(The Santa in the Slush – part two)

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I don't own Bones.

Oooooooooooooooooooo

After delivering his son to his ex in Vermont, Booth arrived back home to find Brennan in the kitchen baking. Kissing her, Booth sniffed the air and found his mouth watering, "Hey, whatever you're cooking smells great."

Entering the kitchen, Hank walked over to the coffee maker and poured himself a cup of coffee, "I showed her how to make your grandmother's biscuits. She did a real good job of following the recipe." Sitting down at the kitchen table, he picked up the newspaper and started to flip through the pages.

Pleasantly surprised, Booth turned and opened the oven to look inside at the pan of biscuits, "Oh man, it's been awhile since I made those. Thanks Bones."

Shaking her head, Brennan moved his hands off of the oven door and closed it, "Booth, they won't cook properly if you keep the door open."

Amused at her fussiness, Booth kissed her, "When you're right you're right."

Concerned that Booth appeared tired, Brennan asked, "Did you sleep before you drove back? Nine hours up and nine hours back. From my calculations, I don't think you slept more than five hours, did you?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Booth opened the fridge and removed a bottle of cranberry juice, "It was enough. I'll take a nap this afternoon. I like driving at night and I wanted to time it so that I'd get here about the time you normally get up."

Moving him aside, Brennan opened the fridge door and removed a jar of apple butter and some butter. Placing them on the kitchen table, she frowned, "It's a good thing we don't have to be back at work for two more days. You need to rest."

Touched at Brennan's concern and annoyed at the same time, Booth sat down at the kitchen table and opened his juice bottle, "Yeah yeah, I'm fine. I've stayed up longer on stakeouts. . . . I'm glad Parker was able to spend Christmas with us. It wouldn't have been the same without him."

"Amy called to thank us for letting her and the girls stay with us during the holiday." Placing some plates on the table, Brennan walked back over to the stove and removed the biscuits from the oven, "She also told me to make sure to thank you again for the Christmas tree. She said the girls can't stop talking about it."

A little embarrassed at the attention, Booth shook his head, "It was just a tree, Bones. Nothing special."

Placing the biscuits on a plate she carried them over to the table and placed then in front of her husband, "Of course it was special Booth. You did a very nice thing and we all appreciated it." Leaning over she kissed him, "It was the best Christmas present anyone has ever given me because it was unexpected and very considerate. You're a good man, Booth."

His hand on her hip, Booth returned her kiss, "Well, don't expect me to give you a tree every year."

Amused, Brennan sat down across from him and smiled. "Dad should be out of prison by next year, so another tree won't be necessary."

Glancing at his grandfather who was pretending to read the newspaper, Booth licked his lips and looked back at Brennan, "Yeah, you're right. Hey these biscuits look perfect. Thanks for making them."

Oooooooooooooooo

Resting on the couch in the man cave, Booth was almost asleep when his grandfather walked into the room and sat down on the recliner, "Hey Seeley, can I talk to you?"

Forcing his eyes open, Booth sat up and stared at his grandfather, "Sure, Pops, what can I do for you?"

Unsure how to broach the topic, Hank just decided to ask, "Does Temperance really think her father is going to be found not guilty at his trial?"

Sighing, Booth shook his head, "I don't know Pops. Most of the time she calls him a killer and says that she's sure he's going to be found guilty and then she'll surprise me and say something that makes me believe she thinks that Max is going to be acquitted. I'm kind of worried about her, but she doesn't want to talk about it and . . . well, I'm trying to be there for her, but . . . I'm worried. Max is her father and . . . well he might end up being found guilty and that could mean the death penalty."

Sad for his grandson and Brennan, Hank leaned back against the chair, "I know she had a rough childhood because of her parents, so I get that she has mixed feelings about Max. I'm just worried about what's going to happen to her if her father is found guilty."

His gaze moving to the television screen, Booth noticed that a football game was on, "I don't know Pops. I have to testify at the trial against her father and . . . I'm afraid of what's going to happen to us if the guy is found guilty. What if she blames me? I don't want to lose her Pops. I love her. I've never loved anyone like I love her. She means everything to me."

Thoughtfully, Hank thought over the situation, "Max is your father-in-law."

Puzzled, Booth nodded his head, "Yeah?"

Rubbing his chin, Hand stared intently at his grandson, "Doesn't that mean that you can excuse yourself from the trial? I mean there's no way the courts expect Temperance to testify against her father so doesn't that rule apply to son-in-laws too."

Surprised, Booth shifted on the couch and stared at his hands, "I never really thought about it . . . no, I'm pretty sure I have to testify. I was the arresting officer and I'm not a blood relative. I think Caroline would have a cow if I told her I wanted to skip the trial. I can't really cross her like that."

Disappointed, Hank nodded his head, "Well, it was just an idea."

Nodding his head, Booth sighed, "Maybe I'll get lucky and come down with some illness and I'll be in the hospital and I can't testify."

Concerned, Hank leaned forward, "Don't say things like that Son. Don't tempt Fate like that."

Amused at his grandfather's concern, Booth smiled, "I was just joking Pops. I'll do my job and I'll testify." His smile dying on his lips, he swallowed, "I just hope Bones will forgive me when I do."

Ooooooooooooooooooo

The holidays almost over, Booth brought the boxes down from the attic and started to take the decorations down from the tree. Carefully removing them from the branches, he wrapped each one in a piece of tissue and placed them in the boxes.

Watching from the kitchen doorway, Brennan noticed the look of sadness cross his face. Concerned, she walked across the room and placed her hand on his back, "What's wrong Booth?"

Carefully placing the ornament he held into the box at his feet, Booth straightened and turned to face Brennan, "Bones about Max's trial . . . you know I'll have to testify."

Uncertain about where the conversation was going, Brennan nodded her head, "Of course, you're the arresting officer."

Licking his lips, Booth swallowed, "What if Max is found guilty, Bones? What if he's given the death penalty?"

Surprised at the topic of the conversation, Brennan thought about it for a minute, "Max murdered the Deputy Director of the FBI, Booth. I expect him to be found guilty."

Pulling her into his embrace, Booth voiced his worries, "Bones, I don't want this to ruin our relationship. Me testifying against Max . . . I . . . I love you Bones and if I could avoid the trial I would, you know that, right?"

Her forehead pressed against his chest, Brennan sighed, "Booth, you're not doing anything wrong. If Max is found guilty then it's because the jury found the evidence to be overwhelming. Max is responsible for the things he did not you and not me. I won't leave you if he's found guilty, Booth. I love you and I expect you to do your job. It's who you are . . . it's what you do. . . . I'll be sad if he's found guilty and if he's given the death penalty . . . I'll have to accept that too. I won't blame you, Booth. I'll never blame you. You're the only good thing that has ever happened to me and I won't throw our relationship away because of something my father did."

Relieved, Booth sighed, "Thanks Bones."

Oooooooooooooooooo

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