After helping Bones get the tree and the plant in her apartment first thing that morning, Booth headed for the mall. They'd met early for coffee and spent a couple of hours together. He'd done the heavy lifting and she'd made various comments about his back. It was reminiscent of the old times he'd been missing.

There were some uncomfortable moments where neither of them were sure what to say. When the silence would stretch and Booth wondered if they could make this work. But one of them made a comment and things fell back into place again.

He'd meant what he said. They were two stubborn people and meshing that together wasn't always going to be easy. Amazing would make the tough stuff worth fighting through.

Booth still wasn't quite sure what happened between them. They'd barely spoken for weeks, most of that his fault. Then they'd gone to lunch, had a couple of honest conversations with each other, and agreed to start dating. It boggled the mind and Bones had done that to him plenty of times over the years.

But it usually involved evidence and words he couldn't pronounce. Not emotions and their relationship. Or lack of one. Their world seemed to be spinning correctly on its axis again and Booth was loath to do anything to knock it off balance. Even if the change between them made him feel dizzy.

Last night, for the first time in a long time, he'd slept. Without nightmares or haunting dreams he couldn't quite recall in the morning. Instead, his mind had been a peace. A relief after all the turmoil.

Pulling in to park, he turned the SUV off but didn't exit it immediately. He fiddled with his phone and acknowledged it wasn't just peace he was feeling right now.

He was nervous.

Bones had changed. She was more open about her feelings and using her honesty to make it very clear what she wanted. And what she appeared to want was him. After all the missteps and time apart, they were in the same place at the same time.

He should be thrilled. Instead, he was terrified.

What if he didn't turn out to be exactly what she wanted anymore? They weren't the same people. It was possible she wouldn't want the man he was now. That after spending more time with him, she'd figure out he was not in her league. Was never going to be. What did he have that he could offer her?

Insecurities doing a number to his confidence, Booth forced himself out into the cool winter air. The morning had been nothing but positive, so he tried to focus on that. She knew who he was and waited for him this time. And Bones didn't do anything unless it was something she wanted. So his worries were self-created.

Going to the mall during the Christmas season, and on a weekend, was a mistake. The crowds and the craziness this time of year was one of his least favorite things about the holiday. Combine that with his desire to find the perfect gifts for this Secret Santa thing he'd been signed up for and Booth worried about his ability to maintain his patience.

The gifts were still important though they seemed to be on the right track in their relationship. If he didn't drive himself crazy wondering what Bones saw in him. He wanted to do this with her even with the stress it was causing. Share gifts and memories that were meaningful to the two of them.

Preferring quieter stores off the beaten path, Booth wasn't sure where to start. The local businesses with strong customer service and knowledge about what was sold were his favorite. Where he could go with only the whisper of an idea and someone would know the perfect gift.

The mall was impersonal. Too many people carrying similar shopping bags. All of them looking stressed and annoyed. Shops with fake trees the wrong color and the same Christmas song playing in every one.

He'd come despite all that because he wasn't sure about what he wanted. Had to start somewhere and the mall, even with all its shortcomings, was convenient.

He wandered for a time, going in and out of stores and wondering why he'd bothered. There wasn't anything here that would work. Not that he even knew what he was looking for. A plan would have been nice.

What do you buy the woman you'd loved forever? Only to lose her and run away. Then come back and almost lose her a second time. This was their last chance and he knew it.

With a cup of purchased coffee, Booth found a seat in the food court. So many moments that made up the two of them, both good and bad. Refusing to resort to meaningless holiday gifts just to get this over with, he sorted through his catalogue of memories.

Having her detained in the airport after a year of not speaking. Up until that point, talking to her was impossible. Christmas locked in the Lab. Rescues from the Gravedigger. Guy hugs of comfort and longing. Near death experiences and quiet nights over paperwork.

Rising and throwing away what was really bad coffee, he allowed his feet to carry him mindlessly through the mall. Soon, they stopped in front of a music store, one of the few remaining. Shelves were filled with records and his antique loving heart made him walk in.

Idly, he flipped through various displays of CDs and vinyl records, pulling some out and laughing to himself. He was tempted to see if they had anything he was interested in. Casting the idea aside for a different day, Booth instead went to look for something else.

An idea had formed, and Booth chased it greedily. She would understand what it meant, even when no one else would.

In his mind, it was their song. Even if he'd been injured when her refrigerator exploded moments later. If he hadn't been thirsty and reached for the glass, would she have opened the refrigerator instead? A sobering thought.

Shaking his head, knowing that moment was a long time ago, he moved further into the store. Finding what he hoped was the correct rack, Booth started to flip through the records.

"Can I help you?" someone off his left shoulder asked. Booth cast a glance in that direction. He noted the employee looked to be older than your average high school student. Maybe, he actually could help.

"I'm looking for Hot Blooded, or the album with that song," Booth explained. Not seeing it on the rack, Booth turned. "Any chance you'd have a copy."

Brad, according to the nametag he wore, pursed his lips. "An album you could play, no. Haven't had a copy of that for a little while now."

Booth caught something in the answer. "But?" he asked hopefully.

A finger pointed toward a wall. "I'm pretty sure there is a replica gold record in a frame on that wall somewhere." Brad's shoulders lifted in a slight shrug. "I know it's not exactly what you're looking for, but it is an option."

Ignoring the voice telling him this was not a practical Secret Santa gift, Booth moved to where Brad indicated and scanned the wall. Finding what he was looking for, he removed it from the display and took it to the register without looking at the price.

Bones was a genius. There wasn't a chance she hadn't already figured out they'd been set up. So there was no sense in trying to keep his name a secret. Booth wasn't going to worry about his gift choices giving away his identity.

He didn't flinch when Brad rang up the purchase and gave him the final price. It was actually less than Booth expected. Having been in her place only that morning, he pictured a couple spots on her walls where it would hang perfectly.

The frame would be quite a change from the creepy artifacts and Amazonian masks that already adorned her place. A reminder of the connection they'd never managed to completely sever, no matter how hard they'd tried.

No more doubts. No more questioning if this was real. It was and he was not allowing this chance to end in failure.

Package tucked under his arm, steps a little lighter, Booth headed toward his vehicle. One gift down, only a few more to go.