A/N: Thanks to all who continue to read and take the time to review during this busy season.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but if there is a Santa Claus….

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"What's up Reid," Hotch asked.

"Give me a minute," he went towards the back room where his clothes were. "I can't be serious in this get up," he indicated his costume.

"What's that about," JJ wondered, looking at the retreating form. Hotch shrugged his shoulders.

Reid reappeared a few minutes later. "What do you need to see me about Reid," Hotch inquired as soon as the young profiler joined the others in the kitchen. Dot and Gloria were also there slicing and buttering buns.

"Hotch, these people, we have to do something. That woman," he pointed towards the main room, "And those two little kids are living in her old car because she can't escape an abusive ex-husband. Every time she sets herself up anywhere he finds her. She thinks if she doesn't live below the radar, he'll eventually find her and kill her. They go into stores during the day to wash up in the bathrooms. Hotch you must know somebody who can help them relocate, maybe change their name or something."

"Reid, I don't-"Hotch began but Reid broke in.

"Listen, you guys got me into this. I had to listen to those kids tell me about their dismal lives, so now we have to deal with the consequences. You can't expect me to forget what I heard and not try to do something about it. That's not who I am. That's not who we are. Is it?"

"You're right Reid; of course we have to help if we can." Hotch was impressed with his youngest member taking a stance like this. "I'll make some calls. We'll work something out for this woman and her children.

"Good, I've got a call of my own to make," he said, taking his cell phone out and dialing. Someone answered on the other end. "Hi Sarah, Spencer Reid calling, I'm sorry to bother you on Christmas day but you said if I ever needed anything to call." The person on the other end responded. "How's Nathan doing anyway," the team heard him ask. "Yeah, well Dr. Kozak is the best in his field."

"Okay, Sarah, what I need is help for a woman in Missoula, Montana who has breast cancer and very little health insurance. Her six and four year old are watching their mother deteriorate before their eyes when we both know the survival rate for breast cancer has improved significantly." He listened to Dr. Harris. "Well, don't you guys do like pro bono stuff or is there some organization that can help her?"

"Would you speak to them, please, I really need to help these people." Reid said and listened as Sarah Harris responded and then he replied, "Thank you, thank you sooo much Sarah." Reid ended the call and threw his hands triumphantly in the air, "Yes," he exclaimed!

"What, Reid, what," Garcia asked.

"Sarah Harris is going to talk to someone she knows on the senate committee on health care. With the election coming up, it might be in this person's best interest to help. It's such a big issue. If he doesn't, Sarah says she'll bring the woman to Washington and do the surgery herself and get her chemotherapy or radiation, which ever is most appropriate, as a favor to me." Reid's face lit up and the team and the two women were treated to his radiant smile. "I have to go talk to them."

The team watched as Reid went over to Missy and Connor's father and asked to speak to him. They moved to a corner and the team could see the expression on the man's face move from disbelief to relief to gratitude. The team along with Dot and Gloria could see the tears come into the man's eyes. So did his children who quickly ran over to see if their father was alright. He assured them he was fine and then he grabbed Spencer's hand, pumping it vigorously.

Reid moved over to where Paula and Brandon were with their mother. He asked to speak to her. Her face became a picture of incredulity. Tears came to her eyes and she reached for Reid and he hugged her awkwardly. He told her he had to get back to the kitchen and left her with her children. "Who is that man mommy," Brandon asked.

"Just a nice man, honey," she said to her little boy but in her heart she now wondered if there really was a Santa Claus.

"Reid shouldn't have said anything to that woman. What if I can't make something happen? I don't want to get her hopes up for nothing," Hotch said to the others in the kitchen.

"Reid's right Aaron," Rossi said, "Everyone was so gung ho to send him out there to do this thing knowing the sensitive type of person he is. He's right; we have to accept the consequences."

"Yeah, well I just hope I can do this," Hotch replied.

"Don't worry, Hotch, I have faith in you," Reid stood in the doorway.

He then went to help the two women who were removing the wonderfully golden brown turkeys from the oven. The heavenly smell filled the room as the team went to work, filling containers with stuffing, vegetables, and sweet potatoes. Dot and Gloria made delicious looking gravy. Hotch and Rossi were busy carving the birds. The team and the women worked like a well oiled machine until they had the meal out and the guests were asked to line up and be served.

Serving the assembled group, the culmination of all the preparation was a delight to the team and the two ladies. To see the homeless and needy sit down to a good meal in warmth and camaraderie made everyone feel good inside.

Once they all had their meals, Dot spoke up. "Before you enjoy this meal, I would like to offer a little prayer of thanks." Everyone bowed their heads and Dot began. "Lord, thank you for the company here today and for getting them all here safely. Thank you for the food gracing our table. Thank you also for the good people who came from Washington to help our community by saving four of its children and then gave up their Christmas day for us. Lastly, thank you Lord for your son, Jesus, whose birth we celebrate here today. Amen"

The assembled group all said, "Amen," and then began to attack the best meal they had had in a long time. Dot and the team meandered about the room, putting bowls of potatoes and vegetables or baskets of buns on the tables. They poured coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

While the guests relaxed after the meal, the team and the ladies sat down at a table near the front of the room to eat their meals. From somewhere near the back of the large room came a woman's voice singing an off key rendition of Silent Night. Soon other voices joined in and the whole room was filled with the beloved carol. One by one they stood and came to stand before the group eating their Christmas dinner. They were being serenaded by a homeless choir. Their choir robes were worn and tattered clothes. Their complexions were, for most, ruddy and weathered however their eyes twinkled and their smiles were genuine. Some voices were hoarse and raspy, some weak from age, poor nutrition and illness and still others were just tone deaf, but they all sang with heart and joy. They had nothing so they gave the only gift they could. To the nine people at the table it was the sweetest music they'd ever heard.

After the meal Dot and the team mingled with the guests. Morgan flirted with some of the homeless ladies, treating them to his special charm that had them smiling and laughing. Rossi was shooting the breeze with some old codgers while JJ was sitting with Scott Warren and his children offering comfort and understanding in her own quiet way. Garcia and another group were swapping jokes. Emily was having a game of checkers with a gregarious old lady, affectionately known it the neighborhood as fifth street Phyllis. Hotch was talking quietly to Tara Croft, getting particulars about her situation, that he would need if he was going to help her. Reid, who had entertained the children with some magic and card tricks was now embroiled in an intense game of poker. He had canvassed the team for donations so his opponents would have betting money. Reid appeared to be losing badly.

Morgan walked by Rossi, saying, "How come he never loses like that when he's playing us?"

Rossi looked at Morgan and smirked, "Yeah, a funny thing about Reid's luck today. First he loses the coin toss and now he's losing his shirt." Rossi and Morgan watched as Reid whizzed by coming from the back room after having removed his shirt from underneath his pullover. Rossi and Morgan looked at each other and Rossi added, "Literally losing his shirt!"

"I guess you just never know," Morgan said.

"What do you mean by that Morgan," Rossi asked.

"I never thought anybody would want Reid's clothes!"