Chapter 37 – Why We Do This
The silence on the jet remained as they boarded. The seating arrangement was basically the same, except Prentiss and Strauss had swapped seats. Emily, while she gave the three of them hell, really didn't mind sitting with them. After what she had been through with Doyle, knowing they were there and Morgan was close by still gave her a measure of comfort. Even after she had faced her demons. But not with a Bureau shrink; simply with the help of Hotch and Matt. Yet she knew Strauss would want to finalize issues of the case with the three of them.
Even Chuck and Angie had understood the magnitude of what they witnessed. The normally chatty duo, gave the team only the essential details. They took off into a clear blue German sky and once more swung around to catch a glimpse of the Alps as they made their way west towards home.
Derek snuggled into his headphones as Reid pulled out a book. Ashley pulled out the couch between the two of them and stretched out. Garcia and JJ were making soft girl talk. Emily curled up in her seat with a blanket and looked out the window. As she predicted, she could hear the soft voices in the four top still on duty. She shook her head. They deserve down time too. They worked their asses off. And as much as I hate to admit it, Strauss pulled her fair share, she thought to herself.
But the smooth ride Chuck and Angie were giving them overtook her body and she dozed off. She stirred to hear Matt calling the flight crew over the intercom. She woke to see the fight path the jet was taking on the monitors, noticing they were already crossing the Atlantic and Hotch and Matt standing around, stretching their legs. Strauss and Rossi were doing the same. She looked to her right to see Morgan looking around. By the sounds she heard, everyone had taken a nap.
And then she noticed Rossi and Strauss head into the aft galley. As she was still curled up, she saw them each re-appear with two glasses of the plane's scotch in each hand. They each handed the extra to Hotch and Matt. "Rumor has it Agents that you two are master cribbage players," Strauss said, and then looked at Rossi. "Think we can teach the youngsters a lesson?"
"I'm in if you are," Dave smiled.
Hotch looked at Matt. "I do believe we've just been issued a challenge."
"In that case Hotch, I've got to get serious," he said as he took a sip of his scotch and then set the glass down on the table between the four top of seats, pushed up Hotch's aisle arm rest and pulled his polished shoes off, and set them where he stowed them on the flight over.
As he moved to his seat, Rossi said, "Colonel, did I notice those socks are not rolled in regulation Marine manner?"
Matt reached for his belt. "Would you like to see my non-regulation shorts as you kiss…?"
"Gentlemen, please. Do you want to attend a seminar," Strauss smiled.
Rossi just shook his head with a smile and Strauss shook her head at both of them. Matt crawled into his usual seat with his usual big Irish grin.
Hotch looked at Strauss. "We'll have to switch seats."
"Which is perfect," Dave added. "The lefty and I can peg." Matt pulled the deck of cards and cribbage board out of the compartment next to his arm rest. It was a permanent fixture on every flight that got many a workout with the "Three Musketeers". Chuck and Angie made sure it was on every flight. Matt slid the board between Rossi, in his usual chair, and Hotch as he shuffled the cards.
"First Jack deals," he said as he started to dole out the cards.
Reid, having his crutches next him along the floor, was already standing behind Matt and Strauss. "That's according to Hoyle's rules of the game," he intoned.
Matt growled at him. "Reid what is my first rule about our cribbage game?"
"I don't look over your shoulder," he smiled. He moved over to lean against the cabinet that was normally reserved for Hotch on team briefings to a case, knowing that while he could hold his own, he didn't have Matt's card-playing game face, and could quickly give away his hand. Yet, his mind, already running the probabilities of who would win, wanted to just simply watch the action. Emily switched to the seat behind Hotch and Rossi and leaned on her knees to look over Hotch and Rossi's shoulders. The rest closed in around to watch the game as well.
After two times around the four-top, Strauss got the first Jack. Matt smiled at Hotch. "Already got 'em right where we want them."
"I hate this damn game," Morgan said. "It's confusing as hell."
"Derek," Strauss questioned him, sitting next to Matt.
"All these fifteen twos and fifteen fours; it doesn't make sense."
"Morgan, it's a counting measure for the game and really, very simple mathematics. You just have trouble with the verbiage."
Derek rolled his eyes at Reid. "Whatever kid; it still don't get it."
"Have you tried to understand it?" Morgan looked up not knowing what to be more shocked about; the question or who asked it. He looked at Strauss.
"Ma'am?"
"It's a great game for teaching numbers and their combinations. John and I had all the kids playing by the time they were ten. Bottom line: you have to be able make any combination that can add to fifteen to score points."
"And there are….." Reid started before he was cut off by the four around the table as well as Emily and Derek.
"Derek, slide over, I'll help you out. If you just hear things and don't see the cards, you won't understand. You have to watch the game," Emily said.
"I remember my grandpa and uncles playing it into the night at our family's fishing cabin," Ashley said, smiling. "I love to play it."
"Well then Ash, get over here and help me school the home boy," Emily smiled as she nodded at Morgan. With all that had happened, the bond was still there between training agent and rookie.
JJ smiled at Ashley. "That's how I learned too."
"We'll take it slow the first few hands to help you out," Dave said, smiling over his shoulder at Emily.
Garcia stood over Matt's chair as JJ stood behind Strauss. "Sir, I'm OK back here? Because I have no clue to what's going on."
"You're fine Garcia." Strauss dealt the first hand and the four master players took the time to let everyone see how the game was played. But as the game was fiercely close, their instincts finally got the best of them, and it was quickly played to the finished. Matt, and his usual hole ace won the first game. However, it was enough for the rest to at least understand the action.
Rossi and Strauss won the second game, and the "rubber game" was a closely played until Hotch drew to a 16 point hand down the stretch that propelled him and Matt to victory. They spent the rest of the flight kibitzing and eating the snacks that were stocked on the jet. While they winged their way west, technically gaining time, their bodies and stomachs were still on European time.
The group that shared the four-top, having a second scotch, sat down in their original seats at take-off. One thing lead to another, and soon Rossi, knowing Matt's injuries, was profiling him to why he always used his left ear when on the phone. "So what's the hearing loss in the other ear?"
"Eighty percent," Matt added matter-of-factly.
"Figured as much."
"Matt, how in the hell did you pass the Bureau hearing test?" Strauss inquired.
"Very easy ma'am; I'm not expected to hear secrets in one ear," he winked. Strauss knew the real answer. He bullshitted his way through it.
Matt silently slid his foot over to give Hotch a gentle nudge in the shin, as he looked at Dave, getting back to his profile of his hearing. "Damn, Rossi I really think you should join the FBI. Start a special group that does just that kind of thing. Sorta sounds like some kind of profiling mumbo jumbo. What do you think Hotch?"
"He'd never make it out of the Academy," Hotch deadpanned. The team roared.
Dave looked at the two of them and applauded, silencing the jet. "You two need to take that act on the road, because you're damn good. Matt, I didn't see your lips move, but what I was really impressed with was how you slipped you hand into Hotch's back," he smirked at the two of them. The team bit back their laughter.
Hotch looked at him incredulously. "Are you saying I'm the 'dummy' of the act?"
"Absolutely not Aaron; I'm simply saying you're only as good as your ventriloquist. And with your sense of humor, it's a damn good thing you have the best."
Matt roared and shoved Hotch's right shoulder. Hotch glared at him. "You bring me in and then set me up to get stung by him," he said, pointing at Rossi. "Thanks a helluva a lot partner."
"Any time part," Matt responded, drawing howls of laughter from everyone on board. Matt gave Hotch the big Irish grin and Hotch, trying to hide a smile, simply shook his head.
-00CM00-
Chuck and Angie were true to their words. While they had provided the team a smooth flight across the Atlantic, battling head winds and the jet traffic coming out of the same continent, the Gulf Stream 650 gently landed at the Quantico Air Field at 3:28 local time. Anderson and his crew were waiting for them as they taxied to their stop.
As the team exited, Matt extended a hand to Anderson. "Sorry Brian for putting you on alert and then not using you. Things went better than I thought. How's Plan B?"
"That's OK sir," he said as shook Matt's hand. "Once the story broke in the news, I was able to fill everyone in on what was going on. You know how the rest of the office likes to know what you all are doing. And Plan B is rolling sir." The team, heads down in getting back to the office, didn't notice the conversation. They loaded up and headed back to the BAU. As they arrived, the team went to their staging area and re-stowed their go-bags and the ten of them got on the elevator. Everyone's stomach rumbled of needing real food; the snacks on the jet weren't working. Strauss, having pushed for her fifth floor office location, was stopped by Matt.
"With all due respect ma'am, you need to go up one more floor." He smiled at her as the rest of the team shared looks. "I need you to sign off on some things in my office."
She nodded and let the elevator doors close. When it pinged on the next floor, they all got off and headed towards the BAU glass doors. As Morgan pulled the door open, he could immediately tell something was off. He let Emily in, who looked at him. "What the hell?" The normally staid office smelled of food and the echoes of children laughing filled the air as well. The rest of team entered.
Matt, like Hotch being the last to enter, growled at all of them. "Just get you butts in the door and into the round table room."
The entire team dumped their bags by the coat rack and headed towards the wonderful smell. JJ, being the first up the steps, opened the door. "Momma," Henry shouted as he rushed towards her for a hug. Will wasn't far behind.
As Henry pulled out of his mother's hug, he looked over her shoulder. "Aunt Pen; Uncle Spence!" he smiled with delight. JJ passed Henry to Garcia with Reid standing next her, getting some alone time with Will. Kevin joined in Henry's hug of Garcia. As she looked around the room and slowly started to shake her head, Emily, Ashley and Morgan had entered, and quickly realized like JJ and Garcia what was going on. Strauss and Rossi entered next and Dave was nearly tackled by Jack. He pulled him off the floor for a hug. Erin Strauss looked across the room to see John and Jay, their son, waiting for her. As Hotch entered, Dave handed Jack to him.
"Hey buddy; missed you," Hotch said as he gave his son a tight hug.
"Missed you too dad." Reid and Ashley each got a hug from Abbey.
Matt, being the last to enter, was attacked by his children. Casee, of course, was the first to reach her dad. "Missed you daddy."
"I missed you my lady," Matt smiled and gave her a kiss. As the boys raced for him, he handed Casee off to Dave. He got a special greeting from the only woman that now had a place in David Rossi's heart. And she knew how to play it.
Matt grabbed his sons into a huge hug, greeting them both. "Cam, mom says you and Jack were huge. I'm proud of you both." Cam beamed.
Matt looked at Colin, and kissed him on the forehead. "It looks better son. Does it feel better?"
"Yup, daddy; I'm ready to rumble." The entire team, knowing Colin, just roared. Matt rolled his eyes.
"You go talk to Uncle Aaron," Matt said, as he, Hotch and Rossi exchanged kids.
Derek and Emily looked at Abbey. "You put this together, didn't you?"
Abbey shrugged. "I had some help; and everyone contributed," she said, nodding at John Strauss as she gave Emily a hug. Morgan bounced over to get one from her as well.
It was then that Matt finally had a chance to greet his wife. He gave her a kiss and pulled her into a large hug. "I missed you beautiful."
Abbey embraced the comfort of being in her husband's arms again and then pulled out of the hug and kissed him. "And words like that will get you and this team something to eat every time."
"Wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but I'll take it for now." Abbey rolled her eyes and punched him in the bicep.
"Be careful you two," Morgan teased, "or number four will be on the way." Erin Strauss crossed the room to greet her family.
"Not in this lifetime," Abbey said. "We're done." Dave and Hotch gave Abbey a hug as well.
Less than five minutes later, all of them were enjoying together a meal of Abbey's famous BBQ sandwiches, baked beans, potato salad, potato chips and pickles. Brian Anderson joined them as well, as he recounted how everything was put together.
Abbey spoke up. "While Raquel and I did most of the cooking, John paid for most of the ingredients. Will and Kevin pitched in on the rest, and were just big on getting this all here. So was Brian." Erin Strauss beamed, now feeling like a member of team.
As they all stood around eating, the kids taking most of the chairs around the table, Jack piped up. "Dad, can we keep watching our video?"
Garcia reached for the remote she now had rule over. "You bet my little G-man." As the kids finished, while the grown-ups continued to eat, the kids roared with delight as Abbey pulled out M&M bars for their dessert. They munched on the bars and sang the strains of "Hakuna Matata" from The Lion King, which echoed through the bullpen. Jay Strauss joined the kids in the dessert, and pulled Colin into his lap. Casee grabbed another bar, and got out of her chair.
Erin Strauss made her way around the room. As she reached David Rossi, he was pulling Casee up into his arms and accepting the dessert. He looked Strauss in the eye and waved a finger around the room for her to look. Hotch, Matt and the boys were having some dad time, while Dave hugged the angel that was is his arms and kissed her forehead. "This is why we do this Erin."
He took a bite of his dessert, holding Casee, who had her arm wrapped around his neck. Erin Strauss nodded and simply smiled.
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A/N: Thank you, thank you and thank you to all who reviewed or hit that "favorite button" of this story. The reviews are wonderful to read and a great help to an author. To the rest, your time reading is greatly appreciated!
A special shout out goes to specific Dutch and Montréal persons and their merry gang of Twitter followers! A huge thank you to all my new Tweet friends!
To the gang at CMRev, some of them fellow authors, that are my best friends and just all around, the greatest support peeps ever: Monk, TN, Falc, Wot, Yen, HF, Cinny and Van (HFG); my deepest respect. I go back to an early chapter of this story and hear Tina Turner singing Simply the Best. That's what you are to me; luvs y'all.
And to Thn0715: my mentor, my confidant, and simply, my dear friend. I do this journey with THE best guide in the world. Who knew that my lurking of the CBS forum would provide me with such an uber cool, sweet person in my life? *hugs and wipes tears* I luvs ya babe. And thanks. Again.
Rockie