Broken Bones

Episode 39 "The Santa in the Slush" Part 1

-Venus POV-

Temp and I went to visit Dad at the jail as he says, "Jail's not too bad. I get meals with your brother. We go out on these work details together. Neither of you haven't asked me why I'm strapped in these chains." Temp then says, "Well, you're in jail." I chuckle, "Why are you in those chains dad?" "I'm in dressed rehearsal for a Christmas Carol." Temp asks, "You're Jacob Marley?" "I wanted to be Scrooge, but some triple homicide in Cell Block H got the part. You don't want to know how." I nod, "Yeah. Your right, we don't want to know how." We all laugh a bit as Dad asks, "What are you two going to do for Christmas?" Temp answers, "I'm doing what I always do. I'm going on a trip." Dad asks, "To New York?" "Peru. National Geographic found a new step pyramid at an ancient ceremonial site known as El Brujo. 1,500-year-old skeletons. Part of a very mysterious culture called the Moche."

Dad nods, "Well, unless they're elves, it's not very Christmassy. Are you going with her as well Venus?" I shake my head, "No, I will be at home. I most likely finish some work and hang around the place." "No elves with you either?" I shake my head, "No, I will be alone." He nod's, "Not very Christmassy either." Temp then says, "No, they aren't elves." Dad then says, "You know what I'd like? I'd like to spend another Christmas with... with kids... with a family, with a tree." I look at him with a sort of glint in my eyes as I think about how nice that sounds like as Temp then says, "You're in jail, Dad. So is Russ. Mom's dead." I lose a bit of that glint after her saying that as dad nods, "Yeah. And, and Christmas is overrated anyway. People expect it to be so perfect, and it never is." 

I nod, "That is true, but I still like the idea even if it doesn't turn out perfect. Which I think makes it more memorable." We give each other a small smile as Temp then says, "I'm really looking forward to the skeletons in El Brujo." I hum a bit as Dad says, "Yeah, but Christmas and skeletons do not go together." "I remember the Christmas you and Mom gave me the toolbox. That was great." I smile a bit, "I also remember getting a toolbox as well. I loved it so much..." Dad nods smiling, "Yeah, except that the toolbox was for Russ. But you Temperence decided that it was yours, and he let you have it. So, we tried again a different year to give him a toolbox. But it happened again with Venus instead and we just gave up." I chuckle as Temp asks, "He did?" "Yeah." Temps phone rings as Dad says, "I hope some day that, uh... we can all have Chrismas together again." I smile, "I would like that as well." At the same time Temp says, "I doubt it, Dad."

I sigh and look down at the table as Dad looks at Temp, "Lie to me. I can pretend." "We've got to go look at a dead person." "But you never were any good at sugarcoating anything." I chuckle, "Sorry Dad. We'll try to visit as soon as we can. If you need anything you could make a call and I will be happy to help." He nods, "And you still put others before you. You both never change." We give him a smile as we get out.

Booth had picked us up as we drive to the crime scene as he looks at us, "You both got that sad little girl look on your faces after you've been with your dad." Temp and I say at the same time, "No, I don't." Temp continued, "He wishes we could spend Christmas together with Russ." I nod adding, "Yeah, that sounds nice." Booth nods, "Do it." Temp then says, "They're both in jail. It's impossible. What are your plans?" "I'm thinking of driving the truck right off the bridge." Temp gives him a look as he sees it and says, "I'm being melodramatic and self-pitying." I then say, " You love Christmas." "I love it, you know, when I have Parker. But this year, he's going skiing in Vermont with Rebecca and Captain Fantastic." I nod understandingly as Temp asks, "Who's Captain Fantastic?" 

I answer, "It's Rebecca's boyfriend." Booth nods adding, "Commands a Coast Guard cutter." Temp asks, "His last name isn't literally Fantastic, is it?" "Might as well be. You know they have a trailer at the jail. Mostly for conjugal visits." Temp misunderstood and asks, "Captain Fantastic is in jail?" "No, your dad. You could give him what he wants for Christmas. Pull a few strings." My eyes glint up again as Temp says, "I'm not a string puller." I then interject, "We've seen you pull a few strings, but I could still do the string pulling easily." "Our father is a murder and a thief." I lose some glint as Temp is not wanting to go along as Booth looks at the mirror and sees me backing down from wanting to have a Christmas with the family as he says, "Murder and thieves- they get Christmas, too. In fact, it's kind of the point." I watch if there was any convincing to change her mind a bit as she says, "Well, I have other plans." I sigh and just look out the window accepting that was what Temp wanted as Booth looks at me through the mirror again seeing how my mood changed. He then says to Temp, "Whatever they are, skeletons and Christmas do not mix." Temp then says, "That's exactly what my father said. Where are we going?" "Early Christmas present for you, Bones. Dead guy in the sewer." I chuckle, "That is a good one Ranger."