Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or any character associated with it, no copyright infringement is intended.

"What the hell is this?" Harry Kabotchnik slammed the folder in his hand down on the desk.

JJ just raised her eyebrows. She had become used to her boss's outbursts by now. Harry could go from bored to enraged back to bored in 10 seconds. Saying he was a little bipolar was an understatement, but JJ could control herself around him. Dealing with Strauss, Gideon and the press was good preparation for dealing with the likes of Harry Kabotchnik.

"This is Dr. Reid's plan for bringing down Conklin."

"This is a fucking TARDIS!"

Not laughing at that was a challenge. JJ did smile, but it was only a slight smile. She hoped.

The truth was she had a similar reaction when Reid and Emily presented it to her. However, the overall plan was sound. Mostly.

"Well, their plan is to make Conklin act even more reckless than he has already. The best way to do that is to dangle the one thing he wants in front of him, and that's a working time machine."

"This is a TARDIS." Kabotchnik's tone was more disdainful than angry.

"What should it look like? A DeLorean?"

Kabotchnik held his head in his hands," this can't possibly be my life."

"I'm not the one who gave Conklin millions to make a time machine."

"Neither am I. Answer me one question. This isn't real. I mean, your Dr. Reid didn't really build one, did he?"

"Not that he would admit to."

"I'm not joking."

"Neither am I. Look, I would expect Dr. Reid to come up with a working time machine before anyone else. For all I know this design he wrote would actually work."

"So let me ask this, if he's figured out how to build one..."

"He wouldn't give me a straight answer if this would work or not. Do you really want to know if he's figured it out."

Harry paused. Then he shook his head. "How are they planning to entice Conklin with this?"

"By letting him find it."

"And just how are they going to manage that?"

"Well, Conklin's attempts to recruit Reid have failed so far. It's only a matter of time before tries something more drastic."

"Like what?"

"Conklin has already tried to get leverage on Reid. We think he'll have Shaw break into Reid's home, probably to set up more aggressive surveillance."

"Aggressive?"

"Bug the house, tap the phones, that kind of thing."

"And he's going to find plans for a TARDIS?"

"Something like that. They're even giving the perfect opportunity to do it."

"What do you mean?"

"They have a social engagement, so Shaw will have plenty of time to do it."

"Social engagement?"

"A faculty dinner."

"So our whole plan is riding on a sleaze-bag PI, plans for a TARDIS and a faculty dinner?"

"And two very special individuals."

"I forgot. I'm counting on Nick and Nora Charles. Whatever was I worrying about?"

Meanwhile, across town, Spencer Reid was tying his bowie.

At least, he was trying to tie it. He was on his fifth attempt, and no closer to making look like a bowtie. To a casual observer, it resembled a random collection of knots hung from his neck.

His frustration level was not helped by Emily Prentiss giggling at his failed attempts.

"If you're not going to be helpful, at least move out of earshot.," he grumbled.

"Where's the fun in that?"

Reid turned around and glared at her. At least he tried to glare. It was hard to maintain anger when Emily was giving one of her dazzling smiles. He gave her a helpless look, which prompted her to give him a big hug followed by a tender kiss.

"Here," she said," let me help." She began tying his tie, and within a minute she had it tied perfectly. "If you didn't know how to tie one, why didn't you get a clip on."

"I was afraid it would fall off half-way through the night. I didn't want to ruin your night."

"It isn't my night. It's yours. It is a faculty dinner, after all."

"That you wanted to go to. Besides, Dr. Who made it look easy. I really didn't think it would be this hard."

"I see." She kissed him on the forehead "Let's go Professor."

"Is he out there?"

"Who?"

"Our friend."

"You mean Shaw? If he is, he's being more discrete than usual. It's all right, everything's in place. So let's enjoy ourselves."

"Okay."

"Hold it. One minute."

"What is it?"

Emily smiled.

"I just wanted to take one look at you is all. Try not to get an inflated ego, but I think you look very dashing."

He smiled. He was still getting used to the fact she found him attractive.

"You look pretty."

She smiled. "Let's go dazzle the faculty."

As they left, somewhere a camera with a telephoto lens took their picture. Henry Shaw picked up a small radio and said,"they're on the move. Everyone knows what to do. Let's see if we can do it right this time."

A/N: The game isn't quite afoot, but it's getting there...