Chapter 02

Gulfstream G-IV
Tail # N4SP
Eastbound over Lake Michigan
Day #4

Rossi

Three days later they headed back to DC. "I wonder if we're going to hit fog again." JJ said as they neared the coastline.

"It's not uncommon for this time of year." Rossi replied.

Rossi really wasn't paying that much attention. He was trying to finish looking over his book galleys so he could get some hunting in this week-end. He was only vaguely aware of Hotch trying to finish the reports so he could spend more time with Jack over the week-end, and probably a night with Beth if all went well, of JJ snuggling down for a nap, of Reid and Emily in the galley making tea, of Morgan gazing out the window, listening to music. He wasn't aware of much of anything, this being the one truly safe place where they could be not-aware for a while.

Until the bottom dropped out of the world.

Books, papers, cups, anything not tied down went flying as the turbulence hit them hard. The plane bucked in the air, throwing Emily against the bulkhead and Reid to the floor. "Try to belt in!" He yelled at them.

Then the lights flickered.

The air turned frigid. Ice started growing over the inside of the windows.

The plane bucked again.

Emily and Reid were trying to get to their feet.

The plane shook hard.

The lights went out.

They came back.

Emily and Reid were gone.

Emily and Reid were gone.

"What the hell?" He asked.

"What?" Hotch asked. Everyone else's back was to that end of the plane.

"Emily and Reid are gone."

"What?" He craned his head to look.

The plane bucked again and again.

The lights went out.

Came on.

"That's not possible!" Morgan insisted.

"I know." Rossi replied.

Went out.

The plane shook.

Came on.

Emily and Reid were lying there in a heap.

Rossi chuckled. "They must have rolled under the table." Of course, right?

"Buckle in!" Hotch yelled at them.

Went out.

Came on.

The air warmed again. The ice on the windows retreated.

Reid climbed into a seat, physically pulling Emily after him, pushing her into the seat across from him. Reid's hands shook as he buckled in, his eyes wide and staring.

The plane shook.

Then it quieted.

The lights stayed on.

"You two okay?" Hotch asked them

"Yeah, we're fine." Emily said as Reid nodded.

The stars sparkled outside the window.

They had a smooth flight the rest of the way home.