"You want me to do what?" Brennan looked at her father, unsure if she heard him correctly or not. He couldn't really be asking her to do this. It seemed a little upfront for him.

"I want you to help me grant those foster kids their Christmas wishes. I think they deserve to have a good holiday, don't you?" Brennan's mouth tightened and she glanced over at Booth to see if he would offer her any help. His face remained unreadable much to her frustration. It certainly wasn't that she begrudged the kids a holiday; far from it. There just had to be an ulterior motive to his request.

"Of course those children deserve to know someone cares about them. I just want to know why you thought of doing this in the first place."

"Let's say that I'm in the Christmas spirit." He smiled at his daughter, his own charm smile, fighting to keep the expression as she looked at him suspiciously.

"Max, you've seen 'Miracle on 34th Street, haven't you," Booth asked as he dug into his slice of pie. Ah, pumpkin pie. It was a shame it wasn't available all year round.

"Of course I have, it's a classic. Maureen O'Hara and Natalie Wood were great in that film. I always loved the way that Kris Kringle was able to grant everyone's wish. Kind of puts you in the philanthropic mood, you know?"

"That wasn't the direction I was going. There was a point when Alfred said that playing Santa was a way to atone for something you feel guilty about." Booth looked up at Max with an eyebrow raised.

"We all three know that I have a lot to make up for, but that doesn't mean I have some sneaky reason for wanting to get a few Christmas gifts for those kids." Max turned his attention back onto his daughter, his eyes imploring. "Please help me with this honey. It would mean the world to me and I'm sure it would mean everything to those kids."

"Fine dad, I'll help out," Brennan said with a sigh of defeat. Max glanced quickly at Booth and saw the momentary flash of emotion across the agent's face. Well, he thought. If I'm playing Santa, then maybe I can get everyone what they want for Christmas. "How do you want to do this?"

"Well, I thought that maybe you could help me find the group home these kids are in and we could ask if it's okay to set up Christmas for them. I can't imagine that the people in charge can really provide a whole lot for those kids."

"No, they can't," Brennan said, her tone tightened somewhat. Of course this would be a touchy subject with his daughter.

"Sweetheart, I don't want you to feel like you're being coerced into this. If you're uncomfortable, I completely understand."

"Dad, I said I would do this, so I'll help you out. I'll find out where the children are living and you can talk with whoever is caring for them. Once everything is approved, then I'll get the money together for whatever gifts need to be purchased."

"Okay baby. I can do that." He took a sip of his coffee and tried to keep the frown off of his face. There had to be a way he could get Brennan to meet Norah. If she didn't see the little girl, then his whole plan would be for naught. He glanced over to Booth who was watching him with an appraising look. "Booth, when do you have Parker next?"

"I have him this weekend. Why?"

"You should take him to the Christmas exhibit. It seems like something he'd like." The suspicious look on Booth's face remained. Max sighed. "Is it too much to ask that I get to see him again? You've got a good kid there."

"Thanks Max. I think I might do that." The ex-con looked at his watch and stood up. "Well, looks like I have to get back to the museum. As they say, no rest for the wicked." Brennan and Booth watched as Max left the diner before looking at each other.

"What do you think he's up to," Temperance asked as she kept an eye on her father. He was walking away from the diner, whistling.

"I don't know, but as much as I respect your father, I don't trust him as far as I can throw him when I know he's being so obviously sneaky."

"Do you think you could go with him to the group home? You have a better read on people than I do."

"Nah, you just don't give yourself enough credit, that's all."

"Well in this case, I think you'd have a better guess about what he was up to than I would." Booth contemplated the situation and nodded in assent.

"Okay. I'll pull the addresses for the local group homes and take your father to go see whoever runs them. Regardless of his reasoning, I think it's nice what he wants to do for those kids." Booth and Brennan stood up to leave as Booth threw a few bills down onto the table to pay for lunch. He helped Brennan into her coat, his fingers brushing up against her back as she shrugged it up over her shoulders. At the contact, the pair looked at each other, both sensing the electricity at the simple touch. Temperance was the first to look away.

"Thank you Booth for help with my father."

"Hey, no problem Bones," he responded, clearing his throat before guiding her from the diner. They stepped out into the brisk December air, their breath coming out in puffs as they walked back toward the Jeffersonian. "So are you getting together with your dad and Russ for Christmas?" Temperance brightened somewhat at the mention of her brother.

"Yes. Russ and Amy are visiting with the girls, so we're going to celebrate the holidays at my place this year. It'll be nice having everyone there, no coercion or interference for once." They smiled at each other, and as Brennan linked her arm into Booth's he glanced down at her. She usually wasn't the one to initiate physical contact, and his stomach tightened in anticipation…of what he wasn't sure.

"That sounds great. Are you cooking, or is your father demanding to do it?"

"Are you kidding? Dad was never able to make a turkey. He knew how to carve it, but the one year he tried to make it for my mom…" Temperance laughed and shook her head. That was the first time she remembered not having turkey for Christmas. "After that, we had ham every year."

"We always used to go to my Aunt Ruth's house. She and Fanny could cook a mean turkey, and she always gave me the drumsticks since it was my favorite part."

"Leave it to you Seeley Booth to like the unhealthiest meat on a turkey." Booth smiled at her use of his first name. It was a rare occurrence that she used it and it always sounded so good coming from her lips. "Are you and Jared spending the holidays together?"

"Nah. I have Parker in the morning, and then Rebecca's picking him up before they go to her mom's house. I'll be at home watching sports or something."

"Then why don't you join us? I know dad won't mind, and the girls still can't stop talking about the Christmas tree."

"I couldn't interfere. That's your family time."

"Don't be ridiculous Booth. You're my family as much as dad and Russ are." He looked at her and pulled her in closer to his side.

"Sure Bones, I'd like that. Hey, do you want to come with me and Parker to the museum this weekend? I think your dad's right; Parker would love that exhibit."

"Okay. Consider it a date." She smiled up at him as they continued on their way, oblivious to the effect her words had on the special agent.

XxXxX

"Are you sure this is the right place?" Max looked from Booth to the house in front of him. There was no way that all of those kids could be living in such a small house.

"Yeah, this is the address for the only Sylvia currently providing a home for kids in the area. You did say her name was Sylvia, right?"

"That's what I was told." The two men approached the front door and knocked. After a moment, the door opened out toward them making them jump back slightly. Max glanced down at the child standing at the door and smiled. It was little Norah Grace. She looked at him curiously, those serious blue eyes taking in his appearance before she grinned up at him.

"You're Santa Claus," she said with certainty. Max grinned at her as Booth's eyebrows shot up. How in the world could that little girl recognize him outside of his costume?

"That's right Norah. Is Miss Sylvia here?" The little girl nodded and ran off to another room. Max and Booth could hear the raucous sound of children playing, the occasional one running past the front door. It took a moment before Sylvia made it to the door with Norah at her heels.

"I'm Sylvia Preston. Norah said you were Santa Claus?" She looked from Max to Booth and back again. Booth smiled at the older woman and showed his badge to her.

"Ma'am, I'm Special Agent Seeley Booth with the FBI. I was wondering if we could have a word with you in private." Sylvia's expression dropped, and was instantly replaced with worry.

"Of course, come on in." She moved aside to allow Booth and Max inside and turned down toward Norah. "Dear heart, could you please go play with the other kids?"

"Okay Miss Sylvia," she said brightly before turning to Max. "It's nice to see you again Santa."

"Well it's nice to see you too." Both he and Booth watched as she bounced off into the other room. He was still struck at how much she looked like Temperance when she was a little girl. Once she was gone, both men turned their attention back to Sylvia.

"Miss Preston, we aren't here for any bad news, I just want you to know that at the outset," Booth said as she ushered them into a sitting room, quickly cleaning off two chairs before they sat down.

"Then what are you doing here?"

"Max here works as Santa over at the Jeffersonian Institute's museum. After speaking with your kids the yesterday, he approached someone at the Institute about providing Christmas gifts for them. We're here to see if that's okay with you." Sylvia looked from one man to the next, speechless. This couldn't be happening, not really.

"You're not pulling my leg with this, are you?"

"I assure you that we're serious," Max said. "I spoke with all of these kids yesterday so I know what it is that they're asking for. I think it's time to spread a little holiday cheer to them, don't you?"

"This is… I can't even describe… Thank you."

"It's not a problem. I'll have all of their gifts ready for them on Christmas Eve so they'll have them Christmas day." Sylvia stood and threw her arms around Max in gratitude.

"I don't know what to say. I was so worried about the holidays this year. Normally I try to make sure that everyone has gifts, but this year what with the economy being what it is…" She shook her head and looked at both men once she had her composure back. "Thank you."

"It's our pleasure ma'am."

"I know you said that you spoke with the children, but why don't I go get a list together for you so there's no confusion. Anything you can do would be wonderful, but I want to make sure no one's disappointed."

"Of course Miss Preston. Did you want to send the list over, or do you want me to come back for it?"

"If you have just a couple of minutes, I can get it together for you right now." At their permissive nods, Sylvia jumped up to get the list together. Max and Booth followed her to take a look at the kids in her care. There were twelve in total, ranging in age from twelve down to one child that had to be just over a year old. As they looked over the group, Booth felt a light tug on his jacket. He looked down, his face splitting into a grin at the sight of Norah Grace.

"Well hey there kiddo." She took in his easy smile and met it with her inquisitive gaze.

"Are you here about my present?"

"Yup, that's what Santa and I are here for."

"So you're going to be my new daddy?" Her face lit up with so much enthusiasm that Booth tried to hide his confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"Santa promised me a family for Christmas and now he's here with you! I knew he was really Santa Claus, but Joey says he isn't." Booth glanced up from Norah and met Max Keenan's stricken gaze. So that's what the old man was up to. He sighed and looked back at the little girl not sure how to answer her question as he cursed Max for putting him in this position.