Chapter 10

Coming out of the bathroom, Matt quietly padded around the jet to take a look at the team. They were all quietly sleeping. He crawled back onto the couch and pulled the blanket up around his neck. "Do the same thing my friend," Dave whispered. Matt conked out before he could respond.

-00CM00—

Matt showed his credentials to the officer standing outside the hospital door. They had just received the medical background on the young victim that had escaped his hell. "Agents Taylor, Morgan and Jareau," he said to the officer, guarding the room. Morgan and JJ showed their credentials as well. The officer nodded.

The three entered in and noticed the boy hiding under the table of the room. "That's the space he's used to," Matt said, shaking his head. He knew where Morgan's head was; how much he identified with the victim and let him take the lead.

When the boy swatted away the water bottle offered by Morgan, Matt agreed with his assessment and nodded at JJ to join him leaving the room. While he called Hotch to update him, JJ made contact with Garcia.

Matt and JJ walked in a bit later to see the boy rolling a coin back at Morgan. "That's good kid." He looked at the two of them. "So far, I've got him to nod a bit," he said, rolling the coin back to the boy. The victim snagged it as it got to him.

Matt looked at the other two. "He looks Hispanic; have you tried that?"

JJ sat down on the floor next to Morgan. She introduced herself in Spanish, getting no response. She noticed him studying Morgan's coin. Matt smiled as they figured out his name was Angel.

"Hey Angel," Morgan said. "You want to see the coolest eagle wings around?" Angel looked at him suspiciously. "Angel, they are awesome." Angel nodded. Morgan pointed at Matt.

Matt nodded at the boy with his huge Irish smile. He took off his suit jacket and shoulder holster, laying them on the bed. He unbuttoned his dress shirt, pulling it out from his jeans. He pulled his white t-shirt off next and turned his back to him. Matt flexed his muscles to reveal his eagle in flight tattoo, honoring his sister-in-law Claire.

Angel smiled a bit. Morgan smiled at him. "I told you Angel; it's the coolest." Angel smiled back at him, nodding his head.

Morgan and JJ worked more to develop rapport with Angel while Matt quickly re-dressed. When he finished, he knelt down and looked at Angel. "Angel, mi nombre es Matt. Yo necesita regresar con el resto de mi equipo para atrapar al homre que to hizo daño." JJ softly whispered a translation to Morgan. I need to get back to the rest of our team to help them catch the man that hurt you. "Hasta que hagamos eso yo quiero que sepas que estas a salvo aqui." Until we do that, I want you to know you are safe here. "Mis amigos Jennifer y Derek to protegerán." My friends will protect you. "El equipo en parte funciona porque nos protegemos entre nosotros mismos todos los dias." Part of what makes our team work is that we protect each other every day. "Yo confio mi vida en sus manos, Angel tu tambien puedes confiar en ellos." I trust them with my life; Angel, you can trust them with yours. "Tu estas a salvo con ellos." You are safe with them. "Te lo prometo en mis alas de aguila." I promise you that on my eagle wings. Morgan smiled. "¿Esta bien?"

"OK," Angel whispered.

Matt nodded at him with his smile, rose up and turned. He walked out of the room, giving Morgan a touch on the shoulder. He understood the message.

-00CM00-

Walking into the BAU ready room Saturday morning, Matt looked at Anderson and his assistant sipping coffee. "Good morning," he said, looking around. He noticed Anderson had Chief Strauss' go bag prepared and nodded his approval. He reached to open his locker and soon had his go bag and luggage ready for the agents to load. They took them out to the SUV and milled around outside to enjoy the beautiful DC morning.

Strauss and Rossi walked in together a few minutes later. "You could have called me," Matt said, re-loading one of the clips for his Glock.

Rossi shook his head. "It was a Friday night and you've got a family. We got it covered."

It was just the three of them; Matt couldn't resist. "And you two didn't have anything to do," he mischievously questioned with his Irish smile. Since JJ's wedding, Matt and Aaron had figured out who Dave was spending some of his free time with. Strauss looked at him, shaking her head. "It's OK ma'am; your secret is safe with me," he smiled.

Rossi glared at him. "What the hell do you mean?"

Matt laughed. "Give it up Dave; Abbey figured it out at JJ and Will's wedding watching the two of you dancing together; Beth did too. And they're not profilers," he laughed more.

Twenty-four hours later, that all crumbled.

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A/N: Foundation was written by James Clemente. The other episode mentioned is Brothers Hotchner.

My deepest thanks to hotchfan1 for providing me with the Hispanic translation.