Emily and JJ are heading out for the day when a voice calls out across the lobby.
"Emily!"
The women turn to see Vicky Cartwright hurrying towards them, smiling. As she gets closer they see the tears in her eyes.
"You know, a few years back I said if I ever met one of the agents that brought down that bastard Doyle I would shake their hand." She sighs as she studies Emily. "Any chance I can upgrade that promise to a hug?"
Emily smiles and nods. "Of course."
The two women embrace. JJ stands silently, giving the old friends a moment. Finally they pull apart. Vicky strokes a hand down Emily's cheek.
"Glad you made it back to us, Em. I always said you were the toughest broad in our academy class."
Emily smiles and takes her friends' hand. "Jen and Hotch both told me you gave every free minute you had to study case files, notes, anything they collected. Thank you, Vick."
"My pleasure, Em. Next time you're in New York plan on a night out at the best restaurant in town."
Emily chuckles. "My treat?"
"But of course," Vicky answers, laughing. They hug once more. "Stay safe, Em. And good luck with the baby."
"Thanks, Vicky. Give my love to Pete and the kids."
"I will. See you all later."
"Are you in town all weekend?" JJ asks. "We'd love to have you over for dinner."
"Actually, I fly out first thing in the morning. But I seem to have a knack for this teaching thing so I'll be back next month for another couple weeks. Can I get a rain check?"
JJ nods. "Of course. Give us a holler when you get into town."
"Will do. See you all later. Emily…so glad you're okay."
"Thanks, Vick. Take care."
Emily and JJ head on out to their car.
Unfortunately, not everyone is leaving on time this Friday evening. Reid and Garcia had now identified all but 2 of the women in the photos. The newspaper visible in one had been identified as the local Big Sur paper from a year ago. Reid scrubs a hand down his face.
"That case wasn't out in the woods the whole time."
Garcia sighs and sits back in her seat. "He's hunting again, isn't he?"
"Yes," Reid answers. He pulls out his phone and calls Hotch. No surprise, he's still in his office. "Hotch, Garcia and I have some answers. You're not going to like them."
He quickly makes his way to Garcia's office. "What do we have?"
"A serial kidnapper, rapist, murderer. The case has pictures from last year."
"He date stamped the photos," Garcia supplies.
"There is also a newspaper in one pic giving us a time frame for it. But since the case wasn't out there all year he must be out hunting again," Reid finishes.
Hotch sighs. "Shit. I'll call the local police. If I can get an invite we leave as a team tomorrow. If I can't, Reid I want you to go out there and explain everything to them. Take Garcia to handle all the tech evidence you've found."
"Me, sir? Really?" she asks fearfully.
"Yes. Garcia, you know what we need to show the police. You have first hand knowledge of what Reid is going to talk to them about. You'll be able to cue up anything he needs at a moments notice." He stares into Garcia's eyes. "I know you can do this, Penelope."
She straightens a bit, thrilled by his praise. "Th—thank you, sir."
He nods and heads out to make a call to California. Reid paces Garcia's lair anxiously as the technical analyst nervously arranges and rearranges all the little baubles and whatnots on her desk. Just after 6 Hotch walks back in.
"Locals want to see what you all have before allowing us in. You'll leave first thing in the morning."
"Uh, on the jet?" Garcia asks.
Hotch smiles. "Afraid not. Reid, walk Garcia through the booking process."
"Yes, sir."
"Call me as soon as you have an invite or a dismissal. The clock is ticking for some woman somewhere," he cautions them.
Reid nods. He turns to Garcia. "So, ready for this?"
"No," she answers weakly.
He gives her a confident smile. "You'll be fine, Garcia."
She stares at him a moment. "When the hell did you grow up on us?"
Reid chuckles. "Uh, well, it's been happening gradually for a while. But I guess when Emily went missing I realized that I owe this team my self-confidence. I have to believe in myself if anyone else is going to. And if a team member's life or a victim's life depends on me I better be believable."
Garcia's face slowly breaks into a grin. "You're right. Our little Spencer is all grown up. Makes a mama-geek proud."
He chuckles and sits down at her phone to book their flight and hotel room.
Emily pulls into a parking spot in front of Declan's dorm. She starts to get out but JJ stops her.
"Em? When I picked him up last week they said I had been an approved contact for 3 years. How is that possible?"
Emily sits back. "If something happened to Tom, Louise and me I needed to know Declan would be with someone safe."
"I wouldn't have even known who this kid is," JJ points out. "And you had no idea he knew who hewas. Why would he have come with me?"
"The headmaster had a packet of information for you. Had you been called to pick him up as a last resort it would have explained everything." She reaches across the armrest and takes JJ's hand. "I've known from the first day I saw you I could trust you with everything, Jen. I knew I could trust you to protect him if I failed him."
JJ stares into Emily's eyes. "How did you know that?'
Emily smiles and quotes "their song", "Maybe it's intuition. But some things you just don't question."
JJ smiles. "Charmer."
The two share a quick kiss then head inside to pick up Declan for the weekend. Since they were going to be planting gardens along the front walk they were glad to have his help.
"Hi, Emily! Hi, Jennifer!"
"Hey, Declan. Ready to go?" Emily pats him on the shoulder. "We've got some big time digging to do this weekend."
"Digging?"
"Yep, planting gardens."
"Ugh," he says.
She smiles. "It will help build your muscles for lacrosse."
He grins at her as she winks. He throws his backpack over his shoulder as JJ picks up his duffel bag.
"I can help some. But I have a couple big papers to work on. And I need to be back kind of early on Sunday for a math study group."
"No problem," JJ answers. "As long as you get all the gardens dug and planted you can get back here early."
He laughs. "Gee. Thanks."
Emily walks behind them as the two blondes head towards the Lexus. Emily was glad JJ had hitched a ride to work with Garcia. It gave her time to spend with her wife and watch JJ's interaction with Declan. Though she prays Tom can beat the cancer he is waging war with she is sure that, should the worst happen, Declan has definitely found a new home.
They are nearly home when JJ's cell rings. "Hey, Hotch. Miss us already?" she jokes. She listens a minute, her grin fading. "Oh, my God." She listens some more. "Right. Have them send their itineraries to my email along with any pertinent case information. I'll get it ready just in case." Pause to listen. "Okay. Wish them luck for us. Night, Hotch."
As she hangs up, Emily glances at her. "Case?"
"Maybe. The photos. Reid and Garcia are flying out tomorrow to talk to the locals. If they get through to them we'll head out as soon as possible. If not we'll just have to put it in the watch bin."
"Damn."
"What's a watch bin?" Declan asks from the backseat.
JJ turns to him. "It's kind of what it sounds like. We sometimes can see a pattern developing and if we can't get the locals to ask for our help I have a file cabinet in my office where we put it in case more develops or the locals finally do let us in."
"Can't you just tell them you're the FBI and they have to let you help?"
JJ chuckles. "Oh, if it were only so easy. Thing is, unless the case crosses state lines we don't have jurisdiction. We are just a tool to help the locals not a tank rolling over them."
"Oh." He thinks a minute. "It would be easier to be a tank."
"Yes, it definitely would," JJ agrees, chuckling.
Emily had just listened, enjoying the smart questions Declan had asked and the easy way JJ had answered them. Her mind wanders to Declan, Henry and Rocky being older kids all asking all sorts of questions. She smiles. It would be loud and crazy. God, she couldn't wait!