So I don't often write stories featuring the girls too often...still, I can so see this happening!
If you like, please, read and review!
Disclaimer: Criminal Minds is not mine. However, I like peppermint hot chocolate.
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"We're never going to find him."
"Hey, we just solved that case, now didn't we?"
Prentiss shook her head. "Two key words: Starbucks and books."
"Good point."
The place was sprawling; books and other printed material were available for as far as the eye can see.
"Last time I promise him we'll stop in after taking him to get something new for his apartment."
"JJ, when was the last time he bought anything for his apartment?"
The blonde woman's face frowned in thought as her eyes gazed over a shelving unit of discount materials. "Um…you did see the couch, right?"
Prentiss laughed. "Yeah, goes great with the mismatched dishes and that 'floor rug'…"
Now JJ was giggling. "You mean the sheet plastic with a little green yarn attached to it?"
"That's the one."
Both women scanned the store again, treating their personal mission like a search-and-rescue operation. They had to find him.
"You know Morgan's going to have a field day with this if he finds out."
"Yeah—I can already hear it," Prentiss agreed. "Didn't I tell you you'd never get him out of there?"
It had been over ninety minutes since the women had caught even a passing glimpse of their friend. The search for him was hampered a bit by the several large bags they had with them, full of dishware and floor material.
Finally, JJ stopped in the middle of the store. "This is ridiculous," she said, pulling out her best investigative tool—her cell phone.
"Calling Garcia?"
"No, but that next on the list—remember, we don't want Morgan to find out," she said simply as she pressed and held the number five button.
After six rings, a voice crackled over the speaker.
"Where are you?" JJ asked, mock patience coating her voice.
There was a brief exchange, and then Prentiss heard an audible click come from the tiny instrument in her friend and colleague's hand.
"Well, that's the last place I'd have looked for him…"
"Let me guess..." Prentiss began. "Classics? Gardening? The how-to section?"
"Graphic novels," she said finally.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Huh. Who'd have thought?"
"Seems like he picked something up that time we were in California."
"Yeah."
Just then their friend strolled over towards the pair, holding a stack of books as tall as they were. "Hey, this place is great," he said, a giant smile on his face. "Look, there's coffee—perfect, I can set these down for a minute…um, do you guys have to go out to the car?" he said, spying their parcels from the earlier shopping.
Both women looked at each other. Then they looked at their young friend. Then they laughed.
"Sure. Why not," JJ replied.
"I could go for a peppermint cocoa right now," echoed Prentiss as she started towards the door.