Caught in a Storm
Chapter Seven
A/N - Well... I don't know about anyone else but I watched Zugzwang this afternoon and after initial shock and many tears I am now angry and upset, I can't get over Reid's face, it just wasn't fair!
That's my rant over, I won't spoil anything for anyone who hasn't seen it, I just thought the people who share my love for the show will be able to relate to my emotional outrage.
Thank you for the lovely feedback in the reviews, I hope you continue to enjoy the story!
The frozen lake was glistening in the bright sun as the team approached the sight. It was said to be 1 metre of thick ice and hadn't thawed completely for years, meaning the locals had no concerns about skating rapidly across slippery surface. There were not many people occupying the space though it looked like a rainbow with the blur of coloured hats, scarves and coats that flew past.
The team hired skates from the local supplier in town and were soon lacing themselves up on the benches provided. As soon as they were on the ice it became apparent that no matter how many doors you kick down or how many unsubs you run after that does not mean you have the ability or the grace to ice-skate.
J.J. took the ice naturally as she used to skate when she was younger and has taken Henry to an indoor artificial rink before, the rest never had reason to take part in the sport were a little uneasy to begin with. She soon took Prentiss and Garcia's hands and began to teach them how to move smoothly across the ice. Reid found that using physics and logic he could balance and gained the confidence to skate a little faster around the lake.
The three grown men stood at the edge of the lake watching the other members of their team adapt to their new found skill. Tentatively they each moved onto the ice, once Morgan began he thought he had got the hang of it so began skating faster, his ego and lack of skill soon sent him falling onto his behind.
The whole team were soon in hysterics and Emily pulled out her phone to take a picture. Penelope skated up to him, "oh baby are you ok?" she asked trying to stifle her laughs whilst trying to look concerned. He grumbled something inaudible in response.
"Garcia leave him, nothing but a bruised ego!" came Rossi's voice from across the lake, he was laughing with Hotch who for once he was able to enjoy himself and not hide behind his usual serious persona.
She laughed and held out her hands to help him up but she lost her balance and ended up falling onto him. They both giggled before he kissed her on the lips "I love you Baby Girl, are you having a good time?"
"The best, thank you my prince"
J.J. and Prentiss casually skated over to the couple, "come on guys, now is not really the time is it?" Emily laughed as the two women helped them onto their feet.
Garcia's eyes widened with feigned shock "Emily Prentiss! I don't like what you are insinuating, me and this young gentlemen here were doing absolutely nothing inappropriate" she stated trying to remain serious placing her hands onto her hips.
"I apologise dearest Penelope for my friend's accusations" J.J. said dramatically playing along "I do hope you can forgive us"
Garcia put her arms around her best friends and laughed as she couldn't uphold the pretense any longer "how could I ever be angry with you my sweets?"
The BAU team continued to skate about on the ice for a further hour before the darkness of the late afternoon crept in. By this time the team were cold and tired, and they were looking forward to a homemade meal in the town.
As they walked into the warm local restaurant, the scent of tasty food filled their nostrils and they all began to feel extremely hungry.
"Hey look who it is, the folks from the FBI!" the owner boomed as he came to show them to a table "best seats in the house for our VIP guests!" he cried as they sat down in a cosy booth at the far corner of the room.
Hotch patted the man's shoulder as he slid in next to Rossi "good to see you again Mr Morris, how is Graham?"
Mr Morris beamed with pride as the FBI remembered him "he's all the better after you saved his life! He's out back, he wanted to personally thank Agent...er...Morgan was it? Yeah, the one who killed the son of a bitch, excuse my language, and got grazed by an arrow he said"
Morgan shook his head humbly "he doesn't have to come out, it was nothing I'm fine"
"Nonsense!" Mr Morris responded and briskly took their drink orders before rushing into the back. The restaurant was unusually quiet for evening time but for a town with a population of barely a thousand, the busyness that they were used to back home was not present there.
After only ten minutes Mr Morris and his son Graham carrying two trays with their drinks. The exceptional 26 year-old hunter had been very close to becoming victim number six, if the team hadn't arrived just in time to surround Sayner and distract him so to turn his bow and arrow towards them, the outcome would have been very different.
"Mr Morgan, I just wanted to thank you again, I know I would be dead if it wasn't for your bravery. All of you, you work so hard, save so many lives and get such little gratitude, we can't thank you enough" Graham said sincerely holding his hand out to the agent.
Morgan shook his hand firmly "we're just doing our job man, but you're welcome"
He nodded smiled and followed his father back to the office area.
Penelope squeezed his hand under the table "he's right you know sweet cheeks, none of you get the appraisal you deserve"
"Uh uh woman, we can not do it without you. We found this guy because of you and that genius brain of yours, don't you dare belittle yourself"
J.J. nodded from the other side of her "just because you don't come out on cases or physically fight the unsubs, that doesn't make you any less important, we'd be lost without you!"
Penelope blushed furiously "oh you are all too kind, but I guess the truth does speak for itself!" she smiled and felt secretly proud, it was true that she often felt lonely being left in her office whilst the rest of the team went jetting across the country. Feeling helpless was inevitable when she was forced to see the brutal images of the murder victims and knew there was nothing she could psychically do to prevent future attacks. To know that her tireless typing and endless searching on her computer actually did make a difference, led to a life being saved, that made the job worthwhile.
It was late into the night when Morgan came downstairs to find Hotch working by the light of the fire.
"Hey, what are you working on?" He asked sitting opposite him in one of the striped armchairs.
Hotch closed the paperwork over and gave a small sigh "just finishing the reports for this case, getting them finished now means I can make up for the extra time I've been away from Jack when we get home" he replied sadly
"He knows his Daddy is out being a hero, he'll never resent you for that"
He nodded in response "I know, anyway what are you doing down here? I thought you'd be with Garcia"
"I need your advice on something" he stated a little anxiously, speaking to his Unit Chief about his personal affairs was a rarity and was unsure how he would react. Hotch gave a nod to encourage him to continue. "I want to ask Garcia to marry me" he said a little too quickly.
There was silence for a moment before Hotch spoke "the obvious question would be, do you think it's too soon? But then you have been in love with her for eight years. Another question would be, will she think it's too soon? Having recently broken up with Kevin over a marriage proposal, is it wise? But she has always loved you in a very different way to how she loved Kevin..."
"I'm starting to understand why she hates profilers!" Morgan smiled
Hotch looked at him "Morgan you are my colleague and my friend and I have always had admiration for you, this is no exception. I believe that if two people have so much respect and love for each other that they are able to stay just friends for the best interests of the other then they deserve to be together. There is not enough love in this job, it'll be good for everyone" he said genuinely.
Morgan nodded at what his boss had said, with the lack of his father, he knew he could turn to him for advice and he hadn't let him down. He couldn't imagine spending his life without Penelope being the centre of it.
He stood up "thanks Hotch"
"And Morgan?"
He turned back "yeah?"
"Jet is leaving at 2 tomorrow, do it properly. I just asked Haley over dinner, I wish I'd done something more because she deserved it so make it special"
"I will, thank you" as he went back up to his room, his mind began working overtime to come up with proposal special enough for his Baby Girl.