Date Night (Part Two)
After we finished our dinner, we continued to talk and laugh. Occasionally we would talk separately, and other times we would talk all together. When Amy came by to take our plates, and asked if we wanted any dessert, we replied with a maybe. We were all kinda full from the meals, that we decided to see if we really some dessert or not. Five minutes later, we got up grabbing our things, and went to the front to pay for the meals. More or less the guys went to pay for the meals. Once we had the bills taken care of, we agreed on a park to meet at, to take a midnight stroll. Granted it wasn't even past nine yet but it was starting to get dark.
We said later, before going our separate ways to the vehicles. Hotch once again opened my door for me, then got in on his side. The park was about three minutes from the restaurant. Which was three minutes to talk about dinner, or a whatnot. We pulled up against the curb, and jumped out. There was a bench right there, so we decided to wait for them as we sat. Less then a minute later, Reid and Nicole pulled up as well. Nicole was the one driving, which meant she was the one who picked Reid up. Unless of course he just meet her at the restaurant.
Once Nicole and Reid were out of the car, we all started to walk around the park. Normally, I would walk fast, unless I was with someone. Like I was tonight. Sometime while we were walking, Hotch grabbed my arm, to pull me back. Once Reid and Nicole were a few feet ahead, Hotch let go.
"What was that for?" I asked, as I watched my co-worker and his date continue to walk ahead of us.
"To give them alone time." Hotch answered as he took a different path. "Coming?" he asked when I didn't immediately follow.
"Yeah." I answered, as I looked away from Reid and Nicole. "It sure is a beautiful night out." I stated, not sure if he heard me or not, not like it mattered either way.
"Sure is." He replied after a moment.
As we continued to walk, we started to talk about random stuff. At one point, we passed a guy with an ice cream trailer. I walked up to see what they had, and was about to pull out my wallet, to get something.
"I've got it." Stated Hotch, when he saw me reaching in my purse for my money.
"Hotch, you…"
"The guy pays. Two strawberry short cakes please." He ordered, handing the man the money. The man took the money, and gave Hotch the ice creams. Once we unwrapped the ice creams, we throw the wrappers away, and walked away.
"Thanks Hotch."
"No need." He smiled, as we sat on the nearest park bench.
We were eating the ice cream, when Reid and Nicole came up to us.
"Well, I've got to get going. It was a true pleasure to meet you all. Do you have a way home Reid?" Nicole asked, as she pulled her keys out of her purse.
"No, I've a way. But I'll walk you to your car." He answered, as they walked away again.
"Wonder how's he getting home." Hotch pondered out loud.
"You." I answered laughing, that he hadn't caught on.
Sure enough, when Reid returned, he said he was going to try and catch a bus. But Hotch wouldn't hear of it. After about three minutes of them arguing about it, and me laughing at the exchange, Reid finally caved in.
Ten minutes or so, we all got up, and headed over to Hotch's vehicle. Reid insisted I hop in front. But I wasn't having it. So when we got to the car, Reid blocked the side door, while Hotch opened the front door. I gave a small smile and sigh, shaking my head slightly as I got in.
I was grabbing my seatbelt, when I saw them, exchange something. When I looked over at the park, I see a shape near a tree move. But it was to dark to see exactly what or who it was. As Hotch pulled away, we sat in silence for a little while.
"Well that went well." I stated after a moments of silence. "So did you and Nicole, decided to make another date?" I asked as I turned in my seat, to look at my co-worker.
"Yeah, we've got one for Friday, unless something comes up." Reid replied smiling.
"Good, she seems like a good person." I said, as I turned back around. I started to tune out, when Hotch and Reid started to talk to each other.
About four minutes later, we had dropped off Reid and were currently heading towards our complex. Hotch parked in his usual place, and got out. I waited for him to open my door this time, before jumping out.
"Thanks for a great night." I said, smiling as we walked through the front doors.
"Thanks for agreeing to come." He replied.
When we reached the elevator, we went our separate ways. Him in the elevator, me taking the stairs. I opened the door leading to the stair case, and walked up all five flights, before entering through the door that lead to my apartment.
I pulled my keys out of my purse, unlocked my door, and closed it as soon as I was through the door. I let out a sigh, as I sat everything down. I went to my messaging machine, and pushed play.
"You have three new messages." said the operating voice. "message one, Saturday six twenty pm."
"Hey Maddison, it's Garcia, I've got more information regarding the flowers. Call me back ASAP!" Said the voice of Garcia, before the line ended, and the messages continued.
"Message Two. Seven oh five pm."
"Hey Maddie, it's your mother, just checking in to see how things are going. Don't forget to get the first of next month off, so you can come see grandma. Love you a bunch, call me when you can. Sending you tons of kisses and hugs." Said my mother, just before the line disconnected. I made a mental note to call her back in the morning.
"Message Three. Eight forty seven pm."
"What's a guy got to do, to get his best friend to talk to him again?" Stated the voice of my best friend Jake. "Anyways, just calling to see when you can hang out, and don't forget about the years best party this Tuesday! You better show up, otherwise the birthday boy is going to be really, really mad! Call me when you get the chance, love ya!"
"End of messages. To replay…" The operator started to say, before I hit the stop button.
I walked towards the back, to where my bedroom was, when my cell started to ring. Cursing slightly, I headed back to the front room where I laid my cell down.
"Conner." I said as soon as I answered the phone, not caring once about who was calling.
"Maddison, we need you in the office now. We just got case. Everyone is to meet here in five." Stated the voice of JJ.
"Okay, be there in a few." I answered, as we hung up at the same time. As I was slipping my tennis shoes on, my phone went off again. "Hello?" I replied.
"JJ just called…"
"Saying we've got a case, I know I just barely hung up with her." I finished Hotch's sentence for him.
"Carpool?" He asked, as I heard Jack at the other end.
"I'm driving." I replied, as I gathered my things. "And I'll be there in one." I continued, as I locked my apartment, and headed down the hall to the elevator.
"Okay, see you in a bit." Hotch said, being the first to hang up.
About a minute and a half later, as I was standing in front of his apartment raising my hand to knock on the door.
"Hey." I said, as Hotch came out of his door. "Just about to knock. So any ideas what this is about?" I asked, as we walked back to the elevator.
"Not a clue." He replied, waiting for me to get out first.
We walked to my car in silence, and got in. I quickly turned the car on, and drove off at top speed. Was we were driving, Hotch continued to hold on the to the handle that was above his head.
"I don't that bad." I stated, as I took a sharp corner.
"You drive worst then Morgan on a case." He replied, as I was pulling into the BAU parking lot. I quickly found a spot, and turned the car off.
"Well if you didn't drive like an adult, you wouldn't be scared." I stated, smiling, walking through the doors and catching up with Morgan and Reid. "Boys." I stated as we all piled into the elevator.
"Maddison, Hotch." Morgan said, while Reid just gave a small faint smile.
"Where's Rossi and Seaver?" Hotch asked, as the elevator opened to our floor.
"Right there." Answered Reid being the first out of the elevator.
We all walked towards the conference room, opened the door, and took our seats around the table.
"What do we have JJ?" Asked Hotch as he opened the files in front of him.
"Three murders in Salt Lake City." She answered as pictures popped up on the screen behind her. "Ashley Wakens, age twenty-one. Barbra East age twenty-two. And Jasmine Schuyler also age twenty-one. All three women were kidnapped right outside of their houses."
"And were killed thirty miles away in the mountains." Concluded Reid.
"According to the autopsy's, their feet were scrapped, cut, and bruised." Stated Seaver.
"The unsub, probably let the women go, before killing them." Morgan added.
Everyone else continued to go on like that, while I tuned out. I was staring at the pictures when someone touched my arm, causing me to jump up.
"Maddie?" Asked Morgan, with concern.
"Excuse me." I stated bluntly, as I pushed my chair away and ran out of the conference room. I ran straight to the restroom, and turned the cold water on. I splashed my face a few times, and took a few deep breathes before looking at my reflection. After a few moments, I got myself under control, and walked out.
"Damn it Morgan!" I exclaimed, when I came out and ran into him, giving myself a mini heart attack.
"Are you okay?" he asked, as he looked at me.
"Yeah." I answered, pushing my way around him, and heading back to the team. "Sorry about that," I said taking my seat again.
"Everything okay?" Asked Rossi, while the rest of the team looked at me.
"Yeah, just had to go." I replied before changing the subject. "If the three bodies have been found, do we have another missing or…"
"Yes. Abby May age twenty went missing yesterday." JJ stated, as the conversion went towards the victims again. "The police are asking for our help as soon as we can." She concluded, shutting the computer screen off.
"Wheels up in ten. Maddison a word." Stated Hotch as he stood up and went to the door.
I quickly got up and followed him to his office. He opened his door, and waited for me to get in before closing it behind him. I turned around to face him.
"What was that?" He asked as he folded his arms across his chest, waiting for my answer.
"I already…"
"Don't give me that. I know how long you can hold it." He commented. "Now honestly, what was that?"
"Nothing, just got a hot." I stated, avoiding his eyes.
"Maddison, the truth." He stated, not blinking once.
"Fine. I just got freaked out. I'm sorry it won't happened again." I stated, as I took a step towards the door.
"We're not done." He stated blocking my way.
"What else is there? I freaked. End of question." Taking a seat on his couch.
"Do you honestly think you're the only that's noticed you fit the victimology perfectly?" He asked as he came and sat next to me on the couch.
"No." I replied, as I focused on the floor.
"Then what got to you?" He asked.
"Nothing." I answered standing up.
Hotch grabbed my arm, and turned me around to face him. "Maddison, nothing is going to happen to you. You're a…"
"FBI agent I know!"
"No, I was going to say, you're strong, smart, and incredible talented when it comes to negotiations." He stated as he let go of my arm. "Look we all get scared, and you're not alone when it comes to this. Just look at Reid. And how many times his been shot and kidnapped and a whatnot."
"Hotch, I'm fine." was all I said, as I walked out of his office. The team was down in the bullpen, with their to-go bags all ready.
Hotch quickly exited his office as well. "Who's driving who?" He asked as he stepped into the bullpen.
"Rossi is taking JJ, Garcia and Seaver." Reid said as he pushed his strap up his arm more.
"I'll take you three." I stated as we walked to elevator. "Does anyone need to anything?" I asked once we were all in.
"Me and Reid have to get our bags," answered Morgan.
"So do I?" Stated Hotch.
"Okay, so we'll stop at our complex get our things, then head to Reid's and Morgan's." I stated as we walked out of the building towards my car.
We piled in, Morgan in the front, and Hotch and Reid in the back. I was cursing down the roads, and back to our complex in less then five minutes. Hotch and I climbed out quickly and rushed to our apartments to gather our things. Luckily both of our bags were already ready to go. So all we had to do was get in, get them and get out. After the bags were in the back, we got back in. After Morgan and Reid got their bags we were off to the airport strip were our jet awaited us.