A/N: Howdy my peeps! I'm back in business on my new laptop with MS Word installed on it. It's still a learning process. But I'm making progress. I hope.
I promised you a Matt story. A Matt story you get.
All rights to the Criminal Minds characters are the rights of Mark Gordon Studios, CBS and ABC Studios.
*Knightly bow*
Chapter 1
Justin Martin got the off the school bus with his best friend Charlie Thompson in their quiet neighborhood in the Memphis suburb of Collierville Tuesday afternoon. They walked up the block, laughing and horsing around as only nine-year-old boys could do. They got to Charlie's house. "See ya later," Justin said as Charlie walked up the sidewalk to his home.
"I can't wait for gaming night later," Charlie said, waving at his friend, unlocking the door to his family home.
Justin continued walking up the sidewalk that lined the street towards his home. He noticed an older model Ford idling along the curb. He had seen it in the neighborhood the past couple of days and but didn't think much of it.
Nearing his home, a man got out of the car and approached him. "Hi Timmy," the man smiled.
Justin shook his head. "I'm not Timmy; sorry sir."
The man threw a coat over Justin, grabbing him up. "It's time to take you home son," the man said, knocking Justin over the head and shoving him onto the floor in the back seat of his vehicle.
-00CM00-
Aaron Hotchner was sitting at his desk in his office. Mateo Cruz was in the chair at the right side of Aaron's desk, facing Hotch. David Rossi was in the other chair. Matt Taylor was leaning on Hotch's credenza along the windows. They were in a conference call on speakerphone with Associate Director Tyson about upcoming budgets cuts.
"The jet has to go," Tyson said.
Rossi rolled his eyes at Matt as Aaron growled, "With all due respect sir, more than half the wins this team has brought home are due to us having that jet to get us to cases quicker than flying commercial."
"Not to mention the cost of flying the team commercial," Cruz added. "How does that play out with the budget numbers?"
"The size of the BAU team is also being considered Chief Cruz."
Dave shot at a glance at Matt, seeing his Irish temper stewing more. But to Matt's credit, he kept his mouth shut. Dave immediately knew why. Matt's temper would just make the conversation more volatile.
While Cruz and Hotch defended every member of the team and the skills they brought to the table, Agent Anderson's phone rang at his desk.
He picked up the phone. "Anderson."
"Bee, it's Garci. I know the honchos are in the boss man's office. But the team needs to head out pronto. There's a child abduction in a Memphis suburb. The southeast regional CARD has a field office in Memphis. They're already on it. They are requesting our help. I'm sending what we know to your computer now."
"Got it Garcia," Anderson said. "Give Morgan a head's up. I have the rest," he said, pulling up the file on his computer.
He looked at his assistant sitting at the next desk. "Jesse, get Chuck and Angie going. There's a child abduction in Memphis and then get to the Ready Room."
"On it sir," Ortega said, grabbing his phone.
Reid, JJ, Emily and Tara swung in the seats at their desks in the Bullpen to look at Anderson, over-hearing his conversion with Vertega.
"Anderson," Prentiss said as Brian flew up the steps past Reid's desk to the upper tier of offices for the Three Musketeers. "What's our timeline?" Morgan flew into the bullpen.
"An hour and half," Anderson said, softly knocking on the first window of Hotch's office he approached. Matt turned and saw him. "Big," he mouthed to Matt. Morgan ran back to his office.
Matt waved Anderson into the office. He opened the door without knocking. "I'm sorry sirs. But there's been a child abduction in a Memphis suburb. The regional office of CARD there has been on scene for the last half hour and is requesting the BAU's assistance."
"What's the timeline?" Matt asked, standing up.
"One hour and half sir."
"The jet?" Matt asked.
"Agent Ortega is getting Chuck and Angie rolling as we speak sir."
Dave started to open his mouth. Cruz shook his head at Dave. "Associate Director Tyson," Cruz said, "the BAU is going out to do their job, getting on scene quicker with the jet. Moreover, with the entire BAU team that SAC Hotchner has, he will mobilize this team knowing their strengths. We'll discuss budgets later. This team has a job to do. The first 24 hours in a child abduction are critical. We'll pick this conversation up later sir." Hotch ended the call.
Matt, Dave and Hotch looked at Cruz. "Go - do your job," Cruz said.
Garcia looked at Matt coming out of Hotch's office first. "Case deets will be on you tablets by the time you get on the jet."
"Thanks Garcia," Matt said, heading to his office. "Ortega?" Matt bellowed across the bullpen.
"Chuck and Angie can have the team airborne in a half hour sir. I'm heading to the Ready Room."
"I like that response Ortega," Matt said, rapidly moving into his office, shoving his laptop and tablet into his briefcase. The rest of the team in the bullpen was doing the same. So were Dave and Hotch.
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A/N: CARD is Child Abduction Rapid Deployment.
Jesse Vertega is Brian Anderson's assistant that I've written in a previous story. Surprise me in a review if you remember which one.