𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞

𝐈𝐈: 𝐁𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐞𝐬

          Sheridan, Reid, and Gideon stood in the one room schoolhouse on the Apache reservation, Sheriff John Blackwolf standing in front of the students and talking about the story of the Apache. She knew the story by heart, and could practically recite it in her sleep. She had an immense amount of respect for the culture, not that she didn't have an immense amount of respect for any culture. Sheridan's hands were tucked into the sleeves of her flimsy cardigan to retain whatever warmth was there, the door to the classroom partially open. She was surprised at how cold New Mexico could get.

          Hotch was standing outside of the classroom patiently, her seeing him in her peripheral through the window. He really did look like a government agent with his suit-and-tie on. She really didn't in the outfit she was wearing. She looked more like a school girl or college student than anything else. Her glasses made her eyes look bigger than they were, made her look like a child.

          Reid stood beside her, white striped button down under a burgundy sweater, a black tie tucked into the sweater as well. He wore an army green corduroy jacket and a pair of dark jeans with his oxfords. She really didn't get a good look at him before when they were sitting down in the conference room or on the jet. They hadn't really talked much with each other either, but she barely talked to anyone. It was just who she was. But she had to admit, in spite of her silence, she did think he looked cute with the outfit and slicked back, brushed hair.

          She was so consumed in her own thoughts that when Reid said something, it glanced off her like a racket ball against a brick wall in response to Blackwolf's question to his students.

          "Samuel." He addressed one of the young boys seated at the front of the class, in the row that Sher was standing behind.

          "Yes?"

          "Tell the men-" Blackwolf looked up at Sher quickly, squinted his eyes, then redirected his statement, "and woman from the FBI who the Ga'he are." Reid looked like he was about to open his mouth, but Sher stuck her hand, as well as a finger up to catch their attention.

          "The Ga'he are-"

          "The Ga'he are mighty spirits who dwell in desert caves." Reid said louder than her, waving his left hand about slightly. Sher clamped her mouth shut and her hands behind her back. That was what she got for whispering. Blackwolf looked at both of the young agents from where he stood at the front of the class, his eyes landing on Sher as he nodded with a small, half smile in respect.

          "Reid." Hotch scolded. Sher smirked up at the much taller Doctor Reid. "Is your name Samuel?"

          "Sorry." Reid smiled in an awkward, guilty manner. Sher nodded her head from side to side then looked to Gideon on her other side as he cleared his throat.

          "Are the Ga'he good spirits or bad spirits?" Blackwolf looked up at him, making direct eye contact with the unit chief. Sher couldn't help but watch, couldn't help but know the answer that he was about to say.

          "They're both." He responded, voice naturally gruff. "Like men." Sher nodded in adamance beside them, John looking off to the side at the principal of the school. She had almost forgotten that she was there, as well as the Sheriff of Terra Mesa.

          "I'll take over for you, John." With that, Hotch, Reid, and the Sheriff walked out, Blackwolf sighing as he opened up a drawer in his desk and took out both a sheathed machete and his badge. Gideon nodded for Sheridan to move absently, yet she walked behind Blackwolf before he could protest her actions. Gideon opened up the door as John pulled on his jacket, holding it for Sheridan as well out of slight respect. He probably liked that she was incredibly quiet and didn't get in the way. It was something she had gotten good at. The door fell shut as they walked across the front porch of the school to stand beside the cars.