Author's note: This is for the CCOAC 17th Challenge – New Year's Resolution. I chose Penelope Garcia and her New Year's Resolution was: "To spend one day each week doing something that didn't involve technology" I was assigned Derek Morgan as the second main character. What I forgot to figure in is that I would be moving in the month of January, which left me no time at all to write. So to adhere to the deadline, I at least wrote the beginning, setting up the premise, and will continue this story soon.
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.
- Edith Lovejoy Pierce
On a crisp last day of December, the members of the BAU, plus their technical analyst Penelope Garcia, waited to board the jet that would take them back to Quantico from Sadona, Arizona. The case had ended well, Heather Newton was found alive and well and by now was opening the presents that had remained under her family's tree several days after Christmas and the kidnapper/computer hacker Unsub who had taken her from the local library was in jail awaiting trial. The mood was light as the team settled into their seats and by the time they were in the air over Kansas the talk had turned to New Year's resolutions.
"I have always wanted to learn to Salsa dance," JJ replied to Spencer's inquiry.
The others all chimed in their resolutions, to stop biting nails, to learn to cook, etc. Finally, it was time for Garcia to share her plan of personal improvement for the year. She looked around at all the expectant faces, then said, "one day each week I want to have a 'tech-free' day."
Emily was first to respond, "Really, PG, do you think you can do it? That seems like it would be so hard for you."
"I hope so," Garcia answered, "It's not a good resolution if its easy."
"Maybe we should be each others 'Resolution Buddies,'" JJ giggled, while making air quotes.
"I know, I know," Spencer said quickly, excitement written all over his face. "We can all pick a name out of a hat so we all have our very own buddy."
Spencer's enthusiasm was contagious, and soon the team all agreed with his plan. Hotch watched, a rare smile on his face, as Rossi pulled his seldom used notebook out of his pocket so JJ could scrawl names down, Morgan appropriated the pilots cap and Emily tossed the slips of paper into it, pushing the cap at Spencer, who was sitting next to her, "Pick your name, look at it to make sure you didn't draw yourself, but don't say anything until everyone draws. That way everyone will be surprised."
Once everyone had their slip of paper in their hand, it was time to reveal. Hotch went first, naming Rossi as his "buddy". Garcia couldn't contain herself any longer, looking straight at JJ and Emily, she announced, "eat your heart out girls, I got the Chocolate Adonis," she hopped out of her chair, into the one next to Morgan, and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Morgan patted Garcia's shoulder, and smiled, "this could get interesting."
TBC
