I decided not to participate in Secret Santa this year. Instead this story is for you. It's for everyone who reads my stories. I appreciate the time you take to read my little stories and so I wanted to write a Bones Christmas story to show my appreciation. I hope you like it. (This is a 3 chapter story.)

I don't own Bones.

Oooooooooooooo SB - 8 years old oooooooooo

Opening his present, Seeley was flabbergasted to find a new pair of ice skates. Grinning, he turned towards his father and held the skates up for everyone to see, "Look what Santa brought me. I never dreamed he'd bring me new skates. This is so cool."

Exhaling deeply, Edwin shook his head, "For God's sake, Seeley. You're eight years old. You know good and well there is no such thing as Santa Claus. I bought those skates for you. Me! I worked my ass off so that you and your brother would have a nice Christmas. No imaginary fat man in a red suit brought you anything."

Wary, Seeley hugged his skates against his chest, "There is to a Santa Claus. Pops says there is and he never lies to me."

Angry, Edwin stood up, "And I do? Is that it, Boy? Your grandfather says there's a magical man who lives at the North Pole and you believe him and I tell you that magic doesn't exist so I'm a liar?"

Stepping back, Seeley shook his head, "I'm not calling you anything, Dad. I'm just saying that there is a Santa Claus. You may have given me these skates but Santa Claus really exists."

Stepping closer to his son, Edwin slapped him and growled, "You're eight years old, Seeley. Grow up. There isn't some kind old man out there willing to work all year just to give you stuff for free. Only a baby would believe that shit."

Listening to his brother crying while hugging a toy fire truck, Seeley turned and spoke to him, "Stop crying, Jared, there really is a Santa Claus. Pops said he exists."

Glaring at his oldest son, Edwin shook his head, "I don't know why I ever bothered to have kids. All you do is take and don't appreciate the money that I spend on you. You'd rather believe a stranger gave you something than your own father. You make me sick." Grabbing the skates from his son's hands, Edwin pushed him to the floor and threw the skates at the Christmas tree, not caring that it caused the tree to topple over onto the floor. "This is your mother's fault. She never taught you to show proper respect, but, then again why bother. She had you two and then when things got tough she ran away leaving me with two brats." Turning, Edwin stalked out of the room, "Clean up this mess and take the tree to the curb. I'm never celebrating Christmas with you brats ever again. You don't appreciate all that I do for you."

Sitting up, Seeley moved over to where his brother was sitting and patted his shoulder, "Don't worry, Jared. There really is a Santa Claus and he knows you were a good boy this year." Standing, Seeley started to remove the decorations from the fallen tree, "Go put your toys away, Jared before Dad comes back. Get dressed and then come down and help me. We'll go see Pops this afternoon while Dad is watching the game."

Sobbing the younger boy collected his toys and left the room. Sad for his brother, Seeley wiped the few tears that had escaped from his eyes and started to take the decorations from the tree.

ooooooooooooooooo TB - 16 years old ooooooooo

With a soft knock on the door, Mrs. Cindy Green opened the door and walked into the room, "Temperance, why don't you come into the living room with the rest of the family? We're going to open presents and sing carols. It's a lot of fun."

Shaking her head, Brennan kept her eyes on the page of her book, "No thank you."

Moving across the room, Cindy sat down on the bed next to her ward, "Temperance, you stay in this room and rarely come out. If it wasn't for school, I don't think you'd ever leave. We're trying out best, but you're so unhappy."

Shrugging her shoulders, Brennan remarked, "I don't belong here. I belong with my family."

Sad, Cindy looked around the room, "We really wanted you to be happy here Temperance. You're the first child we've ever kept that didn't want to be with us. My husband and I feel like we've failed you. Perhaps you should go back to the group home and let them match you up with a family that you'd like. We just don't know what to do and the other kids . . . well they don't understand why you won't talk to them or play with them."

Closing her book, Temperance stared boldly into Cindy's eyes, "You should send me back. I don't believe in Santa Claus or God or the Easter Bunny or any of the other fairy tells your other children believe in. I refuse to say I do either. You don't really want me here. Just send me back to the Group Home."

Near tears, Cindy nodded her head, "I'm sorry we couldn't help you Temperance. Perhaps you'll have better luck with another family. . . . You know it's not a bad thing to believe in make believe things. Sometimes they make life more bearable or just interesting. Sometimes they just give you comfort when everyone around you lets you down. It's alright to let other people into your life too. It's not a good thing to isolate yourself."

Sighing, Brennan responded softly, "I don't need comforting by superstition. I'm strong and I don't need those things and I don't need anyone in my life either. I'm taking care of myself. I don't need anyone else."

Patting her knee, Cindy bit her lower lip. "I hope some day that you meet someone that will make you change your mind. Everyone needs to believe in something besides themselves. Everyone needs a shoulder to lean on."

Shaking her head, Brennan frowned, "I don't. If you rely upon other people they'll just leave you. I don't need anyone."

Ooooooooooooooooo SB - 14 years old oooooooooooo

Opening his brother's bedroom door, Seeley leaned in to the room and called out, "Wake up, Jared. Santa came last night. Pops said to get up so we can unwrap presents."

Pulling the bedspread over his head, Jared complained, "Oh, come on Seeley. I'm ten years old. I know there's no such thing as Santa Claus. Go away and let me sleep."

Disgruntled, Seeley entered the room, yanked the covering from his brother's body, grabbed his hands and pulled him off of the bed. Watching his brother land on his butt, he growled, "You get up and go downstairs and unwrap presents. Pops went through a lot of trouble to give us a Christmas and you're going to appreciate it. This is our first Christmas together with him and I don't want you to ruin it for him. He's been talking about Santa Claus for weeks . . . . weeks Jared. When you get down there you're going to pretend Santa Claus exists and you're going to be happy."

Standing, Jared rubbed his posterior, "This is stupid. He has to know that you and I don't believe in Santa Claus. We're too old to believe in fairy tales."

Grabbing his brother's shoulders, Seeley shook him, "Look, Pops did us a big favor taking us in. He could have let us go into Foster care but he didn't. We have to show him that we appreciate all that he's done for us, so we're going to go downstairs, pretend that there is a Santa Claus and make Pops happy."

Resigned, Jared stood up and sat down on his bed, "Okay but I feel silly."

Shrugging his shoulders, Seeley smiled, "I don't. Us being here proves there is such a thing as miracles. That bastard who claims he's our father isn't around to beat the crap out of us anymore. We're safe, Jared. We're safe. Now come on, let's go downstairs. I don't want to upset Pops. . . Remember, we believe in Santa Claus. I'm fourteen so if I can do it then you can do it too."

Standing, Jared stretched and yawned, "Yeah yeah."

oooooooooooooooo TB - 21 years old oooooo

Kneeling in the pit, Brennan carefully brushed the object lying in the loose dirt. Her brush making delicate swipes she steadily removed the dirt as her treasure was slowly revealing itself.

Her name being called, Brennan looked up and complained, "Must you constantly yell my name? You know where I am and what I am doing. Your bellows are completely unnecessary."

Amused, Ralph Beacon ambled over to where Brennan was and squatted down, "Come on Temperance. Dr. Osgood has presents for everyone. We're going to drink some beer he had brought in and we're going to sing carols and some of us may even get lucky and get laid."

Snorting, Brennan shook her head, "I have better things to do with my time and if you think I'm going to have sex with you then you're delusional. I came here to work and to learn. Now leave me alone."

Shaking his head, Ralph complained, "I don't get you. It's Christmas for God's sake. Lighten up. Have some fun. This dig isn't going anywhere. It will be here tomorrow and the next day and the day after that. Relax for once in your life. Have fun while you're still young enough to enjoy it. Hell, come back with me and I'll give you my Christmas present. From me to you, no strings attached."

Turning her gaze back upon the object that held her interest, Brennan started to use delicate strokes to brush more dirt away, "I don't celebrate Christmas. It's nothing but superstition and serves no purpose except perhaps to sell things or to make people behave in a kind manner when they don't want to. Now go away, Ralph. If you can't work then you have no right to distract me and prevent me from working."

Standing, Ralph shook his head, "You know, I don't know what happened to you to make you the way you are, but you need to let people be friends with you. Everyone needs a friend."

Shaking her head, Brennan replied, "Friends and family can let you down. It's better to rely upon yourself."

Pointing over his shoulder, Ralph informed her, "I'm going back to the camp. If you change your mind it will be alright. I hope you do. I'd like to be your friend. No strings attached. Just a friend to . . . well just a friend if you'd like one."

Closing her eyes, Brennan spoke very softly, "I don't need your friendship, Ralph."

Placing his hands in his pockets, Ralph nodded his head, "Merry Christmas, Temperance. I'll pray for you tonight. I'll pray that some day you'll open that box and you'll let that heart of yours out and you find friends. If not a lot of friends, I hope you find at least one or two."

Oooooooooooooooo SB - 29 years old oooooooooo

Decorating the tree, Booth stood back and tried to see if he had any noticeable gaps in his decorations. Satisfied, he turned and called out, "Hey, Rebecca, come and see the tree. Tell me this isn't best tree you've ever seen and I'll call you a liar."

Entering the room, Rebecca glanced at the tree and then at Booth, "Seeley, I need to talk to you."

Walking over to where she was standing, Booth placed his hands on her hips, "Okay, I know it's a small tree but it's isn't a Charley Brown tree. It's full and fresh cut and it will last until Christmas and I really did a great job decorating . . ."

Stepping back, Rebecca sighed, "Seeley, I need to talk to you about something important."

Feeling a chill run down his back, Booth swallowed, "Are you alright? Is the baby alright?"

Placing her hand on her stomach, Rebecca smiled sadly, "Yes, we're fine. That isn't what I want to talk to you about."

Concerned, Booth nodded his head, "Okay, what's up?"

Crossing her arms, Rebecca licked her lips, "This isn't going to work out, Seeley. You and me . . . We can't get married."

Stunned, Booth took a step forward only to see his fiancé take a step back, "Why, Rebecca . . . I don't understand. Why can't we get married?"

Determined, Rebecca explained, "Seeley, you gamble, you gamble a lot. You said you were going to cut back, but you haven't."

Shaking his head, Booth held his hands out, "I promise to do something, I will. Just give me some time. It's not like a spigot, I just can't turn it off but . . . . wait, Rebecca, I'll stop. I'll stop today . . ."

Lifting her chin, Rebecca interrupted him, "It's not just the gambling, Seeley although that's bad enough. You're gone most of the time. You're in the Army and every time we make plans to do something you get called away. You just got back from Guatemala. You were gone for three weeks and when you got back you were . . . you were different for days. You won't talk about it and " Throwing her hands up in the air, she started to cry, "I can't take it anymore. I just can't. We're going to have a baby, Seeley. What kind of father are you going to be? Gone most of the time. When you are here you disappear in to a pool hall and come home broke or with too much money in your pocket. Our baby needs stability, Seeley and you can't give him that. We can't get married. In fact, we're breaking up."

Stunned, Booth stared at his ex-fiance, "I . . . Rebecca, I'll quit the Army. I'll give up gambling."

Shaking her head, Rebecca frowned, "It's too late for that, Seeley. I packed your bags. They're on the bed. I think it would be better if you left tonight."

On the verge of crying, Booth closed his eyes and tried to control his emotions. Using his training as a sniper, he allowed his emotions to move behind a wall. Nodding, he moved down the hallway and into their bedroom. Opening his bags, he checked to make everything he owned was in the bags. Once that was done, he carried them out to the living room. Grabbing his coat from a hook by the door, he turned to stare at the Christmas tree. "You may be kicking me out but that baby is mine, Rebecca. You can't keep me from being his father."

Nodding her head, Rebecca frowned, "I know that Seeley. I won't keep you from our baby. I expect the Army will do that for you though. Maybe someday, when you're out of the Army and you're settled down, we'll arrange something between us but right now, I don't see how you'll be around much to make a difference."

Picking up his bags, Booth turned to stare at his ex, "If that's the way it is then I'm not going to re-up. My child comes first. I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but, you aren't going to use my job against me. My child will always come first."

Glancing at the Christmas tree, Rebecca sighed, "It is a beautiful tree, Seeley."

Opening the door, Booth left the apartment and walked down to his car. Placing the bags in the trunk, he slid into his car and stared at his steering wheel. "Happy Christmas to me."

oooooooooooooooo TB - 29 years old oooooooo

"Sweetie, the Christmas party is just three days away." Holding up a pair of curly-toed shoes, "I found these adorable shoes and I plan to wear them at the party. What are you going to wear?"

Shaking her head, Brennan informed her friend, "I don't go to those parties. They're a complete waste of my time. Last year, Dr. Hodgins spiked the punch and everyone got drunk and did ridiculous things that infuriated Dr. Goodman. He should ban Christmas parties."

Appalled, Angela stared at her friend, "Listen Brennan, just because you don't like Christmas you don't have to be the 'Grinch that Stole Christmas'. No one is asking you to believe in Santa Claus. I just want you to go and have some fun. You never have fun and I just think that is so wrong. We should get your friends and my friends together and just have a big old party and just let loose."

Sad, Brennan shook her head, "You're the only friend I have, Angela."

Afraid she'd stepped into something she shouldn't have, Angela dropped her shoes and wrapped her arms around her friend, "I am your friend, Honey and don't you ever forget it. I love you Sweetie."

A tightness in her throat, Brennan cleared her throat, "I only need one friend and you're the best friend I've ever had. I just wanted you to know that."

"Aw Sweetie, thank you." Hugging her friend, Angela rubbed Brennan's back, "You don't have to go to the party if you don't want to, but I really wish you would."

Trying to be friendly, Brennan released Angela and replied, "If I get time, I'll go for a few minutes."

Laughing, Angela gushed, "Thanks Bren. Last year I photo copied my butt after drinking some of Hodgins' lethal eggnog. I need you to prevent that from happening this year."

Oooooooooooooooo SB - 34 years old ooooooooooooo

Placing the star on the top of the tree, Booth turned to look at his son, "So what do you think, Bub? Does it look straight?"

Nodding his head, Parker grinned, "Yeah, Daddy."

Pumping his fist, Booth laughed, "Alright! We don't want a sloppy tree when Santa comes do we?"

Shaking his head, Parker clasped his hands together, "Santa coming?"

Walking over to where his son was standing, Booth reached down and pulled him up into his arms. Resting him on his left hip, he kissed the boy on the cheek, "You bet he's coming. In a few days, the big man will be here with presents. I'm going to come get you on Christmas Day and we're going to have a lot of fun. You'll see."

Clapping his hands, Parker exclaimed, "Yeah, Santa Claus."

Grinning, Booth turned to look at his Christmas tree, "Yeah, Santa Claus. On Christmas day, we're going to open presents and I'm going to make chocolate chip pancakes and we'll play with your new toys. It's going to be the best Christmas ever."

His phone ringing, Booth placed his son on the couch and answered it, "They found a body where?"

Ooooooooooooooo

So what do you think of my story? More to come.

A/N: Booth's age is a tough thing to pin down. He's five years older than Brennan and she was around 33 years old in season 5. I had to do a little guessing but the ages I'm using should be pretty close to the mark. If they aren't . . . well please humor me. It is Christmas so let's just give this to me.