I told you I would have more soon... haha. This is the last I will be posting today... I think... maybe if I have some good reviews I'll post another one tonight...
Don't worry though, this story has many chapters to come; and long chapters at that.
Let me know what you think!!!
The room was dark, and the only thing that could be heard was the sound of the television blaring out the sounds of a black and white thriller. The light was flickering off of the television screen, and somehow, the fact that the movie was in black and white, despite the lack of cinematography and computerized effect, was much more frightening than anything that had come out in the past twenty years.
Brennan shut the door quietly, and tip toed across the living room toward the back of the couch. Just as she got to the edge of the couch, Booth jumped up and screamed, "BOO!"
Temperance screamed and then threw a punch at him. Booth laughed and tossed a piece of popcorn into his mouth, "That'll teach you to try and scare the master!" he laughed.
"How did you know?" she asked wide eyed.
"Special forces, Bones." He laughed, "That, and there is a mirror right there." He said pointing to a mirror that hung in direct view of both the television and her pathway from the front door.
"Jerk!" she said, stealing the popcorn bowl and plopping down on the couch.
"You want a drink?" he asked, tossing the hand made quilt he had been using at her.
"Beer, if you have it." She said.
"Booth walked around the couch and into the kitchen, "Of course I have it, Bones. After a day at work with you, I can't live without the stuff." Brennan made a loud mock-laughing sound in response. He popped open the two beers and walked back into the living room, "So what brings you to my humble abode at this time of night?"
"Well, I have nothing to do really. I figured I would drop of presents since Parker is coming over." Booth made a hissing sound and Brennan turned towards him, "What?"
"Bones," he said cautiously, "I didn't get you anything for Christmas."
Brennan laughed, "You're lying."
"Nope." He said, "You're the one who said giving presents is like laying claim on someone. So, I didn't get you anything. Didn't want to send the wrong message."
Brennan threw a piece of popcorn at him, "Fine then. I'll just keep you're present for myself then."
Booth laughed, "No!" he said, picking up the stray kernel and popping it into his mouth, "Okay, I did lie. I bought you something."
Brennan smiled, "So when is Parker getting here?"
"I'm hurt, Bones." He said bringing a hand to his heart, "I'm starting to think you only keep me around for my offspring." He laughed.
"Well," she said, "Parker is a very, very cute little boy."
Booth raised an eyebrow, "Takes after his father." He smiled. Brennan shook her head and turned her attention back to the television, "He should be here in about twenty minutes." He said looking at the clock on the wall, "By the way, how did you get into my apartment?"
"You still have that stupid rock outside. For someone who is so concerned about me locking up my doors at night for my own safety, you certainly have no concern for yourself." She said.
Booth took the popcorn bowl out of her hands, "I have a gun and sleep on alert. I have nothing to worry about. What if I was in here with a girl, Bones?" he asked.
"You were not in here with a girl, Booth. Besides, it wouldn't be the first time I walked in on you, or the second." She said.
"Which is exactly why I have this new invention outside of my front door called… a doorbell. You know, Bones, if you push that little button outside, it will alert me to your presence so that, if I am not decent, I can fix myself for your visit."
Brennan rolled her eyes, "This is quite a good movie." She said, "What is it?"
"Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock." He replied.
"My father likes his movies." Brennan said.
Booth looked at her, "How is your dad?"
"He's good." She said.
Booth nodded, "Are you going to spend Christmas with him?"
Brennan cleared her throat, "No, he's doing something for Christmas."
Booth eyed her warily, "Nothing illegal I hope."
Brennan pouted her lip, "I don't think so, but he didn't really tell me."
"What about Amy and Russ?" he asked.
"They're going on a vacation for Christmas." She said, "Visiting Amy's family in Vancouver."
Booth nodded, "So," he paused, "You're spending Christmas alone?"
Brennan looked at him, knowing what was coming, "I've spent Christmas alone most of my life, Booth. I can handle another one by myself."
"Come on, Bones." He said grabbing her shoulder and shaking it, "Spend it with me!" he laughed.
"I'm not going to disrupt your holiday plans, Booth."
"What plans?" he said, "Parker is going to be with Rebecca."
Brennan stole back the popcorn bowl and turned toward him, "What about your family? Aren't you going to visit them?"
Booth looked back at the television, "I wasn't planning on it."
Brennan scoffed, "You always act like I'm the evasive one when it comes to family, but here you are avoiding a conversation about your own, when you haven't seen them in years either. At least I've seen my father this year." She said defensively.
"It's different, Bones."
"It is not. Last time I checked, your father didn't murder the Deputy Director of the FBI, and you didn't cover for him, did you?"
Booth snorted, "No, you have me there."
"Good then, it's settled. You're going to visit your parents for Christmas."
Booth looked at her slack-jawed, "What about you?"
"I'll be at home."
Booth cocked his head to the side, "By yourself."
"Yes." She affirmed.
"No." he said getting off the couch and taking the popcorn bowl out of her hands. He walked into the kitchen. Brennan sat stunned. She got up off the couch and followed him into the kitchen. He poured the rest of the popcorn into the trashcan and tossed the bowl into the sink.
"What do you mean, 'no'?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
Booth turned and leaned on the counter, "I'll make a deal with you." He said, raising an eyebrow. Brennan nodded and waited for him to continue, "I'll go to my family's house for Christmas," he said.
"And?" Brennan inquired.
"And, you will come with me." He stated firmly.
Brennan scoffed, "That makes no sense, Booth."
Booth shrugged, "Fine then. I will be staying home for Christmas and we will both be lonely and miserable."
Brennan dropped her arms in exasperation, "I refuse to intrude on your family's holiday."
"Who says that you'll be intruding? If I am inviting you, then you are a welcomed guest, Temperance." He exclaimed.
Brennan folded her arms against her body again, "Absolutely not, Booth. I don't even celebrate Christmas, nor am I catholic. I would most likely end up offending your family." She said, raising her voice slightly, "You know how I get when we talk about religion, Booth. I'll probably say something wrong. Besides, I'm not going to meet your family on a holiday when the holidays are about spending time with people you know and love. They don't know or love me and I feel that my presence would be inappropriate."
Booth's eyes widened, "But I know and… I know you. My family is very welcoming and they know about you from the media, your books and what I've told them about you. They want to meet you."
Brennan gasped, "Your parents have read my books?"
Booth stood still, hoping that this wasn't going in the direction he thought it was, "Yeah, what is the big deal?"
"Your parents probably think I'm a hussy!" Brennan said, no longer focusing on their conversation. She was deep in thought and pacing back and forth in front of him.
"Bones, it's fictional writing. Like you always say; it isn't based on real life." Booth said, trying to calm her down.
Brennan looked at him, "How can you say that to me, Booth. You and everyone else always tell me that you think I base my characters on all of you. Your mother probably thinks that we are sleeping together. She probably thinks that I am forcing you into some sort of… what is it again?" she asked.
"Sinful relationship?" Booth questioned.
"Yes, a sinful relationship. I am not going to meet your parents Booth. They probably already hate me." She said.
Booth let out a small chuckle and put his hands on her shoulders, "Bones, they don't hate you and they don't think that you are a hussy. I think you're over exaggerating things a little here."
"Don't tell me that I'm over exaggerating and don't laugh at me Booth. I am not going to your families house and that is the end of the discussion." She said firmly.
Booth let out a breath, "Fine." He said, clearly upset by her decision, "But you know what? I think I am going to go home for Christmas. If you change your mind, let me know, okay? I would love to have you with me and I think you and my family will get along great, despite your misguided notions."
Brennan nodded and walked toward the front door, "I have to go now." She said softly.
"Wait, Bones." He said catching up with her, "I thought we were going to watch the movie. I could start it over if you want to watch from the beginning." He said, almost begging her to stay. She stared back at him, only blinking in response. He relented to her once again, seeing the fear and need to get away in her eyes, "Fine. Let me at least get Parker's present.
Brennan nodded and they both trekked outside into the snow fall to retrieve the presents from her car.
