Santa Claus is coming to town

Dear ScotchandSoda

Here is my Christmas gift offering which I hope you enjoy. I hope you have a great Christmas and a great New Year. I'm looking forward to more of your stories in 2011.

Best Wishes

GraveyGraves

To anyone else who decides to read my story I hope you enjoy it. I was given the pairing Reid and Prentiss with the prompts Jingle Bells, Sexy Santa Outfit, a Christmas movie and Christmas wrapping paper. I had to include three in the story. It is following on from a previous challenge story 'Halloween Honey'. You don't have to have read this first, but it might help.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!

P.S This is not set in 2010 as JJ is in it so the dates do not marry up to this year. In fact they are pure fiction compared to the last few years.

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You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

'Santa Claus is Coming to Town'

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1st December

Reid cringed as he saw Garcia flounce into the bullpen. She had a set of fluffy, glittery, pink fairy wings on, with an elaborate flashing tiara and sparkling wand and was heading in the team's direction. Although there were many aspects of the festive season Reid enjoyed, this was not one. He had hoped Garcia might forget for once but no, this year she was as subtle as she had been every other year.

"So my superheroes, are you ready for this year's Secret Santa?" Garcia made sure she had the attention of all who were currently in the bullpen. She gracefully ignored Prentiss dramatically rolling her eyes at her words. "The rules are simple. Each of you is to pick a candy cane. Tied to the candy cane is the person you are to buy for. However there is a little twist." She paused for effect; she had their attention now without a doubt. "With the name there is also a Christmas song. Your gift has to be related to that song in some way." Garcia looked round the dumbfounded faces, smiling her sweetest smile. "So who is going first?"

Morgan pushed up from the desk he was perched on.

"OK, baby girl, I'm in," he said as he reached for one of the red and white stripy sticks. Quick to unravel the small silvery piece of paper, he smirked. He was happy with the result. He had Garcia and the 'Twelve Days of Christmas'. Garcia winked; she had guessed from his smirk that she had been picked. Morgan shook his head. How did she do that?

JJ went next and was looking smug, having received Prentiss and 'I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus'. Prentiss was quick to follow. Returning to her desk, she submitted to her curiosity and opened the tiny piece of paper. Reid and 'Santa Claus is coming to Town'. This could be fun, she thought, silently looking over at Reid as he took his turn.

"With a 1 in 7 chance of picking myself, do I have to admit it if I do so or do I buy for myself?" Reid questioned, wondering if it was rude to eat the candy cane before reading his chosen person. He could do with the additional sugar.

Garcia ruffled his hair. "Silly thing; let's only worry about that if it happens."

"How will you know if it happens if I don't tell you?" Reid was more confused but took a piece and decided to check straight away. He had JJ and 'Jingle Bells'.

"Did we need to worry, my uber genius?" asked Garcia.

Reid shook his head, now worrying about what on earth he was to get his friend.

"Well, I shall now go and bother our respected leaders." With those words, Garcia spun on her shiny shocking pink heels and headed towards the offices.

"Where does she get these ideas?" Morgan returned to his desk, shaking his head. Quiet once more settled over the bullpen as everyone set back to work. At least they looked like they were working; most went to search the internet and brainstorm gifts ideas for their colleagues.

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6th December

Emily had been looking forward to the weekend all week. She liked to be organised when it came to Christmas, no last minute shopping trips for her. She hated the hustle and bustle. In fact, she was usually finished by the start of December, but a couple of heavy cases in November had held her up this year. She had initially tried to persuade Spencer to join her on her final purchasing spree, but was now glad he had turned her down. Since they had started dating at Halloween, they had spent their free weekends together. She was more than aware that she was falling deeply in love, and for once she had no doubt that the feeling was mutual. Spencer wasn't keen on shopping. He disliked buying presents. Emily felt this meant that whatever he did buy was extra special due to the thought he put into it. Even if that thought could be a little too practical at times.

Looking down at her list, Emily decided to start with a little bit of fun; Spencer's secret Santa gift. As soon as she had rolled out the slip of paper, she had known what she was getting. Emily knew it was a little risky, but she was sure the rest of the team had guessed they were together. Spencer had been keen to tell the team but she had held back, afraid that others would think their relationship unprofessional. Now, as she felt more secure in their relationship, she was willing to step into public and let the team see them together.

Emily entered her third store and wandered around. She knew exactly what she was looking for; yet nothing seemed to live up to her expectations. The whole shop dripped Christmas. It was mainly much tackier than anything she'd even consider looking at, yet alone buy. However, she knew a store like this was her best chance to get what she wanted and stay in the agreed budget. She was just about to give up, disappointed, when she spotted the one. Taking the item down, Emily examined the contents. Perfect. She smiled all the way to the counter, now confident that she was going to have a successful shopping trip after all.

. . . . . . . . . .

Spencer sat in his lounge looking at the blank piece of paper in front of him. It was hardly going to be the longest list in the world. In fact he could count on one had the number of people he was buying gifts for this year. The problem wasn't the number of people or whom. It was the what. He hated buying gifts for others. He constantly worried about getting it wrong. What if people didn't like what he got them? He decided to start with the easy ones.

Mum – it had to be literacy based. He would try his traditional haunts looking for a rare first edition or similar special book for her collection.

Henry – again books, children could never have too many books. After all, he had never been without a book when he was growing up.

Emily – oh god, what to get Emily? They had barely been together a month; by Christmas it still wouldn't be two months. What was the etiquette in this situation? He had no idea. He considered asking Morgan but decided there was no way he could ask without having to let him know who he was dating. Then he couldn't put up with the teasing. Also Emily would kill him, quite literally. He didn't understand why she wanted to keep their relationship a secret. He could understand the whole Strauss finding out bit, but the team wouldn't tell her. They were their friends. He disliked the secrecy.

JJ – his secret Santa choice. It had to relate to 'Jingle Bells'. He thought carefully; as if it wasn't bad enough buying a gift, but to have additional unnecessary rules applied too was just ridiculous.

Dropping his pen on the table, he leaned back on the couch, his mind racing as he tried to work out what to buy Emily and JJ. Eventually he got up to get his phone. He surrendered. He decided he was going to ring JJ. She would know what to get Emily. Then maybe Emily would help with JJ's gift.

Spencer unconsciously counted the rings as he waited for JJ to answer her phone. When he heard her cheery voice he suddenly panicked. What should he say?

"Hey you, what's up?" JJ chirped.

"I wanted your help with something."

"Anything."

"I've been seeing someone for about a month and I really don't know what to get her for Christmas. I thought you may be able to help."

JJ smiled. She could hear the nervousness in his voice. Spence was so sweet. JJ knew about Emily and him. She had guessed but not asked either out right. Instead she had watched and gathered evidence.

"OK, so I'm guessing you really like her, seeing you are going to the effort of getting it right. Are we looking at something expensive or a few smaller gifts? Do you want to play it safe or have some fun?" JJ was having fun but wanted to see if Spence would admit to her who he was dating.

"Umm . . . I don't know." JJ heard a huge sigh.

"Tell you what. Henry and I will be 'round in an hour, and while he has a nap, you and I can sort out some ideas for Emily's present." JJ tried hard to stifle a giggle. Bless him, he was so worried he didn't even notice what she had said before agreeing and hanging up.

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19th December

Reid placed his gift under the tree with the others. Why was he always the last to get his parcel in place? For a brief second his inner kid came out as he was tempted to squeeze the present with his name on it. Looking around to see if anyone was watching, he had a quick poke. Soft and squiggy. Taking another glance around, he pulled the rich red wrapped package towards him. No clues on the outside. It was immaculately presented in shiny ruby paper and matte gold ribbon. He squeezed and flexed. No resistance to his movements.

"Really, feeling up the parcels at your age!" Rossi made Reid jump out of his skin. He dropped the offending item as if it was suddenly scorching hot.

"I . . . I was . . . It was . . ." Reid stuttered.

"Save the excuses for Garcia. She's heading this way and if she catches you molesting the gifts...Well, I'll leave that to you imagination." Rossi winked as he walked off towards his office.