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Season 4
A last minute holiday season murder, plans gone awry. The case hastily solved in the nick of time, another murderer put away. Promises for their newly established partner tradition for holiday gift exchange unexpectedly broken as world-renowned forensic anthropologist departs to Uganda for a dig.
Two weeks later, as the plane carrying said forensic anthropologist touches down at Dulles, a tinge of regret inexplicably overcomes her as she disembarks from the plane. The year had been eventful, painful secrets kept locked away spilled. An abusive alcoholic father, abusive foster families. It would seem they have more in common than she could have expected. A past she had rather not recall. Yet if she were forced to share it with another person, she would not have any other than him.
She had almost lost him, Booth. The gravedigger struck once again. Guilting Jared into helping her and flying in to rescue him on a helicopter seemed something that Kathy Reichs, not Temperance Brennan, would do. It was an immense relief that she hadn't been too late. A future without him seemed bleak and almost unbearable. And yet she had broken her promise to him. They were to exchange gifts at the Founding Fathers but a case had already forced her to push back her departure date. She had another Professor waiting for her, a dig to lead. She hated that she had to cancel at the last minute, hated the thought that he was already there waiting for her when she texted him goodbye.
She walked with renewed purpose, she wasn't too late. She would call him once she got back to her apartment, the gift exchange though late could still take place. She would make it up to him. Confused by why she was so determined to do so and why this suddenly held such significance for her, she pushed the confounding thoughts aside.
With her small luggage now retrieved from from the baggage carousel, she stepped forward, peering through the sea of people waiting for the arrival of loved ones. As she pushed her way through the crowd trying to make her way to the waiting queue of taxis she stops. Her heart beats faster, she scarcely believes her eyes. He is standing there grinning at her. Their eyes lock and she smiles back. He waits, that charm smile still on his face as she closes the distance between them.
"Hi Bones." Why does his voice calling her by a nickname she so despises bring her so much happiness?
"Hi Booth. What are you doing here?"
"We have a tradition to keep right?" He moves the arm that he had hidden behind his back, revealing a small gift. "I know it's kinda late but… Merry Christmas?"
Her smile is dazzling to him as she takes the gift from his hand. Don't fall in love, his head cautions but he knows it's too late. He had already fallen a long time ago.
"My gift for you is at home. Perhaps you would like to come over and we could share a meal? Take out, since my fridge is rather bare at the moment."
"Nothin' else I'd rather do Bones."
They find it impossible to stop smiling at each other. A Christmas tradition between partners, better late than never.
This was intended to be a drabble but turned out lengthier than I expected. Hope it was enjoyed.