Alex and Reid were at Clancy's hanging out the with regular crowd. Reid was up at the bar waiting for their drinks and Alex went up to help him.
"It's a lot quieter tonight," Alex observed.
"That's because the game isn't on," Reid turned to look at the near empty establishment.
"At least we get to drink on this mission," she took a large gulp from her frosty beer.
"Let's not get carried away, remember, we need to be on our toes in case Colm shows up," Reid explained.
"Well, he better show up soon. I feel like all I'm doing is drinking," she complained.
"That's because you missed the fun of having four guys attack you in an alley," he smirked as they walked back towards the table.
"So, you can tell us," Kyra started. "Are you two a thing?"
"Kyra," Shawn showed his disapproval.
"What? You were the one asking me," she snapped back at him.
Alex and Reid looked at each other and back to the group. "We're just having some fun," Alex spoke up.
Suddenly the group heard screaming coming from the street and they all rushed outside. A young man, was running toward the bar screaming for someone to help.
"Help, someone help!" The young man ran directly toward Reid's group. His face was covered in tears and flushed from fear.
"Okay, calm down," Reid put his hands on his shoulders. "What's wrong?"
"He's dead. Please, I need help."
"Who's dead?" Alex asked.
"Michael, he's just… gone," he managed to get out.
The boy was not much older than a teenager and in no way playing a joke on anyone.
"What's your name?" Alex asked.
"Riley," he responded.
"Take us to him," Reid looked into his eyes.
"Shouldn't we call 999?" Kira asked.
"Yes, you and Shawn stay here and call, Moira and I will go with Riley," Reid sounded authoritative, yet he and Alex were the only ones remaining calm.
The trio rushed up the street while Alex was sending a text to Hotch to alert him of the situation. They made it to a dark corner where they could see a body lying in the shadows.
"Wait here," Reid told Riley while Alex put her hands on his shoulders as she stood behind him.
Reid stepped closer to Michael and turned on the light from his cell phone. He let out a deep sigh as he looked down at what was left of Michael. He then held up his phone to search the surrounding area.
"What are you looking for?" Alex asked from a distance.
"His head," Reid replied.
"What happened?" Alex pulled him away from his friend. "Riley, did you see what happened to Michael?"
"He was standing in the dark, I couldn't see what he looked like," Riley started as he stuttered while retelling his story. "Then he called out to Michael."
"Called out to him? What do you mean?" Alex questioned.
"He said his name, he was just staring at us. Then he ran towards Michael with a huge knife and swung. I didn't know what to do, so I ran."
"Anything?" Alex called out to Reid who shook his head in response.
"He might have taken it with him," Reid replied.
Riley looked up when he heard the sirens getting closer. "Here come the peelers."
Alex looked to Reid with a questioning look.
"He means the police," Reid clarified as they became surrounded.
A little over an hour later, once Reid and Alex were able to be alone, they contacted Hotch to give him a formal update and that the lore of The Dullahan just increased ten-fold.
"Thanks," Hotch held one finger in his ear while trying to hear his phone call with the other. "Just keep me updated if anything else comes up. Yes, I am going to tell them now. We're at the bar by the hotel. Keep your eyes open and watch your back." He hung up his phone then rushed into the noisy bar just as the rain started to fall.
He walked through the crowded room to a table in the back where his team had finished their dinner and ordered another round of drinks.
"How are they holding up?" Rossi asked.
"As well as can be expected," Hotch replied.
"Are we sure it's the same UnSub?" Prentiss asked.
"Well, he stood in the darkness and called out the boy's name. Reid said that his head was cut off with a single motion and wasn't found at the scene," Hotch reported.
"That's one hell of a knife," Morgan added.
"So, what do we think? The head was taken as a trophy?" JJ asked.
"It's possible," Hotch answered.
"How old was he?" Garcia asked with sad eyes.
"He was sixteen years old."
"He's just a boy. He couldn't have been on the wrong side of this gang, could he?" Prentiss questioned.
"I don't know," Hotch shook his head.
"First Reid took that beating, and now he's dealing with this?" Morgan took a drink.
"Wait, what beating?" Garcia pepped up with concern.
"Apparently, Colm sent four of his men to beat up Spence in an alley," JJ started.
"Oh, my goodness, is he okay?" Garcia became misty-eyed.
"Don't worry, the kid is just fine," Rossi patted her hand.
"Pretty boy took down all four by himself," Morgan reported. "But seriously," he turned towards the team. "What kind of guy sends in his own men to be potentially killed in a situation like that?"
"One sick puppy, that's for sure," Garcia snarked.
"Well, he's obviously a psychopath," JJ started. "He applauded when Spence was done with them."
"Can I call for a moratorium on shop-talk for the rest of the night?" Prentiss asked. "Come on, we need a break. The local police are dealing with it tonight, we won't even be able to look at what they have until tomorrow. We already have some drinks, I think we should mix a little fun into it."
"I couldn't agree more," Rossi spoke up. "And I think that I will do that back in my room."
"Wait, where are you going?" JJ asked.
"I love you guys, I truly do. But if I don't get some alone time with Tony Bennett, I think I am going to love you all a lot less. Good night," he kissed his hand and gave them a wave as he headed out the door.
"I think I should turn in, too," Hotch put his napkin on the table.
"I don't think so," Morgan held out his finger. "You are not leaving me alone with three ladies. Come on, Hotch, you need a night out more than any of us."
The group collectively urged him to stay. Hotch held up his hands as a smile crept across his face. "Okay, but only one more drink, then I'm done."
"Hey, Emily. The guy at the bar has been giving you the eye," JJ smirked.
"Oh yeah?" Prentiss blatantly turned to look.
"Subtlety, girl," Morgan tried to correct then turned to Hotch. "The girl has no game."
"What?" Prentiss turned back to him. "It's been three months since I've been on a date. Three months, Morgan."
"Maybe that's why you've been so uptight lately," he sassed.
"Shut up," Prentiss threw her napkin at him.
"Is this how you are when I'm not around?" Hotch questioned.
The group turned to him and said yes in unison.
"You see what you've been missing?" Garcia smirked as she grabbed onto his arm.
"Yes, next time I think I will join Dave," he laughed.