Disclaimer: I don't own "Bones"

Author's Note: Thanks so much, Kris!

What would you do if you could spend just one day with the one you secretly loved, muttering three forbidden words, "I love you", to the one person you told yourself you should never love?

If wishes came true, Temperance thought to herself, "I wish...," she sighed. Love, she told herself, would never be in the stars for her. But, why was it then, that her heart refused to listen to her head.

She had always been cold, almost detached when it came to her personal feelings. At the Jeffersonian, she was an expert with bones, but when it came to the affairs of the human heart, she knew nothing.

There were many night that Booth found himself restless, wishing, hoping, that a certain forensic anthropologist, trying to build up the courage of telling her what she actually means to him.

Christmas was arriving soon. Everywhere Temperance turned, the season filled the air with decorations and holiday cheers throughout the Jeffersonian. But this particular holiday was only a dreadful reminder of that tragic day she lost her parents.

Mistletoe that Angela hung in the entrance of her office, was still un-noticed. Somehow, having Booth and her best friend standing under the mistletoe and sharing a kiss which was long over-dued was on Angela's Christmas list. It would definitely melt the sexual tension between the doctor and FBI agent.

It was 3:00 in the afternoon on Christmas eve, most everyone had gone home for their holiday gathering. Temperance was the lone occupant in the lab, engrossed in her work; she jumped at the sound of his voice.

"Bones!" Booth stood in the doorway.

"Booth, what are you doing here? Don't you have any plans for the evening? Parker?"

"I'm picking him up later on tonight. Thought you'd still be here. So, how come you're not at Angela's with the rest of the squints? It's Christmas eve."

She shook her head. "I've never been a Christmas kind of person you know that."

"Everyone's probably there by now, come on Bones," he flashed a smile. "Let's go."

"I told Angela thanks, that I wasn't going to be able to make it."

"Aw, come on, Bones, come with me...Christmas is meant to be spent with family, I thought we were your family?"

"I am just going to go home and finish my next chapter of my book," she said in that monotone voice of hers.

"One drink, Bones," he pleaded holding up a finger.

"I don't think so, Booth. Maybe, next year."

"Just a drink, then you can leave, if you're not having fun," he begged. "So, come on, let's go."

"No," she said slowly approaching him. Laying her hand on his chest, she tried pushing him out of the doorway.

Booth held up his hands. "Okay, okay." The ex-sniper sighed loudly, running his fingers through his hair. Looking up, he smiled, pulling her into his arms, he kissed the startled doctor. After what seemed like an eternity, he released his hold on her.

"Merry Christmas, Bones." He pointed upward. "Mistletoe," he whispered.

Temperance stuttered. "I-I...who-who...put that there?"

He laughed. "Maybe you? Waiting for the right moment for your perfect holiday kiss?"

"Me? I would never do such a thing!" She said embarrassed. "It's...that Angela! I know it's her! She's in such a holiday spirit!"

"So, what would you have done if it was Zach or Hodgins standing under the mistletoe?" Booth teased.

Annoyed, Temperance unconsciously drew him into her. "I wouldn't be doing this." She kissed him tenderly, passionately, to his surprise, then stepped back. "I wouldn't have done that. Merry Christmas, Booth," she whispered.

TBC - Chapter 2