DISCLAIMER- I do not own CM or the characters, except the original characters I have created for this story. Also, this story although based on CM is not following the timeline of the show and is instead in an AU.
It was a typical Monday morning at the B.A.U for Hotch's team. They'd only got back in the early hours of the morning following a difficult case in Austin. One that had unfortunately culminated in the rapist killing himself to stop himself from getting sent down for his crimes.
Garcia walked into the office with coffees for everyone. She started doling them out, offering them her usual optimism to try and brighten up their moods. The way she saw it, they did a difficult job and it was her job to remind them of all the good things in the world. They needed some form of escape from the horrible things they saw and she was happy to provide them with a dose of sunshine as and when needed.
Most of the team had gathered around Morgan's desk as he was telling them all about the successful date he had been on before they had gone to Austin. Reid, as usual was sat reading some big book on crime whilst listening to the conversation. Prentiss and JJ were laughing at Morgan's over exaggerations as usual. Smiling Garcia looked down at the two coffees she had yet to give out. Interrupting Morgan's story she addressed them all. 'Hey Guys, where is Katy? I've got her a nice vanilla latte with enough sugar to bring on diabetes here.'
Reid spoke, not looking up from the book. 'She probably called her Mom in England. She probably just slept in given they usually talk at 2am, what with the 5 hour time difference between us right now.' This comment did nothing to help calm Garcia down who had started to look concerned that she wasn't there.
Morgan stood up and walked over to Garcia placing his arm around her. 'Baby girl don't worry, she'll be here soon. You know what she is like when she rings her parents.'
Garcia nodded, taking Katy's cup out of the holder and placing it on her desk. 'I just worry about her being so far from home and from her parents.'
'Garcia, she is 28 I'm sure she is capable of coping without them!' Prentiss scoffed.
Turning to Prentiss, Garcia opened her mouth to respond to the cold comment. But before she could speak Hotch came out of his office and interrupted them from the walkway. 'Team, it's time.' He paused and frowned noticing that they were missing one member of the team. 'Where is Chilcot?'
'We don't know Hotch.' JJ spoke up. 'Probably slept in. Her phone is switched off though, I tried to call her to see if she wanted a ride in this morning.'
'We think she rang her parents last night Hotch, you know what she is like for getting up when she doesn't sleep much. Besides, you are the one who put that idea in her head.' Morgan spoke as they all headed up to the walkway.
The team walked past a frowning Hotch and into the briefing room as Rossi came out of his office. 'I'm sure she will be here soon Hotch.' He said calmly. 'She's been late before. We can brief her when she arrives.'
Hotch nodded, glancing around the desks his team usually sat at and the one cup of abandoned coffee on Katy's unusually tidy desk. 'Yeah, you are right. Let's go.'
They headed towards the briefing room. Rossi held the door for Hotch. 'Besides you can tell her off for being up all night when she gets in.' Hotch smiled and walked into the room. He sat down next to Morgan.
'Morning team, good to see you all again after a long time apart.' This comment brought a few sarcastic smirks to the faces around the room, Reid however, was just confused by this statement, but chose to say nothing. 'Now I am aware someone is missing, but we can fill her in when she finally rolls out of bed and comes charging into the room full of apologies and English charm.' He leaned back in his chair glancing up at Penelope. 'So Garcia, what we got today?'
Garcia pushed up from the wall she had been leaning on and started handing out iPads and paperwork to everyone. 'This one is a pretty disgusting case, I had to use all my extra sparkly things to get through it before deciding we could take it on, so don't mind me while I refuse to look at the screen for more than a second when I am sharing this particular nutjobs work.' Glancing over her shoulder the first picture appeared on screen. 'She was found on the outskirts if Phoenix late last night. It's not the first body to be found in this state.' Clicking again Garcia continued to talk. 'Her body was found in…' a knocking interrupted Garcia who turned and looked behind her as the door opened.
Erin Strauss, their boss stood at the door, looking oddly concerned. 'Sorry for the interruption. But I need a word Aaron. In my office.' Hotch stood up silently and followed her out of the room feeling his team's eyes on him as he silently walked out. As they headed to her office Hotch went through the mental checklist to see if he or his team had done anything wrong in the last few cases. He was aware that JJ still had a report to fill in, but Henry had been sick the other week, it couldn't be that surely.
Strauss held the door open for Hotch as he walked in, closing it behind her she motioned for him to sit down. He felt slightly nervous as he sat down watching Strauss to see if he could figure out what this could be about. As she sat opposite him Hotch noticed she looked concerned, something that put him on high alert instantly, all thoughts off unfilled paperwork flew out of his head. 'What is it Ma'am?'
'When did you last hear off Agent Chilcot?' Hotch's eyes went wide, not expecting this question. Quickly he recovered his usual stoicism. Wondering where this was going he answered Erin.
'Last night when we got back from the last case. I know she is late today, but I presumed that was because she stayed up to talk to her parents. Why?' Hotch hid his shock as he watch Erin look even more concerned as he spoke.
Leaning forward Erin spoke at all. 'I spoke to Katy's Dad about 5 minutes ago. They haven't heard off her in weeks.'
'Well that isn't unusual at all…' Hotch began to say as Erin interrupted him.
'No Hotch, this is what is unusual. She called me an hour ago.' Erin reached over to her phone. 'She left this message.' Erin hit the play button, Hotch sat and stared at the machine listening intently.
'Hey Erin, I mean Strauss.' Katy's voice filled the air. Hotch noticed something was off, her voice was fake, she sounded too cheerful. 'Sorry this is so short notice. But could I take some personal time? Just got home to find my Dad is here. Say a week or so? Thanks Strauss. Bye!' The line went dead.
Strauss sat back and looked at Hotch as he processed the information. 'Her Dad is in England.' Hotch's head snapped up from the floor as things started slipping into place. 'He's never been out of the country.'
Suddenly Hotch realised what was going on. 'That's her code Strauss. She's in trouble. We need to help her.'
Strauss nodded. 'I know that. I've already sent Garcia the sound recording to see if she can analyse the recording. I'm also allowing you to have the case. You are the only people who know her well in this country. Don't worry about the other cases, I'll pass them on to the other teams.'
Hotch stood up. 'I'd best go let the team know then.' Strauss waved him out, looking pensive.
As soon as the door closed behind him he power walked across the building. Trying to sort through the thoughts and feelings, trying to gauge the teams reactions as they took in the news that their favourite Brit needed their help. As he got to the walkway he looked up and saw Rossi stood just outside of the briefing room door, watching him stride towards the room. 'Hotch, is everything ok?' the Italian asked. Hotch shook his head as he passed Rossi and motioned for him to follow him into the noisy briefing room.
Everyone stopped talking as soon as Hotch entered. The mood instantly dropped, they all sensed something was wrong. Derek spoke into the silence first. 'Hotch? What's up man?' Taking a deep breath Hotch looked around at his team, each face concerned.
'Team, I have some bad news.'