Reid, Alex, Hugh, and Roman were leaning against their car as the blue, and red flashing lights flickered all around them. They had given their account of the incident to metro. They now were waiting for the unenviable task of telling their tale to Officer Kiefer.
Roman checked his watch for the umpteenth time. "This is bollocks. She should be here by now."
"Well, speak of the devil," Hugh said, "and she shall appear."
"Like the Wicked Witch of the West," Alex retorted.
Kiefer approached them in her no-nonsense way and went straight to Alex. "Looks like you guys got yourselves into a bit of trouble last night."
"Being ambushed by armed assassins isn't always a picnic," Alex said.
"Trouble seems to follow you wherever you go, it appears."
"Was that a question?" Reid asked.
"Just a simple observation. I received your version of events from the officers. I will, of course, be conducting my own investigation into the matter. Starting by impounding your vehicle as evidence. I expect your official statements to be on my desk within two hours." She stared at them for a moment. Then pointed her finger at Alex. "You better watch yourself because someone is out to get you."
"Or me," Roman said.
"Excuse me?" Kiefer asked, turning to him.
"Well, ma'am. I was with Alex when both of these incidents occurred. They also didn't start until I entered the country. A case could be made that I was their target and had nothing to do with any of them."
"What are you, some kind of lawyer?"
Roman chuckled. "Hardly. I am simply providing an alternate motive to your current theory."
"Hmm," Kiefer smirked. "I like you. You're funny." She turned and walked away from them. "Have a nice day, now."
Alex lightly hit Roman's chest with the back of her hand. "Paul, what do you think you're doing?"
"Oh, come on. That was fun," Roman said. "My dad always wanted me to be a barrister though. I just knew I wouldn't be able to handle those wigs."
"So, now what do we do?" Hugh asked.
"Rossi is expecting us," Reid said.
The four of them began their walk away from the scene and started down the street. Alex turned to Reid on her right and wrapped her arm around his. She then looked to Hugh and Roman on her left and let out a chuckle.
"What?" Hugh asked.
"It's just funny. I kind of feel like Dorothy on my way to the Emerald City with her three companions."
"So, who does that make each of us?" Roman asked.
Alex laughed. "Well, if you have to ask, then we are in more trouble than I thought."
Hotch sat in his office while on the phone with Rossi. "Are you sure you're going to be okay, Dave?"
"Listen, Aaron, this isn't the first time I've had to protect myself against armed thugs, and it won't be the last. I just wasn't expecting all the houseguests last night. When do you leave?"
"We will be heading out within the hour. We finally received the all-clear from the Mexican authorities." Hotch looked out his office window to see Alex and Roman walking up the stairs. "I have to go."
Alex knocked on the door just as Hotch opened it. "Oh, hello, Aaron."
"Come in, Alex. Hello, Paul," Hotch said as they shook hands. "I told you before; I can't allow for Paul to join the FBI when we go to Mexico."
"I have you covered, mate." Roman handed over an envelope.
Hotch removed the folded paper and read it over. "How did you do this?"
"Well, I have a few connections. That letter there attaches me to your team as an Interpol liaison from MI6 offering my wealth of experience and know-how."
Hotch raised one eyebrow. "So, you are attached to the team to ensure—"
"That things don't go all to pot," Roman said with a beaming grin.
Alex tried to hold in a giggle. "Don't worry, Aaron; the paperwork just covers your team and will appease Strauss. If anything happens, it will fall directly on his shoulders and not any reflection on the BAU."
"I will hold you to that."
Alex moved over to the side of Hotch's desk. "Trust me, Aaron. Have I ever let you down before?"
Hotch looked up to her with furrowed eyebrows. "Somehow, I feel that is a trick question."
"You guys go to Mexico and do what you need to do. Roman has a few things he will look into while he's there. Meanwhile, our friend will be staying with Dave, and we will look into a few things here."
"With you, I know it's never that easy," Hotch said.
"At least she isn't driving." Roman grinned as he crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.
Hotch stood up and extended his hand. "Paul Roman, welcome aboard."
Roman followed Reid onto the BAU jet then stood in the doorway as he looked around. "Whoa, this plane is brilliant! Not as fancy as mine is, mind you, but brilliant nonetheless. Who would have known the FBI could toss money around like this? Only in America, eh?"
Morgan let out a chuckle as Roman took a seat across from him. "So, is everything all apples and pears?"
"I'm sorry?" Roman responded with a perplexed look.
"I don't know, doesn't that mean something in England?" Morgan asked.
"Yes. It means stairs," Roman replied while stifling a laugh.
"So, how exactly were you able to hitch a ride with us anyway?" Morgan asked.
"Well, I, uh—"
"Let's get started," Hotch announced. "Paul Roman has been assigned to us as a liaison from Interpol. While we are in Mexico delving deeper, searching for the UnSub who committed the murders at the national parks, he will be doing some of his own investigations. I believe we'll all know what for. Garcia is working on getting us some of the latest information, so we will be connecting with her as soon as she has an update."
"In the meantime, Paul can share some stories about Spence from the good-old-days," JJ said as she rubbed her hands together.
"Oh, I don't know about that," Roman started. "I was just a young lad when I started working with their crew. However, I do remember this one time in Aberdeen—"
"Okay," Reid interrupted. "They don't need to hear that story."
"Oh, we definitely do," Prentiss returned.
"Hello, Crime Fighters," Garcia called over the laptop. "This is the divine Penelope Garcia at your service."
"Thank you, Garcia," Reid said in relief.
"You're welcome," she replied cheerily. "For what?"
"Just couldn't wait to hear what you had to say."
"Well, then you're in luck because I have a lot to say." Garcia explained what they would expect when they arrived in Mexico, who they were meeting with, and additional information.
Alex stood in the doorway to Garcia's office and observed as she worked and spoke with the team on the jet.
"Thanks for everything, Baby Girl," Morgan called out.
"Awe, well, anything for you, my chiseled chocolate hunk." She ended the call then let out a giggle.
"You guys are truly adorable," Alex said as she entered.
Garcia swiveled around in her chair. "Oh, hey, Alex. Who's adorable?"
"You and Derek." Alex pulled up a chair next to Garcia. "Have you two ever…?"
"Ever?" Garcia looked at her until the notion hit her. "Oh, you mean ever." She laughed. "No, we haven't ever."
"I mean, I can't be the only one who hasn't noticed the wonderful chemistry between the two of you," Alex said.
"You're right. We have amazing chemistry with each other. He is one of my closest friends, and I love him from the bottom of my heart. But we aren't… more than that."
"Would you like to be?" Alex asked.
"Oh, there are moments where I envision us in the thralls of steamy, hot passion that couldn't be put out even if you threw a bucket of ice water on us," Garcia giggled. "But you know what, we aren't meant to be married, three and a half kids, a dog, and the white picket fence. At least not with each other."
"You are that certain?"
"Definitely. Actually, I've had visions of it. Morgan will find a wonderful woman who will be his perfect match. And they will be so happy together."
"And what about you, have you looked into your future?" Alex asked, intrigued.
"The right man is out there for me. But I know that at first, we won't get along, but we will learn to like each other, and then one day, he will take me in his arms and sweep me off my feet. And we will sing David Bowie songs together."
Alex reached out and grabbed her hand. "And from what I know of you, Penelope, you will make it happen."
