You guys are so nice!! Thanks for the reviews, and here is the next chapter, as promised!
"Give me 5 minutes, Russ, then I'll be ready. I just have to put some things away." As she walked to her office, she thought about how different this Christmas was from last Christmas. Last year, she was surrounded by people, but she never felt more alone. Especially when everyone had visits from their loved ones. No one knew how badly her heart had ached, watching, but not being able to participate. But Booth knew. He knew her almost better than she knew herself. Their relationship had grown so much in the past year.
Her thoughts stopped as she walked into her office and saw the package lying on her desk. She knew who had left it for her. It was just like Booth to give her a gift when he knew she didn't believe in gift giving. She sat down and picked up the package. She carefully untied the ribbon, and took off the paper. She lifted the lid of the box, and smiled.
Her thoughts drifted to their first case together, trying to find the murderer of a young senatorial aide. She had shot the killer in the leg in self defense. Her mind went through case after case, so many in just a small amount of time. Then to one of the more recent ones, where she saved Booth's life, and a young girls' life, shooting and killing Howard Epps' accomplice. The giving of this gift meant he trusted her to do the right thing. He knew her, knew she was strong, that she didn't always need to be protected. More than that, it meant he was willing to give up something of himself for her. This gift touched her heart more than anything he could have said or done.
"Hey Tempe, are you coming?" Russ' voice brought her out of her reminiscing.
"Just opening a gift from Booth."
Russ walked over to her, looking over her shoulder. "It's a piece of paper." He looked more closely. "A gun permit? Why do you want a gun permit? And why would Booth give you that for Christmas?"
Brennan looked at Russ with unshed tears shining in her eyes. "It's the only thing he could give me."
Christmas Afternoon
"I thought I'd find you here." Brennan sat down beside Booth at the counter at Wong Foo's.
Booth smiled at her. "Merry Christmas Bones."
"I wanted to thank you for making sure Russ could be here for Christmas with me. You didn't have to do that."
"Yes I did. Everyone should be with family for Christmas. Even if they don't believe in it. Besides, I wanted to do it for you."
Brennan took out the gun permit, and slid it across the counter. "Why did you do it?"
Booth looked up at her. He couldn't believe that she can't see it in his eyes, the reason behind everything he does. He didn't want to do it, he has such a strong need to protect her, but it's what she wanted. It made her happy, and that's all the reason he needs. The truth is, she doesn't need him, at least most of the time. She is strong enough on her own. He wouldn't want it any other way, wouldn't want to change her. But it would be nice if she could lean on him once in awhile. But he can't tell her that, can't let her know the real reason. So he tries a lie he hopes she will believe. "You saved my life. I figured you deserved it."
She knows that's not the reason, but she accepts the lie. She doesn't want to admit these feelings, feelings that are more than friendship. She can't handle that right now, and she doesn't want to mess up what they have. She can't say the words, but she can do something, something so he will know just how much he means to her. She picks up the paper, rips it in half, and lays it back down in front of him. "My Christmas present to you Booth."
"Why did you do that?!" He's confused. She badgered him about getting a gun almost daily for the last year.
Brennan looked deep into his eyes, and smiled. "Because I don't need one. I have you. You're my gun. You shoot em', I cuff em'. Right?"
Booth looked at her, and smiled. She made another joke. Someday, real soon, he's going to have to tell her. But for now, he can just enjoy being her partner, her friend, and part of her family.
Okay, I'm not sure she would ever do that, but I thought it was sweet, so I went with it!
