Disclaimer: I don't own Bones. Wish I did though cause the show would still be goin' on.

These series of one-shots were written for the 2018 Bonesology Christmas/Holiday FanFic Challenge. Thank you Laura for pointing the challenge out to me.

The challenge was to write 12 chapters/drabbles with a unifying theme. The number 12 also corresponds to the number of seasons of Bones we got. I figured I'd write Brennan and Booth through the 12 seasons. Since we got Christmas episodes in seasons 1, 3, 5 (hope I didn't forget any), those chapters would not be too far off.

So here's hoping this qualifies and meets the challenge with a unifying theme: A Booth and Brennan Christmas which may or may not involve a gift exchange, corresponding to each season of the show.

Season 1

As far a Christmases went, this one wasn't as bad as Booth had thought it would turn out. He was initially upset at the thought of having to miss Christmas with Parker. But the case had been solved and he got to spend some time with his son after all. He hated that Rebecca used Parker like a bargaining chip, but he knew the deal. At least he got Parker for half the day, better than no Parker at all. One day… Booth thought to himself, just one day, he hoped he would get that that Christmas with Parker and maybe more. A woman to love and maybe more kids with her. He could have smacked himself for wishful thinking, he didn't have the best luck when it came to women. But a guy could hope. Speaking of women, the one he was supposed to meet was late.

After their first case together working on the Gemma Arrington case, Booth had thought he would never work with Dr Temperance Brennan again. But he was wrong. Fate had intervened. Perhaps the cheesy pick-up line he has used on her at their first meeting turned out to be true. But she didn't believe in fate, and apparently didn't believe Christmas too. He would change that. Maybe not about believing in fate, but Christmas. How could anyone not want to celebrate Christmas? He found the fact hard to believe. His partner was a Scrooge or worse but Booth was determined to change that. There were times when they couldn't stand to be in the same room with each other, but infuriating as she could be, he found himself strangely wanting to change her perception of his favorite time of year.

"I'm sorry I'm late." Brennan said as she slid onto the bar stool at Wong Foo's next to Booth.

"I was worried you weren't gonna turn up."

"I always keep my word."

"Right."

"What was it you wanted Booth? I have a plane to catch."

Booth reached for the bag next to him, placing it on the counter and slid it towards her.

"What is this?"

"What does it look like?"

"A paper bag."

"A gift, Bones. It's a little something I got for you."

"For me?"

"Yeah. Is that so surprising?"

"I thought I made it clear I do not – "

Booth shook his head and held out his hand to silence her. "I don't care. It's Christmas, you're my partner and regardless of how you feel about it, I got you something."

Brennan was speechless for a moment, and Booth gave himself an imaginary pat on the back, glad that he had stumped the renowned Dr Temperance Brennan.

"I didn't get you a gift."

"That's okay Bones. You're meeting me here aren't you? That counts for something."

"How did your day go yesterday? With your son?"

"Parker loved the robot thing. Remind me to be nicer to your assistant squint next time we have a case."

"I didn't know you had a son, not before this."

Booth sighed. "Yeah I try to keep it under wraps… "

"Because you had him out of wedlock."

"There're people out there who might want to take advantage of the fact. I'm an FBI Agent, and I put lotsa bad guys away."

"I understand. You want to protect him."

"Yeah, that and his mother and I aren't exactly on the best of terms, so…" he shrugged, "it's like any small mistake and she'll use it to keep me from seein' him."

"That doesn't sound fair. Young boys his age need their father. Anthropologically speaking, young males have always needed a role model, someone they can look up to and aspire to be like."

"You think I'm good enough to be a role model?"

"Yes. Why not?"

Booth broke into a grin. "Thanks Bones."

Booth's smile was infectious and Brennan smiled back. She glanced at her watch.

"I have to go Booth or I'll miss my flight. I'll try to bring you back something."

"There's no need Bones."

"You gave me a gift. Isn't it customary to return one to you?"

"Yeah but I tell ya what. You think you could say that to Parker's mom the next time you get a chance? All that anthropological, role model stuff."

"Of course."

"Thanks. That's more than what a present's worth."

"I'll see you when I get back, that is if we have a case."

"I'm sure we will. Merry Christmas Bones."

Booth watched as Brennan paused, as if wondering if she should participate in something she did not want to. After a moment, she replied, "Merry Christmas Booth."

As Booth watched his partner walk away, he thought he was that one step closer to changing his partner's mind.

I must say writing 12 chapters to post all one after another in a short span of time is very challenging, not to mention having to write them over the busy holiday season. Hope the chapters are up to standard.

And not forgetting a Blessed Christmas to everyone here in fan fic land!