Reid had the dates, letters and pictures laid out on the table in front of him. He studied them trying to find a connection.
Prentiss sat down across from him. "Have you made any head-way yet?" She asked as she handed over a bottle of water.
He kept his eyes fixated on the paper. "No, not yet. I've tried several variations. But I am unsure of how it starts. I have tried by the dates written on the pictures, the dates the pictures actually were taken, when the letters were written. It is going to take me some time."
Prentiss leaned closer to him. "So, what do you think of Alex coming with us?"
Reid looked up to his friend. "I think she will be able to help us. I know she wants to."
"I am sorry for being skeptical, but how do you know?" Prentiss asked.
"I don't know. I just have a feeling that she is telling the truth." Reid was sincere.
Just then Hotch stepped aboard the Jet with Alex and Rossi close behind. After they all got settled, he rolled out satellite photos so everyone could see. "We are on our way to Hamilton. Alex will be assisting us." He shot a glance to her.
Alex leaned over to Rossi. "Do I get a gun?" She quipped.
"Don't push your luck." Rossi responded.
Hotch continued. "We are going to set up a base camp about a mile off of Harris' property, right about here." He pointed to the map. "Garcia has communication equipment with us to help keep us active." He then rolled out a close-up of the estate then turned to Alex. "Go ahead."
Alex moved closer to the table. She looked a Reid for a second then back to the table. "There are three main access points; here, here and here. There would be surveillance and guards doing patrol. He was majorly paranoid years ago, I can only imagine how he is now. He would love to make a spectacle by setting off bombs or other devices if he knew someone was striking. He also is heartless, and wouldn't mind if a few of his guards were taken out, too."
"He sounds like a peach." Rossi joshed.
Alex pointed to one of the entrances. "Here is the main access point, however you can't go through the door. There is a side door, that is the real entrance. But we would need an access code to get in."
"Where do we get the code?" Morgan asked.
"Usually the guard assigned to that door would have it." She looked up to him then to the rest of the team. "I suggest to be as stealthy as possible. Using weapons would only alert everyone. The more hand-to-hand combat to subdue them, the better."
"We will be prepared." Hotch announced. "Morgan, I want you and JJ at this entrance; Rossi, you and Prentiss will go with Alex will go to the main entrance to try and gain access while Reid and I will be at this one.
The team assembled at the base camp. Alex sat and watched as they all checked their weapons and put on their FBI Kevlar vests. Reid walked up to her and handed her one with the FBI label removed. "Here, this should fit you."
She gave him a meager smile in return. "Thanks, but I don't need it."
"Put it on, Alex. It's for your safety." He crouched down in front of her.
"Spencer, we have been in more dangerous situations than this, and I never needed a vest. Half the time I was in a dress, and had nowhere to hide my gun."
"And yet you always found a way." He smirked.
She let out a small chuckle. "Yeah, you're right."
Reid pulled over a chair and took a seat. "You know what I was thinking about? That car race Hugh and I had in the LA River."
"Oh my god, I haven't thought about that in a long time." Alex beamed.
Reid leaned back in his chair. "You know, I thought that Hugh was going to beat me there for a minute. But I thought quickly and pushed him up the side of the wash wall and peeled out in front of him."
"I know, Charlie and I were biting our nails the entire time. It was like watching Grease live before our eyes." She smiled as they met eyes. "Go ahead, hand me the vest. I will do this your way."
"I want you to know something." Reid was building up the courage to tell her.
"Go ahead."
"I understand why you wanted to handle Harris on your own and not tell me. That's how you are; so headstrong that no one would be able to talk you out of it. I wanted to let you know that I can at least forgive you for that." Reid admitted.
"But not for everything else." Alex smirked, knowing that would be too much to ask for.
"I just can't understand why you would stay with him and help him even after figuring out that he lied to you. Then the way you described him to the team, it doesn't make sense why you would want to be with a psychopath." Reid showed his compassion, he truly cared.
"I know, Spencer." She let out a sigh. "I don't think I could ever explain it in a way for you to understand. But I promise that one day, I will try." She reached over and put her hand on his and gave a squeeze. For the first time, he didn't pull back and actually gave her a grin.
Hotch turned to everyone. "We will be leaving in just a few minutes."
Alex looked back to Reid. "So, how do you want to play it?"
He let out a small laugh. They never started a mission without asking that question. It became routine, their lucky charm. "Let's just get Harris." He stood up. "And to be safe."
Hotch and Reid darted across the field toward the back entrance with their weapons drawn but pointing towards the ground. They hid behind the brush as a guard approached.
"We have to do this quietly." Hotch whispered.
"I got this." Reid holstered his weapon and snuck out from behind the bushes.
"What are you doing?" Hotch tried to call out in a hushed tone.
Reid approached the guard and tapped him on the shoulder. The guard turned and went to grab Reid. He pulled the guard's arms down and kneed him in the chest then pushed him further down and used his elbow into the back of his neck then kneed him in in the face. The guard fell to the ground, unconscious.
Hotch stood up in shock as he watched Reid take down the guard before he was able to blink.