Okay folks… This story takes place post season 5…. And season 6 doesn't exist… Meaning our heroes DID go their separate ways, but were not called back early, at least not the way the show called them back, so I give you… Christmas…

Silver Bells-

Silver Bells, Silver Bells
It's Christmas time in the city

December 20th-

The snow was falling in large fluffy flakes, covering the parts of the streets and sidewalks and awnings of the stores with a soft, fluffy, cold reminder of the upcoming holidays. It was a stark difference from the jungle that Temperance had spent the past seven months in, and while the cold air prickled the exposed skin of her face, she was pleased to be spending Christmas at home instead of in a damp hole in the ground in the Maluku Islands during monsoon season.

It had been Temperance's intent when she left for Maluku to spend Christmas among the other workers, anthropologists, and residents of the islands. However, as the holiday season approached, she was reminded through a letter from a certain little boy that winter was arriving, and with winter brought snow and Christmas trees, and gifts, and Santa. He also reminded her that his father wasn't going to be around for Christmas, and that sent a sharp pang of guilt and sadness through her heart for the little boy. His letter was somewhat short, but hopeful, and the more times she read his neatly scribbled words, the stronger her longing to come home became.

Dear Bones,

I was super excited to get your last letter, thanks for writing back. Maluku sounds like a cool place. I want to go there some day to see some of the neat birds you mentioned in your letter. I looked up online about Maluku, and it says that they can have monsoons in the winter time. Maybe you can avoid it and come home for Christmas, just to be safe. Dad isn't going to be around this year and it's going to be weird not seeing him. I talked to him on a video phone last week, but it's not the same. I miss him a lot. I miss you too. Mom and me are going to put up the Christmas tree next week. Mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas, and I told her that I wished Dad was back so I could give him a hug. She said it would be awfully hard to fit Dad in Santa's sack! That made me laugh! Well, I should go and finish up my homework. Be careful in the monsoons, and write back soon!

Your friend, Parker Booth

She smiled tenderly thinking of the letter, and how it was neatly tucked away in her suitcase at her apartment along with several of his other letters. She smiled at the thought of how excited he would be to see her at his doorstep with the thoughtful gifts she was planning to get him, and perhaps even a hug would be in order. It wouldn't be his father's arms around him, but it would be from someone who did indeed care for him deeply, and would walk to the ends of the earth to ensure his protection. She smiled as she thought of the phone call to Rebecca, inquiring about Parker and whether they'd be available for her to drop off a few gifts. While the other woman seemed a little unsure at first, Temperance explained about the letter, and her concern over Parker's happiness over the Christmas holiday without Booth around. She asked that her arrival be a surprise, and Rebecca agreed, telling her that they would be home the afternoon of Christmas eve if she wanted to bring the gifts over then, to which Temperance agreed to.

Temperance walked down the sidewalk slowly, her eyes perusing the different shops, focusing on several small toy stores that she was sure would have exactly the types of gifts she was looking for. She entered the store, walking along the short aisle as a store employee asked if she needed help. With a polite smile she shook her head, indicating that she was simply browsing. She focused her attention on several items in a particular aisle, scanning her eyes over the different options that she could choose from. She found herself a bit perturbed over the selection, not that they weren't good choices, she just simply couldn't decide which science kit to pick out. Without another thought, she pulled four different kits from the shelf, and moved quickly toward the checkout counter.

She had just gotten to the counter when her attention was captured by something that made her smile slightly. The display just to her right was filled with small plastic animals, and of course one was a small pink pig. She found herself sighing a bit, thinking of the way he had held that tiny pig figurine in his hand, presenting it to her with such humor and pride, with that ridiculous grin on his face showing how proud of himself he was. He had admitted in later days that he had wanted to get her a real pig as a pet, and while the thought was quite noble, she thanked him for going the practical route. She stood at the display for a moment, an armful of science kits, and her hand moving over the little figurine in her hand.

She placed it down and picked up another figurine, one of a lion. It was a worthy representation of the animal, beautiful mane, large teeth, posed as if it were letting out a great roar. It made her think of Booth. He too was a strong male, poised to protect his property, family, and with almost a giggle she thought 'food'. She smiled sadly at the figurine as she pondered his lion heart. Proud, valiant and strong. She thought of him being off in a country without his family, without his friends, alone even surrounded by other soldiers. She sighed as she saw that playful boyish look, the one that for a split second made her forget why she was so upset. Without another thought, she turned with the little figurine and carried it, and her other gifts to the counter to pay.

She walked from the toy store, a large bag in her hand, happy to have a good start to her Christmas shopping. There were several other shops that she was hoping to make it to. So with a spring in her step, and a quick tug on the scarf around her neck, Temperance made her way down the sidewalk, completely unaware that she was being followed very closely.