A/N: James Aubrey loves two things above all: food, and his people. Who knew a holiday about one of his loves, could help his other love.

Enjoy!

Special Agent Aubrey looked out over the bullpen: agents were sitting at their desks pouring over files, studying their computer screens, most of them with disheveled hair and wrinkled clothes. He sees a room full of people who'd gotten, maybe, a combined total of four hours of sleep in the last five days. See parents who hadn't seen their kids since dropping them off a school Monday morning; his partner included.

This case was kicking their asses; they'd been stuck in a mouse wheel going nowhere fast, and the snowstorms they'd been having recently didn't help much. A good chunk of their team was either snowed in or chose not to risk driving on the highways, thus forcing everyone else who did make it in to pick up their slack.

But Aubrey knew there was something there; something they were missing that would crack this case wide open. He understood they weren't going to see it if they were dragging like this. They needed sleep, a shower, and a warm meal because a PB&J from the break room wasn't cutting it.

Aubrey stepped back into his office, shutting the door before pulling out his cell phone. Food was the easiest problem to fix, and he knew a place where he could get something for everyone and get it fast. "Hi, yeah I'd like to place an order for delivery. You ready? It's gonna be a big one." Ten minutes later, he hung up with the pizza place, vowing to tip the delivery person (or persons) very nicely for doing this, and placed another call. "Deputy Director Stark? I need to ask for a favor."

[][]

"Okay, you guys have to be quiet," Aubrey told the trio behind him as he led them into an elevator. They'd borrowed a mail cart, filled it to the brim, and still had to carry armloads of food. The elevator lets them out in a back corridor, and Aubrey sneaks them into the conference room. They set up a buffet along the entire table, using the back counter for drinks, everything in its own spot, from main dishes to sides and desserts. "Thanks, guys, you don't know how much this is going to mean to my team," Aubrey says to the delivery crew, handing them their generous tip and walking them back to the elevator. When they leave, Aubrey goes to address his team.

Every single one of them is still working, doing their best to find a sliver of a clue to help on this case. Wastebaskets are full of scrap paper and post-it notes and the whiteboard they use sometimes has been scribbled on by some many people, Aubrey has to concentrate hard to find where one person's writing begins and another's starts. Yeah: they need a break.

"Alright! Listen up!" When he has everyone's attention, Aubrey continues. "I just want to thank all of you for your hard work on this case. I know this has been a very long week and we are all running on fumes. So, I've bought us all dinner, it's in the conference room." Everyone cheers and heads over to fill their plates; all of them at some point come up to Aubrey and thank him. He watches as his team finally relaxes; the spirit and sunshine coming back into the room. It's amazing what a little pizza and breadsticks can do to liven a mood.

"Agent Aubrey?" Deputy Director Stark's voice breaks his daydream, and Aubrey snaps back to action.

"Sir?" He asks.

"They're here," his boss says with a curt nod. "I still don't support this."

"I know you don't. But you support my people, and doing this will help them become better agents and maybe solve this case sooner."

"I do support your people. And I also know that if anything happens, it will be your responsibility."

Aubrey nods, understanding his boss, quickly turning to the elevator that is letting out swarms of kids and spouses. Shouts of 'Mommy!' and 'Daddy!' break out as his agents see their loved ones for the first time in a while. Dr. Brennan, Christine, and Hank walk past him to Booth's office, and he smiles at the kids, telling them he'd come to see them in a few. Aubrey does a round of the room, checking in with everyone, making sure they are doing alright.

"Thank you for this, Aubrey," Agent Machado tells him, his three-year-old son Trenton sitting on his lap. "We all needed this; needed to clear our heads for a while. Get out the case, you know?"

"I know," Aubrey nods. "You guys enjoy yourselves, okay?" With a final smile, Aubrey finally reaches Booth's office where the little family is enjoying dinner together and the kids are crawling all over their dad. "Hey! Don't wear your dad out, okay? We still need him to get some work done!" The joke makes everyone laugh and Christine jumps up and runs over to hug him.

"This is the best pizza party ever! Thank you, Uncle Aubrey!"

"No, problem, kiddo."

"Mommy, I think Hank needs another napkin," Christine remarks, noticing her brother's greasy fingers and face.

Napkin.

An idea sparks in his head and Aubrey whips out his phone, ready to jump back in. But he sees Booth's family and it stops him. It can wait an hour. He makes a note in his phone, shoves it in his pocket and proceeds to steal off Christine's plate. The offended girl shouts at him and he truly laughs for the first time all week.

Yeah: it can wait an hour.