Disclaimer – I own nothing at all! As you know Bones belongs to Fox, Kathy Rechis and Hart Hanson.

A/N – This is my first CBPC ever as I’ve finally found out how where to get the info, thank you wolfmyjic. Hope you enjoy.

The soft snow hit the glass panes and formed around the edges. The house was filled with warm Christmassy goodness, decorations wrapped around the banister and on the upstairs hallways. One room, the door decorated brightly, tinsel draped around the name plaque. Temperance was sprawled out on her bed, flat on her stomach surrounded by hand made cushions and thick text books. Her arms folded out in front of her, her head resting upon as she listened to her parents arguing downstairs.

It had been a little over half an hour since she came home from science club to them fighting which was odd as they hardly did. She’d crept to the kitchen door to try and listen but her father noticed the movement and caught her, you’d think he was an expert or something. After informing her about Russ’s whereabouts he’d sent her up to her room and the fight continued. She’d tried to hear what was being said but only caught snippets, she thought she’d heard something about a vicar but she couldn’t be sure.

Sighing she got up off her bed and walked over to her desk. Once sitting she reached into the top drawer and pulled out her notebook. Her English teacher had asked for a short essay to be written and she’d been putting it off ever since, something she never did with school work but then again she didn’t think writing was her talent, she belonged to science. She placed a tape into the tape player to drown out the yelling and was greeted by the sound of Poco.

Who I admire by Temperance Brennan December 19th 1991

I’m not really used to writing if it’s not about facts or anything that isn’t educational. At first I was cautious about writing this, even my parents encouraging words didn’t help. The fact that I have to read it aloud isn’t very helpful either. But tonight, as I sit in my room I suddenly found myself here writing this and for the first time I’m writing with my heart not my head. There are actually two people that I know that I admire; they are my mother, Christine Brennan and Kathy Rechis, a local Anthropologist in our local museum. Many of you might find these options amusing as I guess you’ve picked present pop stars or movie stars.

Ms Rechis is a brilliant woman, 45 and recently a widow; she’s spending Christmas with us this year. Her husband had been ill a lot lately with cancer and it all came to an end a few months ago. She seemed really down at first but she’s getting better. I first met her over a year ago when my dad took me there for research for school. She’d recently gotten back from a trip in a 3rd world country with her husband. When she found out about my passion for science she was ecstatic and I listened for hours about her work. I came back the next day to look up Anthropology and we’ve rapidly developed a friendship, herself with my parents as well. I’m interested in her work but unclear whether it’s something I’d like to do. I’ve learned from her how interesting lives are and the beliefs and customs of others. She’s truly an interesting and inspiring character.

I chose my mom because she’s a strong, independent woman; she’d have to be strong to deal with my father and brother. I also always feel that she’s been through more than she lets on. Don’t ask why but I get the feeling that she’s a fighter and if it came down to it she’d do anything to protect the people she cares for and for that I admire her. She also seems to be one of the few people who understand me. You all know I don’t have many friends but when I’m with her it doesn’t matter, we can talk and laugh and be friends as well as mother and daughter. I remember once when our neighbor died suddenly, she was about 55 and I was around 10. I asked my mom that night if she’d leave me and she said that wild horses wouldn’t drag her away that whenever I needed someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on she’d be there no matter what.

So there we have it, there’s my contribution. I don’t look up to or inspire to be some young star on stage; we need more people like my mother and Ms Rechis. Strong woman who can and will stand up for themselves and others.

People like these are role models.

By Temperance Brennan.

Closing her book she turned off the tape and placed it and the book back into the drawer. The house was finally quiet, only a slight sound of the TV coming from the living room. Deciding she couldn’t stand being locked up in her room any longer she slipped out of the door and silently went down the stairs taking them two at the time. Stepping off the stairs she walked across to the right and through the French double doors.

Upon entering she saw her mother and Russ sitting down watching ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. Russ patted the seat next to him “The films just started, want to join us?” She moved over and plopped herself down next to him “Thought you were out with your friends?” Wrapping his arm around her he replied “Yeah but then I realized I’d left Mom and Dad alone with you and figured I’d better get home before you bore them to death with you school work”.

Christine raised her arm and clipped Russ round the back of his head “Don’t tease your little sister. Temperance knows were interested in her school work don’t you honey? Temperance looked across at her mother and nodded her head, both shared a little, secret smile. Matthew walked in arms full with bowls of ice cream and popcorn, placed them on the table in front and leaned back into the sofa next to his little girl “These two ganging up on you Russ? Think where going to have to do something about that” he said raising his eyebrows to Russ and back over to Temperance.

Russ gave his father a nod and they both jumped on her, Max holding her arms and legs down while Russ tickled her. Laughing she shouted “Dad, Russ No! Stop! Moooooooom!” Laughing along with them she started to pull Russ off who turned around to tickle her. When he’d gotten her to loosen her grip he turned back and focused his attention back on Temperance. Christine got back and picked up the bowls of popcorn and tipped it over her husband and son, they jumped back and Temperance jumped off the sofa and hid behind her mother. Brushing the popcorn off himself and Max, Russ said “That’s it, grab them!” Both men laughed as Christine and Temperance screamed and jumped off the sofa, ran out of the room and upstairs the men closely behind.

Their laughed echoed through and out of the house and late into the night. None of them, right then with a care in the world. As Temperance lay in bed much later that night and drifted off into sleep she thought “Can’t wait for Mom and Dad to see their presents!”

THE END!

A/N – And there ya go, my first CBPC. I decided to make it the first time Brennan properly writes as it’s, as you should know by now lol, my first time writing this challenge. Also I figured that essay, a night like that and then what happens obviously would and did change her. Also did anyone get the little McVicar hint I put in? lol

You’ve already read so please review: D