A/N~ I don't own anything except the idea.
Jack pulled his little coat around him as tight as he could. It was bitterly cold out. He wasn't sure how he'd lost his dad in the crowd, but he couldn't find him anywhere. Jack had insisted on coming to the mall with him to pick out his own gifts for JJ and Henry. Now he wasn't even sure if he would be home for Christmas!
Jack stood in front of the mall doors, searching every face for the face of his father. He'd settle for uncle Dave or aunt Penny right now, too, but he saw no one he recognized. He sat down slowly on the sidewalk, feeling alone and scared. Tears streamed down his little face as he resolved himself to never seeing his father, stepmother, or brother again.
"Are you lost, sweetheart?"
The voice sounded familiar, but he knew it couldn't belong to who he thought it did. He looked up and saw no one. He looked around, trying to find the source of the question. Out of the seemingly tons of people, none seemed to be interested in the little boy standing alone against the wall.
Jack started to wander into the parking lot, when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"No, son. Stop," she said.
Again, Jack turned around and saw no one. He felt colder and sadder. He sat back down and started to cry into his gloved hands. It was Christmas Eve, and he wanted his Daddy!
"Jack, listen to me," the voice sounded again. It sounded positively angelic to his ears. The voice sounded just like his Mommy.
"Mommy?" he asked, looking around.
"Yes, Jack. I'm here to keep you safe," she said, and Jack felt an arm around his shoulder.
"But I can't see you," Jack cried, sure he was imagining the voice. Suddenly, his mother's face appeared. Her body was clothed in white and bathed in light, shining like a beacon to the lost child.
"MOMMY!" Jack cried out, reaching for her. He could feel her arms around him, feel her kiss on his head. "Mommy, you're back."
"No, Jack. I'm not back. I'm just here for now to keep you safe until you find Daddy..Then I have to leave again," Haley explained.
"Do you have to leave again? Why can't you stay, Mommy?"
"I'm always with you, Jack. Always. You may not always see me, but I'll never be far. You have to remember that, Jack. Mommy's with you at all times," she whispered, a tear running down her cheek.
Haley wanted desperately to hold her son forever, to protect him from all harm. She wished this state could be permanent, but knew only the magic of Christmas had made this moment possible.
"Come on, Jack. Let's go find Daddy." She took his hand and led him back into the mall. Once there, they found the security desk. Aaron Hotchner was standing there, a frantic look on his face.
"Daddy! Daddy, I'm here!," Jack cried.
"Oh, Jack, thank God," Aaron said as he swept his son into his arms. "Where did you get off to?"
"I was outside. Mommy found me and brought me back," Jack explained as he turned around to show him. No one was there. His face fell once he realized that she was gone.
"What was that, Jack?"
"Nothing, Daddy. Let's go home to JJ and Henry," Jack said.
Aaron led Jack back through the mall to the car. Jack looked back at the doors as they got into the black SUV. He smiled when he saw Haley, smiling and waving back at him.