A/N: Okay, before I begin, does anyone know what movie I referenced in the last chapter? I forgot to add that as part of the author's note last time. It was a pretty subtle reference but I'll tell you it had to do with Brennan's favorite flowers. Any guesses? I also want to thank everyone again who reviewed and favorited and alerted. All that makes my day! So thank you! It keeps my spirit up during finals week :) Oh and there's a little more football talk. For those of you who don't follow football, wearing a red jersey during practice means other players aren't allowed to tackle or hurt them because they're already injured. Just a little tidbit that will help you all understand this beginning section. So….
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Thanksgiving Day had arrived and it seemed as if Booth and Brennan were the only people on campus. They went to the diner to celebrate, in their own odd way and that was when Booth decided to walk around without his protective boot on.
"Booth, I'm not sure that's a good idea. You find out next week what bowl game you go to and everyone's saying we have a good chance of going to the championship. If you hurt yourself now because you're goofing around, you'll hate yourself."
Booth rolled his eyes. "Bren, I've been practicing without the boot. I'm okay. I just have a few more practices left on the injured list and if Coach and Dr. Ross say I can play, I'm playing. No red jersey or anything. Let them tackle me! My guys have my back. The offensive line is better than it's ever been! Hey, you wanna come to the selection party?"
Brennan had on a confused look. "I don't know what that means."
"Coach is having a party at his place to next weekend when we find out which bowl we're playing in. He said we could bring someone if we wanted. I want you to come with."
Brennan agreed and winced when Booth took a few steps without the boot and crutches.
"See?! I'm fine, Bren. I'll put the boot back on- Just for you!- but I'm not using the crutches."
She laughed. "Okay, tough guy, don't get so defensive."
"I have another question for you," Booth said quietly.
"What is it?"
"Well, Pops called last night. I asked him something. But I had to tell him something else. I hope you're not mad at me. You wanna come to Philly for Christmas?" Booth felt tiny. He didn't want to betray Brennan's trust by telling his granddad everything but he didn't want Brennan to stay on campus for a month by herself over break either.
Brennan didn't look at him. She wasn't upset with him. She decoded what Booth had said. When he talked to Hank, he asked him if she could come for Christmas, but he needed to explain why she wasn't going to see her own family. It's because she didn't have a family. She was actually quite thankful Booth had done something like that for her. Brennan couldn't stop thinking about the day she realized her mom and dad weren't coming back. It was just before Christmas then Russ ruined everything by leaving not long after.
"I'm sorry, Bren. I should've asked you before I asked Pops."
"Booth, it's okay. I'd love to come." She smiled at him but only half heartedly.
Booth sighed. "I did something wrong. You're still sad. What's wrong?"
Brennan took a deep breath and said, "Mom and dad left around Christmas. And Russ left on New Year's Eve. Winter break is always difficult for me."
"Bren…" Booth pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head. "I'm going to try to make this Christmas one of the best you've ever had."
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Brennan and Booth arrived to his coach's house for the selection party just as everyone else was arriving too. It was going to be a packed house, but his coach welcomed everyone with open arms. Booth introduced Brennan to everyone she hadn't met already and escorted her to the large, open basement where more people were waiting. All kinds of staff for the football team were there and the place was soon packed. Brennan was having fun watching Booth play a few rounds of pool while they waited to hear the selections. He won every time.
One of the field goal kickers, Daniel, yelled for everyone to pipe down because the selection show was starting.
Booth and Brennan worked their way closer to the TV. There were over a hundred people crowded around the giant plasma screen.
The sports commentators started with the smaller games like the Alamo Bowl and the Gator Bowl and worked their way up to games like the Orange Bowl and the Sugar Bowl. By the time they were announcing the teams for the Rose Bowl, they still hadn't been listed. This could be good or bad. They were either coming up, still to be listed for one of the most prolific games in Wildcat history or they weren't on any list at all. They would be shut out from the selection process. Booth kept his hopes up. They had finished their season undefeated. There was no way they could be left out of any game.
The men on the TV announced the teams for the Rose Bowl and people started howling in anticipation for what was coming next. Brennan could feel her heart pounding in her chest and she gripped Booth's hand, squeezed tight and didn't let go.
Everyone's eyes were on the TV. The room was eerily silent and people were hardly breathing.
"And the teams playing for the national title are…the Alabama Crimson Tide and…the Northwestern Wildcats. The number one and two teams are playing for the AFCA National Championship Trophy on Thursday, January 5th. For the first time in school history, the Wildcats are going to play for the title, led by injured freshman quarterback, Seeley Booth."
No one heard the broadcast after their team name was announced. They leapt and shouted. The coaches' wives shrieked and their children did a little dance.
Booth jumped up and hugged Brennan. He then hoisted her into the air and over his back. Booth ran around the basement with Brennan upside down, dangling from his arm and shoulder as he celebrated with his teammates. When he finally put her down, Brennan playfully pushed him away but Booth grabbed her around her waist and pulled her in for a deep kiss. They could hear some chanting in the background. Booth reluctantly pulled away and pulled Brennan over to the group of students in a giant huddle, jumping simultaneously, arms in the air chanting the school mantra.
"Go U! NU!"
XXXXXXXXXXX
The semester ended with easy finals for both Brennan and Booth. Brennan, of course, passed each of her classes with flying colors but Booth was thrilled when he discovered he passed his Introduction to Anthropology course with an A.
"So, how exactly are we getting to Philadelphia?" Brennan asked as they began packing their things for the month long winter break.
"Pops is renting us a car. We can go pick it up tomorrow. Road trip, baby!" Booth shouted.
"Don't call me baby," she demanded.
"Sorry. I'm just so excited! We can get there in a day if we really want to. It's like thirteen hours at the most. We get some CDs to listen to in the car! I have a bunch. What do you have?"
"I only have one CD," she answered.
"Okay…and that is?"
"Well, I don't want to take it. It's kind of embarrassing. We'll just listen to what you want."
"Just tell me, Bren."
"Well, it was my dad's favorite. He loved them."
Booth laughed. "Bren, just tell me, please."
"Foreigner." She blushed. Booth laughed even harder. "It's not funny, Booth!"
XXXXXXXXXXXX
They took a cab to the rental company the next day and picked up a little sedan that was just large enough for them and their belongings. They had left early in the morning and Booth drove first. Brennan slept until around noon when Booth stopped for lunch. They were probably six hours into their trip when Brennan offered to drive.
Brennan slipped into the drivers' seat and realized she couldn't reach the pedals.
"Sorry I'm a giant," Booth commented as she adjusted her seat. She took her CD out of its case and slid it into the dashboard player. Hot Blooded was the first song to come on and as Brennan steered the car back onto the interstate, she began tapping her hands on the steering wheel to the percussion. Booth pretended to be asleep. He cracked one eye open to watch her quietly sing along.
Brennan glanced over at him and he quickly shut his eye. She smiled. Booth opened his eyes, sat up and cranked up the volume.
"Well, I'm hot blooded, check it and see. I've got a fever of a hundred and three. Come on, baby, can you do more than dance? I'm hot blooded, hot blooded!" Booth sang to her. He sang into his fist like he was holding a microphone. Brennan sang right back at the top of her lungs. They started laughing.
"I didn't know you knew this song," she said, turning down the stereo.
"Bren, who doesn't know this song?"
"Well, probably some people who were born after it was released or people without radios…you meant that as a rhetorical question…didn't you?"
Booth nodded and grinned at her. She smiled back and kept singing. "Hot blooded, now you're driving me wild…"
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Late that night, they arrived in Philadelphia. Jared still had school for another week and was already asleep when they got there. Hank stayed up waiting for them and help the couple carry their things into the little ranch-style house. They stayed up and talked for a while, both Brennan and Booth pacing, stretching their legs from sitting in the car for so long.
Booth showed Brennan his room. Big enough for a queen size bed, a dresser and a nightstand, the walls were covered in Philadelphia Flyers posters. There were shelves with medals and trophies from football, hockey and basketball.
"You can sleep in here, Bren. I'll take the couch." Booth dropped his luggage in a corner.
"Shrimp," Hank said, "You sleep in here too. There's no point in sleeping on the couch for almost a month. I trust you guys."
Booth and Brennan both blushed. "Okay, Pops. Goodnight."
"Just no peeking when Bren's changin', Shrimp!"