaper to share one?" Zach wasn't totally against the idea of having his own room, but he enjoyed his friendship with Hodgins and this little road trip was a good opportunity for some male bonding.

"That doesn't matter."

"Please Hodgins. You're already driving. I don't want to feel like I'm taking advantage of your financial status. Although I suppose I could pay you back."

"No, that's ok. We can share, I guess." Hodgins said. He didn't want Zach to feel like he owed him anything. They got a room and settled in.

"May I have the bed by the wall?" Zach asked.

"Do I wanna know why?"

"Because that's where my bed is located in my room at home and above your garage."

"Sure, if that's what you want." Hodgins relaxed under the blankets of the other bed and looked over at Zach once he was settled as well. "Why do you still call Michigan home, but the place you're at most of the year is just 'above my garage'?"

Zach stared at the ceiling a moment before answering. "Because, although I consider you and the rest of the team a sort of family, my blood family is in Michigan. Have you ever heard the saying 'Home is where the Heart is?"

Hodgins nodded.

"Well, my heart is in Michigan, with them."

"Ok; I get that."

"Good night Hodgins."

"Good night Zach."

A/N: If I stay on the ball with this story and I get enough prompting from readers, I've been toying with the idea of a short companion piece to this one, involving Brennan's Christmas with Booth and Parker. Let me know if you'd be interested, and also what you thought of this chap. Hopefully, it'll work out time wise. Thanks for reading!