A/N: I had a totally different chapter written out, but this one popped in my head after watching Season 10's WITW. Takes place after this season's DITB. I hope you enjoy it.

Karen walked in Aubrey's office and quietly closed the door. Earlier, she saw the redhead intern from the Jeffersonian drop off a wrapped box with a bow on it in his office. Confirming what she saw, she grabbed the box, noting the Angry Birds paper and large red bow. After that, she gently shook it.

"Must be cookies or something." She muttered. "How cheap can you get? Oh well."

Karen grabbed the label she made out earlier and stuck it directly above the one that said 'From Jess'. Looking back at the appearance, she was satisfied.

She and Aubrey had a connection that day in the hospital. She caught the flirtatious tone in his voice when he remarked she was like Clarice Starling. Karen didn't have the best luck with men, but she was determined to snag this one.

She opened the door and peeked out. When she saw that the coast was clear, she walked back out with a smile on her face.

One hour later, an annoyed Aubrey came back into his office, slammed the door, and threw the file on the desk. Until Stark returned from Medical Leave, they had to answer to Deputy Director Andrew Hacker. He knew enough about the windbag from Booth and today's meeting confirmed that. Aubrey couldn't help the sarcasm that came out of him before the meeting was finished. When they got back to Booth's office, the senior agent rightfully chewed him out, finishing that he better not come out of his office until he got 'the burr out of his ass'.

It wasn't the meeting that he was mad about and Booth knew it, too.

Things with Jessica were tense since he snuck out of the hospital and had that press conference. She ripped him a new one for making himself a target. When he told her that it was part of his job to catch the criminal, she called him self-serving and arrogant before insinuating that he always thought of himself first.

Pissed off at the implication and what he now admits was the strong nerve she hit, he lobbied back that she was flighty, tactless, and a commitment phobe. Jessica merely stormed off in response.

At the time, Aubrey smiled in victory, but after he processed the teenagers they arrested, he realized that the victory was hollow. He felt even worse when he remembered that she was at the hospital waiting while he was in surgery. Even more, she came by whenever she could in between the lab those few days before his stunt.

He wanted to apologize, but didn't know how. What he said was totally uncalled for. Most people tell him off, he ignores them, but to hear those words from Jessica cut him. Especially because she was right, except for one thing.

He didn't think of himself first. All that he did, his last thought before he went to bed at night, the first thing he thought of when he woke…was her. Always her.

No, on the night of the arrest, he didn't think of her. He was pissed and angry about the bombing, as well as emotional as thoughts of Booth's struggles the past year rushed through his mind. He didn't want his mentor separated from his family again.

To be honest, he liked her flighty and tactless. She spoke the truth, much like he did and he respected her for it. Yes, she was a commitment phobe, but she had scars like he did.

Because he was a commitment phobe, too.

Aubrey closed his eyes as he realized he probably blew it with her. When he opened them, he saw the wrapped box on the desk. He got his hopes up until he saw it was from Karen. She was nice, but a bit too obvious. Definitely not interested.

But she went to the trouble of a gift, so he decided to open it before emailing her a thank you.

Sitting at the desk, he opened it and discovered a metal tin. When he opened it, he found Christmas cookies, but not just any Christmas cookies. Grabbing one and tasting it, his suspicions were confirmed. He looked at the top of the tin and saw six words in a familiar handwriting.

I'm sorry, Superman.

Love, Your Jessica

The longer he perused it, the bigger his heart got before he remembered what he saw earlier. After making a quick determination, he plotted a course of action.

An hour later, Karen heard a beep and saw she had an email from Aubrey. Reading it, she smiled.

Loved the cookies! Thanks for such an awesome gift. I want to thank you, so why don't you meet me at the Blue Duck Tavern for dinner? I made a reservation for 7PM but if you need a different time, let me know and I can change it to your convenience.

James

Karen saw that he signed his first name instead of the agent's typical signature with his credentials and office information. Giggly, she responded back.

I would be honored to have dinner with you, James Aubrey. I will meet you there at 7.

Karen

Aubrey saw the reply and smiled. Grabbing his phone, he made a call. "Hey, it's Aubrey. I need a favor."

At 7:00 PM, Aubrey dressed in a blue button up shirt, jeans, and sports jacket at a table at the Blue Duck Tavern. As he was finishing a beer, he looked at his watch before he heard his name.

"Hi James."

"Hi Karen." Aubrey said with a smile that hurt.

"I'm so flattered that you asked me out tonight."

"Well, I wanted to show you how much I appreciated your gift. Those cookies were awesome."

"Well, the email would have sufficed." Karen said before the waitress came to the table. "Would you like to split a bottle of wine?"

"Sure" Aubrey said. "There a Russian River Pinot Noir that's really good."

"Sounds good."

"I'll have it right away for you." The waitress said before giving a quick look to Aubrey.

"So," Karen said. "As I was saying, a thank you for the cookies would have been enough, but you didn't have to take me to a fancy dinner. I'm an expert on people and I think there is more to this than a mere thank you."

"All right, you got me." Aubrey said. "I have to ask, though. Did you make those yourself?"

"I-I did…last night."

The waitress came back and showed the bottle. "Here's your wine." The waitress said before opening it. "Oh, shoot, only one glass. I'll get you another one. Who wants to taste it?"

"I'll let the lady do it." Aubrey said with a smile.

Karen swished it around and sipped. "Perfect."

When the waitress left, Aubrey leaned in close. "I really like the bite the gingerbread men had."

Karen poured more wine into her glass and sipped her wine before she leaned in, too. "Well, James, the secret is using fresh ginger."

"Really?"

"Maybe we can discuss it sometime, say later tonight at my apartment?"

When their waitress returned, instead of another glass, she handed him two bags. After he set one down, she handed him a clipboard with his credit card and receipt before he signed it. "I don't think so, Karen. I don't like liars."

The analyst watched befuddled as the agent gave the blonde girl a twenty. "Thank you, Courtney."

"You're welcome, Agent Aubrey." She said before walking away.

Karen's eyes widened. "Liar? What are you talking about?"

"I didn't have gingerbread cookies. They were Christmas cookies, my mother's recipe. There's only one person who would have access to that in my apartment and it isn't you. Jessica had a note in the tin, plus I saw where you put your label on top of hers."

Courtney returned with another receipt. "Here's your bill for the wine, Ma'am. I'll be more than happy to take it up for you anytime or you can pay at the bar."

When Karen opened the tab, her eyes bulged. "This bottle is $97.00! You're paying for half, James!"

"No I'm not. I didn't drink the wine and you ordered it."

"I can cork this for you if you like, Ma'am. Washington DC allows you to take open bottles of wine home."

"Well", Aubrey said while getting up. "I should get going while the food is hot. If you attempt another thing like this or make any overture towards me that I view as more than professional, or if you give Jess crap, I will go to your boss at the BRIU. I will let them know that I am uncomfortable working with you and may be compelled to file a sexual harassment complaint. Oh, and it's Agent Aubrey, not James. Is that clear, Ms. Delfs?"

Karen knew she was stuck. "Yes, Agent Aubrey."

Aubrey walked out and spotted the waitress at the bar, so he headed over. "So, Courtney, how are you really doing? This will be your first Christmas without your mother."

Courtney Hodsell turned to face the agent and leaned her elbow on the bar. "Actually, I'm doing okay. I've finally sold the last of Mom's cookie jars last week. Finals are done, so I'm heading up to Vermont to see my aunt and uncle for Christmas."

"I'm glad you're doing well." Aubrey said before pulling a card from his pocket. "I've been where you are, so if you need anything, just call."

"I will, Agent Aubrey."

"Thanks again for your help tonight."

Courtney smiled. "You and Agent Booth found my mom's killer and helped me understand why she was how she was about the jars and me. I should be thanking you."

"Good night." Aubrey said before walking out. He looked at the clock and saw there was time to spare.

Brennan was with Jessica in Limbo as the latter was putting away a set of remains.

"Now, Ms. Warren, I want to finish cataloging one more set of remains, then I think we can call it a night." Brennan said. Not getting a response, she looked up and saw that her intern was distracted. "Ms. Warren, did you hear what I said?"

Jessica shook her head. "No, I'm sorry."

Brennan felt a buzz in her pocket. After checking the message, she sent a text back. "Perhaps you would feel better if we took a break. Finishing putting these remains away and meet me upstairs."

Jessica gulped, knowing the tone in her mentor's voice. "Yes, Doctor B."

Jessica was going up the stairs ten minutes later muttering to herself. "Great, personal life is a mess and now professional. Doctor B is going to f-Aubrey, what are you doing here?"

Aubrey was sitting in the break area with two bags labeled Blue Duck Tavern. "Bringing you dinner. I asked Doctor B to keep you here so I could see you. She left, but told me to have you turn out the lights when you leave. She's heading home to Booth and the kids."

"But-wha—how—you're here." Jessica said as she sat down next to him.

"Yes, I am. I'm bringing you food because I know how you can get when you get engrossed in your bones." He put a box in front of Jessica. "Wood Oven-Fired Prime Steak with a mixed green salad." Pulling another box out, he set it in front of him. "And for me, Cedar-Cured Pork Shoulder."

"Wow!" Jessica said.

In another bag, he pulled out two Yeunglings, opened them, and got silverware from the bag. "All meat needs a good beer to drink and utensils so we don't make a mess on ourselves or here. I don't think Cam would appreciate that."

Before they could start, Jessica put her hand on his. "Aubrey…I owe you an apology for what I said to you the other night. You scared the shit out of me after I saw that press conference and the things we said only made it worse."

"Jess, I know. I saw the 'I'm Sorry' note you left in the tin, but you were right about some of what you said. I can be arrogant and as Booth has told me, an ass. That night, I thought about what Booth would have done. He would have done the same thing, except now he has Doctor B and the kids. After what he's been through, I just jumped in. I guess part of me was also just really pissed off about what happened to those cops, Hodgins, and me."

Aubrey thought about what he wanted to say. "I'm sorry for being an ass and what I said. You mean a lot to me and I should have at least talked to you first. Your opinion matter to me more than anyone else's, even Booth's. Also, you're flighty at times and not tactless, but honest. I love all of you."

Jessica's eyes bulged at Aubrey's confession. "Y-you love all of me?"

The agent took in a breath, feeling like he was facing an execution squad and his life was dependent on the right answer. 'Now or never, Aubrey.' He said to himself before taking both her hands. "I love you, Jessica Warren. I love your weirdness, your curiosity, bluntness, smile, hair, eyes, smell, touch, curves, heart—"

Before he could go further, Jessica moved in for a kiss. Aubrey's thoughts were wiped clean as her soft lips moved over his. When they needed air, they broke apart.

"James Aubrey, I love all of you. I love your direct nature, sarcasm, dry humor, your loyalty, generosity, smile including that cute gap between your teeth, dark hair, gorgeous blue eyes, your aftershave, lips when you kiss me—"

Jessica was interrupted as Aubrey kissed her. As his lips caressed hers, she felt his tongue explore the area looking for entrance. Eagerly, she let him in and they explored each other's mouth with responding moans before Aubrey came to his senses.

"Whew, Jessica! Wow, you made me forget about food."

"Huh?" Jessica said, still in a daze.

"Dinner. I brought you an expensive dinner as well as…" Aubrey reached into the bag and pulled out the tin she gave him. "My mom's cookies you made. I have to ask. Did you break into my apartment for the recipe?"

"I still have your emergency key, so technically it wasn't breaking in. How are they?"

"Perfect. Just like how Mom always made them."

"Maybe, we can try them later..." Jessica said.

"Of course." Aubrey said while chewing his meal.

"…at your apartment." She replied nervously.

Each let the words hang out there for a minute, knowing the meaning behind them. Just as Jessica was going to take her suggestion back, Aubrey spoke up. "Will you spend the night?"

"Yes." Jessica said with confidence.

"Okay, then." Aubrey said.

The two finished the meal, each hid sly smiles as they checked each other out when the other wasn't looking, looking forward to their future.

Addendum: I don't like Karen Delfs as I find her useless and an idiot. I don't tolerate idiots well, hence her special treatment in my stories.

Also, Courtney was someone I did wonder how she would have done after the case was solved.