Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to review this story. I love getting feedback from others. I know this one is a little out of season, but I hope you guys don't mind too much.

I'm leaving for vacation this afternoon, so it will probably be a few days before I'll be posting anything new.

"The Christmas Pageant"

Brennan checked her reflection in the mirror one last time before deciding that she was finally ready to go. Booth was waiting patiently in her living room for her to put the finishing touches on her makeup so they could head to Parker's school for his Christmas play. Although they'd been dating for almost a year, for some reason, this seemed like a really big deal. She was certain it had nothing to do with Parker though, since they spent time together every time Booth had him. In fact, if she was honest with herself, it was more because she knew that Rebecca and Brent were going to be there.

Brennan let out a sigh and headed out of the bedroom. There was no logical reason for her to be nervous about tonight. After all, they were merely four adults who would all be there to support one seven-year-old boy in his acting debut. It wasn't like they were going together or that they even had plans to meet up once they got there. In fact, she was certain that the only contact they would actually have was once the play was over and they all went to congratulate Parker. Unfortunately, that was the part she was having trouble getting comfortable with. It wasn't that she didn't get along with Rebecca, it was more that she knew there was a bond there with Booth that she would never have and when she was being completely honest with herself, it bothered her.

"Are you ready?" Booth's voice broke into her musings.

"I just need to get my coat," she replied as she made her way to the coat closet by the door.

"Let me help you with that," he offered as he stood up and met her by the door.

After helping her on with her coat, he turned her around and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you for doing this, Bones. It means a lot to me, and I know it'll mean a lot to Parker to have you there."

"I'm looking forward to seeing him in his shepherd costume," she replied as she wrapped her arms around his waist and returned his hug.

"So why are you dragging your feet?" he asked.

She started to protest, but he silenced her with a finger across her lips. "It took you twenty minutes to change clothes and touch up your makeup, Bones. I've seen you do that in less than five. So what's going on in that pretty little head of yours?"

Brennan sighed and dropped her head to his shoulder. "It's stupid."

"If it's something that you're feeling, it's not stupid."

She took a deep breath and then leaned back to look him in the eye before she confessed her feelings. "I'm just not looking forward to meeting up with Rebecca and Brent afterwards. As much as I love you and as much as I love Parker, it still makes me a little jealous to know that she shares something with you that I don't."

He reached up and ran a finger down her cheek until it rested under her chin. "Bones, what I had with Rebecca was over a long time ago."

"I know that."

"Do you know that even in our best times, what I had with Rebecca can't hold a candle to what I have with you on our worst days?"

"But she gave you Parker," she said.

"And you give me a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to keep fighting this battle even when it feels like we're losing," he stated.

She looked at him for a long moment, seeing the sincerity in his eyes, before a small smile finally broke through. "So I'm being silly?"

"Not silly," he replied with a wide grim. "Besides, I think it's kind of sexy that you're jealous."

"I don't think jealousy is something to be considered sexy," she replied as she stepped out of his embrace.

"Then you haven't taken a good look in the mirror when you're being all jealous," he replied. "Because you look really hot right now."

She laughed at that and gave him a nudge in the direction of the door. "Come on, Booth. If we don't leave now, one of us might decide to follow that train of thought with some action and we'll miss Parker's play."

"Definitely not a good idea to miss Parker's play," he agreed as he opened the door for her. He waited until she had stepped through before following her with a hand on the small of her back. As he pulled the door closed behind them, he couldn't help but add, "We might have to go out for coffee with Rebecca and Brent after the play just so I can get you all worked up again and be able to take advantage of it."

"You are so bad, Booth," she said with a laugh.

"And you love that about me," he reminded her as he reached for her hand.

"Without a doubt," she agreed, suddenly feeling much better about the upcoming evening.

Please feel free to drop me a line and let me know what you think. It will give me something to look forward to about coming home from vacation.