Chapter 4

The team all met back up in the lobby at four-thirty in the morning. Dave looked at Matt. "Anything from you source?" Matt shook his head. "Then I'm heading across the street to that large green sign with the even larger American flag waving and getting a real breakfast."

"I'm right behind you Big Dog. And I'll buy to get a real breakfast," Matt smiled at Dave.

"I like that call," Dave responded with a large smile. The team headed across the street to Perkins.

JJ's cell buzzed with a text. "Will is heading to the Metro PD command center."

Emily looked at her. "What about the boys?"

"Will got Luci our nanny to come early."

"What about Declan," Reid asked looking at Emily.

"The joys of a sixteen year old," Emily said, shaking her head. "He's self-sufficient; except for hammering me over the head to get his driver's license."

Matt and Hotch shook their heads as they pulled the double doors open for the ladies. Morgan smiled at them. "Not a good thought in your world?"

"Morgan, do the math; Abbey and I will have two driving at the same time. One being a horny teenager; the other dealing with those horny teenagers."

"My son will be a year ahead of that," Hotch said.

Dave smirked at Morgan. "Given your reputation, I can't wait for you to deal with that with Hank," he laughed. The team joined the laughter as they quickly got seated.

Matt got a text. All quiet right now. Matt smiled at the team. "Someone is up as early as us and has full buy in." He looked at JJ. "You've got Garcia in the loop?"

JJ smiled. "She got a cryptic message from someone that said she knows Cob and wants to work with her."

Matt nodded at Hotch. The team placed their order. Ten minutes later, being the only ones there, they enjoyed a wonderful breakfast.

The team walked out together to the sun slowly rising. "Damn, I needed that," Dave smiled.

"You and me both Big Dog," Matt smiled, walking across the street with the rest of the team. Matt's cell phone went off. He answered the call, looking at the ID. "Nick?"

"It's me Becky; the tech analyst. I've got a hit from the morning online want-ads. Nick is getting a response team from the FBI and HS activated at the address your tech analyst finds. Washington Gas gave us three names. Between Garcia, me and your profile, we've got a suspect."

"Becky, an address," Matt said, listening.

"Four twenty three Chenworth." Matt told Hotch. "We're on it; tell Nick to find that SOB with Garcia's help. Thanks for the head's up Becky." The team raced to their SUV's and quickly put on their Kevlar.

Matt looked at Hotch. "Can you get the rapid response going?"

"I'm already on it," Hotch said, his cellphone to his ear. He repeated the address to Will.

"I'll take it from here Hotch and get everyone rolling," Will said.

"I'm getting the GPS," Emily said, diving into the backseat of the SUV with Rossi doing the same on the other side. Matt was already pulling out of the parking stall with Hotch in the passenger seat. Morgan was already in the driver's seat of the other SUV with Reid, JJ and Tara hurriedly getting in. "Take a right out of the garage. I'll get you on a through street."

As Matt approached the exit, he hit the lights and sirens of the SUV. "Floor it," Emily said. "Take a right four blocks up."

"Street name Prentiss," Matt barked.

"Commerce."

"You drive; I'm your spotter," Hotch said.

"Got it," Matt fired back.

"Thank God it's still early in the morning," Dave noted. "There's not much traffic."

With Prentiss' directions, the team sped towards an area east of Rock Creek Park. "Hotch, can you hear me," Will said into their earpieces.

"Loud and clear Will," Hotch said.

"Washington Gas already has the grid shut down in the area. Dominion ran into a problem with their fail safe system on their computers for shutting down a grid and they're working on it. Police and fire in the area precinct are rolling."

"Thanks Will."

When they arrived, DCPD and DCFD were already on the scene, evacuating the apartment building. The DCPD bomb squad pulled in right behind them. Because of the early morning hour, many of the apartment residents were coming out in their pajamas. "Get them into as many vehicles as you can to keep them warm," Matt commanded as he and Morgan ran towards the building.

A police sergeant looked at them. "Second floor is cleared except for one apartment. Some of the first floor residents are already out hearing the commotion. We've just got to double check that floor." Matt and Morgan flew in the door with four members of the first responders. They quickly moved down the hallway of the building, with the four responders getting the remaining tenants out.

Matt pounded on the last door on the left at the end of the hallway. "FBI! We need you to evacuate the building immediately!" Hearing nothing, he pounded on the door again. "FBI! You need to get out!" There was still no response. He looked at Morgan. "Kick it in."

"Bomb squad," Will said in their ear pieces. "Washington Gas says the meter to the main line to the building is at the back on the east side. Be advised there is still gas in the lines in the building."

Matt and Morgan rushed into the apartment to hear a dog loudly barking in a back bedroom. Matt and Morgan took a quick look around. They ran towards the sound, rushing into the bedroom. "What the hell is going on," an elderly man asked, trying to get out of bed into his wheelchair. His Pomeranian was loudly barking at them, standing on the bed.

"Sir, sit down on the bed," Morgan said. "I'll get you out of here. This building may blow up." He quickly helped the man into his bathrobe the man was trying to put on.

"I'm not leaving without Max," the man demanded.

"I've got Max," Matt said. "Hey Max," he smiled. The dog growled at him, baring his teeth.

"Cob?" Morgan asked, lifting the elderly man in his arms.

"Go Morgan! I've got the mutt." Matt quickly pulled a corner of the blanket on the bed and ramped Max in it before the dog could react and bite him.

They both heard the bomb squad in their coms. "You've got thirty seconds! Responders evacuate the building!" Two fireman still trying to get into the one apartment upstairs ran towards the steps.

"Max!" the man demanded.

"My partner has him," Morgan said, heading to the door. Matt sped behind him with the dog bundled in the blanket in one arm. He quickly swung in the living room and grabbed a picture.

"Cob!" Morgan shouted, ready to head out the door.

"Right behind you! Go out the back exit door!" Morgan blew out the door. "Go left! Get on the other side of the next apartment building for cover!" They ran out seeing the bomb squad trying to disable the bomb.

The four of them just got around to cover when they heard a loud boom.

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