So hi! Ok, I'm like beyond nervous to post this. This is my first Fanfiction and I'm terribly afraid that I'm not good enough. Anyway, I really hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not, nor have I ever owned Criminal Minds.

The assignment is simple, in theory anyway. Each of us is going to adopt an orphan for a year. Well, Strauss didn't say adopt, but she might as well have. These orphans have been in orphanages and faster homes their whole lives. Anyone who had looked to adopt these children all decided not to within the trial period, all with the same reason. We are each going to choose one child to take care of for a year and try to work out the reason that they haven't been adopted. Like I said; it's simple, in theory.

"There are so many reasons that this is a bad decision." I sighed, shaking my head as Strauss walked out the door.

"As true as that is, Prentiss, we can't avoid this. This goes all the way up to Strauss' boss. Apparently, he thought that, being profilers, we would be best suited for this job." Hotch told us.

"Oh yes, I'm sure we make the perfect little family for six orphans; A genius, a player, Mr. Expressionless, Wonder Mom, an Italian millionaire, and Miss Compartmentalize." Rossi said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"And let's not forget the awesome aunt who will spoil them rotten and then give them back!" Garcia laughed, walking through the door. I just glared at her.

"Aww, come on cupcake, don't give me that. This will be fun!" Garcia smiled.

"Yah, it will be great until we have to give them back. You don't take care of a child for a year and not get attached." Derek put out.

"We don't necessarily have to give them back, do we? I mean Strauss couldn't stop us from adopting a child. Of course, I would have to know the child and have some serious time to think about it." JJ commented.

"What are we supposed to with them while we're on a case?" I asked.

"According to Strauss, we're supposed to take them with us. The whole reason we were given this assignment was to help the children with their issues and find out what type of family they need. We can't exactly do that if we're always gone." Hotch said.

"What! She expects them to come? How will that help anyway? We'll still be working until God-Knows-When. Besides, don't children need a steady routine?" Derek asked.

"That's where I help out. Any munchkins under the age of ten will be chilling with me while you're on cases. The older ones have to go with you though." Garcia said, almost sad.

"Well, we have to leave at eight o'clock, unless there is an emergency, from now on. We also can't have more than two cases per month. As long as the teacher's provide the school work they'll be missing, they shouldn't miss too much. After all, our cases rarely take longer than five days." Hotch added.

"How exactly are we supposed to choose these children?" Reid asked nervously. I feel a little bad for the boy. He's pretty awkward around kids.

"Another thing you're Oracle of Knowledge has helped with G-man! I have prepared each of you a folder, full of potential children that you would work well with. There are twenty or so names in each folder." Garcia smiled, handing us said folders.

"Garcia, we really need to thank you more. You just saved us hours of wading through files." Rossi said appreciably.

"Are we really up for this? I mean, taking care of a kid isn't exactly easy." Derek pointed out. I snorted, which caused a few looks. If there was ever an understatement…

"I guess we kind of have to be." JJ said with a resigned sigh.

"At least we'll get to help some kids out." I try to be positive.

"There is that. Besides, this will probably be good for us." Hotch nodded, although we all know he was trying to ignore the fact that we really expected a sad ending at best.

"Oh, I guess I should let you know that he press is outside the front door. Strauss let it slip about the mission." Garcia told us.

"Fantastic" I muttered in annoyance.

"Guys, what will we tell them?" JJ asked.

"I think we should go with the truth from the start. I mean, kids are pretty intelligent. They'll find out eventually." I said.

"Although I agree with Prentiss, we'll continue this tomorrow. Strauss is letting us use the jet to get the kids. We probably won't be back for at least a week. For now, just go home and look over these files. We'll leave tomorrow afternoon." Hotch dismissed us.

I leave the office with mixed feelings about the whole situation. On one hand, I'm not getting any older and I really do want kids. The issue is that keeping a relationship with this job is hell. Doing this kind of takes out the middle man. On the other hand, I will most likely have to give them up at the end of the year. No kid would want to spend their life with one, constantly gone caregiver. Besides, I doubt I would relate well to an older kid. Then again, you never know. It all depended on the file in my hand.

K, so I know that was uber short, but I promise it will get better. Ok, so I'm thinking of doing something I've never seen. I want to add you guys to this story! I would really like to let you come up with the characters for the children that they adopt. Feel free to base this character off you, a friend, or whoever. If you are interested in this, please message me or put in the review the character's name, age, were they live, and a somewhat detailed description of his/her looks. Tell me anything and everything about your character. Write a history for him or her if you'd like. If this character is based off you, I wouldn't suggest giving me your real last name or history. If you guyz aren't feeling this, then I can make the characters myself. Anyway, this is up to you. Tell me what you want. I'll post every other Wednesday as long as I have internet (it's a pretty iffy thing out here). Reviews are what make me know if you want me to keep going, so please do review.

Luv and hugs

Mel