-July 27, 2010: Quantico, Virginia

"Eekk," Garcia muttered as she balanced her tablet and mug of coffee in one hand. She had just come off the elevator and was walking back to her bunker after a small 30-minute break. The technical analyst turned the corner to see two FBI agents and Strauss talking to each other while standing in front of her bunker door.

"Ma 'am?" Garcia called as she briskly walked up to her. Strauss muttered something inaudible to both FBI agents and turned towards Garcia. As both agents walked away, Strauss said, "When was the last time you heard from the team?"

"Only a few hours ago. They were about to raid Michael Colemanshire's workplace when I last spoke to them, ma am."

"I see…" Strauss trailed off. Even though she was not a profiler, Garcia instantly picked up that something was wrong.

"Miss Garcia," the Section Chief said, " I received a call from Bristol police that the team was working with around two hours ago. "

"What's wrong?"

"They arrived to the Colemanshire residence and found the SUVs torn apart and no sign of the team nor Colemanshire. They searched the woods near the home for a few hours and found no trace of them. As of right now, your team is MIA."

Present Day

"Penelope?"

Garcia glanced from her seat and found Agent Douglas staring at her.

"Umm, uh-yes, sir?"

"Did you hear what I just said?"

"Umm, no sir. I—it was a false alarm?"

"Yes," Agent Douglas stepped aside as Strauss re-entered the bunker. " Manchester police just confirmed it- it was a group of homeless people. The detectives that had found them were terribly mistaken."

Strauss said, " Agent Douglas, would you be able to stand outside for a moment?"

"Of course, ma am." The Unit Chief disappeared out the door, leaving Strauss and Garcia alone.

"What I am about to tell you- don't overreact. Ok?"

Garcia stood up with her hands, trembling. "No, they aren't-they can't be-"

"No, your team hasn't been found yet. However, one of the homeless people that were found in the cabin in Manchester had a few unusual items with her. "

"What did she have?"

"She was wearing a business attire black jacket with a small pool of blood on it- the police found it to be a women's size, and a small gold necklace, also stained with blood. The police ran it through the system and they found the blood to match Jennifer Jareau's."

Oh my God! JJ? " And-how much? Was there anything else?"

"Not enough blood for a severe injury, but it appears to be relatively recent. I am sending Agent Douglas down there to interview them and I was wondering if you would accompany him?"

"Of course I would, ma am. May I ask why?"

"I know that Agent Douglas and Agent Anderson from the C squad have been teaching you how to profile to help you find the team. From what I have heard, you're a pretty fast learner. You know this case better than anyone else and I think that you could be a great asset if your team was anywhere near that cabin. But I need to know that you can be rational and unbiased, regardless of what you find in Manchester."

Anything to bring my guys home. "Yes, ma am. I will be clear and focus and-"

"Garcia! I'm sure you will. Because it is also very highly unorthodox and I had to go to the FBI director for this, I am allowing you to act as if you were a probationary agent. If anyone asks, that is what you say you are. I don't want it out to the public that we let a techie out into unknown and possible unsafe territory. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, ma am." Strauss turned back to the door and called, " Agent Douglas!"

He entered quickly and put his hand behind his back.

"You will take Miss Garcia as an aide or if anyone asks, a probationary agent with you, to Manchester. Wheels up in an 1 hour. Good luck." Strauss walked out of the office, which allowed Agent Douglas to say, " Ready?"

"Yes, actually one moment." Garcia briskly walked back to the Wall of Fallen Agents. Excitedly, she whispered at the sight of the 6 photos of her team mates, " I will bring you guys home. I promise."