I'll have a blue Christmas without you

I'll be so blue thinking about you

Decorations of red

On a green Christmas tree

Don't mean a thing

If you're not here with me.

Booth sighed as he went over the paper work for a case he was testifying on. He was due in court the next day and wanted to go over the facts one more time. There was only a week and a half until Christmas, and luckily he would be home in time for the holiday. Being away from his family was not something he wanted right now. He still had to get a Christmas gift for Parker, but hadn't found the perfect thing yet. Booth sighed and glanced at the clock. It was too late to call his son. Maybe he could call Annie and find out how things were on the home front. As he mused over the possibilities, his phone rang. Hoping it would be someone to cheer him up, he answered without checking the caller id.

"Booth."

"Agent Booth, I hope I didn't disturb you." Booth groaned inwardly. If his boss was calling, it couldn't be good.

"No, of course not sir. I was just going over my case files. What can I do for you?"

"An FBI agent from our office was injured while working a case. He's out in your neck of the woods and I'd like you to head out to Flint once you're done testifying and find out what happened to him."

"Sir, who was it?"

"The details I have are still sketchy, but I'm sending you an e-mail with all of the information."

"So I should only be out here an additional day, right?"

"Two. Your flight is being changed from Friday to Sunday."

"That's cutting it close to the holidays don't you think?"

"Don't worry Agent Booth; we'll have you home by then. God knows you deserve a break."

"Thank you. Has there been any word yet on who the hit man was hired to kill?"

"I spoke with Agent Sorenson about that. It seems that a witness on another case has somehow been involved with the Costello's. Sorenson is trying to get the name, but the order came from higher up the totem pole so he's poking around."

"As soon as you know…"

"I'll let you know."

"And keep someone with Annie. In her condition I'd prefer she not be alone too long…just in case."

"Anyone in particular?"

"How about Randall?"

"Randall? He's a pathologist. How is he going to protect her?"

"He was in the Marines. He has enough training to keep her safe."

"If you say so Booth. This is on your hands just like taking your squint out in the field."

"Understood." Booth clenched his jaw a bit. He could understand Brennan not talking to him at first, but things were getting ridiculous. It had been four months and still he'd not heard from her. Fine. When she came back from her sabbatical then they could just consult on cases… if he decided to return to working with the Jeffersonian.

It took a minute for him to realize that Cullen was no longer on the line. He flipped his phone shut and threw it on the nightstand. Maybe he should just get out of the room for a while and clear his head. Booth hauled himself up off the bed and grabbed his keys. The cold December air would probably do him some good.

XxXxX

"Yes, we'll have the all you can eat chicken meal and the Bavarian Sausage as well." Gavin smiled at the waitress as Brennan cleared her throat. Apparently she wasn't heard as the waitress turned and winked at Gavin.

"Is there anything else I can get you?"

"Actually I would like…" Brennan began but was cut off by Gavin.

"Don't worry, I've got it. You're going to love the food."

"I'm sure I would but…"

"It's the best, I promise."

"Gavin, I'm a vegetarian." Gavin's mouth formed an 'oh' as he colored a little bit. He cleared his throat and looked back up to the waitress.

"Well, I guess let's not do the chicken, and I can stick with the sausage. Temperance, what would you like?"

"I'll have spinach tortellini with seasonal vegetables." Even though she smiled up at the waitress, Brennan was a little bit annoyed. Booth never, ever ordered for her…well that wasn't exactly true. Once he was familiar with her likes and dislikes he could order for her. He never was so presumptuous early on to think he knew what she liked. Obviously Gavin was a different story.

"Hey, I'm sorry about that. I should have asked you first. I just assumed."

"No, it's okay. Statistically most people include meat in their diet. It was a normal assumption that I would be one of those people."

"Well, I hope I can make it up to you this evening. I was thinking that after this we could go to Bronner's. The store is dedicated entirely to Christmas, so if you love the holiday, you'll love the store."

"Christmas is sort of a false holiday in that it was only celebrated in December to convert Romans over to Christianity. December twenty fifth was a celebration for the risen sun, so early Christians chose the same day to celebrate the Risen Son. Christ's birth wasn't even considered important to the early church. It was the myth of his resurrection that was important." Brennan finished the speech as Gavin continued to stare at her, shaking his head slightly. For a brief moment, Temperance felt that she might have offended him, as she would have Booth. A slight smile overtook her as she remembered a very stoned Agent Booth in her lab with an elf hat on.

"So I guess no Bronner's then? I am just oh for two tonight."

"Oh for two?" She looked at him curiously, wondering what exactly she wasn't getting from the conversation. Gavin looked at her for a moment, not sure if she was playing clueless or not.

"Yeah, you know like in sports? It's a win/loss record?" Understanding lit up her eyes. For someone so smart, she was a bit clueless. He couldn't believe it.

"What other thoughts did you have for the evening?"

"Well, for one I was thinking that we could go on a carriage ride, or if you're up for it, there's also tobogganing and ice skating." He reached across the table and placed his hand over hers. She looked down at their joined hands for a minute then met Gavin's gaze.

"A carriage ride sounds perfect."

XxXxX

Booth walked around the Greek town casino, his poker chip clutched tightly in his hand. His head swung left and right looking at the slot machines and table action. He felt a few beads of sweat on his forehead, and reached up to wipe them off. He walked farther along and paused as he watched the poker tables. The game was in progress, and he felt himself being drawn to the table. His hands itched to have the cards in them, wanted the rush that the game could supply. Slowly he made his way over to the table, standing behind the players, his hands clutching tightly into themselves. As the game ended, one player got up from the table. Booth made his way to the empty seat and sat down. Reaching for his wallet, he paused. Across the way he caught a flash of auburn hair. His heart began to pound. Could she really be here in the casino?

"Hey buddy, you gonna play or what?" The dealer looked at Booth impatiently.

"You know what, no. I've changed my mind." Booth stood and chased after her. He knew it had to be her. She had to be here, but what was she doing in a casino? Looking left and right, he sighed. She'd disappeared from sight. "Damn it." He ran his fingers through his hair and began pacing. How could he have missed her?

Booth glanced at a poster on the wall and grinned. If she were here, he knew exactly where to find her. The hotel was hosting a Clara Bow marathon. Perfect. A smile still on his face, Booth hurried to the theater, sure he'd be able to find her there.

XxXxX

Brennan sat next to Gavin, bundled up against the cold as they rode in a horse drawn carriage. The town of Frankenmuth was lit up with lights and the whole place seemed to twinkle. Temperance looked over at Gavin and smiled.

"Thank you for this evening Gavin, I've had a really nice time. In fact, I think it's been a long time since I've had this much fun."

"I'm glad to hear it. I've certainly enjoyed this evening as well." He put his arm around Brennan and pulled the anthropologist close to his side. She was stiff for a moment before making herself relax into the embrace.

"My family is decorating the house tomorrow for the holidays. I think my dad's cooking and you're welcome to join us if you'd like."

"Do you mind if I ask a personal question?"

"I don't know. I suppose it depends on what you want to know."

"You're obviously successful, I mean your books are amazing, so why is it that you live with your father? I would think you'd have your own place."

"I do have my own place in DC, but I needed to get away from there for personal reasons that I'd rather not talk about."

"Relationship issues?"

"I believe I just said…"

"Sorry. Well if it's of any consolation, I'm certainly glad you've decided to come out here." He leaned in toward her, and it took a second for Brennan to realize he wanted to kiss her. Hesitantly she met him, their lips joining gently.

XxXxX

Booth drove up the highway toward Flint after his day in court. He was in a bad mood and had been since the night before. While the Clara Bow marathon had been a good distraction, Brennan was not there. He'd gone back to his hotel room late and hadn't slept any. Now he was on his way to interview an injured agent. He wanted to get home and see his son, and to spend the holiday with his family.

He pulled off the freeway, heading into the city, making his way to the hospital, his mood darkening with each minute he was driving. Things in his life felt like they were going down the tubes. There were too many complications revolving around his personal and professional life. It felt as though life had a strangle hold on him, with pressure coming from all sides. He wanted someone he could talk to, and that someone refused to talk to him. What had happened to their relationship? He knew what happened. He should have told her long ago how he felt. He could have prevented all of this, but hadn't.

The hospital was ahead of him. He pulled into a spot and hurried into the hospital. The sooner he could get this interview done, the sooner he could go home. Booth hopped out of his car and headed inside. He made his way into reception and paused at the front desk.

"Hello, I'm looking for Charlie Andrews." The nurse smiled at him as she looked up the room information.

"Room 653." Booth smiled at her as he headed for the elevator. He wondered what exactly the green agent had gotten into that landed him in the hospital. The trip up to Charlie's room took very little time, and Booth soon found himself at the agent's bedside. He groaned when he realized that his job was becoming harder and harder to do. Charlie was out cold and hooked to a few machines to monitor his vital signs. "Damn it."

"Excuse me, are you family?" Booth looked to the doorway of the hospital room. The doctor standing there looked at him inquisitively as Booth scrubbed his hand through his hair again.

"No, co-worker," Booth groused as she showed his badge. The doctor gave a quick nod and came into the room to check on Charlie's progress. "So what exactly happened to him?"

"He was found unconscious and hypothermic in the snow. He has a head wound and has yet to wake up. I'm afraid things aren't looking too good for him."

"But he'll recover?"

"Assuming he wakes up, then yes." Booth gave a nod and left the room. What had Charlie gotten himself into? Once out into the hallway, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed Cullen. As soon as his superior answered, Booth started with no pleasantries. "What the hell was Charlie doing out here?"

"You've made it to the hospital?"

"Yes, and I can't get anything out of him, he's not doing good."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"What was he doing out here? He mentioned something about surveillance before he left DC."

"He was out to watch over a witness. He's being followed, and Charlie went out to evaluate the threat."

"You sent an agent that green to do surveillance? He can hardly dress himself in the morning."

"Agent Booth, I'm asking you to watch your temper. Look, this witness is very important, and needs to be protected. I'm assigning you to the case."

"What? No! There are plenty of agents out here that could do the job just fine."

"This particular witness needs someone who's familiar with them."

"And who exactly is that?"

XxXxX

Temperance, Emma, Haley and Amy stood around the Christmas tree as they placed decorations on them. Brennan wore a Santa hat at the behest of her nieces and the group sang Christmas carols loudly as they decorated the tree. Gavin sat with Russ in the living room watching the girls and keeping the fire in the fireplace going while Max made lasagna in the kitchen. Max put the lasagna into the oven and stepped into the living room to join his family as the doorbell rang. Russ began to get up, but Max shooed him back down as he trotted to the door. Upon opening it, his eyebrows shot upwards at his visitor.

"Hello Max." Inside the house, Temperance froze. It was a voice she wasn't expecting to hear for quite a while. Slowly she turned around to look at the visitor.

"Booth."