They all came to a skidding half at the docks and stared in disbelief. Of all the things they had been expecting to come across, this was definitely not one of them. They tried to weigh up the situation, but they couldn't think of what to do except stare.

"Not it!" Emily said quickly once she could actually think again, taking a step back, pointedly behind Morgan.

"Seriously, you're hiding behind me?"

"You're bigger than it. And stronger."

Yes, she was heavily implying that he could take it in a fight. Hopefully, he understood that. Because she suspected that a fight was the only way they were getting past it. And Morgan could take it in a fight, she was sure. He was bigger than it. And a literal wall of muscle.

"If you think I'm going near anywhere near that bird, then you have another thing coming."

"Are you sure it's even a bird?"

Because yes, it was a bird in front of them. A big bird. About the size of a swan, but this looked even meaner than a swan. A Swan with the attitude of a goose, from the look of it.

Emily could see how birds used to be dinosaurs now. This thing had a long, skinny neck, demon like eyes, gnarled feet, and a look in its eyes that implied it would eat them if given half a chance.

"It is," said Reid. "In fact, it's a-"

"Not now, Reid," they all said in unison

The important thing here was that this... bird was blocking their way to get evidence. Important evidence. Of course, all evidence was important, but this was critical evidence. Evidence that would prove that one of the three guys they suspected was actually their UNSUB. And when they knew that for certain, they could actually focus on getting the guy. Something that was being thwarted by this stupid bird! Which was a new one, even for them. She did not think that Strauss was going to be impressed if the bird was used as an excuse on a report. She'd probably order them all to get drug tested again like that time they had all got injured because of a bunch of helium balloons.

"Morgan, you rush at it," she said, giving him a push. "You're bigger than it."

"I told you, I'm not going anywhere near that thing."

"Aw, you chicken of the... chicken?" She taunted, but it fell sort of flat when she made eye contact with the damn thing.

It gave her a menacing look. A menacing look. She took another step back. A few steps back, actually. She made sure there were as many people as possible between her and that thing. She refused to call it a bird. It was absolutely a dinosaur.

"I don't think it liked being called a chicken," JJ observed, staying very, very still.

"Do we really need to get on the boat?" Emily asked despite knowing that they absolutely did.

And because it was a stupid question, no one answered her. To be fair, they might not have heard her because they were a little bit preoccupied with the bird-dinosaur.

The bird in question made this horrific sort of screeching noise that made them all jump. Yep, JJ was sure that this was going to be in her nightmares tonight.

"You federal agents are all a bunch of pussies," the officer scoffed, rolling up his sleeves. "Look, I'm going to go get that and prove it."

Yes, because that sounded like a fantastic idea. Emily idly wondered if she should encourage or discourage this behaviour. The man had been incredibly annoying their entire investigation, making stupid remarks about federal agents. But then again, this was a dinosaur and Hotch did prefer it when they played nice with the locals.

"Please don't. I'm pretty sure it could break your arm."

Because swans could do that, right? If they could Emily was lretty sure this monstrosity could as well.

"I'm tougher than a bird," he said stubbornly.

"I really wouldnt-" Morgan began just as the officer lunged at the bird.

And yep, sure enough, it was immediately followed by another screech and a 'SPLASH' as he ended up in the water.

"Told you," Emily said helpfully as his head appeared, gasping and spitting out water.

The torrent of swear words directed at her was completely unnecessary, in her opinion.

Emily was pretty sure that the bird looked pleased with itself.

"Do you think it's safe to even help him out?" Another cop asked.

The cop in the water swam towards the edge of the dock only for the bird to swoop towards him, making an awful noise.

"No, absolutely not," another one said, backing away so quickly that he actually slipped and SPLASH also ended up in the water.

The bird fluttered it's wings and they all jumped. Emily fought the urge to draw her weapon. One, it was a bird and she didn't want to know the paperwork she'd have to fill out for threatening a bird and two, she bet the damn thing was bullet proof and shooting it woukd probably just make it angry. Well, angrier. Something none of them needed.

The two cops were now holding onto the dock, something the bird actually allowed them to do but if either of them made an effort to climb out of the water, the bird stopped them with a violent swing of the wing. Emily was pretty sure one of them had a broken nose thanks to that.

"Maybe if we split into two groups?" JJ suggested warily. "A group of us help them out," she nodded towards the water cops. "And another try and get on the boat."

"I told you, I'm not rushing that thing!" Said Morgan.

"Maybe if we lure it away with food?" Reid said.

"I'm pretty sure it think we're food, Pretty Boy."

The screech it let out at that made Emily think that it agreed with him.