Title: All I Want For Christmas

Authoress: Beautiful-Crying-Angel

Category: Criminal Minds

Summary: It is Christmas Eve day, and Morgan and Garcia stop at a café. Everything goes downhill when a crazed gunman barges in. Morgan/Garcia pairing.

Genre: Holiday/Romance/ Drama

Rating: T just to be safe

Warnings: Foul Language, possible OOCness, mild violence, Amateur writing, and possible AU.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything appearing in Criminal Minds.

The snow was falling lightly, as agents Derek Morgan and Penelope Garcia emerged from the large building that was the Behavior Analysis Unit. It had to be about two-thirty, on the lovely afternoon that was December 24th. Garcia was peppier than usual, which is hard to imagine, as she led the other agent to her beloved convertible.

There was a saying that crime never rest, including on holidays, but today seemed to be different. There was no paperwork-miraculously, and no new cases had seemed to have found their way into JJ's hands. The only thing everyone was concentrated on was the annual office party to take place later that night.

"Morgan," Garcia said in her sing-song voice as they approached her car, "I'd like you to meet Esther!"

"Esther?" Morgan asked playfully, giving her a teasing smile as he climbed in next to her. Their hands accidentally touching as he buckled his seat belt. The perky haired blond blushed, pulling her hand back slightly. Morgan flashed a charming smile in her direction. JJ had told him about how Garcia had cried during the case they entitled Lessons Learned, and how she had practically screamed into the phone for him to pick up.

He had not even realized she was crying that day, and now sitting in her car, he wanted to reach over and grab her in a giant hug. Hold her close to his chest. Tell her what had always been uppermost in his mind. To tell her that he…

"An all wonderful goddess needs an amazing car," she smiled back, breaking Morgan from his train of thought. Backing up carefully, Garcia maneuvered Esther out of the parking lot carefully, taking precaution not to scratch the paint.

They drove in silence for a time, the only sounds were the purr of the engine and the jolly Christmas carols that floated from the radio. As "I'll be Home for Christmas" began to fill the car, Garcia found herself singing along, her voice bright. Morgan smiled again, a gesture of his happiness, and applauded when the song had ended. He had to admit, Penelope Garcia had a pretty voice.

"Do you want to stop and get a bite to eat?" she asked, the pink of her face mixing with the festive red ribbons she had tied in her hair.

"With a divine queen of wisdom like yourself, I would be more than honored." Garcia's face burned now, which surprised her. The two had always sweet talked one another, never once causing such a rising of emotion, but today something was different. There seemed to be a certain magic this time of year.

Morgan could not take his eyes off Garcia as she pulled up next to a tiny diner. As they stepped out into the fine powdered snow, she suddenly felt very proud that she had accomplished putting on the convertible's hard top. Nothing was going to mess with her beloved baby. Baby…the word lingered on her lips. Glancing over at Morgan her stomach filled with a soft heat. He looked so handsome standing there, his smile affectionate and the light in his eyes dancing.

"C'mon Pen," Morgan said extending his arm, "I'm paying." Garcia slipped her arm around his, fighting the urge to kiss him, right then and there. How often she had pictured doing so! She could see it all…the loving sensation that would transfer between them, the warm touch of their bodies, and the delicate softness of lips on lips. Sighing, Garcia leaned her blond head on his strong shoulder.

A tiny bell chimed as they walked through the door, a heavenly smell of baked goods and coffee awaiting them.

"Still planning on buying?" Garcia asked playfully, giving him an I-could-pig-out-on-cookies-and-hot-chocolate-all-day type of look. Morgan laughed gaily at her cheerful face, a sense of joy taking over his body.

"They may not pay us enough for the work we do," he replied cheerfully, directing her to a table, "but I sure as hell have money to take out my lovely lady friend."

"You know it, Hun." Garcia could not hide her surprise as Morgan pulled out her chair when they neared the table; he even bowed ever-so slightly. She sat down gracefully, running her hand gently down his athletic arm as he walked past.

Stopping as he reached the counter, a woman, no older than twenty-eight, her dark red hair falling around her shoulders emerged from her magazine to take his order.

"Can I help ya suga'?" she asked, placing her elbows on the counter, leaning in and batting long eyelashes. Morgan had to admit she was pretty, but after stealing a glance at Garcia he immediately turned off his "ladies man" instincts. Garcia was special to him, there was not doubt in his mind about that, and he was not about to blow that with some random waitress. I care about her too much, he thought, patting his jacket pocket.

"Can I get two hot chocolates, please miss?" The red head sighed –heavily. She knew she had no chance hooking this guy.

While the waitress, whose nametag read Darla, scurried off to place their order Morgan did a quick sweep of the tiny diner with his eyes. Five other people were seated in the tiny building. A dark haired young man sat at the counter, his eyes fixed on the book before him. Morgan laughed silently, the action of the man reminding him of Reid.

The remaining four bodies belonged to a family, who were settled in a table by the door. Morgan scanned them quickly, his profiling mind working swiftly. They were a married couple, between the ages of thirty and thirty-five, with their two young boys. The man had a kind, handsome face with golden hair that encircled it. His wife was a pretty woman, with brown hair tied in a pony tail; she had a soft face and delicate eyes. Their boys were around the same age, seven or eight Morgan guessed. One of the boys had a head full of fair blond locks, while his brother had shaggy brunette hair.

Morgan smiled to himself; they were tinier versions of their parents. Fraternal twins, he guessed, proud that with his experience in the BAU his knowledge of profiling had grown. With Reid around it was hard not to learn something new each day. Morgan knew better though, Spencer Reid was like a little brother to him. The little brother he had never had…

"Here ya go," Darla said impatiently, shoving the mugs in his face. Morgan had been daydreaming for about five minutes and it was driving her insane. She had better things to do! He paid quickly, hurrying back to his place across from the charming blond.

Garcia took the steaming mug from him thankfully, sipping slowly at the chocolate goodness. "They look like a cute family," he said trying to make conversation.

"They are," came her reply. He knew what she was thinking. Garcia loved kids, and he knew she wanted them someday. He had even guessed that she might want them with him.

After their most recent case, the one he was not up to talking about, Garcia had pulled him into her cramped office hugging him tightly in her arms. Morgan had not wanted her to know, had not wanted to worry her, but now with things in the open it seemed easier. She talked him through it, telling him she did not think of him any less. He had listened, refusing to break from the embrace until Hotch had knocked on the door.

"I have seen that family here before, they are sweet people. They have been married for twelve years…" She locked eyes with Morgan, feeling herself fall into their peacefulness. There was something beautiful about them...the way they looked at her, with love and affection.

Maybe it had been the Christmas decorations and the coziness of the diner. Maybe it had been the joyous sounds of music mixing with the laughter from the nearby table. Or maybe, just maybe, it had been the way Garcia's soul connected with him at that moment. Whatever it had been it filled Morgan's entire body, giving him a new found strength.

He took her soft hand in his own, running his thumb over it gently. He leaned in –slowly, his co-worker doing the same. Closer and closer they drew, their lips so close that his breath tickled her nose.

The diner's bell chimed suddenly, as a figure bustled in quickly. Morgan pulled back, something did not feel right! There was something wrong, he just knew it. Garcia turned around angrily; silently demanding to see what had caused her much disappointed him. What she saw, however, was anything but what she had expected.

The new arrival stood stiffly by the door, raising a gun in the air. He shot into the ceiling twice, getting both attention and stopping the laughter. Morgan's hand was already on his gun when he noticed that the blond boy from the nearby table was missing.

"I want everyone to stay where they are," the voice was gruff, like sneering red eyes in the dark. Darla cowered behind the counter, and the young man pulled himself closer to his open book. He shook slightly, obviously fearful. It's not like this happens to most people! The husband reached out for his wife, but she stood her ground, pulling her son's chair over and wrapping her arms around him.

"I want the money," the voice continued stepping towards the counter. Darla let out a small whimper, drawing the register's key from her apron pocket. Morgan started to stand, withdrawing his gun, when the missing little boy emerged from the bathroom oblivious to the situation around him.

"Andrew!" the woman cried, jumping from her seat. The man reached the child first; grabbing Andrew by the arm he pushed the tiny body against his own huge chest, moving his free arm around the little boy's neck.

"Put the gun down!" Morgan demanded, the words leaving his mouth before he could stop him. The man looked at him, slowly, a sickening look of play in his eyes. He tightened his grasp on Andrew, a small cry emerging from his mother as the boy let out a tiny whimper.

"I think," the man snickered, his voice like nails on a chalk board, "that you should take your own advice." He pressed the barrel of his gun against the boy's temple, and Andrew stiffened, a tear trailing down his cheek.

Andrew's mother looked at Morgan, locking eyes with his. Her lips quivered in an unearthed prayer, her eyes tear filled and pleading. The agent felt his heart breaking. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. The boy was so young... And suddenly he thought of Reid, the youngest BAU agent. He was like a brother to him, but Morgan knew Gideon and Hotch thought of him as a son.

"Okay," he said, lowering his gun to the floor and kicking to the man, "you are in control." A sick smile crossed the man's face as he turned back to Darla; it was obvious that this bastard was enjoying this. She fumbled terribly, her hands shaking horribly. A million questions were running through Morgan's mind, one of which being, why the hell had this guy attacked such a tiny diner?

Think fast, he thought urgently, knowing that the man would leave at any moment and quite possibly take the kid with him. Garcia thought the same thing, her forehead wrinkling with worry. He was only seven; surely the man would not involve a child. Would he? She felt sick to her stomach, here was a nice family, who had invited her to join them on several occasions, and their son was being held hostage. On the day before Christmas too!

"Do you know them?" Morgan whispered to her, a plan forming in the front of his mind.

"Yeah, they're the Carr family. The father, Shawn Carr, is a lawyer and his wife Monica is a free lance novelist. Those are their twins, Andrew and Jason (1)." If the situation had been different Morgan would have been proud that his hypothesis concerning the boys had been correct, but now was not the time!

"Well my friends, I must bid you good-bye," the man said after he had a bag in his hand. "Once I'm out the door I want you to start counting. I want you to count to one hundred to be exact. Then, and only then, may you call the police." Morgan watched the man closely; he made no move to loosen his grasp on the boy.

"What about my brother?" a small voice asked. The brown haired boy huddled against his mother, but his eyes burned with the anger of a thousand suns.

"He," the man said, "is coming with me." A chocked sob escaped Monica's lips, and she could no longer hold back the tears. Shawn was about to stand when his wife grabbed his arm, pulling him back. If Morgan was going to do something it was either now or never.

While the man was turned towards the family Morgan lunged at him, pushing him to the ground. Then there everything was a blur as Shawn scrambled for the fallen boy, and Garcia reached for Morgan's gun.

She had almost leveled it when there was a gun shot, the sound ringing like thunder in her ears. Her eyes watered as the gun man fled, pushing the body of Special Agent Derek Morgan off him.

A/N:

What do you think? No, my fic is not over, there will be one more chapter. I just don't want to continue until I get some reviews :) The ending did not work out as well as I had hoped. Tell me what you think…pretty please?

Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

Love,

B.C.A

(1): I love the names Jason and Andrew for twin boys, and when I was writing this I forgot Gideon's first name…just hoping that did not bother anybody.