A/N: Just a quick, fun story that is sort of a thank-you gift to Annber03, who is one of the most dedicated reviews I have ever met. She suggested awhile back that I do "...a chapter involving Garcia could be fun to do; maybe she's coming up with ways to help take care of her teammates after a rough case, or planning a fun night to help cheer them up..." I thought that sounded like a good idea (I imagine Garcia does this a lot; she is the light and joy of her team, after all), so here you go, man! It's not too long, but I hope you enjoy regardless!

Also, you may notice that chapter 9, "Ever Hopeful," is no longer there. Fear not, my friends! I entered that story in my school writing contest wHERE IT GOT FIRST PLACE! I'm super proud, but was paranoid that the districts would check for plagiarism when judging for the next round, so I've taken it down momentarily. Once the contest is over, the chapter will be restored with all its original notes. Thanks! :)

Summary: Garcia decides to try and cheer up her teammates after a particularly brutal case, where sometimes, just the company of family can help keep the nightmares at bay.

Warnings: Nothing.

Disclaimer: Do not own CM, do not pass GO... Damn.

Turn Your Frown Upside Down

Garcia slowly turned the salmon-pink banner just a bit to the side, her tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth in concentration. Satisfied that it was straight (or at the very least, decoratively crooked), she turned her fretting to the table, laden with dishes and platters. Finding nothing for her to fuss over – not a single cup was out of place – she settled with wringing her hands and swaying back and forth on her heels. She was nervous, running through a list in her mind, hoping she'd remembered everything necessary.

"Hey, Baby Girl," said a tired voice, "what's-"

Garcia let out a squeal and spun towards the open door, where Morgan had just entered and then proceeded to stop in shock. "Surprise!" she yelped, and threw up her hands as the rest of the team paused in the doorway. The tech goddess hadn't been expecting her team back so soon, but her surprise wore off quickly and she grinned at her team with as much energy as she could summon. It was worth all the effort she'd put in, she thought, when she saw the weary looks melt off of her family's faces at the display she'd put on for them.

"What's this?" asked Reid, an adorable little smile staring to creep across his jet-lagged features.

"It's a celebration!" Garcia said forcefully, motioning them into the room. "Another case done!"

The whole Round Table room was done up in different pastel banners, some hanging from the ceiling and some tied onto the corner of the table. A few balloons floated and bumped along the ceiling, wearing cartoon smiley faces painted on them by hand. On the table was a feast fit for a king; crackers with cheese and meat slices, chips of all flavours, plates piled high with cookies and other baked goods, platters of fresh fruit, a crystal bowl filled to the brim with little sugar candies, and of course, a giant bowl of pink-peach punch to wash it all done (and which may or may not have been spiked by Rossi's secret stash Garcia happened to know about).

"Here," Garcia said, and pushed Emily (her closest victim) down into a chair that seemed to have an extra cushion duct-taped to it. Emily didn't comment though, simply sinking into the comfortable seat and accepting the cookie Garcia shoved at her. The rest of the team sensed that there was no getting out of this particular "Garcia rampage" and gave up immediately, sitting in their own seats and helping themselves to the sugary and salty snack foods available.

Eventually, little conversations began between team members, despite the toll the latest case had taken on them and their resulting exhaustion. Bloody crime scenes faded beneath Garcia's light, soft colours and the cozy atmosphere created. Victim's names were shoved into appropriate boxes as laughter and familiar jokes were retold. Memories that would never disappear were forgotten in the face of mindless fun. And that was exactly what Garcia had been trying to accomplish.

Rossi stood from the table as Morgan grinned cockily at Reid and offered the younger agent his hand, saying something along the lines of, "Come on, Pretty Boy. Scared to lose?" Emily snickered quietly, trying hard not to jostle JJ who had since fallen asleep and was currently drooling on her friend's shoulder. Hotch, rare laugh-lines apparent on his face, watched in amusement as Reid tried to get himself out of the arm-wrestling Morgan kept insisting upon –where Emily's quick, smart-ass comments were not helping his case at all, thank you very much. The oldest of the team just observed, standing next to the slumped form of Garcia leaning against the wall, also just watching.

"Thank you," he said quietly. She smiled, uncharacteristically silent in her own fatigue.

"The case was bad," she explained. "We needed this."

Rossi chuckled. "Yes, I reckon we did." He took a sip of his punch and raised it to her in salute, cocking an eyebrow at Garcia who smacked his arm playfully in response to the sarcastic gesture. Morgan let out a shout as Reid managed to bend the agent's arm almost all the way to the table (Reid wasn't the strongest physically, but he did know physics and how to turn Morgan's strength against him) before he regained control and pushed Reid's arm back, slamming it to the table in triumph. Morgan laughed freely, and boasted at his success, as Reid then launched into an explanation of his tactics and why he'd failed. Hotch sighed in disappointment at the turn of events (he'd bet Morgan that he'd lose; seems he was now fifty bucks short), Emily complained loudly ("Reid, you were so close!"), and JJ jerked awake from all the noise.

"Wha's happenin'?" she slurred, peering at her team in confusion.

"Nothing," said Rossi. He smiled at Garcia, who clapped her hands and hugged her sleepy blonde friend with a giggle. "Just a night spent with family."

A/N: ...and Emily proceeded to challenge Morgan to arm-wrestle, where she won! :D Please Review!