The End's Not Near, It's Here
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." ~Robert Frost
Lake Charles, LA
There was a serene calm down by the old lake. Ashley and Matt sat on top of the hood of his blue pick-up truck, starring at the stars. Their hands were intertwined as they whispered sweet nothings to each other. She was getting carried away with plans about marriage and kids and a on the lake. While he gazed deeply into her eyes and soaked in her every word. They couldn't count how many times they had done this exact thing, all alone out in Baker's Field. However, tonight was different… it was coming up to their high school graduation, and Matt had a burning desire to ask a certain question to Ashley. Fearful for her response, he busted out a bottle of wine that he had snuck out of his mother's cabinet. Ashley was surprised and giddy to sip on the adult liquid. After two glasses, they began kissing feverishly with young love. The kind of love that everyone remembers and longs to go back to.
Suddenly Ashley had the strange feeling that someone was watching them. She didn't want to seem paranoid and dramatic, but she couldn't really shake this feeling all night.
"Did you hear something?" Ashley asked with a tone of sudden terror.
"I'm sure it's just one of Mr. Baker's cows that got loose or something….or worse, it could be one of the guys trying to scare us" Matt stated the last part in a flat tone. He hadn't told his friends exactly what he was doing tonight; however he had warned that it was special.
Matt jumped down from the bed of the truck, where they had relocated to in order to get more cozy, and began to yell into the dense trees that lined the local legendary field.
"ALEX? JOSH? EVAN?...YA'LL I'M SERIOUS, STOP IT! GO HOME AND FIND A HOBBY OR SOMETHING…" Matt's voice just echoed back at the couple.
"I guess no one is there, babe" matt calmly stated as he went to grab a blanket out of the cab of the truck for the two to snuggle under. Between the stars, the wine, the blanket, and their history of love, matt was almost sure that Ash would say yes to his proposal…he was finally working up the nerve to pull out the ring that he bought on with his little savings…it wasn't much, but in his mind he knew he would replace it in a few years with a really impressive rock.
Matt was lost in his own thoughts and insecurities as he walked around to the back of the truck, "I know you hate this blanket, but it's the only one I could find…" his voice trailed off as he looked up into the bed of the truck. Ashley is gone.
BAU, Quantico, VA
There was the usual hustle and bustle at the BAU, Hotch and Rossi were locked in their respective offices working dilligently…although everyone kind of knew that Rossi was also working on his next novel. The team had an intense suspicion that each of them would be main characters…hopefully he would change their names for privacy purposes.
Emily, Reid, and Morgan were goofing off in the BAU bullpen, the team was in between cases and the three agents were letting off steam by teasing each other about personal lives and office rumors.
"So, Em, I hear you have the hots for the old guy?" Morgan taunted his co-worker.
"Which old guy?" Reid asked, in his normal oblivious state.
Emily, still feeling like the newest member of the team, felt comfortable with Morgan and even with the quirky Dr. Reid. The three of them hanging out in the bullpen happened so often that it just felt natural. Emily viewed Reid as a dorky younger brother who needed protecting, not so much as physically protecting him, but more emotionally shielding him from life's unexpected pain. Emily saw Morgan as more of an older brother or more like one of her old guy friends from high school. For some reason Emily always had better friendships with guys. Guys were easier…not as messy and dramatic as girls usually are. Of course this description did not apply to JJ and Penelope. The three girls had grown very close over the years, and even spent most of their free time together. Emily assumed it was easier for all of them to be with other people who knew the hell they go through with their jobs.
"For your information, I do not have "the hots" for anyone who works in the BAU" Emily stated informatively, she knew that this was just what the three of them did to each other when they had down time. Emily and Reid would tease Morgan about Garcia…and just about every other female agent in the FBI. Morgan and Reid would tease Emily about having it out for either Hotch or Rossi, depending on their moods. And Emily and Morgan persistently pestered Reid about his feelings for JJ.
Luckily for Reid, before the teasing topic went on to his longing for the BAU liaison, JJ walked into the bullpen and alerted the three that they had a meeting in the conference room asap and the case seemed to be brutal. JJ always attempted to brace them for the pictures that they were inevitably going to be exposed to. After alerting the three, JJ walked with a hurried pace towards Hotch and Rossi's respective offices. Hotch was already aware of the case, and the energy and man power that it would entail, but Rossi was a little preoccupied to have already reviewed the case.
JJ casually leaned into Hotch's office; his door was usually open and somewhat welcoming. "The team will be assembled in 5 in the conference room." JJ always tried her hardest to sound professional in front of Hotch and Rossi. She is definitely more casual when talking to Spence, Morgan, Garcia, and Emily.
Hotch responded quickly before JJ had time to run, "Looks like we will be going back to Louisiana, your personal favorite, right JJ?" The witty remark caught JJ off guard, which was extremely unusual.
"...uhh, yes. I guess so, Sir." JJ tried to manage a smile. She knew that Hotch was only attempting to make a joke, which failed. JJ slowly exited the small office, and Hotch knew by the uncomfortable response that he shouldn't have said anything.
JJ only had two more offices to stop by, Rossi and Garcia. Rossi was pretty easy to handle, however recently JJ made a point of being smiley and courteous to the senior agent, because rumor had it that he was writing a new novel about the BAU team.
Rossi gave JJ the usual nod and wave, indicating that he would be at the meeting in five minutes, but currently was wrapped up in his own business and was not to be disturbed.
Lastly, JJ hurried to Garcia's cave of computers. The two ladies chatted for a couple minutes before they both realized that the meeting was seconds away from commencing.