A/N: Check out the end for author's notes but see if you can pick the scene before the end.

Rated K+ for a little bit of mischief.

Kicking Criminal Ass

"I swear Kelly gets chatted up wherever we go."

Jordan smiled slightly at her fiancé and rubbed her vigorously kicking, expanding waistline gently. "She does. It almost never happens when Brad is around mind you but it can still happen. Poor thing must be miserable with his flu but he still sent his wife out to unwind." She shot Derek a sly look and added, "You know, I used to as well but now most of them take a second look and hightail it elsewhere."

"And the rest?"

"What can I say, I'm just that beautiful."

"That I totally agree with," Dave said as he placed several drinks on the table. Everyone laughed at the dark look Derek shot his friend.

"Where'd the rest of the girls go?"

Austin took her beer with a quiet thanks as Reid said, "Pack mentality; Emily had to go to the bathroom and because JJ and Garcia were having a pretty intense conversation with her at the time they went to continue the chat."

"How do you suddenly notice so much about women's behaviour kid?"

Reid raised an eyebrow. "I live with Austin now and she seems…determined to increase my social awareness. Uncomfortably so."

More laughter ensued as Kelly walked back to them with the guy who'd been chatting her up. After the intensity of the case their joint teams had just completed, they'd come to the local bistro to unwind with a beer (or juice) and have a meal.

"Right, these are the non-alcoholic mixers and this is Brad. You'll never guess what he says he does for a living."

"I'm assuming you're going to tell us?" Dave asked dryly.

Kelly beamed at him. "Sure am. He says he works for the FBI.

New Section-

"Feel a bit better now?" JJ asked Emily gently.

She nodded slowly. "I think so. But I'm getting majorly annoyed with how emotional I've been. I don't know how Aaron can stand to be around me."

"He loves you and he's been through this before with Haley so he knows you don't really mean it when you get, well, mean for lack of a better word."

Emily gave her friends a watery smile and walked to the basins to wash her face again. Several deep breaths later and she was feeling steadier than she had all day. She knew in her heart that Aaron loved her but surely that love would be wearing thin by now?

"The only way to know for certain is to ask," JJ pointed out reasonably.

"What if he lies to me because he doesn't want to set me off again?"

"Make sure you are looking into his eyes when you ask. I mean sure he's easier to read now that you've softened him up for everyone but he's still one of the hardest men to read I've ever met so watch his eyes."

Garcia nodded agreement with this bit of advice.

Emily's smile was a little brighter this time. "I don't know what I did to deserve you two but you are without a doubt two of most awesome women I have ever met and better friends I know I couldn't find anywhere."

Garcia went beet red and JJ ducked her head. They all hugged and with arms linking them close they walked out of the bathroom and back into the bar. JJ was in front and the first to come to a halt. Garcia and Emily, still linked at the arms despite the crowd looked at her in concern.

"Does the guy at the table chatting up Kelly and making Austin look like she's struggling not to laugh look familiar to either of you?"

Garcia frowned but Emily picked it up immediately. "Oooooh, I do recognise him. It was…" she frowned now to as she went back through her memories of the three of them out together over the years.

Garcia snapped her fingers. "I know, pick me pick me!"

JJ raised her eyebrows and Emily rolled her eyes with a smile.

"He attempted to pick Emily up in her first year with us when we were out at a bar; it might have even been this one, I really don't recall. His name was something like Ben or Brendon or…"

"Brad," Emily and JJ chorused together. As a threesome they looked back at the table. "You know," Emily continued, "that explains why they're all humouring his pickup line. They're trying to see if he's a threat without anyone getting in trouble."

"Should we spoil that?" Garcia asked with a wicked little smile.

JJ and Emily exchanged looks and replied, "Let's."

They whispered as they crossed the room, trying to figure out the best way to handle it. In the end, as Emily was the one he'd originally tried to pick up, she was the one nominated to tap him on the shoulder. As she got closer, she noted Aaron was watching her closely, a warm and relaxed expression on his handsome features. For some strange reason she felt suddenly exposed and shy but she controlled it as she came to a halt behind Brad and tapped his shoulder, interrupting his diatribe on the excitingly dangerous missions he'd been on recently for a supposedly rapt Kelly.

He turned around with a charming smile that faded to a frown as he looked her and her two blonde friends over.

Then he went white.

"Hi Brad," Emily said cheerfully.

"Are they…" he started faintly.

"With the FBI?" JJ finished with a sweet smile. "That's right."

"Excuse me," he mumbled quickly and rushed off.

For a moment there was silence from the group and then Kelly demanded, "What did we miss here?"

Emily shrugged and the three women chorused with attitude, "Just kicking some criminal ass!"

End-

A/N: I've always loved that bit at the start of Open Season in Season 2 where they meet Brad the 'FBI agent'. I reckon it was beautifully done and to date it is still one of my favourite pieces of all the seasons.

Stay tuned for the next piece; L is for…

As always I love reviews, so please feel free to let me know what you think.