Chapter 9- Dancing with the truth
Present day
Gratefully they all piled into the elevator thankful that the altercation with the security guards was more or less uneventful. The three of them looked at Reid as he stared sightlessly at the elevator's closed metal doors.
Morgan decided to take point.
'Kid?'
Reid stuffed his hands in his pockets and turned to face them.
'I'm alright' he reassured them.
'I am always happy to know that' Derek replied, inching the conversation forward, 'do you want to tell us what all of that was about?'
Reid looked away thinking.
'Not really' he replied, just as the elevator doors opened with a ding on their floor.
Of course this was not the answer Morgan was looking for and he slapped the control panel closing the doors on the group.
'I am sorry you feel that way' Emily chimed in, 'but Reid I… we really want to know'
More silence filled the elevator.
'It was a long time ago guys' he responded evasively, useless pulling at Morgan's hand to get to the door control.
'Baby, you can tell us anything' Garcia offered quietly, 'what happened to "these are my friends, there is nothing you cannot say infront of them"
He sighed loudly as the computer technician quoted the words he had uttered not fifteen minutes ago.
'Reid' the dark profiler cut in, 'you have to tell us. If there is any danger to you, we should know. It's not right to expose us all to some unknown situation'
Emily nodded in approval at Morgan's approach sure that Reid would crack now. To their collective surprise, he maintained his silence.
'Fine' he said in a stern voice and Reid braced himself, feeling an ultimatum coming.
'You either tell us what's going on or one of us will be glued to your side until we leave on Sunday night'
Reid relaxed his tense shoulders and stuck out his hand to shake Morgan's, 'Done'
Emily and Garcia exchanged chagrined expressions wondering if the genius profiler had deliberately backed his colleague into this corner or if it was just a coincidence. With reluctance, Derek shook the proffered hand as he released the button that held the doors closed. That conversation hadn't gone the way he wanted it to, but he knew his little brother too well to push the issue. Reid was as stubborn as they came and if shoved too hard he might just go off on his own.
'Promise me, that you will stay with one us' the man begged as they walked down the corridor, 'don't do anything to make me regret this decision'
Reid paused to glare at his colleague not appreciating the way the man was crowding him.
Just then Emily noticed the door of the boys' room was open and she signaled to the group. Like a well oiled machine the team moved into action as Reid flattened Garcia against a wall and Morgan took the lead with his gun pointing forward. Knowing her team mate was covering her, Emily walked forward confidently, and she almost collided with a valet wheeling out Morgan's carry all. At the sight of the man's firearm he squeaked and dropped the bag on his foot.
'Oh god!' the poor man yelped, running back into the room he had just vacated.
'What are you doing?' Emily asked the sacred man, as the entire team moved forward cautiously. They peered through the doorway to find a gaggle of hotel personnel packing their belongings.
'Hey!' Morgan yelled, as he hid his gun behind his back.
The staff looked up and the crowd parted as a tiny red head strode forward.
'KATE!!!!!!!' Reid shouted happily, pushing past Morgan to get to the young woman.
The three of them exchanged gleeful glances as Reid attempted to lift the woman off the ground but failed and the two settled on dancing around on the spot. His colleagues had never seen the younger profiler so happy since, well never to be truthful. The two made an odd looking pair, with Reid being so tall and gangly and Kate tiny and buxom but there was no denying the identical looks of pleasure on both their faces.
'Kate, meet everyone' Reid introduced them sloppily, 'everyone, Kate'
Morgan's grin grew even wider as he observed the way the woman stood close in Reid's loose embrace.
'Where have you been?' the young doctor inquired as they looked around the decimated suite 'and what are these men doing?'
She smiled at the group as she straighten Reid's tie, 'You are being upgraded of course. Why didn't you tell me you were coming?'
'What!!?' he blurted out in an appalled voice, 'that's okay we don't need…'
Reid didn't get a chance to finish his statement as Garcia shoved him out the way, 'Is there space for us too?'
'Of course, three bedrooms capable of housing four persons each with attached private bathrooms, Jacuzzi, complimentary bar and cooking facilities if you wish to prepare a meal. There is a shared living room but I think you will find it extremely comfortable' she said with practiced ease, 'may I show you the way?'
Garcia grabbed the woman in a tight hug thanking her profusely for including them. Reid scowled in annoyance as the trio surrounded his friend pushing him even further to one side.
'You must be Derek' the little woman decided confidently looking up at the group of unusually tall persons, 'couldn't miss that beautiful smile'
This statement of course caused the man to smile broadly showing off his perfect teeth.
'And you must be the stately Emily and this must be the unquenchable Penelope' she reeled off, shaking each hand in turn.
Garcia pumped the woman's hand enthusiastically, 'we're so glad to meet you. We've heard SO little about you!!! Why is that Reid?'
Kate turned her head to look at her friend and Garcia gasped as the woman's eyes filled with tears.
