December 21- 7pm-

Once dinner had been devoured, and the evening began to slow down, Temperance and Booth found solace on the couch together. Brennan was sitting with her back against the arm of the couch, watching Booth read through the letters that Parker had sent to her. She had insisted that he read one particular letter, where he talked about a school event, and from there, Booth found he couldn't get enough of his son's insights and expressions of care and love for Temperance. He was kind and excited, telling Temperance about work and how he missed Booth. Occasionally he would mention something that Temperance had said in a letter, or sent him.

"What is this here that he's talking about? Something about a snake?" He asked, looking across at Temperance, he handed her the letter. She pushed her feet a little further into his leg and leaned forward, taking the letter from his hand. She read through it and smiled, letting out a small laugh.

"There was a snake in the jeep. I was telling him that I was surprised that I wasn't frightened of it, since when you're around, I tend to have an extremely physical reaction." She laughed.

"Physical as in jumping on my back." He laughed back, taking her foot in his hand, he held it and tickled her, listening to her let out a squeak of a laugh, kicking him lightly with the other foot. "It's alright. I like keeping you safe." He said, holding her foot, he pulled her a little and let go. She rolled to the side and crawled across the couch toward him, nearly landing in his lap. "Thank you for sharing Parker's letters." He said, wrapping his arm around her securely, tugging her into his lap. "I mean, we talked on the video phone now and then, but it was never in this much detail." He said. "It was always about this game, or that game, or soccer or baseball. He'd mentioned you a few times, saying how he missed going swimming." He said, rolling his eyes.

"That child does swim as if he were born underwater." Temperance said, listening to Booth laugh. "I am glad that you enjoyed his letters. Each time I'd read them, I would think of you, and how he is so much like you. He's kind and thoughtful, protective." She said. "You saw that last one that he sent to me, about the monsoons." She smiled. "It appears that he even did additional research on the Maluku Islands just so that he'd have something to talk to me about."

"He loves you, Bones." Booth said, dropping a kiss on her lips. "I love you."

"Do you love me enough to give me my Christmas gift early?" She asked, a childlike grin on her face, he let out a laugh.

"You are starting to sound like me." He laughed, dropping a kiss on her nose. "No gifts until Christmas." He whispered. "But we can do something this evening." He said as he suddenly grasped her in his arms and lifted both of them from the couch.

Temperance let out a laugh. "Where are we going?" She asked.

"We're going to take that ride I promised you." He said, letting her to the floor, she turned automatically to face him, her face beaming with happiness. He kissed her nose, and he grinned back at her. "Go get your boots and your coat." He said, and gave her a proper kiss on her lips, before she turned and happily went to bundle up.

Once they were in the car, a soft and familiar quiet filled the air, though it was crackling with excitement. "Do you know where you're going?" She asked.

"Absolutely no idea." He said.

"Well, Georgetown has some artistic lighting displays that they do every year." She said, "I hear they are very beautiful." she watched him shrug.

"Too snooty." He replied.

"It's very well done." She said, scowling toward him slightly, he grasped her hand.

"I'm looking for some good old fashioned suburban light decorating, not a froofoo lighting display." He teased.

"Well, how do you suppose we find a good old fashioned suburban lighting display?" She asked, watching him smile a bit mysteriously as he turned the wheel, driving away from the city proper.

"I guess we're just going to have to drive around together until we find them." He said, watching the smile that lit up her eyes.

Booth drove them through the different neighborhoods, watching with each passing home with Christmas lights how her face would light up. "Do you remember that case with the man that changed his name to Kris Kringle?" She asked, turning to see his eyes flick to her and then back to the road.

"I do." He nodded.

"His apartment was extremely festive." She said, smiling out the window at the Christmas lights as they passed, she was thinking of the train that ran through the man's apartment, and the colored lights that filled the room, not to mention the Santa paraphernalia that was present throughout the apartment.

"He was pretty dedicated to his craft." Booth replied. "I remember the look on your face when we walked into his apartment." He said, her head turning quickly to face him. "You had this look of complete awe and wonder on your face. It was beautiful." He said. She rolled her eyes and smirked, shaking her head as she glanced back at him, feeling the warmth of her cheeks. He had a smile on his face that she couldn't quite explain. It was similar to that charm smile of his, but somehow it was just a little different, almost as if he was in awe of her at that moment.

"You keep complimenting me." She said.

"Is that a problem?" He asked, narrowing his eyes. "Would you like me to stop?" He looked back to the road, the smile on his lips not well hidden at all.

"No. I'm just trying to get used to it. Would it be customary for me to compliment you in return?" She asked.

"It's not necessary." He chuckled.

"Perhaps I should offer to pay for dessert then, when we go to the diner after our drive." She asked.

"I think that's a very fair deal." He said back, smiling across at her. He reached his hand to her and when she took his, he held it securely and looked back at the road, continuing their drive. There was a peaceful silence between the two of them as they drove, and he could see that there was something on her mind. It wasn't quite bothering her, but she seemed to be thinking about it quite deeply. "You okay over there, Bones?" He asked.

She turned her head toward him and smiled slightly. "Will you be going to Midnight Mass?" She asked.

"I really haven't thought about it, but probably." He shrugged. "Why do you ask?" He said, wondering for a split second what her motive might be for such a question. He quickly pushed that away and took a deep breath. "Did you want to go with me?" He asked.

"Would you be comfortable with that?" She asked, lifting an eyebrow. "Because if you're not..."

"No." He said, shaking his head, he squeezed her hand tightly. "I want you to go with me. I want you beside me."

"I can't guarantee that I will not be tempted to comment on its content." She said, smiling back at him.

"It wouldn't be you if you didn't say something, Bones." He chuckled, laughing a little more when he felt her playful smack on his arm, as he continued their drive them through the colorful, but deserted streets.

We're moving this along... gonna fast forward a day or two... ;) I apologize for some delay... we've had some RL stuff going on... Car accidents and puppies... *shrug* it's a roller coaster over here, what can I say? Comments make the world go round...