A/N: welcome to my story, written for this year's Bonesology Winter Challenge. This story is a bit different than most of other stories in that I sort of went with the flow when I started writing without really trying to outline a plot from the beginning. That means that some of the chapters may appear to be random incidents, but they'll all converge together when we get to the end.

By the way, I'm not sure when Hannah and Booth broke up, but having it happen right before Christmas fit well with my story, so I'm going with it. As I'm sure my readers know, Bones time is rather fluid so...


The early December evening was cold and damp as Seeley Booth walked down the sidewalk, on his way back to his office after having a bite to eat at the diner. He had a bit of work to finish up before going home, but that wasn't really a problem. In some ways being at the Hoover was better than being in his empty apartment, especially during the holiday season.

Sighing to himself, he pulled his overcoat tighter, hoping to keep out the chill. It wasn't just the weather that was making him miserable. Booth was also in the throes of feeling sorry for himself. At that moment he felt like he was completely alone in the world. Sure, Pops was still around, but Philadelphia seemed like a million miles away, and with his work schedule, he wasn't sure if he'd be able to spend any time during the holidays with his grandfather...and maybe it didn't matter anyway, since he wasn't really in the mood to celebrate Christmas anyway.

Parker was going to be in Vermont for the holiday, on a ski trip with his mother and her latest boyfriend, so he knew he'd have to wait for his son to come home to feel any sort of Yuletide spirit. Great...another Christmas Day alone. That just sucks...

His coworkers were busy with their own families, and as for the squints at the Jeffersonian...well, with the possible exception of Cam, they were just a bit too weird for his taste. If it comes down to spending a lot of time with them or being alone...I think I'd rather be alone...

And then there's Bones… He grumbled to himself as he thought about his...partner? Coworker? Friend? Former love of his life? Now that Hannah was gone for good, he wasn't sure how to categorize his relationship with Bones. Things were just so strange between them...

It was obvious that she still didn't quite trust him, and he couldn't blame her. He knew he'd hurt her badly when he'd indulged in his relationship with Hannah. It wasn't intentional, but he'd done it just the same, and not meaning to hurt her didn't make it better for Bones. She still held him at arm's length, and she didn't seem interested in giving him a chance to make things better.

It was weird, too...it seemed like it had only taken him a week or two to move on from his breakup with Hannah. Like I didn't really feel the way I thought I felt, right? Dammit...what the hell was I thinking? And will me and Bones ever get back to normal? Jesus, I'm such a fucking idiot...

Lost in thought as he trudged down the street, he didn't notice the young nun walking in the opposite direction until he ran squarely into her, knocking her down. Horrified, he extended his hand to her to help her up. "Oh...I'm so sorry, Sister! I guess I wasn't paying attention. Are you hurt?"

Gently batting away his proffered hand, she quickly stood up, offering him an angelic smile as she smoothed her long black habit. Brushing off a bit of dirt from the back of her skirt, she giggled softly. "No, of course I'm not hurt...and I'm as much to blame as you are, sir. I wasn't paying attention, either. I'm afraid I was too preoccupied with my own thoughts to notice you walking in my direction."

"Yeah, I know the feeling. Sometimes it feels like I'm carrying the weight of the world around in my soul, you know?" Grimacing in embarrassment, Booth cleared his throat. "I'm sorry. Never mind me...I don't mean to burden you with my problems." Checking his watch, he continued in concern. "It's late, Sister. Are you sure you should be out walking around this neighborhood by yourself at night? It's not really a safe place to be…"

"I'm going to St. Vincent's...at the end of the street." She pointed to a nearby Gothic structure on the street's corner. The massive church loomed out of the darkness like a medieval fortress. "I'll be fine. The Lord will protect me." Glancing at Booth shyly, she smiled again. "You said you have things on your mind, right? That you're worried? That you have problems? Well, maybe you should hand those things over to the Lord and let Him take care of them. That's what I do, and it makes me feel a lot better, knowing He's in charge. In fact, that's why I'm heading to church. I have some things I need to discuss with Him." Seeing his slight frown of disapproval, she smiled as she shrugged slightly. "It's just a thought. Anyway, I need to be going...I don't want to be late for Mass. Good night, sir."

"Good night, Sister." Booth continued on for a few steps before turning back to make sure she was going to be safe as she walked to the church, but she was gone. "What the Hell? Where did she go? She couldn't have gotten there already."

He retraced his steps, wondering if she'd fallen somehow on the damp pavement. I didn't hear her cry out...but where did she go?

He stood there a few seconds, pondering what had happened, before turning to leave.

That's crazy...it's like she just vanished into thin air…

Grunting in frustration, he spun around and started towards the church so he could check on her, but then stopped again as he quickly changed his mind. He hadn't been to Mass in what seemed like ages, and he knew he'd feel awkward showing up at some random service out of the blue...like he didn't really belong at church any more. I wonder if God still remembers who I am...

Still, he was worried about the young woman's safety. Where could she have gone?

Cursing his indecisiveness, he turned to walk away, until he heard the church bells begin to ring...


If you have time to review, I'd appreciate it. More soon...