On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me…

Caroline Julian was a patient woman. Alright, she was as patient as she could be but this situation was starting to make her just a little crazy.

"Seeley Booth!" She exclaimed as the agent in question stepped into the reception area adjacent to the conference room where Brennan and two of her interns were collecting DNA samples from twelve teenage girls while their mostly irritated parents looked on. "Where have you been?"

"Caroline. You know where I was." He held up the warrants spread out like a fan. "All twelve requests are here, all we need is the samples and we'll find out which girl the victim was arguing with the night she was murdered."

Nodding absently, the testy ADA watched as Doctor Brennan swabbed a surly-looking redhead's cheek as her hovering mother watched like a hawk. "And all these girls were trying out for the same role in the play?"

"Yeah." Booth confirmed. "The lead role, Piper." He held up his hand defensively. "Don't ask me, it's some off-Broadway thing. Cam says it's a great play for high schoolers."

"And you're sure one of them is your killer?"

Sighing, Booth shook his head. "No, I'm not sure. But right now it's the best lead we have." He paused as he saw Brennan close up her kit and head towards them. "Here comes Bones now."

"Ms. Julian." Brennan nodded. "I have all the samples; we'll take them back to the lab to compare with the skin cells we retrieved from the victim's fingernails."

"Good enough for me. You notice anything hinky about your suspects in there, Doctor Brennan?"

"Hinky?" Brennan's nose scrunched in thought, a characteristic Booth always found adorable. Not that he would ever tell her that to her face. "As a matter of fact, one of the girls, a Jennifer Bowman, seemed particularly distressed when we asked for her sample. Her mother seemed nervous as well."

"The red head?" Booth asked, jerking his head in the direction of the conference room.

"Yes! You noticed her, too?" Brennan confirmed.

"She did look…a little canaille to me."

"Canaille?" Booth asked, confused.

Brennan smiled. "French Creole for 'sneaky', Booth." Addressing Caroline, Brennan nodded. "Yes, she certainly did seem as though she were hiding something."

"Well, it's a good starting place. Check her DNA against the sample first, if it's a match we can go from there, right?" Booth pulled his keys from his jacket pocket. "Here, Bones. Take my truck back to the lab; I have a meeting with Hacker in about fifteen minutes. I'll call you when it's done."

Brennan pocketed the keys and patted Booth's chest in lieu of a kiss. "Thank you, Booth. I'll call you both when we get some results." Nodding at Caroline, she swept out of the room with her interns in tow.

"I'll go send this bunch home, enjoy your meeting." Caroline smiled devilishly as Booth groaned and headed out for his Bureau-sanctioned torture session.

Four hours, three DNA tests, two abandoned lunches and one interminable meeting later, Booth and Brennan were settled on their sofa with their end-of-case drinks and deep thoughts on their mind.

"Those girls were crazy, Bones. Who kills someone over a high school play?" Booth shook his head, amazed that even after seventeen years in the FBI he could still be surprised by man's inhumanity towards their fellow man.

Taking a sip of her wine, Brennan frowned. "I'm still a little confused as to why the other two girls helped her cover it up. Logically, they would have had to do nothing and their chances of being awarded the starring role would have increased by 8.3 percent."

Booth nodded. "You of all people know that logic rarely enters into conspiracy to murder, Bones. They were friends, and they're young. Everyone does stupid things when they're kids." He caught his partner's look and amended, "Well, everyone but you. And not to that extent, usually."

"Mmm." Brennan agreed, her mind already on another topic.

"What, Bones?" He nudged her side playfully, not entirely accidentally brushing the side of her breast as he did. "What's on your mind now?"

"Christine." She settled comfortably into his arms, cradling her glass between her palms. "And what she might want to be when she grows up."

"Deep thoughts, Bones. Any ideas? Maybe an actress, like the Piper-hopefuls?" He stifled a laugh at her scowl.

"While I would support Christine in any endeavor she decided to embark upon…"

"You hope she doesn't decide to get into that whole Hollywood thing. I know, me too." He knew she was still running the idea through her head so he gave her a few moments. "Any other hopes, Bones?"

"Yes and no. I-" She cleared her throat self-consciously. "I would like for her to develop an interest in science, of course."

Booth smiled sweetly, rubbing her shoulder affectionately. "Of course."

"But…" Brennan returned his smile. "If she chose law enforcement, to follow in her father's footsteps, I would be just as proud. You're a wonderful role model, Booth."

"Aw, thanks, Bones. And so are you." He leaned forward and kissed her quickly. "I could handle it if she decided to be an anthropologist, though. Another you? Definitely."

Brennan blushed a bit. "You're sweet."

"So are you." He kissed her again, this time more insistently.

Tipping her head back as Booth moved his kisses to the slope of her graceful neck, Brennan purred. "What do you say to the idea of moving this mutual admiration society to the bedroom? I'd like to show my affection in a more…physical way."

Taking her wine glass from her hands carefully, Booth set it on the coffee table next to his tumbler, and then slid his arm under her bent legs and picked her up, her surprised squeal turning into a delighted chuckle.

"Excellent idea. You really are a genius, Bones."

Their mingled laughter and her half-hearted protests followed them as Booth enthusiastically carried his partner up the stairway and into their bedroom.

A/N: Well, that's that. 12 days, 12 chapters. Anyone who knows me knows how impressive that is for me. I almost never finish anything like this! LOL I just hope this project lived up to Maryssa's expectations because I really had fun doing it.

And I can't complete this story without acknowledging a few very deserving people. First of all, my wonderful friends Cat, Cindee, Tracy and Jaime who all pitched in to beta when I needed it. I can't thank all of you enough.

Also the women mentioned above, as well as Jen, Frankie, Kabrina, Kirsty, Angie, Carla, Sara, Steph and Jules for not just the fic ideas and encouragement but the emotional support and friendship you've shown me this past year, especially the past three months. I don't have a single clue what I would have done without you all and I am immeasurably glad I don't ever have to know. Love you girls!

And to everyone who read and alerted and favorite and reviewed…thank you from the bottom of my heart. Each one of you need to know how much I appreciate your support and kindness.

Finally, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and are enjoying a fantastic start to 2014. Happy New Year!

~Jen (NatesMama)