Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds, the characters from the show, etc. I am not making any money off the writing of this story.


This is my submission for the Christmas Challenge over at CCoAC.

Written for Anonamus-A

My assigned pairing is: JJ/Reid
My assigned song title prompt is: The Christmas Shoes;

The other 3 prompts are: Hot Chocolate, snowflakes, and A Charlie Brown Christmas


Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home.

~ Carol Nelson


I should probably give this information before you start: this takes place pre-season 1. It's Reid's first Christmas with the BAU, after the Matloff case from Tabula Rasa, so Garcia's there too (couldn't not include her in a Christmas story) and before Boston, so there are more team members than the ones from the show.


Reid wanted to go home for Christmas. Home, where Christmas meant a sweater for a nice walk outside, not here where one needed so many layers it was a wonder if you could move. He sighed. The care conference phone call last month had not gone well. His mother wasn't responding to this new medication as her doctors had hoped she would.

The last time he'd managed to make it back to Vegas was over seven months ago. He had a two-week gap from when he graduated from the Academy and when he needed to report to the BAU. As unhappy as Diana was that her baby was going to work for the government; she was so proud he chose to help people with his mind. It had been a sweet visit. They'd even managed to get out of the hospital for a meal. Of course, Diana's favourite nurse went with the mother and son, just in case. It had been a lovely meal and a real chance to catch up again. She asked if he had met any nice girls and the nurse needed to cough to cover the giggle. There wasn't anyone special in his life. His job would be dominating his life for at least the next year or so. Moreover, being on call 24-7 wasn't something just anyone would be able to tolerate.

Smiling to himself as he replayed the conversation, Spencer was oblivious to the world around him. He wasn't particularly worried. He was sitting at his desk, co-workers long gone for the day and the cleaners wouldn't get to the sixth floor for another two hours. Suddenly warmth spread through his left shoulder. Pulling himself from his memories, he looked at his shoulder and yelped when he saw a hand there. The quick upward glance confirmed the hand belonged to JJ.

JJ was almost as new to the team as he was. Reid couldn't help but admire how she was able to deal with people and the press the way she did. Seemingly, always graceful but in control, the areas he struggled in appeared easy for her.

'Working late again?' She asked, her eyebrows starting to knit together in concern.

Reid gulped trying to get the feeling of his heart in his throat to lessen. 'Just double checking a few things.' He moved to close the open folders scattered on his desk.

She smiled as color crept up his neck and face.

'How many files did Derek give you today?'

'Only two, it was a slow day.'

'You ready to go?'

'Uh… I guess. Why?'

Her smile widened, 'What time is it?'

'Uh…' Reid looked at his watch.

'It's late,' JJ interjected. 'Come on. Give me three minutes to finish packing and I'll give you a ride.'

'Uh… ok,' Reid cursed in his mind, well his version of cursing anyway. Pulling himself more fully away from thoughts of his mother, he picked up the folders he needed and packed his messenger bag.

The ride home was filled with random bits of information from a nervous and stammering Reid. Snowflakes were lazily falling, sticking slightly to the windshield before melting. It was a picture perfect winter drive. When they arrived at Reid's building, JJ put the small SUV in park and turned to her passenger.

'T-thank you for the ride -' He managed, though barely. JJ smiled, he was so sweet.

'You're welcome.'

As Reid made to move out of the vehicle, JJ took a chance.

'Spencer, can I give you a bit of unsolicited advice?' At his small, wary nod she continued, 'don't be afraid to say "no" to Morgan and his files. He can be a bit thoughtless at times.' Leaning in she continued in a conspirator's tone and a cheeky grin, 'besides he needs to do more than just break down doors and tackle people for his pay check.'

Reid's face was getting more and more red. He liked JJ. She was even prettier than the girls he went to school with, but so much nicer. It was all he could do to nod, give a small smile and make it out of the car without banging his head. He turned back, reaching to shut the door and managed, 'Good night JJ, see you tomorrow.'

Watching her co-worker to make sure he made it inside safely – just like her mother had taught her was polite to do when dropping someone off – JJ drove away her smile changing to a private one. She realized she really enjoyed Spencer's company and wanted more of his time.


The next afternoon at the BAU was unusually quiet. Quiet phone consults, pens scratching out reports and the keys of computer keyboards created a soft symphony of productivity. Reid quietly got up from his desk. He didn't feel like doing any more of his co-worker's reports. Glancing around the bullpen, his gaze drifted to the offices above. Hotch was bent over his desk, a stack of files at his elbow. Gideon wasn't visible, but that wasn't unusual. He thought about visiting his mentor for a moment. The idea was quickly discarded. The last case seemed to take an extra bit out of the elder man. Children disappearing and turning up dead, even if they were troubled teenage boys, always made for a hard case.

JJ, he decided. He could go visit JJ. The blonde was always willing to talk and maybe he could help her with the case requests. His reading speed and memory would come in handy.

He moved toward her office door and knocked before his mind conjured too many possibilities for things going wrong.

JJ flipped through the latest file in her current stack on her desk. Sighing to herself, it wasn't a full-team case but a quick report, maybe a phone consult for one of the team. Closing the file, she went to move it to the 'consult' pile when a knock sounded at her door. She looked up and smiled.

'Hi Spence, what brings you to my corner?'

Reid shuffled in, feeling a bit awkward now. 'Umm… I finished my files and was wondering if you could use some help with anything?'

JJ's grin broadened, 'you managed to fight Morgan's paperwork off?'

Reid sat down in one of the guest chairs, blushed and mumbled, 'Didn't give him the chance.'

'Good move, Dr. Reid, and sure I could use some help. What's your poison? I have files that need consults or there's the stacks of requests to go through.'

'How about the requests?'

'Sure, why don't you go grab us fresh coffee and I'll set up over there so we can sit on the couch. It'll be more comfortable.'

With a nod, Reid got fresh cups of coffee and passed the afternoon with as much fun as they could while getting JJ's stacks down by over half. Just before quitting time, their new technical analyst bounced into the room.

'Oh good, the last two on my list are here.' She thrust a heavily decorated piece of paper at each of them. 'I'm having a Christmas Eve supper at a small community center, and I expect you two to be there.'

It took a moment to process what was being thrust at them and what had been essentially demanded of them.

'Sure Garcia,' JJ said as she recovered first. 'I imagine all the details are here.'

'That they are my bodacious blonde. Don't forget to bring your favourite holiday treat. I want to see what everyone enjoys! And you, my mindful one?' She turned to Reid.

'S-sure Garcia, I can come.' It was times like this the TA scared him. 'Umm… I-I don't really have any treats to bring.'

'Oh my gorgeous gray matter, you'll think of something! Well I'm off! See you guys there!'

Garcia seemed to poof out of the room as fast as she appeared.


By the time Reid and JJ arrived at the small community center, the party seemed to be finding its groove. Haley and Hotch were out on the dance floor sharing a dance and a quiet, semi-private laugh. Morgan sat at a table with Gideon and his friend, Sarah chatting quietly and munching appetizers from the plates in front of them. Lacy, Tom and Maggie were at another table still arguing, good naturedly, over the last game of cards, even as Tom dealt another hand.

One by one, they noticed the two new arrivals. Garcia turned from where she was tapping away on a laptop. The song changed and 'The Christmas Shoes' began to drift over the speakers.

'This song always makes me tear up.' JJ said softly to Reid as they moved further into the dining area. Reid smiled at her, unsure of what to say to a statement like that.

'Welcome my two almost-late arrivals. What goodies did you bring?'

JJ held out a covered bowl, 'Not exactly a holiday treat, but I made them a bit more festive with the red and green sprinkles and Christmas tree confetti.'

Garcia eagerly pulled the cover off and peered at the contents, 'And what exactly are these wondrous confections?'

'Butter Ball cookies'

'Ok then,' she turned to Reid.

He sheepishly held out a box of candy canes. 'Mom wasn't big on Christmas,' he mumbled.

'Oh my sweet wise one,' Garcia gave him a quick hug and pushed him toward the card game. 'They need to lose again, or their egos won't fit in here anymore.'

With a nod at the girls, Reid moved over to the table.


Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year - and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority.

~ W. J. Cameron


AN: There's chapter 1 done, working on #2 and I think that'll wrap up this tale. Maybe 3 if my muse hijacks my hand again.

Merry Christmas to all, May you be surrounded by loved ones near and far.

Dragon

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