AN: Okay, this one is pretty short and basically just a filler. Also, I have a complaint / question for y'all. I started writing this long before the episode with the tornadoes aired so needless to say, when I introduced the case in this fic, I had no idea that there would be an episode similar to it airing in a couple weeks. I really don't wanna change it, only because I've written four chapters ahead and I don't wanna have to rewrite all of them, and because it's really not THAT important to the story. My question is, would it REALLY bother y'all if I didn't change it?
Let me know what you think. Thanks for reading! Please review!
Chapter Seven
An hour later, Emily was pulling her silver Toyota into her usual parking spot at FBI Headquarters. Derek and JJ quickly climbed out of the backseat and headed towards the building, giving Emily and Ben some privacy before they went their separate ways.
"So, um…" JJ paused before entering the building and turned to face Derek. "Do we… I mean, how…"
Grasping one of her hands in his, Derek pulled JJ out of the way of the entrance and off to the side of the building. "Just act normal, Jay. It'll be fine. And if not, just hide in your office and I'll come up to get you for lunch. Okay?"
JJ nodded, chewing on her bottom lip. "Okay."
"Stop worrying. I can see it in your eyes still. It'll be fine." He tried to reassure her before leaning down to kiss her briefly. "I promise I'll be just as professional as I am every other day."
"Hey, you guys ready?" Emily called from the front entrance, causing them both to look in her direction.
Glancing back at JJ, Derek raised his eyebrows, silently repeating Emily's question.
Taking a deep breath, JJ nodded. Let's go."
They had barely made it into the bullpen when Hotch called them into the conference room.
"We have a case." He told them. "Five children, ages 5-7, have gone missing in the last two weeks from a small town in Oklahoma."
"How can five children just go missing?" Emily asked.
"They were all last seen getting off their school buses. The bus driver said she saw them all get off the bus and start towards their homes." He explained. "Their parents said they didn't come home though."
"Isn't Oklahoma all farmland?" Derek asked. "They have a lot of land on their properties. They probably have long driveways. That's plenty of time for someone to snatch them up."
"So what, the unsub just sat there and waited for them to come home? They had to have known which houses had children living there." Reid pointed out. "He's either watching them or his from within the community."
"Have there been any… bodies found?" Derek questioned, causing the rest of the team to look up at him. "I mean, he's taking them but not killing them?"
Hotch nodded. "So far."
"Maybe he comes from a broken home." Emily suggested.
"Wheels up in an hour." Hotch told them as he stood from his chair. "Oklahoma is under a State of Emergency because of the intense heat wave. Plan accordingly. Take the extra time to go home and re-pack your bags."
"Um, Hotch?" Emily spoke up. "How hot is it exactly?"
"It's been over 100 degrees for the past week, peaking at 109. The lead detective has already set a dress-down order." He explained. "However, I'm still expecting appropriate dress, but the order applies to you as well. We don't need anyone passing out on us." He closed the case folder and head back towards his office.
"109 degrees?" Emily asked as they all headed towards the bullpen.
"Dress-down order? Is there even such an order?" Reid mused aloud.
"Don't question it, kid. Just leave the sweater vests at home." Morgan teased.
