Twelve o'clock Quantico time, the remaining BAU members returned, their case solved. It was a bittersweet victory, having caught their unsub, but not in time to save their eleven-year-old victim. Quiet and subdued, they made it back to the unit. They still had a few hours to kill before they could head home and try to forget the horrors from San Francisco. Everyone disappeared into their separate areas, setting to work to get this case over and filed away where they'd never have to see it again.

Hotch closed the door to his office, setting his go bag on his couch. He took a glance out the blinds at Morgan and Emily, sitting at their separate desks in the bull pen. They took a long glance at each other before getting to work.

Files in hand, he went to sit at his desk and get started. Just as he got settled, his phone rang. He heaved a sigh, not wanting to deal with someone else's problems right now. Reluctantly, he grabbed the receiver. "Agent Hotchner."

"Hotch," The strange voice said on the other end, "It's Leonard Bradbury."

Pleased, "Leo, this is a surprise. How are you doing?"

"Business is booming, unfortunately," he replied, the old accent a nostalgic reminder to Hotch's college days. "How are things across the pond?"

"It's not too bad, can't really complain," He leaned back in his chair, listening. "I heard about Maria… I'm sorry."

There was a long silence on the other end, "Thank you. She didn't suffer, so that's something."

"Suffer or not, it's still hard to lose your wife to cancer." He continued. "I wish there was something I could have done."

Bradbury continued on the other end. "Well… I'm just sorry you didn't get to see her before she passed. She always liked you, Aaron."

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the funeral. I just couldn't get away." Hotch explained.

"Well, with your job, it's understandable." Bradbury stated, "Which is the reason why I'm calling. You deal with a lot of severe homicides. I need your expert opinion."

Hotch couldn't help but be relieved. Hearing from his friend just a few days after Reid and Riley arrived in his country was a little too ironic. But he had called to ask for opinions on cases before, this was just a coincidence. Even with the two's history.

"What do you need?" he asked. "I can have my tech analyst research some information if you need it."

"No, I just need your opinion on some of these victims." He explained, "They may not be connected, but it looks a little too ironic for it not to be by the same killer."

Hotch really liked Leo Bradbury, ever since freshman orientation. It was a shame he wanted to work in London. Hotch always thought he'd make a great profiler.

"Well, I won't be able to say for sure without looking over the crime scenes, but I can make a good guess with the facts. Let me hear."

Meanwhile, Morgan and Emily avoided each other for the rest of the work day. Emily didn't intend on staying one second past five, even if she did still have fifteen more folders to fill out. It seemed every case, there was more and more forms to go with it.

She was rinsing out her coffee cup, getting it ready for the morning. Tomorrow, she would need all the help she could get to keep her alert. She stood at the sink in the break room, hearing someone walk over.

"Heading home soon, Prentiss?" Morgan asked, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.

"Yes," she replied. "Unless you guys want to grab a drink."

"Can't make it myself," he said flashing her a smile, "I got a hot date tonight."

In an effort not to get too serious about each other, dating other people wasn't disallowed. Emily knew Morgan went out with a girl every once in awhile and he kept up his appearances as the player; flirting with young girls at the bar or entertaining a group of young interns in the morning. She wasn't sure if he slept with any of them and wouldn't let herself even think of it. It would just torture her with jealousy. Besides, Morgan never asked her about her dates, she gave him the same courtesy. If he had, he would find out she hadn't seen anybody in a very long time.

"Oh," she sighed. "With who?"

"That hurts, Princess," He replied. "I have everything planned for your perfect evening and you act like it's nothing."

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "Tonight? You want to do this tonight?"

"Yeah, why not? I told you, when we get back to Quantico-"

"Yeah, but after a case like this… I figured you wouldn't be in the mood." She turned to look at him, the lukewarm water running over her pruning hands.

"I can't think of a better way to get this case off my mind." He said with a shrug, "You in or not?"

Emily was a little disappointed. They had only decided on this night yesterday, they hadn't even been home half a day, how much effort was he really going to put into it? "You need me to do anything? Bring anything?"

"Just you." He gave her a wink.

Emily flushed a soft pink as she smiled. One thing she had always noticed about Morgan, he could make any girl in the world feel beautiful and important. Letting out a sigh, "Okay, what time?"

"My apartment, eight o'clock," he stated. "Make sure you look foxy, not that you have much work to do there."

With that, he stepped away. She finally shut off the water, setting her mug in the dish drainer. Wiping her wrinkled hands on a paper towel, she couldn't help but be excited for tonight. Mentally, she ran through her wardrobe, trying to decide what outfit would be perfect to drive him wild.

"The battle took place in 1805, which was a victory for the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars." Reid mentioned as he and Riley spent the afternoon exploring the famous Trafalgar Square, located in the heart of London.

"I know," Riley stated as they walked around the large fountain. She sat down, the concrete freezing her legs through her jeans. She clutched Reid's hand, pulling him to join her. "Ever since we decided to come here, you've given me enough information to write a history book on the entire country."

"Is that a bad thing?" Reid asked, sitting beside her.

"No," she replied smiling, "But you're supposed to be enjoying yourself. Your mind needs a vacation, too, you know." She leaned in closer, wrapping her free hand around him to pull him closer. "I've a got a few ideas how to shut your brain off, but you've got to meet me halfway, Sweetheart."

Reid smiled as they met in a kiss. Not caring if they were making a spectacle of themselves in a foreign country, his hand slipped around her waist landing on the hem of her jeans. The mist of the fountain lingered next to them. It reminded him of their kiss in Seattle, standing on the street, the first kiss after being apart for seven months. He'd been in agony every day over how much he wanted her back. Never did he imagine they'd one day be on their honeymoon.

Her hand went to his cheek as their kiss broke, matching his gaze with her sparkling brown eyes, filled with their usual diamond dust. "You're so cold." She uttered.

"Not really," He replied, leaning on her forehead. Why couldn't he just get lost in the moment like he usually did? He wanted to be here, all of him. He wanted to give his full attention, and in turn take hers, but there was a part of him that just couldn't be silenced. Maybe it was just his instincts and training that wouldn't let him focus on anything but the case… he hoped desperately that was the reason.

"Are you okay?" she asked, leaning away from him. "You seem so distant."

"I'm just tired," He replied.

She wasn't convinced, looking over him with worry. "Is something wrong? Are you mad at me?"

"No, of course not." He affirmed, his one hand left her waist and slid onto its favorite spot on her thigh. "I didn't sleep well. I'm trying to have a good time... I just can't seem to relax."

She fixed him with such a stare, and Reid was afraid at first she was mad. But after a moment, there was a familiar spark about her face he recognized. "What is it?"

"I was just thinking…" Riley said, both her hands grasping his. "How would you feel about separating for the rest of the day?"

"What for? Am I holding you back?" He asked, partly joking.

"No, it's not like that," Riley replied, "I was just thinking that you could go back to the hotel and take a nap or read or do whatever you want to regain your energy and I'll go shopping."

"No, I'll go shopping with you." He argued.

"You can't," she said with a smile as she got to her feet, "Because what I'm going to buy is a surprise." Reid got to his feet, standing with her, listening as she continued, "You go to the hotel and rest, I'll meet you back there at six and we'll go out dinner. And tonight… after we get back," she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I will put on something very alluring and spend the entire evening getting you comfortable."

"Uh… that sounds… like a plan," He felt tormented; any other time, he'd barley be able to speak at that idea. Reid held her as close as possible, slipping his hands into her long black winter coat, the better to feel her body. "But I'll go with you. I don't like the idea of you going off in a strange city by yourself."

"Oh, I'll be fine." She whined, "You're not going to enjoy anything if you fall asleep beforehand." He wasn't convinced, and she continued to press. "I'll take a cab everywhere I go. They know the city better than anyone. If I recall, the cab drivers are not allowed to use GPS, but have to pass The Knowledge, a test of all the streets in the city of London."

"Wow, that's impressive," He replied, "Where did you learn that, Mrs. Reid?"

"From this really smart guy I know," She leaned up, her hand running up into his long hair as her lips brushed teasingly against his, "He taught me all about London. He knows lots of trivia and information, about everything. It's pretty much useless, but he's so sexy when he's outlandishly smart."

He smiled, meeting her in a kiss. As they pulled apart, Reid took her hand and started to lead her from the square. "So what are you going to buy?"

"Oh, you'll see." She flashed him a bewitching grin.

The hotel was within walking distance. After one more kiss, Reid put Riley into a cab and they parted ways. He watched until the car was out of sight, then headed for the bus stop.

Reid did not go back to the hotel. He hadn't been looking for the opportunity to get away, but now that he had it, Reid needed to take advantage. He didn't want Riley to find out how involved he was getting into this murder, but if he could just speak to the inspector, maybe he could get it out of his mind and enjoy the rest of his trip.

It was fascinating how the man in charge of the investigation was the same contact Hotch had given him at the wedding. Being his boss's old friend, it might not take much convincing for Reid to learn about the case. He wasn't sure why he was so attracted to this. The smartest thing to do would be to just ignore it. That's what anyone else would do, maybe that's what a sane person would do. But Reid's mind had always been different. He couldn't leave it alone.

The bus ride wasn't very long. Reid got off at the closest stop. It was after five now. He didn't have much time if he was going to get back before Riley. He went in through the public entrance as fast as his skinny legs would take him.

"Excuse me," Reid said as he reached reception. The young officer greeted him with a questioning glare. "I'm here to speak to an Inspector Leonard Bradbury, is he in by any chance?"

"I'll have to check," the young girl said speaking with a strong Liverpool accent. "And what is this in regards to?"

He couldn't tell her he was here about the case. She would need to see credentials and visas and confirmation from Bradbury himself. "Just tell him that Dr. Spencer Reid is here and that I work with Aaron Hotchner."

Further confused, the young officer stood and went into the station. Reid was left alone in the lobby.

There wasn't much activity in the place. There was commotion in some of the adjoining rooms, talking, paper shuffling, the sound of a few phones ringing. He checked the watch over his sleeve. It was twenty past five now. He was running out of time. All he had to do was discuss this with Inspector Bradbury. Then, it would be out of his system.

The officer returned with an older gentleman behind him. He overlooked Reid in question, but didn't seemed bothered by his appearance. If he knew this man better, he'd say he was concerned.

"Dr. Reid?" He asked coming to his side of the desk.

"Yes," he answered.

"Hello, I'm Inspector Leonard Bradbury," he said, offering his hand. "Aaron told me you and your wife would be in the city. He wanted to keep me on alert in case you needed any help."

Reid accepted his hand, "It's nice to meet you, sir."

"Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you, actually. Aaron always brags about his team when we talk." He said with a smile.

"Does he?" Reid asked, staggered. Hotch cared about the team, there was no doubt about that. Whenever one of them was in trouble, he'd give both his life and career to help. But he never seemed very prideful about them or his family. Indeed, Reid learned more about Jack through Riley than through his own father.

"Oh, yes, he's very fond of all of you." Bradbury confirmed. "In fact, I just got off the phone with him in my office."

That was eerie. "Is everything alright?"

"Oh, yes, I called him," He explained, "I needed some help on a case I'm working on. But I won't bore you with those details. What seems to be your problem, Dr. Reid?"

"Well… I don't want to waste your time," He explained, checking his watch. Twenty-five after. "But… I heard you were involved with the double homicide at the Grislow Hotel yesterday."

He was startled, "How did you hear about that? If you don't mind my asking."

"I learned the murders took place in the honeymoon suite… my wife and I were supposed to have that room after the McClarens."

"Oh," was his startled response, "I wasn't aware of that. What can I do for you?"

"Well… you know I work with Aaron Hotchner, so you know what I do for living." He feared the outcome of this and was beginning to regret coming here. He shouldn't be concerned with this. He wasn't even supposed to be working; it would be just like calling the team to question how their latest case was going. "I couldn't help but be curious about the crime… what information you had… if it were connected to any other murders… and I wanted to help anyway that I could."

Bradbury hesitated at first. He suspected he wanted to ask Reid for his help, but knew rules and regulations prevented him from doing so. "Well, Dr. Reid… I admire you taking the time to come here and offer assistance. I'm sure your wife is waiting for you-"

"Actually, she doesn't know I'm here." At that, his hands went into his pockets again. "I was just curious about these murders. I had a terrible feeling about them… and I'm not one to believe in signs, but… over the last three years, I've learned when I have such strong gut feelings on something like this… I shouldn't ignore them."

"Is that a fact?" He asked, partly amused.

"Well, if I ignored them, I probably wouldn't be married right now." He said with a nervous smile.

The expression on Bradbury's face turned very soft, almost sad. "I can appreciate that, Dr. Reid." He recovered with a deep breath and a friendly smile. "I would love your assistance. I do have to be honest… the McClarens are not of a single event. Off the record, it's very similar to a few others that have happened in the city over the last two months… but I don't have enough evidence to justify it as a serial murder case. And until then, I can't validate showing you anything. I hope you understand."

That was enough for him. He wasn't responsible for this case in the first place. Now knowing there was nothing he could do should have been sufficient. He could have just accepted that and left. Instead, he nodded, "If any new information comes up to change that effect, feel free to contact me."

"Thank you, Dr. Reid," Bradbury was very pleased with that. "Aaron said you were almost as kind as you were smart."

Reid was becoming further stunned. "I'm sorry, Inspector, you are talking about Aaron Hotchner, correct? About six feet, dark hair, hardly ever smiles?"

Bradbury could only laugh, "Have a good trip, Dr. Reid. And if you need anything, I believe you have my number."

With that, he headed back into the station. The officer at reception continued staring at him, waiting for him to leave. He took the hint and hurried out to the doors. It was half past five now. He had to hurry if he were going to get back in time.