Note- My muse hasn't been very cooperative lately. I wrote this fic a while back but I wanted to make it longer. Finally I decided that it wasn't going to become longer so I am posting it now. Enjoy. Happy holidays.

Have Yourself a Merry Christmas

Early Thursday Morning

December 23, 2010

Morgan and Garcia

Chapter One

"Don't get snowed in, handsome," she cooed at him, as he stood from the round table and was about to leave the briefing. "You don't wanna miss Christmas, do ya?"

Maybe that's just what he wanted to do. Go to sleep tommorow night and not wake up for a week. It wouldn't bother him much at this point.

Derek Morgan used to love the holidays. As a kid it was his favorite time of year, except for his birthday. Later, when he was in college and then on the police force, he always went to holiday parties and had himself a fantastic time. All he needed back then was loud music, a crowd, some booze and a willing female and he was set for the night.

These days his needs went a little deeper.

For the last five years the holidays had been a time of reflection and depression. He always took off a week from work in December to go see his mother for her birthday and to celebrate an early Christmas with his mom, sisters, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Back when he started at the BAU he looked forward to that trip so much. He had been a mama's boy his whole life. He missed her something fierce since he had moved to Virginia.

That week at home during the holidays use to be the balm his soul needed to refresh it and remind him who he really was.

But even being near his family didn't ease the ache in Morgan anymore when it came to the holidays. He was getting older and every year he found himself, more and more, questioning the path his life had taken.

Last year he decided to push out the darkness and really make an effort to enjoy his life again. He stopped thinking about what he didn't have and started appreciating all he did. And it had worked. He laughed, smiled and felt more content for most of 2010 then he had in a good long while.

But now the holidays were upon him again and he wasn't looking forward to getting through this next week. He had already been up to Chicago earlier in the month. Now he was back and the team was supposed to be off for the holidays but a spree killer was loose in a small town in Vermont. The BAU had to head up there and try to get the case solved quick so Hotch could spend Christmas morning with his son.

As for Derek's plans he was invited to join Reid out in Vegas but he doubted that he would. First of all it, would cost a fortune to get a ticket this late and, secondly, he just wasn't in the mood for Vegas. If they made it home in time he'd probably just spend the day alone.

Derek told Penelope, his voice weary due to stress and the early morning hour, "Lets hope this is a quick one."

Rubbing her arm as he walked by, he headed out of the room. Penelope followed him.

"Uh, um," she said, in the cutest tone, making him turn around.

He arched an eyebrow. "What's up, mama?"

"Reid says that you probably won't join him in Vegas this year."

Derek shrugged.

Penelope went on, her hand raising to caress his arm, "So this is what Garci is thinking, and tell me that it doesn't totally sound uber awesome, you and me, under a tree, roaring fire, spiked eggnog, Christmas cookies...and nothing on?"

Derek laughed. "You sure do have an active fantasy life, woman." He turned to walk away. She walked next to him.

"Seriously, though, I was hoping you didn't have plans for Christmas night because I'm free and we've never spent the holidays together so..."

He stopped and looked at her hopeful face. "Why are you ditching your boyfriend on Christmas?"

"Kevin leaves for Iowa in the morning. Jayje is already down in Louisiana. That leaves little ole me by my lonesome, handsome, unless you let me show you a merry Christmas."

He tapped her nose with his finger. A small smile curved his lips. "You got yourself a deal."

Her face lit up. Derek added "But I don't have a fireplace so if you want to feel toasty warm you're just gonna have to cuddle up to the closest hunk of burning love that you can find." He waggled his head at her as he spoke.

"Oh, what a hardship," she joked.

He chuckled before heading off to grab his go bag, his mood immeasurably improved. Now he hoped, even more than before, that the team could make it back in time for Christmas. Not only did Morgan hate the idea of Hotch missing Christmas morning with his son but Morgan didn't want to miss Christmas night with Garcia either.

(I don't want a lot for Christmas.

There is just one thing I need.

-x-x-

I don't care about the presents

underneath the Christmas tree.

x-x-

I just want you for my own.

More than you could ever know.

Make my wish come true.

-x-x-

Baby, all I want for Christmas is you!) (Mariah Carey)