Thank you everyone for the patience and support. I know it's been a long time since I last updated; please forgive me, as I've been incredibly busy.

I own Haley and the words, but nothing else.

Just as the boxes were unpacked and two horses stood at the ready, fully saddled and bridled, with all four legs wrapped in extra-thick, brand-new white leg wraps, and manes and tails brushed out, several cars pulled up the long gravel drive of the Reid residence and parked right up alongside the house. Several people exited, this large party being the entire team, each driving their personal vehicles. Prentiss carried a ham, Hotch had corn and green beans, Morgan held rolls and a prepackaged fruit platter. Garcia trailed a bit behind, mostly on account of a series of desserts, among them being a delicious-looking strawberry-topped chocolate cake. The others carried various drinks.

At that very moment, as if on cue, Reid exited out the back door, clearly a bit nervous. He wore his usual attire and eyed the horses uneasily. Concealed beneath his pants was a very-necessary cup, but even that bit of reassurance didn't help him approach the horses with any semblance of courage.

Haley motioned to the people that she saw from the other side of the small front paddock. "Your coworkers." Her tone was dismissive and casual.

"My what?" Reid asked. He seemed put off a good deal more by this.

"Is this not normal?"Haley herself was put off a bit as Reid rushed into the house under the pretense of getting the door. Well, this is interesting, she thought, and he's not going to get out of riding just because a few coworkers, to be sure! As her mind worked away at a masterful plan, Haley smiled larger and larger until a Cheshire-cat grin was plain upon her face, eyes awash in the pleasure that would come from executing her plan. She felt, for a moment, like an evil genius.

"Ha-a-ley!" Reid called from the back door.

"Yes?" Her tone was a good deal softer, and she concealed her former expression, or, rather, made up for it with a doe-eyed glance in the general direction of the back door.

"Can you put the horses away with the saddle still on?" Reid asked this in all seriousness.

Haley giggled a little. "No way, never, I couldn't do that", she said, looking at Reid as if he were the most peculiar creature that ever did exist. Perhaps he was, though there is also the possibility that one more strange may yet come to exist.

"So I suppose I have to ride." Trepidation came to Reid's face as he approached Haley and the horses.

"You're on Vice", Haley said casually. "I know his bad habits and the worst he does is try and take advantage of the rider. Just be assertive." She handed him a helmet. "You'll need this."

Reid's eyes flew wide at this, but it was too late. Everyone had followed him out and was now watching. Everyone was mildly amused as Reid fastened his helmet, struggled to get a foot in the stirrup, and then barely managed to pull himself into a sitting position on an animal that Haley, a good deal smaller, was easily managing to bring herself astride. To Reid's terror, he noted that there was no horn on the saddle to cling to, and neither was there one on Haley's saddle. He would have to balance.

Reid now settled on a large black horse, and Haley set on the gorgeous gray, she turned her attention to Reid.

"Leave your reins loose, but keep them even and use two hands." She sat with perfect posture and evenly held her reins. Reid studied her posture and her hands, trying in vain to imitate her.

This attempt did not escape her notice. "Just feel it out." She looked at him with relaxed confidence. "Now squeeze a little with your legs-just a little-and ask for a walk." With this, she moved her horse into an easy, graceful free walk, with the hind coming under and the front coming out, so that the horse seemed to flow.

Reid proceeded far less gracefully. The horse started, was pulled back by an overly-fearful Reid yanking the reins, and moved forward at a choppy walk with his head set nearly to his chest.

"No, no, not like that", Haley chastised. "Don't slump over; it looks terrible. Besides, don't jerk his poor mouth. Hold your reins loose, and let the horse go at the pace he naturally goes."

Usually not one to be left to the forces of nature, and with colleagues looking on, Reid had trouble loosening the reins. Eventually, however, he managed to do so. He also managed to sit up straight, his lanky frame and tight-drawn muscles giving him an awkward air, and the horse's movements throwing him about besides. It was all quite hilarious, if only he'd taken the time to see the hilarity of the thing; Hotch and Morgan were exchanging humored glances already.

"Now take up your reins-quiet hands, now-and wiggle them back and forth very softly. Alternate the reins so he brings his head in, and ask for a nice, slow trot. Use your seat to help bring him in, too, don't use only your reins; that bugs any horse." Haley took up her reins and had her horse in a ceremonious-looking trot in half an instant.

Reid had no such luck. His horse bolted after Haley's horse, and Reid clung to the mane for dear life. Taking the unintended cue, the jet-black steed moved faster and faster, eventually going into full-out gallop around the arena. Reid tried to imitate jockeys and their usual standing-up in the stirrups. However, a sudden turn the other way caused by Reid's displacement of weight in the error of standing up one side at a time threw him from the horse. He fell in the arena sand, curled up and more than a little shook up.

Haley lengthened her horse's stride and seemed to glide effortlessly over to him, stopping and dismounting in one deceptively-smooth movement. She walked over to Reid and the horse that now stood next to him, as if seeing to him and feeling sorry for casting him from its back with such haste.

"You alright?" she asked. She was somewhat amused at his fall, and something inside her cringed at the utter lack of competence. She brushed that part off, and made her priority attending to the possibly-injured Reid.

"Y-yeah. I think I'm fine." He uncurled and got up, slowly and shakily, as Haley brushed the sand off his back and sides.

"Nothing's broken or sprained, then. Get back up on that horse." Haley was calm, even holding Vice so Reid could mount.

"I don't think so. I've had enough." Reid's tone was fearful and tense, so Haley didn't push him to stay as he walked across the arena and went into the barn to put his helmet back.