Here's chapter 2!

Again, I own nothing!

….

Hotch and the Gift of the Magi

It had been a long case.

Northern Michigan had played host to a killer who would attack the parents of kids visiting Santa. He would lure them away from their children, asking them to pick out photo packages of their child with Santa. As soon as they were secluded in the back of the store, the UnSub would stab the victims in the back, then dispose of the bodies by wrapping them up in wrapping paper to be left on the loading docks of three different malls.

Their UnSub turned out to be an overworked employee working as an Elf who had lost his entire family to a drunk driver on Christmas Eve; Reid and Ashley had talked down the UnSub when they'd cornered him in the loading dock of the largest strip mall in town with his latest victim, whom they had been unable to save.

By the time they all got back, it was late afternoon Christmas Eve; Hotch had sent everyone home before running out to all the stores he could find, looking desperately for a gift for Jack. But it wasn't meant to be; every store Hotch approached was locked up tight for the evening, the employees having all gone home for the night.

Defeated, Hotch slowly drove home to the apartment he shared with his son Jack. As he pulled up to the building, locked his car and got out, the doorman, known fondly to the residents of the complex as Al, ran forward to meet him, clearly out of breath.

"Mister Hotchner," he began. "Thank goodness you came! I was about to deliver it myself!"

Hotch was confused "What?"

"There was a man here earlier who said he worked with you. He told me to give you this package; it's in my office. Here!"

The two men entered the office to find a large box with Hotch's name on it, and a card.

Aaron~

I realized what you were up to the moment you shooed us out of the office at 3:30 in the afternoon. I had my brother put these aside for me to give to you, and Ashley, Reid and I delivered them; if Jessica asks, tell her it was all you!

Regards,

Dave

"I owe you, David Rossi," Hotch muttered as he picked up the box, with help from Al the doorman, and carried it to Hotch's apartment. Together, they set the unopened package down in front of the artificial tree in Hotch's living room.

"Thanks, Al," Hotch whispered, giving the man a tip, who waved it away.

"Don't mention it, Aaron," he whispered. "Merry Christmas!"

"Same to you," Hotch replied, watching the man exit the apartment.

Hotch quickly unpacked the cardboard box, which was filled of wrapped presents for Jessica, Jack and Aaron himself, not only from Dave but from the rest of the team, and from Santa. Muttering "Thank you, Dave," once more before taking the time to fold the box up and put it under the sink, Hotch finally laid down on the couch, promising to rest his eyes only for a moment….

"Daddy! Aunt Jessica! Wake up! Santa was here! He left us Daddy!"

Aaron was awakened by Jack's happy voice calling up throughout the apartment before he carefully began climbing onto his father's chest and curling up under his arm.

Hotch felt a smile grow on his face as he looked at his young son. "Hey Buddy," he mumbled sleepily, taking his son in a warm embrace. "Merry Christmas, Buddy! Did you see what Santa brought you?"

Jack giggled. "Yep!" the little boy crowed. "I'm looking at what Santa brought me! He brought me my Daddy!"

Hotch's eyes widened in surprise before he looked over at Jessica Brooks, his sister-in-law, who shrugged. Her hair was mussed up from sleeping in the guest room, and she was wearing her bathrobe and slippers. "We didn't hear you come in," she said. "It's great to see you, Aaron!"

Hotch smiled as Jack exclaimed "Wow! More gifts from Santa! But they're just a bonus; Santa already brought me the best gift!"

"What's that?" Aunt Jessica asked.

"Daddy!" the little boy crowed again.

….

A/N: I love Jack! He's such a sweetie!

I hope you all take the time to review! :D

*~N_CBAU~*