#i want more focus on JASON needing at least some crumble of apology

[daisybell-on-a-carousel]

Thinking about how Jason did NOT ever really interact or stay close to Bruce in all of his appearances post utrh and prebattle,,

[stunudo]

There was a hostage situation. I negotiated with Bale. He agreed to give himself up. He came out of the warehouse peacefully. I gave the okay to send 6 of my agents in and they never came out. It was a mistake. It was my mistake, I was, um, I was outfoxed by Mr. Bale. By you. I sincerely regret having made the decision to send those agents in that day. And I sincerely regret and apologize to the families of all those who died that day

Jason Gideon

Breaking Point

One of the Six: A Criminal Minds Fan-fiction

A/N: Thank you for reading Bets’ stories. It means a lot that anyone would take the time on something so out of focus as the show is now. I wanted to create something completely different. As there are so many amazing people writing fan fiction it was a difficult task. I hope I didn’t disappoint. xoxo Stu

3 days remain

“What can you tell me about bombers?” Jason began.

“Males, usually youthful offenders.” I answered.

“Loners, lots of times they are negligent and become their own victims.” Morgan answered, thank you Mr. ATF.

“About 50% of bombings are acts of vandalism, possibly politically motivated.” Bird chirped in with the statistics.

“Socially non-confrontational, bombs are weapons of choice for cowards.” Hotch added.

“If that is the case, do not say it to his face. This guy is delivering death on people’s doorsteps, he needs to see the destruction.” Jason was rubbing his hands together, pacing.

“Morgan, take Reid and go over the bomb fragments. Bets, you and Gideon can talk to the victim’s family, see if we can pinpoint a motive or.... a stressor.” Hotch got quiet. I nodded understanding.

I drove the dark SUV as Gideon reviewed crime scene photos.

“Sucks to be back under these circumstances.” Why was I making small talk?

“The team here seemed to have liked you, why did you leave for the BAU, Bethany?”

I sighed, not expecting a personal question. “Boston was filler, it was me bulking up my resume for another crack at the BAU.” I hated to admit so much, to Jason of all people.

“I’m sorry we didn’t hire you the first time.”

“Don’t be, no one can ever truly replace Rossi, I get that now.”

“Why was it so important to you to get on the team? You don’t have the same curiosity as Reid, or the same dedication to justice as Hotch and Morgan.”

“I didn’t like losing.” I shrugged. “Devereaux’s don’t give up.”

Jason nodded, peering across the rims of his reading glasses.

“So, does Haley know you told me? Can I call her and congratulate her yet?” I teased as Hotch and I were going over some notes.

“Do you think I thought to tell you? That was all her.” Hotch chuckled.

The blonde strolled in, “Hotch, the media wants a statement. Should I arrange a press conference or do you need more time?”

“We have all we need for the profile, JJ. I will touch base with you once Morgan hears back from Garcia.” She turned back, head buried in her phone.

“Well, at least you’re not stuck in front of the cameras anymore.” I muttered under my breath.

“C’mon Bets, I think I still have my charms.” Hotch joked.

“You can’t compete with that, that face could convince nuns to murder puppies.”

“Bethany, you’re up.” Gideon called as soon as the unsub had agreed to come out peacefully.

Adrian Bale came out with a stupid look on his smug face. His hands were in the air with a detonator in one hand. Morgan and Jason headed over to ensure he was cleared and secured.

“Bets, you sure you don’t want Morgan to go in first?” Hotch was cautious. I shook my head.

“If Morgan wanted dibs, he should have let me in with SWAT on the last case. Don’t worry he can help after we secure the building.” I was ready for action and giving Morgan grief. I gathered behind a couple of local agents I knew from my days at the Boston field office, and a couple tacticals from the bomb squad.

“Ready, boys?” They nodded and we headed in.

We entered in formation, securing entrances and framing perimeters. Finding the hostage handcuffed to a platform in the center of the warehouse. She was in hysterics, I tried to calm her down. I locked eyes on her and the last thing I heard was the click of the ignition.

My name is Bethany Devereaux. I was one of the six agents killed by Adrian Bale and this was my story.

Epilogue:

 Jason stared at the menacing eyes of Adrian Bale as he watched his destruction from the backseat of a squad car. The bastard was getting off on it, on all of it. Bethany had led the squad of agents inside, determined and stubborn as always. The hostage would never make it home.

The explosion had damaged everyone’s hearing, but Jason didn’t care. The ground was shifting below his feet as he stumbled past the barricade of vehicles. The lights of ambulances and back up shone before he could hear their wails. Jason Gideon had miscalculated, he hadn’t finished the profile. Bale wasn’t just a bomber, he was a sadist. And he had won.

The flight back to Quantico was silent. Reid was guarding Bets’ things like they were an unaccompanied minor. Her brother Manny met the team at headquarters for the official briefing. Jason stormed out of the conference room when Hotch handed over her stash of hard candy and the vintage photograph of their Grandfather from off her desk.

Jason’s mind was crumbling within him, he had hurt another somebody who loved him. This was exceedingly different from the years missing his son grow and forcing his wife to divorce him. He had gotten Bethany killed. Not just her, more. The Boston field office had to call in for reinforcements after the hit to their numbers. He walked to the fridge for a drink, he needed something to sate the desperation. There in the back, still attached to the plastic rings was a single can of V8.

Jason Gideon grabbed the can and marched out of the break room, through the bullpen and into the elevator in maniacally calm silence. He left, because it was safest. For everyone.

Spencer sat in the back of the funeral, she had full military honors. Hotch held Haley as she cried into his collar. Chief Strauss arrived late trying to corral her three tiny children, matching blonde heads distracting their mother from her guilt and doubt. Mrs. Devereaux, the mother, barely moving as the father shook with grief. This family had given so much to their country and now they held another flag to remind them. Spencer’s mind filled with the words she had spoken to him...

“Well aren’t you the most peculiar thing.”

“Cases with Hansen were the worst, the absolute worst. I would have rather spent the entire case with the unsubs themselves than that misogynistic alcoholic.”

“After graduating from Annapolis I spent my time on a ship or two. Before a friend of my Daddy suggested I apply for something closer to home.”

“Well, at least I never had to learn how to make lobster bisque.”

“We didn’t exactly confide in each other, but we had each other’s backs.” 

“It was a Tuesday morning. I woke up. I ran. I got ready. I went to work. Just a day.”

“I kind of have a thing for lighthouses.”

“I was born and bred in Virginia. So many of my family worked for the government or were military that I never considered doing anything else.”

“That’s why, right there. I’m too competitive and you’re too smart.”

The animosity that came from Bethany was easily profiled jealousy, Spencer didn’t hold that against her. He just wanted Gideon back. Somebody had to lead the way. Without the older man, Hotch was doing too many jobs, once again. The young doctor kept his head down and his hands in his pockets. Morgan kept his head up, the tears falling silently. Saying goodbye was never easy.

@dontshootmespence @cherry-loves-fanfic @imagicana @teatimewithtiya @criminalwriting