Disclaimer: You know the drill. I'm not making any money off this (though I wish I were) and I don't own any of it. Hart Hanson, Fox, and my muse do.
Yenyen76- Doh, waking him up wasn't a good thing but I'll keep doing it =D
Nertooold54-That would be me as well. I finally gave up and stopped doing them altogether lol.
Space-case7029 - Chapter 4a (Labeled with an S) is explicit and Chapter 4b (Labeled with an SF) is not so explicit more along the lines of what I'd consider a T version. Or at least I hope that's what I posted.
Becksbones- So glad I could provide a means of procrastination.
CatherineC- Sweetie, I know who you are LoL =) That's for the review.
SchwuppDiDupsi-Thanks for the review
As always thank you all for your reviews! They are feeding the muse which has been interesting since I have three packages to get into the mail. Two of which have cookies (care to guess what I've been doing?)
Chapter 5 - SF
Brennan blinked sleepily and let a smile cross her face. Last night had been one of the most highly erotic times of her life. She had provoked Booth's animalistic side and he'd taken up the challenge. Booth grunted in his sleep and rolled towards her. She smiled as he reached for her in his sleep. Over the last year, she had found that he was very tactile in his sleep and she rather enjoyed it. But she needed to get up and get into the shower. Today, he had told her they were going shopping. She usually ordered her gifts on-line but he'd insisted that it was traditional for him to go to the mall and shop for Parker.
Carefully slipping from the bed, she ambled to the bathroom and started her shower. She was leaning with her hands planted against the wall with the water running down her back. Closing her eyes, she let out a soft sigh as the sound of the shower reminded her of their last Christmas together. A shiver ran down her spine at the feeling of the waterfall showerhead Booth had installed a few months after they had returned. She hated to admit it but it was part of the reason she liked staying at his apartment. Rolling her head, she felt her muscles in her neck relax. She smiled when she felt his hands run up her back and clasp her hands over her head.
"Whatcha thinking about?" He whispered near her ear.
"Making love behind a waterfall," she said in a husky voice. Booth groaned a nibbled on her neck.
"I love this shower head," he muttered then proceeded to shower her why. When they had finished reliving their fun in the waterfall from last Christmas, they stood together with him still holding her hands above head and breathing hard.
"We are not getting clean," Brennan said, still panting a little. Booth chuckled and dropped his hands to cup her hips.
"Yes, well we have the day off, the stores aren't going anywhere so we can take our time," he murmured after he'd stopped panting.
"Who are we shopping for? And where are we going?" She asked, straightening and reaching for her shampoo.
"We're going to the Lakeforest Mall and we're shopping for Parker, Pops, Jared, and Padme," he told answered, "and anyone else you haven't shopped for."
"I still need to shop for Hayley and Emma," she told him, "I was unable to purchase anything for them due to their age. I have no idea what they'd like."
"Okay, we'll see what we can find," he said, thinking they'd probably end up calling Russ.
He watched with a satisfied smirk as she washed. When she had finished and stepped out of the shower, he quickly washed then climbed out. It wasn't a cuddle but it was the best he was going to get this morning. After getting dressed, he headed to the kitchen and found her sipping her coffee and eating a bagel. He wasn't sure why but he always took her for an oatmeal kind of woman not a bagel type. They finished their breakfast and headed out into the cold snowy morning.
"I hadn't realized it was snowing," she said, staring out the window.
"We weren't looking out the window to check the weather this morning either," he said, leering at her. The corners of her mouth tilted up and her eyes sparkled at his comment.
"Where is the Lakeforest Mall?" She asked, as she saw the sign for the beltway.
"Gaithersburg Maryland," he replied as he settled in for the forty minute ride.
When they arrived at the mall, his mouth tightened as he caught sight of the parking muttered under his breath as he navigated the mall parking lot. He found a parking space near the back and sighed in relief. Brennan's eyes clouded as she looked at the long trek to the mall.
"Should we come back another day?" She asked, turning to face him.
"NO!" He said loudly and quickly. Her eyes went wide with surprise at his vehemence.
"No, if we wait until later it will just be worse," he said, softening his tone.
"This is your movie. Let's go," she said, opening the door. Booth blew out a breath and laughed.
"Show, Bones, it's this is your show," he corrected as he climbed out of the vehicle.
They walked quickly to the mall entrance and almost slammed into each other as they reached for the door at the same time. Booth stepped back and held his hands up in surrender then grinned as she gave him a resolute nod. He took the door from her hand after she had entered. Shaking off, they passed through the second set of doors into the mall. Brennan looked up at the huge wreaths, ornaments, and long strings of lights suspended from the ceiling.
"I like what they've done with this mall. It looks very festive," she murmured as they moved with the crowd.
"Okay, let's see. Jared and Padme first," Booth said, rubbing his hands together.
"What do you plan on getting them?" She asked, wondering if she should buy them a gift as well.
"We," he emphasized, "are getting Jared a camera that attaches to his motorcycle helmet so he can do the same things as you do in a car safely. For Padme, we are getting a Dr. Who cookie jar."
"I was unaware that I was going to be involved in these purchases," she said, raising an eyebrow.
"I was going to buy it and put your name on it. That's how it goes," he said, grinning at her. She pursed her lips and shook her head.
"I will not let you put my name on a gift unless I help to purchase it," she argued.
"How about you put my name on the gifts to your family. Then we'll be even," he offered.
Brennan walked beside him through the mall as she pondered his offer. Booth hummed under his breath in time to the carols being piped all over the mall. She nodded and turned to look at him as they walked.
"Your proposal is acceptable," she said.
Booth smiled and placed his hand at her back and guided her into a Spencer Gifts. Brennan blinked at the items glowing from the light of a black light. He led her over to a section and carefully perused the shelves for the item he was looking for. Spotting it, he grinned and picked it up. In his hands he held a box with a picture of the Tardis on the side.
Brennan put her hand on his arm to stop him. Taking the package, she opened it and inspected each piece then wrapped them back up. Placing them back in the box, she handed him the box. Shaking his head, he headed to the counter and set it there. Brennan was still perusing items, her face pinched at the drug paraphernalia all over the store. Her eyes shot to where Booth was standing and her lips pressed together as she saw him pull out his credit card. She knew he only used it for purchases he couldn't normally afford but wanted.
Finishing his transaction, Booth guided Brennan out of the store and back on to the main strip of the mall. Spotting a directory, they walked over to it to find the store that sold the helmet camera.
"There it is," he muttered, pointing to the store name on the list then finding it on the map.
"Upstairs," he said, turning and walking to the escalator.
As they stepped onto the escalator a woman jostled Booth and he almost pushed Brennan over as he stumbled towards her. Gaining his footing, he turned a glare on the woman then turned to check on Brennan. She was looking at him in confusion and he gave her a sheepish smile.
"Sorry, someone ran into me from behind," he apologized.
She smiled and shook her head at him. They got off on the second floor and headed towards Brookstone. When they stepped in, Brennan walked around perusing items in the store as Booth found what he was looking for. She walked to the counter where he was standing and her eyes went wide at the five hundred dollar gift. Her eyes narrowed and her lips pressed together as the credit card once again made it's appearance. He tucked the cookie jar into the large bag that he'd been given for the camera.
"Ready?" He asked, wondering what had her tail in twist.
She gave him a nod and turned towards the door. He followed her out with a confused look plastered on his face. When they got out of the store, she grabbed his arm and dragged him into one of the alcoves.
"Booth, what are you doing? I know what you earn in a year and you cannot afford to be buying five hundred dollar cameras for your brother. You haven't even shopped for Parker," she said in an exasperated tone. A grin spread across his face as he tried not to laugh.
"Bones, I am a big boy. I've been doing this for years. Now stop and enjoy the shopping," he said, taking her arm and leading her out to main strip.
"You have Hank and Parker to shop for. I will be shopping for Hayley and Emma after you finish with Parker since I require your help," she stated.
"I am quite aware of that. First up on that list is Pops," he said, smiling widely at her. She huffed in irritation as she followed him into a store that was lit dimly and filled with over stuffed leather chairs, oriental carpets and other items one did not expect to find in a mall.
"Can I help you?" A young woman in a business suit asked them.
"Yes, I want," Booth started to say as he moved unwaveringly towards the back of the store to where a clock hung on the wall, "this clock."
"Okay, would you like that wrapped?" She asked, as she headed to the back of the store.
"Yeah, sure," Booth said, shrugging.
She came back carrying a medium sized box and walked to a table with an assortment of wrapping paper on it. Brennan wandered over to examine the clock on the wall. An old fashioned wooden school house clock with an octagonal face and pendulum hung on the wall. Grasping the tag, she flipped it over and read the details on the back. It chimed the traditional Westminster chimes at the hour, half hour and quarter hour, had volume control, and a silencer for the night time. Dropping the tag, she turned and walked to where Booth was waiting for her.
"That is a very nice clock, Booth. I'm sure that Hank will enjoy it," she said.
"We had one like it when I was growing up. I asked Pops about it and he just shook his head and got a far away look. Apparently it had broken and he had just never replaced it," he told her.
"So, where are we going now?" She asked, pursing her lips and looking around.
"Toys R Us," he told her heading to the escalator, "it's three stories and the first floor is always packed. It's easier to get in on the third floor."
She followed him to the escalator and up to the third floor. As the entered the store Brennan looked around expecting to see a few people but was surprised to find it almost packed wall to wall. They ducked, dodged and wiggled around people as they moved to the escalator to go down one floor.
"What are we purchasing here that is so important that you are unable to get it at another store?" Brennan asked in amusement.
"A Fat Head," he replied. Her brow furrowed in confusion.
"What is a fat head?" She queried in a curious tone.
"It's a sticker that goes on the wall. Parker has decided he wanted to change his room to a Steelers theme. It's more grown up," he grumbled. After retrieving the sticker, they headed to the girls section.
"I have no idea what to get them," Brennan huffed looking at the aisles and aisles of toys and games. Booth stopped and smiled at Brennan.
"I heard one of the guys talking about his ten year old daughter liking Barbie. It seems to be a big thing," he offered a suggestion. Brennan paused, cocked her head and thought.
"The girls in school liked Barbie when I was that age. It would seem to be a good idea," she said, starting to scan the aisles.
Finding Barbie listed on one of the overhead signs, they entered the aisle and Booth groaned. The entire aisle on both sides was pink and covered from floor to top shelf with Barbie.
"But which one?" She wondered looking up and down the aisle.
"Ask Russ," he suggested.
He stood waiting as she made the phone call. With a sigh of frustration, she ended the call.
"He said anything Barbie. That is not helpful," she muttered, leaving the aisle.
"So you are not getting them anything then?" He asked, following her out of the aisle.
"No, I am getting them a lot of things," she muttered, looking around until she spotted a cart area next to a register.
"May I use one of these?" She asked the frazzled woman behind the counter.
The woman nodded in response to Brennan's question. Taking the cart, she headed back to the Barbie aisle. Booth had to bite back his bark of laughter as she began examining each of the dolls.
"Babe, if you examine them all we will be here for days," he prodded. She nodded then shrugged.
"How would you suggest I go about this then?" She said, looking around at all of the items.
"Walk down the aisle and put anything that catches your eye in the cart. If you have to think twice don't get it," he said, smirking, "it's how I shopped for Parker when he was a toddler and worked well."
Nodding, Brennan turned the cart around and looked to her left then to her right.
"Can you get that please?" She asked, pointing to a Barbie Malibu Dreamhouse.
Booth reached up to the shelf over her head and pulled one down, tucking it under the cart. He bit back a hearty laugh as she walked down the aisle, reaching out and randomly grabbing objects from the shelves. He only paused her when she put one horse in the cart.
"There's two of them, get two of the ponies," he said gently.
Reaching out, she grabbed another one. By the time they were at the end of the aisle she was grinning and Booth was just outright laughing. They arrived at the register and the frazzled woman behind the counter let out a squeak at the items in the cart. Booth heard a muttered 'please don't ask for gift wrapping services'.
Laughing he watched as the price on the register climbed higher and higher. His eyebrows went up until they were nearly in his hair line when the woman finally totalled the purchases. Brennan reached in her purse and pulled out her wallet. Flicking through the cards, she pulled out a platinum Visa and passed it to the woman.
"Fiiiivvveeee months of bills," Booth sang out, his voice full of laughter. The woman behind the register giggled and Brennan turned a scowl on him.
"Ma'am if you have more shopping to do, I can have your purchases sent to the main desk on the first floor to hold while you shop," the woman offered.
Brennan looked at Booth and he nodded. The still had one more store to visit. Turning she smiled and nodded her head.
"Just fill out this slip and I will staple it to your purchases. They will ask for your ID when you come to pick them up," she explained.
Brennan filled out the form then watched as they were copied, and stapled to the bag in such a fashion as to keep them closed. Thanking the woman, they headed out into the mall.
"Now, we go to Khols," he said, guiding her to a directory.
"You not I will have five months of bills," she said mulishly. He chuckled at her and shook his head.
"It was a joke, Bones. You chastised me for using my credit card then turned around and did that very same thing," he told her with a smile.
"I used my credit card because there is a limit on how much I can use on a daily basis on my debit card and the amount here exceeded that limit. My visa card does not have that. When we get home,I will pay the visa right away," she said, cutting her eyes at him.
"I'm building credit," he said happily.
Brennan shook her head and followed him into the store. Her eyes widened as he grabbed a cart and headed to the back of the store. A Steelers bedding set, table, more Fat Heads, and storage chest went in before they headed to check out.
"Booth who is going to wrap all these gifts?" She asked looking at the bags that were sitting next to the register as he was given a pick up slip for the furniture pieces.
"We are," he said, rubbing his hands together. She rolled her eyes and led him out into the mall.
"Are we finished?" She asked, wanting to get home.
"Yes, lets get our things and head home," he said, putting his hand at her back and guiding her towards Toys R Us. With a lot of finagling they were headed back home in half an hour.
"I find that I quite enjoyed that when I don't consider the amount of money that was spent," she murmured. Booth chuckled and turned to briefly look at her.
"I like making people happy at Christmas. If it costs a little more than I make that month then I quite happily spread it out by putting it on my credit," he told her, reaching out take her hand.
"Will you have five months of bills?" She asked, remembering him singing when she paid for her purchases.
"Sure will," he answered as they finally reached his apartment.
Between the two of them, they got all of the packages up to the apartment. She laughed as she watched him run around the apartment squirrelling gifts.
"Parker is sneaky and always manages to find at least one gift. So, I make it easy to find one and the others are more difficult," he told her coming to a halt in the living room.
Nodding, she went to the kitchen and began to make dinner. The evening was spent winding down and relaxing from the taxing day of shopping. Booth had just settled into bed with his arms around Brennan when he realized tomorrow was the family dinner.
"Oh man," he moaned.
"Are you okay, Booth?" Brennan asked rolling over to face him.
"Yes, tomorrow is the family dinner," he mumbled. Brennan smiled, smoothed his brow and snuggled in closer.
"Go to sleep," she ordered, making him chuckle.
~X~M~A~S~
The fifth thing at Christmas that's such a pain to me is Fiiiiivvveeee Months of Bills
Sending Christmas Cards!
Hangovers!
Rigging up the Lights!
and
Finding a Christmas Tree
