A/N: So we hope this chapter is worth the two week wait. Laura and I have some great stuff planned in the coming weeks. Now on with the story...

Today's question: How does decorating for Christmas bring up memories of the past for Aubrey? How does it affect his future with Jessica?

PS: Watch for a Love & Carbonite extra. Follow mphs95 or lauraopper on Twitter.

Three days after the excitement at the Major Crimes division, Aubrey was enjoying his quiet Saturday morning. As he stood in his pajamas by the couch, he alternated between eating the leftover popcorn from their trip to the movies last night and drinking his coffee while being briefed by his girlfriend as she got ready to leave.

"Now while I'm gone, you're going to take it easy, right, Superman?", Jessica said as she put her coat on. "I know you're feeling better now that you've gone back to work, but you're still recovering."

Aubrey stole another handful of popcorn from his souvenir Rogue One bucket. After he finished chewing, he put his cup of coffee down on the mantle and kissed his girlfriend. "I'll be fine. I promise not to overdo it. I'm just going to get my haircut and pick up some groceries. That's it."

"Okay.", Jessica said. "Promise me that you're going to eat more than almost twelve hour old popcorn for breakfast while I'm gone."

Aubrey held back the urge to roll his eyes, knowing that his girlfriend is only concerned about his health. "I'll eat some cereal, I promise." After all, I'm sure Capt'n Crunch is so much better for me, right?

'Well, Cap'n Crunch is better than popcorn , I guess.' Jessica thought as she smiled indulgently. "Good. So Daisy should be picking me up any minute..."

Aubrey bit his tongue to avoid complaining about how the woman's visit almost kept them from making the 10:50 showing of Rogue One at the Cineplex the night before. "Do you think she and Beau settled things after they left here last night?"

"I hope so, Aubrey.", Jessica said as she pulled her hair from the back of her coat. "She was practically spitting nails when she arrived, and all I could get out of her was that Beau was an ass when she told him that she was too busy to have lunch with him."

"I'm not trying to be mean, and I'm not taking Beau's side, either, but short of him humiliating her at work or actively trying to get her fired, her reaction seemed a bit...much, Jess.", Aubrey replied. "I mean, her husband wanted to have lunch with her, which is a good thing, and she should be happy that he wants to spend time with her, right? Instead, she bangs on my door ten minutes before we're going to leave for the movies, barely acknowledging my presence before she begins ranting about Beau being insensitive to her needs and then saying that she's just about had it with him. Of course, when Mr. Insensitive shows up here to surprise her with a new car, suddenly she's gushing about what a wonderful man he is."

Jessica nodded in silent agreement. "I know….and she wasn't making sense...I don't what Beau did that was so wrong either, but she was so caught up in her anger that I didn't want to engage her further until she wound down. Maybe we'll talk about it today, because there has to be more to the story than Beau surprised her for lunch and he was pissed that she was busy."

Aubrey debated with himself for a moment before deciding to speak his mind. "Daisy and Beau have to realize that at some point, they can't keep hiding their problems behind new toys and avoiding the truth. They need to talk to each other. Silence will kill their relationship."

"Yeah, look where it got us after we talked things out while hanging in our jammies and eating junk food.", Jessica said with a smile. "Things are a lot better between us now."

He grinned as he pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "It was lot cheaper, too. I got a nice raise as a SAC along with a company SUV, but not enough to buy you a brand new car. Sorry, Jess."

Jessica laughed as she wrapped her arms around her boyfriend. "It's okay. I love my Jeep Cherokee. It's 15 years old, but still runs great and I love having no car payment. Besides, I would rather work on things the right way."

As they shared a small kiss, they heard the doorbell. Looking at the nearby monitor, they saw Daisy waiting on the porch, so Jessica walked over to unlock and open the door. "Come in, Dais. I just have to get my purse."

The other anthropologist came in and smiled sheepishly at the agent. "Hi, Aubrey...Listen, I was so upset last night that I forgot to tell you about how glad I am to see you on your feet again. My apologies."

Once again, Aubrey was surprised at the happy countenance of the woman in front of him as compared to the night before. "Yeah, I'm still a little sluggish, but I'm just glad to be back at work-"

"Half days until his appointment on the 26th.", Jessica said as she came into the entryway before kissing Aubrey goodbye. "I'll be back no later than 5:00. Now you can decorate the house, but don't start the tree until I get home, understand?"

"Got it.", Aubrey said with a smile. "Have fun, ladies."

Walking them to the door, Aubrey watched them walk to a silver 2017 Ford Fusion. As they drove off, he waved to them and then shut the door. Chugging the rest of his coffee, he admired the full Leyland Cypress tree he and Jessica had picked up after work yesterday at the tree farm by Booth's house. Then his friend followed them home where he was able to help Jessica take the tree in the house thanks to the older man's own restrictions being lifted for his shoulder injury.

Aubrey was thrilled. He hadn't had a real Christmas tree in several years...not since the last Christmas he spent with his mom. Encouraged by the friendships he had formed after coming to DC, Aubrey had bought a large artificial tabletop tree two years ago. Of course, Skinner knocked it over while playing with the ornaments, but luckily nothing was broken. Last year, the citrus spray Jessica recommended had kept his cat at bay. Judging by how his cat had stared at the tree last night before Daisy's complaining drove him out of the room, the spray would come in handy again this year.

The only thing that was disappointing about the tree was the fact he might not be able to make love to Jessica beneath it on Christmas morning. It had been a secret fantasy of his since he was a teenager, but he'd never had the kind of relationship with a woman where they'd spent the morning together for their own special holiday. No one had ever been close enough to him have that special moment...until now.

As a whole, Aubrey was pretty stoked about Christmas this year. While most of his happiness was because he was with Jessica, it was also because he had enough room to truly decorate for the holiday. Making a two bedroom apartment festive was different than having a five bedroom home to make into a Christmas wonderland.

Opening a cardboard box he'd brought in from the garage, he pulled out the lights Booth had left at the house for him to use on the new Christmas tree. In the other two boxes, he pulled out the ornaments he wanted to use as well as the ones Jessica brought over last week from her family's home. Looking at the variety of items for the tree, he smiled in anticipation, waiting impatiently for later when he and his girlfriend would get to decorate their first Christmas tree together.

But the thought of being unable to make love until after Christmas irritated him again. Continuing to search through the boxes, Aubrey grumbled to himself.

"Stupid restrictions...stupid spleen...can't make love to my girlfriend on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Of course, Jessica said I had to behave or no holiday nookie on New Year's either." Aubrey sighed in resignation. "But she's only concerned about my health. Maybe she'll be in the Christmas spirit and let me grab her butt after she tries on some of the lingerie. I guess I'd better be good...dammit!"

Sighing again, the agent went back to his task. After thirty minutes, he found all the items he needed except one. Heading into the den, he saw three boxes piled near the futon.

"Please say it's in the top box. If Jess finds out I moved any of those boxes, she's going to majorly kick my ass."

Pulling the flaps apart, he laughed as he saw his mother's Nativity scene. Rubbing the pieces gently, he recalled how his mother put it out every Christmas as a way to hold onto her faith. She had always been so proud of it, reminding him that it had come all the way from Italy...the souvenir of a trip she had taken before she'd married his father. Every year, she told him the story of the baby in the manger, even when he was grown. It had been a family tradition for years. She'd pick up each figurine and tell what they were doing or what they said when the baby was born. He could still hear her voice as she explained what the Angels had told the shepherds…

The first Christmas without her was six weeks after her death, and he'd hidden himself away, trying to stay busy with his career. The following three years he was alone or had volunteered to work the holidays so fellow agents could spend time with their families. He'd decorated his apartment sparingly, keeping the Nativity scene boxed away. While the excuse had been that his previous dwellings had no room, in truth it was too painful as it reminded him too much of how much he missed his mother.

Then came Christmas of 2014. Instead of being alone, Aubrey was invited by Booth to come to their house for dinner. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed being part of a family until he watched everyone laughing and enjoying Christmas dinner together. He knew then he wanted to have a family of his own someday...he wanted to spend Christmas with the people he loved.

Last year was special, too, because not only did he survive a bombing two weeks earlier, but Jessica had stopped over with Wendell for dessert at Booth and Dr. B's. They'd had plans the night he and Hodgins were injured, but he was unable to make it up to her because of his recuperation. Seeing the mistletoe, the agent plotted to get the redhead underneath it, but he lost his nerve to make good use of it.

However, he got to take Jessica home, and the two of them went on a walk in her neighborhood so they could look at all the Christmas lights. When they'd finished their little tour, he walked her to her door, but once again, he chickened out on a kiss for Christmas.

He smiled with satisfaction. This year would definitely be different. Not only would he get that kiss under the mistletoe, but once he got the all clear, they were going to break their forced celibacy with abandon. Unfortunately, the rest of their week would be busy before the FBI Gala on the 30th.

If he had his way, they would take a week off where they did nothing but eat, sleep, and have sex. He would let her out of bed to go to the bathroom, feed Skinner, and eat. Finding time not only to make up for a month of loneliness but to just relax was going to be challenging to say the least.

Suddenly, he thought about what Booth had said last week about a possible long weekend away with Dr. B. Maybe that was what he needed to do...plan a trip for the two of them. Over the last month both of them had been put through the wringer, and they deserved some quiet time together without dealing with needy friends, recovery, upcoming trials and other crap. They still didn't have any New Year's Eve plans yet, so perhaps going to West Virginia or Maryland for a three day weekend would do both of them some good. It would be tough to get accommodations because of the holiday season, but it wouldn't hurt to try.

Making a plan to do some research after finding more decorations, Aubrey pulled the Nativity scene out and froze when he saw the small wooden chest underneath. Instantly, he was flooded with memories of several years earlier.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Aubrey saw his mother lying in bed, too tired to get up. While their time together was limited, he knew she also needed her rest. Walking over to the bed, he ignored all the pill bottles on the nightstand as he moved to cover her with a soft blanket.

"Jamie…"

"I'm sorry I woke you, Mom. Go back to sleep."

"I don't want to sleep, Jamie. We don't have a lot of time left together.", Rachael said quietly before pointing to her dresser. "We need to talk. Now hand me that wooden box."

"Mom, you need to rest-"

"James Robert, I'm not going to tell you again.", his mother said quietly. "The box…"

Knowing his mother meant business, he grabbed the item and took it to her. He watched as she lifted the lid and removed a velvet jewelry box. Opening it, she took out a ring.

"Isn't that Gram's ring?"

"Yes it is.", Rachael responded before handing it to her son. "She loved this ring. Take it, son. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?"

Aubrey took it and admired the half carat ruby encased in the bezel setting surrounded by the two small diamonds. The platinum ring had a delicate filigree design that surrounded the entire ring. Rubbing his thumb across the top, he admired how the stone was flush against the setting.

"It's beautiful, Mom, but…how did you get it? We really…don't see them anymore. We didn't find out about her death until Aunt Kate mailed that letter after the service."

Rachael weakly took the ring from her son, wiping away a tear as she told the story. "Your grandmother knew her dementia was getting worse, so one day she visited me….you were at a friend's house when she just showed up out of the blue. We talked for a long time, and she told me that that afternoon might…be the last time she saw me because…she was going to be hospitalized in a facility for psychiatric patients. Next thing I knew, she took off her beautiful ruby ring...the one she always wore...and handed it to me. When I asked her why she was giving me her favorite ring, she told me how it had been her grandmother's, then her mother's, and, as much as she loved wearing it, the time had come for her to pass it on to me."

Aubrey thought about what was missing from that story. "If it was your mother's, why didn't you ever wear it?"

"I did for special occasions, more after you had moved up to Syracuse. Most times, I was too afraid of something happening to it, because...it was the only thing of hers I had from her estate, plus..." Rachael's voice wavered. "...when she gave the ring to me, I had to promise not to reveal that I had it until after she passed away."

"Why, Mom?" Aubrey was surprised.

Rachael hesitated slightly. "She wanted to make sure that I would get it because...she didn't trust your grandfather or my siblings to give it to me after her death. Both of us knew how much Kate wanted it, but Mom said I was the oldest and it belonged to me...that was the tradition...that it went to the eldest daughter. I don't know what she told my sister about where the ring had gone, but Kate wrote to me asking about it about six months after Mom died. I wasn't going to lie, so I wrote back, saying that Mom had given it to me. Kate was upset and threatened to sue me over it, but when I called her bluff, she let it go."

Aubrey chuckled softly, admiring his mother's determination. "Did Gram have a plan for passing it on since I don't have a sister? It's a bit small for me."

Holding the ring up so that it glinted in the light, Rachael turned to her son. "Your grandmother said…since I didn't have any girls...to give the ring to you...to use as an engagement ring for the woman you ask to marry you."

Aubrey shook his head. "Mom, that's the last thing on my mind right now. I have a career that I need to concentrate on if I'm going to meet my goal of running for Congress in 2020. I don't have time for things like finding a wife—"

"Bull…shit.", the woman said weakly, trying to smile. "Jamie…you're hiding away…like I did…after your father left. I was so afraid to open myself up again that I focused my all of my energies on you. I don't regret that, but…I think you're afraid of being hurt. It's not a good way to live, son."

"I am not.", Aubrey protested, hating that his mother was right. "I have goals, Mom, and I'll be damned if I let anything, or anyone hold me back. Now I'm going to give this back to you—"

"No.", Rachael said firmly. "You're going to put it in that box and when I'm gone, you're going to take it because…the ring will be yours. Then, you're going to hold onto it until you find that girl."

"Mom, you keep saying that, but—"

"Don't 'but' me. She's going to come when you least expect it…and you'll know. I can't explain how, but you will. She's going to be more than just your lover—"

"Mom…" , Aubrey blushed. "I don't—"

"Jamie…I know you have sex. You're an attractive young man and I would be a fool to think you're a monk. Now, don't interrupt me again."

Properly chastised, Aubrey bowed his head. "Yes, ma'am."

Rachael looked at the ring. "She's not going to be just your lover, but also your best friend. Your father and I…we weren't best friends, so don't make the mistake of settling for less than that. Trust your instincts when you find her. When you're ready, you give this to her, you tell her that you love her, you adore her, and you want to spend the rest of your life with her."

Aubrey could see the exertion and pain on his mother's face. "Mom, do you need me to get the nurse so you can get some morphine?"

"I'm fine.", Rachael said quietly. "Now put that ring away where you'll find it and let's talk about your birthday coming up…what kind of cake do you want?"

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Coming back to the present, he opened the simple wooden box. On top of photos and other knick knacks was a small, familiar gray case. Opening it, he exhaled slowly when he saw the ring. The ruby and small diamonds were still shining as brightly as before, and the platinum band gleamed proudly as he pulled the delicate ring from the box.

Jessica has small fingers, but so did his grandmother. He couldn't deny how beautiful it would look on her hand, but an engagement? Marriage? He was still going back and forth on asking her to move in with him permanently after his recovery was complete. The idea of adding marriage to the mix was almost frightening...

He recalled a conversation he'd had with Booth after leaving the lingerie store last weekend.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Aubrey fingered the delicate fabric of the lingerie one more time, anticipating how it all would look on Jessica at Christmas. Then his thoughts faded to various times throughout their times together.

The day he met her while working the Hayes Robertson case…flirting with her in the lab during the Leslie Hodsell case…inviting her over for a Star Wars marathon the following weekend…

Those last few seconds before he and Hodgins were injured in the bombing last year…his happiness at finding out she had visited him twice while he was unconscious…his first attempt to kiss her…their first kiss while laying on a wet sidewalk…

Coming back to Jessica's apartment to make love for the first time after spending the day at Booth and Brennan's. He smirked as he remembered how they barely made it to her bedroom.

Then…his fears about his father…telling Jessica he was serious about her and her scared rabbit reaction…her going to Scotland…how she found out about the offer to LA…her telling him they had no future together…her slapping him after his indecorous remarks to her after Daisy's wedding…

Talking after the Star Wars convention…going on their first 'date' to the movies…showing her his new house…the numerous times they almost had sex…his birthday…making love after deciding they were ready to be together again…

His stomach turned as he recalled his disgraceful behavior to her after finding out about his father…then their fight after he came home from the hospital. But then, their talks, while painful, liberated both of them. The last couple of weeks weren't easy, but it made their friendship, and their love stronger. If they could take that, they could handle anything.

"Aubrey!"

Knocked out of his thoughts, Aubrey turned to his friend. "Sorry, Booth, did you say something?"

"Yeah I did, but you were miles away. What's going on?"

Aubrey debated on whether to ask his question, but decided to go for it. "Booth, when did you know that Dr. B was the one?"

Booth stopped at a traffic light. Glancing at his friend, he shook his head. "That's…not so easy to answer, Aubrey, because I don't know if there was a time when it hit me like that. I knew when I first saw her in that lecture hall that she was different. She was…arrogant, but she had a right to be, as smart as she is. She was proud of who she was…but I could see that small part of her that cared for our victim…and her punching Judge Hasty was awesome. When we didn't see each other after that case, I was…lonely, but I didn't see it then. I mean, I tried to forget her, but..."

Aubrey listened patiently as Booth considered his words. "I acted like it was nothing when I got her to work with me again, but it wasn't. I was so pumped that she'd decided to work with me, but I tried to play it cool, you know? I guess I was unsure of myself, and of her, too, but as I got to know her, really know her, I saw her heart, Aubrey. Bones…she has this exterior of science and education, but it's only part of her. She has such a pure heart, but she'd been hurt so much as a young woman...but she had so much…love inside her and she was so scared to see that. I…didn't see it right away, either. When I rescued her from Keaton all those years ago, relief barely describes what I felt. When she considered leaving DC with Sully…I couldn't tell her to stay because I couldn't voice my feelings, but I was dying inside..."

Booth took a minute before voicing the rest of his thoughts. "There were other things, too, but when I let Sweets talk me into asking her to take a chance on me and she said she couldn't…something broke inside of me, Aubrey. However, I couldn't let Bones go. She broke my heart, but she was my best friend, you know? I tried to date other women…hell, I even asked Hannah to marry me, but in the end, it was always Bones...it would always be her, no matter what happened."

Booth saw the confusion on his friend's face. "I guess what I'm saying is, there was no specific moment...no lightning strike of understanding...no revelation from Heaven. Looking back now, I'd always known it was her, but I wasn't ready to admit it because…it scared the shit out of me. Us getting together wasn't easy, either. She found it hard to let someone else in after depending on herself for the last twenty years, but my idealized views on making a life together was also in the way. Also, her leaving because of Pelant, and my anger at her because of it, Pelant forcing me to break my engagement with Bones, working our way back to each other, us adjusting to each other again after I got out of prison, my gambling…but I don't regret any of it. I'd do it all again, because I could never live without her because she's…a part of me…she's my best friend."

The agent made a left hand turn as he approached Cleveland Park. "Is Jessica the one for you? Only you can say that for sure, Aubrey, but don't let fear get in your way like it did with Bones and me, understand?"

"I won't, Booth."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Putting the ring away, he closed the velvet box and put it back before closing the larger wooden chest. "Well, Mom...I finally found the girl, but we'll get there when it's the right time."

Taking the Nativity scene with him, he placed it right on the fireplace mantle and smiled at how right it looked there in his home. It was like his mother was still with him.

He looked at the rest of the decorations, but walked away before temptation struck. Tonight, he planned to make a nice dinner for his girlfriend, and then they would decorate the tree together. After that, they'd watch a science fiction marathon on TV.

But right now, he had a vacation to plan. Getting his laptop, he researched all over until he found what he was looking for about 30 minutes from her family's winery. Checking its availability, he saw there was a vacancy.

"Yes!" Aubrey fist pumped before thinking of something. "Shit, better make sure we can go."

Grabbing his phone, he speed dialed a number. "Hey Hodgins...it's Aubrey. Listen...got a favor to ask you…"

Daisy's vehicle entered the parking garage and she almost immediately found a spot near the entrance on the ground floor. After the motor was turned off, the two women got out of the vehicle.

"So isn't my new car amazing?", Daisy asked. "I love the navigation system...and aren't the heated seats just awesome?"

Jessica got out of the passenger door and looked at the vehicle. "Yeah, the seats were pretty nice this morning, and I do like your car. What are your payments?"

"Beau said there were none...he paid cash for it at the dealership.", the anthropologist said proudly. "My husband is so amazing."

Thinking about his lowered salary and the issues between them of late, Jessica was surprised. "That's nice, Daisy, but can he afford it since he's only the practice squad now?"

"Yes, of course, Jessica. Besides, he got it for me to make up for being an ass to me yesterday."

Before she could stop herself, Jessica said what she was thinking. "You know, you never got into detail about what happened with Beau, just that he was pissed that you couldn't have lunch with him at work. Surely there was more to it than that?"

"Well, Beau surprised me at work with lunch from RT's. Of course, Oliver had already gotten us food from Vermillion, and we were having a working lunch as we went over his findings for a case I'm working from Idaho."

"Oliver is working in the physics department at the NFL, right?", Jessica responded. "I didn't realize that he consulted with your area a lot."

"His knowledge of physics has helped up solve more than one cold case since I started there, Jessica. I can see how you might think he's abrasive, but he's also brilliant.", Daisy said before arming the alarm on her vehicle and the two walked across the street. "Beau got all irritated when I told him he should have called me first. He said he was just trying to be romantic, but I reminded him that I'm a very busy person and can't just stop on a dime for his whimsy.

'I remember when she loved the fact he would stop by on a whim with lunch…' Jessica nodded, but kept her thoughts to herself as Daisy continued to talk.

"I said we could have it for leftovers if I didn't get home too late, but I didn't have time to sit with him right then. Of course, like a child, he just dumped the food on my desk and stormed out."

Jessica tried to think of something diplomatic to say. "Beau sounds a little frustrated…"

"Well, I have an important job, and I'm always busy. He needs to talk to me before doing stuff like this, and Oliver agreed with me that Beau needed to be more understanding of the sacrifices one has to make for science. I'm sure even Aubrey understands that a career must come first, especially since he's a Special Agent in Charge. I'm also confident that he has more forethought than to just spring stuff on you at the lab. Dr. Brennan has always been adamant about her interns being ready when she needs them and expecting them to keep their personal lives out of the lab."

"I know. Aubrey and I are both pretty busy with our careers, but we try to make the weekends and a couple nights a week our time to spend together without bringing up work.", Jessica said without thinking. "As for the lab, Dr. B doesn't mind when Aubrey stops by to have lunch with me at the lab once a week. Andie sometimes comes by to eat lunch with Wendell when she has free time. Curly and Dr. Saroyan are also pretty cool with us doing whatever we want on our breaks, just like Dr. B is, as long as we are back on time and keep things professional."

"Well, Dr. Brennan didn't like it when Lance visited me at the lab when we weren't working a case together. She always expected me to work and to be ready to learn. Lancelot also told me that she would lecture him on visiting the lab and disrupting the work day.", Daisy replied in a slightly miffed tone. "It looks like now that she's married to Booth and has a family, she's becoming more lax with her newer interns. Must be nice."

'Maybe she wasn't thrilled to have Sweets there because he always wanted something besides lunch when he came by.', Jessica thought to herself as she remembered Daisy's stories about the many quickies she and the FBI profiler had enjoyed in various places around the lab, including under the desk in Dr. B's office. 'Aubrey and I have fooled around in my SUV during lunch a couple of times, but never in Dr. B's office or the lab itself. He doesn't take advantage of his friendships with people there and he'll never intentionally do anything to make me look bad at work.'

Groaning inwardly, Jessica tried to shrug off her friend's insinuation, realizing that it may have sprung from jealousy. She knew that Daisy sometimes got protective of her time with their mentor as she had been the only female intern until the redhead started in 2014. More than once, alone or with several people, she always had a Dr. B story of her own to share after Jessica would tell one. Attempting to avoid an argument, the redhead tried changing the subject.

"Well, thanks for going with me to do this, Daisy."

Daisy's countenance changed as she linked her arm with her friend's. "Of course, Jessica. Dress shopping is so much fun! Don't you remember those days when there was Prom or Homecoming at school? Those were always the best."

"Daisy,", Jessica said, rolling her eyes as they walked down the sidewalk, "my cooperative didn't have school dances, remember? I didn't attend those at Michigan State, either, because everyone was so much older than I was. When my sisters married my brothers and you married Beau, I didn't have to choose the dress I wore. So, this is my first…full-fledged formal dress shopping trip…and I'm nervous."

"Why?", Daisy said with a smile. "Don't be, because you have me with you. I'm going to make you look so good! You have such a cute figure...I'm sure we won't have any trouble finding the perfect dress for you."

"This is a party with FBI bigwigs…and it's so important to Aubrey, Booth, and Genny and I want to make a good impression on Deputy Director Stark and the Director himself. I'm just glad Dr. B will be there, too."

"You'll have everyone else there, too Jessica.", Daisy said quietly.

Once again, the redhead looked back at her friend. "Dais, I'm sorry Aubrey and Booth's thing is the same night as the dinner party you had planned."

"I still don't see why you two can't make an appearance, but I understand…Aubrey's job has to come first…"

Jessica bit her tongue to avoid a rash response. Every since Aubrey had spoken his mind the day he came home from the hospital, Daisy would sometimes make little comments about her boyfriend and their relationship. However, he was almost murdered three weeks ago and needed to be the center of her attention right now. Thankfully, he was almost recovered, but as he always made time for her things, she wanted to do the same.

Fighting against the irrational stab of guilt, the redhead finally responded. "Daisy, I told you that Aubrey, Booth, and Genny had no say in the matter. The Bureau wants to honor them for their bravery with the Vacchio case last month. The Director himself issued the invitations and set the date. Aubrey would prefer to go to your dinner party, trust me."

Daisy exhaled. "I'm sorry…it's just that I'm going to be so bored. Andie said she's going with Wendell to his thing with his friends on the 30th...you'll be with everyone else. All New Years Eve weekend Beau will be constantly at FedEx or studying plays until his next game except when we're at his parents' house Saturday night."

"The Redskins are doing Monday Night Football, aren't they?", Jessica asked while walking around a crack on the sidewalk.

"Yes. They're playing one of the New York teams. I'm going to the game, of course, with some of the other wives. Beau said they have to win this game to get some Wild Pick thing."

"Wild Card.", Jessica said as she opened the boutique's door and held it for her friend. "It still gives them a chance towards the Super Bowl. I'm sure Beau is pretty psyched about it since they lost their berth to Dallas a couple weeks back."

"Well, it's all he talks about. Football…football…football…at least he's stopped talking about the damn CFL.", Daisy said. "He needs to realize there's more to life than football."

The ladies walked into the finely appointed shop, and Jessica stopped as she took it all in. In every part of the store, women were being attended to by personal shoppers. Taking a few steps towards one of the racks, she saw a green silk dress with spaghetti straps. Picking up the price tag, her eyes got large before putting it down and heading back to her friend.

"Daisy, that dress is $2100.00. Are all their dresses this expensive?"

Rolling her eyes at the comment, Daisy giggled. "Jessica, this is the most exclusive boutique in town. I had to ask my mother-in-law to get us an appointment. Anyway, you have money leftover from your trust fund since you paid your Spring semester tuition last week. You can get anything you want."

"Well, yes, but I'm not comfortable spending over a thousand dollars on a dress I may wear once, you know? I don't want to go over $500 if I can avoid it."

Daisy put her arm around her friend's waist. "Jessica, you have to wow those folks at the FBI if you want to make a good impression. I'm sure there are going to be people from Congress and other movers and shakers there. Now come on, let's find you a dress."

Jessica felt uneasy, but put it aside. After all, this is supposed to be fun, right? "Okay."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Over the next hour, Jessica tried on dresses that Daisy and the saleswoman recommended. The first was an A line dress that was a pale pink with hints of pastel green and a flowery tulle layer. Coming out, she saw the expectant faces of her friend and their sales woman.

"Jessica, that is so…you."

"It's…pretty…", the redhead said before peeking at the price. "But not pretty enough for $2078.00."

Walking back into the dressing room, Daisy turned to the personal shopper. "She's just really nervous about the party."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Next was a flesh colored gown with splashes of red, gold, and brown lines flowing down the dress with a bateau neckline.

"Jessica, that dress is so beautiful."

"Daisy, I look like a tree with fall graffiti. I'm not crazy about the color stripes…or the price. $1300.00 is way too much.", she whispered before going back into the dressing room.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Jessica came out in a silver form fitting, mermaid dress with tulle forming the bottom third with several layers of material. Sprinkled throughout the silvery beading in the tulle were small red crystals attached to rhinestones.

"Miss, that dress is so stunning on you."

"That dress looks amazing, Jessica."

The redhead made a face. "Daisy, I'm going to blind my boyfriend and everyone else there with all these sparkles."

"But, Jessica…"

"Can you give us just a moment?", Jessica said to the saleswoman. When she walked away, the redhead turned back to her friend. "Daisy, I'm not paying $1900.00 for a dress. I appreciate you getting an appointment for me here, but it's just too…hoity toity for me. I've heard that there's this new awesome vintage clothing shop by the Hoover-"

"Jessica! If there's anything I've learned from being a Pixler, it's that when you go to a party like that you don't buy consignment."

Jessica was surprised at her friend's last comment. "Daisy...you bought your bridal gown on consignment and were quite proud of it, as I can recall. I don't see the difference."

"The difference is that although my mother-in-law is a pill, I have learned a few things about parties here in DC. The biggest lesson is you don't go cheap on dresses because you could be hobnobbing with a Congressperson...a member of the Cabinet…"

Jessica held her hand up. "I get it, Daisy, but Aubrey is not out to impress those people. Neither are Booth or Genny. Besides, Superman said that dress was formal but also told me to be comfortable. This stuff...it's not me."

"Okay, Jessica. Don't worry.", Daisy said as she put her arm around her friend's shoulder. "We're going to find you the right DC party dress. There are four more nice boutiques we can check out in town. How about we check a couple of them out, then we can have some lunch? Our quarterback's wife mentioned a nice shop in Alexandria."

The redhead had a feeling that the rest of the day would be about the same. However, her friend was trying hard to help her and she needed to appreciate it. "Sure, Dais. Sounds good."

Six hours later, Aubrey was taking out two steaks he had marinated in the fridge for dinner when he heard his front door being unlocked. From the kitchen, he saw Jessica enter the house, lock, and arm the door. Before he could greet her, he observed her toss her purse aside and growl before dropping herself on the couch.

Setting the container aside, the agent put his attention on his girlfriend. "Dress shopping went that well, huh?"

"Dress shopping sucks!", the redhead whined before tipping her head back. Skinner jumped up on the couch and head butted her hand. Opening her eyes, she smiled as the tabby curled up into her lap. "Hey there, boy…you always know when I need a friend."

"So do I." Pulling a beer out of the fridge, Aubrey opened it before making his way over and sitting next to her. Holding out the beer to her, he sympathized. "What happened? Just didn't see anything you liked?"

"Thank you, Superman.", Jessica said as she took the beer while petting Skinner. Taking a drink, she continued. "No, I didn't. Daisy took me to these fancy ass boutiques where the dresses were several thousand dollars. She and the salespeople would pick out stuff that they said suited me, but they either had ugly ruffles, large trains, big bows or what nots on my butt, or just way too expensive for my taste."

"Well, if you want…I can go with you tomorrow—"

"James Aubrey! No way you're going dress shopping with me. It's too weird. I talked to Andie yesterday before picking up our tree and she said she was free to go with me Monday after I get off at 4:00 to check out Neiman Marcus and a place in Baltimore. Daisy offered to go with me Friday, too, but she also said that I needed to quit being stingy about prices since I had enough money left over from my trust fund disbursement to get a proper dress."

'Proper dress? Whatever…' Aubrey thought as he rolled his eyes. "Jess, I would rather you get something you like than something to impress snobs. Spending several thousand dollars on a dress is just plain ass stupid."

"I know...but the banquet is in less than two weeks. I have to decide soon because I may need to get it altered, and I'll have to get it early enough to make sure it's ready in time."

Aubrey caressed her hand. "You'll find something, Jess. Don't settle for something you're going to hate. You have no one to impress, all right?"

"I have to look right, Aubrey. I heard from Dr. B that there will be movers and shakers there, and I don't want to embarrass you in any way."

Aubrey combed a lock of red hair from Jessica's eye and tucked it behind her ear. "You can't embarrass me. You never will embarrass me. If people don't like you, that's on them. I want to go to this stupid thing and get this stupid award with my beautiful girlfriend Jessica Warren proudly on my arm, not some wannabe social butterfly who kisses rich people's butts."

Jessica broke out into a laugh. "James Aubrey, you are the only one who could make me feel better right now."

Happy that his girlfriend's cloud was gone, the agent smiled. Getting up, he held out his hand. "Now, why don't you take that beer upstairs and have a nice hot bath while I cook dinner?"

"What's on the menu tonight, Chef Aubrey?", Jessica asked as she took Aubrey's hand and stood up in front of him.

"Steak, a nice vegetable blend, baked potatoes, and green beans with a nice Pinot Noir Dr. B recommended to me a few days ago."

"Sounds nice…", the redhead said with a smile. "I'll soak for a bit, then I can help you with dinner. How does that sound?"

"Nice, but let me do most of the work. You've been taking care of me for too long."

"Aubrey…."

"Jessica…", the agent retorted gently before pointing at the stairs. "Go upstairs…relax…I think you earned it today."

"Okay…" The anthropologist ran her hands through her boyfriend's thick hair. "I like your haircut, by the way. It was getting a little wild, Superman."

"Thanks…it was annoying me.", Aubrey replied while feeling the back of his head. "Now go."

He watched her go upstairs and when she was out of view, he thought about the last time they shared his jet tub together on Thanksgiving. Starting to feel some lustful stirrings, he walked over to his calendar and noted the date.

"Just one more week, Jess. If I have to wait longer to make love to you, I'm going to die. Ugh…"

Two hours later, the couple were stringing the lights onto their Christmas tree. Aubrey, being taller, wrapped them around the tree as Jessica handed them to him. "Keep them coming, Jess. We're almost there…"

The redhead bit her lip to keep from laughing as she handed him the part to plug in. "Here you go, Superman."

"Thanks, Jess.", Aubrey said, pulling the other side closer but coming up short. "Why is this coming up short? Booth said these were fifteen feet…what the hell?"

Jessica pulled her phone out and aimed it at her boyfriend. "Say...screw kryptonite!"

Aubrey heard the click before looking down to see the lights wrapped around his legs. He narrowed his eyes at his girlfriend, who continued to giggle. "You're going down, Warren."

"Whatever, Aubrey. You're the one stuck in the lights, not me."

"Not for long…" Aubrey quickly slipped out of the lights and chased his girlfriend in the kitchen to her squeals of delight.

Catching her in the kitchen he turned her around and kissed her tenderly. The close contact ignited something in the lovers and before they knew it, Aubrey had her pinned against the refrigerator. Both were swept up in passion, but when Jessica felt Aubrey's lips travel down her neck and his hand on her butt, she snapped out of it.

"Aubrey...you have to stop...we can't…oh God..." Jessica's eyes rolled in the back of her head as he nibbled on the sweet spot of her neck.

His only response was to pull her closer, caressing her tenderly as his dexterous fingers traveled under her sweater. "Jessica...I want to fuck the hell out of you...right here...right now…"

The growl in his voice weakened her resolve further, as well as his hand sneaking under her bra to play with her nipple, but Jessica was determined to remain strong. "James..oh that feels good...stop...no sex…until after the doctor clears you."

Aubrey stopped and groaned into Jessica's neck. "Jess...this sucks...I am so horny right now…"

"So am I, Superman...so am I...but we can't jeopardize your recovery. I don't want you to injure your spleen again...and I'm sure you don't either.", Jessica said quietly as she ran her hand through his dark hair.

The agent remembered something and he panicked. "We can still have sex on New Years, right? I was supposed to keep my hands to myself but I haven't touched you in three weeks...and you felt so damn good…"

"I know, Superman, and you're forgiven. Yes, as long as we get the okay, we can have lots of sex on New Years Eve." Jessica gave an encouraging smile. "We're almost there...just hang in there...and we can welcome the New Year together with lots of pleasurable fornication."

Aubrey lifted his head and was rewarded to see her pupils almost completely dilated and the green in her eyes almost an emerald. "I can do that...but I don't want to go out for New Years Eve…well, maybe except for food."

"Just the two of us? I like it. What do you have in mind, Aubrey?", Jessica said as she saw his smirk. "You have a plan, don't you?"

"How does three days in a cabin in the mountains sound? No FBI...no lab...no Gerald...no Daisy...Karen...any of that shit. Just us."

'Oh, that sounds so amazing...but I think Clark is back on January 2nd…' Jessica thought. "With Dr. B gone until January 3rd, Clark was coming back-"

"He's staying another week in Canada to present what they've found so far to the Canadian government. Hodgins was going to announce it on Monday but the lab will be closed from December 31st to January 5th so that all the new lab equipment can be installed all at once."

"That's good. I'm just surprised Clark isn't going to be here for that."

Aubrey smirked. "Hodgins thinks he's actually staying an extra few days because of the anthropologist that is presenting with him."

"Dr. Suzann something...she's a cute blonde...very business like...totally Clark's type.", Jessica giggled. "Good for him. He's been moping about Nora long enough...wait, how did you know about…you talked to Curly already, didn't you?"

"Well, I didn't want to plan a vacation you couldn't go to, Jess.", Aubrey said before he got serious. "It's been a rough few weeks. I think we both need the time away."

Nodding happily, Jessica kissed her boyfriend. "I agree...let's do it."

"Good...because I've already put the deposit down.", Aubrey said, laughing as her smile grew wider. Letting go of his girlfriend, he took her hand. "Come on, Jess, let's go finish the tree."

A hour later, the lights were off in the living room except for the glow of the Christmas lights from the tree. Aubrey sat on the couch as Jessica snuggled up to him with her legs draped across his lap.

"Our tree is awesome, Aubrey.", the redhead said as her head lay on his shoulder.

"It sure is, Jess.", the agent replied contently as he also admired the hodgepodge of different ornaments along with the multicolored lights. "Who needs those hoity toity Architectural Digest trees with a unifying color scheme and fancy baubles?"

"I know." Jessica grinned as she looked up at the tree. "I like ours better. It has personality."

"The best one…our tree looks like us.", Aubrey said before pecking her on the lips. Turning back, he saw Skinner sneaking towards the tree. Grabbing his spray bottle he watched the cat inch closer, but before he could use it, the tabby recoiled after smelling the tree and skittered away. "Good boy…"

"Told you spraying the tree with OJ would work in a pinch.", the redhead said. "Cats hate citrus."

"Remind me never to doubt my genius, Mensa card carrying, science loving, future PhD, hot girlfriend ever again."

"Oh I will…", Jessica said with a giggle before getting serious. "There is one more thing I need to talk to you about tonight, Superman."

"Yeah... what's that?", he replied quietly as he rubbed her leg.

"Remember that dinner party Daisy wanted on the 30th but she couldn't have it because we wouldn't be available?"

"Yeah…", Aubrey said.

"She thinks she wants to have it in a few weeks, but isn't sure of the date yet."

"Well, I can work out my schedule, but what about your work schedule? Dr. B said she and Hodgins would have it done next week, and you'll know more about whether or not we can make it."

"Works for me, if you want to go, that is." Aubrey said. "So should we start our movie marathon?"

Jessica rubbed his chest tenderly. "Actually, can we enjoy the tree a little longer?"

Aubrey smiled at his girlfriend before holding her closer. "Sure. See? It's like I said. You're a genius."