A/N: Thanks for the continued interest in my story.

Let's see what Max is up to...


Shivering from the cold, Brennan pulled off her hat and gloves as she entered the diner. As she looked around the room, she soon spotted her father and walked over to join him. "Hi, Dad…"

"Ah, there's my girl." He beamed with pleasure as she sat down. "You know, Honey, you look more like your mother every day. In fact, I think you're even prettier than she was."

An awkward beat of silence followed as she sat down. "Um...thanks." Taking the menu from their server, she grimaced slightly. "It's almost too cold for a salad, especially if we're going to be outside after dinner…"

After looking over the menu, Max glanced towards the door impatiently. "Where's Booth? Isn't he joining us? I tried calling him, you know, just to wish him Merry Christmas, but all I got was voicemail, so I thought maybe I'd talk to him this evening." Seeing her questioning look, he shrugged. "I mean, you two normally spend a lot of time together, so I just expected him to come to dinner, too...just like he always does...because he likes spending time with you, doesn't he? So where is he?"

Brennan shrugged as she looked over her menu. "Booth left me a voicemail stating that he's taking Parker to Philadelphia this coming weekend so they can visit his grandfather. I'm sure he has a lot to do before they leave. He's probably busy with work, too." Wanting to avoid any more nosy questions, she tried to change the subject. "Maybe I'll have a grilled cheese sandwich and some tomato soup…"

"What? Booth's going to see his grandfather and he didn't ask you to go with him? Look, I know Hank...he's gonna be so disappointed if you don't show up, too, Honey." Max couldn't hide his surprise. "Hey, I thought Booth ditched that blonde reporter, so why didn't he offer to take you to Philadelphia, too? Wait a minute...did he ask you to go with him? Because if you said no because you didn't want me to be alone, don't worry about that. You know, Booth is a good guy, Tempe. You could do a lot worse than him..."

"No, he didn't invite me to go with him to see his grandfather…and even if he had, I don't think I would've felt comfortable with the idea anyway. Booth doesn't see his grandfather very often, and I wouldn't want to impinge on their family time." Biting her lip nervously, Brennan attempted once again to set the record straight. "Dad, Booth and I are simply work partners...nothing more. There is no romantic attachment between us. I think it's better for everyone that way, okay? Besides, I don't want to talk about him right now. Can't we change the subject? I thought you wanted us to get into the Christmas spirit. That's why we're going to get a tree, right? So let's talk about some seasonal things...things pertaining to the holiday."

"Right." Slightly annoyed with the glitch in his plan to have his daughter and Booth spend some quality one on one time together, he sighed softly. "Well, I got a text from Russ today." He pulled out his phone and handed it to Brennan. "Here's a picture of his girls in their matching holiday sweaters."

"They're cute, aren't they?" Brennan smiled as she studied the phone's screen. "And Hayley seems like she's doing better…"

"I think so. too. I asked Russ to bring Amy and the girls to DC for Christmas so I could see them, but they had other plans…they were going to Florida to spend a week at the beach, and they didn't offer to take me with them, so...I think they're avoiding me." Max smiled wistfully, pausing as the server brought their meal. Picking up his fork, continued. "See, I'm not sure Russ has ever completely forgiven me for abandoning both of you all those years ago...not that I can blame him. He wasn't mature enough to handle the things your mother and I left for him to deal with...you and the house and all...I know that now. It wasn't his fault."

"Dad…," Brennan began quietly. "...I'm sure Russ doesn't hold a grudge against you any more. Of course, it was hard on both of us at the time, since we were so young, but I think we've both moved past it…and with Amy in his life, he seems to be finally getting his act together, right? However, if you're still concerned about your relationship with him, you should talk to him. As Booth says, 'you can't change the past, but you might be able to make the future better'." Seeing her father's ornery smirk, she glared at him. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing. It's just that I thought you didn't want to talk about Booth, that's all. So why tell me what he says?"

"I don't want to discuss him, but…" She exhaled slowly, realizing once again the extent to which Booth was involved in her life. "...I just think it's a good idea to discuss things with Russ if it's bothering you. It's good advice, no matter who it comes from."

"Maybe so, but as you probably know, Russ was never as strong as you, Honey. He's always been easily swayed and easily led astray, and he's always had a hard time making the right decisions about things. That's why he got into so much trouble all the time when he was younger, and that's why I think he'd hold a grudge against me…but I think you're right. Now that he's been more successful, maybe he's finally figuring things out, and maybe he and I can settle things between us...if he isn't actually avoiding me, that is. It would serve me right, but..." Brushing away a tear, Max tried to smile. "Dammit. We're still not engaged in a lot of Yuletide cheer with that topic, are we, Tempe? I'm sorry."

"No, we're not. I'd rather not dwell on Russ and his issues, Dad. That's really none of my business."

Seeing Brennan's unhappy expression, he nodded in agreement. "Okay, you're right. Family is a part of the holiday, but maybe it's not the best topic for us to discuss, so let's try something else. What do you want for Christmas this year, Honey?"

Pushing her plate away, she shook her head. "I don't need anything, Dad. Please don't feel as if you're obligated to buy me a gift. You know I don't really celebrate Christmas."

He waved off her protest. "Christmas gifts aren't supposed to be something you need. They're supposed to be something you want...something you've always dreamed of having...you know, like a pony…"

Brennan giggled softly in spite of herself. "Yes, I remember asking for a real pony for Christmas when I was small, Dad, and being somewhat disappointed when there wasn't one under the tree on Christmas morning, although I did like the toy horses I got from Santa Claus instead." She reached over to pat his hand. "Seriously, I make a good deal of money from my books, so if there's something I really want, I just buy it." She hesitated slightly, tilting her head to one side. "I know you'd like to buy me a gift, Dad, but I don't think there's anything I want for Christmas. It appears that I have everything I need to be happy…"

Except Booth. Both father and daughter had the same thought, though neither of them spoke about it, choosing instead to concentrate on their dinner.

They made a stalwart effort to keep their conversation lighthearted as they finished their meal. As he finished the last of his coffee, Max gazed at Brennan with affection. "Thanks for indulging your old man, Honey. You know, one thing I've learned over the past few years is to not take things for granted, okay? We need to savor every moment given to us. We need to enjoy what family we have, even if it's just the two of us celebrating Christmas together this year."

"I agree, Dad." She smiled as she stood up and slipped into her coat. "Now...let's go find a tree…"


I know some of you will be disappointed that Max's plan didn't work this time, but don't forget, I have 23 more chapters to go. Things will work out. Laura