To Solve

Chapter 29: Open Season

"We've only been here five minutes," Garcia said and looked at Emily.

The black-haired woman stood at the bar and ordered drinks for the four of them.

"Yeah, but look at her. She broke away from the group. The guy saw her alone, felt confident and made his move. Right, Parker?"

"Sorry, what?"

The young adult wasn't really listening and looked up from their phone.

"Are you really texting with Spencer? You saw each other like 30 minutes ago."

Parker's cheeks turned slightly red and they put the phone back in their jacket pocket.

Garcia and JJ grinned at each other. They were happy that things were getting better between Parker and Spencer. The whole team was happy that the two had managed to talk to each other.

Meanwhile, Parker looked at Emily, who came to the table followed by a man and with the drinks.

"It has to be serious," Garcia commented when they were not yet within earshot.

"Ladies and Pal, this is Brad, a real FBI agent," Emily introduced the man.

"Really?"

"Really."

"No way."

"That's exciting."

"What's it like at Quantico?" asked Garcia.

"It's quite impressive."

"What department are you in?" JJ wanted to know.

"That's classified," Brad replied, trying to appear mysterious.

"Must be really tough keeping all those secrets," said Parker. "I couldn't do that."

"Well, you know, it's a skill like anything else. Carpenters are good at building stuff, measuring. FBI's good at keeping secrets and kicking criminal ass," Brad replied.

Parker had to fight hard not to laugh. The man didn't know what was happening to him.

"Wow."

"Well, somebody's got to do it," Emily commented. "Do you have to carry your gun and badge with you everywhere you go?"

"Affirmatives."

"Can we see it?"

"See what?"

"Your badge."

"Please?"

"I'm sorry, that's–"

"– Classified," the real FBI agents finished the sentence.

"Figures."

"Of course."

"Tell me, Brad, does it look anything like this?" Emily asked and showed Brad her badge.

"Or this?" – JJ took her badge out of her pocket.

"Or maybe this?" – Garcia showed her badge.

"And what about this?" – Parker held Brad their badge under his nose.

Brad knew he had no chance and walked away without another word.

The women and Parker started giggling.

"Kicking Criminal ass. It's a tough job."

While Parker was stuffing their badge into their jacket pocket, JJ received a call and stepped away a few stepp.