Disclaimer: Criminal Minds is not mine, as well as any pop culture references you may recognize. Petula, Trey, Elaine, and Trish all belong to me!


Day Nine: Trey

I flip the 'closed' sign to 'open' and take a look outside as the sun is just starting to rise on an oh-so-cheerful Tuesday morning.

Tuesdays. How hellacious. They may be even worse than Mondays.

Looking outside, I search for Emily's car, even though I know she won't be coming in today.

OOO

Despite going back to work late Saturday night, Emily was our first customer Sunday morning, sweaty and in work out clothes. "It's my reward for being good at the gym," she explained with a smile as she sniffed the latte in her hand. It amazed me that she could drink the same drink, day after day, and never get tired of it.

She was the second customer on Monday morning, beaten only by a harried teacher with a purse in one hand and a tote bag full of graded papers in the other. As she waited for her drink- brewed for the first time by me!- Petula had asked Emily if Aaron was coming in as well, but Emily shook her head no.

"Jack was sick over the weekend, so he's taking the day to make sure he's well enough to go home to his mom's tomorrow. But I'm sure he can't complain. Hotch never seems to get enough time to just be with his son," Emily replied.

The two chatted a while longer, and Emily tossed a dollar in the tip cup. "Have a good trip!" Petula said cheerfully as Emily left. "Be safe!"

"Another job?" I asked.

Petula nodded. "She didn't say where. Must be a covert op." She laughed, her words just a joke. I should have been wondering why she was going without Aaron and the rest of her team, but my mind suddenly began creating dozens of undercover scenarios that Emily could have been tossed into.

OOO

Like right now. In my head, Emily is undercover somewhere on the Mexican-California border, busting a drug smuggling ring. She's dressed like a homeless woman, desperate and looking for a fix and a way into the inner circle. And then at the right moment…

BAM!

Emily pulls out her gun and takes them down.

"Come back to earth, sweet cheeks, we have a business to run," Petula says, waving a hand in front of my face. Busted, I think, returning to my post behind the counter. Living vicariously through Emily will have to wait until later.

Lord, I can't help but be jealous of how exciting her life must be compared to mine.

I stand behind the counter twirling my hair, as Petula flips through her copy of Women's Day. It's a slow morning, with just a trickle of business students from Georgetown heading to a lecture by the CEO of some big business I've never heard of. They're excited, and I wish I could be that enthusiastic about heading to school.

In my defense, though, it really is hard to get excited about Introduction to Philosophy. Locke, Rousseau, Bentham, Hume… ugh, they make my head spin.

"Hello, hello!" a cheerful voice calls from the doorway. A tall African American man is standing in the doorway, wearing scrubs and a New York Yankees cap. Petula looks confused. I, on the other hand, nearly trample my boss trying to escape from the confines of the bar. Trey is here!

Tremaine Carter is five years older than me, and qualifies as one of the few mutual friends Elaine and I share. He was my tutor in elementary school when I decided to play drums in the school band- a very short lived career, thanks to my very short attention span. Over the last few years, he and Elaine became really close working as nurse's assistants at the George Washington University Hospital. Now that Elaine's away, I don't get to see him as often.

"Why didn't you tell me you were downtown, dude?" I ask him, giving him a strong hug. "And why the hell are you up so early?"

"New schedule this semester. I switched programs. Med school wasn't my thing, so I'm becoming a certified med tech. I'm doing rotations now to help me decide what area I want to specialize in, though hematology is looking like a winner. And look at you, little miss. All grown up and in college and working. Elaine's proud of you, you know."

I smile back at him wryly, though inside I am a bit ashamed. Trey talks to my sister more often than I do these days. "I should get back behind the counter," I say quietly, nodding back to where Petula is. I don't want to deal with awkward conversations.

Petula shakes her head. "Look around you, Trish. Not like we're buzzing with business right now. Both of you grab a coffee, sit, and chat a bit. Just get back behind the counter when the customer's start rollin' in."

I smile at my boss, still a little unable to believe how laid back she is. Compared to the restaurant and retail store managers my friends bitched about through high school, Petula is a God-send.

"Thanks!" I indicate a seat for Trey to sit down in, and grab two regular coffees, light and sweet for me, and a dab of half and half for him.

"So how have you been?"

"Oh you know, pretty good. Getting used to school. You'll be proud of me; I'm putting in extra time studying and everything. I'm here a lot, but I really like this job so far. For once I feel like I'm actually doing something half successful, even if mom and dad think I'm a failure..." Damn, I wasn't going for bitter, but that's obviously a fail. "They're doing ok, though. Still making the weekly pilgrimage to visit 'Lainey."

He laughs, deep voice resonating. "Ha, yeah, so I've seen. At least you can take comfort in the fact that it keeps them out of your hair a couple of hours."

"True story!" I reply, finally breaking into a smile. Trey is one of those people who can get anybody to smile, even if they're in the worst of mood. "Believe me, I love it."

"But really, Trish. I'm proud of you. I know you weren't leaning toward college. You're a smart kid in your own right, no matter what your parents say. And I know Elaine is proud of you too."

I roll my eyes. "Yeah right. She wouldn't say that."

"Yeah she would," Trey insists, gulping his coffee like it wasn't steaming hot. "Damnit!"

"It says hot on the label, fool."

He sticks his tongue out at me, but never gets to give a rebuttal. The chimes over the door ring, and Aaron steps in, carrying a little boy on his back. The child's vice grip on his neck is turning him slightly blue in the face, but there's a smile on his face that I've never seen on his face before.

He's almost handsome when he smiles.

"Hold on a sec," I say to Trey, grabbing my coffee.

"Gotta get to work, Trish. Friday night, you and me, dinner. We'll catch up. Ok kiddo?" He gives me another hug.

I nod. "Absolutely. I'll give you a call."

Returning to my spot around the counter, Petula rolls her eyes. "Jesus! You could have stayed, Trish. I meant to come back when the rush came. You don't think I can handle a customer on my own?"

"Nope," I reply, finding myself in a surprisingly good mood. Seeing Trey has really started my day in the right way. And having plans for my Friday night for once is a pleasant change as well. "The usual?"

Aaron nods a yes. Now that his son is standing on the ground he's actually capable of moving his neck. "And a hot chocolate. Lukewarm Petula?"

"I remember. Can't let little Jack burn his tongue off." Petula's leaning over the counter making funny faces at the boy, and he's laughing hysterically.

"You can' burn your tongue off, 'Tula! That umpossible!"

God if this child just wasn't cute enough to begin with. The blonde hair, the big eyes, the inability to pronounce words. I wonder if Aaron would notice if I stole him…
Yeah he probably would.

Petula handles the hot cocoa, making it super chocolate-y, and just warm enough for little Jack. I watch as she tosses in a couple of marshmallows she has hidden away in a closet. I handle the coffee, pouring it full. I've stopped asking Aaron if he wants room for milk. He never does.

"Here's your drinks," I announce. Jack is nearly jumping up and down in excitement, and Aaron rolls his eyes playfully, like a normal dad. I'm in awe of this side of the agent. His interactions with Emily are always so formal and serious, I was starting to believe his lips were permanently pursed and his forehead constantly wrinkled with worry lines.

"Pick a cookie Jack!" Petula exclaims. His eyes light up even brighter as he starts banging his fists against the glass display case. He seems to hit the chocolate chip cookies more than any of the others, so I take that as his choice.

A cell phone rings, and Aaron reaches in his pocket. "Yes JJ?" he asks.

I remember her. That's the blonde that was with Emily the other night.

In the span of seconds, his face changes from calm to concerned. "Have we had any contact with them? Are they alright?"

Trouble at work? I wonder if Emily is safe- she's out in the field somewhere- and I say a little prayer for her.

"How long until we leave? Give me thirty, I have to drop Jack off with his mother. I'll meet you at the airport. Grab my bag, Dave? No, no… that'll be enough time. Start putting together a profile. See you then."

Aaron throws a twenty on the counter. "Keep the change, Petula. See you soon. Jack, you got your cookie?"

Carrying the drinks in his hand, he leads Jack out. There's no hiding the sense of urgency about him now. All the happy, excited feelings that Trey's visit brought me are gone. My gut tells me something bad is coming, something disastrous.

And it's coming soon.


Another chapter done! Have you figured out what episode comes next? I'm excited for the next chapter!

Thanks to all those that took the time to read, and especially those who reviewed: jazmingirl, chiroho, sarramaks, KG86, ickleails, Odakota Rose, and KYOunlimited. I reall appreciate hearing your thoughts!

Reviews are always appreciated! Next chapter will be up soon (I hope!). Classes are starting back up soon, so life gets a bit crazy! Thanks and all the best- Jac