(no subject)
Title: Need of Valour Chapter 2
Author: GlassSnowdrop
Rating: T
Pairing: Emily/OC, Morgan/Reid, Garcia/OC
Summary: The BAU team travel to London to help out Scotland Yard with a case involving an unsub obsessed with Greek Mythology. Scotland Yard enlist the help of a young professor, and things get interesting.
“If I had to choose a religion, the sun as the universal giver of life would be my god.” -Napoleon Bonaparte
“I’m going to make some tea, would anybody like some?” Luke asked, standing up from the table.
A few of them nodded.
“I’ll help you,” Hotch stood up and locked eyes with Reid, indicating he follow. The three men walked to the kitchen.
“I don’t want to question you or undermine you, but Reid here knows all there is to know about Greek Myths and we wouldn’t want to drag this investigation down with any unnecessary weight,” Hotch said quietly.
“There’s a difference between being a genius and being an expert,” came Briseis’ voice from the doorway. The three of them spun around and Hotch opened his mouth. “Agent Hotchner, there’s really no need to apologize. I understand completely what you’re saying, and as much as I’m sure Dr. Reid knows his myths, I can guarantee I know more.” She pulled out the first picture from the folder tucked under her arm. “Is this woman able to bear children?” She asked, showing it to them. They all looked slightly confused. “I can tell you that no, she wasn’t. If the killer knows his mythology, which I truly believe he does, he knows what he was saying. The peacock feather represents Hera’s second phase as Nymphenomene, a woman actively seeking a mate, but the feather is crushed. Add to that the red stains, which are too brown to be blood so I know they must pomegranate juice, and that means the crone stage of Hera’s life, when she was Theria, it means she was barren. The willow branch around her neck further strengthens my theory, because Hera was born under a willow tree, and the branch like an umbilical chord, choked her.”
“I take it back. We need her,” Hotch said. Reid nodded, but looked a little concerned. He was used to Morgan knowing more about human nature than he did, but he wasn’t used to anybody knowing facts better than he did.
They walked back in carrying several cups of tea and they distributed them to the team.
“Our unsub is smart-“ Morgan said but Adele cut him off.
“Unsub?”
“Unknown Subject,” he explained. She nodded. “He obviously has a background of some sort in mythology, although he could be self taught.”
“He’s meticulous,” Rossi said. “And while he cares for the victims he doesn’t know them.”
“How can you tell?” Adele asked.
“If he knew them, he’d close their eyes, stage their bodies in a more concealing way and he’d probably bury them in a shallow grave and cover them with leaves or even loose dirt.”
“Do you think he stalked them?” Emily asked.
“I don’t know. We need to know more about the victims.”
“You can interview their families and friends tomorrow. Now I think it’s best if you get some rest,” Luke said. “Unfortunately, hotels around here are almost completely booked and we managed to book you 4 rooms, 2 singles and 2 doubles.”
“Which means one of you gets my sofa!” Briseis piped up. She stood up and grabbed her bag. “Fight it out amongst yourselves. I’ll be down in the lobby.”
“8am tomorrow, Briseis!” Adele called after her. She raised a hand in acknowledgment and kept walking.
Hotch and Rossi called the singles with no argument, and Penelope and JJ slid their chairs over to each other as did Reid and Morgan.
“Couch it is,” Emily said with a sigh, picking up her go bag. “I’ll see you in the morning.” She walked down the stairs and into the lobby where Briseis was standing and having a conversation with the night security guard.
“Drew the short straw I see,” Briseis said as she made her way over to Emily. Emily smiled and shook her head. “Well, I promise you my place isn’t as bad as you might think. It’s a little unorganized but the sofa folds out into a bed.”
“I’m sure it’s better than sleeping in a faceless hotel with questionable bedding.”
Briseis laughed. “I certainly hope so.” They started walking and Emily found herself feeling the effects of jet lag and not keeping track of how many blocks they’d walked.
“This is it.” Briseis pulled out her keys and opened the door to her building. It was a stone apartment building with wrought iron balconies jutting out over the street. They walked up 3 flights of stairs and Briseis opened the door. She flipped a light switch and several hanging lamps illuminated the livingroom and connected kitchen.
“Well, here it is. I have to clear off some papers, but since you’ll probably be staying here for a while, I’ll give you the tour.” She gestured grandly to the kitchen. “Here’s where I make my delicious toast and tea- the two things I can’t burn very easily. This is the livingroom/your new bedroom. I’m sorry it’s not more concealed, but chances are you’ll wake up before me anyway. I’m not a morning person. My bedroom’s through that door, and the bathroom is right there.”
“Thank you,” Emily said, gazing around. The walls were decorated in many framed paintings and reproductions of Grecian and Roman art. Vases were on almost every surface along with candles, incense and papers on all types of mythology. She shuffled a few papers into stacks and placed them on the kitchen table.
“Well, it’s only 9, but I assume you’re exhausted,” Briseis said.
“I am, yeah.”
“I’ll let you get some sleep. I guess we should leave around 7:30 tomorrow. Feel free to shower in the morning, I only shower at night.”
“Perfect. If I shower at night, my hair takes on a mind of its own.”
“Mine too, but I’ve learned to just deal with it in order to attain 15 minutes of extra sleep. The sheets and blankets are on the bed and please, please make yourself at home.” She began walking towards her room. “Goodnight, Emily.”
“Goodnight, Briseis.”
The next morning Emily was yanked from sleep by the shrill beeping of her phone next to her ear. She silences the alarm and groaned, burying her face in her pillow. It was 6:45 and the sun was barely up, casting grey blue light into the apartment through the bay window.
Briseis’ door was cracked open slightly and Emily could see her still sleeping soundly with her back towards the door. Emily showered, loving the hot water soothing her body that ached from sleeping on an unfamiliar mattress.
At 7:15 she emerged dressed in a light blue cotton shirt and black pants.
“Good morning!” Briseis said, leaning against the counter. She was dressed in dark jeans, a thin white t-shirt with a wolf on the front, and leather boots.
“Morning.”
“I hope you slept well.”
“Like a log actually. Jet lag really takes it out of you.”
“Do you want something to eat? I’m not really a breakfast person, but I do have food.”
“Oh, I’m not a breakfast person either actually. The team’s always trying to make me eat in the morning, but I just can’t stomach it. I would love a cup of coffee though.”
“Ah! I always stop down the street at this place that has the best coffee in London. I swear by it.”
Emily laughed at how passionate Briseis appeared to be about coffee. “Well I look forward to trying it.”
“I have to pack up a few things, but we can leave in a few minutes.” Emily nodded and poured herself a glass of water while Briseis loaded some papers and a book into her leather bag.
“Hm, have you seen a small green notebook by any chance?”
“I don’t think so. I’ll help you look though,” Emily offered. They scanned the room together and Emily snatched it from under the coffee table. “Found it.”
“Thank you! Slippery little thing, it is.” Briseis tucked it into the outside pocket and pulled the straps tight. She paused for a second in front of the mirror, scrutinizing her appearance. “Do you think this shirt is too casual for your team? You were all so sharply dressed yesterday, I don’t want to look like a bum.”
“Trust me, once you’ve flown overnight with these people, you’ll look like the bell of the ball. Plus, I like the shirt. I’ve always had a strange affinity for wolves.”
“Me too.” She pulled on a worn leather jacket and they headed out. Emily put her black blazer on when she realized how chilly it was outside.
“I forgot how cold it is here in the spring.”
“God, I know. I love London, I really truly do, but sometimes I think it would be quite nice if the sun would shine more.”
“But clouds are such a British trait!”
“Very true. If it was nice outside we’d simply whinge on about that. We’re such a discontented nation.”
“And that discontent has sprung forth some of the most incredible thinkers the world has ever known.”
“That’s how you can tell you’re not British, well apart from the accent. You’re too optimistic.” Emily laughed and agreed.
“I guess when you have a job like mine you have to be.”
The two women got coffee, which Emily agreed was some of the best she’d ever had and walked to the New Scotland Yard building.
They signed in at the desk downstairs as visitors and clipped on their laminated badges and rode the elevator upstairs.
It was a few minutes before 8 when they walked into the office. It was fairly a section that was sequestered off for this investigation, so the only people inhabiting it were the BAU agents, Luke, Adele and Briseis.
“Good morning,” Hotch said without looking up as they entered.
“Good morning, Agent Hotchner.”
“Please, call me Hotch,” he corrected. She nodded and sat down, taking her jacket off and draping on the back of the chair.
“Briseis, we’re going to need you here while the agents go speak with the families. Can you and Reid compile anything about the crime scenes you think is important?”
“Of course,” she nodded and Reid sat down next to her. The team dispersed soon after, Prentiss, Hotch, JJ and Adele going to talk to the families, Morgan, Luke and Rossi to the crime scene and Garcia to test out the compatibility of her software with Scotland Yard’s.
“Alright now, Doctor Reid, I assume you do know quite a bit about mythology?” Briseis began.
“Just call me Reid, and yes I do. I took a course on it in college and did some reading up on my own and I’ve read all of the Latin texts and epics.”
“Good, now I don’t feel as weird for studying what I study.”
“It’s one of the most interesting topics to come across, any mythology really, but there’s something about Greek mythology that intrigues me the most.”
“I know what you mean. I know a little about Norse and a little about Celtic, but I devote all of my time to Greek. I am Greek, which might have a tad to do with it however.”
“A majority of people feels an undeniable pull towards traditions and superstitions of their cultures, even if they’ve never been submersed in it themselves.”
“Do you always talk like that?” Briseis asked, leaning back in her chair and looking at Reid with her head tilted to the side.
He looked a bit flustered but answered “Yes. Morgan tells me to try not to, but I can’t help it.”
“It’s alright, it’s kind of nice to be honest. Morgan seems nice enough, but he shouldn’t tell you how to sound.” Reid smiled, not agreeing but not arguing.
“He’s the only one I’d actually listen to about something like that.” Briseis cocked an eyebrow and bit her cheek.
“I want you to go over these images and compile anything you can find as a profiler. I’ve really only been over them on my own as a mythology professor. I’m going to make some tea, would you like some?”
“Yes please,” Reid said distantly. She looked over and saw he was already completely drawn into the crime scene pictures.
“I’ll be back in a mo.” She popped out and put the kettle on in the break room. Looking across the drab hallway she saw who she was looking for. Penelope.
“Penelope?” She broke the pervading buzz of the computers with her voice.
“One second,” Penelope said, holding up a hand and pounding expertly on the keys. The screens flashed and data streamed quickly and then everything synched up and she smiled, removing the keyboard from her lap and spinning in her chair to look at Briseis.
“What’s up, cupcake?” Briseis did a quick sweep of Penelope and couldn’t help but smile. She was wearing a bright yellow cardigan, a green skirt of different bright shades, a deep red shirt to match her lipstick, and jingles and jangles of jewelry all over her body.
“Can I ask you a question about Morgan?”
“Not you too…”
“What?”
“Nevermind, go ahead and ask me your question.”
“Is he single?” Penelope tightened her jaw and nodded sharply. “Oh god! Not for me! No no no, no!” She denied, waving her hands. She looked behind her to make sure Reid wasn’t walking down the hallway. “For Reid.” Penelope’s jaw dropped now and her eyes widened. She shot up and shut the door.
“Sit! What do you know?”
“Nothing, I swear! I just kind of noticed things about Reid and how he talks about Morgan.”
“That boy’s been in love with Derek for as long as I can remember. And you know what? I think Derek’s in love with him too. He just doesn’t know it yet, and knowing him he never will.”
“Not the ‘explore your sexuality’ type?”
“Not at all. My boy’s set in his heterosexuality.”
“See, this may be why I like the Ancient Greek’s so much. When you take away all of murders and strange trickery, you’re left with a bunch of free flowing sexual beings who for the most part don’t care whether person they fancy is a man or a woman. It helped me figure things out when I realized I was gay.”
“You’re gay?” Penelope asked, interested. Briseis nodded. “I admire you so much. Sometimes I wish I was gay. Unfortunately you don’t choose these things.”
“Very true.”
“Well listen, I know we’re going to be working on this case round the clock, but I don’t think us forcing Reid and Morgan to spend as much quality time together as possible is going to interfere or anything.”
“They’re already sharing a bedroom.”
Penelope grinned. “I like the way you think, Briseis.”
“And I love the way you dress.”
“No road is long with good company.” -Turkish Proverb
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Getting more interesting I hope? Review if you want me to continue!
Author: GlassSnowdrop
Rating: T
Pairing: Emily/OC, Morgan/Reid, Garcia/OC
Summary: The BAU team travel to London to help out Scotland Yard with a case involving an unsub obsessed with Greek Mythology. Scotland Yard enlist the help of a young professor, and things get interesting.
“If I had to choose a religion, the sun as the universal giver of life would be my god.” -Napoleon Bonaparte
“I’m going to make some tea, would anybody like some?” Luke asked, standing up from the table.
A few of them nodded.
“I’ll help you,” Hotch stood up and locked eyes with Reid, indicating he follow. The three men walked to the kitchen.
“I don’t want to question you or undermine you, but Reid here knows all there is to know about Greek Myths and we wouldn’t want to drag this investigation down with any unnecessary weight,” Hotch said quietly.
“There’s a difference between being a genius and being an expert,” came Briseis’ voice from the doorway. The three of them spun around and Hotch opened his mouth. “Agent Hotchner, there’s really no need to apologize. I understand completely what you’re saying, and as much as I’m sure Dr. Reid knows his myths, I can guarantee I know more.” She pulled out the first picture from the folder tucked under her arm. “Is this woman able to bear children?” She asked, showing it to them. They all looked slightly confused. “I can tell you that no, she wasn’t. If the killer knows his mythology, which I truly believe he does, he knows what he was saying. The peacock feather represents Hera’s second phase as Nymphenomene, a woman actively seeking a mate, but the feather is crushed. Add to that the red stains, which are too brown to be blood so I know they must pomegranate juice, and that means the crone stage of Hera’s life, when she was Theria, it means she was barren. The willow branch around her neck further strengthens my theory, because Hera was born under a willow tree, and the branch like an umbilical chord, choked her.”
“I take it back. We need her,” Hotch said. Reid nodded, but looked a little concerned. He was used to Morgan knowing more about human nature than he did, but he wasn’t used to anybody knowing facts better than he did.
They walked back in carrying several cups of tea and they distributed them to the team.
“Our unsub is smart-“ Morgan said but Adele cut him off.
“Unsub?”
“Unknown Subject,” he explained. She nodded. “He obviously has a background of some sort in mythology, although he could be self taught.”
“He’s meticulous,” Rossi said. “And while he cares for the victims he doesn’t know them.”
“How can you tell?” Adele asked.
“If he knew them, he’d close their eyes, stage their bodies in a more concealing way and he’d probably bury them in a shallow grave and cover them with leaves or even loose dirt.”
“Do you think he stalked them?” Emily asked.
“I don’t know. We need to know more about the victims.”
“You can interview their families and friends tomorrow. Now I think it’s best if you get some rest,” Luke said. “Unfortunately, hotels around here are almost completely booked and we managed to book you 4 rooms, 2 singles and 2 doubles.”
“Which means one of you gets my sofa!” Briseis piped up. She stood up and grabbed her bag. “Fight it out amongst yourselves. I’ll be down in the lobby.”
“8am tomorrow, Briseis!” Adele called after her. She raised a hand in acknowledgment and kept walking.
Hotch and Rossi called the singles with no argument, and Penelope and JJ slid their chairs over to each other as did Reid and Morgan.
“Couch it is,” Emily said with a sigh, picking up her go bag. “I’ll see you in the morning.” She walked down the stairs and into the lobby where Briseis was standing and having a conversation with the night security guard.
“Drew the short straw I see,” Briseis said as she made her way over to Emily. Emily smiled and shook her head. “Well, I promise you my place isn’t as bad as you might think. It’s a little unorganized but the sofa folds out into a bed.”
“I’m sure it’s better than sleeping in a faceless hotel with questionable bedding.”
Briseis laughed. “I certainly hope so.” They started walking and Emily found herself feeling the effects of jet lag and not keeping track of how many blocks they’d walked.
“This is it.” Briseis pulled out her keys and opened the door to her building. It was a stone apartment building with wrought iron balconies jutting out over the street. They walked up 3 flights of stairs and Briseis opened the door. She flipped a light switch and several hanging lamps illuminated the livingroom and connected kitchen.
“Well, here it is. I have to clear off some papers, but since you’ll probably be staying here for a while, I’ll give you the tour.” She gestured grandly to the kitchen. “Here’s where I make my delicious toast and tea- the two things I can’t burn very easily. This is the livingroom/your new bedroom. I’m sorry it’s not more concealed, but chances are you’ll wake up before me anyway. I’m not a morning person. My bedroom’s through that door, and the bathroom is right there.”
“Thank you,” Emily said, gazing around. The walls were decorated in many framed paintings and reproductions of Grecian and Roman art. Vases were on almost every surface along with candles, incense and papers on all types of mythology. She shuffled a few papers into stacks and placed them on the kitchen table.
“Well, it’s only 9, but I assume you’re exhausted,” Briseis said.
“I am, yeah.”
“I’ll let you get some sleep. I guess we should leave around 7:30 tomorrow. Feel free to shower in the morning, I only shower at night.”
“Perfect. If I shower at night, my hair takes on a mind of its own.”
“Mine too, but I’ve learned to just deal with it in order to attain 15 minutes of extra sleep. The sheets and blankets are on the bed and please, please make yourself at home.” She began walking towards her room. “Goodnight, Emily.”
“Goodnight, Briseis.”
The next morning Emily was yanked from sleep by the shrill beeping of her phone next to her ear. She silences the alarm and groaned, burying her face in her pillow. It was 6:45 and the sun was barely up, casting grey blue light into the apartment through the bay window.
Briseis’ door was cracked open slightly and Emily could see her still sleeping soundly with her back towards the door. Emily showered, loving the hot water soothing her body that ached from sleeping on an unfamiliar mattress.
At 7:15 she emerged dressed in a light blue cotton shirt and black pants.
“Good morning!” Briseis said, leaning against the counter. She was dressed in dark jeans, a thin white t-shirt with a wolf on the front, and leather boots.
“Morning.”
“I hope you slept well.”
“Like a log actually. Jet lag really takes it out of you.”
“Do you want something to eat? I’m not really a breakfast person, but I do have food.”
“Oh, I’m not a breakfast person either actually. The team’s always trying to make me eat in the morning, but I just can’t stomach it. I would love a cup of coffee though.”
“Ah! I always stop down the street at this place that has the best coffee in London. I swear by it.”
Emily laughed at how passionate Briseis appeared to be about coffee. “Well I look forward to trying it.”
“I have to pack up a few things, but we can leave in a few minutes.” Emily nodded and poured herself a glass of water while Briseis loaded some papers and a book into her leather bag.
“Hm, have you seen a small green notebook by any chance?”
“I don’t think so. I’ll help you look though,” Emily offered. They scanned the room together and Emily snatched it from under the coffee table. “Found it.”
“Thank you! Slippery little thing, it is.” Briseis tucked it into the outside pocket and pulled the straps tight. She paused for a second in front of the mirror, scrutinizing her appearance. “Do you think this shirt is too casual for your team? You were all so sharply dressed yesterday, I don’t want to look like a bum.”
“Trust me, once you’ve flown overnight with these people, you’ll look like the bell of the ball. Plus, I like the shirt. I’ve always had a strange affinity for wolves.”
“Me too.” She pulled on a worn leather jacket and they headed out. Emily put her black blazer on when she realized how chilly it was outside.
“I forgot how cold it is here in the spring.”
“God, I know. I love London, I really truly do, but sometimes I think it would be quite nice if the sun would shine more.”
“But clouds are such a British trait!”
“Very true. If it was nice outside we’d simply whinge on about that. We’re such a discontented nation.”
“And that discontent has sprung forth some of the most incredible thinkers the world has ever known.”
“That’s how you can tell you’re not British, well apart from the accent. You’re too optimistic.” Emily laughed and agreed.
“I guess when you have a job like mine you have to be.”
The two women got coffee, which Emily agreed was some of the best she’d ever had and walked to the New Scotland Yard building.
They signed in at the desk downstairs as visitors and clipped on their laminated badges and rode the elevator upstairs.
It was a few minutes before 8 when they walked into the office. It was fairly a section that was sequestered off for this investigation, so the only people inhabiting it were the BAU agents, Luke, Adele and Briseis.
“Good morning,” Hotch said without looking up as they entered.
“Good morning, Agent Hotchner.”
“Please, call me Hotch,” he corrected. She nodded and sat down, taking her jacket off and draping on the back of the chair.
“Briseis, we’re going to need you here while the agents go speak with the families. Can you and Reid compile anything about the crime scenes you think is important?”
“Of course,” she nodded and Reid sat down next to her. The team dispersed soon after, Prentiss, Hotch, JJ and Adele going to talk to the families, Morgan, Luke and Rossi to the crime scene and Garcia to test out the compatibility of her software with Scotland Yard’s.
“Alright now, Doctor Reid, I assume you do know quite a bit about mythology?” Briseis began.
“Just call me Reid, and yes I do. I took a course on it in college and did some reading up on my own and I’ve read all of the Latin texts and epics.”
“Good, now I don’t feel as weird for studying what I study.”
“It’s one of the most interesting topics to come across, any mythology really, but there’s something about Greek mythology that intrigues me the most.”
“I know what you mean. I know a little about Norse and a little about Celtic, but I devote all of my time to Greek. I am Greek, which might have a tad to do with it however.”
“A majority of people feels an undeniable pull towards traditions and superstitions of their cultures, even if they’ve never been submersed in it themselves.”
“Do you always talk like that?” Briseis asked, leaning back in her chair and looking at Reid with her head tilted to the side.
He looked a bit flustered but answered “Yes. Morgan tells me to try not to, but I can’t help it.”
“It’s alright, it’s kind of nice to be honest. Morgan seems nice enough, but he shouldn’t tell you how to sound.” Reid smiled, not agreeing but not arguing.
“He’s the only one I’d actually listen to about something like that.” Briseis cocked an eyebrow and bit her cheek.
“I want you to go over these images and compile anything you can find as a profiler. I’ve really only been over them on my own as a mythology professor. I’m going to make some tea, would you like some?”
“Yes please,” Reid said distantly. She looked over and saw he was already completely drawn into the crime scene pictures.
“I’ll be back in a mo.” She popped out and put the kettle on in the break room. Looking across the drab hallway she saw who she was looking for. Penelope.
“Penelope?” She broke the pervading buzz of the computers with her voice.
“One second,” Penelope said, holding up a hand and pounding expertly on the keys. The screens flashed and data streamed quickly and then everything synched up and she smiled, removing the keyboard from her lap and spinning in her chair to look at Briseis.
“What’s up, cupcake?” Briseis did a quick sweep of Penelope and couldn’t help but smile. She was wearing a bright yellow cardigan, a green skirt of different bright shades, a deep red shirt to match her lipstick, and jingles and jangles of jewelry all over her body.
“Can I ask you a question about Morgan?”
“Not you too…”
“What?”
“Nevermind, go ahead and ask me your question.”
“Is he single?” Penelope tightened her jaw and nodded sharply. “Oh god! Not for me! No no no, no!” She denied, waving her hands. She looked behind her to make sure Reid wasn’t walking down the hallway. “For Reid.” Penelope’s jaw dropped now and her eyes widened. She shot up and shut the door.
“Sit! What do you know?”
“Nothing, I swear! I just kind of noticed things about Reid and how he talks about Morgan.”
“That boy’s been in love with Derek for as long as I can remember. And you know what? I think Derek’s in love with him too. He just doesn’t know it yet, and knowing him he never will.”
“Not the ‘explore your sexuality’ type?”
“Not at all. My boy’s set in his heterosexuality.”
“See, this may be why I like the Ancient Greek’s so much. When you take away all of murders and strange trickery, you’re left with a bunch of free flowing sexual beings who for the most part don’t care whether person they fancy is a man or a woman. It helped me figure things out when I realized I was gay.”
“You’re gay?” Penelope asked, interested. Briseis nodded. “I admire you so much. Sometimes I wish I was gay. Unfortunately you don’t choose these things.”
“Very true.”
“Well listen, I know we’re going to be working on this case round the clock, but I don’t think us forcing Reid and Morgan to spend as much quality time together as possible is going to interfere or anything.”
“They’re already sharing a bedroom.”
Penelope grinned. “I like the way you think, Briseis.”
“And I love the way you dress.”
“No road is long with good company.” -Turkish Proverb
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Getting more interesting I hope? Review if you want me to continue!