A/N: A few years ago, I wrote a Christmas fic (JJ's Wonderful Life) and I enjoyed writing it more than any of my other stories, so when this idea popped into my head I had to try another one. I have written ahead with this one so am on track to post it gradually over the course of December. This is a case fic with some festive fluff and twists thrown in. Present day team but without Matt because I hadn't realised he was going to be a permanent fixture when I started writing and it seemed clumsy just to throw him in!
I hope you like the idea and please review to let me know what you think.
"Yes Ma'am. Yes. No, I understand. We'll be there by morning."
Emily ended her conversation with the Director and sighed as she turned her attention to composing a message to the team.
It had been going so well until late that afternoon. They had been back in town for almost two weeks and had managed to fall into a pattern of working that was as close to regular office hours as they could ever hope. They'd had time to buy Christmas presents and decorate their homes. They had even been around to witness the many sights of the training academy's Christmas party.
It had looked like they were on the home straight to spending the holidays with their families.
Until Emily had been passed a file that had caused her to hole up in her office instead of leaving with the others to celebrate the beginning of their leave. Rossi had noticed her hanging behind and had stuck his head round the door to check that nothing was wrong. She had assured him that she just had a few things to look over and then she to would be heading home. She had tried to convince herself that she was telling him the truth but even then she'd had a sinking feeling.
By the time Emily's growling stomach reminded her that it was getting late, she had already had one tense phone conversation with the Director. She had offered to head up a different team, if the bureau would supply her with some agents who were already on stand-by to work over the next week. She could choose to give up her own holiday plans but she would try everything she could to avoid the others being forced to do the same.
Her second conversation with the Director had put an end to any hope she'd been clinging to. This case needed specialists and the bureau would be doing a disservice to the people it was meant to protect if they "pulled together an untested assortment of agents at the last moment".
Emily knew the Director was right but she still hated to be the one giving the order to the rest of the team.
"Have a great Christmas," one of the last remaining agents on the floor called to her, noticing that the lights were still on in her office as he pulled on his coat to leave.
"You too," she responded, trying not to let the jealousy she felt find its way into her voice.
With another sigh she hit send and returned to the police reports on her computer screen. There was no point in moping over the Christmas which could have been. Especially when they had such an important job to do.
"'Do not be afraid,' said the angel. 'I bring good news'."
JJ grinned as Henry carefully recited his lines, his eyes fixed on the back wall of the auditorium, just as she and Will had encouraged him to do if the audience made him nervous. They had practised his part for the Christmas pageant so many times that the whole family knew every word, but Henry had spent the preceding hours becoming gradually more worried about messing it up. He didn't want to look stupid in front of his friends and being cast as the narrator of the Nativity came with a lot of responsibility for a nine year old.
Will nudged JJ's arm with pride as their son increasingly relaxed into his role. Neither of them could believe the time which had passed since he had been bumbling around the stage in a aluminium foil star costume.
Michael squirmed on her lap, his attention span for his brother's performance somewhat shorter than that of his parents. JJ adjusted her hold on him, reaching into her purse for the emergency juice box which she had packed for this very eventuality. Thankfully, he seemed in the mood to take the bribe, allowing her to turn her attention back to the stage, where the children were now in the middle of a chorus about there being no room at the inn.
Will gave her a look that was a more subtle alternative to a high five. Two children in and it finally felt like they were mastering stress free school concerts.
Unfortunately, JJ's next distraction proved to be a bigger problem than a restless toddler in need of some juice. She had thought her cellphone was on silent until the sudden, sharp noise, and accompanying panic to immediately silence it, caused her to jump.
Michael dropped his juice and began to grumble. Somewhere behind them another parent cleared their throat pointedly.
She frowned at the screen, her previous contentment sinking like a stone, as she took in the message from Emily.
Michael's grumbling edged dangerously closer to crying and she smoothed a hand over his hair, shushing him gently, as she tried to lean over to pick up his juice.
Will was better positioned to retrieve the dropped item, and he quickly had it in one hand, with his arms outstretched ready to take hold of his son. JJ turned to him, intending to quickly explain what was happening, but further coughs from the row behind made her think better of drawing out her exit for longer than necessary. In any case, she was pretty sure that Will knew what was going on. It wouldn't be the first time. She passed their son over to him, trying not to make more of a scene than they were already creating.
"I'm so sorry," she mouthed to her husband, grabbing her coat from the back of her seat and quickly pulling the remaining snacks and toys from her purse. She handed them to Will, who was well practised in the fast handover drill and was waiting to receive them. "I'll call you when I know what's happening."
She gave him a further apologetic look and he nodded, assuring his understanding, but nevertheless revealing a hint of annoyance. The man directly behind her coughed again, giving her a final warning that she needed to sit down or leave.
Michael was still grumbling as she slipped out the side of the auditorium, with one more quick glance towards her older son on the stage and her phone already pressed to her ear.
David Rossi folded the last edge of red paper into place and secured it with a piece of tape, before setting the parcel on top of the others stacked up on the table. He eyed the pile with a look of satisfaction that everything was in order for Christmas day. A chuckle came from the doorway.
"Kai was worried that Santa wouldn't find him here, but I don't think he needs to be!" Joy laughed.
Rossi shook his head but grinned back at her. Joy was already in her pyjamas, looking relaxed and settled in for her stay at her father's house. It was nice to see her looking at home here.
"He'll only be this young once," he responded. "If I can't spoil him now then when will I get the chance?"
In hindsight he had gone a little overboard but once he started shopping for boys' toys and gadgets he couldn't help himself. The box he had just wrapped contained a remote controlled helicopter. He would have loved one when he was Kai's age. Heck, he would love one now, and was excited at the prospect of taking it outside with his grandson on Christmas morning.
"Am I too old to be spoiled by my dad now?" Joy teased, rummaging under the Christmas tree to squeeze a present labelled with her name. She had been eyeing it up since she noticed it earlier in the evening, but had resisted in an effort to set a good example for her son.
"I'm sure Santa will be good to you too," he smiled, taking the present from her hands. "But you'll have to wait two more days to find out what's in there."
She pouted with part mock and part genuine disappointment.
"She's never been much good at waiting for surprises," Hayden warned with a laugh as she joined her daughter and ex-husband. She kissed Rossi on the lips, briefly. Their relationship was still shaky and undefined, but the spirit of the season and desire to have her family together was pushing her towards him.
"Mom, you're no better!" Joy protested. "You've already opened and re-wrapped your present from me and Shawn."
Rossi wrapped an arm round the woman at his side, enjoying the moment of closeness. Her expression was an attempt to claim no knowledge of her daughter's accusation.
"Your mom has form in that department," he told his daughter, chuckling. "Why do you think there's nothing for her under that tree?"
His cellphone vibrated against the table, and he reached for it, taking the opportunity to escape from the oncoming punch to his arm. Safe from Hayden's reach he continued.
"Over the years of knowing your mother I have learned that gifts have to stay out of sight if they are to remain a surprise."
Rossi's words trailed off as he read the message flashing up on the screen. Of course the evening had been going too well to continue.
"What's wrong, Dad?" Joy asked, frowning at the immediate shift in the atmosphere.
Hayden's expression changed to one he recognised from before their divorce. She didn't need his response to know what was going on.
"He has to work," she explained.
Joy's face mirrored her mother's disappointment, but with less bitterness than the older woman's gaze.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," he promised them, knowing from experience that those words just weren't good enough.
"I'm not sure about this," Spencer mumbled, taking his first, shaky steps towards her.
The air was cold and he could see his breath in front of him as he wobbled further onto the ice.
"You'll be fine. Just hold on to me," Garcia responded.
Tara and Luke watched smugly from the safety of the spectators area, clutching their hot chocolates and eagerly waiting to see Reid's debut on the ice-rink.
"I can't believe you haven't done this before," she continued, as he cautiously placed his hands in hers and shuffled forward.
"I've never understood why anyone would make ice more dangerous by strapping sharp blades to their feet," he replied, eyeing his own ice skates with suspicion.
"Come out a little further from the wall," Garcia coaxed.
Reluctantly, he inched slightly further from the safety of unfrozen ground. If he'd known that the trip to see the Christmas lights was going to involve skating as well, he might have thought better of joining them. Luke and Tara had been quick off the mark with their respective excuses of needing to stay with Roxy and an old ankle injury.
"You've got it," she grinned as he risked a longer stride.
Just as he was about to do the same with his other foot, a trio of teenagers whizzed by, causing him to freeze on the spot. Really, the ice rink should have been sectioned into areas by ability, or there were sure to be accidents.
"Why don't I go back to the side and let you skate for a while?" he suggested, trying desperately to unlock his knee without losing his balance.
She gave him a look which made it clear that giving up on this particular winter tradition wasn't an option.
But before he could receive any further encouragement, or before the teasing from the sidelines could commence, they were distracted, one by one, by the buzzing and pinging of their cellphones.
"So much for spending the holidays at home," Luke remarked, rubbing Roxy's head fondly. "I guess it's back to the sitter for you."
The message which had been received was one which, despite their reluctance to leave their families and plans, gave them all the motivation required to work through the entire holiday period if necessary.
ALL LEAVE CANCELLED.
SUSPECTED ABDUCTION IN RURAL MINNESOTA. 2 ADULTS AND 2 CHILDREN MISSING FOR APPROXIMATELY 24 HOURS.