Chapter 36 – Goin' Home

The team entered the conference room and began to pack up their equipment. Matt, who already gave Chuck and Angie a heads up earlier in the morning, called the crew. "When can you get us rolling?"

"We're shooting for two o'clock, Colonel. They've got some late-morning flights ops and would prefer not to have us in that mix, especially getting fuel," Chuck said. "That should still get us back to Quantico by 3:30 pm their time."

"Perfect," Matt said and gave Chuck a few more details. In between the packing, Strauss and JJ assisted Major Stan Vermark of the Ramstein PR department in putting together the press release and going over talking points with Jordane and Meacham for their press conference, scheduled for noon. They stressed the assistance of Kommandant Haufmeister, his staff, and more importantly, the valued assistance of Frederick Mueller and his family. They also added the cooperation of Ramstein personnel in the search and arrest, as a shout out to Airmen Petrie and Martell as well as the Air Wing staff. Vermark smiled broadly.

"I'll take care of it."

Tauscher dropped in to say her good-byes and took the time to shake everyone's hand. Jordane and Meacham did the same as they left for the press building. Master Sergeant Schmidt had a crew waiting to help them load up the SUVs and the team returned inside to watch the press conference in the bullpen with Collier, Larson, Johnson and the rest of the MPs. It finished shortly after 1 pm and they said their good-byes to everyone.

As they we getting ready to head out the door, General Miller showed up to offer his congratulations to the MP staff and his thanks to the BAU.

"I was going to do this at the jet, but my schedule doesn't allow. Thank you all for coming this far and your assistance. It is greatly appreciated." He walked them to the SUVs and Matt offered a crisp salute before Miller turned and got into his car. They got in the SUVs with Johnson leading them to their appointed entry point onto the airfield and the building they first entered when they arrived. He waved at them and drove off.

As they pulled up, Tom Johnson and his agents were waiting for them to take the SUVs back to Frankfurt. He looked around the first SUV that Matt drove. "No dings or dents I see. You finally learn how to drive Cob?" Matt just shook his head. "And you are returning them with full gas tanks correct?"

"Who in the hell do you think you are Tom? Hertz?

"Hey just see what I charge you for the mileage."

"Is there a problem Agent?" Strauss said as she approached.

"No ma'am just giving Agent Taylor what he usually ships," he smiled.

"Must be an old friend," Strauss smiled back at the both of them.

Matt signed off on the paperwork and said his good-bye to the agent. Sergeant Gonzalez appeared with his crew. Matt smiled as Gonzalez saluted. "You knew we'd be here didn't you sir?" Matt returned the salute.

"Sergeant, I'll have you know the FBI only works with the best of the best. And that includes the people handling our luggage."

Gonzalez beamed. "Same compartments for the trip home sir?"

"Yes, Sergeant; thank you."

As they all entered the building they found Karl Shroeder waiting for them. He greeted them and said in English, "I just had to congratulate all of you on your excellent work. And to thank you for clearing Frederick Mueller and giving him back his good name."

They all looked at him. Matt spoke up. "I take it Herr Schroeder you know Frederick?"

"He lives across the street from me. The Muellers are good people. And thank you for having the State Police there as well. I didn't want to put up with those katzenjammers press people either."

Matt smiled at him, and said in German, "Herr Schroeder do you mind if the team waits in here until I see if our crew is ready?"

"Not at all Herr Colonel." They shook hands.

Matt went out, placing his cover on his head as he opened the door. As the last of luggage was being loaded, Gonzalez stopped him. "Sir, excuse me for being forward, but I was asked to give you this." He pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Matt.

"What's this Sergeant?"

"Sir do you remember a Manny Gonzalez?"

"I had a Corporal Manny Gonzalez in my company in the Gulf. Damn good Marine and one helluva a machine gunner. And when the chips were down, he had my back. With his goddamn .45"

"Sir, he's my uncle. You saved his life."

"I was doing my job Sergeant."

Gonzalez quickly jumped in. "That's not the way he tells it sir. 'Best damn officer I ever served with. He deserved the Medal.' Anyway sir, when I heard who you were in the chow line, I emailed him. That's his email address. He would love to hear from you sir," Gonzalez smiled.

"How's he doing Sergeant?"

"Sir, they outfitted him with an artificial leg at Bethesda and he's been raising hell in my dad's plumbing shop ever since. He runs the damn place," Gonzalez beamed.

"I'll fire off an email to him this weekend." He clamped a hand on the Sergeant's shoulder. "I've got to check on our crew. Don't run away."

Gonzalez smiled again. "You got it sir."

Matt went on the jet and briefly talked with Chuck and Angie, who were ready to go. As he started to leave the cockpit, Angie stopped him. "Colonel, what's that over there?" she said nodding to the windows past Chuck's left shoulder.

Matt looked out and saw an Honor Guard and the Ramstein AFB Band gathered as General Miller's car pulled up. He looked at Angie and sadly shook his head. "Damn," is all he said and headed out of the jet.

As Matt started down the steps, he saw Hotch standing in the door of the building. He waved him to bring out the team. "Sergeant, is that what I think it is?"

"Yes sir."

"What the SOP Sergeant?"

"Sir, everyone within the area gives honors."

"Sergeant, you take of yours; I'll take care of mine."

"Thank your sir. It's appreciated." He saluted. "Permission to carry out your orders sir."

Matt returned the salute. "Permission granted Sergeant."

As the team made their way out, they noticed Matt was not getting on the jet; rather he was walking away from it and then stood still. Hotch walked up and looked at him. Matt just nodded off in the direction that Angie had earlier.

Hotch looked to see two black hearses pulling up next to a C-130 as well as the Honor Guard and the band. He looked to see Gonzalez already having his crew standing in a straight line to their right. Strauss walked up to him. "Aaron, is there a problem?"

"No ma'am. It's just…." He said as he nodded to get her looking at the hearses as well. Rossi walked up on the scene and quickly understood what was happening. He gently patted Matt's back, as he moved to Matt's left side. Hotch looked at the rest of his team and nodded in the same direction.

He joined Matt at this right side. Dave took his position.

The rest of the team fell into line, with Strauss standing next to Hotch as they heard the Honor Captain call the order of attention. Matt and Dave "snapped" in. While the weather was mild, a soft wind carried the words from a block away on a breeze blowing in their faces.

"Present arms" wafted through the air as Matt and Dave matched the harmony of the single sound of the Honor Company offering a salute. The two Marines of the BAU offered their formal salutes as the rest put their hands over their hearts as a sign of respect. As two flag draped coffins were pulled from the hearses to be carried on the plane, the Honor Band played the soulful strains of Goin' Home.

When the ceremony ended, they all wordlessly turned to get on the plane. Matt's words echoed in Hotch's ears. "You send people into war, people will die." After what happened with Prentiss, he understood those words well. As the team moved up the steps, Strauss, Hotch, Rossi and Taylor stood at the bottom. They looked at each other.

Strauss spoke up. "I know what that means to you Colonel, all of you and I truly respect it. Thank you for doing that. Those honors needed to be delivered. However Colonel, you honored all of them by the work you did on this case." She looked at Hotch and Rossi. "All of you."

Dave patted Matt on his shoulder. "Amen to that Colonel." He nodded at Strauss to get on the jet so Hotch and Matt could have a few seconds to themselves.

Hotch stuck out his hand. "Helluva of job partner," he slightly smiled as Matt took his handshake.

"Thanks for backing me part when I was talking in the wind at the beginning of this. And letting me get Dave involved. Damn Aaron that SOB would probably still be loose if he hadn't bought into my theory."

"But it all started with you Matt. Your instincts got the big dog involved. And while I knew you had a case, when you got Dave's buy in, the rest was easy. That's on you part and you alone. Great call."

Hotch looked at Gonzalez's crew. "Take a curtain call Colonel. It's well deserved." Hotch moved to stand on the first step as he watched the entire ground crew salute Matt as he turned to step on the jet stairway. He smiled broadly at the precise Marine salute his partner returned to them. Dave stood in the doorway of the jet and smiled just as broadly, looking at Strauss. She nodded at Rossi. They were a helluva a team.

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A/N1: I know there is two different "Johnson's" in this chapter. Welcome to my part of the world. Because of the Scandinavian influence where I live, the name "Johnson" takes up the most pages in the phone book. "Katzenjammer" literally translated from German means cat in pajamas. Back in my day with high school German, it meant drunk/hung over. But I'm old school. I forgot to ask HFG about that one. A ".45" is the military issue side arm. Rossi's weapon of choice on CM is a .45 as well.

A/N2: "Goin' Home" has been adapted from the second movement of Dvorak's New World Symphony called "Largo". It is played at US departure ceremonies for those that have served and made the ultimate sacrifice, as they make their final journey home. It is also used for "State Funerals" in the US, such as the death of a former president, when they are going to their final resting place.