Author's Note:
I found out from the TMJ specialist, that TMJ is not causing my throat to hurt. In good news, I found Z-quill is helping me sleep.
Chapter Eight:
The USCGC Connor
Alvez
Taking a steadying breath, Alvez looked into the monitor at Garcia.
"Penelope, I have something to tell you," he said nervously.
"If it is that you and Tara hooked up, it's okay. There's nothing to feel guilty about," she said.
"Really?" as he almost laughed in relief.
"Oh Luke, you have had such a hard four months, I couldn't be mad at you for seeking comfort with Tara."
"You're amazing, you know that? Just amazing."
"I'm flying to Hawaii with Morgan. Morgan thought he'd come along to provide some support for Reid."
"He needs it."
"Is he seriously hurt? Did something else happen?"
"No, how do I say this? J.J. is three months pregnant."
"Oh. I see. Oh my gosh, how is J.J?"
"She is doing well, all things considered. Reid is just conflicted."
"I can only imagine. Max reached out to me, by the way. She wants to talk to Reid, but only if he wants to talk to her. She knows it sounds incredibly childish, asking through me, but she didn't know how else to do so."
"I'll pass the message along."
"How are you doing Luke? Aside from feeling guilty over cheating on me which I now fully absolve you of."
"Better, having heard you say that."
"Listen, if you still have feelings for Tara that's fine too. We'll sort this out, after you've showered, worn clean clothes, and interacted with civilization for a while."
He felt himself choking up.
"I don't know how to thank you."
"You don't need to thank me! Luke, you're alive! I'll be happy to just call you my friend so long as you're alive. Don't be so hard on yourself."
"Penelope, the team is a mess. Everyone is a mixture of sad and happy. Clothes, food, even being inside, feels weird."
"I bet," she said. "I've been living off a healthy or not so healthy, diet of survival media. I feel like I could start a fire with my bare hands at this point if I had to."
He laughed. "That would have been a good skill to have."
"I'm going to help you guys in any way that I can. I may have left the team, but I'm still an honorary team member. I'll see you guys at Pearl Harbor. I'm already working on lei designs."
"I look forward to it."
"Aloha Luke!"
"Aloha Penelope!"
He logged off with a smile on his face. Alvez walked out of the media room and saw the team assembled, looking out on the water.
"We should be able to see Okinawa in about five minutes," Reid said.
Luke considered telling him about Max then and there, but then he decided against it. Another time.
"How is everyone?" he asked instead.
Everyone looked the same: Apprehensive.
"We're going to be okay," Prentiss said. "After surviving one hundred twenty-seven days together on an island, we can survive anything."
"Hopefully," Reid said.
"Definitely," Lewis said.
"I just want to go home," Simmons said.
"I miss Crystal, and Wine," Rossi said.
J.J. just stared out onto the ocean. Alvez stepped forward and hugged her. She held his hand as the team gathered closer. They moved together as they had for same reasons as they had in the past: For survival.
Day Two
Alvez buttoned his shirt.
"Dry clothes do feel better."
"How's your foot?" Reid.
"It's fine, it was a shallow cut."
J.J. passed around the langomes.
"Not bad," Rossi said.
"The peals can be used to create an insect repellant," Reid said.
"Good to know," Simmons said.
"Tomorrow we're going to work on survival," Prentiss said. "Rossi and Reid, you're going to look for more food. After we eat, we're going to look around the island for a larger clearing to build a shelter. We're also going to look for a place to set up a signal fire. Please be careful where you step."
"Is there anything that could kill on this island Reid?" Lewis asked.
"Everything is afraid of the fire," he said. "I can't see there being anything large enough to hurt us."
"I have a water-proof watch," Simmons said. "We'll each take two-hour shifts keeping the fire burning."
"I'll take first watch," Alvez said.
"I'll let you," Prentiss said. "We'll do it alphabetically by last name. Any objections?"
No one said a word.
"Also, does anybody want to challenge me for leadership? This isn't the BAU. This is survival. If someone thinks they can lead better, don't be afraid to speak up."
"No," Lewis said.
"Why would I want to lead now?" Rossi asked.
"I prefer to be your loyal follower," J.J. said.
"I'm a soldier, not a commander," Simmons said.
"What Simmons said," Alvez said.
"I have always preferred the role of Merlin to that of Arthur," Reid said.
"Reid, you know a lot more about survival than I do, are you sure you don't want to lead?"
"Having you manage the bigger picture allows me to focus on the details. I can be your encyclopedia while you tell who to do what."
"If you're sure."
"I am."
"Okay. Let's all try to get some rest."
"I've wondered why you haven't applied for promotions," J.J. said.
"You could have always asked."
"I just assumed it was too personal."
"When you know as much as I do about everything, you need guidance. I like having someone to tell me what to focus on."
"As interesting as I find this conversation, we really should try to sleep," Prentiss said.
They nestled closer together. There was a loud squawking sound, that made everyone jump.
"Reid," Alvez said.
"I am ninety percent certain there is nothing that can harm us."
"I don't like that one percent," Alvez said.
"No one can be one hundred percent certain of anything."
"Guys!" Prentiss hissed.
"Sorry," Reid and Alvez said in unison.
Lewis tucked in closer to Alvez.
"I'm counting on you to protect me," she whispered.
"You better believe I will."
Sleeping as close as humanly possible was becoming routine. Any sensitivities to touch, were abandoned in favor of survival. Sleeping like this wasn't easily achievable, but in the end, it was achieved.