Chapter 13: Base camp
JJ sighed in relief as she spotted Rossi coming back into the bullpen, hands charged with two huge delivery bags containing their Chinese treat. Unable to just sit around in the conference room while waiting for an update from the two agents on the field, JJ, Reid and Rossi had gone back to the bullpen while Garcia retreated happily to her bunker. When the clock had struck 10 PM, the little group had thought that some food would be necessary to keep them through the night.
Rossi rummaged through the boxes and put one that he guessed were fried noodles on JJ's desk, before handing the other bag to Reid. The blonde smiled at the gentlemanly attitude and eagerly dug her chopsticks into the paper box without saying much more than a 'thank you'. As a matter of fact, the words that had been exchanged since Rossi had handed all the information over to Aaron Hotchner could be counted on two hands. It seemed each of them was wrapped up in their thoughts. Expectation was killing the agents, who were not used to stay away from the field. Even the doctor Reid, who was practically born to sit behind a desk, was getting nervous not to know what was going on in Kansas. Still, one question was burning JJ's lips when she looked up to David Rossi, who had taken a seat on the edge of her desk to have his own dinner.
"Dave, how come are you the only one to know about Emily's past?"
Rossi didn't even flinch – he had expected to be interrogated.
"I guess I just was at the right place, at the right time." He truly believed that he had done nothing to deserve any more trust from the brunette than any other agent in the group. In fact, over the years, Emily Prentiss had grown much closer to Derek Morgan and Jennifer Jareau – and Hotch, but their relationship was quite different.
"Maybe she just felt like confiding into someone neutral." He continued, thinking out aloud.
When he looked sideways, Rossi couldn't miss the frown on Reid's face. The young agent had always been the one with the highest expectations. He stuck to principles that were almost impossible to bear for the persons around him, and eventually he would snap, if disappointment grew too strong.
"Don't be too harsh on her." Rossi said, holding the younger agent's gaze, until he finally stuttered:
"Why do you say that?"
"Reid, we know how unforgiving you can be sometimes…" JJ interfered in the softest tone she could take. Although some things needed to be said, she didn't want to startle her colleague.
Instead of answering, Reid only raised an eyebrow and concentrated back onto his fried beef and onions. When it was clear that they would get no reaction from their younger colleague, Rossi shifted his attention to JJ and greeted her with a knowing look. The blonde had been playing with her food rather than eating it for the past five minutes.
"How are you holding on?"
Jennifer sighed deeply. As much as she tried to keep a cold head, thoughts of Emily killing Schrader in cold-blood or lying on the floor after being shot crossed her mind every now and then. Everyone's attention had been so focused on Aaron Hotchner's strange attitude that no one had even cared to ask the others how they lived this experience.
"Frustrated. Angry. Disappointed. Afraid. Shall I continue?"
"I think these feelings crossed all of our minds." Rossi said uncertainly.
"I would like to jump on the jet and get to the guys in Kansas City, instead of sitting around."
"Someone needs to calm Strauss down."
Rossi said with a smirk, now and then peering over to Reid, who still was concentrated on his food. It was clear that part of his anger was directed at his own incapacity rather than just Emily. But Reid was not one to open up so easily.
"She'll be back before you know it." The elderly agent had felt that a little bit of reassurance was needed. "Eat your food, we have a long night ahead." He pointed with his chopsticks in JJ's direction. She had resumed playing with the noodles instead of eating them. She smirked at the comment but, before she had the time to get some to her mouth, she spotted a couple standing at the elevators, obviously new to the environment and looking for someone.
"Lizzie's parents are here." She said, putting down the dinner, wiping off her mouth and making her way to the standing couple, under the scrutiny of the two profilers.
"M. and Mrs. Mayers, I am Jennifer Jareau, we spoke on the phone." She extended a hand and tried her best to utter a warm smile, fighting her own sadness as she saw Joan Mayers' tears welling up in her eyes.
"Why don't we go somewhere more private?" she motioned to the conference room, just a few stairs above them. She had dealt with many grieving families, but this one was hitting too close to home. When she walked up the flight of stairs, she glanced downwards and saw the concerned look on Rossi's face.
"I am very sorry for your loss." JJ said as the couple was getting seated.
"Do you know if the police investigation has reached anything?" she asked.
"They will call us as soon as they know anything. All we thought about was to get to Washington and bring our baby back." Joan said, refraining a sob.
"Agent Jareau, we would like to meet Lizzie's biological mother, if she is willing to talk to us." Peter Mayers said with a much firmer voice. Men usually took the blow with more dignity, although they would miserably crumble in the end. Never take a man's pride for granted, JJ had learnt over the years dealing with victims or victims' relatives.
The blonde cleared her throat before answering. She had left out the part of Emily's flight during her phone conversation.
"I am sorry to tell you this, but Emily Prentiss went missing after the events of last night."
"Missing?" Joan's eyes locked with the blonde agent's, expecting her to elaborate.
"We think the man who killed your daughter had an accomplice." The words came out slowly, as JJ thought about what she could disclose and what had better stay between the four walls of the conference room.
"And he is still out there?" Peter asked, his voice breaking by the end of the question.
"It's too early to say anything, but a part of my team is trying to find the accomplice – and Agent Prentiss."
For a brief moment, JJ wondered whether the parents resented Emily for their daughter's death. Maybe it was not such a good idea for the three of them to meet up after what happened. Yet, it would be Emily's decision when she would come back.
Reid watched cautiously from his desk into the conference room, although the unfortunate angle and the half-closed blinds made it hard for him to see anything happening in that room. All he could tell was that the man had stood up after a while and was soothing circles on his wife's back. His focused shifted to Dave Rossi as the man came standing beside his desk, obviously looking for an explanation – or an argument.
"What is it?" he tried to keep his tone neutral as he locked with Rossi's gaze. The man, however, did not answer and merely stared at the doctor with a raised eyebrow.
"I know an explanation will be needed, but Emily needs fore and foremost our support." He finally said, as it was clear that Reid would not open up without Rossi giving him a little push.
"I know that. I just can't help feeling betrayed."
"Why is that?"
"Don't profile me, Dave." The use of his colleague's first name did contrast with the harsh tone in the young agent's voice.
"Then talk to me, genius. Why is it getting to you that much?"
"It's just… I always felt like my mother somehow abandoned me."
Had it been anyone other than Dave Rossi, they would probably not have linked Reid's statement and Emily's situation. But the hardened profiler could read well beyond his colleague's nervous eyes.
"Sometimes it is best when a child is separated from his biological parents. In your case, your mother was sick. And Emily was awfully young when she had her daughter. I am sure it was for everyone's best that she gave up Lizzie to be adopted by this caring family." As he spoke, Rossi looked towards the conference room, where the couple was still talking to JJ.
"Besides, it's not our place to judge her for choices that were made almost twenty years ago."
Reid's eyes were wandering helplessly over his desk, as they tried to lock with something that would give some peace to his mind.
"I know. I just can't help it."
They were interrupted in their conversation by the sound of a door opening, and watched as JJ brought the couple back to the elevators. JJ's frustrated look told them all they needed to know: these persons were shattered.
