Author's Note: This story is a pinch hit for bouncing off the walls again in response to the Christmas Fic Exchange from CCOAC.

This is a gift written especially for DESTINYISMS and the following prompts were requested: Carol of the Bells, Decorating the Christmas tree, Christmas lights, and snow. All of them will be used.

I hope you enjoy it…and thanks so much for reading! -Angie

"I'm thinking that I should have kept this professional," Emily said, her speech slightly slurred.

"They rented a hall," Reid commented. "I think they want us to forget about being professionals."

"That's the government for ya," Morgan remarked as he took a generous sip from his own plastic cup. "They're always playing by their own rules."

"Thank God," Penelope said, "or we'd have been separated eons ago."

Derek looked at his new wife and grinned. "Darlin', nothing could separate us," he said with his usual charm.

Penelope grinned back at her husband, her expression saddening when she looked at the entrance to the building. She was so glad that Hotch was at least making an effort this year and coming to the Christmas party, even if he was wearing his serious look. "Do you think he's even been on a date since Haley passed away?" she asked softly.

Derek gave his wife a stern glare. "No match-making, Baby Girl," he said firmly.

"What?" she asked, feigning innocence. "When have I ever tried to 'matchmake' anyone?" she asked.

"Are you kidding?" Rossi asked.

Penelope winced. "Ok, so setting you up with my Aunt Daisy wasn't my best idea ever, but you were lonely!" she said, defending herself.

Rossi's amusement was written all over his face. "I promise you, Kitten, I have never been lonely a day in my life."

Penelope giggled as she did every time he called her 'Kitten.' She was in love with her husband, but it was no secret that she had a schoolgirl crush on Rossi. The team teased her about it endlessly, Derek included. It was a good thing her husband had a healthy ego. "But look at Hotch! He looks so lonely," she insisted.

Emily tilted her head to the side, studying her boss' swagger as he headed towards the table to join his team. Maybe it was the fact that she'd been without a man for too long, or maybe it was the fact that she was wearing 'spiked eggnog colored glasses,' but she suddenly found her Unit Chief insanely attractive. Yep, Emily Prentiss thought. Definitely time to stop drinking.

And that was the last thing she remembered.

What is that incessant ringing? Emily thought the next morning as she tried to lift her head off the pillow. Too late she realized it wasn't a good idea. The Carol of the Bells blaring from the radio alarm wasn't the only thing making her head throb. She groaned in agony…and then froze. What the…? Her legs were tangled…and had they been tangled in sheets that would have been one thing. But they were tangled with another pair of legs. A pair of legs that had a light sprinkle of soft hair on them. Men's legs.

Emily realized then that she had absolutely no idea where she was and fear gripped her. How had this happened? She'd been with her team last night, for God's sake! And they'd let her…what? Go home with another agent in the bureau? That had to have been it. They wouldn't have just let her go home with a total stranger! Oh, my God! She'd had her first one night stand, and she couldn't even remember it!

She gave her thighs a light squeeze…nothing. Hmmm…he obviously hadn't been rough. She stretched a teensy bit, and aside from the 'every muscle in my body aches because I had too much to drink last night' ache, nothing. Well, maybe she hadn't missed much after all.

She decided to take the bull by the horns and slowly freed her legs, then started to roll over. It was then that she caught the scent of familiar cologne. Emily Prentiss' heart began beating in her chest so loudly that she was certain her bedmate must be able to hear it. She swallowed past the uneasiness in her throat and rolled over…coming face to face with her unit chief.

"Mornin', Prentiss," Hotch said sleepily, his eyelids fluttering open just long enough to say the words.

Emily flew up into a sitting position, her hangover all but forgotten. "Wha...oh, God…wha…?" She sputtered as she gasped for air.