CHAPTER 68
I JUST CAN'T KEEP UP WITH ALL THE NAMES
The BAU case was closed. The child was now back home, with his father, with an early appointment for counseling on the very next day. It would take a while, but he would heal.
The team was now facing a tough decision – staying one more night in that hotel or spending the next few hours at the airport, waiting for an official authorization to fly out early.
Emily knew that both Rossi and Reid had had a rough night because of the bunk beds. She had tried asking the front desk for a new room, but if they wanted a normal room with normal beds, the cost would be much higher and they could simply not afford it. She would have gladly paid the difference, from her own pocket, but the problem was that she had to swipe the work credit card, so they could justify the expenses…and adding a new room would make her go over the budget limit, which would result in a very unpleasant talk with the Superiors.
She also knew that JJ had almost witnessed a boy, about her son's age, get abducted and be nearly drowned by a psychopath. The one thing JJ needed now was the opportunity to tuck her two sons in bed, making sure they were okay.
"Wheels up in thirty." Emily stated as they made their way back to the hotel, after they had finished up at the police station late that evening.
The team was relieved to hear that. They didn't need to waste any more time, now that the case was closed and the UnSub was in custody. They all grabbed their go bags and were ready to be on their way to the airport.
"Ugh, did they really need to be so quick with the printing?" Angie lamented. She wouldn't have minded another day, or two, in plain clothes.
That morning, right after their PFT class, each Trainee received their bag, with their uniforms neatly folded inside.
"Damn, they even spelled it in caps. Uhhh, I'm loving this!" Angie held one of her shirts up, eyeing the print on the back, saying HUNTER.
"Imagine if you hated your own last name." Bryan laughed. He had already heard some Trainees discuss how unfortunate it was that their names would now be always on display.
"Nah, I love my name. My name is who I am!" Angie smirked and walked to the nearest bathroom to change.
She was feeling a bit tired, so running back to the dorms for a shower and a change of outfit was not an option.
Bryan, however, opted for just that. He was desperate for a shower. Their PFT trainer had been pushing his limits, ever since he learned that Bryan would be trying out for SWAT or the Hostage Rescue Team. As good as he already was, there was a lot he could work on. And he was more than happy to do so.
"Hello class." Agent Seger greeted them all when their first class of the day started.
"Don't get me wrong, I get that anthropology is important, but hey, we're seeing way too much of her lately." Bryan said, completely failing to prove his point.
He believed that learning about human remains and analyzing them was the very last step of what an FBI Agent should be able to do. First, they had to try and make sure people did not end up dead.
"I might be old, but I have amazing hearing." Agent Seger laughed.
Bryan was sitting on the front row, did he really think she would not hear him?
"Actually, while I will continue yapping about bones and stuff, I have also been given the wonderful opportunity to teach you a bit about working abroad. As you all know, I'm part of the IRS, that's the International Response Team. I have worked cases, literally, all around the world. So, I am going to share my experiences with you and teach you all the legal tricks and yeah…fun stuff…" She rolled her eyes at her own statement, wondering if anyone even cared.
Most of them, if not all, had signed up for working in the United States. The IRS was complicated, nobody wanted the burden of having to learn both US and foreign law procedures, when handling a case, especially when each case would be in a different country, meaning they would be continuously learning new things and trying to fit with local laws.
Angie's face lit up. She was more than excited about this new class.
Not too many other Trainees had the same reaction, as hers.
Clara started off with the UK system. It was a complicated one, but at least all the terms were in English, so it would be easier to absorb.
At some point she spoke about the witness protection system and made a rhetorical question about the entity that controlled it.
Angie shot her hand up in the air and since she was sure nobody else had volunteered, she also shot out her answer.
"UK's nationwide witness protection system is managed by the UK Protected Persons Service, abbreviated in UKPPS, responsible for the safety of around 3,000 people. The UKPPS is part of the National Crime Agency. The service is delivered regionally by local police forces." Angie said with a tiny smile.
"That is correct, Andrea." Clara smirked.
"It's Angela!" She corrected her. Something about this woman getting her name wrong rubbed her the wrong way.
Agent Seger then spoke about cases in France, Germany and Brazil. Angie stood still, trying not to be the class nerd who would always want to have a say or ask a question.
At some point, she could not do it anymore.
"Agent Seger, if an American citizen is a victim of a major crime, in America, and then gets into the witness protection system, the American one, but then goes abroad…and then comes back after many years…do they lose their rights? I mean, can they be legally held responsible if they keep hiding behind the mask that the same US government gave them? What's the tea on that kind of stuff?" She asked curiously. In one of the books she was currently reading before bed, there was an unsolved case with those specifics and she needed to know more about it.
Clara sighed before answering. "This is a very touchy subject, Miss Hunter. I am afraid I do not have the right answer for you."
"Thought so." Angie shrugged.
"The shade…" Bryan muttered to himself when he heard how Angie replied to the teacher.
JJ handed her hand sanitizer to Reid as soon as they got to the airport. Nobody noticed that exchange. Reid smiled, coming to terms with the fact that JJ would always be there for him, anticipating his every weird nerdy need.
"So, what are we going to eat while we wait for our flight to be confirmed?" Reid asked while rubbing his hands together, waiting for the gel to evaporate and to leave nothing but cleanness and the lack of germs. He loved that feeling. The smell of it, not so much.
"Eww, you smell like a pharmacy." Luke commented while walking past Reid. The scent of the hand sanitizer was too strong and annoying for his senses.
"Actually, pharmacies smell like a complex mixture of medicines, while hand sanitizer only has a form of alcohol – say ethyl alcohol for example, as an active ingredient and works as an antiseptic, hence why they call it either hand sanitizer or hand antiseptic. Other ingredients could include water, fragrance, and glycerin, but there is not much more to it. So, if I had to correct your statement…" Reid started off.
"Which, for the record…you do not!" Luke rolled his eyes at his friend, knowing perfectly well that he would, anyway.
"…You would have been more correct if you had said that I smell like a bar." Reid finished his sentence and walked over to Chick-Fill-A.
"Now, before you guys go get some coffee after this extremely boring class…" Agent Seger said at the end of the class.
Bryan loved her – he liked a woman who could take the piss out of herself and she was doing it so well, in a room full of strangers.
"…I just want to add that Dan has given me permission to create a small group and ensnare them in an…uh, a project." She said mysteriously.
"Oh, I'd love to do it!" Angie raised her hand, naively thinking that it was on voluntary basis.
"Why?" Clara asked.
"Because any person who uses the word 'ensnare' is a person I'd love to work with." Angie smirked. "Yeah and also, I love your class. And yeah, you guys can call me names, I don't care." With her last words, she turned towards the other Trainees, already knowing that they would call her the teacher's pet or something similar.
"Dan allowed me to choose five Trainees." Clara pointed out and Angie frowned, realizing that it did not depend on her whether she would be part of that group or not.
"However, I do not need this many. I need a focused group of maximum three people. Plus, if I had to be honest, I did not see more than three pairs of eyes opened during either of my classes, so…yeah…" Clara ended off, throwing some major shade at the class.
"Give me the popcorn! I am loving this!" Bryan muttered. This class had been nothing but entertaining for him. Plus, he had learned heaps of new things that he surely would never put to practice if he got into SWAT, but it was still nice to enrich his knowledge.
"And yet, I just don't feel comfortable choosing three of you. So, I will only go with two – the ones I believe are going to enjoy this journey and learn from it. I should probably mention that I don't like people badmouthing me behind my back, so I'm sticking with the two people I least expect this from." Clara said nervously.
"Why would people badmouth you?" Angie asked, half-rhetorically.
"Because this project is quite complicated and will drain the energy out of my chosen two. I just don't want to hear it that you're tired, bored, done with it. If I call your name and you get up here on the podium and stand next to me now, then you're stuck with me until the end of this project. Feel free to sit on your ass if you do not want to agree with those terms of mine." She was now talking business. Most of the people didn't even care about adding any more tasks to their already jam-packed Academy schedule anyway.
Angie was not most people.
"I need you…the guy with the red pen, third row, left side…" Clara pointed at someone.
"Think twice before you stand up." She reminded him.
Clara had noticed how interested he was in hearing about the IRS. He had made a couple of comments during class and he had asked her a very valid question, one that she had a lot to share about. There was no doubt she wanted to ask him to join her mini team.
He took a minute to weight his options before he finally stood up and walked over to the podium.
Clara smiled. For a moment there she had been nervous, wondering exactly how humiliated she would be if the guy simply refused her proposal.
"Hey, thank you so much, Agent Seger. I'm Kevin Cooper." The guy introduced himself.
"The second person…" Clara started off, speaking slowly.
Bryan noticed how Angie moved her bag out of the way, making sure she would have plenty of space to get up and run to that podium, if asked to.
"It's someone that I believe would be a great addition to my team…if they tone down the sparks and start listening to orders. Having said that, I'd like to be joined by Amelia…" Clara gave it a moment and when nobody stood up, she pointed at Angie.
"Ugh, it's Angela!" She groaned, but still darted towards the podium.
"So, Kevin and you are now my minions." Clara clapped her hands. "Class dismissed. See you guys…I don't even know when. The schedule keeps being changed, so yeah. Have a good day."
"Congrats!" Bryan mouthed to Angie before he walked out with a bunch of their friends.
"What is this project?" Kevin asked curiously, now that it was just the three of them left there to discuss it.
"Wild guesses?" Clara wanted to hear what people expected out of her.
"Uh, working on some old case, so that you can see what we come up with and then compare it to what actually happened and then judge if we are any good at this?" Kevin suggested.
"Eh…" Clara shook her head and looked at Angie, awaiting her guess.
"Oh, I'm all wilded out." Angie shrugged. Wild card had no wild guesses.
Clara could not stop herself from laughing. She knew that Angie was the Wild Card this year and the more she got to see of her, the more she understood why Dan had chosen her.
"Yeah, it's a case. And yeah, you guys will be working on it." Clara opened a file folder, making them wait in anticipation.
"But you won't be working alone. You'll be working with me. Actually, with the IRS." She specified.
"LIKE, AS REAL AGENTS!?" Angie almost passed out from excitement.
"Like I said, you need to tone it down a notch…" Clara said calmly, after Angie's loud outburst. "And yes, like Agents. But not officially as Agents. You will be…consulting. My team just received a case that involves multiple victims, which means we now need more people on our team to come help us with interviewing everyone and yes, you guys will also be introduced to the most wonderful part of being an Agent – the paperwork. So, now that I know you are prepared physically, I need you to prepare mentally. Also, prepare a go bag and I will see you by the green parking lot entrance tomorrow at 5:30 am."
"Go bag?" Kevin asked, while Angie was already hyperventilating, as she knew what was about to happen.
"Yeah, I'm with the International Response Team." Clara emphasized. "Now, if you're not a fan of Cuba Libre, I would suggest you grab a pint of Tinima Cerveza Clara, not only because that beer is named after me." She chuckled.
"YES!" Angie allowed herself to freak out a little bit, once Clara gave them the news.
"No way! We're going to Cuba?" Kevin asked and both girls gave him a look. He was a bit slow to catch up.
"Oh, I am so going to wear my cute clothes. Yes! Goodbye khaki pants. Hello, Gorgeous Babe!" Angie played with her hair and Clara tried really hard not to laugh at her enthusiasm, even though it made her feel good, seeing the girl so excited and happy about work.
"Okay, one more thing. You both need to look like FBI Agents, so yes – no more Academy uniform, but please don't roll up to the crime scene looking like an 80's Disco Barbie, okay?" Clara looked at Angie as she said her last few words.
"Nah. I was thinking more like 70's hot athletic chic…" Angie smirked, clearly joking.
Clara sighed. She had no idea what she had gotten herself into yet.
"Okay, you can go now." Clara said, looking at Kevin.
"A word?" She then said to Angie.
"Please don't make me regret this." Clara whispered when Kevin left the Auditorium.
"Can't make any promises." Angie smirked.
"Oh and it's Angela!" She added, clearly disapproving of being called two different names during class.
"Sorry, I just can't keep up with all the names…" Clara smirked at her, showing that she still had the upper hand.
Angie respected that. If Clara had the nerve to stand up to Angie, and also the patience to not snap when Angie would stand up to her, then this was a good mix, a duo that had potential.
Two long days of boredom at the hospital and Richard was finally free to leave. He wasn't in a hurry to go back home, but Victor had insisted that he'd drive him personally.
There was nothing as good as a long hot shower, after a hospital stay. Richard could not count the many times he had longed for a shower, during his career.
After a short power nap, he was ready to go and there was one place he needed to go to.
"May I help you, Sir?" A middle aged woman asked when he walked in a building that he did not seem like he belonged to.
"Yes, I am looking for the person who teaches Pedro Gonzales' class." Richard stated and the woman walked him to a teacher's lounge.
He did not seem like a crazy man who was in a primary school, with the intentions of shooting kids left and right. It was easy for her to feel like she could trust this man.
She mentioned Pedro's name and one of the women in the teacher's lounge replied, saying she was his teacher.
She got introduced to Richard and he wanted to talk to her in private.
"Are you family?" She asked.
She was a well-behaved French woman, in her early 30's, with long brown hair, tied in a messy bun. She was also very good with faces and she did not remember Richard's face ever being around the school, to take Pedro home after class.
"No, you could say I'm a family friend. I am here because I learned that there are extra classes in your school. How does that work?" He asked politely.
"Oh, yes. We have a program – twice a week, two hours per day, always after the normal school hours are done, we have different classes for the kids to choose from." She went through her bag and held out a brochure.
He studied it and saw the different disciplines. There were sports like swimming, football and gymnastics, and then there was mathematics, literature and writing and also languages - English and Spanish. On the bottom of the brochure, there was a number, indicating the price to be paid for enrollment in any of those classes.
"So, kids have to pay if they want to learn?" He raised an eyebrow.
"We already teach those classes in school. However, we have external teachers who come here twice a week, to go in depth and to give a small group of kids focused attention on what they are good at…" She replied.
"…but that's after they pay, right?" Richard finished off her sentence.
"Yes. Like I said, those classes are held by externals, so not our staff and not on our payroll. The school has to cover the costs and since only a few kids attend the classes, it is hard to reach a sum that could be enough for the teacher."
"Do you mind coming to the Principal's office with me for a few minutes?" Richard suggested, but the way he spoke hinted towards a command, rather than a suggestion.
Five minutes later they were sitting in the Principal's office.
"Sir, it has come to my attention that the extra classes come at an extra cost…" Richard trailed off.
The Principal, a man in his 50's, explained the school politics, almost in the same way that Pedro's teacher had, minutes ago.
"How much does it cost, per year?" Richard asked casually.
"Per child?" The Principal made a basic calculation in his mind and gave him a number.
"In total." Richard specified.
"In total…what?"
"How much money do you spend, per year, for all the external teachers, for all classes?" Richard explained his question, with more words now.
"Oh, uh, quite a bit, actually…"
He was not getting an answer that would satisfy him. He needed an exact sum and this man was not saying it. So, instead, Richard took out a check book and wrote something down.
"Would that cover it?" He asked after handing the man a piece of paper.
"Wow, uh…uh yes. It would, actually." The Principal looked with disbelief.
"Good. Now can you send a mass e-mail to all the kids in the school and tell them to choose a subject they like. The school year has only just started, they can surely catch up if they join now." Richard smiled.
There was something so cool and calm about his demeanor. He seemed like a good guy who just casually whipped a check to the school, wanting nothing in return. That kind of looked suspicious.
"Sir, I'm not sure what we can offer you in return for this generosity…" The Principal stuttered, every now and then throwing a look over to the female teacher who was sitting next to Richard and keeping quiet.
"I don't want anything. I just want every child to have the opportunity to learn more, if they want to. Oh and I don't want anyone to know I'm the paycheck guy, is that going to be okay with you?" Richard requested.
That was when the other man looked at the check again and read Richard's full name.
"Oh…" He gasped. "Uh, okay. It is not going to be a problem, Sir." He reassured him, now that he knew who was sitting in front of him.
"Good." Richard smiled politely and stood up. His work there was done.
"Sir, may I ask what triggered this?" The Principal stood up, walking Richard to the door.
"A very smart young boy whom this beautiful woman teaches." He said cheekily, pointing at Pedro's teacher.
"And maybe a bit of overcompensating about certain paths non taken, in my life." Richard added before he greeted the two people next to him and he left the building.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
BONJOUR to my French readers - I LOVE FRANCE!
"Spooladio" You have proof of how "mean" and teasing I can be, in your inbox, right now :)!
"Ducksdragonfly" Trust is the foundation of every great relationship. (Read it between the lines :P)
"rmpcmfan" Richard definitely has a tender side. For the sake of the story I'll say Emily is 45, so I can squeeze in a few more years of calling her "super hot/sexy" :P Hehehe! Also, Luke and Matt would be like around 32? For the sake of me, drooling over the image of Adam Rodriguez and not feeling guilty about the age difference :P (I'm a weirdo hahaha) Ok now, kick ass Emily has a long way to go, but she's getting there. I love seeing her get stronger. Her savage moments on TV are my favorite scenes to watch. Angie and Bryan DO need to let loose, it can't be ALL work NO play :)! PS: Oh no, Emily won't send out such a random msg. Nope...if she ever reaches out, it would be epic. It would be something way weird and bold, something...unforgettable...an "Emily is out of her right freaking mind!" kind of a moment. Frankly, for both of them, it would be worth the wait :P :P :P
"Maggie" Hey, no problem about the questions, I'll reply to everything :)! English is not my native language, so I didn't know the precise word for "fireplace poker", but thanks, next time I need to use it I'll know what it's called yey :)! Now about your questions:
1. Emily walked in, thinking about saving her colleague and "the boy". And since she has a soft spot for kids, she was stressed out and worried about his well-being and she subconsciously called JJ "the girl". In a way, Emily's protective instincts kicked in and for her both the boy and JJ were someone younger than her and in need of a rescue, so "the girl" rolled off her tongue. I did it intentionally, but none of her colleagues has called her out on it...yet. It also has to do with "the case" from a month ago, the one the readers still can't know details of, but maybe "a girl" was involved there, so Emily transferred that on to JJ. *wink* Btw, good catch!
2. Oops, I must have meant "glued" as in "restrained, unable to move, stuck to the chair". I didn't mean that actual glue was used. She was physically tied.
3. ChayChay :)! It was explained a few chapters ago. Briefly, Emily and JJ have a very close relationship and "ChayChay" is the way Emily pronounces her name when they are joking around or in a friendly environment (aka, not during a case, in front of other policemen and witnesses for example). It's basically just Emily dragging out/mispronouncing the letter, as if a child was pronouncing it instead. She had done it in the past and JJ had found it cute, so it had become their own little "term" of endearment, in a joking friendly way.
4. I intentionally made only Matt and Luke dive into the pool, so that the kid would feel unsafe, with two men. Tara had to stay on the lookout, while they were in the water. And then I needed Emily for the next scene, comforting the boy, so I left Tara to watch from the sidelines. Plus, when it comes to kids, Emily is shown on TV as someone who jumps in and comforts them (in my opinion) and so I made her the first one to try to get close to the boy who was screaming against the two guys.
Wow the chapter was long, but this reply of mine is almost as long lol! Hope this clears up some of your questions :)!
To everyone: Have a good weekend, stay safe and be healthy :)!
