Note: The following list will introduce the bit of family that's in Zach's apartment. I refuse to break up the flow by a long list.

Hope- Zach's grandma (on his mom's side)

James and Diane- Zach's parents

Kevin, Lisa, Megan, Donny- Zach's siblings

Amy, Mark, Bill- Spouses of Zach's siblings

Evan (13), Kayla (12), Tara (11), Olivia (8), Josh (5), Ben (6), Logan (1) - Zach's nieces and nephews

Kevin/Amy: Evan, Tara, Josh

Lisa/Mark- Kayla, Ben, Olivia

Megan/Bill-Logan

And if anyone was wondering, Margaret is Brennan's cousin, the one who quoted Ben Franklin obsessively yet somehow figured out Booth and Brennan (at least I think so).

Xxx

This was the most awkward moment of Starbuck's life. A lot worse than when Hodgins had ruined the afterglow of her first time. Worse than when Angela had seen her and Zach sleeping together on Thanksgiving. Even worse than the time she had lost her top at a concert when she was 18. Zach's mother was staring at her, her shirt was half-buttoned and Zach's pants were unzipped. There was no denying what they had been doing. All she could do was hope no one made a big deal out of it. Of course, she did not know Diane Addy.

"Zach…who is she?" Diane turned to her bright red son, who looked like he wanted to crawl under his bed. Starbuck couldn't blame him. She wanted to do the same thing, and would if The Look wasn't boring into her. It was the universal Mom look. Her own mother had given her the exact same look a few dozen times herself. Maybe women learned it in Lamaze class.

"She's my girlfriend," Zach answered.

"Really?" Diane raised her eyebrow and looked at Starbuck, who felt surprisingly calm. Maybe it was the shock. "I remember your face from the news. You were abducted by that woman."

"Technically Naomi's accomplice kidnapped Starbuck and Hodgins," Zach said. Both women stared at him now. "I was merely stating the facts."

"Do you talk?" Diane asked Starbuck asked her. The other woman nodded, panic closing up her throat. This feeling was familiar, but she hadn't felt this way since high school. Of course, she had been in a holding cell, while Lisey argued with a hooker and Emma screamed at the officers for her phone call. But, that was a story for another day. "You can talk honey, I don't bite." Starbuck nodded. "Okay. Finished getting dressed and come out in a few minutes. No hanky-panky while we're here." Both of them nodded, their faces bright red. When she was gone, both sighed in relief.

"That was intense," Starbuck said the minute her throat relaxed.

"I agree with you," Zach said as he zipped his jeans.

"Well, it's only fair. You've met my family. Now, I get to meet yours," Starbuck stated. "Plus, you get to spend Christmas the way you always do. Surrounded by a group of people who love you." Zach wanted to say that it wasn't fair to either of them. While there had to be at least a dozen people in his apartment, her family could be counted on one hand. And he was sure none of his relatives were going to threaten her with bodily harm.

In the living room, Starbuck had gone from body pillow, to dead body and finally, hooker. Of course, all whispers and assumptions had halted when Diane came back.

"Whatever you people thought up, she isn't it," she said and sat down. Three minutes later, the couple emerged. Seventeen pairs of eyes settled on the woman, staring at her like she was a museum exhibit. To her credit, she had the decency to smile at them. "Everyone, this is Zach's girlfriend, Starbuck Mendoza."

"Are you a zombie?" Ben asked innocently. "Daddy says that Zach's only lady friends are dead."

"No. I am very much alive," Starbuck said. "What's your name?" Zach gave his brother-in-law a Look of his own, and proceeded to introduce her to everyone in the room. While he opened the gifts from his family, Starbuck sat on the couch between his grandmother and Lisa.

"So, how did you two meet?" Lisa asked. Hope was dozing.

"Um, it's a bit convoluted. Technically, we met at a mini-mart, but we officially met when I tracked down my half-brother. They kind of work together. In fact, Zach was the one who recognized me from an age enhanced sketch."

"Wow," Meg had been listening and tore her eyes from her son to stare. "So, you two have been dating…?"

"Nearly three weeks," Starbuck answered.

As she was hit with question after question, she glanced over at Zach, who seemed to be having a similar experience.

"Is she crazy?" Kevin asked.

"No," Zach said.

"I got it! She needs a green card." Bill kicked in. Everyone glared at him. Nobody but Megan liked Bill that much. "Emotionally stunted then?"

"No." Zach really wanted Bill to leave. That one was a bit too close to the truth for his comfort. Their gazes met across the room. Starbuck was being interrogated by his female relatives while Logan treated her legs like a Hot Wheels ramp. It was a pleasing sight, when he studied it. For years, he had wondered if he would ever have someone to share life with. Watching sibling after sibling get married and reproduce had squashed any hopes of his own years ago. If his brother Greg, who he sometimes thought was little more than a Neanderthal, could find someone, then maybe there was something wrong with him.

Eventually, the novelty wore off and they were left alone. While the kids watched cartoons and the adults talked to each other, Zach sat next to Starbuck, who was still on the couch next to his still sleeping grandmother.

"What do you think of my family?" he asked, looping an arm around her waist.

"They're…different. But in a good way," Starbuck said. "Like you. Except I don't feel the same way that I do about you." Looking around to make sure that no one was watching, she pecked him on the lips. Zach gazed at her, and squeezed her hand. Then, his father called him over, presumably to help pick what movie to watch. However, when Zach reached him, James decided it was time for a Talk.

"Who is she? What does she want? What do you want?" James asked. While his wife was just happy that their lonely son was finally with someone, he had to be wary. That was his job, as man of the family. After his son's last 'girlfriend', he had to be doubly careful.

"I believe she was introduced," was Zach's answer to his father's first question. "As for what we want, I have no idea. It seems that we both with companionship."

"Just, be careful is all I'm saying. Don't fall in love too fast." The look was on Zach's face was only there for a split second, but James saw the guilt. "Aw, hell. Not you too Zach."

"What do you mean Dad?"

"Do you remember what happened when Meg fell in love at first sight?"

"Yes. Bill is still tied to us, somehow."

"Exactly. I want you to be happy, but I don't want you to make any mistakes."

Meanwhile, Starbuck was sending Sweets a text, informing him that she would be a little late to Christmas dinner. All four of them, which meant Raul, Sweets, Starbuck and Daisy would be spending the afternoon together. Sweets had told his sister that he was planning to propose to Daisy before Valentine's Day, so she had better start getting used to Daisy being around.

"Who are you?" Hope McKinnon asked her, nearly sending Starbuck out of her skin. For what felt like the tenth time that day, she explained who she was and what she was to Zach. "Good. They were all worried he was going to end up alone."

"And you weren't?" Starbuck asked.

"Of course not," Hope smiled. "Zachary isn't going to end up alone. He's never going to be alone again."

"What do you mean?" An hint of anxiety crept into Starbuck's voice.

"Honey, I know these things. You're young, but you're not stupid. You know exactly what I mean." Starbuck nodded. "Do you love him?"

"Yes," Starbuck whispered. Aside from Hodgins, Angela and her brother, no one else knew. It was irrational for someone to fall in love so quickly, so they were keeping it quiet, until enough time passed. But, this woman just reminded her so much of her own mother, that Starbuck couldn't help but tell her.

"Then you hold on. It sounds awful, but if you two mess this up, there isn't a second chance." For a moment, The Single Moment Theory popped into the younger woman's head. A while back, Angela had told her that every once in a while, two people had a single moment. And in that moment, the fate what they were going to be was decided. Some people bypassed the moment and if they got lucky, it wasn't their last moment with anyone. Hodgins and Angela had shared their moment the night before Thanksgiving and they had grabbed it hungrily. An odd feeling settled in Starbuck's stomach. While Hope was right, something else preyed on her mind.

As her eyes swept over the apartment, at all the happy faces, a single thought sprung to mind.

This isn't over, an unfamiliar voice teased her.