A/N: I said this last year. And I'll say it again. I love writing this character; especially at this time of year.

But to come up with something new each year has become a bit of a labor of love. That said, I labor for all of you to love. I know you all look forward to it. You humble me. And my old mind amazes me.

Here we go again – Rockie's #NoHotchNoWatch rant. All rights to the Criminal Minds characters belong to Mark Gordon Studios, CBS and ABC Studios.

But hey! If you feel like me, join the #NHNW gang on Twitter. We make Wednesday nights fun again. We really do. PM me for my Twitter handle; I'll hook you up. We have a blast! And we are getting under the skins of TPTB.

That's become more entertaining than the former show we all loved.

*Knightly bow*

Chapter 1

The Sunday night before Thanksgiving, Cait took some time to herself. Jack was already tucked into bed for the night. Mike was at Andi's for the night. As Bella softly snored at the foot of her chair at the lunch counter, Cait sipped the glass of Bailey's she had poured for herself, laced with a dab of Dave's scotch.

She looked at her always present, old fashion wire-bound notebook and started to write out her timing outline for her Thanksgiving dinner with the usual guests and her dinner prep list. There was just one problem.

The team was out on a case; a tough one in Phoenix since Thursday. The team, working with her back in Quantico had quickly profiled the unsub was an anger excitation rapist. But there was one problem. While the unsub had a definitive MO, his victimology was all over the map. A prostitute; then a suburban housewife. Then a high class call girl. The fourth was a socially elite woman. The fifth victim was a middle income grandmother. The team was getting frustrated. And so was Cait trying to help them.

Starting to make out her timeline and to-do list, Cait thought maybe this will help me relax taking another sip of her drink. In the end, it really didn't. It just highlighted how much she had to do in the upcoming week, with juggling holiday dinner prep, being the only parent at home and trying to help the team.

Not having the boys around to help doesn't make this easier she thought to herself. She shook her head. Quit feeling sorry for yourself.

-00CM00-

Jack and Cait happily greeted Maggie and Jarrod in the baggage area at Reagan International Monday night. Jack gave Maggie a big hug. "You smell like a load of Chicken McNuggets," she smiled, kissing his head and hugging him.

"Yup," he smiled. "Mom and I had date night." He powered into Jarrod for a hug. Cait and her mother did the same.

Maggie looked at her daughter. "You OK Cait?"

Cait shook her head. "It's a busy week as usual. And Aaron and the team are out on a case. It's a big one. I'm pulling double duty. And with Emily being gone since Thursday, Declan needs some family. He's going to be at the house when we get home." Maggie looked at her. Cait smiled. "I love that he's reaching out."

"Always the mom," Maggie smiled, rubbing her shoulder.

Jarrod looked at Cait for a second, and then pulled her into a hug. "We'll talk privately later," he whispered in her ear, kissing her temple.

Driving home, with Jack now proudly sitting in the passenger seat of his mom's SUV, Jarrod sitting in the backseat with Maggie, silently sent out a text.

You boys are going without sex for a couple of days. Your mom needs you. Get your asses home. NOW! Gpa

Cait pulled into the garage and smiled at Declan's car idling in the extra spot outside of the garage. She looked at Jack. "You go grab Declan's bag and book bag. And please ask Declan to help grandpa with his and grandma's bags."

"Got it mom," Jack said, hopping out the door.

Declan got out of his car. "I can guess what your mom wants," he smiled, handing Jack his bag and book bag. Jack smiled at him, taking them. Declan moved to the garage and helped Jarrod pull out the second bag.

"Thanks Declan," Jarrod smiled. He rubbed his shoulder. "I'm proud of you son. It takes a real man to reach out."

Declan smiled. "I know I have a haven here if I need it. And normally I don't. Cait and Penelope just check up on me. But …" he started to say.

Cait pulled him to her. "It's a holiday week. You're feeling it with mom gone. I can relate," she smiled.

Declan smiled, picking up Maggie's bag. "Yeah that; and I was tired of dueling with Sergio."

Cait looked at him. "Number one: have you had dinner?"

Declan smiled. "I decimated the buffet at Golden Corral." He looked at Cait. "On mom's dime," he smiled.

Cait rubbed his shoulder. "Please be gentle in giving her that receipt."

Declan kissed Cait's cheek. "I get it. No guilt trips." He smiled at her. "I support what she does as much as you do Cait. But it's tough on me sometimes."

"You're not the only one in that foxhole," Cait smiled at him. "And why you have this foxhole."

"Word," Jack said, taking him mom's car keys to get into the house.

"Thanks Aunt Cait," Declan smiled, grabbing Maggie's bag, heading for the door Jack opened. Jarrod looked at Cait and shook his head.

Cait stopped Declan. "Number two young man." Declan looked at her. "Please tell me you did not leave Sergio high and dry."

Declan smiled. "I gave him fresh water and food. And cleaned out the litter box." He looked at Cait. "Not one of my fav things to do." Cait smiled at him. "Plus I got Agnes next door who has a key to check in on him."

"Well done Jedi," Cait smiled, getting them all in the home.

Jarrod looked at Declan as Bella demanded all their attention. "Do you mind bunking in the cave downstairs?" Jarrod burrowed a look at him.

Declan shook his head with a smile. "Private; and my own bath. I'm good. But I need Wi-Fi to do some homework."

Cait looked at her dad and then Declan. "Penelope and Kevin put in a Wi-Fi repeater down there that hooks up to the home network. Do you remember our password?"

Declan smiled. "You know it Aunt Cait," taking Maggie's bag into the study with Maggie behind them. Jack followed as well. After getting Maggie's bag into the room, smiling at her, Declan took his bag from Jack, letting Jack carry his bookbag as the boys headed downstairs.

Cait stared at her dad. "What the hell is going on?"

Jarrod softly smiled. "I'm looking at something I've never seen before in my life."

"Dad?"

"You're totally stressed Cait."

"Damn right I am," Cait said. "I'm trying to help a team that will probably not be here for my holiday dinner on Thursday because of an asshole that likes to rape women…"

"Stop right there Caitie," Jarrod barked. "Honey," he smiled, rubbing his shoulder, "you're not alone. I sent Declan downstairs because the cavalry, aka the boys and their ladies are on the way. Mom and I are here. Sean, Leslie and the boys will be here tomorrow." He looked deeply into Cait's eyes.

"The hardest thing I've ever had to do as a father was to let you go it alone as a single mother with two boys in diapers. And on the opposite side of the country." He looked at his oldest daughter. "It killed me. But I had to let you do it. Because you are one of the two strongest women I know." Jarrod smiled. "Grandma was the other." Cait shook her head, dropping it.

Jarrod put his finger on her chin lifting it. "Caitie, you're not alone. Whether the team is here or not, the rest of their families need this harbor of peace you and Aaron have created. And without Aaron here, you are their rock. You can't let them down."

"I know that dad," Cait said. "Why do you think I'm stressed?"

Jarrod smiled. "But you have help with that. The kids will be here. Mom and I will help. And you know Sean and Leslie being in the restaurant business," he said, pulling Cait into a hug, kissing her cheek. "We're all a team. And we'll help you. And I know you want to help Aaron's team with the case. But when you're here, you've got to shut that off and be Cait. With all of us pitching in to help you. Just tell us what you need so you can help the team."

Cait deeply hugged Jarrod. "Thanks daddy. I love you."

"I love you too. And I'm damn proud of you," he said kissing her cheek. "Taking in Declan while you're struggling…?"

Cait shook, her head, wiping away a tear from each eye. "He's still a kid; he needs a harbor."

"Then harbor your youngest son into bed. And then get Declan to bed as well. Grandma and I got the other four." He looked at her. "You are the best at juggling. I've seen it for years. But Caitie, you don't have to do it alone this time."

"Thanks daddy," Cait said, hugging him again. "About Sean, Leslie and the boys…"

Jarrod kissed her cheek. "There's always Dave's car service if the boys and their ladies can't make it work tomorrow with their class schedules."

"Thanks dad," Cait smiled hugging him again.

"You've got back-up Caitie; just tell us what you need," Jarrod smiled, hugging her more. "You don't have to be iron strong broad grandmother was. It's OK to show some cracks and ask for help every now and then. It doesn't lessen you as a strong woman. It shows more strength because you a smart enough to admit that."

"Thanks daddy." She wiped tears and then looked at her watch. "I've gotta get Jack to bed."

"Go," Jarrod smiled.

The two couples, answering Jarrod's text, blew into the kitchen. Jarrod and Maggie got them on board with Jarrod giving pretty much the same sermon.

Matt looked at Jarrod. "Where's mom?"

"Getting Jack to bed," Maggie said.

"Let's go," Mike said.

"No boys," Maggie chided. "Let her have that one on one time. She needs that with helping with your dad and the team's case."

"He's our brother," Mike challenged.

"Mike, settle down," Matt said. "Grandma and Grandpa are right. The thing that is going to calm mom down the most tonight is one on one time with Jack."

"He's right Mike," Andi smiled, rubbing his back.

"Take your bags quietly," Jarrod emphasized "to your rooms and then drop in to say good night to Jack."

Matt smiled at Jarrod, picking up his bag. "Thanks grandpa for the heads-up. I've got Sean, Leslie and the boys tomorrow."

"Thanks son," Jarrod smiled, rubbing his shoulder.

The four of them headed up the steps. Maggie hugged Jarrod. "You got her?"

Jarrod smiled, kissing her cheek. "I've got her. I'm dad; part of my job." He laughed. "Even with our damn independent daughter."

Maggie giggled, still holding him. "You're sorta enjoying this."

"What does Morgan say? My grey hair is all her." Maggie laughed more in his arms.

Cait got the couch ready for Declan as he came out of the downstairs bathroom. He blushed a bit. Cait shook her head and softly laughed. "Declan, when all the boys were here, you do not want to know how many boxers I wash in week."

Declan smiled, diving into the couch. "Homework all done?"

"Yup," Declan yawned.

"See you in the morning luvs," Cait said, tucking him in. "You got an alarm set?"

"All over it Aunt Cait," he smiled.

Cait rubbed his shoulder. "Good night," she smiled. She headed for the steps and shut out the light. Declan feel asleep.

-00CM00—

In Phoenix, the pressure was building. "God damn, why can't we catch this guy," Morgan railed, pacing around the conference room.

"Because we are missing something," Emily said.

"How can we be missing something Em," Morgan fired back.

"Back down you two," Dave growled. "I'm just as tired as you."

Aaron shook his head. "We need to walk away for the night."

"Walk away?"

"Yes Morgan," Hotch said. "We need to walk away and clear our heads. We need the down time."

"And there's another probable victim out there while we take that down time Hotch."

"Morgan, I get that. And I don't like that anymore than you. We all missed Foyet putting his glasses on his first victim after he started killing again. We're human and it can happen. Especially when we're tired."

"Derek, we're all exhausted," Dave said. Morgan turned on him. "Kid, I've been doing this longer than you. I deeply appreciate the years you've put on the team. But I'm still senior to you kid. We need to walk away and get some sleep."

"There's some connection between these victims," Hotch said, looking at Morgan. "We all know that. But we're not going to come up with that running on fumes."

Morgan looked at Hotch; and then smiled. "Did you just totally project your wife?"

Hotch smiled. "Does that tell you how tired I am?"

Dave got out of his chair, pulling his suitcoat off the back. "Thank God; it's a scotch and a bed."

"Make those two scotches," Hotch said.

"Quick ones," Dave smiled.

The rest of the team smiled, packing up for the night.

###