"I'll be home for Christmas, you can plan on me. Please have snow and mistletoe, and presents under the tree..." Temperance sang quietly under her breath as she poured batter into a bread pan. After Sarah left with the kids, Brennan invited her team and Booth to her apartment for a bit of a gathering. She had a proposition for all of them and it was just easier to ask them all together and away from work. Satisfied that her cranberry orange bread was ready to bake, she slid it into the oven, shut the door and turned around. She shrieked when she saw Booth there.

"First, I hear you singing, then I see you cooking, and then I make you jump? Who are you and what have you done with my Bones?" Booth jested, as he walked towards her.

"I am nobody's possession Booth." Brennan complained, planting her hands on her hips, trying to look more sure of herself than she was.

"And she's back." Booth muttered under his breath, as he reached the counter. "What are you cooking anyway, Mac and Cheese?" He asked hopefully.

"No, you'll have to put up with some seasonal bread. Why didn't you knock?"

"I did. You didn't hear and I tested the door, which I found unlocked."

"Don't start Booth. I left it unlocked so you could come in."

"But what if it hadn't been me?"

"Then you'd have gotten here and found them restrained on the floor. Did Parker have a good time?"

At the mention of his son Booth's eyes lit up even more than they had been already. "He had a fantastic time Bones, all he could talk about was you."

"Me?" she asked, her eyebrows knit together.

"You are currently his favorite person in the whole wide world." Booth replied, capturing his son's exuberance in the way he said the words.

"Booth that isn't rational, Parker hasn't met all the people in the whole world so he couldn't possibly know I'm his favorite, although children do develop attachments more easily than adults. They lose them quicker too you know Booth," she warned, her worry about being rejected shining through.

"I don't think you have anything to worry about. It's not like that's the last time he'll see you." Booth wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him. "When are the squints getting here?"

"Angela said they'd all be here about seven."

"Good, so we have an hour to ourselves?"

"I suppose, why?" Booth grinned at her, unwrapped one of his arms and reached into his pocket. When he pulled out his hand, he held onto a sprig of mistletoe.

"I thought maybe we could give this little guy a test drive."

"Booth," Brennan chastised, "has that ever worked on any woman?"

"I've only ever tried it on one so you tell me." Booth ventured, still fairly sure of himself.

She left her spot behind the counter and leaned closer to his lips, taking her time, enjoying watching the soft smile play across his them. She let her hand venture to his chest and up to caress his cheek bringing her face closer to his. She moved her body against his and turned her head to whisper in his ear.

"No way will a line like that ever work on me Tiger." She teased before pulling sharply away and returning to her spot behind the counter leaving a shocked and frustrated Booth in her wake.

"Aw come on Bones, we haven't had that much time alone yet." Brennan looked back at him, trying not to grin at the pout he wore.

"Did Parker teach you that look?" Brennan leaned on the counter, looking at Booth with amusement.

"No. Why would you think that?"

"Oh that's right. I've seen this look before when we were in Los Angeles and you didn't want me to drive." Booth looked back at her, the pout still firmly on his face as he twirled the mistletoe in his hand. He caught Brennan's gaze and she rolled her eyes.

"Fine, fine. Stop being a baby."

Brennan walked back over to him capturing his now slightly less pouty lips with her own. Both were momentarily stunned by the sheer volume and strength of emotions that flooded through them each time their lips met. Although there was an obvious and overpowering sexual attraction there, Brennan was becoming increasingly aware that she had no logical explanation for the way Booth made her feel.

Once Brennan was certain that Booth was sufficiently assured she removed herself from his embrace and offered a final chaste kiss to his lips that were again beginning to form a pout.

" You know you can't just kiss a man like that and walk away Bones." Booth warned, his voice thick with desire.

"I just did Booth, I just did."

"I don't believe you. You're a tease. Dr. Temperance Brennan, renowned forensic anthropologist is a tease. Unbelievable." Booth shook his head, but moved into the kitchen behind her. Temperance backed up to a counter, trying to keep a little distance between the two of them.

"I'm no such thing."

"Uh huh, and that's why you left me wanting more, huh?" He trapped her between his arms and moved his head close to her own to whisper in her ear. "I've got to tell you though, it's motivated me just a little, and what I aim for, I hit." With that, he leaned in a little farther, his lips within millimeters of her pulse point.

"Booth," Brennan warned, before his lips made contact with her soft skin. The rest of her argument was lost; the only sound she was able to make was the softest of moans that escaped her lips. Booth's hands ran up her sides, lightly tracing the curves of her body before settling in the waves of her hair. His lips traced a jaw line, until he cupped her face and kissed her cheek. His lips inched closer to hers, and she parted them eagerly awaiting him.

"So," Booth said, stepping back abruptly and rocking on his heels, "When'll the bread be ready? It smells really good."

"About 10 minutes." Brennan answered, determined not to let any sign of frustration show on her face.

"Oh come on Bones, I gotcha didn't I?"

"Not for a second Booth." She lied, knowing all to well that he could see right through her.

"Come on, what do you say we continue this in the other room. Your couch is probably a lot more comfortable."

"You are completely incorrigible, you know that?"

"So is that a yes?" Brennan rolled her eyes at him again, and as she walked past him, she grabbed the edge of his jacket and dragged him in the other room.

"Ha, see? I knew you couldn't resist me."

"I can resist you Booth." She challenged, turning to face him as she backed towards the couch, still holding on to the edge of his jacket, "I just don't want to."

Booth followed her lead forcing her back until the back of the couch caught behind her knees. Without a fight she fell back pulling him on top of her, their lips meeting in the process. Brennan's hands held the back of his head and neck, pulling him closer, as her body craved his attention. Booth held her with equal force also feeling that they could not get close enough. His hand traced down her body until it found her skin exposed between the hem of her shirt and the top of her skirt. The warmth of her skin under his fingers made him pause momentarily before he moved his hand under her shirt and round tracing her spine causing her to arch her body against him.

He manipulated her lips with his own, asking for entrance, and moaning in appreciation when she gave it. He shifted his position to get more comfortable as she ran her own hands up his chest, pushing the jacket from his shoulders. This was getting much hotter than he expected as he kissed his way from her lips, across her jaw line and to her ear, which he traced gently with his tongue.

Brennan let out a breathy moan and clutched Booth closer to her body. This felt so good, and again briefly she wondered how he could make her feel this way. Everywhere he touched felt on fire. Her skin couldn't possibly feel on fire simply because of his touch, she rationalized, or tried to; the way he had moved to kiss along her collar bone was rather distracting. He paused for a second, before raising his head to look at her.

"Stop analyzing, Bones." He warned, before working his way up to her face with his lips. He took his time, his fingers gingerly tracing where his lips had just been.

"How… I mean you can't possible know what I'm, thinking Booth."

"Bones, I know you better than I know myself."

"Well that's just not logical." She retorted, glad to be returning to a slightly more normal and thus comfortable area of their relationship; bickering.

"I'm not going to bicker with you just so you can avoid feeling this Bones." He smiled, a solitary finger tracing her lips.

With that she raised her head slightly pressing her lips to him hungrily. Her tongue pushed softly, but assertively into his mouth eliciting a moan from each of them as their tongues battled for dominance. When oxygen was becoming an issue, Booth pulled away slowly, although he was drawn back to her lips a number of times before he could fully move away.

"What was that for Bones?"

"For being you," she repeated his words from earlier in the day, "and for being here."

Booth offered her a slow, sexy smile, just one side quirking up. As he leaned down to capture her lips once more, a loud buzz sounded from the kitchen. Brennan looked at him with something akin to regret and pushed him off of her.

"I have to get that bread," she murmured, not wanting to get up.

"That bread had better be worth it," Booth muttered as he let her go and tried to get comfortable.

Brennan moved around the kitchen with the same accurate approach she adopted in the lab. Her accuracy was not to be confused with being clinical she was simply logical in her approach, logic, that Booth noted, was always somewhat governed by heart.

She removed the bread from the oven and instantly its aroma filled the apartment.

"Bones, that smells so good." Booth commented, rising to come and inspect the bread closer.

"My mom and I used to make it every Christmas, it was sort of a ritual," she paused, "tradition." She corrected.

"Do you have any more traditions that taste this good?" Booth asked, beginning to pick at the freshly baked bread.

"Booth!" Brennan complained, slapping his hand away. "Was that really necessary?"

"Yes, it was if you must know. Now, you have any other tasty treats to make?"

"Not if you're going to keep picking at them. No bread until the others get here. Besides, it needs to cool down."

"It needs to cool down or we do?" Brennan was never one to be embarrassed about sex, or anything dealing with it. That was Booth's arena, but the intensity with which he looked at her brought the blush on.

"I think we have some time before that needs to happen," she whispered, finally looking him in the eye. She was fascinated as she watched his pupils dilate. That was definitely an indication he was interested. Deciding to break the silence Brennan opted for a safe topic of conversation; "So, what is your great idea for Haley and Alex's secret Santa presents."

"Well," Booth began, glad that she had changed the subject before they started something they couldn't finish, "how about I use my well honed origami skills to make something. It won't cost anything so Sarah won't feel indebted and I get to feel like I've contributed something to these kids, who are obviously very important to you."

"Booth, that is a lovely idea. They'll have something very unique to give their friends."

"Bones, is their something you are not telling me about your involvement with this family? Don't get me wrong, you are doing a wonderful thing, I'm just not certain you are giving me the whole story here."

Temperance sighed. She should have known that he'd figure this out sooner or later. Initially she'd wanted to keep it from him, but now she realized that besides Angela, he could be a big asset.

"I feel for Sarah and the kids. She's in a tight spot this year and I don't think she can afford a Christmas for her children."

"So that's why all the questions about gifts and traditions the other night. It makes a little more sense now. Did you have anything in mind?"

"That's why I invited the others here. I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions."

"So you want to be their secret Santa. I like that. You're a good person Bones." Booth offered her a smile and moved a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Brennan's reply to his comment was simply an unsure smile. He rest his hand on top of hers, rubbing his thumb gently across he knuckles.

"So, how can I help then Bones?" Booth asked earnestly, not wanting to force his assistance on her.

Brennan pondered his offer for a long moment and then asked;

"Will you tell me about Christmas, when you were growing up? What was it like?"

"Probably just the same as yours Bones, you know big tree, turkey, presents; the works."

"What did you like most about Christmas when you were a child?"

"I think what I liked the most was getting up early, even though we'd been to midnight Mass and waking up my parents. Jared and I would race down the stairs to see what Santa left for us. You know, we didn't have much growing up, but my parents always made an effort to give us a great holiday."

"And you like to do that for Parker, don't you?"

"Of course. Any parent does. I might not get my son a lot of stuff, but I try to get him what ever I think he'll enjoy a lot. What about you? There has to be a favorite memory for you."

"Not really Booth." Brennan tensed, shaking her head.

"Bones." Booth said slowly, moving his finger to trace her jaw line and tilt her head towards him. "Just give it a go, okay? Trust me."

"You know I trust you Booth."

"Then tell me. Tell me about Christmas when you were a kid."

"Well…" Brennan began tentatively, her voice laced with uncertainty, "I guess it was the singing. After we had opened our presents we would go and get dressed. Every year Mom bought us a new outfit to wear on Christmas day, it was one of our presents. When we would come down Mom would be in the kitchen cooking, she would always sing as she cooked. Eventually it became a bit of a tradition, mom cooking and dad, Russ and me at the table, all four of us singing."

"What would you sing?" Booth asked, not wanting to say much.

"Christmas Carols mostly." She answered, as she turned to face him properly, a real smile in her eyes.

"Beautiful," he said quietly as he offered her a soft smile. Temperance looked away from him for a moment, lost in holidays past. There was just something about being around Booth...

"Thank you," she whispered.

"For what? Being me?" Booth grinned at her when she looked up again.

"No, for making me remember. I sometimes get a little caught up in the bad and forget about the good."

"Well that's what I'm here for, and what I'll always be here for." Booth assured, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you." She said simply, letting her head rest against his shoulder. She was reveling in the feeling of being wanted when Booth's cell began to ring. She moved away from him, almost embarrassed, and began pottering in the kitchen whilst Booth answered the call. She was so wrapped up in what she was doing she did not hear Booth calling her name until he was right behind her, at which point the sound of her name on his lips made her jump.

"It's for you Bones." He said waving the cell towards her.

"But it's your cell Booth." She responded, utterly confused.

"Yeah, I realize that Bones." He rolled his eyes as he moved to hand her the phone.

"Who is it?" She asked him, as she took the phone in her hand.

"Lion." Booth answered, rolling his eyes once again.

"You shouldn't do that you know. The wind will change and you'll get stuck that way." She warned, as she raised the cell to her ear. Before he had a chance to ask her who had taught her that she answered him.

"Lion. Hi, is everything okay?"

"I told my mom all about today Dr. Tempe and she said I should thank you for the best day ever." Brennan smiled at his words, slightly more choked up than she expected to be.

"Well you're welcome. I'm glad you had fun today. I did too."

"Okay well I have to go cause it's close to bedtime. Bye Dr. Tempe."

"Goodnight," she grinned into the phone. She handed it back to Booth when she heard the line go dead. Booth took it with a smile, and offered her a wink.

"Somehow, Dr. Brennan you've managed to work your magic over us Booth men."

Brennan found herself without the words to answer him. Instead she opted to close the distance between them and wrap her arms around his waist. She rested her head on his chest and let out a contented sigh.

"You know Booth, what is wrong with this situation? I am too happy for this to be believable."

"Bones, you deserve to let yourself be happy. Don't question it, just enjoy it."

Brennan nodded into his chest feeling more at home than ever before. The moment was perfect and she resolved that she could never be happier than she was in that moment in his arms. That was until she thought she heard singing. Convinced that she may actually be delusional she pulled slightly away from Booth to identify the source of the noise. After a moment she realized it was coming from her door. With a broad smile she moved to open the door, without checking the peephole still to Booth's annoyance, she was greeted by Zach, Angela and Hodgins singing Carols. Admittedly some of them seemed more coerced than others but they were all smiling, all glad to see her. Her family was home.