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certaimromance · 4 months ago

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𝜗𝜚 So Long, Quantico.

Prison Reid x Fem!reader

Read part two here!

Summary: Your best friend asks you for a favor and you must defend the innocence of the man you were in love with, the same man for whom you left the FBI and moved to another country years ago.

Words: 1,6k.

TW: mentions of murder, trauma, death, jail. angst without happy ending. miscommunication. right person, wrong time. reid's time in jail. spoilers for season 13 and all the ones before that. english is not my first language (sorry for my mistakes, be kind please).

Note: First of all I want to thank you for all the support in my first post because the truth is that I didn't expect (if you haven't read it yet, I already have my masterlist). I still can't believe I reached 1000 notes, it makes me very happy.

And secondly, I apologize in advance for this, but I love drama and being a little cliche sometimes. I promise to write a nice, comfortable, less dramatic Spencer story in the future (I hope so) but ttpd is my everything lately.

♡ Enjoy! ♡

The constant pounding of your right leg against the table was beginning to make you desperate and to dwarf the room. You didn't know what to do to stop and think for a few seconds, you had even lost count of all the times you had tried to fix your already perfect and ironed clothes that you had spent hours choosing and modeling in front of your hotel mirror.

It felt like hours had passed since you arrived at the prison, though it was probably only a few minutes. Part of you wanted to run out of there and avoid a dangerous reunion at all costs. The other part was anchored to the chair and would not move until you found a way to get Spencer out of there and fulfill the favor Emily had asked of you.

You couldn't let your best friend down, especially when her job could be in jeopardy if Reid was still in prison. You wanted to make sure she was okay, and repay her for all the favors she had done for you during the years you had lived together in London. Without her, you probably would not have survived or become the successful and respected lawyer you were now. She helped you heal when you needed it, now it was your turn to help.

Before you could think, grab your things and maybe even leave the room to catch your breath, a guard abruptly opened the door. Your eyes immediately fell on the handcuffed man the guard had practically thrown into the chair in front of you.

You blinked several times, trying to process that you were actually standing in front of him. He looked so different from the way you remembered him from the occasional picture Prentiss showed you. The years hadn't gone by for nothing, you knew that, but Spencer looked like someone else. It was more than the messy hair, the beard, or the numerous bruises on his face that made you wince. It was that his eyes no longer sparkled, and he himself looked dull.

The guard came out after warning them that they only had fifteen minutes, and the cameras pointed directly at you two.

“Hey.” That was all you could say, biting your inner cheek at how stupid it sounded.

At first he didn't react and hardly seemed to breathe. His expression was like seeing a ghost, and you couldn't blame him after so many years of not hearing from you. You knew you looked different from the last time you saw each other because you had tried too hard to look like someone else. You wore your hair shorter and a different color, even the way you dressed was other. You looked more serious and grown up.

“What are you doing here?” He asked dryly after scanning you with his eyes for a few seconds.

You froze when you heard him speak and his voice, once music to your ears, was like a kick in the stomach.

“I came to help. I thought Emily told you...”

“She told me that she wanted to call you but I told her not to.” Spencer cut you off before you could continue speaking. “That you weren't going to help me.”

You frowned as your brain processed those words.

“Why not? You...you are my friend.” You said, trying to hide the tremor in your voice.

He clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes, trying to look away from you because it hurt. You could feel the tension multiply, making it almost impossible to breathe in the small room.

“Friends don't stop talking for six years and pretend the other doesn't exist.”

Oh, that had hurt.

It was true that you had disappeared from his life six years ago, and you had not made the slightest effort to return, even leaving the country with the excuse of looking for a better future. But you had your hidden reasons, you wanted to forget Spencer Reid and your intensely ridiculous and unrequited love.

From the first time you heard him talk about statistics and smile at you like a child, realizing that you listened to him like no one else, you fell madly in love with him for years. Always hoping that one day he would stop thinking of you as his friend and realize how much he deserved to be loved and that you would be happy to do so, that you could give him the whole world without hesitation if he asked you to.

At first you thought he wasn't that interested in love, that he was too smart and focused to lose his mind like you did for him. However, then you saw him several times interested and pining for other girls: the movie actress, JJ, the girl at the bar and Maeve...she was very different and painful for you.

You couldn't stand his strong love for her, at least not being so close to him and having to play the role of the best friend who always listened to him repeat how wonderful she was. Knowing that he could fall in love with someone he didn't even know personally instead of you, whom he saw every day and had known for years, changed you and made you run away to save your heart.

You got a new job far from the United States, thanks to Agent Hotchner and his glowing letter of recommendation. And so you went back to being an ordinary lawyer, no longer chasing serial killers or a boy genius who never loved you as you would have liked.

“Spence, I...” You tried to speak softly, almost having the urge to take his hand to make the situation better, but you didn't. “I'm sorry.”

He was obviously tense, he wouldn't even look you in the eye and you could swear his eyes were a little crystallized. He barely glanced at you for a second before speaking again.

“You don't have to say it if it's not true.”

“It's true.”

You stopped yourself for a second, sighing and centering yourself again.

“But I'm here for the case, to help you with that...and I'm sorry for everything that happened to you.” You said more calmly and with an almost sweet tone.

You both knew it was more than just the prison issue and the current situation. It was a sorry for Maeve's death, Alex, Morgan and Hotch's resignation, his mother's problems, Cat's damn appearance, and most of all for not being there to support him in all.

“You should have called and said so.” He finally responded after letting out a snort and tensing his jaw more.

“Yeah...I should have.” You admitted, shifting uncomfortably in your seat.

You thought silence would take over the room again, but instead he spoke again.

“You can go now.”

“I'm not going anywhere unless you're free.” You pointed out with determination.

“You don't have a problem with go before.” He said in the same indifferent tone that was beginning to irritate you.

You should have frozen, kept quiet and focused on the case to get him out of there. But you couldn't do that and act professional when your insides were burning with the memory of the past.

“Don't give me that, you know why I did.” You blurt out, frowning and instinctively pushing the chair away from the table that separates you from him.

“You never said anything to me.” He replied, running a hand through his hair in frustration before speaking again. “You just disappeared like everyone else I've ever loved because you got bored with me.”

“You know I left for the opposite reason, because I...” You tried to say, but your voice cracked and your hands shook in an awkward attempt to touch his. “I loved you the way that you were and...”

The sudden sound of the door opening made you gasp and immediately shut up. The presence of a grim-faced guard made you realize it was all over, and you pulled your hand away from Spencer's again.

“Time's up.” The guard reported and you signaled him to have at least more minutes.

Fortunately, the guard nodded and gave you only five more minutes. You looked at your client again, trying to get into the professional role and discuss his case, but he seemed to be in another world after your half sentences.

There was no room in Reid's mind for your words, after feeling guilty for so long for not doing enough to be a good friend to you, for scaring you away with his problems, for not being one you wanted to keep over time and return his calls. But now, did you really say what you thought? Did you really love and care for him?

Everything was tearing his word apart in that moment.

“You won't have to see me if you don't want to, but I'll get you out of here soon, Spencer. I swear.” You promised and you could see in his face the surprise at your honest tone.

Maybe he expected a different attitude from you, maybe he thought you were still so obsessed with him that you would insist on seeing him and kill yourself to make him laugh again. But you had matured, or so you thought. You were no longer the young woman who hugged him every time he felt far away and was content to be the one who was left over. Now, you were the brave woman who left the ship before it sank completely.

As you watched the guard check the handcuffs and lift Spencer out of the seat to take him away, something inside you reacted. You called out his name before you could react and quickly had his desperate eyes on you.

“You don't have to worry about the past...I'm over you.” You said confidently before nodding goodbye and walking out with one less burden.

He remained anchored to the ground, trying to process your words with his racing mind as he watched you leave him again.

You...you had been in love with him?

#spencer reid x reader #spencer reid #criminal minds x reader #criminal minds #criminal minds fanfiction #spencer reid x fem!reader #matthew gray gubler

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hotchfiles · 7 months ago

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↪ QUIS UT DEUS? ─ chapter one.

AN IN NOMINE PATRIS, ET FILII, ET SPIRITUS SANCTI INSTALLMENT

pairing: hotch x fem!consultant!reader. summary: murders committed using catholic symbology gets emily to convince hotch it's time to ask for an expert. luckily for you, you're the expert. content warnings: canon typical violence. religious themes. spoilers to season 4. mature themes. word count: 1.5K

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti…

“Amen.” If you weren’t paying attention and side eyeing him at that exact moment, you might’ve lost the way his lips moved following the ritual, no word actually leaving his mouth.

The black haired man didn’t look too comfortable, but didn’t look out of place either, he knew the cues, he spoke the words on automatic it seemed. It amused you to observe people’s behavior on holy grounds, that was part of the reason you asked to meet in silver spring.

“Catholic, Mr. Hotchner?” Your question is met with a low scoff, the type only those with a bad bad history with the church gave you. “That much, huh?”

“My parents were.” The answer is simple and you think it might stop at that, but he shakes his head and scoffs again. “I was an altar boy for years before I left for boarding school.” You nod.

“Ah. I've met some of you in my research.” Some of you. Church babies, altar boys. Spoon fed the bible from birth while watching everyone around sin. Sin becoming a term to reflect on what they hated.

“And you? Catholic?”

“Oh no. Never been.” You don’t explain much, aware Emily probably told him of your time in Rome, where the two of you met. “Your UnSub is though. Either devoted to Saint Michael or knows enough about his roles to look like one.” You note, being reminded of the pictures Emily sent you, big stab wounds, a small scale tipped to one side, the words Hebrews 9:22 written in blood.

Hotchner doesn’t reply, making a mental reminder of the new information, he looks around the place as you both leave the church and it hits him, Silver Spring’s St. Michael the Archangel parish, the church you chose as a meeting place.

He wouldn’t usually accept consultation for cases, especially from outsiders. And to be fair, the BAU doesn’t usually need any, Reid alone has more knowledge than anyone Hotch has ever met, and despite the humbleness he tends to show, Hotch himself can take care of the general book knowledge if Reid doesn’t step up to it. But he trusted Emily, and Emily spoke more highly of you than of anyone. Honestly, he was also trying to make amends after not having her back during the Matthew case they had not long before.

“She's in town giving lectures, it’s an asset we have easy access to, so why not use it?” Were her final and most convincing words before Hotch nodded in agreement, watching Emily make the call that led to the meeting.

He thinks now, as he’s driving both of you to Quantico, that maybe Emily should’ve been the one here, his attempts to strike conversation falling flat as you don’t even remember the last time you had to make small talk with someone, it felt awkward all of a sudden, as if you were on a date.

“I'm so sorry, I'm not too good with… People.” You blurt out after a long minute of silence, your neck suddenly warm from embarrassment.

Hotch side eyes you, brows lifted in confusion. You seemed much less confident in the car now than what you showed him of you minutes before back at the church. He figures you felt confident talking about your area of expertise and that he could relate to easily. “Did you notice anything else by the pictures Emily sent you?”

The switch of topic makes you sigh loudly in relief and you mentally thank him for brushing your silliness off. “He’s using different pieces of catholic dogma and putting it together, but most of the symbology eludes to Michael, the stabbing looks like a sword, the tipped scale indicates judgment, the verse he chose doesn’t cite Michael but talks about sins being forgiven by the shedding of blood… He’s the judge and executioner of his victims.” You try not to sound excited as you ramble on, it’s a terrible thing to witness, the pictures were grotesque and would’ve made you sick on a normal day, but the cherry picking of symbols the murderer seemed to make fascinated you.

“So you believe it’s a man?”

“Oh! I–I don’t know? I just assumed… Is that misogynistic?” You mumble the last part more to yourself, but it’s loud enough to make him chuckle and you look at him quickly to make sure it’s not mean spirited.

It’s definitely not. But it is amusing from a profiler perspective, he’s so used to defining serials’ genders by their crimes he hasn’t thought about misogyny being a factor to those assumptions in a long time.

“Brutality suggests male. But posing looks remorseful, theatrical…” His grip on the wheel tightens, two victims by now, feet crossed, arms wide open.

“If there were more allusions to the crucifixion, yeah, but I–” You take your phone out to look at the pictures once more, an attempt to seem less abstract in what you’re about to say. “No crown, no nails, this isn’t about Christ, it’s about punishment–I mean, I think.” You’re not usually self conscious about your knowledge but inferring characteristics and desires to someone by looking at a crime scene was not your specialty.

“To further point they were judged and executed…” Hotch nods, understanding where your line of thought is going and completing it immediately, not leaving you much time to doubt yourself.

“A very shameful execution.”

You both spend the short ride from Silver Springs to Quantico going over the symbology present, you tried to help here and there with the associations of what you saw to who could’ve done it, even though that was not what you were called in for. Strangely enough—for him at least, Hotch didn’t seem to mind your guesses, they were educated ones.

And it was interesting to hear someone speak with such passion about religious aspects without any of the fundamentalism. It was definitely something he wasn’t used to.

“Mi amore!” Are the first words you hear as you enter the famous bullpen from Emily’s texts, her arms surrounding you in a tight warm hug you haven’t felt in years—it hits you then how long has it been. You weren’t able to come and mourn Matthew with her, his parents weren’t fond of you either (Lord almighty, you didn’t even go to church with them!) and you were busy with your lectures.

“Hey troublemaker, how’s it going?” Your question is muffled in the hug, your hands clasping together behind her back.

The reunion doesn’t last long, curious eyes set on you two and a rather impatient Hotch leading the way to what you learned was the conference room.

The briefing room. The round table. Emily told you about it when she first got into the BAU.

You end up sitting between Emily and who you would bet was Spencer—there’s this sweet kid working with us, he’s super smart, annoyingly smart, but so sweet, he reminds of Matty when we were teens—the lanky boy was the only one with what seemed like naivety enough in his eyes to be the one Emily mentioned back then.

Aaron sat in front of you almost, serious, stern, very different from the few chuckles you got from him in the car. This was unit chief Hotchner, the subtle difference was fascinating.

“Alright, as we know, DC is in trouble, second murder in three weeks.” blonde and gorgeous, you believed that was JJ, there had been no time for introductions, all you could do was try to remember the e-mails and few phone calls you shared with Emily the past years. “Richard Beckett, married, no kids, 27. He works for his father's car dealership.”

Pictures show up on the screen, showing the man when he was alive. It’s a punch to your gut, just minutes before you were fascinated by the way this real person was murdered. You’re glad you had a light breakfast by the way your stomach turns.

“Monica Dawson, divorced, no kids, 53. She’s a counselor at a local school.” The woman continues speaking, with more pictures on the screen. And then pictures of their deaths, side by side. The fascination is completely extinguished then. “Both were stabbed countless times with a large blade. Left in abandoned warehouses posed in a cross position, a tipped scale on their side. Both naked. Both were heavily drugged.”

“They didn’t have kids, is that a coincidence?” You hear Emily speak up and suddenly you can see all their brains working.

“Could that be the linking between them? The victimology is all over the place.” Derek. Oh. You’ve heard of Derek. You’ve seen pictures of Derek. He needs no introduction.

“Reid, Morgan, go talk to the first victim’s widow. Rossi, JJ, Ms. Dawson’s ex-husband can give us insight on her life. Emily and us—” He gives you a look and you understand he means you, nodding in reply. “Will head to the DC police precinct.” The way Hotch gives orders is effortless, not only his job but his vocation.

Everyone listens and agrees quickly, moving and leaving the table, even Emily is fast on her feet, even though she won’t leave without you and him. You stay still, stiff, eyes glued to the screen.

“Are you alright?” His voice is soft, laced with worry, genuine worry. You didn’t even notice he had stayed behind, but you nod again at Hotch, a question burning at the tip of your tongue.

“Do you still believe in God, Mr. Hotchner?”

#aaron hotch x reader #aaron hotch x you #aaron hotch imagine #aaron hotchner x reader #aaron hotchner x you #aaron hotchner imagine #criminal minds x reader #hotch x reader #hotch x you #hotch imagine #hotch scenario #flari: in nomine patris #lari writes sometimes

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babymetaldoll · 3 months ago

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Are you mine? - Chapter Three: "She's a silver lining"

Word count: 5.253 words Warnings: This is so fluffy it might be illegal. Reader's discretion is advised. Summary: Baby Reid Nº1 is here, and both Spencer and reader are ready, but not really. A/N: I know no woman would ever be worthy of making Spencer a father, but that man deserves to be a dad.

Series' Masterlist - Author's masterlist

Previous chapter | Next chapter

(Y/N)’s point of view

When we found out we were having a little girl, Spencer lost his mind. I know he would have been happy if the doctor had said it was a boy, but a baby girl was just what he had always dreamed about. A little princess to spoil and teach everything.

We decided to name her Raven Marie Reid, and ever since that day, my husband talked to our daughter every second he could. He encouraged us to hear more classical music to help her brain develop, he read her bedtime stories and even asked about her day.

- “I’m telling you, chipmunk, Raven knows I’m talking to her”- Spencer pointed out as we walked into the bullpen- “She kicks and moves when I say her name.”

- “I know, honey bunny. She is still inside me, kicking my ribs and squeezing my bladder most of the time.”- I replied and shook my head, smiling. I couldn’t deal with his proud smile at my words.

- “Reids! you are here! I’ve got news”- Penelope nearly tackled us as soon as she saw us, and didn’t even give us time to reach our desk.

- “We have to take the fit test.”- she announced quickly.

- “We?”- Spencer asked, confused.

- “Me too?”- I questioned, scared of the answer. I was already 38 weeks into the pregnancy and I could barely move. I wasn’t allowed to travel anymore, so I had to help the team from my desk whenever they were out of town.

- “Of course not, munchkin. Just me and your husband.”- Garcia explained tapping on my arm.

- “But why? We have enough case hours to cover a fit test.”- Spencer argued, confused.

- “I just got the mail. So, I guess we should train a little.”- Garcia shrugged and started walking with us to our desk.

- “I can help.”- I suggested - “I was very good at my fit test, and I can give you some tips.”

- “Can we talk with Hotch and get out of this?” - Spencer suggested- “I mean, it’s a fit test. Honestly, we don’t need this.”

- “Well, we are having a baby, and you are gonna have to play with her, so maybe getting some exercise done could be good for you.”- I suggested, but Spencer looked at me like I had cursed him- “What?”

- “You know I’m not good at sports.”

- “You are amazing in the field and you know it.”- I rubbed his shoulder and smiled- “But you have to get used to running now that we are having to have a kid to follow around.”

- “My princess is not gonna make me run around, right Raven?”- Spencer asked and rubbed my tummy. Our daughter moved inside my belly and sat directly on my bladder.

- “Great, I have to pee again. Thank you, honey bunny.”

The following morning, Spencer and I got up extra early to meet Penelope on the training track in Quantico. My husband looked the cutest in his red shorts and mismatched socks. I planned a simple circuit for them to warm up and watched them running as I sat on a bench and ate part of the orange slices I had brought to them. I tried to imagine how it would be when Raven went to school, would she like sports? Would she join the track team? Soccer? softball? my mind wandered to all the amazing things our baby girl would do. Anything she dreamed of, I would encourage her to pursue.

Spoiler alert: Raven is on the swimming team, and she loves it. We go to her competitions with homemade banners and Spencer made sure our house had a pool, so she can practice whenever she wants.

- “Come on honey bunny!!”- I yelled as Spencer made it to the finish line, a few seconds after García, in what I could call a dreadful performance running. I stopped the timer and shook my head as I made my way over. Spencer and Penelope were panting, and trying to elongate their weary muscles.

- “Why does it have to be such a fast mile?”- Garcia argued, trying to catch her breath- “Have you ever even had to run a mile in the field?”

- “No.”- Spencer answered, panting. I handed them a Gatorade and tried to cheer them up.

- “Come on! you are doing better! You’ve got this!”

- “I'm not even in the field.”- Penelope kept arguing - “I sit at a computer on my perfect posterior, like all day.”

- “I know, Pen. But it’s the rule. Apparently, everybody has to take the fit test this year.”- I tried to explain, but my friend decided to keep rambling.

- “Well, at least we didn’t ask Derek.”- Garcia was thinking out loud - “It's bad enough some bureaucrat is making us take this stupid test. The last thing we need is Mr. Universe talking smack the whole time.”

- “But he knows about all this stuff.”- Spencer argued her point of view - “He can probably, like, teach us some tricks, help us train.”

- “Your wife is doing that already, Reid.”- Garcia pointed out the obvious- “Besides, Derek takes it way too seriously. I worked out with him once.”

- “You work out?”- my husband asked surprised, and Pen just nodded, still trying to catch her breath. - “That's cool. I don't.”

- “We can tell, hon.”- I whispered as I rubbed his back.

- “I train in a non-traditional manner and never again with him.”- Garcia explained. - “He was all, "There you go, baby girl. Move it or lose it. This ain't your high-tech room. My grandmama can move better than that."- I chuckled at her impersonation of Morgan as my husband tried to excuse him somehow.

- “He can be enthusiastic at times.”- Spencer was so nice, we all know Derek was a drill sergeant training. I loved training with him, he always forced me to give 110%, but of course, neither my husband nor Garcia enjoyed it.

- “That's a way of saying it.”- I giggled and looked at the clock - “Now come on! Give me a couple more laps.”

- “Do we have to?”- Spence asked me with sweet puppy eyes, looking adorable and exhausted.

- “Yes, you do. Come on! You’ve got this.”

Lucky for Spencer and Penelope, Hotch texted us to tell us we had a case, which only meant training was over.

It also meant I had to stay with Garcia as my husband left the city to catch a serial killer. I knew it was our job and there was nothing I could do about it, but it made me uneasy to think about what would happen to Raven and me if anything went to happen to Spencer on the field. It was a fact: I was afraid of our mortality now that we were about to be parents. That is one fear I haven’t stopped feeling, and it’s one of the main reasons why today we are leaving the BAU.

During that case, Spencer got hit. It wasn’t serious, just a punch on the face, and Morgan teased him saying they might have ruined his pretty face a little. However, I didn’t laugh at all. I wasn’t calm or even rational at that point. You lose it when you get a phone call from your boss saying your husband is at the hospital, and you can’t go ‘cos you are 635 miles away and unable to get on a plane ‘cos you are 38 weeks pregnant. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a punch in the face.

I was beyond furious with him and Hotch. Mad at Spencer for putting himself in danger out there, and with Hotch, for putting him there in the first place.

I yelled so much while the team was on their way back, Garcia was afraid I was going to deliver the baby in her office. But I knew I had to get it off my system before dealing with Hotch, ‘cos I didn’t want to get fired for attempting to murder my boss.

- “What the fuck was Spencer thinking?!”- I yelled as I paced in Penelope’s office, trying to breathe. - “He never gets in any physical fight with an unsub! Ever! When was the last time he got hurt during a case? Tell me, Pen!?”- and my friend stared at me, not knowing the answer.

- “I’m… well…”

- “It was over five years ago, we weren’t even dating yet. He got fucking anthrax!! and he almost died! I can’t go through that again, we are gonna have a baby. Do you think I could raise a baby alone? I fucking can’t! There is no way on earth I can do this alone! Spencer can’t do this to me!”

- “(Y/N), please breathe. He just got punched on the face, that’s it.”- Garcia tried to reason with me, and failed.

- “Just punched on the face? Do you know how dangerous that is? It means he was fighting the unsub! One false movement and things south!”

- “But it didn’t happen, please, munchkin, calm down, you are gonna give me a stroke.”

- “I’m not gonna calm down until my husband is here, safe and sound!”

My wishes came true later that evening after I had made a major effort to calm myself down and not look like the hormonal and slightly crazy woman I was that day.

- “I’m ok, I swear”- Spencer said as soon as he stepped out of the elevator and found me waiting for him.- “I’m sorry, ma cherie.”

I sighed, taking in his perfume, the smell of his neck, and the warmth of his arms around me. Spencer kissed the top of my head and didn’t move for a few minutes until he was sure I was calmed. Somehow, having him there made me forget about how mad I had been earlier that day.

- “Are you sure you are ok?”- I whispered and looked at his face, he had a cut on the eyebrow and a bruise on the cheekbone.

- “Nothing that some kisses can’t fix.”- he said with a sweet smile.

- “You would have been proud, pretty girl.”- Derek pointed out, walking past us along with the rest of the team. - “Reid tacked the unsub like a pro.”

- “I did.”- my husband nodded. - “Working out is paying off.”

- “So, do you think you could stay here until the baby is born?”- I asked and Spencer just smiled.

- “Hotch and I already talked. I won’t move from my desk until Raven is here.”- I beamed, relieved, and let out a deep breath I didn’t know I was holding.

- “Thank you, honey bunny.”

- “Anything for you, ma cherie.”

- “I’m glad I don’t have to yell at Hotch anymore.”- my husband frowned, confused.

- “Why would you…”

- “Never mind, honey bunny.”

Spencer’s point of view

There are so many things I will never forget, and not just because I have an eidetic memory. One of my favorites is the day Raven was born. That was the day I became a father, and by far, one of the happiest moments of my life.

(Y/N) had started feeling contractions after dinner. We were on the couch watching Dr. Who and eating ice cream when they began. They were soft and irregular, so we didn’t move, and instead, we did what the doctor had instructed, and started timing the contractions.

After a while, (Y/N) decided a bath was a good idea ‘cos it might help her relax before bed, so I filled the tub and helped her in. We didn’t call anyone but our midwife, who told us we were doing the right thing and suggested we get as much sleep as possible. So we went to bed. I held my wife and placed a hand on his belly.

I felt like I hadn’t slept for more than five minutes when my wife’s voice woke me up at five thirty am.

- “Honey.”- she whispered, shaking my arm carefully.

- “Everything ok?! Are you in pain?! Do you need the doctor?”- I nearly jumped and stared at her, she seemed scared, though she tried to remain calm.

- “My water broke.”

And that was when my brain turned off.

I stared at (Y/N), slowly panicking, and stood by her side, analyzing everything. Yes, our mattress was probably ruined but that wasn’t the biggest issue at that minute.

- “Spencer?”- my wife called out my name, probably reading how I was losing it at that minute.

- “Yes, cherie, I’m here. I just… need a second.”

- “We have to go to the hospital.”- her voice was a whisper, and she didn’t say another word. A contraction hit her and I could read the pain all over her face. That was when it clicked me, there was no time to overthink, I had to be there for her. In a second I was fully dressed and helping her walk to the door.

- “The bag is in the car, I’ve got my cell… and yours.”- she kept panting as she enumerated everything we needed.

- “We’ll call your parents from the car”- I said as I grabbed the keys and opened the front door.

- “Wait!”- (Y/N) stayed still and held her belly with both hands. I saw her doing her breathing exercises, going through what looked like a very painful contraction. I placed my hand on hers and stared at her, doing her best to do everything we were taught we had to do.

- “I am so proud of you.”- I whispered and kissed her temple. - “You are doing so well, ma cherie.”

- “In case later I yell and say things I don’t mean, I love you.”- she replied and I chuckled. - “You know I might do that if it gets too painful.”

- “I know you will.”- I replied and kissed her lips - “Ready to walk to the car?”- (Y/N) nodded and started moving slowly. I closed the door and held her arm, helping her all the way over.

I rushed into the hospital with my wife, who was trying her best to hide her pain from me, so I wouldn’t freak out. But I was freaking out anyway. Of course, I was. I was running in my head all the possible scenarios that could go wrong in the following hours and I was terrified.

- “My wife is having our baby, her water broke.”- that was all I could say as soon as we reached the front desk. A nurse put (Y/N) in a wheelchair and guided her to a room in less than a minute to examine her. I gave our info and followed her, trying to remain calm.

- “How are you feeling, Mrs. Reid?”- she asked (Y/N).

- “I’m ok, I guess. I keep trying to think this isn’t the most painful thing ever ‘cos I know it’s gonna get worse.”- and my wife even joked, she is a champ.

- “We’ll make sure you feel the least pain possible. Now, let’s put you in bed and see how long until we meet your baby. Do you know what you are having?”

- “A girl.”- (Y/N) replied as I helped her move into the bed. I felt like there was nothing I could do at that minute, so I just stared at her being the most amazing woman ever.

- “Did you pick a name yet?”

- “Yes, Raven Marie.”-

- “That’s a lovely name! Now, let’s see how you are doing.”

The nurse was very nice. She asked my wife a million questions I heard (Y/N) answer patiently, checked her vitals, assessed her contractions, and checked her cervical dilatation. During that entire time, I couldn’t say a word, I was shocked. It was happening, my wife was going to make me a dad, and I was terrified. Not that I didn’t want to be a father, I was just scared anything might go wrong. And if everything went well, and the baby ended up hating me ‘cos I was the worst father on earth? I didn’t know how to be a good dad, I didn’t have one most of my life.

- “Honey, honey”- (Y/N) held my hand and took me from my thoughts.

- “Are you ok?”- I asked right away and she smiled.- “What can I get you?”

- “Nothing, but are you ok? You are pale and I can see you are losing it, and this hasn’t even started yet.”- I nodded and felt her squeezing my hand. - “It’s gonna be ok, so please don’t overthink it, ok?”- I nodded and leaned in to kiss her forehead, but she moved and crushed her lips against mine, making me smile.

- “Come on! She is still pregnant! Wait a little before knocking her up again.”- Frank said as he walked in absolutely unannounced, holding a paper bag filled with snacks, books, and magazines.

- “How the fuck did you know we were here?”- that was the first thing my wife questioned, and then the nurse showed up to take him out.

- “Your mom called us all, everybody is on their way, I just got here early.”

- “Sir, I’m gonna have to ask you to wait outside.”- the nurse said and pointed to the door.

- “Don’t worry, guys. I’m gonna be camping out there, I’m on the welcome committee. Anything you need, I’m here.”- Frank moved quickly, kissed (Y/N)’s forehead, and smiled. - “You are gonna kick ass, nugget!”

We are lucky to have the best friends on earth.

(Y/N)’s parents, Lu, and Mikey were in the waiting room with Frank in less than half an hour. They all had stopped by to see my wife and wish her luck. Hotch and Garcia got there next and hugged me tight.

- “How is my munchkin? Can I see her?”- Pen asked right away.

- “She is with the doctor, everything is fine. She is still a few hours away from pushing, but everything is going well. They are evaluating if they are giving her the epidural now.”- I explained and Pen nodded.

- “JJ said she won’t come ‘cos she has a cold and it could be dangerous for (Y/N) and the baby, but asked me to send pictures later.”- I just nodded and looked around the room. Everyone I loved was there to support us.

- “Did you bring her ice?”- Hotch asked and I showed him the cup I was holding.

- “On my way to get more ice right now.”

- “And how are you?”- my unit chief asked the million-dollar question, so I just sighed.

- “I can’t stand hospitals, there’s something about the lighting…”- Hotch raised an eyebrow and stared at me knowing that was not what bothered me. - “I’m just worried, I can’t stop thinking anything might go wrong.”- it was easiest to confess my darkest fear at that moment because I needed some sort of contention.

- “It’s normal, Reid. You want to be sure she and the baby are going to be ok.”- Hotch put a hand on my shoulder and smiled at me. - “You are doing a great job here.”

- “Thank you.”- it was somehow reassuring to hear Hotch saying that. I felt silly but it somehow took a weight from my chest.

- “Son.”- Chief (Y/L/N) walked towards, shook Hotch’s hand, and welcomed Garcia. - “Have you eaten anything?”- he didn’t actually wait for my reply, my father-in-law handed me a sandwich and a coffee. - “Eat this, I’ll bring my princess the ice. You need a little break.”- he tapped on my back and Sofia patted on an empty chair next to her and I moved towards her slowly.

- “Did you call your mom yet, honey?”- she asked me as I chewed the sandwich and shook my head. - “Do you want me to call her?”

- “It’s still too early in Las Vegas. And I don’t want her to get anxious. I’ll call her when Raven is here with us.”- I explained and sipped my coffee. Extra cream and extra sugar. I hummed happily and Sofia smiled.

- “Did I get your order right?”- she asked me and I nodded, surprised. - “I’m glad. I made you the sandwich you said you liked last time we had brunch. A bacon omelet goat cheese sandwich.”- she pointed out proudly.- “I remembered how much you liked it.”

- “Thank you, Sofia.” - she leaned over and kissed my forehead.

- “I love you, son. I am so excited you and my baby are about to be parents.”

I blushed as I heard her words, feeling my heart filled with love. Around us, Frank, Lu, Garcia, and Mikey talked about all the plans they had for my baby girl. Hotch was talking with Derek, who had just walked in with Alex.

- “Now eat your food,"- Sofia added.- "I’ll put an eye on my baby.”

I am still amazed by the warm feeling that having a family gives me. Not just my wife and kids, but our entire extended family, in-laws, and friends. I never thought I could ever have this. I know I say it a lot, but it’s very hard for me to believe this is my life.

(Y/N)’s point of view

Things I couldn’t stop thinking about the first time I had a baby: how Spencer always said studies showed women forgot about pain as soon as they held their babies. I needed to get to that point as fast as possible because no matter how many drugs they gave me, I felt like I was tearing apart.

- “Come on Mrs. Reid!”- the doctor said, from between my legs. - “I can see her head! just a few more pushes!!”

- “I can’t, I’m too tired!”- I argued and felt like breaking into tears, ‘cos I was moody and tired and most of all, scared ‘till the death of what was going on. A human was coming out of my body, I wasn’t ready to be a mom. I was terrified of messing it up.

- “Come on, ma cherie.”- Spencer had held my hand through the whole process, and though he had delivered a baby himself, for the first time ever, he didn’t give directions or corrected anyone. I guessed he was too scared to mess up and trusted the medical staff.

- “I’m sorry hon, I can’t do this.”- I mumbled and felt my baby punching her way out of my body. I had a strong contraction and instead of talking, all I could do was scream in pain.

- “Yes, you can do this, (Y/N). Come on! Just push, our baby is almost here. Just push, ok?”- Spencer begged as I did as told and gave my biggest effort.

- “Almost!! Just one more!!!”- the doctor said. Spencer held my hand tighter and nodded, in support. I don’t know how I did it, but somehow, I managed to push one more time and suddenly, I heard a baby cry.

- “Oh my god”- Spencer gasped and stayed still, staring at the baby with tears in his eyes. The doctor stood up and placed a red crying baby on my chest, and suddenly, Spencer was right. I felt no pain whatsoever. Nothing. All I could do was stare in awe and, of course, cry, how that little baby on my chest was in fact, my little baby.

- “Hi Raven.”- I whispered and touched her back carefully, with shaky hands. - “Hi, I’m your mom, and me and your dad love you very much.”- I chuckled and sniffed as Spencer moved closer and kissed my forehead.

- “She is perfect.”- he whispered and stared at her in admiration and pure love. The nurse gave him a pair of scissors and instructed him how to cut the umbilical cord. I tried to stop crying, but it was nearly impossible. I was a mom. My husband was a dad. We were parents.

Spencer and I had a kid. That was the thought I couldn’t process. The guy I had a crush on for what seemed to be my entire life, my best friend, the smartest guy on earth, and I, had made a baby. I managed to look away from Raven for a second and watched him staring at us, sobbing.

- “I love you so much.”- I whispered and he smiled at me. He leaned in and kissed my lips carefully, and then kissed our baby girl.

- “I love you too, so much. I am so proud of you, ma cherie.”

It was all sweet and fun until that point. But no one ever prepared me for what happened when we took Raven home. Yes, we were ready (or so we thought), but let me tell you this: dealing with a newborn after a week of no sleep is way worse than any unsub's interrogation I had ever dealt with. Way worse.

I felt I was losing my sanity after the first eight days with Raven at home. She didn’t sleep for longer than an hour, which meant neither did we. Breastfeeding wasn’t magical, it was uncomfortable and sometimes even painful, which made me feel like the worst mother on earth. During that first week, I did my best to remain calm and rational. But after eight days of no sleeping, pain due to delivery, swollen breasts, and the irrevocable agony of thinking I was the worst mother on earth, I locked myself in the kitchen and cried my eyes out as I waited for the pot to boil.

Spencer was with Raven in our room, walking around 'cause it was the best way to keep her asleep for more than half an hour. I didn’t want him to know I was crying 'cause I felt useless and pathetic. A voice inside my head kept telling me any other woman would do better than me. Any other woman would be a better mother for Raven and a better wife for Spencer.

I’m not proud to tell you how I felt, I swear. But at that moment, I was overwhelmed.

So I waited for the water to boil and cried as much as I could. Then I put myself together, grabbed a cup, and prepared a cup of hot lavender tea for myself. I also grabbed a bag of marshmallows and ate half of it in less than a minute. Then, I took a deep breath and headed back to our bedroom, where Spencer was still walking our baby. He looked exhausted but kept staring at Raven with the sweetest look in his eyes. It made me feel guilty because he was doing just great and I was a failure. And what was worse: I couldn’t stop thinking JJ was a better BAU mom than I was. She was my only comparison, and as far as I was concerned, she kicked ass. And there I was, failing.

- “She is asleep.”- Spencer whispered and I walked to him, to make sure Raven was well. - “Why don’t you get some rest? I’ve got her.”

- “No, I don’t wanna leave you alone with all the work.” - I argued, knowing it was useless to resist.

- “Every book says that when the baby is asleep, the mother should try to get some rest. Now please, get in bed and nap a little. I’ll be right here with Raven, ok?”

- “But…”

- “Chipmunk, I have to return to work in a few days, please get as much rest as you can while I am still here. I don’t wanna be at work feeling guilty I didn’t do enough to help you.”

- “You’ve done everything, honey.”- I whispered and looked down at my shaking hands. I was still filled with sadness and regret. Feelings I didn’t know how to handle.

- “What are you talking about? You brought her to this world, you feed her, you take care of her. You’ve done more than enough.”- he kissed the top of my head and I just sighed, defeated. - “Get some sleep, ma cherie.”

I was lucky enough to have a large support group. My mom would visit us daily and help us with Raven while we did house chores and napped. Lu, Frank, and Mikey brought us groceries during the first couple of weeks, so we didn’t have to leave the house. Hotch gave us all the free days he could get. But eventually, after a month and a half, my husband had to return to work, and I was all alone at our apartment with Raven.

- “How is my beautiful granddaughter?”- Diana asked as soon as I opened the door. She was visiting after her trip to the Grand Canyon, and my mom had invited her to stay over with her. My mother-in-law was doing so well with her new medication, and she wanted to enjoy as much time with Raven as possible.

- “And Spencer?”- Diana asked, looking around the apartment.

- “He is back to work, starting today.”- I explained and tried not to show how much I hated the idea of him chasing psychopaths and traveling all over the states. Spencer said he would ask Hotch to stay in town, at least for a few weeks, and help the team from headquarters. I wanted him to take a sabbatical from the BAU and teach in Georgetown for a semester. We could live like that, get used to having a baby, and watch her grow. But Hotch needed Spencer, and he said he also needed me back as soon as I was ready.

- “And how many weeks do you have left before going back to work?”- Mrs. Reid asked the dreadful questions as she walked around the apartment holding Raven in her arms.

- “Three more weeks.”

- “And do you want to go back to the FBI?”- Diana was on fire that day, asking everything I didn’t want to think about.

- “I miss my work, but I don’t want to be apart from Raven. I know mom will take care of her when I’m at work, and I don’t wanna travel for the next couple of months. But still, I’m not that excited about coming back to work.”- I explained. However, I left out the most important part: I was terrified of anything happening to us. Getting injured and being in danger was the biggest issue working at the BAU, but before having a kid, I had never felt as afraid as I was then.

- “Why don’t you relax honey?”- my mom asked, probably reading the pain on my face. - “Leave this little princess with us, and have a nice warm bath. How does that sound?”

- “And a nap”- Mrs Reid suggested - “Sleep as much as you want, darling. None of us will feel bad if you need to rest. God knows I needed naps when Spencer was a baby. He was adorable, but the first couple of weeks I was exhausted the entire time. Once I fell asleep sitting at the table, having breakfast.”- I smiled at them and nodded. They were both right. I needed a break before pumping, feeding, and changing diapers again.

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#spencer reid #criminal minds #babymetaldoll writes #spencer reid x reader #spencer reid fanfiction #criminal minds fanfiction #spencer reid fluff #spencer reid x you #Spencer reid x fem!bau!reader #Criminal minds fix it

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zeeohoh · 8 months ago

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A/N : Oh my gosh this is my first fic and I'm impulsively writing it so it isn't proof read or I might overthink it and not post it.

pleaseee give me prompts or recommendations, not limited to Spencer! Any member of the BAU, or Criminal Minds, I am only halfway through season 9 so no spoilers!

I'm currently on 09x15 of Criminal Minds, and this episode is directed by our very own Mr. Gibson.

"Do you wanna come upstairs?"

(Gn!reader) after a particularly exhaustive case that struck Spencer the hard way, reader tries to be there for him ( this isn't a romantic fic but is up for interpretation/ as you wish ;) ) .

I've been a part of the BAU for about seven months now, I transferred a little while after my time in the field under the SOC, but I had assisted them on multiple cases before and was familiar with most of the team so the transition wasn't hard. I was great friends with Penelope already because she'd help me on my cases sometimes if she had the time to spare, she would invite me to her movie nights and outings and from there on I befriended the others. I was good friends with everyone on the team except Spencer, we weren't on bad terms or anything, but things were rocky, I had no doubt that he trusted me as a team member. Perhaps he just needed more time to consider me as anything more than that.

Everyone slept soundly in the bau jet as we headed back for Quantico. The team had been in Wisconsin for the past 6 days trying to chase down an unsub that had been kidnapping teenagers and sending letters to their parents written in their blood. This case was mentally and physically draining. I was sitting next to Morgan, who was sound asleep with his headphones on, occasionally stirring in his sleep, uneasy, he had taken a couple of hits chasing the unsub with JJ. The unsub might've gotten away if it wasn't for Spencer literally throwing himself at the unsub to subdue him. He may not look(or be) the most physically fit person on the team, but over the years during his time working for the FBI, he'd been more than able to stand his ground.

I couldn't fall asleep on the flight back so I thought I might as well make some coffee, as I was preparing the pot, I glanced around the jet and locked eyes with a certain Curly haired genius with a book in his hand, he looked like he'd woken up not long ago, I held up the pot in my hand as a way of asking him if he'd like some and he simply nodded with a tight lipped smile. I grabbed both of our coffees and set his down on the table infront of him.

"Thank you, Y/N, I thought you'd be asleep"

"I was, but Morgan keeps stirring in his sleep, and that woke me up, what about you? What's keeping you up? I figured you'd crash the second we boarded the jet, you must be exhausted"

"My side hurts from earlier so I can't find a comfortable position to sleep in, I'm just waiting to be back in Quantico so I can hopefully rest at home"

"Do you want- uh- would you want to sit here instead? I know the plane lands in the next 20 minutes and we're already almost there but-"

"I'd like that, thank you, Dr. Reid"

"Spencer"

"What?"

"Call me Spencer, if you'd like, Reid feels too formal, like we're nothing more than co-workers" he almost whispered the last bit ,there was a hint of disappointment written all over his face.

Was he...upset that I didn't call him Spencer?

"Okay, Spencer, I am just used to calling you Reid, has a nice ring to it, and for the record, I don't consider you as just a guy I work with, you're more than that" I smiled at him. "You can go back to your book if you want, we don't have to talk or anything"

"Oh okay" he looked as if he wanted to say something else but decided against it and reached out for his book instead

We sat in silence as he went back to his book and I leaned back in my seat and shut my eyes, the silence wasn't awkward, the silence was comfortable.

After landing, everyone filed into the bullpen as Penelope greeted us all with warm hugs.

"Everyone take the weekend off, I'll see you on Monday, Morgan, Reid, take care and let me know if you need anything"

Reid headed to his desk to grab a few things and I stayed behind, waiting for him.

"You haven't left yet?" He questioned me as he approached the elevator

"I was just waiting for you, we take the same train home so I figured we could head back together"

"I'd really like that" Spencer smiled at me.

I don't just want to walk him to the station, I really want to walk him home, just for my peace of mind, I don't know why, I just do

"You just missed your stop" He asked me as the doors closed on what should've been the stop I got off on everyday. "Are you walking me home?"

"...Is it okay if I do that? I mean it's not that I'm worried that you can't get back on your own with you being hurt, it's just that for my peace of mind-"

You're rambling, Y/N, big time

"Y/N, it's okay, I really appreciate you doing that, it's very thoughtful of you" he cut me off

We walked towards his apartment building as we talked about our plans for the weekend, Reid decided to stay in this weekend and recover while I will probably be spending the next two days doing movie nights with Penelope or meeting up with JJ.

We came to a halt as he stopped infront of a building I presumed he lived at, I actually had no idea where he lived until this moment.

"Well, this is me"

"Okay, have a nice weekend,okay? If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call, I am serious, I live close by anyways"

"Would you like to- uh- Do you want to come upstairs?" Reid looked at me expectedly.

"I wouldn't want to intrude, besides you should definitely get some sleep, Reid- Spencer, you've had a long day"

"I have a strong cup of caffeine in my system, I'm tired, yes, but I'm nowhere near sleeping, we can order take out, my treat, besides, some company would be nice, your company would be nice, if you want to ofcourse, don't feel compelled to say yes"

"I'd like that, thank you, Spencer, but please don't hesitate to tell me if you change your mind and want to sleep instead or want to be left alone."

We headed up to his apartment and he set up an old Silent movie for us to watch, enjoying the takeout, we got so caught up in talking that I didn't even realize how late it had gotten, we were on our second movie before I heard the silent snoring and looked over to my side to see Spencer fast asleep,I finished the rest of the movie and got up from the couch to clear the table and throw away the take out boxes, I reached into his go-bag and took out a blanket he sometimes carried with him and placed it over him.

He looks so angelic when he sleeps, so peaceful

As if sensing me staring at him, his eyes fluttered open and embarrassment flushed his face as he realized he had fallen asleep while I was still over.

He turned his head and locked at the clock, 01:23

"How long was I out? I am so sorry , I had trouble sleeping the past few days and when it finally came to me it just had to be when you were here."

"Hey, don't worry, it's fine, really, you looked so peaceful sleeping that I didn't want to wake up, I'll be out of your hair now"

"It's late right now, Y/N, it isn't safe for you to go out alone ,not that I'm in any way hinting that you can't take care of yourself, you could throw Morgan over your shoulder if you really wanted to or Two Morgans for that matter but the point is, I don't want you to go-" he let out a sigh and looked down at his hands that rested on his lap. "If I asked you to stay, would you? I hadn't slept this well in a while and I'm sorry if that's weird but-"

I cut him off "point me to the bathroom, I have a fresh set of clothes in my go-bag that I can change into"

This man must have been more exhausted than I thought he was because he was asleep again as I stepped out of the bathroom, as I leaned down to wake him up to sleep on the bed instead, I glanced at my phone that had a new notification, from Spencer

Please take the bed, make yourself at home and turn off your alarms for the morning, Goodnight Y/N

P.s thank you for staying with me tonight, it means a lot"

I poured a glass of water and placed it on the table next to the couch, incase he wakes up thirsty and headed for the bedroom.

Goodnight Spencer, Sweet Dreams.

His bed was so comfortable that it wasn't long before I slipped into a blissful sleep.

#spencer reid #dr spencer reid #dr reid #spencer reid x reader #spencer reid x gn reader #criminal minds #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid fluff #criminal minds fanfiction #criminal minds fluff #bau reader

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ssa-dado · 1 month ago

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Symposium Series - Expanded Timeline

Warnings: Spoilers Ahead!

I’ve decided to finally expand the timeline, and I’ll be updating it as I write more chapters. I did my best to make everything align, but if you notice anything missing or any inaccuracies, feel free to (kindly) let me know!

■ 1992

You meet Peter Rogers for the first time at your mother's lecture.

Peter chooses (*Tara's voice*) your mom as his thesis supervisor.

■ 1997

You join the academy.

You meet Peter again at a conference.

Peter leaves for his overseas undercover operation.

Your father dies, Peter can't come to the funeral.

■ 1998

B.C.D. (Before Coffee Deal)

You join the BAU one week after your 21st birthday; you meet Aaron Hotchner, your new desk-mate.

At the end of your first case, Aaron calls you 'partner' for the first time.

0 - 75 A.C.M. (lat. in anno ab capulus multum ; In the Year of The Coffee Deal)

Hotch proposes "the coffee deal": for every day he arrives at the office before you, he owes you a coffee, until the day you finally get there before him.

Rossi confesses to Gideon that he was the one who suggested sending Peter, Hotch's former desk partner, on the undercover operation. They then make the decision to officially partner you with Hotch at work.

After the Guggenheim case, you and Hotch start to refer each other as 'partner'

76 - 199 A.C.M.

76 coffees later, Peter comes back at the BAU from his undercover operation.

When Hotch overhears about the passing of your father, he shares of his own past. This leads to the two of you getting to know each other on a personal level.

Peter makes a bet with you: if he won, he would get a date with you. Hotch meets Haley again.

You go back to your hometown to visit your father’s grave for the first time since the funeral.

Hotch places a Guggenheim Museum replica on your father’s grave.

You realise you have a crush on Hotch

■ 1999

200+ A.C.M.

200 coffees later, Hotch surprises you with a pen to mark the “anniversary” of your long-standing competition. He then introduces “the coffee deal 2.0”: if he manages to beat you to the office for a thousand days straight, he’ll have to propose to you.

You and Hotch do the devil's tango

Rossi leaves the BAU, Hotch becomes a lead profiler. You and Hotch agree to keep things strictly professional to ensure that your working partnership remains unaffected.

■ 2000

Aaron marries Haley.

■ 2001

726 A.C.M.

You decide to leave the BAU to take on a new role, teaching Behavioral Sciences courses across Europe.

You and Aaron start exchanging letters.

■ 2005

Jack is born

You are engaged to Peter

■ 2007

The team discovers that you’re scheduled to give a guest lecture in Quantico, which leads to a reunion with Hotch after six years apart.

You accept the offer to permanently teach at the Quantico F.B.I. academy.

Aaron reaches out to you for assistance on a case, and you provide your consultation over the phone.

After admitting your past feelings for each other, you decide to distance yourself from Aaron, pushing him out of your life. The two of you go nearly a year without speaking.

■ 2008

When Aaron is suspended for two weeks, Strauss asks you to step in as Unit Chief temporarily during his absence. You and Aaron make up.

#ssadado #symposiumff

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rorypostss · 1 year ago

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Coffee Break Confessions

Summary: During a hectic day at the BAU, you and Aaron find a moment of respite in the break room. As you share a cup of coffee, you open up about your dreams, fears, and aspirations, forging a deeper connection and understanding between you.

Contains: Fear of frog, spoiler about Haley, talk about a case,

As the plane gently touched down on the runway in Quantico, Virginia, you couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. It had been an exhausting and emotionally draining case in New York, where a sadistic killer had been terrorizing the city, preying on his victims' deepest fears.

Stepping off the plane, you were greeted by the cool evening air, which carried a hint of the approaching autumn. The breeze played with your hair, gently brushing against your face, as if nature itself was trying to soothe the lingering unease from the case.

You couldn't help but crave a dose of caffeine after such an exhausting week. With your energy levels running low, your first instinct was to head straight to the break room for a revitalizing cup of coffee. To your surprise, it seemed that Aaron Hotchner had the same idea, as he quietly joined you in the coffee room.

As you fired up the coffee maker, the late hour casting a quiet ambiance in the room, you turned to Aaron Hotchner and offered, "Would you like a cup?" It was just the two of you, making the interaction feel more intimate. He nodded appreciatively, his reply a simple "Yes, please." With a nod of your own, you began pouring the coffee into the cups.

"One sugar, please," he requested, and you obliged, adding the sweetener to his drink. As you handed him his cup, your eyes caught a glimpse of his hand, still showing signs of the injury he had sustained while apprehending the unsub. Concerned, you gently gestured towards his scraped-up hand and advised, "You should put something on that."

"I'll be fine," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of reassurance, his chest subtly puffing out with resilience. After a few moments of silence, both of you savoring the warmth of the coffee, you couldn't help but speak up, your tone tinged with sadness. "What a way to die, death by your biggest fear," you mused, shaking your head. As you stared into your half-drunk coffee, “I know” he sighed, understanding the weight of such a fate.

A soft chuckle escaped you as you remembered your own deepest fear. "I'm scared of frogs," you admitted. His eyebrow arched curiously, his gaze fixed on you, intrigued by your unexpected revelation.

"Frogs?" he asked, stunned by the revelation. He had witnessed you fearlessly confront and outmaneuver dangerous unsubs, engage in playful battles with Derek, and undertake numerous daring feats that most people wouldn't dare to attempt. Learning that you were scared of frogs caught him off guard. You groaned and sank into an empty chair, seeking comfort “don’t laugh at me”. Aaron leaned back against the wall, studying you with genuine curiosity.

"I'm not laughing at you," he reassured you, lifting his coffee mug to his lips. "I'm just curious why frogs?" he inquired before taking a sip of his drink. Your rapid explanation followed, your words spilling out in a rush. "I don't know, I just always have been. I remember when I was young and would visit my great aunt and uncle's cabin. There were always frogs, and they just freaked me out. I once refused to leave the cabin the entire time I was there because of the frogs." Your voice held a mix of nostalgia and slight embarrassment.

He chuckled softly, appreciating the unique quirk that was your fast-talking. Many people had criticized it as a flaw, complaining that they couldn't understand you. But to Aaron, it was one of the things he adored about you. He always managed to keep up and grasp the essence of your words, appreciating the authenticity in your rapid delivery.

"How would that even work?" Aaron asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "Like being killed by frogs?" He nodded in confirmation,

"Maybe they lock me in a room full of frogs, I don't know," you shrugged, trying to imagine the scenario.

"How about you?" you asked, genuinely curious. "What about your deepest fear?" The words lingered in the air, bouncing around in his mind. Memories flooded back to Aaron—memories of his late ex-wife, Haley, and the unimaginable pain he felt when she was taken from him. He had always believed that losing her was his greatest fear, but now, standing here with you, it was different.

"You," he blurted out, not fully realizing the weight of his words. Your eyes widened in surprise, your heart skipping a beat. The man you had secretly liked for so long, the one who remembered your favorite food and surprised you with it at lunch, was afraid of you?

"Me?" you whispered, your voice barely audible. The revelation left you speechless, a mixture of emotions swirling inside you. You couldn't believe what you were hearing.

"No, no, no," Aaron quickly interjected, his gaze fixed on his cup as he absentmindedly stirred his drink. His movements were restless, his thoughts racing. "I mean... I'm scared of losing you," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. The vulnerability in his words struck a chord deep within you, and you realized just how much he cared.

This case made him realize he couldn’t lose you, he needed you.

"Oh," you managed to say, your voice filled with a mix of surprise and anticipation. The air hung heavy with expectation, and for a few seconds, an awkward silence enveloped the room. You could feel Aaron's gaze on you, waiting for your response. Your mind raced, trying to process the enormity of the moment. Did he feel the same way you did all these months?

"Aaron?" you spoke softly, rising from your seat and taking a step closer to him. He hesitated, still avoiding direct eye contact, his focus fixed on his drink. Gathering your courage, you gently reached out and took the cup from his hand, placing it carefully on the counter. The gesture was both comforting and symbolic, conveying your desire to be fully present in that moment.

"I'm afraid of losing you too," you confessed, your voice filled with sincerity. His eyes finally met yours, searching for confirmation and reassurance. "Really?" he asked, a glimmer of hope and vulnerability shining in his eyes. You nodded, a genuine smile gracing your lips as you looked at him.

"More than your fear of frogs?" you tilted your head playfully, “well” you squeaked, teasing him gently. His chuckle filled the room, a sound that warmed your heart. In response, he lightly shoved your shoulder, a playful gesture that conveyed his affection. But then, he surprised you by pulling you closer, bridging the gap between you, and connecting your lips together.

In that moment, the world around you seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of you immersed in a profound and heartfelt connection. The kiss spoke volumes, expressing the depth of your feelings for each other and sealing a new chapter in your shared journey.

#aaron hotchner x reader #criminal minds #aaron hotchner #hotch #criminal minds x reader #hotch x reader

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darlingchronicles · 4 months ago

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because the ending was the shittiest thing to exist, this is my alternate version of the umbrella academy plots for season 4 and what needed to be dug more into. thank you for joining me for my ted talk...

*SPOILER WARNING FOR SEASON 4*

1. The five and lila shit...oh my gosh. no no no no. did not need to happen so here is what i suggest. Bring back Delores. while five and lila are traveling through the alternate timelines or even just him alone, it is shown how they're being hunted in almost every time line - either the commission or any other force. lila did mention they were shot at, but i feel that us as viewers need to see it. i feel like an entire episode could have been dedicated to their entire journey through the timelines. In one timeline, five runs into delores. As a human. She doesn't know him or seen him, but there is an instant connect between them. She's confused as to why some things are different in her universe - hinting to the timelines collapsing and that version of Delores isn't suppose to exist. Delores may have been traveling through the timeline herself (possibly if I made that fit into the story) and she is older than she looked just like Five but not as old. He brings her to the subway, telling her he is going to help her and she accepts it. They all, Delores, Lila and Five all spend their days in the subway trying to get back to either her or their timeline. Delores and Five fall in love. It makes sense because Five did fall in love with Delores in the original timeline. This time she's human and she falls in love back because she feels like she does know him. I like to envision her as the opposite of five - more optimistic, happy and a very comforting person, some person anyone would love to be around because she has such a warmth - but she also has sarcasm with her. They're really perfect for each other. Lila (if she is there) is like a older sister to her. We finally see Five in love and how much he desires to be in a normal life. Five finds a way to their original timeline and that goes into the next part which is the ending.

2. The ending was shitty, kind of, by the way. If the marigold was to be destroyed, then they could have kept on living, but I get why they did it. BUT I have a suggestion. If the marigold disappeared and it never existed, they all would have been born in the original timeline, at separate times, but without knowing each other. LET ME EXPLAIN: the only reason they were born was because they were infected by marigold but I believe they were going to be born either way yk? SO what would happen is that the timeline resets to the only timeline - and they all are born at the corners of the world and at different times. (Five is the last to be born). They all have their own lives without their powers and without knowing the others exist. Diego is preparing for a boxing match (he's like 26) in Mexico. Lila is prepping for her FBI exam in Quantico (she's around 23). Viktor owns a bar still and does music classes on the side, maybe in Canada, but I'm thinking Maine for some reason (he's 21). IDK about the others but Five is 17 and heading to University in New York and he's still a certified genius and he's more happy (sadly enough) with his life and we even see him re-meet Delores in a coffee shop or something. Either way, everyone who had marigold exists but they never come in contact with each other. They never know they were once family. The ending shot is of all of them in New York, passing by each other without batting an eye, on different sides of the street, heading different ways, exiting or entering different shops, not even speaking. And then in the outro voice, it is the same ending either April 1st 2019 or August 8th 2024 but nothing happens it's rather ordinary. I feel like that would have been better -- also an entire episode dedicated to their lives and hints of deja vu from their past lives, but they never speak or see each other ever again.

3. I think it needs to be said we don't see enough of everyone's lives in the first episode. I feel like they needed to dig into Lila and Diego's marriage and home life more and the fact that her family was alive in that timeline. More into Allison and Ray's marriage and how it collapsed or how the entire live allison wanted backfired on her. More on Luther mourning Sloane and maybe even finding her, but keeping his distance because she doesn't know him and maybe she's with someone else (not everyone can have happy lives lol). Viktor making the decision to leave and go to Canada to isolate. How Five joined the CIA. Klaus' fear of death. Ben's scheme and being arrested. A whole episode could have dedicated to this. ALSO reginald building a literal empire in the universe and being like the freaking president of the world. He's literally a monopoly. What planet did he come from? Why did he come? What was the point of keeping Abigail on the moon? How did those particles come to be? Another episode would have been good for this. At least half. I just needed more from these episodes. I feel like it started too fast too soon and not enough development.

4. The plot. the story was there just not executed good. maybe the timelines are collapsing into each other or maybe ben feels like someone is calling him (jennifer) and they meet again but are unsure why. i feel like no one can know about jennifer except when they meet her and find out there's something in her. there just needed to be more development of jennifer.

Thank you for coming to my ted talk...

#the umbrella academy #tua #tua season 4 #what the hell #five hargreeves #diego hargreeves #lila pitts #luther hargreeves #allison hargreeves #klaus hargreeves #ben hargreeves #viktor hargreeves #icouldhavewrittenbetterthanthosedamnshowrunners

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burningexeter · 5 months ago

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Here's the new details that I can give on Shego in the completely reworked version of Global Justice, that you can obviously both read and see below for yourself so beware of any potential spoilers:

• When we're first introduced to her, Shego is a wicked, cunning, boisterous, somewhat vile and femme fatale villain with her same signature snarky and witty sense of humor from the original series and takes sadistic pleasure in torturing and toying with her victims BUT is shown almost early on to have somewhat of a code and her own standards as well as a sense of genuine respect towards Kim for her skills.

• Shego is of course wanted in over 11 countries but is also top of the FBI's most wanted list, top of the CIA's most wanted and has a very high kill-count of her enemies. Topping it off, she's also at the top of Global Justice's most wanted thus making her the most dangerous and deadliest criminal and villain around currently.

• It's through Kim however that she starts to grow and evolve into more and more of a genuine anti-hero who while isn't afraid at all to get her hands dirty and still has the same personality, has a stronger moral code and that leads her to do the right thing.

• Another thing that is equally important is while her overall backstory and motivations for becoming evil will be left completely ambigious and never be revealed, there will be plenty of hints here and there. She was once the best, most highest ranking Global Justice agent that defeated and brought in over 500 villains on her own, she was captain of the cheerleaders in high school just like Kim is, she has a bachelor's degree in child psychology, she graduated top of her class at the FBI Academy in Quantico and she had a childhood fear of drowning that she overcame.

• But a major change and later reveal will be her connection to Kim. The relationship between her and Kim is the most important and central aspect of the show as both come into their own as unlikely heroes that can depend on one another and make an incredibly effective team. However, with all of that said, she also has a literal PERSONAL connection to her as it's revealed that [SPOILER ALERT] Shego is in fact her mother Ann Possible and this is what she does when she's not taking care of her family along with her husband.

This eventual reveal will be hinted at a couple of times home right after Shego leaves the house through the window with little footsteps on the roof being heard and last but not least, Ann grounding Kim for a little secret that only Shego knew and Kim told her with the former's reaction being pursed lips and both hands on her hips.

• Now as for why she kidnapped her own daughter and almost tried to "kill" her (not really as it turns out on the latter), that too will be left completely vague with the only answer being Shego telling Kim that she "was ready".

#kim possible #global justice #shego #ann possible #secret identity #christy carlson romano #nicole sullivan #jean smart

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godsfavdarling · 17 days ago

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whatever we want

list of chapters, also available on wattpad and Ao3, my masterlist previous chapter --- epilogue pairing: Spencer Reid x Elle Greenaway summary: Elle finds out Spencer is in jail. warnings: s12 spoilers words: 3,6

She stormed into the bullpen, her footsteps heavy with anger and worry.

The place was just as she remembered it—every desk and wall seemed untouched by time, as if preserved for her.

The familiar hum of computers and muted voices felt strange now, like an echo of her past self. She could almost see herself, years younger, settling into her own desk, sharing half-smiles with her team as they prepped for the next case.

It was strange how nothing had changed, and yet everything felt different. The last time she'd been here, she had said her goodbyes with a mix of sadness and relief, ready to leave Quantico and its weight behind her.

Yet standing here now, it felt like yesterday, like she'd never left at all.

She stopped in front of Spencer’s desk, her eyes tracing over the same surface he’d had since they first started working together. It was unmistakably his, cluttered in a way that somehow still looked organized—papers stacked neatly but chaotically, worn books with creased spines, and a few scattered pens.

Despite all the years, nothing had really changed. The familiarity of it, down to the faint coffee rings she knew he’d never bother to clean, tugged at her heart.

Her gaze softened as it landed on a small framed photo tucked into the corner of his desk—a team photo from 2005. Spencer looked impossibly young, standing right beside her, with that shy, unsure smile she remembered so well.

She chuckled quietly, noticing how his eyes were turned toward JJ, his expression betraying the innocent crush he’d once had on her.

Spencer hadn’t picked up his phone in days, which was unlike him.

When Garcia finally answered her frantic calls, the news hit Elle like a punch to the gut. Spencer was in jail. By the time she managed to take time off work and get to D.C., the trial was already over.

Guilty.

Now, she stood in the heart of the BAU, eyes blazing, ready for answers. Her gaze swept the bullpen,

Just then, JJ entered the room, her expression weary and focused, carrying a file under her arm.

Before she could even greet Elle, Elle’s sharp and demanding voice cut through the air.

“What the hell is going on?” she snapped, her gaze locking onto JJ.

“Elle?” JJ’s shock was palpable. She hadn’t seen her in years. It felt like a fever dream to see her again. It's been so long. Too long.

“He didn’t do anything! How could you let him get convicted? Do you have any theories on who framed him?” Elle’s voice cracked with frustration. She had a million questions. How could Spencer of all people be in jail, be guilty of a crime? How did this even happen? How did the team let it happen?

JJ blinked, taken aback. “Elle... What are you doing here?”

“I heard from Garcia,” she snapped, cutting off any pleasantries. “Spencer’s in prison. And you’re all just sitting here?”

“We haven’t seen you in almost ten years. How - how do you and Spencer...?”

“We talk.” She said blankly. “We’re still friends.” She knew it was coming - questions.

She and Spencer never discussed details.

Who to tell?

Why would they? It was just the two of them away from DC. No one had to know so it was never a worry of theirs. “That’s what friends do,” she added to back up her presence.

“I didn’t know you two—” JJ began, but the sound of footsteps interrupted her.

Emily descended the stairs, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene.

“Elle Greenaway,” Emily said, extending her hand with a respectful nod. “It’s an honor to meet you. I’ve heard great things.”

Elle ignored the pleasantries, glancing at JJ. “So, this is the one who replaced me?”

“I guess you could say that,” Emily replied evenly.

“Elle’s here because of Spencer,” JJ interjected, raising her brows at Emily.

Emily’s surprise was evident. “Really? I didn’t know Spencer—”

“It doesn’t add up,” Elle cut her off, her tone sharp. “Whoever did this made sure Spencer took the fall. But why? And who?”

“We’re working on it, but...” Emily’s voice softened. “We can’t involve outsiders.”

Elle let out a bitter laugh. “Outsiders. Of course.” She shook her head, frustration simmering beneath the surface. “I get it—I’m not part of the team anymore.” Her voice softened, but a raw edge lingered as she looked away. “But Spencer and I... he trusted me. He confided in me in ways he never did with anyone else.” She paused, the weight of her powerlessness pressing down on her. “Maybe I know something that could help.”

---------------------------

Elle felt her pulse quicken as she stood in the visitation room, waiting.

The harsh lighting and uncomfortable chair did nothing to calm her anger, only adding to her frustration as she crossed her arms, fingers tapping impatiently against her sleeve.

Her eyes were glued to the steel door, the one she knew he’d walk through any moment now.

Then, a mess of brown hair appeared in the small window, and Spencer’s face, drawn and pale, came into view. His eyes immediately found hers, and though his face was unreadable, she could see the flicker of emotions beneath—anger, frustration, sadness. Maybe even a flash of relief.

But Elle didn’t care what he felt about her presence here. She was here because she needed to be.

The door swung open, and there he was, shuffling in with his head low. Seeing him in a gray prison uniform, shoulders slumped under the weight of something he couldn’t shake, twisted her heart.

This wasn’t the Spencer Reid she remembered.

This was a shadow of him, broken down and resigned. His eyes finally met hers, and he stopped short, his disbelief written plainly across his face.

“Elle?” His voice was rough, hoarse as if scraped raw from sleepless nights or swallowed grief. He stared at her, as if unsure she was real.

She didn’t move, didn’t smile. She held her gaze steady as he sat across from her, then said, “You look like hell, Spencer.”

He let out a short, bitter laugh. “Nice to see you too.” His fingers fidgeted in his lap, his gaze dropping as if unable to meet her eyes again. “How did you even get in here? I didn’t… I didn’t put you on the list.”

She raised an eyebrow, her mouth curving into a faint, humorless smirk. “Do you actually think I care about some list you made?” But her tone hardened as she leaned forward, her voice a low, determined murmur. “I’m here because you don’t belong in this place. You didn’t do anything.”

He swallowed, his gaze flicking away. “You shouldn’t have come, Elle,” he muttered, his voice laced with a weary resignation. “I don’t want you involved. You’re risking too much—”

“You think I care about the risk?” she cut him off, her voice sharp and unyielding. “I’m not going to sit back and let you rot in here when I know you didn’t do this. I know you, Spencer. I know why you did what you did, and I know the system well enough to help get you out of this place.”

Spencer’s mouth opened, then closed, as if he wanted to argue but couldn’t find the words. His fingers trembled slightly as he took a shaky breath. “Elle… it’s not that simple. It’s all so complicated… And… and I don’t want you putting yourself in danger because of me. You’re not part of the team anymore, you have a new life-”

Her jaw tightened as she cut him off again. “I don’t need a badge to help you, Spencer. I know how to work around the system, and I’m not afraid to use every trick I’ve learned if it means getting you out of here.”

He looked at her, truly looked at her, a mixture of disbelief and wariness in his eyes, as though he couldn’t quite accept that she was willing to do this for him.

He took a breath, looking down, shame and self-doubt flickering across his face. “You shouldn’t… I mean, after everything—I don’t deserve this, Elle. I put myself here, I—”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” she snapped, her voice tinged with an unexpected, almost vulnerable anger. “You deserve better than this. You just wanted to help your mom. I don’t know if this is some fucked-up survival mechanism you’ve developed to cope in here, but you shouldn’t be in this place.”

He looked at her, his face softening for the first time since he’d entered the room. “I’m not sure there’s anything we can do.”

“Spencer,” she said slowly, her voice almost breaking, “I care about you. I always have. And I’m not going to let you disappear in here. We’re going to figure this out.”

His hand flexed on the table, almost as if he wanted to reach for hers, but he held back, glancing warily at the guard by the door.

Finally, he nodded.

“You… you shouldn’t have come,” he whispered, though this time, his voice lacked conviction.

“Well, I did. And I’m not going anywhere. So you can either sit here and let this place eat you alive, or you can help me get you out of here. Your choice.”

She knew he felt helpless, vulnerable. All of this because of the job that had once meant everything to them both.

He swallowed, a faint glimmer of hope kindling in his eyes.

“Thank you,” he murmured, the words barely more than a breath.

Elle’s face softened, her tone laced with fierce determination. “We’ll get you out, Spencer. I’m not giving up on you.”

For the first time in weeks, he felt something crack, a small fissure in the numbness that had swathed him since his sentence. the walls he’d built up started to chip away.

---------------------------

The days settled into a quiet, predictable rhythm. Spencer had taken to marking his calendar—not to count down the days served, but to mark the ones when Elle would visit.

In a place where hope was scarce, she became his harbor, his one constant. Even if her visits were brief and strictly monitored, they gave him a reason to hold on.

Elle had been visiting regularly over the past few weeks, though the team kept her at arm’s length. It wasn’t surprising; she was no longer with the FBI, and none of them had kept in touch with her over the last decade.

None except Spencer.

There wasn’t much she could do for him beyond showing up. And maybe that was enough, offering a kind of support no one else could.

But today felt different. He saw it as soon as he walked in.

Her shoulders slumped slightly, and dark circles marked her eyes—a weariness that hadn’t been there before. She looked tired, and though she tried to mask it, her exhaustion was plain as she sat across from him.

She noticed his fatigue, too. He looked even more worn than before, eyes heavy, face bruised, shoulders hunched as if his own thoughts were pressing him down.

The brutal reality of prison life was chipping away at him.

They sat in heavy silence until he finally spoke.

"What is it?” he asked, his voice a low rasp of fatigue.

Elle’s expression softened, her gaze lingering on him, and for a moment, words seemed to fail her. Her eyes traveled over his hunched shoulders, his hollow gaze, the tension in his hands as he clutched at nothing as if holding onto an invisible thread.

“Spencer…” she began, her voice barely steady, and it hurt to say his name.

He looked at her with a resignation that betrayed the fight slipping from him. A muscle in his jaw tightened. “I know.” His tone was flat as if he’d accepted a truth neither of them wanted to confront.

They held each other’s gaze, their despair a mirror—him looking at her as if she were the last piece of the world he knew, while she struggled to maintain her composure, her fear and helplessness growing with each visit.

“You need to go,” he whispered, his voice so soft it was almost lost in the stillness, as if saying it aloud would make it real.

She shook her head, refusing his words. “I’m not ready to leave you here.”

Her hand moved, almost instinctively, reaching across the table before she caught herself, her fingers curling back. They sat on the edge of saying more, each holding back, knowing their time was fleeting.

He took a breath, trying to find strength in the words he could barely believe himself. “Elle, this could take years. We both wanted answers—wanted it to end quickly, but… there’s nothing. No leads. No way out.”

Ignoring his plea, she leaned in, her eyes searching his face. “Are you okay? Be honest.”

His fingers picked at the edge of his shirt, and he gave a small, defeated nod. “It’s… harder than I thought. I keep telling myself I’m strong enough, but some days…” He trailed off, his voice barely a murmur. “Some days, I feel like I’m disappearing.”

Without hesitation, Elle reached across the table and took his hand, ignoring the guards’ stares. She needed this, even if just for a moment.

Her grip was firm, grounding. “You’re not disappearing, Spencer. You’re still here. And if you can’t keep fighting for yourself, then fight for everyone who’s still out there fighting for you. Fight for your mom. You can get through this.”

He looked into her eyes, her words settling into the hollow ache inside him. The fear, the anger, the loneliness—all of it felt just a bit more bearable with her here.

He could survive this. He had to.

---------------------------

The California sun had been blindingly bright, glinting off the pool's still surface as Elle drifted lazily on her floatie, her sunglasses shielding her from the intense summer light.

The faint hum of a lawnmower in the distance and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze made the afternoon feel almost drowsy, the air thick with the scent of chlorine and warm grass.

Spencer sat on the pool’s edge, his feet dipped in the cool water. His shirtsleeves were rolled up, just like his pant legs, and the buttons at the top of his shirt were undone, exposing a hint of the soft skin of his neck.

He leaned back on his arms, feeling the warmth seep into his skin, the heat making everything feel just a little more intense.

“Am I bothering you? Being here?” he asked, glancing at her.

Elle shifted slightly, smirking behind her sunglasses. “No. I love when you’re here. Don’t worry about that. I get if you don’t wanna be alone. Makes sense.”

“Yeah?” he said, as if testing the waters of her answer.

“I didn’t want to be alone after… you know. But I had too much pride to admit that. You know me.”

Spencer chuckled. “Yeah, little Miss Independent.”

“Shut up,” she laughed, pushing herself up slightly to splash a bit of water his way. “I’ve gotten better, and don’t act like you’re not a little Mister Independent yourself!”

“Yeah, you’re right,” he admitted, looking down into the water. “I’m just used to it. Being on my own.”

“I get that,” she said softly, tilting her head. “How’s therapy?”

He exhaled, almost in a huff. “Good. Annoying. I’m too self-aware, but I think she likes that. I’m some sort of a challenge. How’s your therapy?”

“It’s good. I’m doing good.”

“I’m glad.”

They sat there in comfortable silence until she spoke again, her voice a bit more vulnerable. “Spencer, if you ever wanna talk about what happened or didn’t happen with Cat and stuff… you can talk to me, you know?”

“I know.”

She took a breath. “I know how you’re feeling. I mean, not exactly… what we experienced is different, but similar. We both faced things that shouldn't have happened to us because of our work. After I got shot, I know we never talked about it. It’s difficult. I was so scared, Spence. So scared.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, and there was a heaviness in his tone, his eyes downcast, avoiding her gaze like it was too much to bear.

“About what?” Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, but her brow furrowed slightly, confused by the sudden apology.

“I’ve always felt like I could’ve done more.”

He let out a long sigh, as if the words were hard to get out.

She shook her head, the movement slow and deliberate, like she was trying to brush off the weight of his words.

Her eyes met his for a fleeting second but quickly dropped. “I wouldn’t let you. I was awful.” Her voice cracked just a little, the guilt still raw and fresh, even though the years had passed.

“You were traumatized,” he said, his voice gentle but firm.

“And now you are. And I don’t want you… to end up like me. Wasting years being scared and too proud to admit there’s something wrong and ask for help. You’ve already been through enough. And I let you be alone one too many times.”

Spencer looked at her, his expression conflicted. “It’s not that easy.”

“I know. I just want you to know I’m here. Always.”

A silence stretched between them, the sun beating down, wrapping them in a cocoon of warmth.

He finally spoke, his voice low, almost tentative. “Do you sometimes wonder… what we would’ve looked like if you’d stayed in Virginia?”

She was quiet, watching him carefully. “I don’t know. What do you think?”

He shrugged, playing with the water at his feet. “I don’t know either. I’d like to think… we’d be friends.”

“Just friends?” She couldn’t help but tease, a small smile playing on her lips.

He chuckled, looking up to meet her covered by sunglasses eyes. “Do you think we’d be more?”

“I think we’d still enjoy each other’s company, no matter where we’d be.”

“Just that, huh?” He said it lightly, but there was an edge there, a bit of vulnerability he couldn’t quite mask.

She hesitated, finally asking, “What do you want, Spencer? What do you want me to say?”

“Honestly, anything. I just… I just… what is this? What are we?” His voice cracked slightly, and there was a hint of desperation in his eyes.

She didn’t answer, the silence stretching on.

He got up, his movements sharp and frustrated. She watched him, panic flashing across her face as he began gathering his things in the living room.

Elle pushed herself off the float, her body slipping into the water with ease. She swam smoothly toward the edge, her arms cutting through the water with practiced strokes.

“Spencer, wait,” she called, hurriedly climbing out of the pool, water dripping off her as she reached him.

He shook his head, his jaw set. “Why are you asking me to come over? Every few weeks, for the past decade, Elle. You ask me to come to California so we can have casual sex, and then I leave, and we talk sometimes, and at this point, you know more about me than anybody else. More than Morgan. More than JJ. Now, with my mother not even remembering who I am… you know more than her. I’ve told you everything. I’ve told you more than I’ve ever told anybody else. And as far as I know, I know more about you than anybody else. But this is just it. We’re just friends on opposite sides of the country, fucking from time to time.”

She blinked, looking taken aback. “Do you not like it anymore?”

“Is this all it is to you? Just sex?” He looked at her, almost pleading. “Just… tell me.”

“You know I like you,” she said, barely above a whisper.

“You like me?”

“Yeah,” she breathed, looking away.

He took a shaky breath, his voice strained. “You know what… I agreed to this all that time ago because it felt like a dream. To have you like this. I was just grateful it was happening. But… I can’t do this anymore. I can’t pretend that it’s just sex.”

He turned toward the door, but before he could leave, she stepped in front of him, blocking his path. “Please don’t leave. Don’t leave angry at me.”

He softened slightly, but the frustration still lingered. “I’m not angry.”

“You seem angry.”

“Frustrated,” he corrected, meeting her gaze.

She looked up at him, eyes wide and earnest. He sighed, the tension leaving him just a little.

“I like you. A lot. I think about you a lot. When you’re here… that’s when I’m happiest. I love being with you. I love… us. We work together. We make sense. But… what are we supposed to do with that?”

“Whatever we want,” he replied softly, a small smile creeping onto his face.

She let out a breath. “You’re there. I’m here.”

He tilted her head, a playful gleam in his eye. “So, would you prefer that we keep pretending we don’t care about each other in that way? Do you want to keep this act up?”

The corner of her mouth quirked up despite herself.

“No. I don’t wanna pretend anymore,” she said.

Spencer’s breath quickened as he reached up, his hands cupping her cheeks with an urgency.

Without warning, he crushed his mouth to hers, the kiss fiery and desperate. His body pressed against hers, and they both stumbled backward until her back hit the door. Elle’s fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him deeper.

It had been too long. They had let each other go too many times, kidding themselves that their love wasn’t fated

It was clear now—no more pretending, no more fighting what was meant to be.

#why don't you come over #spencelle

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kizzywh · 2 years ago

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Together- David Rossi x Reader

Bio: David Rossi comforts reader after finding out they are doing drugs again

Content warning- overdose, reader in hospital, drug use mentions, spencer Reid drug use mention, SEASON 8 SPOILERS (ERIN STRAUSS MENTIONS)

850 words

You had never intended to start using again. You had seen how it had affected Spencer after he got addicted to Diludaid. Hell, you had even sat with him, helping him get clean, sitting outside his rehab sessions, comforting him while he cried in his dimly lit bedroom, begging for his vials back.

But after Strauss had been killed by the Replicator, you had fallen apart. You weren’t close to Strauss, but she had mentored you, helped you get a position in the BAU. In a way, she was like the mother you had never had. She had turned to drink when times turned tough, but you chose heroin.

That familiar feeling coursing through your veins brought you comfort, but the withdrawals soon came, and it was time to repeat the cycle. The unit knew something was wrong, but didn’t broach it with you, as it was a conversation you refused to have. At least, it was until it went wrong.

You were at a hotel, the last case had just ended well, and you had taken a blow to the leg, which was blossoming into a multicoloured bruise. As you lay on that hospital bed, all you could think about was dulling the pain. You knew you had heroin in your bag, because you’d managed to source one from a dealer two blocks over, before returning to the hotel. What you didn’t know, was it wasn’t clean heroin, but as you added another needle mark to your arm, you didn’t even realise. You didn’t care. You needed this.

~the next morning~

Rossi kept calling your cell phone. It was time to get on the jet and fly back to Quantico. But you weren’t answering. Soon, he realised something could be wrong. “Have any of you heard off y/n this morning?” Rossi asked the team in the reception, JJ shook her head, “I don’t think so, should someone go check on her?” Spencer frowned, his hair falling into his eyes; “I’ll go.” He said, before taking the spare key card to your room, and running almost two steps at a time to your room. Scanning the key card and stepping in, his eyes take in the room, before noticing that you aren’t in your bed, and the sheets are half falling off the bed, to the side obscured by the bedside.

Walking around, he noticed the vial on the floor, before seeing you, unconscious on the carpet, needle still in your arm. He almost choked, seeing you like this, before panicking and calling the team. “she’s here but we need a medic, NOW.”

~in the hospital~

Rossi practically sprinted down the hospital corridor. “Is she alright?!” he shouted at a doctor, before apologising and lowering his voice, as the doctor exited your room. “She will be. You can see her now sir if you’d like.” The young doctor offered, before leaving with his clipboard clutched to his chest.

He entered your room and breathed a sigh of relief at you taking breaths, resting in bed, half-asleep. Sitting down at your bedside, he gently took your hand, marvelling at how fragile it seemed in his own, larger hand. He sighed. “What have you got yourself into this time, y/n?” He barely knew what to say. The woman he loved, the one he could never tell, had almost died, and he hadn’t even known that she was suffering in such a way. A tear slipped down his face, splashing onto your hand, before he continues. “Look, y/n, I understand. We all took Strauss’s death hard. Some, more than others,” he looked away, breath caught in his throat, “damn, me especially. But this? I know you are in pain, but this isn’t the way to deal with this.” As he spoke, you slowly started to wake up, but you kept your eyes closed, listening to what he had to say. He was rarely this open. Especially not with you. “y/n. I care about this team. I care about- YOU. Strauss encouraged me to tell you, but I just couldn’t find the right words. You’re so vibrant, you stay strong, no matter how much this team has had to manage these past few years. You’re like a breath of fresh air, healing this team, healing me. And- y/n? I love you. I don’t want you to become another one of the doomed Rossi wives.,” he paused, chuckling to himself. “I want to take care of you. And I am going to. No matter what. We are going to get through this. Together.”

The team watch through the window, through a mix of tears and smiles. “he’s finally doing it!” Spencer marvelled, as they watch, you reached out and gripped his hand, opening your eyes and looked into his own. “I- I love you too Rossi. And- I need to get past this, but together.” Spencer is pulled away by Morgan, “you don’t wanna see this next bit, kid.” Morgan laughs, before the team walk down the corridor, and you and Rossi share your first kiss, mixed with promises and apologies, but most importantly, hope.

Taglist: @lostgirl1428

#Criminal Minds #criminal minds fanfiction #david rossi #david rossi x reader #spencer reid #derek morgan #jj #aaron hotchner

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protege-not-protagonist · 11 months ago

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Criminal Minds: The Protégé Chapter 4

Ch 4: My Brother's Keeper Pt. 1

Blurb: After meeting with Dr. Reid, Grace is called away on a case with the team to a double Homicide of children with excessive overkill. It doesn't take long to establish that This Unsub will kill again if not caught soon. But as Grace works the case, certain aspects of it stir up a past she would rather forget. Meanwhile Spencer can't help but start working on the victimology of this new possible serial killer back home.

Masterlist

Previous Chapter

Audience: mature audience for depictions of violence and sexual references

Author's Note: if you see a trigger warning that concerns you, you can scroll to end and I'll have a brief description what happens. I think that system should work well cause then those who don't want spoilers don't have to read the trigger warnings at the start and get spoiled. Also my apologies to Groton South Dakota. I'm sorry I'm sure your a lovely town, I just threw a dart on the map and looked for a small town in that area. No offense.

TW: Ableism, child death, violence, gore, crime scene depiction, kidnapping.

Quantico, FBI Runway Tarmac Thursday July 2023 1:32 pm

‘Sorry,’ Grace apologised as she entered the jet, ��It’s worth the wait trust me.’ She turned behind her and gestured to the two people who followed her up the stairs, ‘This is my friend Agent Stiller, from Forensics…’

A neatly dressed young man with dark skin and round glasses smiled widely and offered his hand to the rest of the team, ‘You can just call me Avery, nice to meet you guys, I’ve heard a lot about the lofty sixth floor. Didn't know you guys had a jet.’ That earnt a few laughs from her team.

Grace turned to the older redheaded woman who still stood at her side. ‘And this is our associate, Dr Boland, she's an expert Forensic Anthropologist with the Smithsonian. She taught me everything I know.’

'Well, I don't think that's quite true, Grace,' Dr Boland chuckled slightly and turned to the team offering a small wave, ‘Nice to meet you all, although I wish it were under better circumstances.’

‘Thank you for joining us on short notice, we appreciate having you both on board,’ Prentiss welcomed them, ‘Take a seat where you can find one, budget won’t allow for a bigger jet so we might have to get a little cosy, I’m Section Chief and Acting Unit Chief SSA Prentiss, this is SSA’s Rossi, Alvez, Simmons, Jareau and Dr Lewis, you both know Special Agent Matthews. As soon as we’ve taken off, we’ll start running through what we've got so far.’

The jet started taxiing along the runway. Without too much surprise, Avery and Dr Boland took the couch seat together. Grace smiled and shot them an encouraging smile up before sitting down next to Rossi.

‘Where did you wander off to today, huh? That's the first time you’ve taken a lunch break longer than 10 minutes. I’m proud of you,’ Rossi nudged her.

Across the table from her, Dr. Lewis and JJ listened in curiously.

‘I was still on site, as I’m sure you will all hear from Alvez in his report-’ she heard Luke snort from the seat behind her. ‘-I went to see Dr Reid.’

Everyone sat up in their chairs, suddenly very focused on what she had to say. She even heard the rest of the team's seats creak behind her.

‘What?’ she asked. It felt like she was unaware of some joke that they had with each other. Had they been taking bets again?

‘Nothing.’ Rossi shrugged, ‘We all miss him. Guess we just wanna know how he's doing, How’d it go?’

The jet shuddered as it sped full speed down the runway. They all paused their conversation as the cabin began to rattle. Rossi gripped the armrest tightly and Grace closed her eyes and enjoyed the stomach flipping sensation. They lifted off the ground and there was the pleasant buzz in her body of adrenalin. She loved take offs. She opened her eyes and there were a few pairs staring back at her, waiting. Oh yeah, they had asked her a question.

‘Fine, it was really good actually. He’s nice, gave me some advice, and he's funny too… It was very… I don’t know.’

‘You two just… gelled well? It would be nice having someone on your level to talk to,’ Dr. Lewis suggested.

Grace let out a nervous chuckle, ‘Oh no, he is way above my level, but… he’s not like other people I've met who are like that.’

Rossi gave her a knowing look, ‘He is the smartest guy in the room but he doesn't lord it over anyone. He doesn’t have a drop of arrogance or conceitedness in him.’

‘Yeah, that’s it,’ she smiled. Rossi was right, probably because he knew who some of the ‘other people’ she was referring to.

‘Well, if you think he is funny, you must be closer to his level than us, cause his jokes often go over our heads,’ JJ remarked and there were a few nods of agreement.

The monitor chimed, and Garcia’s bright personality shone through the screen.

'Hello my crime fighters and special guests! I've got an update, not a good one but still an update.'

'What have you got, Garcia?' Prentiss asked. They all got up and gathered around the second table in the jet that currently had all the files scattered across it.

‘Well, I have nothing folks, I looked for two related persons with Brittle Bone Disease in Groton and surrounding areas, and there are none. I trolled through medical records, but knowing they can be tricky and locked up tight, I went with ER admissions for repeated broken bones, then tried health insurance, then wheelchair and braces purchases, then school enrollments with special needs, nada… whoever these babies are, they aren't local and I can't find them and it's making me so sad.'

‘That's okay, keep working on that list, extend it to nationwide; families with two or more individuals with Brittle Bone who are under 25,’ Prentiss instructed.

‘Oooh, that is a big list,’ Garcia winced.

‘It’s okay, we have Dr Boland and Agent Stiller here, they will help give us more identifying features and we can narrow down the list further as we go along.’ Prentiss assured her. 'But are there any missing persons with Brittle Bone reported?'

Garcia shook her head, 'None reported in the entire country.'

Grace felt her chest ache a bit at the thought of a pair of parents out there unaware their kids were missing, or worse, not caring that they were. She held to that thought.

‘Brittle Bone is debilitating for kids. Most breakages occur before puberty, they would require a high level of care. These are kids you couldn't leave them home alone for long periods of time. They wouldn't be able to walk long distances or play on a playground unsupervised. Even if these victims are in their early teens, and they aren't as vulnerable, they're still someone you would notice missing. If they have not been reported missing, it’s likely that their guardian is also missing,' she suggested.

'Or the unsub themselves,' Alvez countered.

Why hadn’t she considered that? It was more likely.

She winced at the thought, 'I hope not. But yeah that's what statistics would point to, most murders are committed by someone closely related to a victim, even more so with children.'

'Well, if that is not the case…' Simmons pointed to a map of Groton they had on the table, 'Two major routes intersect here the 37 and the 12, there isn’t much in the town, it’s basically a rest stop, we could be dealing with a mobile killer. If our unsub knew the town had little in the way of law enforcement, they could dump the bodies, shock a small town, overwhelm law enforcement and continue driving. They’d be long gone before the cops even figured out what to do, it’s a forensic countermeasure. Have we looked at the Highway Serial Crimes database? Any similar scenes in other states?'

Garcia shook her head, ‘I checked that, and I'm keeping tabs, but I’ve found nothing this severe, or with kids, sorry. Ah… and I see you’re getting ready to look at those photos and I’ll take that as my cue, I’m out. Talk to you later.’

The screen went dark as Simmons laid out some of the photos on the table.

Prentiss turned their guests. ‘Can you tell anything from the photos that will help narrow anything down?’

‘Ah, no, I agree with everything Grace has concluded. An MNI of two. Both victims are definitely under 21. Most likely related, both have OI. Most likely Caucasian; their teeth have no shovelling. I would say these victims are more likely have Type One, but we will have to reconstruct and get stature estimates and bone samples to know that for certain. Unfortunately, I can’t rule out one of our individuals being pre-pubescent either, like Grace observed, their 31 hasn’t erupted. And if the victims do have Type One, it is the only type not known to cause unusual dentition. I believe it is a worse case scenario, one of those victims is around 12 years old.’ Dr Boland reported.

Grace already had known that, but somehow having someone else confirm it, made the cabin's recycled air feel heavy.

Avery sighed, ‘I have nothing to add, except I want to let you guys know, we are pretty good, but we are not miracle workers. I just want to prepare you for the possibility that we may not ID these victims if no relative comes forward with DNA or reports them missing. Soft tissue is obliterated, so we’re going to work with what we can and move to bones. Now, with younger victims, it is harder to determine sex with only skeletal remains, and given the condition they are in, the fragmentation will also make it difficult to determine facial features or distinguishable characteristics. Dr Boland will do what she can and I will assist where I can.’

‘Wait assist? So you’re not a bone and body guy?’ Alvez asked.

The rest of the team looked confused. Grace realised she hadn’t really told them much about who Avery was, or much about her old team, really.

‘I dabble but no, on the second floor, I’m the living people expert,’ he explained.

JJ nodded along with a grin, ‘You’re the team liaison.’

He nodded proudly, ‘I specialise in CSI coordination, organisation, and education for local police. Grace called me because I’ve worked cases like this before. It is possible we are walking into a contaminated crime scene, regional PD’s will be trying to work with one another, there will be press vultures, and we will most likely be doing the reconstruction in a country clinic or even a vet clinic. Agent Prentiss, I know you will be head of this investigation, but if you allow it, I will gladly organise and coach Local PD though evidence collection. I will do my best to make sure all evidence is collected and processed so it is admissible in court, if that's what you want me to do.’

‘That would be a big help, a profile is going to be hard enough with not much victimology to go off, we don’t need to be juggling crime scene management as well,’ Prentiss agreed.

Avery pulled out a business card and passed it around, ‘That’s my number, I'll grab all yours as well. I know how important a profile is in a case like this, I need to know any updates on your profiles immediately. In a small town like this, we will definitely work with volunteers. I’ve been warned that having Feds brought in might excite and Unsub, it’s possible I will be working along side our unsub at some point, so I think it’s good if we stay in touch.’

Rossi nodded with an impressed look on his face, ‘Where do you find these people, kid?’

‘Around. I keep good company,’ she smiled.

‘Okay when we land, we have a 20 minute drive to Groton from the regional airport, JJ, Matthews, Stiller and Dr Boland, I want you to go to the crime scene, make sure they get everything under control. Rossi, Alvez, I want you to question the staff at the golf course where the bodies were found. Simmons, Lewis you're with me, we will go to the station and get a lay of the land. We'll meet at the Gold Stallion Inn by seven. That's where we're being put up. I hope none of you snore, because there are only six rooms some of us are gonna have to share.’

‘Shot not sharing with Rossi,’ Dr Lewis remarked.

‘Hey, I do not snore. And I’ve had three wives who can attest to that,’ Rossi defended.

-------

Somewhere along Route 37, South Dakota, Thursday July 2023 3:30 pm

He looked out the window as the radio played country music. It had been a long time since he had been on a road trip, he’d forgotten what it felt like. The crink in his knees hardly bothered him though. This was too exciting. Fields passed him and he smiled as a herd of cows lazily grazed, watching their minivan drive by.

‘Cows!’ he exclaimed with delight.

No one else in the car shared his enthusiasm. That was okay, his mom and dad had been driving for a long time, they were tired.

But then the woman next to him sobbed.

‘Please, where are you taking us? Where are my boys!’ his mother cried.

His smile retreated. She was ruining it.

‘SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP RIGHT NOW!’ he pressed the gun to her head again.

‘Lilly, it’s okay baby, we’ll be okay!’ Dad called from the driver’s seat. ‘Please don’t hurt her, she just wants to know when we are going to stop.’

The man turned back to look at him and the woman with pleading eyes. It was good that Mom and Dad loved each other. If only they would love him as much. This was supposed to be a family road trip. They were supposed to be a happy family now. Why didn’t they love him?

‘We stop when I say we can, and you’ll see your boys again, soon enough,' he promised, and he wasn’t lying this time.

This Mom and Dad weren't right, his brothers weren’t right. He’d find the right ones one day. But he supposed he had to value what little time left he had with this family, it was supposed to be fun wasn’t it? He lowered the gun as the road sign loomed up ahead and he smiled. They were nearly there.

‘Ooh, let’s play a game… I spy, with my little eye, something, beginning with… M.’

--------

Groton SD, Golf Course, Thursday July 2023 3:58 pm

'Deputy Mitchell?' JJ asked as the four of them climbed off the golf cart and approached a middle-aged man guarding a large tarp spread over the ground.

'You the feds?'

‘Agents Jareau, Matthews, and Stiller, and our forensic expert Dr Boland.' JJ introduced, pointing out each one.

'Well, thought you'd be all suited up with earpieces, but I'm glad you're here. Body is under here.' He lifted the tarp partially and they all braced themselves. 'Groundsman found it here this morning, Jesus,' the deputy winced and turned away.

'When did the call come in?' JJ asked.

‘That was about six this morning... Look, other than putting the tarp on and doing a search of the grounds, we haven't done anything else. This is way over our heads. We are a small community. People come here cause it’s quiet and nothing happens, we don’t have resources, certainly not for this. Heck, I’m not even sure how we are going to move the body. We asked the regional centre, Aberdeen, for help. They took one look and told us to contact you guys, but they’re sending us their CSI team. They just radioed that they are a few minutes away.'

Avery began to talk about how they were logistically going to go about this. JJ asked questions about what time people usually played golf, and the opening times of the course. She zoned out and peeled the tarp back fully, and Dr Boland jumped to help.

Immediately it was clear the victims were killed right here. This wasn't a dump sight. Blood spatter was caked all over the grass.

Dr Boland opened her field kit and began taking the ambient temperature, following procedure. Grace however became focused on the thing she hadn't been able to tell from the photos; how was this done.

She fixed her glasses on the nose and knelt down next to the bodies.

'Hello, I'm Agent Grace Matthews, I'm just going to examine you to see what happened, okay? Then we will get you both somewhere safe and put you together so we can bury you okay?'

She always spoke to the bodies. She knew the others on the team thought it was weird. She even felt weird talking to them this time, it was hard to even recognise them as human in the state they were in. But that’s why she had to do it, especially at a scene like this.

It was a habit she started at her first job after she left school and she kept it up when she went into forensics. The practice was quite normal in some fields. It was a humanising technique that gave dignity to a body while acting as a coping strategy for the living person. They taught it at the academy, but few practiced it.

'And I'm Dr Boland, I’m Grace’s friend. I will be putting you together and running tests. I will work as fast as I can.' Dr Boland introduced herself, not missing a beat. Grace looked to her in surprise. The doctor only smiled warmly back at her as if to say, “it's not weird at all.” And kept setting up the scene for the investigation.

Grace turned her attention back to the gore and clasped her hands together and hugged them under her chin; it was time to focus. This is what she was here for, this is what got her into the FBI.

Her eyes darted across the mess and searched for repeated patterns or familiar shapes. Amongst the clumps of flesh, splinters of bone and bloody strips of cloth that would have been clothes, she looked for large pieces that were still relatively intact. A long bone, or perhaps the outline of where the clothes would have sat, hopefully. She moved around, searching from every angle for something recognizable. Eventually, the two bodies began to appear. She could identify different sections of a body and her mind filled in the blanks or rearranged into the form it was supposed to take. The two had died next to each other; one face down, one face up.

Two fragmented bones stuck out to her. A snapped the ulna and radius. Attached to it she found a bit of skin that was bruised and dented in a rough crescent shape.

The scene flashed in her mind;

A young voice cried out as they were hit in the back of the head with the bludgeon, their skull shattered immediately, they fell face first into the grass and their jaw dislocated, which allowed the mandible to remain relatively while the overkill was exerted. This was the younger one. When they hit the ground, the other older one turned to the assailant, who was already swinging the weapon at him now. They raised their arm in defence to block the first blow of a rounded heavy object swinging at them. Their forearm shattered immediately. They fell to the ground, and the blows kept coming in a frenzied rage from the man standing above them. They died relatively quickly. But the unsub wanted to humiliate and disfigure them further, he beat them for what must have been hours.

She shook the scene from her mind and focused now on the weapon.

It was flexible and heavy yet did not leave a uniformed mark. It was malleable and, given the frenzied blitz attack; improvised.

She racked her brain, an improvised weapon on a golf course. It would have to be a club right? But it couldn't be; a golf club wasn't the right… anything. Shape, size, weight distance from the attacker; it was all wrong. This damage was more like a mediaeval mace, something heavy that could be swung but didn’t have much reach- yet, not solid? She stood up and wandered around, deaf to the world as she searched for an object that would fit the disruption.

'Hey Agent Matthews… Matthews… Grace. Grace!’ Dr Boland called to her.

‘Yes?’ she turned around

‘If you're heading over there to the bunker can you get a sample of the sand please?' Dr Boland asked.

She nodded and pulled out a test tube from her forensics field kit. She knelt down and scooped up some sand from the bunker. It was really fine sand, not like the natural sand that was about the town. This stuff would get everywhere if I fell over right now, she thought to herself. Then she had a little giggle to herself, it would get everywhere, but it wasn’t rough, or course, it was powdery and fine. Like Anakin Skywalker, she disliked sand, which was unfortunate, having grown up on a tropical island. She also hated golf courses. In her opinion, and her father’s, they were a waste of space. Swathes of nature manicured into useless fields to chase a ball in. The amount of habitat destruction, water wastage and land metamorphosis places like this went through was… she halted.

The sand wasn't from here.

It was brought here, and you buy sand in bags and sand bags are heavy and malleable. And she knew firsthand, you can scale a sandbag down and make the tried-and-true homemade truncheon with little effort.

She ran back over the body and pulled out her magnifying glass, inspecting a depression that would have been caused by a blow. Sure enough, she could make out a few fibres and sandy particulates in the wound. She pulled out a swab taking a sample.

‘Dr Boland, there are fibres and particulates in these wounds, make sure to get some samples before you clean the bones, have you established a baseline yet?’

‘Yeah, it's that flag there,’ she pointed to the peg in the ground and continued laying out measuring guides getting ready to take scaled photos. Grace stood next to the baseline, took out her tablet, snapped a photo and drew an outline with her stylus.

'I got a rough indication of where the victims are lying. I'll do a diagram, that way you can have a rough starting point for the reconstructions.’ She drew outlines of the victims over the photos and labelled them One and Two and hit send.

Dr Boland glance at her tablet smiled, 'This is great. I've never seen you work out side the lab before.'

'Well I do this quite often, I think it would be more accurate to say I've never seen you work out side a lab before,' Grace grinned.

'True, the field is not usually my scene, especially when the site is this recent. But I just wanted to say, the field, it suits you. You seem... more free.' The doctor remarked.

Another golf cart approached carrying a uniformed officer and a few people in CSI jackets; the team from Aberdeen.

‘Looks like the Cavalry's arrived.’

‘Go, catch this guy, we’ve got this,’ Dr Boland nodded, holding out her hand.

Grace frowned at her and reached to shake it.

Dr Boland laughed and shook her hand back, ‘As much as I appreciate that you are comfortable enough to shake my hand, I actually was after the samples you collected, I need to catalogue them.’

‘Oh. right,’ Grace nodded and handed them over. ‘What do you recon? If we catch this guy by Saturday, will you be up for Sunday Study Brunch?’

Dr Boland smiled at her, ‘Well with your diagram here, it should make it easier to reconstruct. I’ll say, we’re on at this point. I’ve got a new stack of possible US soldiers from Bataan, circa 1940s, that I could use help cataloguing, unless you want to work more on your thesis?’

Grace sighed, ‘Not yet, I’m still stuck. Cataloguing Soldiers it is then. I’ll see you and Avery tonight, I’ll keep you in the loop, but I have to brief JJ, and the team. I’ve got a weapon and a few details.’

--------

Leaving one car with Avery and Dr Boland at the scene, JJ and her met up with Rossi and Alvez after they finished the staff interviews.

‘Anyone stick out?’ JJ asked.

‘Nope,’ Rossi shook his head. ‘All of them have alibis.’

‘Grounds man was a bit too into lawn, but none of them seemed off at all.‘ Alvez added. ‘What if this guy is a worse case scenario; just a random guy with victims of opportunity who motored out of here like Simmons said?’

JJ sighed, ‘Well, apparently opening hours are seven to seven, and people would only interact with staff and leave a record if they paid for entry, or hired equipment or a cart. Most locals have an annual pass, so they don’t need to pay for entry. Not that it’s really barred at all, there is no fence, no security or CCTV. Anyone could walk onto the course at any time. What could you tell from the bodies?’

They all looked to her.

‘It was a blitz attack followed by post mortem overkill. After the initial attack the unsub continued to beat them to humiliate and dehumanise them. There was no attempt to conceal the bodies; there is no remorse. The Unsub, is a man, given the strength, and probably under 30, immature and emotionally stunted. The attack was disorganised and full of rage. It seems personal, if the unsub didn’t know these kids, he must be using them as surrogates,’ she reported.

‘Now that kinda rage at two random defenceless disabled kids makes me think we could be looking at a hate crime; like extreme ableism,’ Alvez surmised darkly.

‘Ugh, can this guy get any worse,’ JJ murmured.

Grace gave her a sympathetic look. JJ hid it well but Grace could tell, she was very shaken by this case. She had said very little the entire time. Anything with kids was hard, especially on JJ, but this level of brutality was something else entirely.

‘You said the attack was disorganised, are you implying that he is organised in another aspect?’ Rossi turned to her.

‘Yes well, I may have some good-ish news in that department,’ Grace nodded, ‘The weapon was an improvised truncheon. Now improvised weapons usually indicate a disorganised individual, but on this occasion the weapon actually shows the opposite. He used something that requires criminal sophistication. This guy used a sock filled with sand. It’s a simple but effective weapon. It's not one that comes to mind unless you’ve been in a situation where you’ve had to learn to make a weapon out of nothing before,’ she smiled proudly. They continued to look at her, confused, so she elaborated; ‘I think this guy’s been to prison. Which means he’s in the system, we can find him.’

Rossi’s phone rang and he answered after a quick glance at the Caller ID. ‘Yes? Yeah everyone’s here, yeah I’ll put you on speaker hang on-’ Rossi held his phone out, and they gathered around it, ‘-Go ahead Emily.’

‘I have bad news and worse news. The bad news is there are only five rooms at the inn, so more of us are going to have to share. The worse news is that there are only five rooms because room one’s key was left in the drop box this morning before the office opened and the guests’ car was gone. Now the manager assumed they had checked out, but when the cleaner arrived this afternoon, the Giles family’s belongings were still inside the room.’

‘Well, that’s not good,’ Rossi voiced what they were all thinking.

Grace's mind raced, it made sense why they weren’t reported missing; this family was on vacation, they weren’t expected to be anywhere. The Unsub still had the parents, they couldn’t report the kids missing, they might not even know their kids are dead.

Prentiss continued, ‘Hotel manager says the Giles family were a family of four staying one night. Mom, dad and two boys, one around 15, one around 12 with crutches. Garcia got the 411 on them, the Giles are originally from Minneapolis, she can confirm the boys and the father have type one Brittle Bone Disease. Garcia is searching for their car as we speak. We also have moved our base of operations to the inn and called in State troopers to meet us and the sheriff there. We need to give the profile as soon as possible; we’re dealing with a family annihilator.’

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Next Chapter

Note: Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this and that you like Avery and Dr Boland, we'll be seeing them and a few other OCs a fair bit in this story. If you love it, or even just like it, please leave a comment and/or like, it is much appreciated and it really motivates me.

TWs:

Ablesim: this is the big one. Unsub is targeting physically disabled people and it is suggested that these murders could be hate crimes. It is not explored why the unsub has this view point in this chapter but it doesn't really matter. It's never justifiable at all to hate like that. unsub is horrible and delusional. Be warned for ick factor.

Child death: sadly the victims are kids.

Violence, gore, crime scene depiction: these all go together, I don't think I'm too graphic, but Agent Matthews goes to the crimes scene and she replays the events in her head. it's a brief depiction of how the children were murdered.

Kidnapping: there is a scene with our unsub who is currently with the kids' parents, who have been kidnapped. He threatens them and is just generally creepy.

#oc #OC Grace Matthews #BAU #criminal minds #mentor spencer #big brother spencer #spencer gets a happy ending #the protege #the protege chapter 4 #fanfic #my fic #criminal minds case #spencer reid

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gold-onthe-inside · 1 year ago

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I know it’s not written yet but what thoughts do you have on Blake as a sort of surrogate mom to both Piper and Spencer? I wonder if Spencer ever reminds Piper of Ethan the way he reminds Blake. Cuz I could see Blake either adoring them as a couple or it freaking her out since he’s so similar to Ethan? Or a lil bit of both?

oh there's some spoilers in this one. i won't go into too much detail, but piper and alex definitely have some history. fun fact, alex is actually piper's godmother and ethan and piper were born the same year so the two of them were practically inseparable. literally, they learned to crawl in the berkeley faculty lounge. so alex is sort of piper's co-mom considering she and aubrey co-parented a lot. but there's still a tense relationship between them after alex leaves for quantico which i'm not gonna go into right now cause that could fill a page.

i honestly don't think spencer reminds piper of ethan. i mean, yeah, he'd be the same age, brown hair, glasses, sure. but ethan was like a brother to piper so she knows him in a very different way than alex. like you see your siblings and your friends a lot differently than the way their parents see them. so spencer doesn't really remind piper of ethan the way he does for alex. i think alex just equates them in her head because they're the same age and they're both nerds fascinated with language. but ethan was also a lot of other things that alex didn't know about. like piper and ethan would spend hours trying to discover old civil war era underground tunnels and while she loved the history of it, he just thought it was fun. they'd break into museums together to see the exhibitions without the crowd bothering them. they told each other ghost stories in the dark and dressed up as pirates for halloween and donated the candy to kids in the hospital. they'd write historically accurate holiday skits and freak everyone out because thanksgiving is colonialist propaganda because that's what happens when you put together a history nerd and a writer. and ethan's dream was to travel and see the world and write about the things he saw. so the point i'm trying to make, i guess, is that it's a lot easier for piper to keep that distinction because she knows ethan and spencer really well. it's not that easy for alex.

so canonically, alex and spencer both know each other from georgetown where he guest-lectures for her. i think subconsciously it's this fantasy for her where she gets to teach with ethan. so seeing spencer with piper definitely freaks her out a little and absolutely makes her sad because it's the life she wanted for ethan (sort of). like that's not to say she shipped ethan and piper or anything cause they were 9 years old, it would be weird. but if she had to choose, she would have absolutely picked piper. so, yeah, it's a little painful seeing them together, even though they're both complete professionals at work. is she happy for them? absolutely. does it still break her heart knowing it's the life that ethan could have had? ABSOLUTELY.

#oc: dr piper bishop #alex blake x oc #spencer reid x oc #ethan blake x oc #criminal minds x oc

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emma-frxst · 2 years ago

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The Implicit Demand for Proof (8)

this chapter was previously published and I decided to rewrite it.

Pairing: David Loki x reader

summary: You, a forensic psychologist, get called in on a high priority child abduction case in Conyers, PA. What happens when you catch feelings for the mysterious detective Loki?

Warnings: spoilers for the movie, movie level violence, slight change of events, language, fluff, angst

a/n- no major changes, just a few things I added in. ch 9 coming soon

You hurried inside the precinct to keep the cold Pennsylvania wind form nipping at your skin. You gripped your coffee tight between your hands for warmth. It was your third cup already this morning. You didn’t get much sleep last night since you were out so late with Loki. Last night. With Loki. That was what really kept you up. You had learned to shut your work life out of your head before going home and to bed. For your own sanity. The case was just that, a case. You hoped and prayed those girls were alive yes, but you knew there’d be another case waiting for you when you got home. But your time at the restaurant with Loki and that warm fuzzy feeling in your chest, that’s what you couldn’t shake.

You shuffled your way to your desk, giving a polite good morning to everyone you passed. But it was hardly that- A good morning. Your primary lead, or really- your only lead on the Dover-Birch case was no where to be found.

As you made your way down the hall you heard a loud voice coming from the captains office. Loki. Before you could hear what was going on Loki barged out of O’Malley’s office like a bat outta hell, making a bee-line for his desk chair. You figured he was agitated because of what happened last night with the suspect. “Good morning Loki.” You greeted him, setting your things down on your desk.

“Alex Jones is missing.” He stated.

And your day just got a whole lot harder.

“What?!” You questioned, anger filling your chest. “Are you kidding me?? How? I thought he was under surveillance?” Your hands came to rest on your hips.

He just kept his eyes on his computer, not turning to face you. His demeanor opposite from your time with him last night.

“O’Malley took watch off him.” You could feel the disdain in his voice. You pinched your brow, letting out a defeated sigh. “Since when has he been missing?”

“Night before last.”

“Fuck.” You muttered running a hand through your hair.

“Yeah..I’m going to knock on doors, then back to the interrogation tapes if no lead.”He stood, coffee and files in hand.

When he finally turned to face you, you noticed the dark circles under his eyes and his five o clock shadow peeking through. You couldn’t help but wonder how his scruff would feel against your-

You quickly shook that thought from your sleep deprived mind. Or maybe you’d push it to the back for later daydreaming.

“Alright. I’ve sent the sketches from last night to my people in Quantico they’re running it to try and get an ID on our guy.”

“Anything from those old cases yesterday?”

“No.” You felt guilty letting the word fall form your mouth. You knew that wasn’t what Loki wanted to hear. He wanted, needed to solve this case. He was personally involved, maybe too much.

“Alright.” Loki let out a sigh. “Uh, Keep me updated.” He said glancing in your direction. His gaze lingered on you a little longer than usual

“Will do.”

. Loki sat watching the interrogation recording for what seemed like the hundredth time. He leaned back in the chair, rubbing his eyes. This case was becoming increasingly frustrating.

“Detective Loki, phone call.” A voice sounded from behind him. It startled him a bit, but he’d never admit it. He let out a big sigh and went to take the call. . “Y/n?” Loki practically came running into the bullpen. You perked up towards the sound of his voice.

“We gotta lead on our guy last night. A sales clerk from the mall called, she recognized the sketches.” He said, grabbing his jacket off the back of his chair.

“Let’s go to the mall then.” you said, following him. . “So he buys kids clothes in a bunch of sizes and pays with cash. Why? Why go through the trouble of leaving the girls just to get clothes?” David pondered as you and he waited in line at the coffee shop in the mall.

“ Well..Theres lots of things.” You said, putting your change in the barista’s tip jar. “It could simply be forensic countermeasure, make it harder to recognize the girls. Cash means less evidence, no credit card trail.”

Loki nodded, agreeing.

You glanced over at him, his eyes darting from person to person in the mall. Watching, cautious. even a bit paranoid of others.

“From a psychological level..” you paused, taking a sip. “Maybe he feels guilty about taking Joy and Anna so he wants to rid them of the things that remind him that the girls are people- that they have lives, families, friends.”

“Maybe that’s why he was at the vigil last night, he’s feeling guilty.” Loki stated, unintentionally interrupting your monologue.

“I’m impressed Loki, you’ve done your homework.” You gently nudged him with your elbow. “Gonna make a profiler out of you yet.”

Loki was trying his best to hide how much he wanted to feel your touch again through small smiles and sips of coffee. His disguise was working. Mostly.

“So if he’s feeling guilty- he knows it’s wrong to take the girls, he could have a compulsion, a need, to take kids. He may know it’s wrong, but the compulsion is too strong.”

“Why the compulsion?” Loki questioned as he held the heavy mall door open for you.

Ah so chivalry isn’t dead.

You muttered out a quiet ‘thanks’

“So…..” you trailed off, getting in the car, a shiver running down your spine. Loki noticed your shivering and turned the heat on high.

“the compulsion would be the result of extreme trauma and a lack of control over that trauma-“ you stopped mid sentence, watching David turn his head to back the car out of the parking space, his neck tattoos capturing your attention again. “Uh- so that results in a desperate need to control a situation or a person in his life.”

Loki went to put his coffee in the cup holder, but your coffee cup from last night was in there. Last night. The vigil, the Chinese restaurant. The fuzzy feeling in David’s chest. The warmth of y/s eyes in the light. The way she slurped her noodles. The way she blushed as she realized she was holding his hand at the table. The way she’d be going home when the case was over. Loki’s heart sank at the realization. But he wouldn’t admit that. Besides, what else did he expect? Certainly not for y/n to stay forever. Right?

“….So maybe the reason he buys these clothes is because he wants and needs to recreate his trauma in an attempt to control it. And Joy and Anna are the unwilling actors in his play.”

You looked over at Loki who had been oddly quiet during your rambling. He was staring in the distance, icy blue eyes glazed over. Thinking. “Loki?” He wasn’t listening.

“Loki?” You nudged him this time. He snapped out of it.

“Sorry.” He ran a hand through this hair, two strands now hanging down from their place. “So how does that help us?”

“Well it’s only a working theory, but it helps us think like our suspect would so we can predict his behavior and catch him.”

Loki only hummed in response, his eyes focusing on the road. He was silent for a minute.

You noticed a change in the atmosphere. It was like a wave of grumpiness washed over Loki, if you could call it that. You hoped it was the stress of the job and not him developing a dislike for you and your ramblings.

You let out a sigh, maybe last night was just a fluke and Loki didn’t like you like you had thought.

“You think Keller Dover could’ve taken Jones?” Loki asked, breaking the silence.

“I think Keller Dover is a man who’d do anything for his family.”

“Let’s pay him a visit then.” -

Perm tags: @chromecutie @xenomorphique @evelyn120700 @nightriver99 @iamwarrenspeace @this-that-and-every-thing-else @hsk-puma @bungeewabbit @pianomad @lesbianstarkx @hazilyimagine-blog @super-darlcloudtsudent @thehuntress26 @siren-lamented-vampire @mooleche @rovvboat @leo-writer-deactivated20221124 @dandyqueen @nitemaremotionless @thewintersoldierswife @master-sass-blast

loki only tags: @spideyrights @sataninsatin @go-commander-kim @severuined @romancries (prev. @romancried?) @eclecticfashionbookszipper @fagen

also tagging some people who liked the initial ch 8 post- @1livinqdeadqir1main @mandalore1994 @el-ly-sha-give-no-f @pumapurman

sorry some tags arent working yall

#david loki x reader #detective loki x reader #detective loki fanfiction #prisoners (2013)#mine #kacceywrites

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narvaldetierra · 2 years ago

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Narval Thoughts Blindspot Season 4

This is a recap of the first three episodes of Blindspot Season 4 because I've fallen behind on the rewatch.

It will contain spoilers (just in case).

Madeline's character introduction is marvelous. Since the first minute is telling us: You are watching the next main villain, the one that will make everyone who came before her and after Shepard look like amateurs. Her starting point is strong, she begins killing all her associates without any regret. When she tells Tasha to put her gun down, she does it calmly and totally unconcerned, showing us how sure of herself she is and how she knows she's in charge. And her quote while toasting: "a woman who knows exactly what she wants". Perfect. I loved it. As if this hasn't been enough, in the second episode she tells us with a wide smile, how she poisoned her husband the same way and how she enjoyed it. Like, this woman doesn't bluff, she's all in. But she does manipulate her image to the rest of the world.

I like how well Remi learned to act like Jane, but I love even more how every now and then she fails to act like her.

I can't explain how much I love that Rich keeps calling Zapata "What's her name?". I mean, they worked together long enough for him to know her name, and he does but arbitrarily decides to continue "pretending" not to know her name.

There are three things I can not be objective about in this show, and Boston is one of those. Patterson and Rich are the other two things, to no one's surprise. My point here is that every time those three meet, it is a great episode. I love Boston's passive-aggressive comments and Patterson's comebacks. I love his humor and the constant "egos fight" with Patty when we all know that deep down they love each other. I mean, she called him to work on Wizarville. And I love that he calls her Pat-Pat.

I complained before about how bad the camera movements and focus were, and at least in these three episodes, I can see an improvement. The movements are smoother, and there are almost no out-of-focus. I don't know if they practiced more before shooting or if they changed the cameraman, but it works better. I mean, look at the scene with Remi and Boris in the second episode. The camera circled around them and the focus never went out. It seems a little dumb to be happy about it, but compared to the other seasons, it makes a difference.

About the whole situation of Reade and Tasha, here's when I dissociate the most. I mean, I like how everyone is looking out for Reade because they know what it means for him that Tasha left the way she did and I like the way they try to support him too. But my mind is Zapatterson 100%, so every time Patty talks about Tasha in these episodes, my mind works in the background imagining the same situation but with Zapatterson being canon. I can't help it or even control it, it just happens.

But I do like Patty trying to have some dates or casual encounters, but like always, she is never lucky enough. Not even when she's trying to have a one-night encounter. And she's so clumsy about it, almost adorable, and a little embarrassing, how badly she lies to try to hide it from Rich and Weitz.

About Weitz... I previously said I liked the one from seasons 1 and 2, but being honest and rewatching these episodes, I think it was just because of the green power ranger syndrome, that I already talked about. But honestly, he's a great character. He is now here to hinder the investigations, making sure nothing makes him look bad, politically speaking, even if it messed up the cases. But at some point, it became hilarious and likable. Like his enthusiasm in the third episode with the Quantico recruits and his proposal to bring the field to them, it's almost adorable.

And I love how Patty finally confronts him, the whole conversation between them at that tense moment was perfect. Like, she told him what needed to be said.

But the whole third episode is a great one, and I could be talking about it for hours, so I'd better finish this post here 😅

#blindspot 4x01 #blindspot 4x02 #blindspot 4x03 #blindspot rewatch 2023 #narval thoughts #blindspot thoughts

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notallwonder · 2 years ago

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Alrighty. Here we are. Criminal Minds 16x06, "True Conviction". I've already seen it a couple times now, but I wanted to do one of these anyway.

Spoilers and extremely long play-by-play under the cut.

I'm unreasonably psyched for this

this technobabble doesn't wholly make sense to me. why would GPS matter?

obvs the most recognizable thing about JJ is the symbol of her marriage, great

lmao this is how I know I'm way down the rabbit hole for Paget - when I first saw Garcia's "bring 'em home, Emily" line, my brain helpfully supplied the sound of Arden Myrin's hilarious impression of Peter Pilot's mom Barb crying "Bring her hooooooome, Peter!" iykyk and if you don't, it's very unimportant

the smirk and eyebrow was completely wrong for the moment, yet Incredibly Hot

big style Janeway vibes as the turbolift elevator doors close

wow the jet is schmancy - wall sconces! it's wide enough to accommodate the new aspect ratio!

SUEDE JACKET EMILY

Tara you look so sad. Wish you had a hand to hold, your friends keep getting blowed up

Luke's ALIVE yessss

oh little baby unsub running through the forest....got bopped on the head....

now he's...locked in a cupboard under the stairs? harry potter?

MAC AND CHEESE MOTIF

god I want mac and cheese

I like this bad uncle guy. He's hilarious. Real good crazy eyes.

this really could have been a musical

honestly I think my dad served me that exact meal when I was a kid and my mom was away on business. Except mine also included canned potatoes (disGUSTing)

Emily hugging Luke and like...no shot of her acknowledging JJ? It annoyed me the first time and now it's HILARIOUS. Just...conspicuously avoiding JJ? I love her relief about Alvez (me too Emily!), and she already knew that JJ was up and moving and not dead. But...they had time for that hug and nothing else? FUNNY. CM flew too close to the Jemily Sun with "200" and the long walk back is still ongoing.

I guess if I wanted to watch this with my Jemily goggles... this could fit *very* well with the plot of "Late Bloomer", a lovely fic by angestreet in progress on AO3 (https://archiveofourown.org/works/43418964). ANYWAY - the not touching/having trouble being normal with JJ fits with an Emily who has been putting distance between herself and JJ for complicated emotional reasons she's just starting to understand. Or perhaps an Emily and JJ who have had some sort of personal conflict that we, the audience, were not privy to (see also: the "what ifs and if onlys" conversation in season 13). I mean, I still think it's a conspicuously odd choice on the TV screen, but there's room for some interesting storytelling there.

on the other hand - the flight down there from Quantico is at least 90 minutes. Plenty of time for the folks on the jet to get a phone update from JJ. I think we're led to believe they did NOT have that communication (i.e. the splosion interrupted cell service for a prolonged period), as otherwise why would Emily be palpably relieved about Luke's well-being once she gets eyes on him?

Ponytail Prentiss. Ma'am.

The brief and supportive embrace of JJ from Tara and Rossi? Beautiful. Chef's kiss. Lovely.

LOL this music. Teachin' the kid to lye. (haha im so funny)

So...are we to believe he is conflicted about his serial killer education?

No time for politics, Dougie boy!

ooh I wonder who the Attorney General is. Do you think we'll get to see her? Please be CCH Pounder.

Political pressure and machinations seem to be a theme this season. As I recall, prior CM painted its political villains more as bad individuals (Barnes, Strauss, seemingly Bailey at the start of this season). It does feel like CME is more deliberately placing the BAU in the context of a justice / law enforcement *system* that is corrupted or disturbed by political concerns (and otherwise wonderful and perfect and not at all corrupt in itself). Kind of interesting.

Poor Tyler.

Look! JJ talking directly to Emily! It happened! Not in the same frame, but. I just have to remind myself that these things actually happen.

Can you imagine Prentiss arm wrestling Bailey. She'd wipe the floor with that silly noodle. Her glare is too powerful, forget her arm.

So Bailey's *not* the reason they haven't been using the jet? It's the nebulous "politics"? Vague, but not a huge leap. We've already had Senator Aunt Zelda call back to the way Congress sometimes likes to hold the federal budget hostage to achieve certain ends.

ugh....friends....this should come as no surprise...... i'm so gone for her...... her visage pleases me no end..... (mind filled with spooky echoing whispers of sssmokeshhhow prentisssss)

Acting! Executive realness Emily. And she does trust Tara's ability to do the job, but is cognizant of those "politics" etc.

Tara knows she's staring at a shit sandwich coming her way. Tara, I love you. I'm sorry this is hard.

Tyler: "Some dude gave me my clothes back. Also he took my sick Crocs. I don't get it. Am I getting out of here?"

I like PG's dress.

MOAR HUGS!!!! love that. Whoopsy you hurt Luke's lil injured wrist bb.

JONATHAN DEL ARCO, my MAN. First watch through I did not recognize him but found him compelling. I love that guy. I loved seeing him reprise his role as Hugh in ST: Picard. I love his work here.

Emily is... compassionate in this interview. Doesn't feel adversarial. That look when he says he just wants to die.

Oy, poor JJ. She is stuck in this stupid situation with her business gnome husband where she gets to feel guilty AND almost got blowed up! And Will, please. "I promise to never miss your call ever again." Guys come on - be realistic here! This is So Dumb. I've never been able to hate Will despite the ways their relationship rubs me the wrong way. Because if nothing else, JJ does seem to mostly really like him. I don't get it, girl, but who am I to say? She looks really shaken in this scene. This gives me a bad feeling. I'm a little worried this storyline is going to end in her transferring out of the BAU or retiring or otherwise putting her family above her career in a more decisive way.

Tyler and Penelope... I don't hate it. Pen deserves some lovin' and she's a kind and compassionate soul. Luke adores her and he's better than Tyler in terms of current emotional stability I'd say. But the heart wants what the heart wants and sometimes the heart simply enjoys whatever is on offer. She must have her reasons.

I had to watch this Tara/Emily/Luke scene like 4 times because I couldn't hear the dialogue over everyone's insane BEAUTY. The HAIR. the..um...curves...the brown houndstooth over the navy shirt...Luke was there too...

side note: I hate the AirBnB/Target/IKEA generic-ass photography decorating the FBI offices. Federal offices are boring yes but usually in a more dorky way.

Oh! They are fighting in the Family Room.

Oh, Rebecca you little nightmare. Tara says Reeves is not Sicarius and that's all it takes for you to accuse her of dealing in conspiracy theories? That got my hackles up. FASCINATING. I can't look away.

Again...this plays into that same looming "Politics" business - the people around & in the way of our heroes are motivated by optics, by career ambition, by the *appearance* of justice served and the currency that provides. ...That exchange in episode 1602 or 1603, when Bailey suggests getting Domestic Terrorism involved to make people feel safe and Prentiss replies that that wouldn't make them safe.

This scene with Tara/Emily/Luke is lovely. They've got her back. She's a professional. Emily's reaction like "oof been there".

This interrogation. The tacit communication between Tara and Emily when Tara steps in (hot). The way Tara carefully talks her way to the point. The way Silvio's eyes cut over at "I met this woman" and then he looks away. The way the connection has been made - he does feel seen. He's smart too. And he's spent how many years committed to his path - death for the safety of the man he loved. I really enjoyed this scene.

Y'know Emily is consistently good about acknowledging Penelope's good work. I'm sure that's been true for the whole show, but noticeable here too - in 1603 when she tells PG her idea is really good, and here. Love it.

Oh now that I'm watching it carefully - PG has a whole MOMENT as she opens up about her own grief (unfortunate how many times the word "hole" appeared in this convo but wcyd). His lean in is NOT unwarranted, it's there in her eyes...

new catchphrase "it just makes the hole different"

I like Silvio's novio. I like that he found a way to live free of shame and fear. It does kind of beg the question why he didn't try harder to exonerate Silvio in the intervening years, but let's not dwell.

Rebecca's "I have never not been on your side" okay lady. you were pretty mad earlier and implied your girlfriend and her team were full of shit so... I guess you're a human being! lmao. I hate to see Tara back-footed like this but this is juicy.

oh hello hottie. Emily Prentiss, the way you sit in a chair.

Paget's delivery of "I'm not quite following" is hilarious. hashtag relatable.

So "family is what gets you killed". Family as weakness, as vulnerability. I don't doubt that over the next few episodes we'll get more rebuttal to that notion from our heroes, a la "we're a family and that's our strength."

These episodes really don't stand up on their own. They work better together. Can't wait for the next one.

#cm spoilers #criminal minds spoilers #cme spoilers #criminal minds evolution spoilers

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