Twenty-two minutes later, a flat black Charger rolls, rumbling, up to the small federal jet; SSA Hotchner is waiting impatiently at the bottom of the gangway.
"What nonsense is this?" Rossi's voice drips down to him from the hatch.
Hotch sighs heavily and the passenger door of the beastly car swings open.
Dr. Spencer Reid climbs out to meet his superior, a faint tinkling marking his movements.
Hotchner quickly masters the smile building on his cheeks as he strides forward to meet his youngest team member.
"Reid," Hotch says, extending a hand, a small smirk pulling at his lips.
The young doctor blushes as he accepts the hand shake, a circle of small bells sliding down his bony wrist and jingling prettily. Aaron gestures to the plane with a nod, a devilish grin taking over his dour features now that no one can see it.
"Cutting it close, Dr. Barghest," he calls to the driver of the car, leaning over the edge of the door.
"Always, Agent Hotchner," she replies, painted lips quirking into an odd smile.
He pushes the door closed and pulls himself up the gangway to his waiting team.
"Are you wearing bells, Spence?" J.J. asks as the doctor settles into his seat amidst muffled chiming.
"Yes," he says simply, pulling a briefing packet from a pile of papers and turning his attention to it.
"Why?" the liaison asks, bewildered, reaching for her packet.
"It's..," Reid begins to answer.
"Part of an agreement," Hotchner interrupts, sliding into the seat next to J.J. He puts his hand, palm up, out on the table and winks slyly at his young doctor.
Spencer huffs quietly and lifts his hands to his neck drawing a thin chain of bells from his collar. He deftly unfastens the clasp and carefully drops the necklace in his superior's waiting hand; J.J. looks on amazed. Hotch's fingers make a grabbing motion, encouraging the young agent to continue.
Reid sighs, pushing up his sleeves, revealing matching circles of bells jangling about his slim wrists.
"What!" J.J. exclaims as Spencer removes the bracelets, adding them to the necklace.
The doctor folds his hands on the table, waiting; again Hotchner's fingers waggle. Reid gapes at the older man; Hotch gestures a second time, amusement twinkling in his eyes. Spencer's shoulders slump like a defeated teenager and he draws a leg up, lifting the cuff of his pants to show a fourth chain of bells, this, too, is placed in Aaron's hand.
The SSA opens his mouth to speak but Spencer stops him with a pleading look. J.J. snorts and covers her mouth quickly, watching the last of the scene unfold.
The triple Ph.D. slowly lowers his leg and raises the other, a lopsided grin taking over his face as he pulls up the pant cuff and removes yet another string of small chimes to add to the pile.
Hotchner quirks an eyebrow in silent question, "That's all of them," Reid says finally, half-embarrassed giggles running through his words, "I swear."
"She's always so literal..," Aaron smirks, dumping the bells into a coat pocket and clearing his throat.
"Who's always so literal?" Agent Prentiss asks, joining the team for the briefing.
Spencer coughs and shifts uncomfortably, Hotch fixing him with a knowing stare.
"Dr. Nemain Barghest," Hotchner answers not volunteering anything.
"That's one helluva name," Rossi pipes, "Now, down to business."