Inner Demons

2

At 8:00, I walk into the bar. I scan the room quickly, noting exits and scanning for her. I take a seat at the center of the bar and order a gin and tonic. I sip it slowly, watching the door from my peripheral vision. I get a refill, then a second, but still nothing. I guess that's one reason to be grateful for watered down American beverages. Finally, at 9:27, a brunette and a man walk in. Prentiss and Morgan. They claim two tables a couple feet from where I sit. Close behind them is a blonde and a skinny boy- Garcia and Reid. Then her. I am careful to look only at my drink as she walks behind me. Now comes the hard part. I can't guarantee that she will ever walk up to get drinks, and it's her who needs to invite me to join. The serious one, Hotchner, arrives last. He goes to the bar and orders a round for the rest of them. Strike One. I notice the same purse from earlier today, so I slip in my earpiece. Despite the bar chatter, I am able to pick up on their conversation. It's very mundane. I raise my glass at the bartender, and he takes it for a third refill. As he does, I pick up one of the group members saying it's time for the next round. I silently will for it to be her.
"I got it," someone says. I glance over, and see her walking over. Perfect. As she signals to the bartender, I finish off my drink. I look over at the bartender at the same time she looks back at her table. Eye contact.
"Hey, didn't I run into you earlier today? I'm really sorry about that. I'm new to town and my mind has just been all over the place." I say, shaking my head slightly as if I'm annoyed by myself.
"Oh, really, it's not a problem." The bartender returns with the first half of her order. She brings it back to the table, then returns to the bar to wait for the second half.
"I'm Katie," I say, extending my hand.
"I'm Jennifer. JJ, if you prefer."
I'm in.
"So how long have you been here?" She asks.
"Just four days. I don't know anyone, so it's been difficult." I hope she picks up on what I'm trying to say.
"Oh, that's the worst," She says. The bartender brings the rest of her drinks. She picks them up and brings them back to her table. Damn it. I need her to introduce me to the rest of them.

I finish my drink and walk past her table to the bathroom. I fix my hair, and reapply lipstick, tracking three minutes on my watch. After three minutes, I leave the bathroom. I spot Morgan on the dance floor. Perfect. I start dancing, winding my way closer to Morgan. As I close the distance, I glance back at him, all but asking him to dance. I feel his hands on my hips and I grind up against him, his hips swaying with the beat of the music.  We dance like this for a while before I spin around to face him. It's no secret that I'm attractive. It's extremely advantageous, it's a big part of what makes me good at my job.
"Let me buy you a drink," he says. I smile and nod. I follow him to the bar. "What can I call you, mamas?"
"Katie."
"Well, Katie, I'm Derek."
"Nice to meet you," I say. My research was good, he's exactly the player I expected him to be.
"I have a table back there," he says, nodding to where the rest of the team sits. Plan B is a success. His arm is around my waist as he leads me back to the table.
"Everyone, this is Katie. Katie, everyone."
"Whatever he's said to enchant you," Prentiss begins, smirking.  "Do not listen to him. I'm Emily, by the way." Her eyes drift to my cleavage. Fascinating.
"Shut it, princess." Morgan says.
"Besides, he's mine," Garcia says from the other table. I raise my eyebrows at him.
"She's joking, aren't you, baby girl?"
She just shrugs and sips her drinks. Jareau laughs. She's not certain about me, and for right now that's fine. All that matters is that I'm able to get an inroad with one of her team members, to get to a position where I can make her trust me. I remain close to Morgan, but I have a better target in mind. I carefully flirt with Prentiss- a lip bite, a shoulder tap, a slightly too long eye contact. Enough so that she picks up on it, but it's not glaringly obvious. This is my game. This idiot Morgan could learn something from me. Hotchner and Reid leave first as the night starts to wind down. Garcia follows shortly, leaving just Jareau, Prentiss, Morgan and I.
"I'm going to head out," Jareau says.
"Nice meeting you in a more civilized manner," I say. She smiles a little, and it doesn't seem forced. The other two wave as she walks away. Morgan's hand has drifted from my waist to my ass. He won't leave until I do, but I have no interest in leaving with him.
"Take this to the bar for me?" I ask, handing him my empty glass.
"Sure thing," he says, winking. Ugh. From my bag, I pull out a card with my name and phone number on it. Morgan returns to the table before I have a chance to do anything with it.
"I think I'm going to head out," I say. "It's been fun meeting you all."
Morgan looks offended, but doesn't say anything. Prentiss chuckles quietly, prompting a glare.
"At least let me walk you out to your car," he says. "All kinds of crazies out here at night."
"I would appreciate that."
"Great." He grabs his jacket from the chair. Prentiss walks out with us, as they drove together. We stop at my car, and Morgan nods in goodbye. I reach my hand out to shake Prentiss' the card in my palm. Her eyes register surprise, but she takes it without a word. They walk away, and I slide into the car.

"About time."
"How long have you been in here?" I ask, tilting my rear view mirror to look at the man sitting in the backseat.