In case you haven't guessed, this is the fourth in my Reid/Emma series of stories. Let me know what you think -


"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry" – Robert Burns

Prologue

It was the middle of the night when two jet skis crossed the small lake just outside of Reno, Nevada. When they reached the shore, the passengers got off and, with practiced movements, sank the skis in the lake. Stealthily, they crossed the field in front of them and proceeded onto the tarmac of the small, private airfield. The government jet was sitting there, apparently unattended. After carefully circling the plane, checking to make sure no one was in it, the two men returned to the field where they concealed themselves under some bushes and prepared to wait.

Several hours later, as the sun was rising, two pilots approached the plane. After unlocking the cockpit door, they climbed in and begin their preparations for take off. As they concentrated on the instrument panels, they didn't notice the movement in the field to the right of them. The two masked men quickly approached the plane and swung themselves into the cockpit. They quickly overcame the two pilots, efficiently strangling them with their bare hands. One body they put in the small restroom and locked the door, while the other they stashed in the aft overhead bin. The two intruders then begin carefully going over the instrument panels.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

It was early Friday morning in Reno, Nevada, and Hotch's team was gathering in the lobby of the local police station. They had successfully completed their case the previous evening, and now everyone was anxious to get back to Quantico. As they stood quietly talking with the local officers, Hotch looked around and verified that the entire team was present.

"Okay, everybody is here," Hotch announced. "Let's head out to the airstrip and then back to Quantico. I know you all have things you need to complete before you can enjoy your weekend."

"If you don't mind, Reid and I won't be joining you," Rossi spoke up.

"Oh?" Hotch questioned.

"We are planning on driving to Las Vegas instead," Reid explained. "Without any stops, it's only a 7 hour and 14 minute trip. I want to visit my mom, and Rossi's publisher has arranged a book signing."

"He may not be planning on stopping, but I definitely plan on making at least one stop," Rossi informed the group with a smile.

"Paperwork?" Hotch questioned.

"Completed and submitted on line last night," Reid declared cheerfully. "Garcia helped me and verified that it had arrived."

"Me, too," Rossi smiled at their team leader.

"You will both be taking some vacation time, then?" Hotch verified.

"We'll each be taking a week," Rossi clarified. "The paperwork has already been submitted to Chief Cruz via the internet."

"Okay, there shouldn't be any problem then," Hotch accepted their explanation. "I guess we'll see the two of you in Quantico in a week."

"Enjoy your trip," Blake smiled at the two agents.

"Say 'Hi' to Emma for me," JJ added.

"Enjoy Las Vegas!" Morgan's grin left no doubt of what he thought they had planned.