The Christmas episode this year was one of the best in the whole series in my opinion. I was disappointed that they had her initially going to El Salvador as I would have thought that after the last couple of years she would have not done so during Christmas, though some real character growth was shown in this episode in and around that idea. I still want to keep the journal entries relatively small, so this set was a real challenge. I am intending on doing a one chapter prose addition for the next chapter that includes Hank, as I was disappointed that he wasn't in this episode. I hope you all enjoy this one. Gregg.
Disclaimer: I don't own, or profit from, these characters or franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
From the Journal of Dr. Temperance Brennan:
Dec. 25, 2009: Two years ago I kissed Booth under the Mistletoe to satisfy Caroline's "puckish side". Last year I canceled a trip and spent Christmas morning with Booth and Parker. This year, though? I am beginning to believe in the miracle of Christmas if for no other reason than I had the absolute pleasure of personally stripping off Booth's clothes. If there was ever anything to prove the existence of Heaven, then it is this event. How many lucky women get to gaze upon such a perfect example of a male body? Perfect symmetry, excellent musculature, and, dare I say it, a perfect ass! The bulge in his boxer shorts, at least until Cam opened the door on us, was also a sight to behold, though it was more of a front view than anything that would be seen from a profile, so Cam was deprived of the sight, thank goodness. Booth's dependence on names of Catholic Saints to keep from being aroused wasn't working quite as well as he thought it was, much to my enjoyment. I still get a bit angry when I think of Booth and her together three years ago. It is times like these that I should seriously kick his ass for that lie he is still hiding behind!
Have I really been creating a situation where I refuse to let people love me by arbitrarily going on digs during the Christmas holidays? That's what Dad and Booth seem to be implying, and while I still have some wariness about trusting Dad, I trust Booth and his opinion of me and the real world around us. I made Booth feel special by inviting him to the dinner I had for our "family". He made me feel special, and, I can also admit to myself, loved, when he joined me in attending the burial service for the victim and being there for his Mother. I think I've learned something about myself this year. I've been hiding all these years when I go on my trips, when I should have been here and taking strength from my friends and "family". I've denied myself for far too long. I think from now on I won't be making plans to be away during the holidays.
I also learned that I can help someone like Booth has helped me for all these years. My cousin is someone I can identify with in how she approaches everything. Booth has taught, and is still teaching, me that it is okay to be different, but you shouldn't block yourself off from the world around you. People have opinions, and they need to let others know what they think, not simply a regurgitation of some saying and quotes from famous individuals. She listened to what I had to say, and I think I want to spend more time with her when we are able to. Dad may have forced this somewhat, but the results are positive. Margaret is intelligent, and thoughtful. I have to admit that her more subjective evaluation of Booth, on a physical level, couldn't be more wrong, though. Booth is perfect, yet she found issue with his eyes of all things. How can anyone fault those delightfully expressive brown eyes of his?
My only wish, outside of wanting to spend more time with Booth, is that he didn't have to go through so much bullshit in order to simply spend time with Parker. Perhaps it's time to lay the groundwork to making the custody arrangement for Parker more formal so that Rebbecca can't simply treat Booth as nothing more than a glorified babysitter. I will make some inquiries and when the time is right, present my findings to Booth. But not now. Now I need to go over to Booth's and spend a couple of hours with him. He looked like he could use the company when he left her a while ago. He may still be hiding behind his lie, but that doesn't mean I have to hide my personal desire to spend time with him and comfort him when he's hurting, which I know he is since all of Parker's presents are at his place under the tree he has. Damn Rebbecca!
From the Journal of FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth:
Dec. 25, 2009: This whole Christmas sucked! Well, not all of it. It's always great spending time with Bones, and I saw a side of her that rarely comes out. She was genuinely horrified at the thought of the victims mother feeling alone and unloved as she buried her son this morning. Bones showed her that wasn't the case, and I'm glad I was able to be a part of that. The dinner at Bones' place with our "family" was excellent, and Bones had most of my favorite dishes laid out. I have to chuckle at her initial "few words" when Max prompted her to say something. Thanks for coming and let's eat, or something similar. I helped her out on that one. I'm amused at how she compromised after she vehemently refused to allow a prayer in her home. A moment of silence was what she suggested. Maybe not a prayer, but she showed some respect for those who have some form of religious Faith. I'm proud of her.
I could have done without being stripped down to my boxers and rainbow socks, though, and wheeled around the lab. Talk about embarrassing! Angela volunteering to perform any needed experiments didn't help, either. Nope. If anyone is going to be performing experiments on a naked Seeley Booth, it's going to be Bones! I'm going to have to do some checking because I think I'm the only one who got stripped down away from the prying eyes of the Squints. Bones sure was adamant about whisking me away to an empty lab room to do the deed. Damn Cam anyway for barging in like that! Reciting some Saints wasn't working too well and I was about to make my move at long last on Bones, but that got shot to Hell. Instead I got wheeled by Bones on a gurney out into the main lab area in only my boxers and socks. Talk about humiliating!
Then there's Parker. I live for those days when I get to have him with me, and at Christmas I want to be able to have at least part of a day so I can show him how much I love him and give him some nice gifts and let him feel the special nature of Christmas. I won't say anything bad about what Rebbecca does with Parker on Christmas, because there is nothing wrong by itself, but she should at least know that I have feelings, too. I would never deny her the chance to have some time with him if I had full custody, and she knows that. I don't know if I'll ever understand what I did to make her so vengeful and uncaring towards me when the subject is Parker. I've been shot, tortured, and beat up, but nothing hurts me more than looking over at the presents I have for Parker under the tree and knowing that I won't be able to give them to him until Rebbecca comes back from Quebec.
Bones just called, though, and she's coming over. She's getting better at reading me, and she must have seen that I was not looking forward to coming home this evening. I really don't know what I'd do without her. Pops is still ragging on me to grow up and tell her how I feel, and he's right. I won't today, but soon. For now, I'll enjoy Bones' company. I just hope that I can be good company considering the mood I'm in. She deserves that at least. At least I can give her her Christmas present in private instead under prying eyes. I think I'll shut off the phone while she's here. That way no one can interrupt if a "moment" happens upon us. Well, I can hope.
A/N: I spent a lot of time watching and rewatching this episode to try and distill the better moments, in my opinion, down into journal entries. I hope the wait was worth it and that you enjoyed these. I will be posting the next chapter of Friends With Benefits tomorrow as I finally have finished the rewrite of the chapter and am doing a final edit tonight. I will likely be publishing a new story (a one shot) tomorrow as well, or perhaps this evening. At the very least, let me wish you all a Merry Christmas. Gregg.