See the notes at the end.
Chapter Fifteen:
Cole:
I met Esper and Thompson at the elevators early in the morning, three days after the BAU was brought back.
"And then there were three," I said with a sigh.
"How is this being explained to his ex and daughters?" Thompson asked.
"Lacy understood," Esper said. "It didn't take much convincing that the real answers were classified. As for his daughters, they were proud their father died a hero."
"A massive willow tree blossomed out of the field where Reid's house was," I said. "People are taking it as a sign."
"The FBI will be putting out a statement by the end of the week," Esper said.
The elevator doors opened and Director Anderson appeared.
"Come in," he said.
They stepped in and Anderson put a key in a lock.
"So, what now?" Thompson asked as the doors closed.
"We've purchased a gated community for the team," he said. "We'll keep them here only as long as it's beneficial."
"It looked like none of them have aged," I said.
"Only on some of the brain images is there some evidence of neural deterioration."
The doors opened.
"Holy crap," Thompson said as he stepped out.
This was the BAU of yesteryear. It was like walking into a funhouse.
"This is surreal," I said.
"It's been ages," Esper said.
"We kept everything," Anderson said. "Down to the round table."
"What was that gift left for Reid?" Thompson asked.
"It was from me," he said. "It was her father's scarf. I returned it to him."
They walked up to the catwalk and found the team in the conference room. Most were dressed casually. Diana was also there in a Doctor Who rainbow shirt. She looked happier than she'd ever seen her.
"Welcome," Hotch said.
"Hi," Thompson said nervously.
"What now?" Esper said.
"You three are the future of the FBI," Anderson said. "All agents who have been missing are welcome back, albeit in a non-field capacity due to the attention, that is unfortunately associated with them."
"What about you, Diana?" I asked.
"I just want to enjoy my parents for a while," she said. "Though fighting crime with my dad does sound like fun."
"We're all taking it one day at a time," Prentiss said. "There's lots to catch up on."
"We've also received access to case files," J.J. said. "I admit I kind of forgot I missed this."
"You three are welcome here to pick the brains of these profilers whenever you'd like."
"Can we take them to the shooting range?" Thompson asked. "Reid, you had the best shot record of anyone on the team. I want to beat it!"
Morgan turned to Reid. "Really? The guy who flunked once and passed by the skin of his teeth every other year?"
"Oh, I will show you," Reid said daringly.
"Game on Pretty Boy."
Diana laughed.
"I missed that so much!"
Anderson sighed. "I'm among the most important men in law enforcement, and I still feel like the low man on the totem pole around you guys."
"Open the range next Thursday night," Hotch said.
"Yes sir," he said.
Hotch cracked a smile.
"Sit down guys," Prentiss said. "Who'd like to hear about how Reid played Prince Charming to apprehend an unsub and it was Hotch's idea?"
"Go ahead," Anderson said. "We don't have any active cases."
The three of them took seats.
"Do you remember Hell?" I asked.
"Only nightmares," Rossi said. "You've probably seen more than us."
Anderson pulled out a bottle of whiskey.
"From your office," he said with a smile.
"I expect a duplicate back. My stuff isn't cheap compared to Hotch's."
Glasses were distributed. Reid stood up.
"A toast to those who kept the fire burning even as we left!"
Glasses clinked.
"To Morris!" Diana said.
Glasses clinked again.
I raised my glass.
"To the BAU back as it was meant to be!"
Glasses clinked again.
"No more for you dear," Reid said to Diana.
"Gee I go to hell to save you and now you want to control my drinking habits," she teased back.
"We never told you about the time we got your father drunk for the first time and made him do Karaoke and didn't tell him what he was singing," Morgan said.
Members of the team started cracking up.
"What was the song?" Diana asked.
"Morgan was a bit of a jerk at the time," Garcia said as she lightly punched him. "He had it specially requested."
"Thank god camera phones wouldn't be a thing for another two and a half years," Reid said as he turned crimson.
"What was it?" I asked.
"Like a Virgin," Hotch said.
Everyone burst out laughing. No one worrying about what came next so long as the BAU of the past and the present was together with Diana.
THE END
Yay! I finished something! I don't know what I'm doing (as usual) but I intend to keep writing. If I say I plan on quitting, I know I'll be back. Thanks to all who put up with me. I'm slower than usual, as I am trying to manage my energy levels with less caffeine. Thank you!