As the team sat eating lunch in the dining room, everyone vied to catch Hotch up on what had happened during the past few years while Hotch, in turn, peppered them with numerous questions of his own –
Jack - How is Jack? he immediately demanded. What grade is he in now? How is he doing in school? How tall is he?
And Jessica, how is she? Has she been able to manage with both Jack and Mr. Brooks?
Mr. Brooks died – I am sorry to hear that but I know he had Alzheimer's
Rossi - You finally retired after all this time? And, you've spent your retirement looking for me?
Morgan - You're married and have a son? I don't believe it –
Lewis - You are the only one who is still in the field, and then only occasionally? You all got together just to come out here looking for me! I honestly don't know what to say!
I've been gone for over three years – Three years! It doesn't seem like that long.
As the questions and answers continued unabated, 586 stood up to leave. "I hope you'll excuse me," she apologized. "But I generally spend some time with 765 while he eats his lunch."
"Seven sixty five?" JJ questioned.
"My son," 586 clarified. "He spends the day in the nursery with the rest of the children and the evening with us in our room." She nodded to the group before walking off.
"So, she has a son?" Rossi said thoughtfully. "I assume, from what she said, that he's not yours?"
"No, she had him before we even met," Hotch explained. "Although, I must tell you that his father is a big fan of Reid's."
"You said something about that earlier," Reid replied. "But, I'm sure I don't know anyone on the island – Other than you, of course."
"Do you remember – " Hotch began and then stopped himself. "Of course you remember," he corrected his statement. "About ten or more years ago we had an unsub at Mainland University and in the process of identifying him we interviewed a Professor Martin Chastain."
"He disappeared shortly after we spoke with him," Reid remembered. "The locals thought he was one of the unsub's victims, but we didn't think so. He didn't fit the profile."
"That's right," Hotch agreed. "And, we were right - Professor Chastain was not one of the unsub's victims. He had been kidnapped and brought here to the island where he has been ever since. That's why I suggested he attend tomorrow's meeting. He has a much better understanding of how things stand here on the island and he knows far more about the inhabitants than I do. I believe he will give an honest appraisal of the situation."
"I remember reading some of the papers he published before his disappearance," Reid said thoughtfully. "And his research was truly groundbreaking. What has he been doing here all this time? Surely not research."
"He has been in charge of teaching and working with the advanced students on the island," Hotch explained. "My wife is one of them. And, he told me that he has also been making advances in his research. Albeit at a much slower rate than he would like."
"Also," Hotch hesitated. "As I said, he is 765's father."
"If the son is anything like his father – " Reid began.
"Success!" Wayne Hayward crowed happily as he approached their table, waving his cell phone in the air. "I finally found a spot where I could get through! I've made arrangements for our main office to ship us some communications equipment that works off solar panels. It's the same equipment we used when we began building our last eco-resort and it has been just sitting around ever since. It and the technicians should arrive late tomorrow."
"Where were you when you got through?" JJ asked as she stood up and pulled out her cell phone. "Hopefully I can contact our computer tech and let her know we are all okay."
"Out back just behind the – cow barn?" Wayne Hayward looked at Hotch for confirmation. "There is a small rise back there and I think that maybe that made a difference. Or, it might be the time of day or something else. I don't know. I just know that it finally worked."
"Yes, there is a dairy herd," Hotch confirmed. "Right now they are out in one of the pastures with several of the cowherds watching them."
"I'm on my way," JJ began walking towards the door. "And, I'll let you know if I reach Penelope," she shouted over her shoulder.
"In the meantime," Rossi stood up and looked at Hotch. "I believe you said you and your wife have a room? Would you like to show it to us? I'm interested in how the people out here live."
"Of course," Hotch quickly agreed as he also stood up. He remembered the size and magnificence of Rossi's house, but quickly banished the thought from his mind. This was his life now and he wasn't going to hide it.
"Five eighty six had the room before we were married," he explained as the group walked with him towards the women's dorm building. "She earned it by coming up with several changes that improved the profitability of this farm. And, she also came up with some innovations for the other three farms."
"Sounds like a talented young lady," Cruz commented.
When they came to the door of the room he now called home, Hotch hesitated for a moment before opening it. "Here we are," he declared as he stepped inside.
"What is this on the floor!" Rossi immediately exclaimed. "Is this a hand-made braided rag rug?" He was staring down at it as if hypnotized.
"I believe that's what it is called," Hotch replied. "Several of the women made it for us as a wedding present."
"I wanted one of these for my cabin," Rossi told him. "And my decorator couldn't find one the right size anywhere. Then, when she did find one, the price was totally outrageous."
"But I'll bet you bought it anyway," Lewis smiled. "Because you wanted it."
"You're right," Rossi agreed. "And let me tell you, it wasn't half as nice as this one." He continued staring at the floor in awe.
"And a patchwork quilt?" Lewis noticed the colorful covering on the bed. "My grandmother used to make those."
"You have a cat?" Reid questioned as the grey tabby casually wandered between everyone's legs, jumped up onto the bed, and made itself at home.
"He seems to be moving on these days," Hotch admitted as he reached over to scratch the animal between the ears. "He used to spend most of his time with me but now he seems to prefer 603's company. Probably because it's a little quieter."
"I got her!" JJ ran into the room. "I got Garcia – And I told her we had found you – And she is going to get hold of Jessica and Jack and let them know. Then she is going to pass the word on to Jack Garrett and his team. They've been helping us look for you, Hotch. And, she is also going to let Captain John Smith know. After all the help he has given us, he'll be glad to know the hunt is finally at an end."
"You've been found – Hotch. You've finally been found!