Reid's phone rang. He pulled away from me and pulled it out of his pocket.
He frowned as he looked at it.
"It's Hotch," he said slowly, my heart dropped, "He's looking for you…"
My stomach felt sick.
"He said he can't get a hold of you and sent a mass message to the team to see if they knew where you were…" Reid said, looking up.
Oh shit… I groaned.
I dug through my purse, pulling out my phone. There were five missed called from Hotch. Oh no… My phone had been silent.
"Oh my god…" I whispered. Oh shit. I'm going to be in so much trouble.
I hit redial and brought the phone up to my ear, cringing.
"Scott," Hotch said, angry, "Where have you been?"
I stammered, turning away from Reid. "I'm sorry, sir, my phone was on vibrate and I-"
"Don't do it again. I need you in the office right now," he said coldly.
"Yes, sir, I'm on my way right now," I said as confidently as I could. I had tears in my eyes. I really screwed up.
I turned back to Reid.
"I… I have to go…" I stuttered, sniffling.
Reid nodded understandingly. "I'll go with you."
I shook my head. "I don't want Hotch to know that I missed his calls while I was with you…"
Reid nodded. "I'll walk with you then…"
I was alright with that and I nodded. I was panicking. Not answering Hotch's calls was bad… him calling the team to find out where I was was worse.
Reid put his hand in the middle of my back to move me forward. That little bit of pressure almost had be running towards the BAU office.
"Scott, I'll say it again, you always need to have your phone on you," Hotchner scolded again.
I nodded, sure that if I spoke, I'd stutter or cry.
Suddenly I was aware that Hotchner was in his suit and at the office on Saturday… and that I was in plain clothes in his office. I felt embarrassed and incompetent.
He handed me a file from his desk. "This just came in from Toronto. It can't wait. You need to review it and have the briefing ready immediately. I'm calling the team in right now. You'll have twenty minutes."
I nodded. If I'd allowed it, my jaw would have hit the floor. I took the folder from him, nodding. I started to back out of his office in a rush. I only had twenty minutes.
"And Scott," Hotcher warned, "Your phone had better be on you."
I nodded quickly again. God damnit I was in a lot of trouble.
I rushed out of his office, speed walking to mine. Shit, shit shit!
Sliding into my chair like it was home base, I pulled the file open, scanning quickly. Shit, this was not enough time!
I flipped through papers and photos, sucking in my breath. I finally slowed down to read the details.
Two babies had been kidnapped from their cribs overnight. The same type of teddy bear was left in their place. Toronto authorities are requesting assistance immediately and they have permission from the Canadian government for the BAU to take over the case.
Now I know why Hotch was so mad that I didn't respond immediately. This is serious.
Grabbing the file, I rushed to Garcia's office. Thank goodness I remembered what she showed me in putting together the briefs!
I scanned the images and documents and uploaded them to the tablets for the team. I checked the clock. I had ten minutes left.
I hurried to the conference room, preparing spaces and getting the presentation ready. I really had to nail this brief to make it up to Hotchner.
As I put the tablets in front of each chair, the team started coming in. I checked the clock. They were five minutes earlier than I'd expected.
They were all in plain clothes and I wondered what they were pulled away from. Morgan sat down sighing and Garcia took a chair next to him, winking at me.
Prentiss and Reid took their seats in the back. I smiled politely at Prentiss but didn't look at Reid. I didn't want anyone to know that we'd been together today…
Hotchner came in with Rossi. JJ's seat stayed empty.
"We're ready," Hotchner said as he sat down.
I nodded quickly, turning the presentation on.
"Toronto authorities have had two infants taken from their cribs a week apart, the same kind of teddy bear was left in their place. There had been no other evidence discovered in the homes."
"Ten years ago, four infants were taken in Toronto and were never discovered. The unsub left a stuffed bear in the crib. There were no leads and the case was left unsolved…" Reid piped up.
Shit. How did I miss that? Crap, crap, crap! Hotchner looked at me.
"Exactly," I started, trying to save myself, "Toronto authorities believe it's the same unsub. If it is and she's following the same pattern, two more infants will be taken."
Hotchner nodded.
"Why a she?" he asked but I knew he already knew the answer.
"Women abduct infants, men abduct young children," I said, hoping that was the answer he wanted.
Hotchner nodded again, hopefully approving my answer.
He looked at the team. "Sorry for pulling you on a Saturday. Wheels up in twenty."
The team looked tired. They were probably enjoying their Saturday and were now on their way to Canada.
"Scott," Hotchner said, coming towards me, "JJ won't be coming to Toronto."
"Is everything okay?" I asked, concerned. Why on Earth wouldn't JJ be coming? Something must be wrong.
"Henry's sick. He'll be alright but she needs to be home with him," he explained and I relaxed, "I need you to come on this case."
I stared at him. What? My job does not include going on cases! My job is to stay here in this office! You're a liar! I wanted to scream.
"I'm not asking for much," Hotchner defended but I wanted to call him a liar anyways, "Just what you did for us in Kansas City: control the information, work with authorities, keep everything together…"
He looked at me for an answer. I knew that he wasn't asking, he was ordering, but at least he was courteous enough to pretend like he wanted my answer.
I nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Good," he answered, "And yes, you will need to keep your phone on you."
He smiled. Oh god… was that a joke?
I smiled nervously. I guessed I'd never hear the end of this one.
Hotchner turned and walked away.
Hoping that I as back in Hotch's good graces, I made my way to my office to grab the original case file and- shit! I didn't have a go bag! Crap. We were leaving in twenty minutes and I didn't have anything for this case!
As I figured out how to get back to my apartment and back to the office in time for the Jet, I walked into my office.
On my desk was my teal bag. I carefully approached it, not sure how it got here…
Inside was changes of clothes, shoes, my make up bag, everything I needed. I eyed it carefully.
"Hotchner asked me to go by your place and get you some things," Garcia said from the doorway, "I' really sorry!"
I turned to her. "You kept my spare key, didn't you?"
Garcia's eyes got wide. "In my defense, I have a spare key of everyone's! In case of emergencies! You go on a case but leave the iron on! Or you forget to water your plant! Or Sergio gets locked outside!"
"Who's Sergio?" I asked.
"Emily's cat. The point in," she stated, "is that having your key is not as invasive as you think and in this case, I just saved your butt because we both know that there's no way that you could've gotten back to get your things and get here in time!"
I smiled. "Right as always, Garcia. Thank you."
She smiled as she turned away. "I'm glad you recognize!"
I grabbed my bag off my desk and watched her make her way to her office. I wished II could be staying here with her…
Somehow I found myself here again, boarding a jet on my way to a case. The last time I was getting on this jet, all I wanted to do was get home.
I climbed up the stairs to the jet, making a mental note to change into professional clothes before we landed in Toronto. I hoped Garcia packed me practical clothes…
As I stepped inside, I noticed everyone had taken their seats and I was the last one to board. I felt slightly embarrassed. I remembered feeling like this the last time I boarded this jet.
I looked at the seat I was standing next to.
Reid sat alone, his glasses on, reading the case file.
"Mind if I sit here?" I asked gently.
Reid looked up, taking his glasses off.
"Gladly," he smiled, winking at me.
I grinned, placing my bag above the seat, and sliding into the empty spot next to Reid.
"At least this time you didn't try to put your hair up," Reid smirked.