Mabelreid's got music, dancing, and 'gourmet food' in this chapter...read on to find out!
Ususal disclaimers apply.
"Oh no, no… What are they doing now?"
"Connie!"
"Okay, I promised not to freak out."
She sat down on the nearest cloud, crossed her legs into the Lotus position and began to breathe in and out. "I'm not going to panic. I'm not going to panic."
"Oh, give me a break."
Connie opened one dark brown eye and scowled up at Anya. "I'm trying to stay out of it!"
Stanley had backed off from both the angels. I'm going to enjoy my nachos and Agent Morgan's next task. Let them fight if they want to.
He pulled a white chair up to the viewing screen and settled back into the cloudlike material with a deep sigh. He was going to enjoy this rare opportunity to watch the bane of his existence get knocked down a peg or two.
---
Chase opened the passenger door to the SUV and pulled off Morgan's blind fold. "See that wasn't so bad."
Morgan looked distinctly green around the gills. "You drive like it's the Indy 500 or something."
"That's pretty good coming from you. I've heard you make Mario Andretti look like a little old lady behind the wheel."
"You should be a comedian."
"The truth hurts!"
"Can we get on with this?"
The other door opened and Kyle climbed out looking utterly serene. --You're going soft Chasie. You've got Morgan in the car and I only counted you running four red lights.--
Chase grinned at Kyle and Morgan glared at both of them. "What did he say?"
Chase translated with another laugh and Morgan narrowed both eyes at the younger man. Reid would have been terrified at the stare, but Kyle only shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
"If you've had your fun… Can we please get on with this?"
The SUV was parked in front of a white clapboard house. The paint had long faded and it was obvious that no one had shoveled the walk for a long time. The mail box hung crookedly from its post and two windows were broken at the front of the house.
--Where are we?--
"--Remember the Silcox case? The three weeks of non-stop surveillance that Oliver was so bitterly complaining about?--"
"Oh yeah, this is the house."
"--Yep, it's our starting point.--"
--Didn't he get lost more then once?--
"--Yeah. That's why this is perfect.--"
"What's perfect?"
"--You're going to have to find your way out of this neighborhood without the help of the GPS unit on this car. Kevin hacked in and he'll know if you try to use it. The only other rule is that if you get lost you have to ask a least one person for help. If you don't, you fail the challenge.--"
"I'll bet this was Reid's idea."
"--From what I hear, you can't blame him.--"
"Let's just get this over with, ok?"
---
Reid, Hotch and Oliver left the honeymoon street dressed in casual clothes. They wore jeans, sweaters and running shoes.
"I don't think this is a good idea."
"We know, you've said it ten times since we got here."
"Reid, we drew this as our group challenge."
The got on the waiting elevator and Hotch pushed the button for the main floor. Oliver kept his eyes on the digital readout and tried not to think of the first time he met Dr. Reid and Chase.
"But I can't carry a tune in a bucket."
"You don't have to sing. We'll leave that to Hotch."
"Thanks, Oliver."
"It can't be any worse then dancing with a bunch of little girls in a bright pink tutu. What about my reputation as an investigator? I have to maintain a little dignity."
Hotch turned to the younger man and glared at him. "Speaking of dignity!"
"Come on, Hotch. You had fun and you know it."
Hotch turned back to the elevator doors that were opening. He was trying not to smile. Having Jack there and happy was all that mattered. He'd put on the clown suit in a heart beat if it meant he'd get to have Jack back full time.
They reached the bar in DC an hour later after sitting through horrendous traffic. The bar was crowded and noisy. The talking only stopped when a small black haired woman stepped up to the mike. "We have a special treat for you today. Please welcome The Hotchner trio."
The three of them took their places on stage. Reid sat down at the piano, Hotch took his guitar out of its case and Oliver pulled his harmonica out of his pocket.
Hotch stood at the front of the group and spoke into the microphone as the music began behind him.
"Aaron Hotchner is my name.
Catching killers is my game.
You think because I carry a gun
That I don't have any fun.
My friends are few
But they are true.
My son I love
Like heaven above.
The year is new
The temperature is cold.
But I can still take my cue.
I've learned to be bold now that I'm old.
Take me as you see me.
It's all that I can be.
I'll never change for any of you.
What else can you do?
The crowd cheered at the end of their performance. Many people were cat calling and asking for more, but Hotch left the stage. Several women tried to get his attention and several others were making eyes at Oliver and Reid. The three men left, leaving offers of drinks, marriage proposal and one particularly indecent proposal whispered in Reid's ear by an overenthusiastic prostitute.
---
"He should have said yes. It's the new year after all." A smooth British voice said.
"He's an FBI agent. He can't see hookers."
"I didn't think you were so uptight, Charlene."
"I'm not. It's just not dignified."
She was in the back seat of the Cloud Cart that was cruising through the clouds. At least Gina was nodding her head in agreement. Reginald rolled his eyes at both of them.
"Keep your eyes on the clouds," Gina snapped.
---
"What ees thees?"
"It's a hamburger."
"What ess that?"
"It's the next part of your challenge, Josh."
He poked at the French fries sticking out of the bag. "Why do you call thees 'French Fries'?"
"Don't be offended Josh. They're very good."
JJ opened her bag and threw one to Emily. They took chairs around the table in the living area of the suite. The girls attacked their food with gusto while Josh eyed his with disgust.
"Why do I haf to eat zis?"
"You know the rules. Only junk food for you until this time tomorrow. No calling room service, no sneaking out to a four-star restaurant and no cooking."
"Thees es barbaric."
"Just try it."
Josh took a bite and grimaced. "Eet ess too greasy."
"That's the point. And, you should be grateful Josh. I can't believe what JJ has to do next."
"Speak for yourself, Emily."
---
Morgan slammed a hand down on the steering wheel. He was lost and he hadn't been driving five minutes. Chase hadn't been kidding when she said that this was the worst neighborhood in McLean. The streets wound around instead of moving in straight lines.
"--Are you ready to ask for help?--"
"No, but I need a better navigator."
"You need to ask for directions."
"I need for there to be one street name that doesn't begin with "Oak," He growled.
"--Stop for directions already.--"
"I'm not that desperate yet."
"--Reid was right about you.--"
Morgan turned a look on her that would have cracked solid stone. Chase smiled very sweetly in returned and pointed to a young woman on the corner.
"--Go turn on the charm and ask for help.--"
Morgan pulled off the road and got out of the SUV. Chase and Kyle watched him talk to the woman. She seemed to be a bit flustered by him. Her hands were fluttering around like two birds and her face had gone as red as Reid's did when embarrassed.
Morgan climbed back into the truck muttering to himself. "I can't believe I live in DC and I can't find my way out of here."
--Did she help?--
"No, she didn't speak English!"