A/N: Trying something out here so I could include most of the team, old and new. Couldn't figure out Elle, Seaver, Jordan or Walker though. I'm still figuring these two out, but here goes.
Here's the thing, by my math season 12 actually would start somewhere around February 2017 given the time jump plus time for the summer hiatus. So this would probably be towards the end of season 12 or possibly in between seasons 12 and 13. Meaning Tara's got a few years on the team now, Luke's got about 10 months. Things are going to go way off canon in season 11 in my 'Partners' universe, which is this connected to, so a lot of what we're seeing in season 12 won't be relevant either. But, the team changes will be still a factor.
"Candy Cane Magic"
Featuring: Lewis and Alvez, cameo of others
When: December 2017/In-between Season 12 & 13
Luke Alvez stretched, rolling his neck some, as he finished his paperwork. He wasn't sure he wanted to go outside in the cold, DC being hit with a hard cold snap. After deciding it was too cold for a run outside this morning, he was starting to remember why he was on the fugitive task force for so long. Getting to pick where he went via what fugitive to chase allowed him to pick warmer climates this time of year. Granted the BAU traveled a great deal as well, but going to Northern Michigan last week wasn't his idea of a travel hotspot.
Which was the paperwork he was finishing up. Sighing, he looked around and registered for the first time that he was by himself in the bullpen. JJ had left a good two hours earlier, meeting Reid at Ella's holiday performance. Kate had left not long after her. He knew Garcia had left around the same time, muttering something about holiday shopping with Morgan while Fran babysat. Walker had bid his goodbye a few minutes ago. Which left…
"Luke, go home," Prentiss came down the stairs, stopping at his desk, her bag slung on her shoulder and her jacket folded across her chest. "You remember my rule, right?"
Alvez smiled, "No one works longer hours than the boss."
"Right," she smiled back. "So get. The paperwork can be finished tomorrow." He nodded, but didn't move. He could feel her eyes studying him. "Luke, do you have any holiday plans?"
"He's going caroling tonight."
The pair turned, spotting Lewis standing there in her coat, a Santa hat on her head. Prentiss smiled as Alvez just looked confused. "I'm doing what now?"
Lewis exchanged an amused look with her boss. Both had apparently seen the same thing, that aside from Roxy – a dog that had quickly become a mascot of the BAU – Alvez didn't have much to go home to. He had been slowly opening up to them, but still played it close to the vest. He went out for drinks and had attended some team gatherings, but still needed some work becoming one of the family. On the other hand, Tara had been with the team for over two years now and fully one of the gang. She had seen that it was still taking Alvez some time to just accept that this group was family now, whether he liked it or not. Even Walker had done better, partly due to having some history with Rossi and Prentiss.
She stepped forward, handing him a Santa hat. "Anderson and Sharp invited me to join their small group of FBI carolers. We're going to sing at the children's hospital. Actually, I think Hotch and Robin might be joining us with cookies."
Prentiss nodded, having heard about this tradition that the newlyweds had. "Sounds about right. That's why Rossi was out of here so early, on babysitting duty."
Alvez looked between the two women. "That's great, but what does this have to do with me?"
"You're going with," Lewis answered.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
The pair turned when the last answer came from Prentiss. "Luke, you need to get out and do something festive for the holiday. Why not go spread some cheer to some sick kids?" Alvez just stared at her. "Don't make me make it an order, 'cause I will."
"Plus we're going to get drinks afterwards," Lewis added.
That got a smile out of him, "Now you're talking my kind of event." The women chuckled as he took the hat from Lewis and put it on. He slipped on his coat, "Let's go."
"Strike the harp and join the chorus, Fa la la la la la la la!"
Alvez swayed back and forth with a young girl in his lap as the group sang. The girl had taken to him almost immediately. By song three she had tugged on his hand. He had made eye contact briefly with her mother and she was smiling, okay with this behavior so he let it go. Now they were on song six, their final song.
The group all clapped when they were finished and the adults started to disburse. Lewis was giving out candy canes to some kids. Anderson was pulled into a story telling with a few others. Sharp was helping Hotch hand out cookies as Robin talked with a few of the staff. "Did you have fun sweetie?" he asked the young girl in his lap, a hand gently touching the knit cap covering her bald head. She smiled and nodded, a little shy. "I'm Luke, what's your name?"
"Tina," she murmured. "You a solider?"
Luke blinked, not expecting that question. Was it that obvious after all these years? "I used to be. Do you know another one?"
She nodded again. "My Daddy," she sighed. "I miss him. He's on a mission."
"I'm sure he misses you too," Lewis commented. Alvez looked up as she knelt down to Tina's level. He hadn't realized she had come over to them. "You know my Dad was in the military just like yours, just like Luke. Sometimes we got to travel with him, but sometimes we didn't. Boy did I miss him when he was away, especially when I was sick."
Tina nodded. "He kisses my boo boos to make them better. I want him to kiss this one so I can go home."
The profilers exchanged a glance. Maybe they could help somehow? Alvez cleared his throat. "I'm sure your Dad wishes he could do that too. I can tell you that I missed my family like crazy when I was away."
Lewis eyed her friend, a little surprised by his revelation. Pleasantly surprised to see him open up. "Well, I just happen to have something special for you," she continued. She handed the girl a candy cane.
"A candy cane?"
Alvez saw where she was going with this and nodded. "Not just any candy cane. You see, Santa can do a lot of things, but sometimes he just can't grant every wish. But what he can do is send people something special to know he's heard their wish."
"Santa had your Dad kiss this candy cane before he gave it to me to give to you tonight," Tara finished. "So now it can pass on some of your Dad's magic…and Santa's…to hopefully help you feel better and get stronger."
Tina's eyes grew wide, as did her smile. "Really? Thank you!" She hugged them both before running over to her friends.
Her mom came over and smiled. "Thank you for that. She's been asking for him a lot lately, but he's a Seal so it's hard for us to talk to him when he's on missions." She showed them a photo of Tina with her dad and they could see why she had been drawn to Luke, looking like his brother.
The profilers nodded. "You're very welcome. We're just happy we could put a smile on her face."
The young woman chuckled and nodded. "You did. Even if you were a little off key." She waved and went back to her daughter.
Alvez snorted as Lewis laughed, gently shoving his arm. "She's not wrong, you know."
Alvez glared at his coworker and friend, slinging an arm around her shoulders. "First you drag me out here and then you mock me? Guess you're buying tonight."
Lewis laughed, glad to see him relaxing some more with them, slowly opening up more. "Why break tradition, Newbie?"
Alvez groaned. "It's been 10 months!" He still hadn't accepted that Garcia's nickname was here to stay.
Lewis shrugged as they walked towards the elevator with the others. "Fa la la la la la la la!"