Gregory rushes at Ray and shoves him with both hands. He flies backwards and hits the wall. Gregory knows the impact knocks the wind from him. He grabs him, kicking, and drags him to the bathroom where he bangs Ray's head against the steel sink again and again and again. He seriously considers drowning him, then decides against it and throws him out, back onto the wide open floor. But Ray is standing, waiting for him when he comes out. They launch themselves at each other, landing punches wherever they can. Ray takes Gregory down and pummels him repeatedly with his fists. Gregory kicks upwards and leaves Ray sprawling. Pinning him down, Gregory punches Ray's face until his hands come away bloody. Ray laughs and licks his bleeding lip.
"You'll come with me." Gregory pushes himself away from him.
"Damn right."
The other phone call Hotch has been dreading finally comes in. It was never a question of 'if'; it was always a question of 'when'.
"Agent Hotchner, I'll need to see you in my office." Her voice is frigid.
"Yes ma'am." He controls himself and settles for placing the phone back on the hook instead of sending it sailing through a window. He considers doing it anyway. Then he considers not going. He sighs and stands. He knows he'll go. He has to.
Her door is closed. He knocks.
"Come in." She can't say that without sounding like someone's shoving an icicle up her ass? Hotch grins at the thought, then composes himself and enters. She sets aside her paperwork and folds her hands, staring him down as he takes a seat. It's a awhile before she speaks. She's waiting for the right moment.
'She's got a flare for the dramatics,' he thinks, 'And I do not have time for it.'
"Dr. Reid has not reported for work in four days. Is this correct?"
"Yes ma'am." He knows this is coming, yet it still surprises him when she says it.
"Am I correct in assuming that you have not found a replacement?" She says this with no emotion.
"With all due respect, a federal agent is missing. The team and I are doing our best to work with the local authorities to find him-"
"I realize this, Agent Hotchner. You have not answered my question, however. Have you or have you not found a suitable replacement for Dr. Reid?" Hotch draws in a breath to keep from doing what he very much wants to do. Suddenly, his cell phone rings. It's Morgan. Sighing in relief, he answers, ignoring the daggers shooting from Strauss's eyes.
"What happened?"
"Garcia turned up a few images from the security cameras."
"I'll be right there," he says. He turns to Strauss.
"There's been a development," He leaves.
"This is far from over, Agent Hotchner!" she exclaims. As he refrains from slamming the door, he knows she's right. He storms past Rossi and Prentiss on the way to Garcia. Prentiss turns to Rossi.
"Whoa. What just happened?" He half grins.
"That's a Strauss face."