The Flight

Time to Camp

Sorry for the long wait for this chapter! School has been hectic but only a week left so I will definitely be posting more. Now sit back and enjoy this chapter. :)
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"Look!" JJ says as she points to a figure off in the distance.

Hotch and JJ make their way over the mountainous region and get close enough to the person to be able to see that the figure was their friend, Morgan.

"Morgan!" Hotch yells.

"There is someone with him," JJ states as she squints, "looks like it's Rossi."

After a few minutes of hiking over uneven ground, Hotch and JJ reach the plane and are greeted by hugs from both Rossi and Morgan.

"Hey Aaron, you hurt your arm?" Rossi asks, gesturing to the homemade sling.

"Yeah, I think it's broken. Where's Reid and Kate?" Hotch asks as he looks around.

"You never saw them? We were hoping they met up with you guys. We've looked but couldn't find any of you," Morgan answers.

Hotch puts his good hand to his head in panic. "It's going to be night soon, and it gets cold up here at night. We need to find them and set up camp."

JJ speaks up for the first time after reuniting with the others, "I understand we really need to find them but shouldn't we stay here in case they or rescuers come? Spenc should know to meet up-"

"But what if he's unable to. Him and Kate could be seriously hurt out there," Rossi interrupts.

"One thing is that we can not split up. Understood? We are vulnerable as it is, and you and I are hurt. Its not safe," Hotch lectures, as the group stops their arguing and become quiet.

"Okay," Morgan says, breaking the silence, "we need a plan."

After a few minutes of sorting their thoughts, which they do best together, they agree on a plan.

"We stick together," Hotch speaks up to his team members, "we will set up camp using the things from the plane, and each of us will take an hours watch in case we hear from Reid and Kate. For now, Morgan, go collect some wood and stones for a small fire. Rossi and JJ, let's find some pieces of metal and fabric for sleeping mats. Anything is better than this ground."

"Yes sir," Morgan replies as he moves to the small wooded part of the mountain.

He scans the ground for useable wood.

Walking through the woods brings back all the memories of cases in which people were taken from woods. This job has ruined so many activities for Morgan.

But he gets his head out of the clouds and picks up some branches that the plane brought down and some rocks laying around and makes his way back over to the plane, where his team waits.

"Wow you really use all the materials you can get don't you," Morgan says as he looks around at the six 'beds' made from metal and the padding from the seats.

"Of course. You know, this job really makes you aware of everything so you tend to catch on to things," Rossi says.

"But with my help of course," JJ states, sarcastically, but lays down on her mat in discomfort.

"I'll help you with the fire, Morgan," Hotch says as he moves to the middle circle of the mats.

"Hotch, I'm a big kid. I know who to start a fire."

Hotch looks at Morgan, "yeah I know that, but the last thing we need up here is a forest fire. So you're going to listen to and do what I say."

Morgan agrees and lends his attention to his boss, not daring speak back to Hotch.

"You can set up the wood like a regular bonfire but once you're finished with that, place a circle of rocks around it so the fire won't spread," Hotch says, giving Morgan his space to work.

Morgan does as he is told and lays the final rock into place. He then grabs two sticks and rubs them against each other to get them hot.

After a few minutes, the sticks are hot enough and start to flame. Morgan sets them at the base of the tower of wood and they all watch as it goes up in flames.

"Ah that feels nice," JJ says as she carefully moves her mat closer to the source of the heat, "now if only there was a buffet in front of me, I'd be good."

They all laugh and Morgan pats JJ's leg, "yeah you and me both."

"Keep your eyes out for animals and we might get lucky and catch ourselves some dinner," Rossi states, "I don't mind some good old hunting."

The team rests by the fire for a few minutes, when an animal jumps from the bushes.

"Hotch! Go for the
head," Rossi yells as Hotch pulls his gun from his side.

He pulls the trigger and the animal goes down.

"Not bad for having a bad arm," Rossi jokes as he moves towards the dead animal.

"Are you kidding me," Morgan whines as he reaches the animal, "even with a bad arm, you hit dead on. What can't you hit?!"

Hotch smirks and he puts the gun back in the holster.

"Looks like we get some deer for dinner," says Rossi as he and Morgan start to skin the animal.

After a while of preparing and cooking the animal, they are able to eat.

"We need to save some for Spenc and Kate," JJ says as she pushes Morgan's hand away from grabbing another piece.

"She's right," Hotch says, "and we all need a few hours sleep so tomorrow we can find Reid and Kate."

No one argues as the clean themselves up as much as possible and lay on their mats.

"I'll take first watch. Rossi, I'll wake you in an hour or so," says Hotch as he sits up.

Rossi opens his mouth to offer first watch, but Hotch nods and Rossi lays back on the ground.

"Goodnight," JJ says in her 'mom' voice, and Hotch sits, thinking about Jack at home, and listening to the heavy breathing of his friend slowly become steady as they drift off to sleep.