August 9, 2012
Jason looked around the waiting room at the many faces, marveling at how many were there to support Leah. Both Hotchner's team and the CAC team were there. Strauss had even made an appearance and had yet to leave, even though she was supposedly "just checking in". Knowing that her daughter was facing a life-or-death experience, Emily had found the courage somewhere to tell Ambassador Prentiss about Leah. So she, too, had come for the occasion. John Cooley also sat with them. Seventeen people in all now, since Jessica had recently come and take the kids home with her.
Jason did a double-take when he looked at Emily. She had bitten her nails down to the quick and her fingers were bleeding. Morgan, Hotch, Dr. Cooley and Elle were pacing. Spencer hadn't turned a page in his book for a solid half hour. Garcia was numbly scrolling up and down on her computer screen and Caleb was doing the same thing while JJ rested her head against her husband's shoulder. Even Katie, Strauss, and the ambassador had abandoned the work-related activities that they had brought. The others slept fitfully, or at least tried to.
Jason caught Anderson's eye. Jason motioned to the outline of a chess board painted on the table. "Do you want to play a game?" His voice startled everyone in the startled room.
"Oh, no." Anderson caught onto trying to cheer the others up. "I've given up on trying to beat you. Maybe Reid could though?"
Reid shook his head "no."
"Come on, Dr. Reid," Jason pestered. "Just one game. I'm board enough to go out of my mind."
Reid set aside his book with a heavy sigh and moved to the table along with Jason while Dr. Cooley found the checkers for them. The doctor set down the box of pieces and glanced at Emily. He chuckled in noiseless amusement. Then the doctor retrieved a Kleenex and handed it to Leah's mother.
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