"Okay everyone, what did you find out?" Rossi had called a quick meeting of the team, sans Hotch, before they went into the dining hall for lunch. "Any surprises?"
"Nice top," he added to Lewis.
"Thanks," she smiled at him. "It's one of ones they make here for export. I have one for JJ, too." She handed JJ an embroidered top, which JJ accepted with a wide smile.
"Let me start," Lewis continued. "The sewing workrooms here are not at all what I expected. The way they are positioned there is a constant breeze blowing through them keeping them cool, and the people who work there really seem to enjoy their jobs. They have plenty of opportunities to stand up and move around and they rotate jobs frequently. There is one thing, though – "she paused.
"What?" Rossi asked.
"There is a woman working there who walks with a decided limp," Lewis told the group. "She told me that many years ago, before she came here, her husband deliberately ran into her with his car, pinning her against the inside wall of their garage. He left her there for several hours before finally freeing her and then refused to take her to the hospital. Several days later, when a neighbor finally took her for medical care, it turned out that her hip had suffered some major damage. Her husband got mad at her for going to the hospital and took her home against doctor's orders. He then picked their son up from school, brought him home, and repeatedly slammed he boy's left hand in the door of the dishwasher. The boy ended up losing all sensation in the ring and little fingers of that hand. He now works in the main workroom as a cutter, dealing with the various patterns and fabrics they use. Both of them are terrified that they are going to be sent back to that man."
"I can understand that," Reid spoke up. "However, I would assume that the boy is now of legal age?"
"Oh, yes," Lewis told him. "I would put him at about twenty or so."
"In that case, as an adult, he would have a choice in the matter," Reid explained. "Both mother and son would have the final word in whether or not the husband/father was notified of where they are. Although, if they have been reported missing, it probably would be a good idea to notify the local police so they can close their books on the case."
"Okay, Genius," Morgan smiled at him. "That does sound hopeful. Now, what did you find out?"
"It appears that the head gardener has a solid crop rotation plan in place," Reid sounded impressed. "She and Hotch's wife have organized a series of rotations that closely follow the one recommended by the algorithm that I mentioned. And, from what I have seen and heard, it appears that 586 is extremely intelligent. I can only image what she could do if she wasn't here on this island. As for her son – "
"He's a brainiac too?" Rossi questioned.
"Hotch asked me to spend some time with him," Reid reported. "He said that, from what he remembers with Jack, the boy is advanced for his age. I plan to do that this afternoon."
"Good idea," JJ agreed. "While you are doing that you can take a look at the nursery and their programs. From what I saw this morning, I would not hesitate to leave my two boys there. The people that work with the children are firm but fair and, overall, those kids are treated as if they are the most priceless of treasures. However, it never hurts to have another pair of eyes."
Reid cheerfully nodded his agreement.
"As for us," Morgan glanced at Rossi. "We spent the morning working with the first line defense team. I think we have them well on their way to being able to defend the dock here from any incoming reporters or curiosity seekers. However, we understand that there are three more docks, as well as miles of shoreline. Something permanent is going to have to be set up."
"Hopefully, that is one of the items the owners of the island are discussing with the Farm Managers," JJ said thoughtfully. "We'll have to remember to mention it to Cruz when we see him."
"Now, where is Hotch?" Rossi looked around expectantly.
"I think he went looking for 586," Lewis reported with a smile. "Something about making sure that, given her condition, she eats a proper lunch."
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Hotch found his wife sitting quietly in the glade where they had enjoyed their wedding lunch.
"I've been looking all over for you," he told as he sat down next to her. "What are you doing here?"
"Thinking," she gave him a weak smile and he could tell she had been crying.
"Sweetie, what's wrong?" he asked concerned. "Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine - Just being silly," was the reply. "I am going to miss you, you know."
"Miss me?" Hotch questioned, puzzled.
"Yes, you know, when you leave here with your friends and everything," 586 told him.
"Honey, you are coming with me!" Hotch exclaimed. "You and 765 are both coming with me back to the mainland. I'm not leaving here without the three of you. What are you thinking?"
"But, you have your son, Jack, and his Aunt Jessica, you told me all about them. And, your life out there is so different. And, I'm not like any of them," 586 gestured towards the main buildings. "They are so smart and everything and I don't know how things work out there. I've never been off this island." She began sniffling.
"You will learn," Hotch assured her as he pulled her into a hug. "I know you'll learn. And, given time, you'll love it out there as much as you love this island. I'm sure of that." He gently kissed her on the forehead.
"Now," he said after several minutes of sitting quietly. "Let's go get you and our baby some lunch. You can talk with my friends and you'll see that you really aren't all that different."