They all knew there was no reason for a 6 am meeting at the round table. They were exhausted from the last few weeks of sleepless nights, mounds of paperwork, and motel rooms with no air conditioning. Coming to work two hours too early was the last thing they wanted to do.
But they do this for Penelope.
It was their unspoken way of saying they loved her, and they appreciate all she does. Doing something that made Garcia happy, or at least a little less tense, proved it all to be worthwhile. When they each received their specifically curated messages to arrive at 6 am sharp (or in Morgan's case, 5:55 just so they can share a sweet moment alone), there was a universal sigh let out in Quantico. Nonetheless, each person arrived exactly on time because they knew what today was.
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Three days prior, they all sat at this same table. Every case began roughly the same way: with an introduction given by Hotch, followed by a witty comment to ease the room from Penelope, coupled with a random fact spewed from the mouth of Reid, etc. However, there seemed to be something in the air that day as Aaron Hotchner quickly walked out of the office of Section Chief Erin Strauss.
"Alright, let's get started." His stone-faced expression and cold demeanor prompted the friendly banter from the rest of the team to abruptly stop. He took his usual seat beside David Rossi, carefully leaning over to whisper something in his ear as Garcia began.
"Bonjour mes amis," she projected a frivolous French accent before resuming. "You will be flying just a few short hours to New York, New York par the request of the NY field office. Five bodies have been reported, all students from a uber-rich private university: Sacred Heart Academic Education, and I'm talking like 18-year-olds hitting hard drugs for fun then having their parents pay off the school to pretend it never happened type rich. All of them had a different number inscribed on the smalls of their backs." She glanced at the gruesome photos displayed in the presentation.
Emily Prentiss stared intently at her tablet before perking her head up. "There are five bodies and we've only been called in now?"
"That's because each body was discovered in different boroughs so the police precincts never connected the dots," Garcia replied. "Plus, only two of them had been reported missing because everyone else was out of state; the families didn't think too much of it when they didn't get any calls or texts back."
In congruence, Jennifer spoke. "That's the thing with big cities coupled with partying college school kids with distant rich parents: you fend for yourself. It says here that they don't have any relation at all, besides the obviously untouchable tax bracket and going to the same school."
"What's odd is the killing intervals... it's sporadic. Two kills in September, a cooldown until February, another kill in June, then the unsub waits for nearly an entire year before striking again in March." Derek Morgan pointed out.
"It shows he's not driven by compulsion. He has an end game." Spencer Reid added.
The ominously quiet exchanges between Rossi and Hotch interrupted the team's train of thought. Hotch adjusted his tie before speaking as Rossi leaned back in frustration.
"This case has been given specific directions from Strauss. She wants to send in an undercover to the university... and she has requested for Reid to go in while we operate from the field office. He'll be with another agent from New York." He attempted to hide any ounce of skepticism from showing on his face, but the room of profilers heard the hint of uncertainty through his strained voice.
"Reid has a baby face and quick wits. He's a strong weapon for such a prolific killer." Rossi chimed in, attempting to sound reassuring to the scrawny Reid (who had already gone completely pale). It was clear that neither he nor Rossi wanted Reid to take this undercover assignment, although they both knew he could handle it. It was his first undercover on his own, and the stakes were high. An unpredictably serial killer with no specific motive or timeline, plus a high body count.
Agent Hotchner had already attempted to dissent from his superior, but clearly to no avail. "They'll be expecting us Monday." He nodded, signifying dismissal.
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And so the team found themselves at the round table, Monday at 6 am. All except Reid.
"Here are the donuts. All Reid's favorite: chocolate frosted with sprinkles." Emily placed the pink box daintily on the table as JJ brushed past her to put cups of coffee down for everyone. Black coffee with just a splash of oat milk (the lactose intolerant/environmentally conscious kid's favorite).
"Hey Babygirl, where do you want this sign?" Morgan and Hotch both carried a banner with the words 'Good luck Spence' emboldened across the front in large black font.
"Just right above the TV." Penelope peeked her head into the room to direct the two men, then resumed to pace back and forth in front of the door. She repeatedly tapped her yellow pen against her palm, one of her anxious tics. Garcia wanted Spencer's 'bon voyage' to be absolutely perfect. She knew that the undercover operation wouldn't be too long: just a few months with weekly check-ins. Deep down, she had a hard time with goodbyes. So she needed this one to be executed according to plan. Set-up until 6:30, catch up on case logistics until Reid arrives at 7:00, enjoy the sweet time together before takeoff at 8:00. They needed this. She needed this.
Still, there was a gear in the mechanism that was missing. The clock read 6:20. "Oh god, where's Rossi?"
"He texted me this morning and said he'll be a little late." A voice called from a few feet away.
"Spence? Why the hell are you here?" JJ said between a light chuckle. Penelope's jaw dropped at the ruin of her meticulous plan. Morgan stepped outside to close it with the side of his index finger. Although shocked by his early arrival, it was undeniable that they were relieved to get extra time with him.
"Rossi texted me saying Will be late. Expect me at 6:30. So I assumed we all had to show up at this time." Spencer's tone was filled with excited childlike wonder at the reveal of a celebration in his honor. "This is very sweet of you guys... thank you." The bags under his eyes gave way to a smile that filled up his entire face. Everyone opened up for a group hug, melting away in the joy of holding Reid.
"How'd the kid find out?" Rossi exclaimed from behind them, carrying a box of signature Italian cannolis. Reid, still immersed in the arms of his friends, slipped his phone out of his pocket and to Rossi, showing him the message he received that morning.
"Damn it. I tried using that whole voice-to-text thing." Rossi laughed, before dropping the box onto the closest desk and jogging up the ramp to join the group.
None of them wanted to admit it, but they were worried about Reid. He was more than capable, but alone? They didn't dare imagine what would happen if the operation failed. Instead, they took solace in the rare physical embrace from Spencer Reid.
Finally, it was Emily who broke the silence. "Alright, my coffee's getting cold." The team broke their hold on one another and happily escorted Spencer to the round table to relish having breakfast together.
Stories were told and laughs were exchanged. Advice for going undercover was given by JJ, Prentiss, Rossi, and Hotch. The clock struck 7:30.
"Let's get cleaned up, there's more time to talk on the jet. Wheels up in 30."
YOU ARE READING
once more to see you (spencer reid)
Fanfiction"you're not as boring as i thought. but you're not as bright, either." dr. spencer reid has never met a problem he couldn't solve. there was always something stored in his immense arsenal of knowledge, there was always a means to the end. but when...
