Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas.

This is my Christmas Gift for MelloJason, as part of the gift exchange on Chit Chat on Author's Corner. The prompts I was given were: Wizards in Winter (Trans Siberian Orchestra), snow, blizzard, snowed in for Christmas. My pairing is Reid and Morgan.

Thanks goes to those who tried to help me find a real location for this story, however nothing quite fitted the bill, so the location is as far as I can establish imaginary.

. . .

Derek looked down at the last couple of manila files resting on his unusually immaculate desk. His hand hovered as he actually considered whether there was any point taking them home with him. After all 'tis the season to be merry he thought to himself, and the last thing he associated with the folders were merriment. With a slight sigh he slid them into a drawer – there was nothing that couldn't wait to the New Year. After all the whole team was on leave, so Hotch wouldn't miss the odd report here or there, would he?

Lifting his bag and flicking off his desk lamp, Derek headed for the door, a quick round of goodbyes and a festive kiss or two and he was heading home for Christmas.

This year the team was late 'breaking up' for Christmas, as Hotch had convinced them all not to start their leave until Saturday, Christmas Eve. Derek was getting the late Friday night flight to Chicago, so he could maximise the Christmas weekend with his family. There was something so necessary about Christmas with his mom and sisters. Okay, he was the wrong side of forty to be a 'Mommy's Boy'. If he could find the woman to challenge his mom's cooking then he would be a happy man, but right now being spoilt rotten by the three most important women in his life was as good as it got.

Stepping into the bullpen, Derek headed toward some of the team who seemed to be gathered by Reid's desk.

Pulling a sprig of mistletoe from his bag, he saddled up behind Prentiss. "Anyone for a Christmas kiss before I'm out of here until the New Year?"

Emily wrinkled her nose. "You have got to be kidding?"

"Come on Princess, you know this is a once in a lifetime offer."

Reid looked up at his older friend. "Uh, no, you offer the same invite every year."

"Reid, you're not helping my mojo, man."

"What you think we're stupid enough not to remember the same cheesy offer each year ourselves?" Emily asked.

"Trust me, if you accepted the offer I would guarantee you would remember it without the help of an eidetic memory."

Emily and JJ rolled their eyes at each other.

"Hey, your luck may have changed, Stud," JJ added, nodding her head in the direction of an approaching flurry of festive colour, "Sure Mama has a kiss for her Hot Stuff."

As Penelope bustled in their direction, the team became aware of the solemn look on her usually cheerful face.

"You look like you are in need of some Christmas Cheer," Derek smiled.

"Hold you horses, my Chocolate Muffin; I am most definitely not the Christmas Fairy this year. Right now I am totally channelling an unwanted Scrooge vibe."

In sequence their faces dropped as they realised the meaning of her words.

"Whoa Girl, no, no this is not happening. I have a flight booked in a matter of hours and . . . it's the holidays," Derek moaned.

"I don't think serial killers pay attention to usual conventions such as holidays."

"Gee, thank you, Genius," Derek said as he trudged behind the others to the conference room.

. . .

Sitting around the large table the whole team looked equally mortified by the turn of events. Hotch hated having to cancel their leave but he had no choice, they were the only team still in the building. The case that had just landed on his desk could not be ignored for another hour let alone a week. Christmas or not, it was wheels up in thirty.

Turning from them to face the screen, he began the briefest of briefings. On the screen were the images of the remains of three cabins. The team focused their attention on burnt out pictures. Maybe they would get lucky and find the UnSub and return before Christmas Day. Then again maybe Hell would freeze over in the next forty-eight hours.

"As you can see we have an arson based cased to investigate," Hotch interrupted their thoughts. "Each of the locations are holiday homes used by families from the nearby town of Sweeney. All are log built constructions; even with modern safety features these building are highly flammable. The cabins are situated within a dense evergreen forest on the outskirts of Lake Logan. Each individual clearing is linked to the next by a series of driveways and footpaths. Though there is no permanent residence, there is a strong community feel, especially at holiday periods."

"From the fact that you have stopped all of us from leaving the building, I assume that the cabins weren't vacant at the time."

Hotch glanced at Rossi, not needing to answer the question directly.

"Each cabin was occupied by the family that owned the building. Most of the cabins in the area are in occupancy at the moment, though they are spread over a considerable distance. We have asked the local police to try and encourage a return to home for the holiday season, so far it has been a mixed response. It seems there is quite a local tradition, log fire, pine cones, you get the idyllic picture."

"Just need the snow," Prentiss muttered.

"Actually it is unlikely, though not unheard of. The area does have micro-climate of its own . . ." Reid let his voice trail of as he realised that no-one was currently interested in what he had to say.

"I have loaded up all the information you need, plus hard copies for those who so desire," Pen said flatly. "May God send His angels with you as I pray for a speedy return."

"Amen Mama," Morgan retorted, as the team made their way to the plane.

. . .

Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.

Calvin Coolidge