Epilogue

Quantico Riding Club
Quantico, VA

So there was a rodeo.

The FBI team got involved, of course, and the Secret Service, because that rivalry ran deep, and the Border Patrol because they had to prove they were better with horses, and then the DEA and ATF had to get involved because there was honor on the line and pretty soon they had a full blown thing going. They arraigned for judges from the USMC base at Quantico who would be impartial, agreed on five events drawn from different types of completion that emphacized riding skill over stock work, and selected a team member to compete in each event. Then they decided to pass the hat and get a guy to come out with a smoker, set up for a BBQ, and make a family day of it. They even had a DJ coming in and rented a dance floor.

Even Derek Morgan had to admit, this was a good idea.

"He looks different." Hotch said.

They were watching the riders get set up for the pole riding competition. It was the third event of the day, Border Patrol won the first, FBI the second. Spencer was competing for the FBI on Lucky. "Does anyone know why they only let each horse compete once?" JJ asked.

"They don't want to overwork them." Morgan replied. "And they judge the horses performance as well, as a way of determining how good of a trainer each rider is, so they don't want to take them out tired."

"And you know all this why?" Will asked.

Morgan chuckled. "My little brother has a thing. I want to support him."

"He's confident." Rossi replied to Hotch. "When he was playing with the softball team he was sure he was going to lose, and end up losing the game for the team. He was sure he was going to fail everyone. But look at him now, that's the body language of someone who knows what he's going and believes he can make a good showing of himself. He's part of the team now."

"That's a sign of good integration." Tara added. "He's pretty healthy these days."

"I think he's beautiful." Caroline said, with stars in her eyes.

They chuckled and left that. "Didn't I hear some of the downstairs units saying something about him competing in a traditionally woman's event?" Rossi asked.

"I heard that." Tara replied. "But it seems to have rolled off him. Likely because the rest of the rodeo team, and Morgan, gave them hell right back. Sometimes the healthiest thing you can have is friends who have your back."

"I'm just glad he has that here now, and not just in Nevada." Hotch said.

"Next event, pole bending." The announcer called.

Each rider took a turn, the order determined for each event. In this case the FBI was going last. No one knew if this was good or not, but it was what it was and they had to work with it. Border Patrol went first with a female agent who had competed before. She made a very good run, a decent time and no penalties. DEA and ATF also had female agents riding, but ones without experience, they were slower and knocked poles down, resulting in penalties. The Secret Service sent in a male rider who lumbered like an ox down and back, knocking over most of the poles. He was so bad everyone agreed on giving him another try, on the off chance that the horse had just done that badly, but no, he was just as bad the second time. And then it was the FBI's turn.

Everyone sat forward. "Here we go." JJ said.

The buzzer sounded.

Spencer and Lucky were off like a shot.

Within seconds it was over. It was a clean run, not a pole was even touched. And when they stopped at the end...

"That's the best time." Tara said.

...and no penalties.

There was cheering from the FBI section of the stands. This put them in the lead, never a bad thing. But the BAU cheered the hardest, because Spencer had won. And not by luck this time, he worked for it and he did it. And they were all very proud.

From the look on his face he was too.

In the end the Secret Service was handily crushed. They would be smarting from this loss until next year's competition. The Border Patrol was a tough competitor. But the FBI beat them by the slimmest of margins. "Is it wrong to say that Spence won this?" JJ asked as they were walking over to the BBQ.

"I don't know." Morgan replied. "This is a team effort but he got a real high score in his event. It certainly helped."

"Where is he, anyway?" Rossi asked.

"I don't know." JJ replied. "Will and Henry went off to find him."

"You know you people are blocking the trail." Said a familiar voice behind them.

The entire group turned to find Spencer riding Lucky. But in front of him was a much smaller figure, tucked in between his arms. "Hi Mom!" Henry said. "I'm going to be a cowboy!"

"Oh god." JJ replied as Will joined her.

"Don't worry." Will said. "That hat is actually a helmet. He's fine."

"Can I take riding lessons Dad?" Jack asked.

Hotch groaned in reply.

"We have some riding to do." Spencer told JJ. "We'll be back for supper."

"You better, cowboy." Caroline replied. "You promised me a dance tonight."

"Reid, dancing?" Morgan said. "This I have to see."

"Oh god." JJ turned and buried her head against Will's shoulder.

With a nudge Spencer got Lucky moving again and headed for the sunset.

.

And thus ends another story. Much thanks to P for being my advanced reader.

OK, another one is starting up, one that I actually wrote a few years back, published elsewhere and never finished. Seems I am finishing things this year. Hope to see you all for the next one.

- TKL