A/N: Hey all! I'm back with a new fic! I know, I know, I so shouldn't be starting anything new when I've got a number of fics waiting for updates—coughonenightcough. But I just couldn't help it. And technically, this one isn't completely new; it's a continuation of the Friends Like These series. Who doesn't want that? Lol. Anyways, like the last two installments this one will definitely be JJ/Hotch and will definitely be rated M at some point. I hope you enjoy!

Also, please take a moment to read the little blurb at the end of this fic about the 2015 Profiler's Choice Awards taking place now. Thanks!

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.

Prologue:

"Welcome, everyone! We're so glad you could join us for this very festive occasion!"

Hotch crossed his arms over his chest as he glared down his best friend. Festive his ass, Rossi was up to something. He was sure of it.

He scanned the living room they were all seated in, giving it a mistrustful look. Everything looked normal enough. Festive, even. The Christmas tree sat in the corner of the room, decorated to the nines with tinsel and glitter—most likely Garcia's doing. The fireplace, too, was all decked out. Stockings, with each of their names stitched upon it, hung neatly across the mantel. It was obvious they weren't just for show, as well. They had stuff in them. Hotch gave those plush socks distrustful looks too. Whatever was inside was sure to be… suggestive. Hotch just knew it. A fire roared beneath them, completing the normalcy of the setting.

No, everything screamed traditional, Christmas holiday fun. But Hotch knew better.

The new couple of Garcia and Rossi—or, as some of the team had already dubbed them, the PR team—wouldn't have been so excited by the fact that both Jack and Henry were away this Christmas, with Will and Hailey's parents respectively, if they didn't have something non-kid friendly in mind. The mischievous gleam in Rossi's eye and Garcia's nervous, excited chatter almost confirmed it.

But it was the combined fact that the PR team had decided to title this an Adult's-Only-Christmas get together and that Kate's thirteen year old niece wasn't present that cinched it for Hotch. All was not right with this night.

And Hotch couldn't take the beating around the bush anymore. "Cut the crap, Dave, what do you have planned for us?" Hotch demanded bluntly.

"Hotch!" JJ scolded from his side; she gave his arm a light tap. When he glanced over her way, he noted she didn't look the slightest bit put out by his remark. Not in the least, in fact she practically glowed with anticipation. It seemed she was more than ready for Dave and Penelope's latest scheme.

Reid's hand shot up in the air as if they sat in a classroom, Dave their teacher—God forbid. "Yeah… I'd like to know, too," Reid seconded. Looking at him closely, beads of sweat dripped down his forehead. He was nervous; not in the same way Garcia was, more like in the 'I'm-about-to-puke' way.

Hotch watched the young doctor's eyes roam the room; he knew the youngest agent's eidetic memory didn't miss the fact that there were an even number of people here, two of which didn't seem to have a partner—himself and Ashley Seaver.

Before anyone could answer, Morgan felt the need to pipe up. "I sure hope you read that book I gave you for Christmas, Reid, or else you're about to get schooled." Morgan snickered. "Ow!" he added when Emily smacked him up side of the head.

"Don't be an idiot," she said simply. She turned to their host—hosts, Hotch corrected, since this was both their shows, obviously. "Is what he thinking actually what's happening?"

Hotch glanced over at the brunette; he was pretty sure she hadn't signed on for the PR team's particular brand of Christmas this year when she flew out to spend the holiday with her boyfriend and friends.

Rossi was about to answer when Garcia beat him to it. "Yes!"

"Cruz?" Hotch turned to look at their section chief. He'd brought along his boyfriend, Steve.

"Don't look at me; I'm not here. You never saw me…" he said with a smirk on his face, though there was a hard edge in his eye that told Hotch his unsaid threat would be carried out if he uttered a word of his involvement tonight.

Hotch sighed. So, this was happening and there was no one who could stop it.

"So, again, welcome," Dave reiterated. "In each pair of stockings you'll find a little something to get this show on the road… One of you will find a card with a room number on it; your partner will find some helpful… tools in their stocking.

"Go to your assigned rooms; there you'll find all you need to get you through the night, including a suggestion card. Take it. Or not. Either way, enjoy!"

Surprisingly, that seemed everyone's cue to get going. One by one, couples began to rise, heading for the mantel. Morgan and Emily. Cruz and Steve. Kate and Chris. Even Reid stood, automatically going off with Ashley.

Suddenly JJ was standing there in front of him, a hand extended out towards him. He had no other choice. Not if he wanted to keep his girlfriend whom he loved happy. Reluctantly, he took her hand and she tugged him to his feet and over to the fireplace.

JJ pulled a deck of cards out of her stocking; they both gave it a quizzical look, sure that it wasn't just a simple deck of cards. After a moment, his girlfriend gestured for him to look inside his own stocking. Hotch pulled out a card with lucky number thirteen written on it. Typical, he thought.

"Let's go," JJ said eagerly, already pulling on his arm to get moving.

"Oh, and two more things," Garcia halted them. "One: Merry Christmas! And two: don't do anything, I wouldn't do!"

Well that's it for this one. Hope you enjoyed! Stay tuned for more.

And don't forget…

The 2015 Profiler's Choice Awards are on! Calling all CM readers and Authors! Join us in the annual Profiler's Choice CM Awards; help us choose the best of the best Criminal Minds fanfiction and let your voice be heard. Check out the nomination ballot and rules at the Profilers Choice Awards 2015 Forum (direct link in my profile). All rules and information can be found there. Nominations begin November 14, 2015 and end December 31, 2015. All entries with ten (10) or more categories filled out are eligible to win an Amazon gift card!