A/N: Ok, here's how it's gonna go. I toyed with going back and forth between Hodgins and Zach and Brennan and Booth in this piece but I just wanna do a companion piece after I finish this one so I can focus on one or the other. Originally, I wasn't gonna do anything with Brennan and Booth at all, just the bit of filler I stuck into the beginning, but thought that, despite the fact that I think the Brennan/Booth Christmas has been done (wonderfully) time and time again, I would take a crack at it anyway. Plus, those who reviewed wanted it, and I am at their mercy. So, expect that after I finish up this one. Thanks also for the responses. Enjoy!

Chapter 2: December 22

Hodgins awoke to Zach's face staring into his own.

"Ugh, that's a complete and unwelcome turnaround from my dreams," he muttered, shoving Zach's face away from his own. He noticed Zach was dressed for the day and ready to go. He spared a glance at the clock before rolling away from it. "Why are you up so early?"

"I'm eager to hit the road."

"Too eager, if you ask me."

"Please get up Hodgins. We cut down a tree tomorrow and I don't want to miss that."

"You won't. I had planned on getting there tonight."

"We still have quite a ways to go."

"I know you know how I drive. Don't worry about it."

"Speaking of the way you drive, I worry more about that. Excessive speeds can be dangerous. Which is why I want to get an early start."

"You're not going to leave me alone, are you?"

"Not until you get up."

"I thought as much." Hodgins sat up and stretched, rising slowly from the bed and grabbing clean clothes on the way to the bathroom. "Give me 45 minutes."

"I can do that."

"I wasn't giving you another option. Unless you wanna hitchhike the rest of the way."

"Hitchhiking is dangerous. The statistics say that…" Hodgins tuned him out, turning on the hot water for the shower.

Just under an hour later, they were checked out of the hotel and back on the road, with Zach's Christmas music blaring in Hodgins' ears.

"I need some regular music Zach."

"No!" Zach was adamant. "You need to hear Christmas music to get into the spirit of the holidays."

Hodgins scowled.

"Maybe you should sing. That always helps me."

"I am not gonna sing…what is that, anyway? Up on the Housetop?"

"Yes. What about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer?"

"No, Zach. You can keep the music on if you feel you must, but I'm not gonna sing."

"You should. Along with getting you in the spirit, it's also good preparation for when we go Christmas Caroling."

"Christmas Caroling?" Hodgins wasn't sure he'd heard Zach right.

"Yes. Every year, the Addy family goes Christmas Caroling around town. It's fun and we get hot cocoa afterwards. We do it after decorating the tree."

"Well, I'm not an Addy, therefore I'm exempt."

"Technically, my brothers and sisters-in-law aren't either, and they go. You're more than welcome to go. In fact, my mother will insist."

"I can't wait."

"Me either," Zach replied, not picking up on Hodgins' sarcasm.

The closer they got to Michigan, the more excited Zach seemed to get. Hodgins wondered how everyone else was doing. Angela was probably hanging out with her dad and Brennan and Booth were probably doing… whatever it was Brennan and Booth did. And he was stuck in a car with a guy who literally started bouncing up and down in his seat as they passed the 'Welcome to Michigan' sign.

"They're expecting us. They'll all be out to greet us," Zach informed.

"How'd they know exactly when we were coming? Some super secret Addy sense that allows you all to keep track of each other at all times?" Hodgins chuckled to himself at the thought.

"No," Zach answered seriously. "I called from the last rest stop we stopped at."

Oh. That was a little more mundane. "The Addy sense would have been cooler."

"Cool perhaps, but impossible."

Hodgins would have known which house was Zach's even before the GPS told him. There were about a million (well, maybe that was overstating it a bit) people gathered on the front lawn of the large farmhouse, lit up with Christmas decorations, so many, in fact, that it was borderline tacky. When the car stopped and Zach and Hodgins got out, a cheer went up from the majority of those gathered and they ran as one to Zach, enveloping him in hugs.

It was as though they'd just returned victorious from battle. Hodgins was a little apprehensive now. They hadn't taken notice of him yet, but it was only a matter of time. He took a step back.

Zach pulled away from an older woman who must have been his mother and introduced Hodgins with a wave of his hand. "This is my friend and colleague Dr. Jack Hodgins."

A chorus of 'nice to meet yous' and 'hellos' met Hodgins' ears. He shook hands with Zach's mother and father, Janet and Mark, but that was as far as the introductions went.

"You probably wouldn't remember all their names," Zach told him.

"Got that right."

A boy of about 14 smirked at Hodgins. "Hodgins is a funny name."

"Ryan," Janet cautioned him.

"Yea, well, so's Addy," Hodgins retorted, resisting the urge to stick his tongue out. He glanced at the rest of the family. "No offense."

"Let's get inside," Janet suggested, ushering her children and grandchildren to the door. She looked over at one of Zach's older sisters and her husband. "Rachel, why don't you and Blake grab Zach and Jack's luggage?" She smiled, eyes crinkling at the corners. "Oh my, that rhymes." Once they were gathered in the entry way, removing coats and boots, she turned to Zach. "Why don't you show Jack your room so he can get settled. I'll have Rachel and Blake bring your bags in there."

"Thanks Mom. I've missed you." Zach gave his mother another hug.

"I've missed you too sweetheart. Now, go. I'm sure Jack could use some rest after the drive."

Zach led the way through the throng of people, now clustered around a fireplace where Mark was in the process of getting a fire going. Several of the younger children had wandered to the windows and were breathing on the glass and drawing little pictures. A cat lay perched on the windowsill. It was very picturesque. Hodgins half expected to turn around and find someone in the corner, painting a portrait of the scene.

Zach's room was at the end of the hall. "My nephew, Tucker, will be sharing with us. He's 7. There'd be more, but my room's the smallest."

"Thank god," Hodgins muttered, unsure how even the three of them would fit in the room comfortably.

"You can put your bag in the closet. Tucker will sleep on the floor next to my bed and you can sleep in front of the door. Will that work for you?"

"Sure."

"Good. Put your bag away so we get back downstairs. Dad's probably got the fire going by now." He waited for Hodgins to stuff his bag in the already full closet, and then the two made their way downstairs where everyone was hovering around a roaring fire.

Zach's face lit up at the sight and he sank to the floor between what Hodgins guessed were two of his brothers. A blanket was thrown around him and he turned to Hodgins and patted a place in front of him. Hodgins sighed and sat down on the floor, a little shocked when a blanket was thrown around him as well. A grin crossed his face. He was starting to see what Zach liked so much about coming here for Christmas.

A/N: Hope you liked it!! I may update again tomorrow or Friday, one of the two. Thanks for reading!!