The snow drifted to the ground, it was one of Lennon's favorite things, and though most people hated snow, she could not help but love the beautiful bright scenery. She watched through the frosted car window as Spencer drove to JJ's for the thanksgiving get together. Unbeknownst to her she Spencer had taken his eyes off the road, splinters of a second to see her admiration of the white specks falling down from the sky. He had just taken their relationship to an important marker, moving in with each other and he could not wait to tell his friends. She finally drew her gaze away from the window and smiled at him, holding out her hand, which he took immediately she held on; her warmth heating up his freezing hands.
"I cannot wait for this dinner, Garcia has been going on and on about her mother's secret recipe for stuffing and JJ said will can make a mean cranberry sauce, and before you say it yes I know that cranberry cannot have characteristics like mean." She smirked, as she knew that he was thinking of saying it.
"I am too, I cannot wait to dig into those cookies you made, and I hope I can keep room."
"As long as you don't fill up on Vanessa's appetizers, she told me she had made a lot, we will have enough to feed an army." He bit back his correction, as he knew her exaggeration was out of fun and he knew she was doing it on purpose.
"Are we going to tell them?" Lennon asked, she knew that it may be a bit of a shock, they had not been together a year and yet this seemed so right.
"I was planning on it, besides they obviously love you," Spencer said taking a left onto JJ's street.
"And I love them just as much," She leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek before he pulled to the curb. "I am telling you, you have gotten so much better at driving from when we first started dating."
"Oh yeah, I forgot that Derek wanted me to thank you." Reid rolled his eyes with a grin.
"I did good didn't I, now help me carry this in." She said taking out the trays from the back seat. She placed them in his outstretched arms and planted a kiss on his lips then fixed his hat. He grew excited, as he knew that as soon as they walked through the door she would be surprised. They made it to the front door and he rang the doorbell.
"Come in," JJ yelled from inside, Spencer motioned for her to place the trays on the others so she could open the door and she did with no clue with what was going on. She opened the door and as soon as it was half way opened everyone jumped out.
"Surprise," She jumped so high and let out a small scream but smiled as she looked around to see that decorations.
"Oh my goodness, I can't believe this, you kept this a secret," She turned to Spencer in disbelief, he confirmed with a nod. She turned to the others, threw out her arms, and hugged every single one of them.
"Were you surprised Lennon?" Jack asked happily.
"So surprised, you guys are too sweet really." She turned to Spencer and took some of the load off.
"Oooo, what do we have here?" Derek said reaching his hand to the cookies but Lennon was quick and smacked his hand away.
"Not so fast their Morgan, these are for dessert."
"Fine, but I mean don't get upset if a few go missing he said nudging Jack and Henry who giggled.
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
"I am starving, I haven't eaten in like three days to prepare for this day," Garcia said staring at the table.
"Me too, I am ready to dig in," Kate said eyeing the cranberry sauce that JJ had been raving about.
"Well then lets get it going," JJ said handing the carving knives to Will.
"Wait," Henry called out sitting up straighter in his chair, "We have to say what we are thanking for." All of them smiled at the demand from the small boy who smiled with pride.
"Okay buddy, how about you go first," Will recommended.
"I'm grateful for my Mom and Dad," He said with a big smile before looking to JJ indicating he wanted her to go next.
"I am grateful for my big strong and healthy boys," She kissed her son's head and squeezed Will's hand.
"I'm grateful for my family and the fact that all of you could be here," Will said.
"Oh, me next, umm I'm thankful for my cats," Penelope said getting a giggle from Henry.
"I'm Grateful for Penelope, she is a unique woman who makes me very happy," Sam said, Garcia flung her arms around him and kissed him.
"I am thankful for this lovely woman here," Derek said taking Savannah's hand.
"Even though he drives me crazy, I am thankful for him," She teased back.
"I am glad for my daughter who has come into my life and helped me build a family." Rossi said with pride.
"I am thankful for Chris and Meg, I love them both unconditionally." Kate gave her thanks and looked to her husband.
"I am grateful for my family and for being able to meet all of you."
"I'm grateful for my aunt and uncle who took me in at the worst time of my life." Their hearts melted, they knew about Meg's parents and the appreciation she showed was amazing.
"I'm grateful for meeting Aaron and Jack."
"And I'm grateful she came up to me and said hello, she has been amazing since day one and is kind to the one person who means the world to me," Hotch looked to Jack and smiled, he mirrored the expression.
"I'm grateful that my dad is happy," another heart melting moment. It was down to Lennon and Reid and she looked to him and smiled.
"I am grateful that I met Spencer Reid, he has made me happier than anyone will ever know, I also have a great new family in all of you and I love you all so much."
"I am grateful that Lennon agreed to move in with me," Reid dropped the bombshell and the room was in an uproar.
"What!" Garcia jumped up, ran over to them, and hugged them in death grips.
"Why to go Pretty Boy!" Derek said with a large grin on his face, all the team gave their congratulations.
"I am so happy for you two, this had to happen I have never seen Spencer look at someone like he does with you," JJ smiled and hugged Lennon. They all took their seats again and began their feast.
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
The phone lit up in the dark room and as the ringtone filled the room Lennon opened her eyes, instantly blinded from the illumination. She groaned as it continued to ring and Spencer was still making no movement to prove that he was going to get it. She reached over him and opened the phone seeing JJ's name fill the screen, she pressed the green button and put the ear to her ear.
"Hello," her voice gravelly and groggy with sleep that still lingered; she nudged Spencer slightly.
"Lennon," The woman questioned.
"Yeah JJ, hang on," She put the phone to her chest and shook Spencer who came out of his deep sleep. "It's Hotch," She mouthed handing him the phone as he rubbed his eyes before she fell back into bed and pulled the covers over her head.
"Hey JJ," He spoke, she listened in on the one sided conversation but she already knew that with it being three in the morning and the caller being JJ, it was a case.
"Yeah, I'll be there soon, okay bye." Spencer closed his phone, threw it to the end of the bed before flopping down on his pillow, and groaned. "Can't serial killers stick to a time code?"
"I guess not," Lennon replied pulling the blankets off her head and stood up, pulling Spencer up too. "Come on, I'll make coffee," She bribed him; he instantly shot up and walked to the bathroom.
She had made him a bagel and had the pot warmed up and ready for when he finally would be ready to go. She had become used to this routine of having everything ready for him but she still was trying to adjust to the odd hours, partially because there was only two cases since thanksgiving. She looked to their new set up, most of it was still Spencer's things because she had little or nothing left after the invasion to her home, but what they did have made it a little homier. It was December 20th and almost Christmas time and through some hard core convincing they had put in a Christmas tree though she did hear about Santa Clause and his significant in all the other cultures.
"I feel bad you didn't have to get up, you probably could have stayed in bed, besides JJ is going to pick me up."
"I know but you know I but I want to, beside who would make JJ this one of a kind bagel?" She placed another one on the counter, she knew JJ was in a rush and most definitely did not eat; Spencer just rolled his eyes and put on his converse.
"Did tell you anything about this case?" She asked as she poured his coffee with the normal pound of sugar in it.
"No, he will brief us on the plane," He stood up and pulled his messenger bag over his shoulder.
"Spencer, you really need a new messenger bag this one is all ratty and torn." She said looking down, it was true, with the amount of books and files it held she was surprised it lasted this long.
"I know, I guess I just haven't gotten around to getting a new one, maybe after this case." She smiled and pulled him into her arms.
"Right, but for now focus on staying safe and coming home to me," She kissed him and shined that smile he. A knock on the door announced JJ's arrival, Spencer kissed her before letting go and walking to the door.
"Morning JJ," Lennon welcomed, grabbing the coffee and bagel and handing them to her.
"Wow, how are you up right now and making me breakfast man I would have to pry Will out of bed at this hour."
"I am just sending you off with great smile, though I will probably crash after you go but stay safe." JJ nodded and turned to go. Spencer turned around and kissed her one last time before saying goodbye and walking out.
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
They arrived in Florida at around six thirty in the morning, half of the team still half-asleep but they were briefed, the unsub was picking up white males all of whom were killed only two days after their abductions. All killed the same way, they had been stabbed, so far, there was no connection but that was why the team was called.
"Hello, you must be SSA Hotchner, I am Chief Gavin Delesto." The man extended his hand out to the Agent who shook it in return.
"Yes, and this is my team, these are Agents Rossi, Morgan, Jareau, Callahan, and Dr. Reid."
"Pleasure meeting you all I just wish is was under different circumstances."
"Us too," A small pause as they walked into the large conference that the Miami PD had set up for them. "What do we have?"
"Three men all of who had been abducted and turned up in three different parks around the area," The chief lead them board with all the taped up pictures. "So far we haven't found out anything about the three."
"So far we know that they have are all killed in the same way after being held for three days."
"Yeah after three days the killer shoots them in the chest and carves an x in their chest."
"Well then let's get started, JJ and Morgan why don't you two visit the autopsy, Reid and Callahan you go to Rawling family and see if they can give us anything and Rossi an I will go to the dump site." They all dispersed.
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
"Wow, I wish I lived here," Callahan commented as they drove up the Rawlings driveway to beach house; it was like right out of a movie. A beautiful home with large bay windows, a wraparound porch with a swing and a beautiful garden in the front, from the back they could see a walk up the beach.
"So James Rawlings was a socialite, Garcia sent the files to me on the iPod."
"It's an IPad," She corrected.
"What did I say?"
"IPod, are you really not up to the time with the technology?"
"I prefer to see it on paper, I just don't get this," He said holding up the tablet before trying to scroll through the info.
"What else do we have?"
"We have that Rawlings is a socialite, Gregory Gear was a business man and Hanson Slatesmen was a doctor, Garcia says that none of the men have gotten even a mile of each other."
"Well maybe the unsub is trying to get successful types, let's see what Rawling's family says." They slipped out of the car and walked to the front door.
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
Patricia Rawlings sat on her couch in her living room, tears streaming down her face and a tissue held to her nose. She faced the two agents but could not make eye contact, after losing her 23-year-old son she could not seem to bring herself to see the looks on others faces toward her.
"Mrs. Rawlings, did your son tell you anything about feeling like being followed or anyone stalking him?"
"The cops already asked us these questions, with Jimmy's life of course he was followed we all are," James' little sister Gretchen spat angrily.
"We are aware but with the new victims we think that your brother's killer is linked to them too."
"You mean the men from the news, who were shot, oh my god," Patricia's hand flew to her mouth, her hand shook with shock as she remembered what the news had said, "Gruesome," was how they described it. "Does that mean he was tortured," She asked in a shaky tone."
"Two of our agents are at your son's autopsy, we are unsure of the nature of his death as of now," Reid explained.
"Then what do you know then because all I have heard today is that my brother's killer is still out there!"
"We know there are two other victims who match the MO."
"This is all so useless!" Gretchen stormed off causing her mother to cry just a little harder.
"Please forgive her, she and James were so close but she was away for a week and this is what she comes back to," She wiped her nose.
"Mrs. Rawling, I hate to ask this but on the missing person report it is listed that a Frank Wilson was the one who filed it, we understand that is his childhood friend?"
"Yes, they have been friends since second grade," A small weak smile grew on her face but a sob took it away.
"He lives at home correct?
"Yes and I know where you are going with this, I don't see James often, with my work out of town and his social life I didn't think he was missing, he is always with Frank I assumed he was over there." Kate gave a sympathetic nod.
"We are going to work hard to catch your son's killer, if you can think of anything else please call us," Kate handed the woman a card and stood up.
"Thank you and please, catch this monster before he kills someone else's son."