Author's Note: This version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is sung by Joshua James….It is spectacular… I always liked Caroline and to me she has always been just a bit of a contradiction. Something about her is very private, and yet quite meddlesome. I for one love that she is an originally Bones/Booth cheerleader, despite giving them a hard time.

Author's Note 2: I am not sure what is going on with the email alert/posting lately on the site. I posted Max's chapter late last night and it showed up today… So if you have not read Max yet, be sure to go back and check it out.

God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Savior, was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power, When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel, this blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger, upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary, did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Hark, The Herald Angels Sing

Glory to the newborn King

Peace on Earth and mercy mild

Oh Tiding of comfort and joy, comfort and joy

Oh tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly Father, A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds, brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born, The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Hark, The herald Angels Sing

Glory to the newborn king

Peace on Earth and Mercy Mild

Oh Tiding of comfort and joy, comfort and joy

Oh tidings of comfort and joy

You would think that kissing for nearly a dozen steamboats would do the trick. You would think that the sexual tension would just get all lit up in a hot little lusty flame. You would think that two people that claim to be as smart as The Bone Lady and her Special Agent would see what was right in front of their cute little faces. Hell, it is a miracle I get to prosecute any cases if their powers of observation are that foggy.

For me Christmas it a time for family, friends, and just a little bit of puckish fun. That's right puckish. Hell, I tried. I used ever dirty trick my ex-husband the prosecutor taught me. I sunk so low as to blackmail the two of them into puckering up. No go. Oh they kissed alright, and let me tell you it was so steamy I felt like I was back in Louisiana. But at the end of the day, it didn't change a damn thing. Christmas Miracles my ass.

Some might call me meddlesome, or troublesome, or just nosy. I like to think of myself as an interested party. The stability of my cases hinges on the stability of their partnership. A stability that is held precariously together by bucketfuls of sexual tension. But I move along, I consult on the cases, provide the favors, grease the wheels of justice in the hope that one day I those two little jack rabbits figure out what's good for them. All I know is that I better be invited to watch the fireworks.

****

I was headed down to the kitchenette to drink the swill they still refer to as coffee. Oh how a well made latte would brighten my day. I never made it to get my caffeine fix as I suddenly saw Dr. Brennan approaching me with purpose.

"Well hello there Bone Lady, what brings you to the lovely Hoover Building….Looking for Mistletoe? Or Perhaps that dashing partner of yours? I understand there may be a sprig of the cheerful stuff down in White Collar crime."

"No Caroline I do not seek any plants, poisonous or otherwise. In fact I came to bring one to you." With no further explanation she handed me a Poinsettia. It was a rich red, in full bloom and wrapped in traditional green foil. It was in all honesty quite lovely and completely unexpected.

I was rather confused at this random gesture. "What are these for Cherie? What are you buttering me up for this year? It is my impression that all of the Brennan Criminal element are free to enjoy their holidays as they see fit this season. You better not be telling me that you managed to get some other loved one tucked away in lock-up?"

Hell… Sometimes I curse my fast wit; my mouth sometimes runs faster than my brain can filter.

Her voice came out so small. "Just Zach." Damn that girl as the amazing power to make me feel like the hulking bad guy in two seconds flat.

"Well, that maybe true but at least you can bring your young friend as many trees as you would like, there is not as much risk for shank material up there. He is allowed all the shiny stars he wants." I smiled at her, hoping that she would let Zach drop. I had very little contact with the young man, but I did know that his loss effected them all greatly. And I may like to poke and prod for the fun of it all, but some old wounds are better left alone. "This poinsettia is a nice gesture Dr. Brennan. Please forgive my surprise. It is well known that…well that…. The holidays just aren't your thing."

"I understand that in the past I may not have embraced the cultural or religious traditions of December, but I am making an attempt, including recognizing those that have made a difference for me in the past year. Ms. Julian I know that much of the fortunate outcomes my family had was in part to your assistance. I thought that a Euphorbia pulcherrima, a Christmas Flower would be an appropriate commemoration. I have always been fascinated with the tradition of Las Posadas and felt you would appreciate the festive tone they convey." It never stops knocking me senseless how she can turn a simple sentence into a vocabulary experience.

"Well I might not know much about Las Posadas or Las anything for that matter. I can however enjoy their color and the kind thought behind them. I thank you for thinking of me."

And just as quickly as she had arrived, she turned heal and high-tailed it down the hall. One thing you got to respect about that girl is she is a fast one.

****

Christmas can be a tough time. Being a spunky divorcee, even one as amazing as me, can be a bit lonely at Christmas. When my daughter was young, holidays were all about reindeer and wrapped packages. At that time I was still living with "mon chere," but time passes. No matter how close I am to the ex, and I know I am lucky he is the father of my child; the holiday is just not what it used to be. Those were years that included decorating the tree, carols, and a holiday ham, not anymore.

This year with my daughter in Spain on an exchange trip it was the perfect time to head home, for a lovely New Orleans family Christmas. I could practically smell the ettouffe, complete with dark red-brown roux, calling my name. My grandmother's recipe had the darkest roux in St. Bernard's Parish. Alas I would not be making such a trip. Most of my childhood family had moved away or died off, and frankly you really can't go home again.

Besides I, in all my infinite wisdom, agreed to help out with the annual Christmas Pageant and Spaghetti supper down at United Baptist.

I am not really a religious kinda woman, I don't wear my God on my sleeve quite the way that one Seeley Booth does, but that never meant I wasn't a God-fearing woman. My Southern Momma raised me right and I still to this day, spend a moment before going to sleep in prayer. And frankly there is no better time than Christmas to renew the feeling of family, even your church family. The holidays have a simpler meaning this year. I really can't say I completely regret the change. There is something sweet and special about embracing the "reason for the season."

****

Late that night I returned after dress rehearsal at the church. When my baby was young she loved the pageant, and I guess even without her I wasn't willing to give it up. I stood in my doorway, adjusting to the dark and embracing the solitude. I removed my scarf and placed it over the wooden hook at the door. Christmas eve was fast approaching. I couldn't help but dream of sugarplums and a well made Cafe Au Lait.

I glanced at the sideboard that was situated at the edge of my breakfast room, my eyes landing on the poinsettia. As a young girl I can remember going out to my grandmother's green house where it would be full to bursting with poinsettias. The brightest reds I had ever seen. Dr. Brennan couldn't possibly know about that? Could she?

I was still reeling from the chat we had earlier in the day. It was like having an out of body experience. I just couldn't wrap my pretty little head around what could have caused hurricane Brennan to allow for a change in her world, a social change no less. I knew that the motivator had one word tied to it. His name was all over this little scenario, but I had to give her credit. She was embracing the changes with a full force that was quite respectable. She was meeting her doubts head on. Grabbing life by the horns. Taking charge.

I could do the same thing. I could bring happiness into my own life, and maybe a bit into others'. I did wish to reciprocate the kind gesture to Dr. Brennan, and maybe get the chance to play cupid once more. I knew just the thing to too. A way to the heart is through the stomach after all.

I reached up into my cabinet to grab my Grandmother's recipe box and into the crisper drawer for peppers, celery, and onion. All good Creole cooking starts with the holy trinity. I had better get started, Grandmother's roux takes hours…