I blame tellygirl for this plot bunny. It was just too damn funny not to expand upon...
Standard disclaimers apply.
"I get it, you know. I'm not all that slow."
"Reid, what on earth are you talking about?" Emily asked as she grabbed her coat and checked her standard-issue Glock. The team was heading out to the rock quarry where the unsub had been spotted, and Reid had been told to stay behind and coordinate things with Agent Todd from the station.
"Why I'm the one who always has to stay behind."
Now Emily looked up. "Reid, you do not always have to stay behind."
"When's the last time I got to go out when we were close to catching our unsub?" he challenged. "Hmm?"
"Ah…Vegas."
"I came late."
"Lucky thing, too. There's a five year old who's indebted to you for that."
"Doesn't count."
"Fine. Ohio."
"Yep. Every time there's trouble, I get told to stay behind or get sent off to do the research. And I think I know why."
Hotch was nearby, still going over some things with the local police commander on how to approach the quarry. "Okay, you got me," Emily said. "Why do you get left behind?"
"Used to be I thought it was everyone's unconscious way of protecting me. You know, 'Reid's always the target for things, so take him out of the equation and he doesn't get hurt' kind of thing."
"Okay…"
"But that's not it."
"It's not?" Now Emily was confused.
"Nope. I finally figured out why I always have to stay behind."
"Because you're the only one who knows how to do those geographic profile map-things?"
"Nope. It's because you're all cowards."
Emily's eyes grew to the size of saucers. "Cowards?" she asked, her voice rising at least an octave.
"Yeah. You're all afraid I'll miss the target and shoot one of you by accident. I know about the betting pool that takes place twice a year back at the office."
"There's no…"
"Every time I qualify. You won it last time, I think."
Emily's face was working hard not to tell the truth, but finally she just couldn't keep it straight anymore. "Yeah. Paid for my new DVR, too."
"I'm just saying, it would be nice to get out once in awhile." Reid's head tipped a little as his eyes followed the sight of their colleagues heading toward the door. "Better hurry—and be careful."
Emily smiled once in reply, then headed out of the station. Damned if he doesn't have us figured out, she thought. Now I lost on that bet…