"Alright, everyone, let's get started."
JJ commanded the attention of the room with all eyes on her and she spoke confidently. Around an oval table, all I could see were backs of heads attached to bodies in office chairs. I stood in the back corner of the room, unnoticed and standing.
'Ok,' I told myself, 'Just watch how she does it. It'll be easy. It's like she's talking to friends… friends that just happen to be some of the FBI's finest…'
I shuddered, preparing myself.
"We have a case from Kansas City that was hand delivered to us. Our messenger has been briefed on the case and will be delivering it for you today. This is Special Agent Lauren Scott."
All chairs spun my way and eyes were on me. "Hello everyone. Good morning!"
I spoke a little too peppy. I inwardly cursed myself but tried to keep my head up. Thankfully, JJ rescued me.
"On our team is Agent Derek Morgan, Emily Prentiss, Penelope Garcia, Dr. Spencer Reid, David Rossi, and you've already met Aaron Hotchner."
The team nodded at me and I avoided Agent Hotchner's glance. I didn't want him to remember that I had said I wasn't briefed on the case and I didn't peek in the envelope.
"Agent Scott?" JJ asked, getting me ready to start. She took a remote control of the table, pointed it at the TV behind her, and took her seat. On the TV appeared pictures of the first crime scene.
"In Kansas City, we have a bit of problem," I began, telling the same story that I'd told to JJ, "Four victims killed in their homes with the same .38 handgun. Different ages and races, all in a twenty-mile radius. The media is calling him "The Bedtime Killer." All the attacks are happening after dark. No forced entry."
An awkward silence fell over the room as they looked through their tablets at the virtual evidence. I almost wanted to announce "The end!" so the silence would end.
Finally, a woman looked up, Agent Prentiss. "Was anyone home at the time of the invasions?"
I answered quickly "On victims 2 and 3, yes. Their families were outside. The second was grilling and she had come in to get plates and the third, the family was outside playing soccer in their yard. The other victims were home alone, victim one lived alone and number four was home alone but had family who were out."
She looked back down. The next question came from Agent Derek Morgan.
"There was no sign of disturbance in the homes? No forced entry and no sign of a fight?"
His voice and eyes caught me off guard and took me a second to answer.
"N..No, everything was in place."
"What about the media?" JJ hinted. She wanted me to tell the team why the case was so urgent. I inwardly kicked myself for forgetting that, how stupid of me! I felt flustered and embarrassed. Why had she asked me to present this?
"The media is calling him the Bedtime Killer. They're starting to sensationalize him and creating "zones" they think he will strike next. People are getting frenzied and the investigation is almost out of the police department's immediate control."
Agent Rossi sat back in his chair. "Well, Hotch?"
"We need to get this back in control. Wheels up in 30," Hotchner announced, standing quickly, "Agent Scott, my office."
He left suddenly, assuming I'd follow. I messed up. I knew it! JJ probably didn't tell him I was giving the briefing. He was going to scold me for knowing the details of the case. I was really in for it, I knew it. God, I hope he wasn't going to call Willington!
I followed Hotchner out, head down, preparing for the verbal lashing I was about to get. I heard the team in the briefing room gather and begin to talk. Oh no, please don't be talking about what a horrible job I did, I thought.
I entered Hotchner's office as he was seating himself behind his desk.
"Agent Scott, I apologize," he said suddenly, "My behavior earlier was not quiet polite."
"Oh, um," I said stupidly, not sure what to say. He held his hand out flat to me, telling me to stop stammering like an idiot.
"I apologize that I didn't ask your name immediately, but next time, make sure you introduce yourself from the beginning."
"Yes, sir." I said, ashamed. This stung more than I imagined. I took a deep breath, getting ready for the next scold.
"It looks like we're going to Kansas City because of your package. When we get there, I expect you to be working with my team and getting us what we need, understood?"
I didn't say a word. I wasn't sure if I was being punished or invited into my own office…
"Yes, sir. I'll see you in Kansas City," I turned to leave again. I couldn't wait to get out of this office and actually breathe again.
"Agent Scott, be on the jet in 20 minutes."
I turned. "Sir?"
"You're flying with us. I'm sure the team has more questions and you can give some answers."
"Yes, sir." I said dutifully, stepping out of the office quickly.
Outside, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. This was way more than I bargained for.
"HI!" a peppy voice came beside me, "I'm Penelope Garcia, resident techy expert of all things electronic!"
"Hi," I said back, relieved, "I'm Agent Lauren Scott."
Garcia shook my hand warmly. "Scary, isn't he?"
I nodded, smiling. Garcia took my elbow and began moving me along.
"Now," she said, "I try not to over hear things but I can't help it if my ears stay open. I heard Hotch ask you to get things ready for us in Kansas City, before you ask what, I'll tell you! There are a few things: they'll need a working room, a ton of boards, pushpins, coffee, white paper, pens, black only, no color, maps, a GPS, multiple copies of the case, and more coffee!"
I wasn't aware she was steering me down the hallway.
"Um," I started, "That's a lot…"
"Oh you'll get used to it. Things move pretty fast around us!"
Just as fast as she came, Penelope Garcia was gone in a blur of color. I stood, looking around to see where she had left me. She had dropped me off near the lounge and the coffeepot, again. Straightening my jacket, I took out my phone out of my pocket to make the call back home to get all the things the BAU required.
As I finished my call, I closed my cell phone, and slid it into my pocket. I heard footsteps coming from behind me and I turned.
Derek Morgan was strolling towards me, hands in his pockets, grinning. "Agent Scott, ready to get back home?"
"Almost, just making sure your team has everything they need when you get there," I said, gesturing towards my phone.
"I see. Do you do this messenger thing often?" Morgan asked with a smile.
"Not really," I confessed, "I'm usually in my office doing paperwork but I was ahead and got to make the lovely trip over here to deliver an envelope."
"Good thing you did," Morgan said, he looked down at this watch, "It's time, let's get on out to the jet!"
He turned and I followed him. I saw the rest of the team exiting the main office, bags in hand. I didn't want to be a part of this team or this investigation. I don't think Willington knew any of this was going to happen when he sent me here with an envelope. Now here I was, escorting a team of people back to Kansas City and being the ring leader for them our office.
As I stepped into the jet, I could see most of the team had taken their "usual" seats, sitting comfortable and beginning in conversation. I stood awkwardly in the aisle, not sure where to sit yet.
"Here, Scott, you can sit with me."
I looked to my right to see Dr. Spencer Reid moving his leather messenger bag from the seat next to him and clearing a space for me. Graciously, I smiled at him and sank into the seat thankful not to feel like I was in the high school cafeteria again and not knowing where to sit.
I looked next to me and into the warm brown eyes of Dr. Reid.