Spencer tried not to let his – disappointment show when he read the name printed on the slip of paper he'd pulled from Garcia's unicorn mug. He wondered if there were such beings as the Fates and if they took a twisted pleasure in tormenting him.

"Who'd you get," Morgan asked, reaching over to snatch the paper from Spencer's grasp.

For once, Spencer out-maneuvered him and thrust the paper into his pocket. "It's supposed to be a secret, Morgan, thus the name – Secret Santa."

"You're no fun," Morgan complained.

"Leave him alone. He's right," Garcia said as she held out the cup to Hotch, who sighed and pulled out the last folded slip of paper.

"Did anyone pick their own name," Garcia asked.

They all shook their heads, and Garcia smiled. "Good, now remember, 20 dollars is the limit.

"Yes, ma'am," Morgan said and wiggled his eyebrows.

"Alright, let's get back to work," Hotch said.

Spencer privately agreed with his boss. He needed a case to get his mind off Morgan's name and the disappointment of not choosing JJ's name. He had no idea what to get Morgan as a Christmas gift.

You can ask Garcia.

He turned his attention to JJ, who had presented the case. He had to admit that he had no idea what to buy girls for Christmas, so it was probably for the best he hadn't chosen her name, either.

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Spencer took the gift bag from JJ when she handed it to him a week later. Everyone had received their gifts, so all eyes were on him.

"Merry Christmas, Spence."

"T-thanks, JJ," he said, his cheeks burning.

The festive red tissue paper crackled as he tugged it out of the bag. He pushed it aside and looked down. Something lay carefully folded inside. He reached in and pulled it out. It was a soft, knitted scarf made from purple yarn. He didn't know if it was handmade, but he liked it. Only one person on the team knew purple to be his favorite color – he looked at JJ, and she was smiling as he fingered the gift.

"This is – great," he said.

"Nice, the kid needs a new scarf," Morgan said.

"It's amazing," Garcia said to JJ. "Where did you find it?"

"At your favorite vintage store."

"Alice's Attic," Garcia squealed. "Can't believe I never saw it. Nice bargain hunting."

"Thanks. It's in great condition."

Spencer stopped listening to everyone talk around him as he touched the soft wool and wondered if his fingers overlapped the same places as JJ's. His cheeks had been cooling, but he felt the blood rush back to his face. He should think of something better to say than a stuttered thanks.

"Alright, everyone back to work." Hotch's voice cut through the conversation. "Everyone, go home when you finish with your reports from our last case. We're off until after the first of the year, so enjoy it."

There were cheers all around, and Spencer sighed with relief when Garcia winked at Morgan and said. "What're you doing for the holidays, Chocolate Thunder?"

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Spencer wrapped the scarf around his neck and put on his coat. It was starting to snow, and he was happy to ride the train home instead of driving.

It was 4 pm, and he'd decided that when he arrived home, he would take a quick walk to the diner down the street from his apartment and get his favorite breakfast for an early dinner. The coffee there was delicious.

He hurried to the elevator and – found JJ there waiting. "Hi," she greeted him. "Ready to go home."

"Yeah, um, it's snowing. Are you - driving."

He cursed the stupid question, but JJ smiled. "Yeah, I'm beating most of the traffic, so I'll be home before it gets bad."

"Oh- well," he began as they entered the elevator car. "Be careful."

"I will."

They rode to the lobby in silence. Spencer said. "Bye, JJ," when the doors to the elevator opened.

"Bye, see you next year."

"Ah, yeah."

He cursed himself as he walked toward the aboveground parking lot's double doors. He wished he'd have the courage to ask JJ out for a ride, go to coffee, or anything.

A gust of wind blew past him, and he shivered as he adjusted his new scarf. He detected the faint smell of something familiar.

JJ's perfume.

He realized the scent infused into the wool of the scarf. It wasn't strong, but it was there. He breathed it in like ambrosia despite standing in the middle of the parking lot. When a car passed him after honking its horn, he twitched, shivered, and hurried to the train station.

He couldn't have JJ with him over the holidays but had the scarf she'd touched. Perhaps it was childish, but he'd take it for now.