I Want to See the Costumes

Brennan made one final adjustment then stepped back to view the results. "Perfect!"

Christine looked up at her mother with an expression of great excitement. "Can I see now?"

"Yes, yes. Let's go to the mirror." The two moved to the full length mirror attached to the closet door.

"Oh Mommy it's perfect, just like in the pictures." They both smilingly gazed at the image of Christine in her safari jacket, khaki pants, hiking boots, and a safari hat. Just then Booth entered carrying Hank who was now dressed in his chimp costume.

"I'm here with the monkey." He announced. To which both Brennan and Christine replied. "He's a chimpanzee, not a monkey!" He just laughed "Thank you for the clarification."

Hank seemed to get into his role chattering away in a language only he could understand. He was content with the reactions of his family and didn't mind that none of them knew what he was saying.

Hearing the the doorbell ring. "Is that people trick-or-treating?" Christine asked.

Booth shook his head. It's still a little too early for that. I'd imagine that's your Grandpa Max. He wanted to see you and your brother in your costumes, but he'll also be handing out candy here while we go out trick-or-treating."

They entered the living room together, and Brennan continued on to answer the door, speaking to Booth over her shoulder. "Is this another part of your plan to keep the house from being egged?"

With a small grin he responded. "Got it in one."

Brennan responded to Booth's grin then opened the door to admit Max. "Hello Dad." Just then Christine came around Brennan. "Hi Grandpa."

"Oh my goodness it's Jane Goodall." When Christine giggled. "Oh wait, I know that giggle. You're my granddaughter. You're Christine." She giggled again and nodded. "You look just like Jane Goodall."

Christine's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. "You knew her?"

Max chuckled. "No sweetheart. I just mean you look just like I'd imagine she looked."

"Oh, okay. That's what Mommy said too."

"Well your mommy is very smart. She knows what she's talking about." Christine nodded in agreement.

Brennan's phone signaled an incoming text. Max looked at her as she read it. "I hope that's not about a case that's going to call you in to work."

At Christine's disappointed look Brennan answered with a shake of her head. "Not a case. That was Angela. They're almost here and Michael Vincent is excited to have us see his costume and try to guess who or what he's dressed as. She's not giving any clues. But she also said he's ready for some serious trick-or-treating and asked if we're all ready to go."

Christine ran to get her trick-or-treat bag and hold it up as proof as she answered. "I'm ready!" And Booth held up Hank's bag, and indicated Hank in his arms. "We're ready too."

Brennan shook her head. "Hank definitely doesn't need candy. Not only does he not need all that sugar, but he doesn't even have the teeth necessary to eat candy."

Booth just sadly shook his head. "It's just for the fun, plus all the people who will see him deserve the reward of seeing our adorable kids. I'll just bring the candy into work. I'll put it in the breakroom and it'll be gone in no time."

The doorbell ringing interrupted Brennan questioning look. She turned to the door and opened it to admit Angela, Hodgins and Michael Vincent. The latter was wearing a suit and tie with an FBI ID badge clipped on his jacket breast pocket. In addition to his trick-or-treat bag; he was carrying a little black wallet that he flipped open to reveal an FBI badge. One that looked all too real to Booth

Brennan stood back and tilted her head considering him. She pursed her lips in thought and asked, "Is he supposed to be Booth?" But just then is bag shifted around and they could see a manila folder with a big X displayed on it. It was even in the X-Files font. Booth spoke up "He's Fox Mulder!"

"Yes!" Exclaimed Hodgins while at the same time Angela asked. "You're a fan? I wouldn't have guessed that."

Booth just shrugged with a smile while Brennan said. "Let's get started before the kids try to leave without us." She turned to Max. "Dad here is the candy, just pass it out from this bowl and refill as needed with the bags you see there." To which Booth added. "Give out enough candy to each person so that we don't appear to be stingy, but no so much that you run out in the first half hour. I don't want the house to get egged."

As they were heading out the door Brennan turned back. "Thank you for doing this Dad. Neither of us wanted to miss the kids trick-or-treating, but we also didn't want to leave the house unattended this year. We shouldn't be too long with this."

One hour and 15 minutes later…

The trick-or-treaters returned. Hank was asleep, but the other two children were so hyped up Max would have thought they'd already gotten into the candy if he didn't know Tempe so well. He noticed the bags were bulging with candy. "It looks like it was a very successful night for all of you."

"Grandpa it was so much fun, we'd go up to a house, ring the doorbell and when they opened the door we yelled 'Trick or treat'. Then they'd put candy in our bags and we'd move on to the next house. We got to meet all our neighbors tonight, and everybody said we were adorable."

"Of course they did, because you are." Max smiled down at her.

"I know." Christine smiled back at her grandfather, while Michael Vincent was digging through his bag to pick out which candy he wanted to eat.

Booth spoke up then. "I'm going to get this little guy out of his monkey suit and into his pajamas and put him to bed. I think he's out for the night."

"Chimpanzee!"

"Okay sweetie you need to put your candy up. We'll sort through it later and pick out what we'll keep and what we'll take to work for others to eat. We'll allocate when you can eat it so that it'll last and you don't get sick on candy." Brennan instructed Christine.

Angela looked to Michael Vincent. "Oh yeah, you too. No candy right now. We'll sort through yours later." Hodgins then leaned on and whispered to her. "We'll be eating the castoffs ourselves won't we?" Angela just smiled.

Booth returned to the room and they all settled in to continue their evening at home. Booth took over the handing out candy duties while they all enjoyed spending time together. Halloween on a Saturday is just the best.