A/N: Hello from the State where it is Thanksgiving Day. You just knew I had to do some home cookin' with all of the team and their loved ones. :D
The OC's of this FF are all mine. For new readers, I hope you can put the pieces together. To my wonderful, loyal readers, I just hope you enjoy this.
As to the CM characters, all rights belong to Mark Gordon Studios, CBS, and ABC Studios.
And, like always, this is a completely written FF. You will get my usual chapter a day. *glares at the FF gremlins*
*Knightly bow*
Chapter 1
Mateo Cruz looked at JJ as they took a walk to cool down from their usual Saturday morning run together. "Can I ask you about something?"
"Sure," JJ smiled. He had been quietly grilling her every Saturday, trying to understand the players and dynamics more of the group he was now in command of. She and Will had talked about it and agreed that he was genuinely trying to fit in.
"Actually, it was something I overhead." He blushed just for a second. "In the men's room; Morgan was in one of the stalls down from me while Reid was using the urinal."
JJ laughed. "Ask away," she smiled.
"They were both talking about the Thanksgiving tradition; saying they hoped it happened again. What are they talking about with Thanksgiving being Thursday?"
JJ beamed. "Two of the last four Thanksgivings, the team has been out just before Thanksgiving; yet, we were able to get back in time to have Thanksgiving dinner. Cait, Hotch's wife, cooked for all of us. Last year was really special. All of our families had come to town and she surprised us with them being there and dinner waiting when we landed."
Cruz smiled. "Let me see if I can do something about that," he winked.
-00CM00-
The team was sitting in the Round Table room for their usual morning briefing on Monday that was starting to finish up when Section Chief Cruz walked into the room. He smiled at them. "Relax; all of you; it's not a case." He looked around the table. "I've heard through the grapevine that you all can get bit in the butt around Thanksgiving." He smiled again. "That isn't happening this year. You're on stand down this week. Enjoy the holiday."
The team all looked at Hotch like puppies begging for a treat. Cruz looked at Aaron. "Hotch," he smiled, "I think some people are looking for some tradition."
"Mat, I have to swing it by my wife but I don't think she'll mind. You and your family will be invited as well," he smiled.
Cruz shook his head. "My family is in Brooklyn Aaron," he smiled. "Melinda, me and the kids go there for Thanksgiving. Christmas is at her family in Roanoke. But thank you for the invitation," he smiled. He started to turn to leave the room and then turned back. "But I've heard some other rumors about the get-togethers at your place Hotch," he smiled. "We'll expect an invite to one of them."
Hotch smiled. "Bring an empty stomach needing food and a designated driver." Cruz pointed at him with a large smile and left the room.
Hotch pulled out his cell and shot off a text. Guess who's coming to dinner Thanksgiving? :D
They finished the briefing and Hotch's cell buzzed. He pulled it out, looked at the caller ID with a smile and pulled up the text. Bring it lover. :D
Rossi leaned back in his chair. "I think I'm buying a big-ass turkey for Cait to cook," he smiled.
Hotch looked around the table. "Cait needs a head count by tonight. Reid, that's you." He nodded his head. "Garcia, you funnel that info to Cait, no later than tomorrow night." The two of them nodded their acceptance. He looked at Blake. "You and James in or out?"
"We've always spent quiet Thanksgivings when we've been able to get together. But since we're so close now, I really don't know what to say Hotch. We really don't have any family around."
"Find out soon and get back to Reid." She nodded her head with a smile.
"Just know this: Jake, Cait's brother is currently the starting quarterback for the Packers with Rodgers on the DL. They play the Lions at 12:30. We won't eat until that game is over. But you're all welcome to come and watch the game with us," he smiled as he got up and headed for his office.
Morgan looked around. "I'm all in on that," he smiled. "I'll supply the beer," he said.
Reid looked at him. "What about your mom and sisters?"
Morgan smiled. "Mama is flying in Wednesday afternoon, but it's just her. Sarah has to work at the hospital and Des has a BF; she's going to his family for turkey. But I've got a stack of cases on my desk I need to get back to," he said as he left as well.
Reid moaned. Blake looked at him. "We're doing paperwork and case analyses for consults this week."
Emily rose up from her chair and summed up the rest of the team's feeling on Dr. Reid's analysis. "Shit." She headed to the catwalk.
JJ smiled at Reid. "Well you know Emily is in and they're will be four of us; mom is coming for the holiday."
Dave looked around at those left in the room and then Reid. "Seems to me you've just got to get the other good Doctor in the room moving and talked to Gina and Anderson," he smiled as he rose and went to his office.
Alex looked at the rest. "I need to talk to James ASAP?"
Garcia rubbed her shoulder. "The sooner the better talented doctor of talk; Cait Hotchner can handle curve balls; but she is the master planner," she smiled.
Reid nodded with a smile. He and JJ shared a fist bump and exited as well.
Blake looked at Garcia. "Alex, the more Cait knows ahead of time, the less pressure on her; not that she can't handle the pressure. We just want to make it easier for her," she smiled.
"I know she's good Penelope," Alex smiled. "James and I have to been to their home, remnember?" Garcia smiled at the recent memory. "But she's really OK with that many people?"
Garcia put her fist out. "Word sister," she smiled. Blake gave her the fist bump back.
"I think I'm all over my hubby's butt on this one," she smiled. "Cait cooks better than me."
###
A/N: Playing with the facts here. Aaron Rodgers, the starting quarterback for the Packers is hurt right now and not playing. But y'all know Jake Barkley is a fictional character. Damn, I wish he was real. You'll find out why a couple of chapters from now.