Cowboy Like Me: Criminal Minds

Close Quarters

The day began in typical BAU fashion: the team gathered in the bullpen, chatting about last night's events when JJ received a message from Strauss, ordering them to a mandatory team training exercise at Quantico. At the news, the team groaned; team exercises meant leaving the usual comforts of the bullpen and diving into simulated, high-stakes scenarios. It was a refresher course to strengthen collaboration, trust, and strategy under pressure, they were told.

They followed Hotch into the briefing room to go over the agenda. His tone was all business as he explained the day's plans. "We'll be working with other Quantico units on a series of tactical exercises, including hostage scenarios, field maneuvers, and profiling exercises. It's important we approach this as if it were real because it's designed to simulate the unpredictability of fieldwork."

Morgan looked at Reid with a mischievous grin. "So, basically, try not to get in my way, kid."

Reid smirked, nudging his glasses higher. "I think I'll manage."

Hotch continued, explaining that each person would be paired with someone unexpected to test their adaptability. The pairing sparked a bit of buzz among the team, with Reid and Morgan trading glances.

Reid grinned, raising an eyebrow. "Don't get too cocky now. I'll be expecting some proof of this newfound bravado."

Sloane smirked. "Stick around, genius. I think you'll be impressed."

As they made their way to Quantico's training grounds, Reid nudged her, dropping his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Did you know that statistically, during exercises like this, trainees paired with superiors have an increased chance of demonstrating adaptability under stress? It's called 'supervisory influence theory.'"

She chuckled, patting his shoulder. "I'll take that as a sign I'm in good hands, Dr. Reid."

Reid laughed, clearly enjoying the banter. "Just don't go letting him know you have a secret weapon in me."

Sloane rolled her eyes, nudging him back. "My lips are sealed."

When they arrived at Quantico, the group was greeted by instructors who explained the exercises and then split everyone into pairs. Morgan was partnered with Prentiss, while Reid found himself alongside a fellow agent from the tactical unit. Sloane watched as each team was handed assignments, feeling her pulse quicken as she took hers from the instructor, noting that her and Hotch's first exercise involved navigating a simulated hostage situation.

Reid, overhearing this, caught her eye and mouthed, "Good luck." She playfully rolled her eyes at him, smirking as she fell in line with Hotch.

Hotch caught her eye and motioned her over. "Alright, let's go over the scenario."

Sloane focused, studying the layout. They would need to extract "hostages" from a building without alerting the unsub or setting off alarms. She knew Hotch would take a strategic approach, so she'd have to be on her A-game to prove herself worthy of the partnership.

As they approached the entry point, Hotch glanced at her, his face all business. "Ready?"

Sloane nodded, feeling her nerves settle into focus. They moved through the simulated space with quiet precision, Hotch keeping to the left while she covered the right. Their movements were fluid, almost instinctive, and she was struck by how in-sync they were despite the lack of prior practice.

At one point, she gestured toward an open door and gave Hotch a quick hand signal, indicating he should cover the exit while she swept the room. He nodded, a flicker of approval in his gaze, and they moved in tandem. When they successfully "rescued" the hostages without setting off a single alarm, Sloane allowed herself a moment of satisfaction.