Hotch looked up at the plastic sails that adorned the side of the American Embassy in London. Dressed in his suit and clutching his briefcase he refocused toward the door where he was expected for a meeting. He was given little information about who he was meeting and why he could only deduce that a conversation regarding their assignment in Ireland would be the topic for discussion.

Hotch was shown to a waiting area. He placed his briefcase on the ground next to the chair where he seated himself. He interlaced his fingers, and they rested on his lap as he waited patiently.

"So, who are you meeting with?" Rossi asked as he stepped out from the corner of the room.

Hotch was caught off guard but quickly settled himself again. "Why are you here, Dave?"

"Oh, you know, in case you needed back up," he said as he sauntered toward his friend with his hands in his front pockets.

"It's a simple debriefing," Hotch said.

Rossi pursed his lips as he gave an agreeing nod. "You're right. But just the same, I will be here… when you need me."

Hotch allowed the faintest smile across his lips and shook his head.

"Agent Hotchner," a woman called while standing in the hallway. "They're ready for you now." Hotch got up from his chair and followed her away from the waiting area. The woman took a step back and held out her arm directing him to go ahead into the room at the end of the hall.

Hotch entered and saw a table with five people seated on one side and a single chair on the opposite side. Noticing the interrogation feel to the room he realized that this would be a lot more serious than he initially thought. He approached the chair when he heard a familiar voice.

"Please be seated," Strauss said pointing across the table to the empty chair.

Hotch sat and tilted his head as he looked at his boss. "I didn't expect you to come here for this. Couldn't we have done this once we returned to DC?" He picked up on her no-nonsense mood that she often gave him.

"I thought it would be best to return to the scene of the crime, so to speak," she said dryly.

Hotch focused his eyes as he stared, studying her.

Strauss placed a stack of folders onto the table in front of her. She opened the top cover and picked up a piece of paper. "Let's begin, shall we?" She continued without waiting for an answer. "This all began when the CIA reached out to the BAU for help on their case chasing a killer known as The Dullahan."

"That's right," Hotch responded.

"Now how is it that your entire team was needed on this? To be away from active cases back in the states, where you were needed. A member of your team went rogue, and another one almost died. Would you say the ends justified the means?" Strauss said. She glared at Hotch, finally waiting for an answer.

"Ma'am I know you were looped in and authorized our assistance in this case from the beginning," Hotch started.

"When a fellow agency requests our assistance, we provide it. However, that doesn't mean your team is allowed to run wild like college students on a trip abroad. The objective was to provide a profile on this killer and leave it to the local authorities to take him into custody," Strauss said.

"The killer was caught, and the head of a dangerous gang was arrested, as was his crew," Hotch spoke up.

"He was caught?" Strauss repeated with astonishment. "He was killed! By your agent!"

"The knife belonged to Alex Marcus of the CIA, she was the one who threw it after Agent Reid's life was in danger," he corrected.

"And Agent Reid admitted to…" she picked up the statement to read his words, "to inflicting maximum internal damage." She placed the paper down then removed her glasses and placed on top of the stack. "Is this the type of behavior you encourage on your team? I know this discovery of Agent Reid's additional skill set is still an adjustment. But that does not mean he is allowed to torture a suspect!"

Hotch gazed at her while he controlled his breathing and heart rate. "The incident that took place between Agent Reid and Jannon Daly was an unfortunate one yet had extenuating circumstances. I can honestly say that if I were in that situation, I am not sure I would do things differently."

Strauss' mouth gaped a bit then shut and was caught off guard from that response. She flipped over a few papers and picked up a new one. "Let's move onto Agent Morgan. What is the latest on his condition?"

"He is recovering well. The knife missed any major organs and is due to be discharged tomorrow," Hotch said.

"A condition he wouldn't have been in if your agent conducted himself accordingly."

Hotch tilted his head as his forehead furrowed. "Are you insinuating Agent Morgan's injuries were somehow caused by Agent Reid?"

"We will get back to that." She opened a new folder and slid her glasses back on. "Apparently you and Agent Morgan threatened to drag a man behind a car during an interrogation." Strauss looked up at him accusingly.

"Agent Morgan and I were working undercover with Alex Marcus. She was kidnapped, and that man was the last person to see her. If we revealed who she really was her cover would have been blown and she would have been killed."

"It seems where ever Alex Marcus goes, trouble follows," Strauss said.

"Look, ma'am, we were all doing the job we agreed to do. I sent status reports every day detailing our actions. What is this really about? What are you after?" Hotch asked looking sideways at her.

Strauss removed her glasses and placed them on the stack of papers. She held her hands together on the table in front of her. "I want any association with Alex Marcus terminated and Agent Reid out of the BAU."

A few moments later Hotch stormed out of the office and walked past Rossi toward the elevator. Rossi jumped up and rushed after him.

"I hate it when you're right," Hotch said as he stepped onto the elevator car.

"I usually am, but why am I right this time?" Rossi asked as he stepped in with Hotch.

"Strauss wants Reid off the team and to cut off ties with Alex. I have a meeting set for tomorrow to appeal the decision," Hotch said.

"Tomorrow? That doesn't give us much time," Rossi added.

"We need to get the team together," Hotch announced as the doors closed.