#thesiriusmoon bonnie cm

[thesiriusmoon]

Family Secrets

Summary: Agent Gideon has vanished from the BAU, and the team are asked to investigate a family annihilator.

Characters: Bonnie McBride (OC), Aaron Hotchner, Jennifer Jareau, Spencer Reid, Emily Prentiss, Penelope Garcia

AU: Criminal Minds

Episode: My Own

Word count: 5k

TW: probable mentions of gore, blood, and death

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“Sir?” Bonnie knocked on Agent Gideons office again, becoming a little impatient at the lack of response, but was too polite to barge in. But what if he was hurt? He was old right enough, and stressed… could have had a heart attack or something.

So she decided against being nice and pushed the door open and stopped at the entrance.

Everything was gone.

Bookshelves cleared, desk tag no longer, the walls bare.

“Agent Gideon?” She called out to the empty room and entered fully.

Where was he?

Closing the door behind her, Bonnie went straight to Agent Hotchners office, and forgetting to knock this time went straight in to find Chief Strauss standing in front of her boss’s desk.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, I didn’t knock… Agent Gideons gone sir.” Agent Hotchners brows furrowed and questioned.

“What do you mean gone?”

While Chief Strauss’s face remained straight.

“All his things are gone. His office is empty.”

“Agent Gideon has left the BAU effective immediate.” The chief finally spoke and Bonnie felt her face flush.

Left… he couldn’t leave…

“When we’re you going to tell me this?” Agent Hotchner began to rise from his chair and Bonnie took a step back.

“Right now Agent if you’d let me have some time, and if we weren’t so rudely interrupted.” The chief turned to stare at Bonnie who averted her eyes.

“Bonnie was just worried. You can continue with your work now.” With that, Bonnie nodded to Agent Hotchner and left, ensuring to close the door and curse herself for making such a bad impression with the chief, who she had never met before.

She had to walk past Agent Gideon’s empty office and felt similar to his walls.

Carrying files in her hands, she walked with her head down out towards the storage unit which she had memorised down to a tee, she could walk around with her eyes closed.

These were closed cases. Ones that could rest but were always available if needed. Copycats probably, or reoffending. She sometimes read them. Sitting down on a discarded chair- she knicked it from another room- and began having a browse.

Michael Earlson.

Reading aloud, Bonnie learned that this man had kidnapped a little boy and was planning to sell him off. One of the auctioneers was a high school principle…

John Jamelske

Kidnapped and held three teenagers near her age and forced them to chose one to die. Two made it out. He was taken peacefully. Sick.

Carl Buford

A man who preyed on young boys looking to escape a dangerous area, using American football and ran a youth centre in South Side, Chicago.

“That’s where Derek’s from.”

And as she kept reading, she saw his name.

On a suspect list. No more information.

Of course he didn’t do it though. Derek didn’t hurt the innocent. That much was evident when he shot Sandy Parker.

She flipped to the next file.

Tobias Hankel

A man suffering with an identity disorder. Watching then killing victims in their homes! Then she stopped dead when another familiar name caught her eye.

Spencer Reid.

In the list of victims. Obviously survived.

But no detail like Derek’s.

Of course she knew being an FBI could be dangerous. But to see it in writing let it sink in. She always likes to read. Things really stuck.

She wondered if she’d be in Sandy’s file…

Footsteps made her jump and she grabbed the files on the floor and began searching for the box for 2006. Sorting it in date order.

“Bonnie?” Agent Hotchner knocked on the storage door as if it were her own office.

“Yes sir?” She closed the lid to the box.

“I know Gideon’s leaving will be hard. It will be for all of us. But it’s not the end remember?” She hated profilers sometimes. Gideon had hinted on going directly to him if she wished to pursue her interest in criminal justice. What if her only chance was now missing.

“There was something he said on my first day, he knew you needed an assistant. And I was the only one for an interview… why?” The question lingered in her mind for the few months she’d been here.

“Well… I’m sure you understand now that Jason Gideon’s profiling skills are almost unreal. He looked at your application and others, and only chose one. I don’t really have the time to interview like ten people. He also did it without my knowledge.” He laughed absently.

“But I’m glad he did. You’ll make a good whatever it is you want when you’re done with education.”

“Profiler.” She smiled.

“If you have the time, you could start training now. Whenever it suits you.”

“I’m not qualified.”

“You are to me.”

The kindness and praise she got from her job was overwhelming at times. Even a simple well done would almost melt her. Must be something to do with childhood, as most things are.

“I’d love to! Does that mean I learn how to shoot?” She asked eagerly. Wanting to copy the rest of the team.

“Not so fast. Seminars, fitness, and mental health checks first, to ensure that you should be allowed to handle a gun.”

“I could just go out and buy one too. Just like every other American.” She joked, though it was true.

Then Jennifer’s heels clicked, quickly walking down the hall were the cupboard was kept.

“Sir, we have a case.”

Agent Hotchner nodded his head. “C’mon.” And Bonnie followed.

“Two families annihilated in their homes in Los Angeles. All shot. The father tied up in both cases.” Jennifer announced to the group.

“Eliminate the biggest threat first.” Derek said.

“Then pick them off one by one.” Emily sighed.

“That’s right. The mother of the first house, the Jenkins, was found face down on the stairs, and the kids were both found under their beds. The second house, Laurens, mother was in the upstairs hallway, the youngest son downstairs by the back door, and the daughter in her room.”

“Both families got one of each?” Derek asked and Jennifer nodded.

“Older daughter, younger brother.”

“Seems like a pattern to me.” He replied and beside him Emily nodded.

“That’s not all! The first houses electrics were all out and the fuse box outside destroyed with water. No wifi, no connection to telephones, they couldn’t call for help. The other actually untouched.” Penelope spoke up from waiting at the computer board.

“The first house is big. The family might have had security cameras but with the electrics down they might not have worked. The unsub didn’t have to do that with the other house. It was just regular.” Agent Hotchner finally spoke.

“Calculated. Watches the family and knows how and where to enter. Waits for the right moment then strikes.” Derek said ominously.

“And shot? How did no one hear?” Emily asked and Spencer spoke up.

“First house is really large and had a lot of room between neighbours, it might actually be difficult to hear anything going on in the house at all. Even a gun shot. The other… maybe a silencer?”

“The Jenkins were found the next morning when their gardener appeared for his shift, the Lauren’s paper boy.” Jennifer finished.

Bonnie stared at the pictures of the families. The kids so young and the parents so happy in their photos.

“Wheels up in thirty.”

The team finished and Bonnie left to collect her go bag from her locker.

Her left arm still a little stiff from her attack last month. But healed and scarred nonetheless.

On the night she returned, her mother wasn’t home. She’d be working on the streets just like any other night. Bonnie would have liked to have her familiarity around however, but recently her mother was hardly ever near.

The jet would be about three hours, she had time to relax on the cushioned seats. All while she scribbled in her notepad.

Rich houses… happy familys looking families… shot but no one heard… matching families… dad possibly killed first.

The police department was very large and high up. A huge building that sky rocketed to the clouds.

“Thank you for coming so soon Agents. I’m detective Davis, head of homicide department.” A tall man with circular glasses and a long suit shook Agent Hotchners hand.

“Our pleasure. I’m SSA Aaron Hotchner, SSA Derek Morgan, SSA Emily Prentiss, Doctor Spencer Reid, Agent Jennifer Jareau, and our assistant Bonnie.”

“Again, thank you all for coming. We need all the help we can get. So far there’s no footage on any cameras around the house. The security systems of both houses were down.” Detective Davis began running though the case.

“Hank Jenkins, the father of the first house was bound to a chair in the master bedroom. We think he was killed last, and quickly. One shot between the eyes. Same for Jason Lauren. Same tying, same shot.”

“Do we know what kind of gun he used?”

“Yes sir. 9mm Winchester Magnum, common handgun. Bullets were found in and around the victims.” Bonnie grimaced.

“Doesn’t care about the mess now does he? You think he’s making some sort of point? I mean- why tie the father up? To make him watch?” Derek asked the obvious question.

“We think so. We think he tied to father up first then took out the family. Then killed him last. He made sure he suffered the most, having to listen and watch his family die. Fathers are meant to protect…”

“Maybe this father didn’t.” Detective Davis raised a brow at Spencer.

“Excuse me?”

“M-maybe this unsub thinks the fathers aren’t doing a good enough job as a father. We’ve seen this before with Karl Arnold, a-a family psychologist who believed that the f-families were dysfunctional. That the fathers had failed to-to fulfil their duties as the primal caretakers.” Agent Hotchner thought along with every word from Spencer, then agreed.

“It would make sense. The wives and children were shot all over their body and the father was one through the head. This unsub may have wanted the father to see what will happen to his family if he didn’t protect them.” Then flipped out his phone.

“Garcia, get me everything you can on a Hank Jenkins and Jason Lauren, anything to do with domestics or child services. Thanks.”

“Are you serious?” Detective Davis had his hands on his hips defensively. “I’ve known Hank for a very long time. He loved his kids. He’d never hurt them.”

“You asked us to come and do our job, and that’s what we’re doing. If you feel you have too much of a deep connection to the victim I suggest you step down.” Then Agent Hotchner strode past the man and into the bullpen room, leaving Detective Davis red in the face.

Normally he was collected, but she too thought something was off about the detective.

Within the room isolated from the other detectives, the team began to discuss their findings already.

“And how did he get in the house?” Emily asked.

“Reports say no sign of forced entry…” Derek read from his file.

“Maybe he was invited in.” Agent Hotchner said finally before effectively splitting the team up. “Reid and Prentiss the Jenkins house, Morgan and JJ you’re on the Lauren’s. Bonnie you’re with me here.”

“Yes sir.” The four other agents other than agent Hotchner agreed and left the building, and Bonnie began setting up at the end of the table.

“We’ll try and find out more about the two fathers.”

“You think it could be a psychologist like that Karl?”

“Maybe…” he picked up his phone and put Penelope on speaker.

“Wassup sugar cakes.” Agent Hotchner groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “So I’ve found out no reports of domestic violence have been reported from either houses or neighbours.”

“Big house for the first, hard to hear.” Bonnie mumbled.

“But I took a step further and looked into the mothers as well. Linda Jenkins was treated in the ER last month for a broken wrist. Nothing on Heather Laurens.”

“Unreported?” Bonnie thought aloud and agent Hotchner nodded.

“Possibly… Garcia, do the mothers have anything in common at all?”

“No sir. Nothing I can find but no case is too tight for me to squeeze in! Garcia out!” And the call ended.

“A neighbour or a friend might know something connecting the two even if they don’t know the other victim… let’s focus on Linda Jenkins first.”

Agent Hotchner stood up and Bonnie followed closely as he approached Detective Davis who wasn’t looking as happy as he was when the team had arrived.

“Detective, I’d like a list of close friends or relatives for Linda Jenkins and Heather Laurens.”

“Linda’s sister just arrived.” He pointed towards a small room in a corner where a middle aged woman resembling Lauren very well sat with a tissue in hand, dabbing her eyes.

“Great thanks.”

The two entered the room cautiously, and Agent Hotchner sat across from the women who’s red rimmed eyes looked dry and swollen.

“Hi, my names Aaron Hotchner and I’m with the FBI.” The woman looked up, shaking ever so slightly and refused to meet the man’s eyes. But looked to Bonnie.

“The FBI?”

“Yes ma’am. I’m not the FBI though. They’re here to help bring justice to your sister. May we know your name?” Bonnie spoke softly, and sat down on the arm chair beside the woman.

“Abby… Linda’s my little sister.” Bonnie felt pain from the woman. The innocence of still calling your grown sister little… it was like she were a kid again.

“Okay Abby… we’d just like to ask you some questions about Linda… is that alright with you?”

Abby glanced to agent Hotchner but still refuses to meet his face, instead she looked at his legs.

“Just us? Please?” She turned back to Bonnie.

Bonnie looked to her boss for advice, and was surprised when he nodded his head. “I’ll be outside.” And stood up to walk out.

“Why just us may I ask?”

Abby shifted in her seat, knees pressed tightly together. “Linda’s business isn’t for a man’s ears to hear…”

“What do you mean?”

“Our father was terrible. After that she- we- couldn’t trust them anymore. But she eventually fell in love with Hank…” Abby began sobbing and Bonnie froze unsure on what to do, her hand moving on it’s own to find Abby’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry to hear that Abby…”

“I thought he was good! Maybe we could trust again! But he ruined her even more!” Abby was wailing now, fuelled by anger and Bonnie was panicking on what to do next. So she just kept talking.

“What did Hank do to Linda… if you let us know it may help us find who did this to her.”

Abby calmed, scarily quick and looked into Bonnies wide soft eyes with narrow hatred.

“He beat her. Every day. The kids too… but I was so scared he’d kill them if CPS ever got involved. He was fucking crazy.”

“I’m sorry…” then an idea popped into her head.

“Was there any support groups Linda went to? For guidance of friendship?” If CPS or the police couldn’t beg involved, perhaps Linda had looked for a different help.

Abby nodded. “I told her about one I used to go to. It’s this little one held in the towns church with the priest. He helped me a lot. Not enough to date but enough to leave my house again.”

How long had Abby been afraid…

“May I have the priests name? I’d just like to talk to him about Linda.”

“David Walker.”

“Thank you Abby, you’ve really helped me today.” Stroking the woman’s shoulder, Bonnie got up and left before she could start crying too.

“Linda used to go to a support group for abused people. Community centre held by the priest David Walker.” She coughed recomposing herself.

“Alright let’s get down there.” Agent Hotchner lead and like most times, Bonnie followed.

“So… why did Abby not want me in there?” He asked while he drove down the street.

“Afraid of men.” She sighed staring out of the window watching pedestrians pass.

“And Hank?”

“Scumbag.”

He tutted. “What are the odds Heather had the same going on?”

“Big i’d say… but we still need to figure out how this persons getting into the houses and stuff.”

“We’ll leave that for now, let’s focus on this group.”

The two of them arrived at the church, tall and stone. A light and pleasant feeling when entering, like all your sins had been brushed away with a gentle hand.

Inside the building, the cathedral windows casted rainbow glows over the benches and stand at the front where the priest was flipping through a book.

He didn’t look much like a priest. His large build and tight shirt made him look a bit like agent Hotchner. Probably forty something.

“Good afternoon sir.” Agent Hotchner started and the man lifted his head. Quite good looking.

“Hello. What can I do for you two?”

“I’m SSA Aaron Hotchner of the FBI and this is Bonnie. We’re investigating a homicide near by, and we heard that one of our victims, Linda Jenkins came to a group meeting here sometimes.” Bonnie couldn’t lie and say that she didn’t feel honoured when he said ‘we’.

The man frowned deeply, and rubbed the forming wrinkles on his forehead before coming down from his stand to greet the two.

“I remember Linda. Very kind woman, very gentle.”

“What can you tell us about her?”

The priest sighed. “She always had a bruise or something on her when she came… I prayed everyday for her to find peace… I just never thought they would be answered like this.” The priest bow his head, sniffling slightly.

“Do you keep a record of people who come to this group?”

But the man shook his head. “Confidentiality is very important in here. In fact we don’t even use our real names. I only know Linda’s from the news… she called herself Casey.”

“Is there anyone in this group that you think had been… off recently? Specifically a man.”

The priest hummed for a second. “What do you mean by off? A lot of the people who come in are off in some way. Ridden with anxiety. Drugs addicts. All kinds.”

“Not like that. Someone who’s seemed really calm. Someone who used to be a nervous wreck and is now seeming better just out of the blue.”

Bonnies watched the priests face twist.

“No I’m sorry… no one like that comes here.“

“No one at all?”

“No I’m sorry agent.” The man closed off quickly, and had began walking back to his podium as if the two had rudely interrupted.

Before Agent Hotchner began to leave, he turned to ask. “When’s the next meeting?”

“Our next meeting is tomorrow night.” Agent Hotchner looked down at Bonnie and the two raised their brows.

“Thank you for your time sir.”

“God bless.” Bonnie nodded to the man and followed her boss out of the centre.

They walked until they were in the car and he spoke first. “He never mentioned Heather…”

“Maybe she didn’t go to this. Maybe another one? Or… I don’t know.”

“We need to speak to the rest of the team and discuss the findings… then maybe we’ll learn something about Heather.” The two of them could only hope.

Back at the police station, the team had gathered alone.

“A cupboard door leading to a basement was open at the scene in the Jenkins house, I’m assuming he hid there. No bodies were found around that area.” Emily began and Spencer followed on.

“No forced entry. Windows all closed, doors all intact.”

Then JJ started to share her and Derek’s finding on the Laurens. “Heather had no friends or family. Only child. Parents died ten to twenty years ago.” Jennifer started and Bonnie began to write.

Derek added, “We talked to the neighbours who are really torn up about it. They said they heard thumps, but assumed Jason was drunk again and didn’t want to get involved.”

“We found out that Linda Jenkins and her children were being abused, do you think Heather was the same?” Agent Hotchner asked to whoever would answer.

“If she was she had no one to turn to. No hope of getting out.” Said Spencer, writing upon the board.

“Online? There are other ways to communicate now. If she didn’t feel comfortable talking in person than maybe she would on a computer.” Emily asked and Derek nodded.

“Exactly. We found a chat on heathers work laptop. A site where women could share their stories and have comfort from others either going through the same thing or having been in the same position before.”

“And?” Agent Hotchner pressed.

“And there’s dozens of accounts offering advice or condolence… the accounts are also anonymous…”

“Shit…” he cursed and buried his head in his hand. “Two anonymous groups…”

“One sexy technical analysist.” Derek flipped his phone up.

“Speak to me.”

“Hey baby girl, we’ve got a site here, I need you to look at an account called ‘catlover500’”

“Oh you found my secret account?” Penelope giggled from the phone and Derek shook his head. “Anyways… ok so… this is Heather Lauren’s?”

“Yep.”

“And what am I looking for?”

Derek turned to Agent Hotchner. “Hotch?”

“Someone who… relates. Abusive father. Older sister. Submissive mother.”

“Okay… three comments under a detailed post about Heathers life… she talks about how she lived in fear for her and her children’s lives… and these comments are relating. One says ‘I know what you’re going through, my father did the same to me and my siblings until he eventually died of a stroke. You’re brave and will get through this.’ Another said ‘no father or husband should ever raise their hands to their loved ones. I’m so sorry this is happening to you.’ And the other, ‘my husband is the very same. Our two young children, I have a boy and a girl just like you, are scared. I’ve resorted to a support group but that’s all I’ve managed. My wrist broke last week, I’m still recovering But if you have hope, then so do I.”

“Oh my god…” Derek straightened and Emily’s jaw dropped.

“Could that be…”

“Linda Jenkins.” Agent Hotchner dead panned. “Garcia, can you check if these two accounts have private messaged one another?”

The clicking of Penelope’s keyboard filled the room.

“There’s some sort of firewall sir… this site of built for privacy.”

“Ok… just do your best then.”

“Yes sir.”

And the phone call ended.

“Now… wait I guess.” Agent Hotchner sighed.

“The priest said there’s a meeting tomorrow night. One of us could go?” Bonnie suggested and the team murmured in agreement.

“We can’t just sit around until tomorrow night, there must be something!” Jennifer argued.

It was late already, there wasn’t much else to do but sleep and try to rest before the next day hits.

“We’ve visited the houses, talked to family and outsiders, now Garcia is hacking a website to help us. There isn’t much else we can do.”

The entire team felt helpless. But more tired than anything.

“Tomorrow morning JJ, Morgan and Reid, go to the Jenkins house and try to find anything related to Heather Laurens.” Agent Hotchner planned and that was the night finished.

The next morning everyone was up early in their hotel rooms. Agent Hotchner alone, Derek and Spencer, Emily and Jennifer, and Bonnie alone.

None of them thought that they could have been waking up to the news of another family dead.

“Exactly the same thing. Father tied up. Family all shot. Mother, one daughter, one son.” Agent Hotchner read from a notepad.

“He’s escalating… why?” Emily asked.

“Maybe he knows we’re onto him? Maybe the priest let it slip.” Derek suggested and Bonnie hoped he was wrong.

“Yeah m-maybe, or he’s just struck another person he’s stalked.”

“We need to find out if there’s a connection with Linda and Heather… me, Prentiss, and Bonnie will visit the scene and you three stick with the Jenkins.” Then the team split up to go their separate ways.

The car ride was quiet. The three of them worrying whether or not they would gain some sort of lead to who did this, rather than connections that may not mean much in the end.

“Prentiss find a laptop. Bonnie look around the house for the entry. I’ll speak to the detectives.” The two girls glanced at each other before splitting up.

Bonnie began to feel nervous. The last time she went on her own at a crime scene she almost died. But if Agent Hotchner thought she’d be alright, then she would be right?

A back window was wide open, and while she tiptoed for a peek in, she saw that it was perfect for using to sneak in. A big open space you could climb in without knocking anything over. But how would they get it unlocked… the handle was on the inside and needed a key.

Which is exactly why she thought he must have already been inside. This was his escape route.

“Bonnie!” She heard Agent Hotchner call and she went running back to the front of the house.

“Sir?”

The man was holding his phone out, Penelope on the other end. “I finally got in and found that Linda had shared with Heather a phone number. And I called it and…”

“And what?!”

“It was a Father Walker.”

“What?” Agent Hotchner breathed out weakly. “And you’re sure about that Garcia?”

“Positive sir, I’ve already sent the phone number to your cell.”

“Maybe he did pray for that kind of peace…” Bonnie said quietly and Agent Hotchner placed a hand on her shoulder as Emily exited the house with a piece of paper in hand.

“Phone number hidden in the laptop bag of Lisa Downs, the mother.”

It was a match to the one sent by Penelope.

“We need to pay the church a visit again. Right now.”

“What’s going on?” Emily asked as they quickly ran to the SUV.

“It’s the same number Linda sent Heather.” Bonnie replied jumping in the backseat.

“Call the others and ask them to meet us at the church.” Emily did so, and when the car stopped outside the house of god, it didn’t take long for the others to show.

“What up?” Jennifer asked.

“The priest. I think he’s our unsub. All three women had contact with him, possibly talking about their husbands.” And Agent Hotchner took the lead into the church.

Like yesterday, Father Walker was standing on his podium reading, and waiting for his gathering of anonymities.

“Mr Walker, I need you to come with me.” The man looked up surprised and confused, looking rather offended at the sight of cuffs dangling from Agent Hotchners hand.

“What?” He asked, and the chief strut towards him with his shoulders tense.

“You’re under arrest for the suspicion of the murders of three families.”

The priest was bewildered. Stammering on his spot as Agent Hotchner pulled his arms around his back and connected his wrists.

“I don’t understand!”

“You can talk when we’re at the station.”

Bonnie bit her nails, watching the man be handled out of the church with Agent Hotchner holding him captive.

Back at the station, the man was in custody, all of the agents and Bonnie waiting behind the glass of the interrogation room. They could hear everything.

“You lied to me.” Agent Hotchner sat down alone in front of David Walker.

“I didn’t. I swear I didn’t know the woman’s name until the tv, but I… I did know Heather… and Lisa. I visited them from time to time when their husbands were at work. Trying to give them the support they needed to leave. But it didn’t seem to be working.”

“So you resorted to killing everyone?” The agent pressed firmly and Bonnie shuddered.

“What?! No! I wanted to help. Offer the guidance of god. But it didn’t work!” The man began to cry and buried his head deep into his arms.

Agent Hotchner stormed off and burst through the interrogation room. “Who else would know about these calls?”

“Sir?” Penelope was on the phone.

“This better be something good Garcia.” Agent Hotchner took the phone from Derek’s hand.

“So your darling boy in there isn’t actually the good man everyone thinks he is. There was a sealed file… a court case where his daughter Sarah tried to put him in jail for abuse. The mother never testified and the son was too young to understand. He was ten. His names Michael.”

“The mother too scared, the son too confused and-and brought up to believe the abuse he suffered was normal… now he’s grown. He gets it now.” Spencer mumbled.

“Where are they all now?” Derek asked, having a theory of his own forming.

“Mothers at home works in retail, and… oh… Sarah the older sister… she took her own life a couple weeks ago.”

Which was exactly what Derek had been thinking. There was the stressor.

Agent Hotchner turned back around barged into the room once again.

“Mr Walker. I know what you did to your family.” The older man slowly raised his head with bleary eyes.

“What?” He sounded broken. All his secrets coming out so suddenly. Slipping through the cracks of the dam he built carefully.

“I know you beat them. You beat them hard and you got away with it. Maybe now you feel guilty and you’re trying to be better by giving guidance to others, or maybe it just boosts your ego and you still go home every night to kick the shit out of your wife? Which one is it? Because I know you did it so pick one.”

“I… I was a bad father and I know I was. I drank a lot, lost my temper… I loved my children!”

“Enough to hurt them? Sir you don’t do that to your children.”

“Oh please! Sometimes they need a smacking!”

Bonnie craned her neck at the change of tone in the man’s voice. Guilty and sorrow to defensive and reasoning.

“No one in this world deserves to be harmed like that. You’re own daughter killed herself because of you. Where is your son now?” The agent asked and the man answered quickly, recoiling at the mention of Sarah.

“He still lives with me. He’s probably home. I… i had the theory it might have been him…”

“Why?” Agent Hotchner paused before he spotted bruising around the priests ear. “Because he finally started to hit back.”

Agent Hotchner said nothing more and walked out of the room for the last time. “Call Garcia again and get the address. We’ve found him.”

After all the hair tearing stress and worry about families close by, Michael Walker was caught. The murder weapon hidden under his bed in a pillow case.

The story was simple while Bonnie wrote it up.

Michael was abused since he was a young boy. His mother, older sister, and him. Just the same as the other families. He couldn’t save himself, or his sister, but maybe he could put others out of their misery and send them to heaven where nothing could ever harm them again. Because he too would rather die than live with the trauma of abuse lasting years. He ended his life quick and smoothly. The second he heard the door kick open and the FBI pour in he was gone. No explanation was really needed.

He was an Angel of death. Seemingly putting families out of their misery, and at the same time torturing the father who made it all possible in the first place. If you don’t look after your family you will lose them. David Walker’s two children decided life would be better without living in his world.

Michael knew about his fathers calls as he listened to him every day and every night. Looking for a victim to save by ending their life.

“Spencer?” Bonnie spoke quietly on the jet ride back to DC.

“Hm?” He hummed from reading an encyclopaedia for birds.

“Are you ok?” She asked. Of course she could see how much Agent Gideon meant to him. He was more than a mentor to Spencer, even if he would never admit it.

“I-I’m fine… why?” That awkward face he does when his lips form a thin line and his cheeks look squishy formed.

“Agent Gideon leaving must be hard on you… and it’s ok to admit it.” Spencer laughed and shook his head. “I mean it.”

Then his expression dropped, softened. His wide sad eyes told her what she needed to know. He missed him, and maybe wouldn’t stop.

“Thank you.” In almost a whisper Bonnie caught it.

[thesiriusmoon]

Ahhh thank you so much!! I’ve got a few chapters uploaded already! The tag for it is ‘thesiriusmoon Bonnie cm’ xx

I feel like garcia would make a tiktok account for the bau and try to force everyone to do dances in hopes that they would go viral

[thesiriusmoon]

First Case

Summary: Bonnie is invited to assist on her first case, and got more than what she was expecting.

Characters: Bonnie McBride (OC), Aaron Hotchner, Spencer Reid, Derek Morgan, Jennifer Jareau, Emily Prentiss, Jason Gideon

AU: Criminal Minds

Episode: Own

Word count: 4.9K

A/N: I make a lot of stuff up in this so just go with it! I make facts up a lot lol

TW: detail of blood and gore

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“Wheels up in thirty.” Agent Hotchner announced and Bonnie could have hit the roof and landed in Seattle already not having needed to use the jet.

It had been three months this she started her new job as the BAU’s (Agents Hotchners) assistant and she’d been invited to assist on a case. Not as a profiler or an agent, but to help out. Sort things, write down information, and keep up to date. Like a walking talking diary for the team.

Her go bag has been ready since her first day and followed Emily closely towards the jet, it was magnificent. She’d never imagine she’d ever step foot in something like this.

“You like it?” Emily asked knowingly, and Bonnie chuckled.

“It’s amazing.”

“Very comfy too!”

And the two entered and found a seat.

The rest of the team followed shortly and she thought it was a bit cramped for seven people, but it was fine none the less.

“Three killings, all stabbed and had their hair cut off, all dumped around the Livingstone park. Within four weeks. Which means around one killing per week.” Agent Hotchner read from his file, one that each agent had been given by Jennifer and Bonnie began writing in her notepad.

“The hair means something to him. Women love their hair, this dude hates women. So what does he do? Take away their identity and their looks. He’s angry and wants them to feel as low as he does.” Derek waded in, and by instinct Bonnie stroked her own hair. She did love hers. It was unique. Bright orange when the sun shone down on her, and cool ginger when there was no light. She’d hate to have it all cut off or lose it somehow.

“I think he knows the area. That park is two thousand acres, he can cover a lot of ground.” Said Emily.

“Are we sure it’s a guy? I mean, it seems like it could be jealousy. Possibly a woman who doesn’t see herself as pretty or well liked and she attacks attractive women then defiles something that most of us care for and always want to look nice, our hair.” Jennifer commented and Agent Gideon frowned.

“You might be onto something JJ. They leave the bodies face up, no remorse for what they’ve done. It could either me a man suffering from rejection or a woman full of jealousy. We’ll have to take a closer look when we get down there.”

“Did you know that in a recent survey taken in a Las Vegas high school, girls were asked what aspect of themselves they treasure most, and the highest answer was their hair. Not their body or maybe their face, but their hair. I-I think it’s because your hair can really change the way you look. You can change your face with makeup and surgery and your body by exercising and-and eating, but it’s easier to get a haircut or dye it.” Spencer gifted the team with his extensive knowledge.

“So you think whoever’s doing this is to make their victims… ugly?” Agent Gideon questioned, looking down to Spencer who nodded.

“Possibly.”

“Well all the girls do look kinda similar. Dark hair, blue eyes, skinny.” Derek had said before Agent Hotchner spoke.

“When we arrive I want Reid, Morgan, JJ, down at the police station find out anything you can about what’s been done. Gideon, and Prentiss, and I will visit the dump site.” He closed the conversation swiftly, along with his file.

“What will I do?” Bonnie asked eagerly.

Agent Hotchner thought for a moment. “Come with me. But if you feel sick or something you can head back and go to the police station with the others.”

But she swore she wouldn’t. This is what she’s preparing for. Her future. She’d have to get used to gory scenes at some point. And she wanted to prove she was capable of helping the team.

“Yes sir.”

And shortly after, the jet landed and Bonnie dug her nails into the arms of her chair, scared they would crash but had instead rolled smoothly into an airport.

Immediately, agent Hotchner, Gideon, and Emily were on their way to the Livingstone National Park, Bonnie in the backseat next to Emily.

“You ever seen a dead body before.” Emily asked suddenly and Bonnie almost laughed at how absurd that question was.

“Once.” She kept her answer short. Not wanting to give any more information about her past to the team.

It was rough growing up. Her mother and father migrated to America from Scotland when she was twenty two, Bonnie was four. Her red hair a flame and full of wonder. Her parents were convinced about the American dream, but neither of them had ever kept down a job, instead they fell down a hole of drug addiction. At the age of eighteen, her mother had found herself pregnant after a faulty condom broke, then six years later, it was her little girl who found her father laying lifeless in their apartment bathroom. A drug overdose. Since then her and her mother have been eating small plates and sometimes using cold water for showers. The apartment in which they live in now isn’t great. It needs a lot of work but neither of them have money to pay for it. Bonnie was accepted to college for outstanding grades as a young age. Child prodigy as her mother would say and tell her every day how proud she was of her. But lately she hasn’t seen her much, or heard anything similar in a couple of years.

“Who was it?”

“Emily.” Agent Hotchner had a stern look on his face and she gulped.

“Sorry.”

“It’s ok. I’m sure you guys have seen lots. I’m just excited to be helping.”

Agent Gideon smiled a little. “Let’s hope you still feel that way when we’re done.”

They arrived at the park, and were welcomed by one of the rangers.

“Thank you for coming Sir. I’m Sandy Parker, head of the rangers and the park.” A broad woman possibly in her mid thirties with short red hair, a tattoo on her left arm, and a bulbous nose shook Agent Hotchners hand. She had been leaning up against a pick-up truck, the same colour as her hair.

“Thank you for letting us in. I’m SSA Aaron Hotchner, this here is SSA Jason Gideon, SSA Emily Prentiss, and Bonnie.”

And Bonnie. It sounded a little funny. Here’s three intelligent agents, and a kid. We’re here to solve the crime. Just like scooby doo.

“Oh my god am I the dog?” Bonnie thought to herself.

“Right this way. One of my coworkers Andy found her. He hasn’t blinked since.” Her tone was steady, deep, she must be very professional, or has seen something like this before.

As they were led through the forest, Bonnie noted how close the trees were. Not really good for entering. And she wrote it down. There had to be another entrance somewhere. It would be hard to move around in here without making a noise or dropping the body you carried.

Before she even knew it, the agents had stopped walking, and the three of them were staring downwards. So Bonnie did too, and almost vomited.

It was horrible. The girl must have been around her age. Brunette, small, skinny, but perky. That’s the ideal type isn’t it? To be thin but also have a little something going on. She knew that she want to be like that. But was rather flat, as she would put it when looking in the mirror.

The girls hair was chopped right to the scalp, bald patches shining here and there and some cuts on where the shearing had gone too close to the head.

The girls face was grey, totally lifeless. But what the worst part of it was, was that it was hardly a face. It had been mutilated with a blade.

“Fifteen stab wounds. Most to the face, some to the body which is probably what killed her.” Sandy sighed. “Poor girl. You never think something like this could ever happen to you. She was so pretty too… shame.” Sandy said staring right down at the girls bloody corpse.

In her notes, Bonnie wrote down about the overkill. The rage.

But was there hair here? On the ground? Or any blood splatters? If the girl was killed here, the hair that was cut should be here too.

“There’s no hair around here. Or blood.” She said.

“You’re right…” Agent Hotchner mumbled. “He’s not killing them here. He might be holding them.” And he flipped out his phone.

“Garcia, I need you to find missing persons report on brunette young girls, typically attractive, thin, and small.”

“She’s on it. Hopefully we can find out his type. And he might already found his next victim.”

Bonnie gulped hard.

Once there was nothing else to look at, the four began travelling back to the car through branches and twigs.

“That was some good spotting kid.” Agent Gideon made Bonnie jump.

“Oh… thank you sir.” Smiling gratefully.

“I hear your studying criminal justice?”

“Yes sir I am. I’m almost finished. I’ve been skipping a lot of grades and should be finished next year at some point.”

“Oh another genius! So tell me, what are you planning to do once you’re done?”

“FBI training.” She said proudly and Agent Gideon smiled.

“Well you’ve proven you know your stuff well. Keep it up and you’ll be in the BAU in no time. I’ll make sure of it. That’s how Spencer got in! Knew him when he was studying and could see his wits from miles away. Once he was done all he had to do was give me a call.”

If he was hinting at her doing the same thing, she might faint.

She’s always had a passion for justice. She was smart and wanted to use it for good. Help others. Save them. Make something of herself instead of falling into the same path are the one her mother is taking.

“So what have you found?” Agent Hotchner asked Jennifer who began filling him in on missing girl cases and had three pictures up on a clear board which Spencer was scribbling profusely on, while Derek read over the victims files.

“No sexual assault on any of them. I think JJ might be right. It might be a woman.”

Jennifer sighed. “But how is she doing it?”

“Being nice?” Bonnie suggested.

“Gaining their trust.” Said Gideon, taking a seat. “These young girls wouldn’t think twice about a woman or another young girl showing kindness would they? They’re more trustworthy than men.”

“I don’t know about you guys but I wouldn’t just walk away with a strange woman just because she’s nice to me.” Jennifer commented and Bonnie nodded her head agreeing.

Then Emily added, “Trustworthy. People of authority uh… police officers, nurses maybe, someone the public is brought up to know will help them.”

“So how’s she getting rid of the bodies.” Agent Hotchner asked the question they were all thinking.

“A car would be too small I think. Too easy to get evidence on it. So maybe a van, or a truck. Something bigger that would have space to hold someone.” Spencer spoke to the board he was staring at.

“Great. We’re ready to deliver the profile, good work guys.” Agent Hotchner left the room with the team following in his footsteps.

The whole police departement sat before them, looking up at them eagerly wanting just as much they did to catch the person doing this. Sandy from the park had also arrived. She wanted to find who was defiling her beloved park just like everyone else.

Agent Hotchner spoke first. “The person were looking for is female. All victims have been white so we feel safe to assume this unsub is too.”

Then Derek. “She’s someone trustworthy. It could be someone of the law or of some other authority. These girls don’t have to question whether or not they’re safe with the unsub.”

“She’s full of rage. These women are everything that she wants to be. Small, thin, pretty, and she’s taking her own insecurities out on them, shown by the over kill and cutting of hair.” Emily spoke up.

“So we’re looking for a woman who may not be the same age as these victims. She’s old enough to know the Livingstone area well and clever enough to plan out her attacks and kidnappings.” Said Spencer.

“That’s right. These aren’t spree killings or sudden fits of anger. These girls are being kidnapped, held, tortured, then murdered.” Agent Gideon finished, all of the detectives and officers had their mouths gaping. Sandy’s expression was sour and Bonnie couldn’t blame her. The innocence of these young girls were ripped from them cruelly. All because some bitch never learned how to love herself.

“That’s all for now. Thank you.” Agent Hotchner allowed the detectives to go back to work.

At that moment, Sandy had her phone to her ear, and looked wide eyed to Agent Hotchner. “Sir, they’ve found another body.”

“What? Already?” Bonnie followed quickly to keep up with his long strides and they ended up in the jeep, Emily and Derek in the back as Bonnie had accidentally taken the passenger seat. She could tell Derek was a little annoyed at that.

“Another body… they’re picking up the pace man.” Derek said worriedly and Agent Hotchner nodded.

“It’s weird… we were literally just there and the second we leave there’s another body… how?”

“Maybe they were watching us. They knew we were there and waited until we were gone to dump another.” Emily commented from her back seat.

Bonnie hadn’t seen anyone in the trees… maybe they were high up like a bird and she had missed it.

“Over this way!” Sandy yelled having beat them to the scene, this time in a small black car. The truck must be used for park purposes.

The team followed into the scraggly bushes, and went deep into the forest about a ten minute walk until they laid eyes on their latest victim.

Just the same as the last, but a more violent attack had occurred. The girls ear was missing, the other still intact with a dangly sapphire earring. Her face was practically gone. Mush.

“How could…” Bonnie choked and Emily lay a gently hand on her shoulder.

From the rest of her body, she looked young. Nineteen maybe twenty or eighteen. She had her whole life ahead of her and now it was nothing but ashes. They couldn’t even identify her yet…

“ID in her pocket. Drivers licence. Katy Darnwall, seventeen.” One of the officers handed Agent Hotchner the girls card with a glove. She was one of the girls on Spencer’s board.

Seventeen… possibly the youngest of the lot. Probably still in high school not yet completed her exams…

“That’s disgusting…” holding the back of her hand against her mouth, Bonnie took a deep breath while Emily squeezed her grip.

“How long has she been here?” Derek asked the officers.

“Dumped today. She’s still warm. A dog found her. He was off his leash.”

“If you like I can take you to the park station and we can call her parents.” Sandy suggested, looking down at the girl.

“No… we need to have a look around. See how the unsub got this deep in. There’s close trees, there has to be a path easier to get in.” Agent Hotchner shook his head and turned his attention to Emily and Derek.

“Split up and try and find the entrance, you too Bonnie, note down anything suspicious.”

And she obliged immediately. Anything not to look at the blood still pouring out of the young girls face.

On her way she went. Separating from the group with her notepad in hand. Writing as her mind refused to stop thinking for just a second.

“Woman… older… not very pretty, or thin.” She spoke out loud. “Truck or van…” just subconsciously, a face blinked in her mind. Sandy was a bit like that. She wasn’t trying to be mean or insulting but that’s just what the description made her think of. Maybe there’s someone living out here pretending to be a guide and luring these girls into a cabin or shed.

Bonnie had been walking through a dirt path for about ten minutes now, not even realising, and saw at the bottom of a hill was in fact, a shed. It was hard to see. Moss covered the sides and blended the building into the trees and bushes. Just like the rest of the forest, the trees were close together. Anyone walking past wouldn’t have even seen it.

But Bonnie really did love quizzes and challenges. Amazing at spot the difference and games were you had to find hidden objects in pictures that blended into its surroundings. She didn’t know what that game was called but she had named it ‘the chameleon game.’

Immediately she pulled out her phone to dial Agent Hotchners number, but no signal.

“Shit!” She cursed and turned back to the shed that looked pretty old. Shabby but… well kept. There was a garden with flowers. Tulips. And a small lake, almost like a big puddle about twenty feet away.

She couldn’t turn back now, she was afraid she’d forget her steps. So she went forward towards the shed.

Watching her footing, careful not to trip, she began her descent, and noticed there was a path to her left. That must be how this person is getting the victims out easily, instead of treading through all these branches. Another on the right near the puddle lake. Must be how they get in.

“Hey.” Bonnie’s soul almost left her body and she slipped down onto the dirty ground, covering her skirt in dry mud.

Whipping around she saw Sandy and sighed with relief, getting back to her feet. “Hey… did you know this shed was here?” She asked, pointing in the direction.

“Never seen that thing in my life.” The woman shrugged.

But she’s the head of the rangers right? She needs to know all about the park.

“How come?” She asked innocently, as anxiety began to fill her stomach, something wasn’t right.

“Just never saw it. Some of these woods are still undiscovered.”

Well that couldn’t be true. There was a map at the station for visitors so they don’t get lost. Unless this wasn’t on the map.

“Oh right… well…” she didn’t really know what to do now.

“We’ll check it out together alright? I’m here with you. Nothing to be afraid of.” Sandy’s smile had eased her, so she began to walk. Trusting her.

The closer to the shed she got, the louder the alarms were in her head. But she didn’t know what to do about them. Sandy was here, but Bonnie was beginning to doubt whether that was a good thing.

Older woman, not ideally pretty, not thin, trustworthy, authoritative, truck… it all added up and formed into the woman walking right next to her.

And… had she been following her? She was a long way away from the dump site, why hadn’t she let herself be known…

Sandy was a few steps in front of her, and Bonnie caught a glimpse of something shiny. “What’s that?” She had suddenly asked, curious on the little blue gem in Sandy’s hand, twirling between her fingers.

“Just a little something I found.”

Katy Darnwall’s missing earrings.

The look of realisation must have been clear, as Sandy smiled and approached Bonnie slowly, and once reached, took strands of her hair through her stubby fingers, admiring it in her hand.

“Y’know, in all my life I’ve actually never seen someone with ginger hair before. Must be a foreign thing. It’s very pretty. Just like you. You’re thin, small, got nice rosy cheeks.” To which she pinched Bonnies face. A little too hard and Bonnies breathing hitched.

She wanted to cry out of fear. Scream for Agent Hotchner or Emily who wouldn’t even hear her. Someone safe. Someone to save her.

“And gorgeous blue eyes! Y’know how rare it is for ginger people to have blue eyes? Only zero point two percent in the entire world has that.” She looked down at Bonnie with a twisted smile, still playing with her hair in her fingers, with her free hand she stroked her cheek.

“I bet you’ve had a lot of boyfriends huh?”

“N-no… I’ve never dated anyone.” And that was true. She didn’t have the time nor the confidence to do so.

“Oh really? Why’s that? You’re a really beautiful girl. No one would ever want to date someone like me.” Sandy laughed, a little crazed. “But you… I know everyone wants a piece of you, and I hate you!” The hair between Sandy’s fingers was yanked hair and Bonnie fell down, suddenly feeling the weight of a boulder coming down on her face.

Scared and unsure what was happening, she pushed up hard, and rolled down the rest of the hill with Sandy running behind her. Hitting her head on stones or twigs on the earthy ground until she came to a quick stop and jumped, bolting for the shed.

“Get back here you little shit!” Bonnie screamed with fright and tried to door handle which didn’t budge, and dipped out the way before the pocket knife in which Sandy had pulled out collider with the wooden door, piercing it right through.

As she sprinted behind the shed she whipped out her phone and prayed for even just a little signal, but came up blank. But she pressed the call button anyways, letting it ring in her pocket.

There was the path to her left. The one which Sandy must have been using to dispose the bodies. If she followed it, it could lead her back to the team. Back to Agent Hotchner who’d know what to do.

The air was went still. Bonnie stifled sobs from pressing her back against the shed, trying to hear footsteps or dirt crunching to get an idea on where Sandy was now.

But there was nothing. Which was more terrifying actually.

Run for it. You’re quick and she’s a little bigger than you are. She might not catch you.

Bonnie crept to the edge of the shed where she reluctantly peeked her head round the corner to see it open. Wanting to not think about anything anymore, her legs took control and she was running towards the path.

That was when Sandy pounced. She was a hunter. Knew how to catch prey in these woods, and she was pretty quick on her feet.

“HELP!” Bonnie screamed into the woods as hot tears rolled down her face. She didn’t have protection like the others with their guns. She had her bare hands and feet that were shaking all over she didn’t know how much she could run.

“HOTCH!” She screamed again, begging for the one member of the team she longed for. His approval, his praise, everything. He was just amazing. So calm and preserved yet caring and understanding. She felt safe when she worked with him and always felt bubbly when he smiled at her. He was the only person she thought of when running.

Sandy was catching at a frightening speed, like a cheeta chasing an antelope, and Bonnies skirt wasn’t in her favour, restricting the movement of her legs, which she would curse out later for possibly being the reason she had been caught so quickly.

Sandy was on top of her again in a flash, but she kicked with all her might and strength in her body to stop the woman from turning her into her next victim.

“Bonnie!” The sound of a man’s voice slipped through her ears, not really processing it at all as her brain was too busy instructing Bonnie on how to dodge a blade.

One hard kick after bringing her knees up close to her chin had done the trick to loosen the larger woman’s grip on her and she crawled backwards, eyes manic with fear but she had forgotten how to stand.

Though she didn’t have to.

“Stop right there!” It was Derek, standing on higher ground pointing his gun directly at Sandy who had not paid him any attention. Instead she was looking hungrily in the direction of Bonnies small frame. Snarling like an animal fighting for food.

The woman lunged and Bonnie screamed.

Then a gunshot.

Bonnies shut eyes tentatively opened, and was horrified by the bloody scene in front of her.

Sandy had been shot through the chest. One clean shot. Her blood pooled around her body, as well as dripped from Bonnies nose.

“Kid?! Are you alright?” Derek’s voice was muffled. She couldn’t stop staring at the woman.

“She tried… she tried to…” she was ashamed on how her sobs broke loose but was comforted by the strong arms of Derek around her.

Picking her up swiftly with the young girl clinging onto his shoulders, legs weak, she watched as Sandy’s lifeless figure became smaller and smaller until she was gone.

She must have fallen asleep or passed out because when she opened her eyes again, her and Derek had just arrived back at the park station.

The strong man put her down and steadied her with his hand.

“You alright? You’re not hurt or anything?” He questioned frantically, checking her for cuts or bruises.

“I don’t know… my arm is a little sore.” Derek pulled her blazer up and winced.

“Must have got you and you didn’t realise. Will need stitches.” His gaze softened and his hand caressed her cheek, it was much more friendly than Sandy’s.

“Some first case right?” She had tried to joke but choked on a sob afterwards.

There was embarrassment and let down. She wanted to be in this field so badly but had fumbled her first chance.

“Bonnie! Oh my god, thank god you’re safe.” Once the pair walked in, Agent Hotchner sped over and had engulfed her in a hug, which she returned tightly. “You did it. You found her, seriously well done.”

She didn’t understand.

“What do you mean?”

“Your call to me, Garcia tracked it and Derek found you first. Officers are down at the shed and have found two girls. Without you, they wouldn’t have been found.”

Bonnie could have vomited now with the knowledge that she had been right at that shed and had no idea… but how could she? She tried the door and it was locked. She couldn’t get in if she wanted to. She couldn’t kick down door the way Derek could.

“But I failed.” Her lip quivered.

“Failed?” Jennifer scoffed with a smile. “Bonnie you caught her. And those other girls are safe now because of you. I’d call that success.”

“Days in the field are hard. Sometimes it gets rough.” Agent Gideon nodded his head.

“But if Derek hadn’t-“

“No. Enough. You did good. And I’m sorry for sending you out there alone… if I had any idea then…” Agent Hotchner sighed. “We found out probably the same time as you when we realised Sandy had gone. We were looking everywhere and your call helped us find you.”

Bonnie pulled the phone out of her pocket and checked that it had eventually went through.

“Thank you.” She whispered and Agent Hotchner led her outside with the rest of the team, away to get some medical treatment to which Bonnie still couldn’t really feel her arm. She just knew that it hurt. The blood on her coat said otherwise however.”

Fresh stitches, clean clothes, a good rest. The plane back to DC would be a little while and she was very excited to sleep, though she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to commit to it.

She’d never been attacked like that before. It had been a serious eye opener to who the BAU actually deal with. But then there was thrill to do it all over.

“So…caught your first bad guy today huh?” Emily said with a smirk on her face at the other side of the table in the jet.

Bonnie chuckled. “I guess so.”

“I read your notes. You were ahead of us. I couldn’t imagine how scary that must have been though. Figuring it out alone when the person is right there next to you… that must have sucked ass.”

“It did. But it’s over now.”

Emily winked to Bonnie. “Damn right it’s over. If you were of age I’d offer you a drink.”

“Legal age in Scotland is eighteen y’know.”

“Yeah well, I’m not ready to lose my badge yet.” The two of them laughed. Bonnie didn’t drink anyways, she hated it.

“So… would you like to tell me what the first body you ever saw was then?” Emily asked and Bonnie twisted her mouth as she stared around the window at the soft clouds passing by.

“My dad.” She said absently. “Drug overdose. I was six. Me and my mum have been ourselves ever since.”

Emily frowned deeply and stretched her hand over to where Bonnies lay on the table. “Well, if you ever need someone I’m only a phone call away. We all are. Each of us all have some sort of trouble one way or another… you’re part of the team even if you’re an assistant. You’re part of the BAU.”

Bonnie smiled in spite of the void in her chest, sniffed before closing her eyes.

“Thank you… Emily.”

[thesiriusmoon]

Alligator Valley

Summary: there’s a not so new agent in town, and Bonnie is helping out on her first case with him. A cannibal case in Florida.

Characters: Bonnie McBride (OC), Aaron Hotchner, David Rossi, Spencer Reid, Derek Morgan, Jennifer Jareau, Penelope Garcia

AU: Criminal Minds

Episode: Lucky (S3, Ep 8)

AN: follows canon but I tweak it to fit my story lol

TW: Possible mentions for gore and death, drugs use, abuse (all aspects).

Please reblog and like!! It really helps me out <3

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A couple of days had gone by since Bonnie physically saw her mother, nor heard much from her at all. She was always away, and it had taken a bit of a toll of her mood. Second guessing whether or not her mother really wanted her anymore. No text messages to let her know she’s alright, just things about microwave dinners and pop tarts. Ever since Bonnie could, she had worked. From age 14 earning $5 an hour. She helped pay the bills and whatever was left was for school work and clothes. Now that she had this assistants job she had felt a little lighter. Not having to worry too much about what she would have left over, but that didn’t stop her mother from disappearing for days. The longest was two weeks then one day she walked in, drunk out of her mind Bonnie was amazed she could stand, and walked straight past her and into bed. The next morning ate cereal from the same table without lifting her head, continuously scratching her arm full of needle piercings.

The woman she looked at was not the same in old photographs when she was a baby or toddler. Her brown hair was thin and greying at only forty. Her skin so tight that Bonnie could see her mothers cheekbones and ribs as clearly as she could see her eyes. It made her wonder, if she was watching her mother wither away.

Bonnie had became quite agitated. Everything said to her must have been against her. If she were asked to do her job she’d take it as being bossed around, but would comply quietly, seething under her breath. Or if she had been given constructive criticism she would convince herself it was because someone didn’t think she could handle her own.

David Rossi was quite the character. She had read one of his books before. Detailing his journey from the army, to the FBI. It was really quite interesting. She never thought she’d be standing in the same room with the man who caught Ryland Posey. The man who set off five bombs, almost six, if David Rossi hadn’t gotten to him in time. The man was made of stone. Every time Bonnie were in his presence she found that she was too intimated to talk. His legacy was bigger than her whole life.

He spoke sternly and low, creeping her out a little bit. Also adding to her quiet teeth gritting as she didn’t like how much of a know-it-all he could be. Speaking to the team as if he owned them.

It was an hour after starting her shift, 11am, when her phone beeped, and the team were getting ready to leave for Florida.

Before Bonnie could get to the jet first like always, Penelope had appeared, popping out of nowhere, and grabbed her arms with haste. “Guess what!” Her cheeks were rosy pink and the smile on her face was just ready to burst and spew confetti.

“What?!” She jumped up and down with Penelope, the woman’s excitement rushing through her hands and intertwined hers.

“I met a guy!”

Bonnie gasped dramatically. “Shut up! Who!” Stopping jumping to get to the serious parts.

“Well, his name is James and I met him at a coffee shop!” Penelope squealed with delight.

“That’s so cute! That’s literally the ideal place right? Going in for a cute little coffee and just bumping into someone!”

“I know!” Penelope strained her voice in attempt to remain a little composed in the office.

“Well you’ll have to tell me everything and more when I get back!”

“I will! I’m very excited for our sleepover young lady!”

Bonnie felt her heart melt and ache at the same time.

There was no hiding anything from Penelope Garcia. She was infamous for it. Literally smelling mood changes. It didn’t take long for the woman to question Bonnie on why she had been acting off. And it was easy to talk to Penelope. She actually listened to her. She was just like an open diary all ready to be written all over

So then the door of Penelope’s apartment was open to her 24/7. She had insisted at first that it was too generous to offer her a place to stay until her mother returned, because it would be too often and might be longer than Penelope had expected. So Bonnie had negotiated that she’d go for a night or two, for snacks and movies, just like having a best friend. Something Bonnie never had the time to have, skipping grades and going to college at 16 being surrounded by people much older than she was.

“Don’t take too long!” Penelope waved Bonnie off as she sped towards the jet.

“So, this guy is a complete and utter psychopath!” David Rossi ranted at the screen which showed an assortment of body parts. No faces. Just legs and arms. Fingers and toes.

“Someone very mentally ill Rossi.” Derek said from across the table.

“Obviously.” The older man sassed and Derek rolled his eyes, clenching his jaw like he always did if someone pissed him off.

“Guys. Listen up please.” Hotch scolded the two like a pair of kids, before clearing his throat and putting his attention back onto the computer. “This is Abby, nineteen, she left for college and never returned home. A pair of joggers found her body in a nearby park three days later. Everything below her waist had been eaten. All ten fingers gone, and her throat slit.”

This girl was only a year older than she was. Bonnie couldn’t help but feel attacked herself. Why must it always be women?

“What did that to her?” Derek asked, pointing to what would have been the girls bottom half.

“Bridgewater's off of i-75, Which is often referred to as alligator alley For reasons that are now apparent.” Hotch answered and Emily grimaced.

“I suddenly don’t feel so bad about my alligator purse.”

“Ah, the circle of life.” Rossi commented casually.

“An alligator couldn’t have carved an inverted pentagram on her torso though right? Or slit her throat? Unless he’s really skilled.” Derek conspired.

“The locals believe that a satanic cult is at fault.” Hotch replied, and Spencer quickly intervened.

“S-Satanic cults have been debunked as a myth actually.”

“What?” Jennifer looked unconvinced.

“Yeah, it was Rossi who debunked it.” All heads turned to the older man.

“Thanks kid.” Rossi gave Spencer a nod and Bonnie almost laughed at how his face radiated.

“Cult or not, this is ritualised.” Said Hotch and Emily sighed.

“So… satanic cults don’t exist, but satanic killers do?” She asked and Bonnie also rolled the question over her head.

“Lasciate ogni speranza ch'entrate.”

The team looked at Rossi with clueless eyes.

“Oh. Thanks for clearin' that up.” Derek tutted.

“Uh, it's from dante's inferno. Abandon hope, all ye who enter here." Spencer answered proudly.

“So… yes?” Emily asked and Rossi nodded.

“Precisely.”

But the boy genius wasn’t quite done yet. “There are two types of satanic killers actually. One is the rebellious teenager. Looking for a way out of reality. Mix this with some drugs and alcohol and it could turn violent. In some cases deadly.”

Rossi looked up at Spencer who smiled. “That’s from my book.”

“Trust me, we know.” Jennifer laughed and Spencer’s happiness faltered slightly.

“And the other?” Hotch asked.

Spencer continued, a little quieter and less enthusiastically this time however. Looking down towards the computer. “The adaptive. The worse one of the two I believe. I-it’s when a serial killer begins to blame his doings on fantasies. They will adapt satanic beliefs to fit their cause.”

“He doesn’t kill because he believes in satan. He believes in satan because he kills then. Is that it?” Rossi nodded at Derek who rubbed his head. “I don’t believe in all this crap!”

Spencer never missed a beat as his mouth ran faster than his thoughts. “Maybe that’s because you never really let god into your life?”

Derek whipped around, his thick brows crossed. “No offence kid, but you don’t know what I believe in.” And Spencer gulped, sinking into his chair.

“Alright well… we’re almost there. So when we land Bonnie you’re with me and Rossi, the rest of you visit the police department.”

Bonnie didn’t have that many notes yet. All she had picked out from the group was that they were looking for someone who believes that satan is real because they have committed such a heinous act. It wasn’t much to go on, there were probably lots of people who believed that.

Following Agent Hotchner and Rossi, they were led down to an examination room where Abby’s body- what was left of it- was being autopsied.

“Sir, I’m SSA Aaron Hotchner with the FBI.” Agent Hotchner shook the doctors hand after the man removed his glove.

“David Rossi.” Another shake.

“Bonnie.” She smiled and kept her hands on her notebook.

“Thank you for coming. I’ve been needing to speak with you.” The man said shaking every so slightly. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

Agent Hotchner lifted his head with interest.

“Fingers. Ten of them found in Abby’s stomach. They’re away for testing right as we speak.”

“He made her eat them?” Bonnie asked and the man nodded.

“Yes.”

“Are they hers?” Agent Hotchner asked.

But the man shook his head. “No… these belong to other people I’m sure of it. Three are index fingers.”

“More victims.” Rossi said aloud.

“He fed her other peoples fingers… why?” She asked the other two agents with her pen in hand ready to write.

“To send a message he’s killed more. And that…” agent Hotchner sighed and looked away from Bonnie. “He’s possibly eating them.”

The man from the autopsy stopped dead. “Serious?”

“Yes.” Agent Hotchner stated in his classic monotone voice.

“Well if it’s satanism, I think we should talk to the local priest don’t you think?” Rossi suggested and Agent Hotchner nodded.

“Yeah good thinking.” And she followed the two out of the room.

Rossi and Derek decided to go to the church, while Bonnie and Agent Hotchner returned to the police station to share their findings. Jennifer and Emily had just returned from visiting Abby’s father.

“He fed her fingers? That’s messed up.” Jennifer scrunched her nose like being hit with a bad smell.

“You ever wonder what human meat tastes like?” Emily pondered to herself and Agent Hotchner ignored her, while Bonnie shook her head.

“Never thought about it, never want to.”

Before Emily could go on further about eating people, an officer barged into the office and all heads turned.

“Sir, we’ve just got a call about a woman being abducted at a rest stop near the state park. We’d like you to check it out. We think it’s your guy.”

“Alright. Emily come, JJ and Reid stay and wait for Rossi and Morgan.” The boss had ordered and Bonnie could easily see how restless Spencer was getting being stuck in this small room from the minute they arrived.

At the rest stop, the team were brought into a bathroom, a smelly one. In one stall, a red inverted pentagram had been drawn on the door, marking which one the act had been committed, possibly to tell satan it was here. The toilet lid was down and a stack of books perched on top.

“Books?” Emily questioned.

“Satanic ones. And they’re nice and neat. This unsub may have been institutionalised, seeing as we’ve profiled he’s mentally ill. The only form of control he had was being tidy, almost military. Everything else was stripped away.”

Then he paused, his thumb running over the rest of his fingers. “Host a search party. Five o’clock today.” That was in two hours.

“You think she’s still here?” Emily asked as the three strolled back to the SUV.

“Maybe. There’s only one way to find out. Plus, the woman at the store said no cars have driven in…”

“Maybe she just didn’t see it or something? On break?” Bonnie suggested but Agent Hotchner shook his head.

“I don’t know. But… hopefully this search will help us.”

Two hours rolled on very quickly, and the whole team arrived to see a whole town at the park. Flyers being handed out, snacks and water, even hot food.

Father Marks had volunteered as well, he was the priest that Rossi and Derek spoke to. Bonnie wasn’t very sure of the man, she’d never met him, only that the team are assuming the unsub has some sort of connection to worship… and could tell that neither was Derek.

“What the fuck is that guy doing here?” The man mumbled next to Agent Hotchner who rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“He’s helping with the search.”

“Hotch you know that unsubs will sometimes insert themselves into the investigations right? This dude knows about this satanic stuff!”

“Morgan, chill out. Rossi said he was very cooperative right? He knows his stuff, you interviewed him… i don’t think your dislike for this man has anything to do with this case.” Bonnie feared that Derek may land a punch on Agent Hotchners face the way the man stepped back and clenched his fist. “Let’s just focus on finding Tracy Lambert alright?” Derek huffed, shoving his hands deep into his pockets and shoved on his dark sunglasses and walked alone into the forest.

Meanwhile Bonnie landed herself beside Spencer. “They’ve got chilli over there. Who eats chilli on a search party?” Bonnie chuckled, pointing out the stand to Spencer who hummed.

“Apparently Emily.” He said as they watched Emily take a bowl and scoop some into her mouth. “I hate public food. Don’t know where it’s been.”

Bonnie didn’t mind it. Sometimes it was better than buying ingredients from the shop which costed more than a simple takeaway. She couldn’t really afford to care about who handled her food. As long as she wasn’t hungry and it tasted good.

She signed the searchers sheet and herself and Spencer stuck close together. The memory of going off alone in the woods during the Sandy Parker case crept up on her like a stalker and choked her from behind. She started combing her hair with her fingers, protecting it.

Her breathing became heavier as her eyes frantically scanned her surrounding, instinctively looking for short red hair.

“Hey.” Spencer’s voice didn’t exactly make her stop, but she now had something to focus on. “Everything’s gonna be alright. I’m here with you. And I’m allowed to use a gun now!”

That made her feel a little lighter, but with each step further into the woods she felt the trees closing in on her.

“I hope so… just the last time I did this I almost died… on my first case as well.”

“You ever hear about my first case?” Spencer asked, trying his hardest to comfort the younger girl.

“No?”

He laughed at the reminiscence. “I was twenty one. I’d never been in a fight or-or anything like that my entire life. I had just been granted permission to be allowed in the field. Hotch took the lead like always, and-and told me to go round back with Morgan. I was basically a look out.” He was smiling. “So we went around the back of this big house, and he told me to stay put while he checked the inside was clear. I couldn’t shoot by then, I was awful.” She managed to laugh a little, still keeping close to Spencer, grazing his arm as she walked through the woods.

“The unsub jumped me from behind. And I wasn’t stocky or strong like Hotch or Morgan, hell I’m still not! He took me down and whacked me hard on the head and I couldn’t see from how dizzy I was. I genuinely thought I was gonna die. That was until morgan shot him. The first time I’ve even been close to a bullet. When I sat up, I threw up all over myself. Like literally everywhere.” He began to really laugh now. So hard he could barely finish his sentence. “And then- and then, Morgan took of his top and had to physically change me. Mind you we’re in this person back garden with a dead man behind us and he’s stripping me! My shoes at that point were covered in vomit and y’know the first thing I said was?”

“What?” She asked laughing along, despite how scary it must have been.

“I asked for my mom. My mother! At my grown age being an FBI agent I asked for my mom. Morgan had to take my shoes off and carried me bridal style to the SUV. I’ll never forget that. Or Gideon… while I was in the hospital getting stitches he stayed by my side the entire time. Reading from his bird books… he knew I hated hospitals…” Bonnies smile slowly faded to a frown.

“I know you miss him… he was a great guy. From my little time with him I learned a lot! Like that time he called that man’s mum a whore? Who does that?!” She hadn’t been present from the amount of guns pulled, but agent Hotchner told her everything once they were back safely in the jet. How Gideon confronted this man named Frank and simply insulted his mother, before the man and a victim jumped in front of a train.

That insult must have really hurt.

“Only Gideon.” Spencer laughed again, but distantly. Sadly almost.

“I’m sorry he left Spencer. If I could bring him back for you I would. I know what it’s like to-“ she stopped and cleared her throat. There were some things in the world that aren’t meant to be said. Like how it was actually quite obvious Spencer lacked a parental figure. Seeing how much he admired… and actually loved Agent Gideon as if he were his own flesh and blood.

“It’s that obvious?” Spencer turned to her with a smirk. “Shit I thought I was doing well with hiding the fact I don’t have a dad.”

Bonnie snorted. “I understand. My dad passed when I was little. Just been me and my mum ever since.” Thought now it seemed like it was just her alone. Eighteen and all by herself in this big big world.

“I’m… I’m sorry to hear that. This team… it’s a family. I’ve gained a father, lost him, but I also gained brothers and sisters, and whatever Hotch is… I can’t put my finger on it…“ perhaps Agent Hotchner just had that dad vibe. Considering he had a little boy at home.

Or maybe it was his age actually…

The Tobias Hankel case file flashed quickly in her mind, and she remembered Spencer’s name very clearly, and wondered if she could risk asking about it. If there was something wrong, she’d like to know. It could help her understand the team better, seeing as this went down before she had joined them.

“Spencer…” she started anxiously. Sandy Parker no longer in her thoughts.

He hummed back.

“When I was sorting the case files, I saw one with your name in it.” The man shifted and cleared his throat.

“Oh really?”

“Yeah… Tobias Hankel?” You couldn’t have missed the flinch even if you weren’t looking. And with that she regretted every opening her mouth. “I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“No…” he scratched his arm. “No it’s ok. We’re a family now.” She wondered if he knew how much that had meant to her. “He was a sick man. Mentally unwell. He kidnapped me, drugged me. I dug my own grave.” He scoffed sourly. “But the team found me just in time… sometimes I wish they hadn’t.” He whispered the last part, but having it be so quiet around this forest Bonnie heard, and tentatively reached for Spencer’s hand which he flinched at.

“Sorry… I forgot you don’t like to be touched.”

His face of fear turned soft, and he gave a small smile, and took her hand in his. “Only with family.”

A surge of warmth coated her body as she really smiled.

Unfortunately, after a couple hours no girl had turned up. So both Bonnie and Spencer reluctantly left the forest, despite how much they wanted to keep looking, and were met with a serious faced Agent Hotchner, and they let go of each other.

“It’s getting too dark, we have to go back to the station, JJ has an idea.” And the two younger ones shared a worried look before getting into the SUV, driven by Agent Hotchner.

Back at the station, Jennifer began reading over the search list and volunteers from the church, hoping the theory of the unsub being part of the church was right, but so far had nothing.

“Garcia’s I’D the fingers. No two are the same. That’s ten victims.” Spencer began drawing on the map. “Hey look at this.”

Jennifer, Agent Hotchner, and Bonnie stood closer.

“The hunting ground is in the middle of it all. The last time any of the woman were last seen.” Agent Hotchner thought aloud.

“He likes to stay close to home then. Gives him familiarity.” Jennifer said and Spencer nodded.

“It was prostitution that helped Garcia with the ID. I think they were easy to catch.”

The thought of her mother out all alone with strange men was too much for Bonnie, so she slipped outside and pulled a cigarette from her blazer pocket, walking around the side of the police building for a bit of privacy. Hoping none of the team would discover her disgusting habit.

It was a simple little thing that filled her with relief. A break. She started when she was 14 after getting her first job in a small take away shop that was always busy. Nipping out the back for five minutes was a blessing. The nicotine high would relax her tense body and she’d go back in after drowning herself in perfume, and feel as if she had rested well and could continue.

Quitting was very hard and sometimes she regretted ever picking up a cigarette. But on the most stressful times such as thinking about her mother, it was the only escape. The only thing to take her mind elsewhere.

It was later that night when Derek left the station, only to come running back in with the news of a body which was already on the way to the hospital, and father mark was brought in for questioning.

Agent Hotchner began. “She’s Hispanic for one. She’s not either of the women we’ve been looking for.” As amidst the searching for Tracey, another woman had been abducted. Every single member of the team had felt absolutely hopeless. How could they host a search only for another woman to go missing?

“Her names Maria Lopez, 31, 2 kids. Numerous arrests for solicitation and prostitution. But she was reported missing nine months ago.” Jennifer furrowed her brows in confusion.

“How does that work? He’s holding them?” Emily asked Agent Hotchner who was double checking the search sheets while Rossi and Derek spoke to Father Mark.

“Get Dr Fulton on the phone.” Agent Hotchner demanded and Jennifer began to dial.

Once the man answered, Agent Hotchner started immediately. “Has Maria Lopez’s cells burst?”

“Why?” The doctor asked and Agent Hotchner groaned.

“Because we think she was killed, frozen, kept, and eaten.”

The line went silent. A couple of seconds passed and the doctor replied. “Yes, her cells were burst.”

“Thanks.” And the man ended the call.

“Well that explains why we haven’t found any other victims.”

Bonnie took a shaky breath. “Garcia’s checking mental institutes still, there’s two but we’re gonna have to narrow this down.” Agent Hotchner sat down and failed Penelope’s phone.

“Now call Garcia.”

“A please would be nice.” Jennifer held her phone in her hand waiting.

“Please.”

And she then dialed.

“I’m your fairy godmother Garcia, you may grant me one wish!”

“Have you found anything in the institutions yet?” Agent Hotchner asked.

“So I can't find any patients in florida Who have the charmheg of being both a satanist and a cannibal. However, hazelwood mental institution is the place to go When looking for florida's most dangerous kinds of wackos, And they had a fire in 1998 that destroyed all their records.”

Agent Hotchner listened intently, not moving a single muscle.

“Let’s give hazelwood a visit, JJ call them and tell them we’re coming. Reid, Bonnie let’s go.” As tired as she was, Bonnie went, lunging her first steps and cracking her neck that Emily gagged at.

“What are you expecting we find?” Spencer asked from the front seat.

“A man who would have been young at the time, very mentally ill, and hopefully someone who will know of our description.”

“That’s really vage.” Bonnie piped up from the back and agent Hotchner nodded.

“But this man would also be prone to biting, like during fights or something. Hopefully someone will have a file.”

So when they pulled up to Hazelwood, that’s exactly what they did.

They were brought into a doctors office, not much decorating the area besides a couple diplomas and such.

“As I told agent Jareau on the phone, We have no existing record of that patient you described.” The doctor said feeling helpless. His hands out in front of him on the table, as if trying to grab any sort of memory that would help.

“We know. We were hoping you might actually remember a patient. He would have been an adolescent when admitted.”

“Dr Lorenz was in charge of adolescents.” The doctor replied as grief covered his sunken face.

“Is he here?” Agent Hotchner asked and the man shook his head.

“He died in the fire. He was leaving when he heard the alarm and ran back in.”

“Why?” Spencer asked.

“He was a very dedicated man.”

“Like he had something to protect? Something to risk his life over?” Bonnie then asked.

The doctors wrinkled forehead creased, and he stood up from his chair. “There was one thing…” moving towards a desk and sliding one of the drawers open, pulling out a worn out notebook.

“This boy… he wrote about taking a bite out of his nine year old sister… cannibalism’s what you’re looking for isn’t it?” Agent Hotchner took the book from the doctors hands and flipped to the front.

“Floyd Feylinn Ferell.”

The sirens were on, speeding down streets and running red lights, Bonnie gripped onto her door handle in fear of her life. She’d never been in a police car like this before.

Rossi and Morgan were closer than they were, having been at the church with Father Mark.

By the time they arrived, the suspect was in Derek’s hands, shirtless, being pushed into the back of a police car.

“That’s him?” She asked peeking to look out of the front window with wide eyes.

“Yep.” Agent Hotchner answered, and began following the car down to the station.

The team were all together again, and their anxieties had dropped slightly, all hoping this truly was the man the town was looking for. To bring justice to those dead.

The entire team stood outside of the double sided glass window of the interrogation room, all very eager that this was the one.

Father Mark was waiting with the rest of the team.

“Kobe girl steak.” The man began. “That’s where you prepare the meat isn’t it?” The man was unresponsive. “You’ve got a lot of unusual recipes in here Floyd.” Derek held up a better looking journal than the one found at the institute. “Must have tried some of ‘em?”

“Hm.” Floyd hummed down to himself.

“Talk to me.” The agents eyes digging holes into the smaller, much weaker man. “Which ones?”

Floyd slightly lifted his head in the direction of Derek. “Some have smiley faces. Some have sad.” It was the first time any of them had heard him speak. It was soft, calm, unnerving.

Despite how sick Derek just have felt, he carried on. “You ever hear voices Floyd?”

“I’m not smart. But I have a smart friend who tells me things.” Floyd responded.

“What’s your friends name?”

Floyd ignored him. “He wants me to tell you something.” And Derek waited. “Your watch has stopped working.”

“He’s trying to spook him.” Agent Hotchner commented from the other side of the glass

“Yeah uh… I’ve been meaning to change the batteries for a month.”

Bonnie hoped Floyds plan wouldn’t work on Derek, because she was certainly taken back.

Derek then proceeded to suggest that Floyd took fit women due to the fact they would have more ‘meat’ on their bones for his recipes. To which Floyd answered he thought that skinny people who took drugs didn’t taste very nice.

“Where’s Tracy Lambert?” Derek drilled, and Floyd smiled.

“I can only tell Father Mark.”

Derek excused himself and even though Agent Hotchner was against it, the man was able to take Father Mark into the room. “I do all the talking. Alright?” And the priest nodded.

Floyd immediately looked up when he saw Father Mark. “Thank you for coming father.”

“Anything I can do for-“ Derek paused the priest with a finger in the air.

“I had to pull a lot of strings to get him in here Floyd. My bosses really didn’t like to idea of him sending him in at all. So he’s gonna sit here nice and quiet, and you’re only gonna talk to me, alright?”

“Ok.” Floyd answered. “I’ve done bad things.”

“We’ve all done bad things we’re not proud of Floyd. The only thing that helps is to tell others.”

“Not everything” Floyd shook his head.

From beyond the glass, Bonnie’s head had tilted in interest looking at Floyds demeanour. He had completely opened when Father Marks had came in, and could not stop taking glances every couple of seconds to the priest. He looked, like he was planning something.

“This isn’t right.” Agent hotchner’s brows were furrowed as he too stared at Floyd. “When Floyd was at the search he signed the sign in sheet, but not the searchers.”

Inside, Derek pressed. “Come on Floyd. I got him in here because you wanted him, now it’s your turn. Where is Tracy Lambert?”

Bonnies eyes faltered around the room in thought. She could see some stalls. Snacks and drinks, then she looked up to the people. Those handing them out. “Something wrong…” but she hadn’t made it out yet.

“I feel so alone father. That god had abandoned me.” Father Mark looked at Derek for permission to speak, and the man nodded.

“You are not alone, my son. God is in all of us.”

“We have to stop the interview.” Agent Hotchner panicked.

The man, Floyd, began to grin sinisterly, twisted his head upwards, and laughed.

“So is Tracy Lambert.”

Then it all made sense.

She could see him so clearly now. Standing behind the stand where chilli was being served. She had watched him give a bowl to Emily.

Bonnie spun around to watch the said woman run out of the room covering her mouth with her hand.

“You son of a bitch- you son of a-“ Father Mark flung his body of the table and lunged for Floyds throat, Derek catching him by his waist and yelled for back up. All while Floyd watched with a grin on his face.

A face Bonnie would not forget.

Back on the jet, after Emily was done throwing up every piece of food in her body, everyone was silent.

Derek was not present, but no one paid much mind.

Bonnie brought out her small flip phone and texted Penelope. She first had to collect her things that she left at the BAU, then find a way to get to Penelope’s apartment. Maybe Agent Hotchner would give her a lift. Or Jennifer. Not Emily… Emily would want some alone time. Probably to make herself throw up some more.

Well at least she knew was human meat tasted like now…

Bonnie screwed her face up at the sudden thought.

‘Hey Penelope, we’re on the jet now, I won’t be long!’ She texted and sent, before passing out on the plan ride home.

——————————

“Bonnie! Bonnie wake up!” A strong hand was shaking her from her slumber and she jumped out of her chair in a panic.

Agent Hotchner grabbed her shoulder and hurried her out of the jet, her still being in a sleepy state.

“What? What’s wrong?!” She breathed heavily as she tried to keep up with the man’s long strides.

“I…” his grip on her tightened. “Penelope’s been shot.”

[thesiriusmoon]

The interview

Summary: Bonnie Mcbride is a young girl with her heart set on becoming an FBI agent, and has successfully secured an interview with the head of the BAU for an assistants job.

Main characters: Bonnie McBride (OC), Aaron Hotchner.

Side characters: Spencer Reid, Jennifer Jareau, Emily Prentiss, Derek Morgan, Jason Gideon, Penelope Garcia

Other: platonic, just for fun writing

Word count: 2k

The first of many things to come for this idea

——————————

Well the building was huge first and foremost. Her pencil skirt tight over her opaque tights, white blouse tucked neatly, and her blazer freshly ironed and still warm. Her emotional support book back over one arm.

For a year now, she was studying. Criminal justice. It was a piece of cake really. Every single word she read tattooed itself under her eyelids, there wasn’t a single thing she could forget. Which is how she’s ended up so far ahead so young. She couldn’t explain it. She skipped grades and was in college before she even knew it. All with one thing on her mind. Justice. Just as the course said. Not for any terrible reason however. She wanted to give her mother a life. One she was never able to grab for herself.

It was Bonnies deep secret. Her mother was a prostitute. Amongst other jobs here and there. She wanted to see her mother in a nice house rather than the shabby one they lived in right now. And with the money made from this assistant job she could really help!

So in she stepped and was blinded by how white everything was. So clean it was intimidating. She placed her bag through the metal detectors and took off her earrings to pass the test. Nodding politely towards the security guard who towered over her small body, and took her bag to the lift and pressed the number six button, and held her breath.

“Hey, are you lost?” A pretty young woman with straight blonde hair stopped with a concerned smile.

Bonnie shook her head. “No. Well- kind of. I’m looking for Agent Hotchner, I have an interview for an assistant job.” The woman laughed.

“Oh right! Sorry, my mistake. If you would like to follow me I’ll take you.” And Bonnie gladly did that, while admiring the framed pictures of men and women in uniform all over the walls.

“What’s your name? Excuse me for being so rude there.”

“Bonnie.” She smiled with rosy lips, already liking this woman.

“Nice to meet you Bonnie. My names Jennifer but everyone calls me JJ.”

“Jennifer… that’s really nice.”

“Why thank you!” Jennifer giggled and led Bonnie through the glass doors for the BAU, and she was met with many people older than herself working at desks.

“Agent Hotchners office is that one at the top, just knock and he’ll answer.” With that, Jennifer gave Bonnie a supportive thumbs up before heading back out the way they came in.

Before Bonnie could thank her, being too overwhelmed with the authority surrounding her. Every person in here must have a gun on them, and she found herself standing and wondering if she made one wrong footstep would they draw them?

Eventually she knocked on the door, and a “come in!” Was heard.

This was it!

“Hello, I’m Bonnie, I’m here for your assistant interview?”

“Assistant interview? I didn’t know I had one.” Bonnie froze awkwardly, stroking the strap of her book bag.

“Oh… uhm, I have the paperwork here if you’d like to take a look sir.” She took the neat unfolded paper from her bag and approached the desk while this man stared at her confused, but took the paper.

“Oh… right well, have a seat then. Sorry for the confusion.” She tried to laugh it off but all the confidence she had seemed to drain out of her and was replaced with blush. “If you just give me one minute.” And he excused himself out of his office, leaving her to fidget with her bag strap once more.

He really did come back in a minute, and she jumped not hearing him come back in.

“So… I won’t lie to you I had no idea there was an assistant interview, it was my other coworker who decided to set it up, but I’m more than happy to follow through with this if that’s still what you want.”

Bonnie nodded. “I’d like that sir.”

“So…” he began to read her CV. “Bonnie McBride? Scottish?”

“Yes sir.” Her accent sounded thicker now that she were on the spot.

“Only eighteen?”

“Yes sir. October thirty.”

“And you’ve already been enrolled in criminal justice?”

“Yes sir. Started when I was sixteen in Georgetown. One more year to go if I keep doing what I’m doing.”

“And what are your plans for after?”

She felt a little embarrassed talking to the unit chief who was clearly very successful in what he did. “I wish to become an FBI agent.” To which she thought he almost smiled.

“Well you’re heading in the right direction that’s for sure… and why would you want to be an assistant here?”

“Because… I really appreciate the work that yourself and your team do. I would like to be able to give something back whether that be filing things so you won’t have to stress or always being on hand if someone needs something like a drink or-“

“Not because you’re a spy?”

Bonnies eyes widened comically and her jaw dropped. Agent Hotchner was so serious she thought he was going to draw his weapon until he laughed.

“I’m just kidding. You seem like a lovely girl but I’m worried that what you may see in here will affect you negatively.”

“Don’t worry about that sir! I wish to work in law enforcement and will have to get used to it sooner or later won’t I?”

“I understand… but what about your studies? We can be away for days, weeks, or even months at a time.”

“There’s the option of online courses which I’m set to apply for if… if I’m successful in this interview.”

“Well… convince me then. How will you assist us.”

Us. He said. Not just him.

“I’d get to know everyone. What they and what they dislike. I’m quick on my feet and make terrific coffee, best ever if I do say so myself. I can read a room like a book and I love organising and cleaning, one of my hobbies actually! I’m great with computers and my time management, I’m never late for anything only early. And if need be I can also stay out of the way, do my work until my phone pings for me to set off!”

Agent Hotchner listened intently before his eyes averted towards the blinds in his office.

“Come up here, and tell me what you see.”

Nervously, she followed and peeked through the window.

“The other agents?”

“Yes but, you said you could read a room. Prove it to me.”

She swallowed hard, and her attention landed on a skinny boy who was spinning on his chair.

“That man there, with the curly hair spinning on his chair, that must be a way to relax or concentrate as the motion of the air and dizziness of the head takes away anything else surrounding. His hand at clasped bear his face, he’s thinking. Oh- now he’s writing, very quickly at that. He’s onto something.”

Agent Hotchner nodded.

“And that man there.” Now she was looking at the broad shouldered man with a cup of something in his hand. “The way here hold himself, the mug in one hand the other on his hip. He’s confident. He doesn’t need two hand to steady whatever’s in his cup because he moves so swiftly. The hand on the hip can also be defensive. He’s brave and looking for danger, maybe even trying to be intimidating as if to say ‘don’t even think about it.’ And he obviously works out! His shoulders are very big…” she began to lose track.

Right up until she saw Jennifer.

“And there’s Jennifer! I met her after the lift up. She’s very kind and maybe even worries a lot about others, seeing as she had approached me to ask if I was lost. She cares a lot about others and is looking over peoples shoulders to make sure they’re working. Very passionate about her job and work, because she knows that what they do affects others.”

An older man exited one of the offices.

“That man… walks fast, he has places to go and things to do. Hardly takes a break. Maybe a little stressed but at the end of the day takes a lot of pride in his work because of how hard he works to help people. He looks authoritative, been here a while. Knows the place inside and out he doesn’t have to look where he’s going…”

“That’s Jason Gideon. Former unit chief. A legacy left behind but he’s still going.”

Bonnie felt very proud of herself.

“Oh! And what about her.” The agent pointed to a plump girl with crazy blonde hair and red high heeled earrings dangling over her shoulders, matching the shoes on her feet.

“Hm…” she thought hard.

“Unique. She’s herself at all times. She only cares about what she thinks of herself and-“ she watched the woman lean a hand on top of the broad shouldered man’s desk. “Fancies that man?” Agent Hotchner snorted, and physically wiped the smirk off his face.

“Yes it does seem that way doesn’t it? But I can assure you they’re just the best of friends.”

Then yet another woman who Bonnie swore would be the last she profiled was very attractive. Black hair curled not very long, but she couldn’t get anything for this woman. Nothing. “I have no idea about that woman.”

“That’s Emily. She’s sealed like a safe.”

“Secretive? Defensive?”

“Something like that yes.” The Agent sighed. “Well, now for the next test. How good is your coffee really?”

“Very sir.” She smiled, and he led the way out of the door and into the office again.

Each of the peoples heads she had talked about turned to their direction and she pretended that she didn’t notice how they all started whispering.

She only focused on the mug in front of her.

“Do you like it light, normal, or strong?”

“Strong.” She scooped three teaspoons into the mug.

“Sugar?”

“No thanks.”

She added a little hot water and mixed it was all dissolved.

“Milk?”

“No thanks.”

“You look like an americano guy.”

“Oh really? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh sorry sir! I didn’t mean it as an insult.”

“No it’s fine. I’d like to know why though.”

Bonnie wished she hadn’t spoke at all.

“Well… you keep a straight face. Being the boss you have to remain on guard and professional. No time for fun and games when lives are at stake. And maybe the strong coffee keeps you up for the day and the lack of sugar and milk would mean that you just want to taste the coffee, rather than something else. Because the thought of drinking just coffee acts as a placebo to heighten your awareness. Milk and sugar would falter that.”

“I’m actually just lactose intolerant. But you’re right about the sugar. I like the bitter taste because it reminds me I’m drinking coffee which includes caffeine. The sugar distracts me.” The agent was smiling.

Bonnie laughed and handed the man the cup she had prepared after stirring more water in to almost the top, anxiously waiting his reaction.

He brought it to his rough lips and hummed. “That is quite good actually… Bonnie, I’ve made up my mind.”

Everything had went very well so far… she crossed his fingers.

Instead of speaking, she led her to the group of desks where the agents had disbanded back to their work after their boss began approaching. Except from the man called Jason Gideon.

“Everyone, I’d like you to welcome Bonnie to our team. She’s our new assistant.”

“Well done Bonnie!” Jennifer grinned.

“Welcome to the team kid.” Said the broad man’s who’s desk read ‘Derek Morgan.’

Then the spinning man, ‘Spencer Reid.’ “Good job!”

“Hope you’ll enjoy it here!” The attractive woman chuckled.

“It’s great! Never a boring day!” The woman with the crazy earrings clapped her hands.

“I knew you’d love an assistant Aaron.” Jason laughed.

[thesiriusmoon]

Stay With Me

Summary: The aftermath of Penelope’s date has the entire team shook up, but determined to find out who hurt their girl.

Characters: Bonnie McBride, Penelope Garcia, Aaron Hotchner, Derek Morgan, Spencer Reid, Emily Prentiss, David Rossi

AU: Criminal Minds

Episode used: Penelope (S3, E9)

A/N: a lot of this is probably false facts because I’m not a doctor… and sorry for spelling errors I sometimes miss them when rereading. And just when you think I’ve finished the story… SIKE, I just keep on going

Word count: 5.6K

TW: mentions of blood and death

—————————

The car ride to the hospital was a dark blur. Her head hurt painfully and her chest felt like needles were stabbing her over and over again.

Silent tears strolled down her cheeks, waiting for the SUV to come to a final stop, where she would then tumble out, sick to her stomach, and race into the blinding white building.

“I’m looking for Penelope Garcia. She was shot.” A sob escaped her lips as she spoke to the receptionist. It couldn’t be real. Penelope couldn’t be in a hospital with a bullet wound… she was too kind. Heart was too big to be taken down so easily.

“Miss Garcia is in surgery right now. You may wait if you’d like.” Bonnie nodded as her headache worsened. She turned away from the desk and felt her legs numb, and would have hit the ground if Agent Hotchner hadn’t have caught her seconds before.

“It’s alright… she’ll be alright.” He whispered to Bonnie, but also himself. Trying desperately to mentally hold himself together while physically holding Bonnie who was trying to keep consciousness.

“Here, sit down.” A soft cushioned chair softened her drop, and her head found its way buried into her hands, her body hunched over.

Agent Hotchner couldn’t sit. He was pacing, as he would do when stress was eating away his skin.

Sound was the only thing Bonnie focused on. Not the best choice. There were the voices of nurses and doctors passing the waiting room, patients being wheeled and transported, and the many footsteps that trampled over her ears.

The thundering of a group made Bonnie raise her red face. She knew who it was.

Jennifer, Emily, Spencer, and Rossi.

Derek wasn’t here.

“Hey, we got here as soon as we could. Where is she?” Jennifer asked, her blue eyes wide with motherly worry.

“She’s in surgery. We just have to wait.” Agent Hotchner seemed just as impatient than when they first arrived. When he didn’t pace, he rocked on the balls of his shoes.

“Well…” Emily cleared her throat. Her mascara was smudged under her eyes and her eyelids didn’t have long until they permanently shut. “I’ll go get us coffee… I assume none of us are leaving until we have word?”

Everybody nodded.

Spencer chose the chair furthest from the door, wrapping his knuckles and humming to himself, Rossi and Agent Hotchner both decided it would be best for them to check the scene, and leave the rest of the team here to watch over Penelope, and Jennifer sat herself beside Bonnie.

“Hey. Keep your head up, Penelope’s a strong girl. It’ll take more than some asshole to bring her down.” The woman’s voice very soft and kind, something Bonnie bathed in every time she spoke. Jennifer was a flower garden, daisies, tulips, all the pretty kind. Just don’t get on her bad side. Because just as easy as it was for her to grow a dandelion, she could grow nettled and thorns too.

She was probably already plotting revenge.

“I was supposed to meet her tonight. But I fell asleep on the jet… I could have been there.”

The guilt Bonnie felt weighed so hard on her shoulders she couldn’t sit it straight. She should have been better. She shouldn’t have rested. She had to go to Penelope’s. But failed, and now her friend is lying on a surgery table with a bullet in her chest.

On the day her father passed years ago, she had also failed to save him. And her mother could never let it down. Even if she doesn’t talk about it anymore, it was Bonnie to blame. Even though it was stupid to leave a six year old in charge of a thirty year old, Bonnie still could never shake her guilt.

Perhaps that was why her mother still struggles to look at her after twelve years had gone.

Jennifer’s gaze softened and lay a gentle hand on Bonnies back between her shoulders, rubbing it ever so softly. “You couldn’t have known. You were tired, we all were.”

“I could have saved her…” the young girl mumbled towards the ground, feeling angry tears build up in her eyes.

Why couldn’t she ever do right?

“None of us could ever think something like this could happen. I think you should rest, get some sleep before-“

“No. I have to stay awake until she’s done.” Jennifer sighed.

“Alright. But… it could take a while.”

Bonnie nodded. “I know.” Feeling her legs begin to shake from exhaustion catching up on her sleepless nights.

While Bonnie fought sleep, Jennifer sat back, sinking deep into emerald green cushions of the couch, her eyes full of pity for the young girl.

Hours went by slowly. Every time Bonnie checked her phone for the time after what seemed like an hour, only ten minutes had gone, and her eyelids were becoming increasingly heavy. The coffee Emily had given her had only increased the anxiety coursing through her veins, it had done nothing to keep her awake. Unless you count the jitters she was having.

The sound of a door slowly creaking open caught her attention. And suddenly she was more awake than she’s ever been. The waiting room had been replaced with a dark room, the only light being from a brown door in what seems to be a corridor.

One thing she noted was the smell. Medicine, moisture, body odour. Her old apartment from many years ago. She must have been crouching, the ceiling was high and the door more than twice her size. But when she tried to look down to the ground, she didn’t have any legs. She moved around like a ghost.

The only way to go was down the corridor, so there she floated, but stopped a couple feet away from the light plastered on the rough red carpet, emitting from the small gap between the door and the wall.

There was something wrong. The light wasn’t bright, it was as if it were fading. A faulty lightbulb about to lose its last glint of hope, and fade into a black nothingness.

Bonnie didn’t want to miss the chance, and become stuck in a black hole. Cautiously, she moved and suddenly her hand was on the doors edge, and was pulling it back.

There. Her father. Laying down on the floor. White foam frothed from his mouth onto the cream tiles. Her right left finger twitched ever so slightly before not moving again.

She was bent over his face, staring at the greyness of his once flushed face.

Frozen, she didn’t move. Wondering when her father would get back up from his slumber. She waited, and waited, and waited, until the front door clicked open.

“Bonnie?” Her mother called.

The shriek from the woman would haunt her for the rest of her life. All love drained from the woman’s eyes and poured onto the floor in the form of hot tears.

“I told you to watch him! You stupid, stupid girl!”

Fast forward and Bonnie was now sitting at the round table between the kitchen and living room, wondering how she got there. Her mother on the other end with her hands clasped in front of her.

“How could you?” She asked, and Bonnie didn’t reply.

“We did everything for you but I ask you to do one single thing. Look after your father. And you failed! I think my life would have been better if I had just gotten rid of you!” The woman angrily yelled as she walked away from the table. All Bonnie could think about was her empty stomach, and what she would eat for the night.

Her father was only sleeping after all. Like he always did. He looked the very same. Drooling, eyes rolled back, a bottle in his hand. She didn’t understand why her mother was so angry at her.

Even at the funeral, which she now stood at, she didn’t understand. Why was everybody so serious?

“When’s he coming home?” She asked stupidly from beside her mother. There were only a few other people here. Work friends. No real ones.

“He’s not. He’s dead.”

Dead. Then all the pieces fell together. Had her father really died? Had she really let him? Being so stupid in thinking he was asleep but after all this time… he was dead?

“I’m sorry…” she began to cry watching the casket. “I’m sorry…

I’m sorry!” Breaching the surface of her nightmare, Bonnie gasped for air and frantically looked around the room. No funeral. No bathroom. No table. She was in the hospital waiting room.

“Hey, it’s ok! It’s ok.” Jennifer crouched down to her level. Beads of sweat dripped from Bonnies forehead and her eyes wide with confusion and hurt.

“I…” her throat was terribly dry. “I’m sorry…” she coughed. “Just a nightmare… nothing more.”

The woman sat down beside her. “If there’s something bothering you, you can talk to me. I know it’s hard being the new kid, but you’ve done really well here! I think of you as my little friend.” Jennifer smiled lovingly. “And I’ll always be here for you.”

Again, the kindness of this team always succeeded in shocking her.

“I’m okay… thanks JJ.” She rubbed her eyes and recomposed herself in her spot.

Then back into a slumber she fell.

It was a little after 4am when she awake again, this time feeling a lot better than the last time she woke. It took her a couple of seconds to even remember what she was doing here, until she spotted Jennifer passed out beside her.

Pulling herself up, she groaned at the cracking of her back and decided to stretch a little. Spencer had fallen asleep on the far end, Emily was on her phone while her foot tapped. Derek was still nowhere to be seen.

Very shortly after awaking and walking around the room a little bit, a nurse walked in with a pad of paper and read out, “for Penelope Garcia?” And quickly, Bonnie woke Jennifer and Emily bounced to her feet to wake Spencer. The four of them following the nurse to Penelope’s room where her eyes were slit open.

Jennifer took a seat closest to the bed and stroked Penelope’s hair out of her pale face. “Hey… how are you feeling?” And Spencer watched, his eyes full of sadness and despair for his friend lying in the hospital and Emily sat at the other side.

Penelope took a long breath. “Terrible…” and tears swelled in her eyes. “I thought he liked me.” And everybody began to think.

“You know the man that did this Penelope?” Emily asked from her side of the bed. Bonnie stood close to Jennifer’s side, studying Penelope’s condition.

She was hooked up to a heart monitor, needles pierced in his arms, and a cannula sticking out from her nose. Right now, the two of them should be laying peacefully asleep in Penelope’s apartment after she told her every detail about her dream man, watching Barbie movies on tape with tons of snacks, video calling Spencer, then prank calling him a bunch of times, then sugar crashing and not waking up until they’re almost late for work.

“Yeah… I went on a date with him tonight… Morgan was right, I never should have went.”

“No honey… you liked him!” Jennifer tried to comfort Penelope.

“You couldn’t have known.” Spencer said quietly.

“He’s a sick bastard.” Emily cursed.

“I… I can’t believe it y’know? A girl like me? No good looking guy like that would ever even look my way. I should have known something wasn’t right.”

Penelope’s pain transferred onto Bonnie. She couldn’t imagine how hurt the woman felt. In all truthfulness Penelope was amazing. Pretty, intelligent, funny, and all her quirks were what made her Penelope.

“I think you’re a wonderful woman Penelope. Way more than you think.” Her hand covered Penelope’s gently, not wanting to hurt the woman any more.

She really hoped Penelope knew how much she meant to Bonnie, so much that whenever she thought about the woman she would smile and laugh over her weird and funny ways, or sometimes cry wishing Penelope had been in her life from the start, or because she dreads the day that they part.

Everyone around agreed.

“Excuse me?” The same nurse walked in with her notepad. “Which one of you is Jennifer Jareau?”

Jennifer raised her hand.

“Penelope can be discharged tomorrow. For now, she should get lots and lots of rest. Same for at home.”

Jennifer gave Penelope’s shoulder a soft squeeze, Emily pecked her cheek, and Spencer bid a goodbye. But Bonnie hadn’t moved.

“You coming Bonnie?” Jennifer asked having stopped at the door.

“Can I stay?” Bonnie replies hopefully. “I’ll be quiet. I just… she can’t be alone right now.”

Of course Jennifer nodded.

So Bonnie got comfortable on the chair beside Penelope’s bed.

She wasn’t planning on talking at all, seeing how Penelope needed rest, but movement from the bed caught her attention and she looked up to see the woman looking back at her.

“Thank you for staying.” She had said in a weak whisper. Holding her hand out for Bonnie to take again, missing the warmth.

“I’ll always stay.” And their fingers intertwined.

—————————

The next day Derek returned, and picked the two girls up, Bonnie refusing to let go of Penelope while guiding her to the car.

“Garcia?” That deep voice of Derek Morgan echoed through the hallway leading to Penelope’s apartment after succeeding in scaling the stairs their friend had been shot on.“Jesus… Penelope I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay honey, you’re here now and that’s all I need.”

Bonnie had always admired the twos friendship. How they were so comfortable with each other and I afraid of rumours or criticism being thrown their way. They well and truly loved one another. It was beautiful.

To have someone like that was all she ever wanted, and then was suddenly gifted the light that was Penelope Garcia. Her coworker, her friend, her sister. Suddenly life didn’t seem so dark anymore.

“Baby girl, can you tell us anything about the man that did this?” Penelope sighed and tried to think.

“He just seemed so deliciously normal! There was nothing wrong about him…”

“Just think. Was there anything you thought was abnormal? Anything at all?”

Penelope closed her eyes and became lost in countless memories that she mustn’t have wanted to relive, before her face twisted and her hands trembled on her knees.

“He… wore his seatbelt behind his back.”

Something a policeman would do… in order to get out in a hurry.

“And… we sat at the very back of the restaurant though there were plenty other nice seats. And he made sure to look at the window.”

“I’m gonna call Hotch. The two of you stay there. I mean it.” Bonnie didn’t dare defy that specific authoritative voice of Derek ever. He was a very kind man who likes to joke around and make others laugh, so when he switched he meant business. Protecting people was his life, and he was damn well passionate about it. Bonnie had never been so scared in her life when she heard Derek yell for the first time at Sandy Parker.

After fluffing Penelope’s pillows and refusing the the woman’s persistence that she didn’t need to, Bonnie too relaxed on the plump pink couch while Derek stepped out to call the boss.

The pair were just beginning to feel safe when a bang went off outside and Penelope began to breath harder. Bonnie jumped from the couch and felt her eyes water and fingers tremble by her sides.

“Derek?!” She cried frightfully standing in front of Penelope when the man came barging back in.

“Get in the corner! Go now!” Bonnie grappled Penelope and they ran to the back of the apartment behind a wall. “Take this.”

Penelope cried, “I don’t believe in guns!”

“They are very real. Now if anyone comes through that door you shoot. Keep your arms straight!” Before he ran out of the apartment to where the girls couldn’t see him anymore and were left in a dark silence.

Every noise they heard they flinched. Peeking around the corner, Bonnie kept her eyes firmly on the front door, waiting for it to open and scream for Derek. Penelope and herself couldn’t possibly shoot someone!

More gun shots. They rumbled in Bonnies ears and Penelope suddenly stood forward saying, “get behind me.”

“What? No way!” Bonnie replied in a hushed whispered.

“Do as I say! I’m not letting you get hurt!” Just like Derek, Penelope too could demand things. As uncommon as it was, she had her moments that where normally full of love and passion. Penelope saw Bonnie as a kitten, something to be coddled, loved, and protected.

Bonnie couldn’t deny the sentiment and stood back a step. She didn’t have a gun anyways, it would be silly to be the girl in front.

Deafening silence once again and Bonnie hoped that Derek would be back soon. He could take down anyone! She almost felt pity on the unsubs that had to deal with the muscles on that guy.

When the door flew open Penelope emerged with the gun in her hands, shaking all over, as was Bonnie until she heard Derek speak.

The man was gone. For now. But Derek was here and the two would be safe.

——————————

The next day Agent Hotchner, Rossi, and Spencer arrived at the apartment. The entire complex was swarming with cops in uniform, every single one armed.

Derek unfortunately did have to go back to work, as did Bonnie…

When given the news she would be back in the bureau she could have handcuffed herself and Penelope to prevent it. But the woman was adamant she would be alright. Spencer was on Penelope duty today.

Back at the BAU, agent Hotchner had almost made Bonnie laugh before she realised he was serious after saying, “Bonnie, you look for clues.” Like she was on scooby doo or something.

“Garcia before we leave, I need access to your encrypted file.” All of Penelope’s colour seemed to drain from his face like dripping oil from a painting.

“Wh-why? That’s private sir.”

“I need to know because… Internal Affairs have deemed you a safety risk… the shooting, the file… I’m sorry but you’re being suspended.” From behind the closed door Bonnie pressed her ear against, she could hear everything.

“What? They can’t do that!” Bonnie worried.

“They can.” Agent Hotchner deadpanned. “Garcia I need the password if we’re to get passed this.”

And then a pause… before Penelope let up.

“I’ve been… counselling families for cases that haven’t been solved yet… I’m so sorry! I didn’t want any of this to happen. I just wanted to comfort them…” just in the same way that Penelope wished she had answers when she were younger.

“I know… but thank you Penelope. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

And Agent Hotchner took himself and Rossi back to the SUV. Leaving Spencer behind. And Bonnie who was lingering behind a bit to say her goodbye.

“I’ll be back tonight okay? And you’ll be alright, Spencer’s here.”

Penelope smiled softly, holding Bonnies gaze lovingly. “I know sweetheart. I’ll be waiting for you.” She knew how much the younger girl didn’t want to leave her. Penelope knew everything.

Everything.

Back at the BAU, Bonnie followed agent Hotchner and Rossi to the new tech analysis guy, Kevin, who surprisingly wasn’t struggling with Penelope’s crazy software. He cracked the file easily with the code and the four were met with eight different files.

“So, you think this guy is a cop right?” Rossi asked and Agent Hotchner nodded.

“Send these to Morgan and Prentiss, after that illicit affairs are here to talk to you. I’ll be in my office.” So while the files printed, Bonnie waited and the other agents left, leaving herself and Kevin in an awkward silence with only the buzzing of the printed every couple of seconds.

“So… what do you do?” He suddenly asked while Bonnie began to organise the cases.

“Assistant. File things, make coffee, talk to police officers sometimes, snoop around.” She talked while she worked. She wasn’t exactly great at conversation with a strange man in a dark room.

“Oh cool! And do you talk to Penelope a lot?” That question had her raising a brow.

“Yeah she’s my friend.” She stated it so proudly. A friend. At last. Though they had a bigger age gap than most friends, she loved Penelope all the same as she would a girl her own age.

She never had time to make friends. During school she was so busy trying to succeed and excel and skipping grades she threw socialising out of the window. The only friend she knew was the wobbly desk in her room where she’d sit for hours reading, writing, and doodling until the sun was gone.

That was until she became part of a team. A real one too.

“Cool.” Kevin nodded and arose after all files were printed.

Thank god. Bonnie didn’t think her joints could take much more tensing from the awkward meeting. He seemed decent enough. And it was brightly obvious he’s drawn to Penelope… which was even more awkward. Why just she be the first to hear!

Collecting two copies of each file, she began her journey to the main office.

It was quite a weight, all this paper. The pile wasn’t very well balanced either. The front and back of the files were too smooth, she was basically breaking her back trying to keep them from falling forward. But alas, her efforts failed her and they scattered all over the floor outside the office doors.

Cursing herself, she knelt down and began sorting them once again. While she did so, she took a peak through the glass doors and spotted Kevin again, using one of those computes instead of Penelope’s… who knew why. Two men standing behind him, watching him.

As easily as she’d watched them, another person had watched her embarrassingly drop her files, and out came Derek to the rescue as always.

“Butter fingers?” He asked laughing as he helped pick up the cases.

“Butter files!” She defened and he laughed harder.

“Whatever, call it what you want, you dropped them in the end you klutz.”

Derek meant, he always did! But Bonnie couldn’t help herself becoming frustrated at herself in the end. She strived for perfection. No mistakes, not even silly ones like dropping a heavy load of files that would. Not. Stay. Still. She hated it! Yeah right she was a klutz.

“Yeah kid, I’m just kidding. Chin up honey.” Derek tapped her chin and met her frown of a face with a grin. She formed a thin line with her lips and nodded collecting the rest of the files. And Derek left back to his desk taking the load off Bonnies hands and delivered the rest of Emily.

Having not much else to do, Bonnie decided to visit Agent Hotchner for another task, feeling unbearably impatient from all the waiting around behind done instead of catching Penelope’s shooter. But her curious feet landed her beside Kevin. She peered over his shoulder and he made eye anxiously made eye contact. Something in his gaze was afraid. But of what, she wasn’t sure. Beads of sweat coated his forehead and she cocked her head sideways. She’d come back to that, she thought.

“What’s taking so long?” One of the men behind them asked and she jumped. She must have hit a lightbulb on her way, she things started to click together.

She couldn’t be sure, of course not. But there was just a feeling. She suddenly felt just as nervous as Kevin as the man stared down at her. Her eyes instinctively landed on his gun which sat in its holder around his waist.

She drew back slowly, quickly taking her eyes off the man who’s jaw clenched. Without her knowledge however, the man’s gaze followed her closely as she began to hurry.

“Who’s that guy?” She asked once the door had closed.

“Detective James Battle.” He answered.

“We got a case?” Agent Hotchner shook his head.

“No… it’s because of Penelope’s snooping. He wants his files erased. That’s the head of Illicit Affairs, it’s out of our hands.”

She peeked back into the room from the blonde and squeaked when she saw the man staring right back at her.

“Why though? It can’t be hurting anyone for his names to be on the cases… sir don’t you find it suspicious?”

“I- hang on a moment.” His phone began to ring and Bonnie decided to exit, feeling to jittery to stand any longer.

Derek or Emily would know what to do, and that’s where she planned on heading.

——————————

“Oh my god… Reid that’s him!” Penelope gasped turning the computer around to show Spencer who was on the phone.

The two of them had been sent a code from Kevin, one that allowed them access to the security cameras in the bureau. And there he stood. Jason Clark Battle. The shooter. In the same room as their beloved team.

“What do we do?!” Penelope freaked.

“He’s a narcissist Garcia… if he knows we’re onto him he’ll go down shooting- yeah Hotch, that’s him… yeah we’re certain.”

Meanwhile Penelope was calling every contact in her book. “None of them are answering!” She cried desperately as she called Derek for the fourth time and Emily the third.

“Check the other cameras, someone has to be out there. Someone not in the room.”

So Penelope began to change through the cameras until she landed on Jennifer.

——————————

An arm around her neck cut Bonnies journey short. A gun to her head made her stay put and she wondered if anyone else could see what was going on or if it were just in her imagination.

It was a only a matter of seconds for the entire bau to draw their weapons. All pointed near her. She knew she hadn’t done anything, but couldn’t comprehend the situation at all. All common sense had spilled out of her ears.

“Jason, you’re surrounded, there’s no way out. Just let the girl go.” Agent Hotchner positioned himself in the middle of the room. His eyes firmly on the man behind Bonnie. If eyes could kill… she’d be free to go.

“Please… please let me go I’m just an assistant here… nothing special!” Bonnie begged but the man’s grip didn’t falter even an inch.

“She’s right.” Agent Hotchner continued and Bonnie stared at him with tear filled eyes. “If you want to go down in a blaze of glory, you should have picked someone else.” And felt her heart shatter like glass, piercing her insides.

“So you don’t care if I shoot her right now?” The man laughed manically.

“No.”

She felt the man’s grip hesitate, but tighten even worse than before. Choking her ever so slightly.

“Take a shot at me. Maybe you’ll earn something.” Agent Hotchner pressured, and held his arms out wide, his gun no longer pointed at the pair.

There was a silence. Not even breathing, besides Bonnies which was picking up and

“Yeah? We’ll see about that.” James laughed a deep sinister chuckle, and Bonnie felt the cold muzzle press against her temple.

Then a loud bang, and she fell to her knees.

Agent Hotchner was down first, picking her up. And she met him with bleary eyes, unable to stand for herself as her entire body trembled terribly.

“Did you mean that?” She managed to breath out, looking up at the agent.

“No.” And his strong arms held her close to his chest.

——————————

Jason was dead. The glass door behind them smashed completely. Jennifer on the other side still with her finger on the trigger of her gun.

Bonnie sat thankfully alive in Agent Hotchners office with her head in her hands while he sat behind his desk.

“If you want to take some time off after that I’m more than happy to give you whatever you need.”

Her face slowly lifted and was looking ghostly pale. “No thanks. I’ll be in tomorrow same time.”

He didn’t look too pleased with that.

“Are you sure? Because almost being shot is quite a traumatic experience.”

“I can take it.” She muffled in her hands. Feeling absolutely numb to the bone.

The agent sighed, leaning back in his chair. There was something on his mind, the way he looked over at Bonnie with a concerned shadow in his eyes.

“Bonnie.” She looked back up from having stared at her shoes.

“You’re much more than an assistant to us. You know that right?” The comment took her aback for a second. How could that even be possible? She was an assistant. A helping hand. She wasn’t a team member as such, but was definitely present at times with coffee cups and her two cents.

When she didn’t answer Agent Hotchner continued.

“You mean a lot to us. You’ve been here five months now. We wouldn’t- we couldn’t have it any other way.” He cleared his throat and looked away for a moment. He opened his mouth to speak, by came up dry.

“I know.” She finally sat up right. She had friends here. Derek was great, like a big brother who bossed her around but would play games with her. Emily was such a good spirit, always laughing at her corny jokes and asking for more. Jennifer was so kind and motherly that Bonnie wished she could see her face everyday just to make things brighter. Spencer was perfect, she loved the fact she’d tell and encourage him to talk until his hands would flap. Rossi still scared her… but the meals he’d give her helped her more than he knew. And Penelope… she saved her life more than she knew.

Agent Hotchner however… was a tricky one. She didn’t know much about him at all. But always felt pushed towards him. She liked being around him. She likes to tell him about the things she learned in criminal justice and he’d sit back and listen, chiming in every so often.

She knew the likes and dislikes of the team so she could cheer a sad face and prevent one. What she didn’t know however, was how everyone else did the same for her, every day.

“You still staying with Penelope?” He asked and she shook her head to the floor.

“No I’m just gonna go home… I don’t feel like it anymore.” In all honesty she would love to curl up in Penelope’s bed and rest until the day was over, but she has the urge to isolate. When the times got tough, being alone and soaking in it was somehow her answer.

“Really? Surely you don’t want to be alone after that? Penelope will be expecting you, I think you’d have a good time.” She didn’t really focus on much of that sentence besides one part…

“Alone? How do you know if be alone?” Accidentally coming off a bit defensive. It was a bad habit. Her home life was her secret. A sacred one that only Penelope had figured out.

Agent Hotchner grew silent and she watched as his stone face returned after displaying worry, and she emitted a loud sigh at the realisation.

“Bonnie I’m a profiler. The unit chief. I’m not telling you how I know.” But her frustration had grown too hot to be contained.

“I want you to tell me. I deserve to know!”

Agent Hotchner fought himself. He knew for a fact it would make Bonnie feel worse, about over time he hoped she would accept it.

“Your blazer is crinkled in some places specifically around the neck and cuffs, no one taught you how to iron properly. You eat everything in sight here and take snacks home with you, that gave me the impression you don’t eat much at home. And the stays at Penelope’s every so often. That’s when your mother leaves you for days on end, sometimes weeks. And I know that because of your repeated outfits. I can tell when you’ve been to Penelope’s because she pleats your hair. I suppose you don’t know how to do it and your mother never learned for you.” By the end her face was scorching red. Tears very different from earlier filled her eyes and she has to take a deep breath, refusing to admit weakness in front of Agent Hotchner.

“And… the makeup you wear can vary from a little too a lot within a days difference. Now if there’s anything you would like to get out to me, go ahead, I’m listening Bonnie.”

But her throat had been closed up with a bubble she wouldn’t pop. How could he just READ her like that. Everything she thought could be kept to herself had been stated so clearly out in open that she felt like she had been slapped across the face.

“No sir… I think you got the gist of it.” She mumbled defeated and embarrassed, arising from her seat and lifting her old bag, wincing at how he was profiling her to be a poor old cat living on the streets or something.

“See you tomorrow.” She forced a twitch of her lips that hurt her face and went for the door.

“Get some good rest… at Penelope’s.” She turned back to argue, but saw agent Hotchner smiling very faintly, and couldn’t.

[thesiriusmoon]

Thesiriusmoon Masterlist!

At the moment I’m having a little difficulty with the tags, please let me know if some are blank because as I’ve been tagging some of my work isn’t showing up :(

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Random:

#thesiriusmoon requests (all fics that have been requested)

Criminal Minds:

#Thesiriusmoon Bonnie CM (I recommend filtering this to ‘most recent’ so you can keep up with the plot!)

#thesiriusmoon talks CM

#thesiriusmoon writes cm

#thesiriusmoon Hotch needs a hug

#thesiriusmoon Spencer Reid collection

#thesiriusmoon Morgan collection

#thesiriusmoon Hotch collection

#thesiriusmoon JJ collection

#thesiriusmoon Emily collection

#thesiriusmoon Penelope collection

#thesiriusmoon hotchreid collection (not a ship)

#thesiriusmoon cm headcanons

#thesiriusmoon CM fun (collages/memes/incorrect quotes)

#thesiriusmoon moreid collection

The marauders:

#thesiriusmoon talks marauders

#thesiriusmoon writes marauders

#thesiriusmoon marauders fun

#thesiriusmoon marauder headcanons

#thesiriusmoon marauder blurbs

#thesiriusmoon Regulus black love

IT (Stephen King):

#thesiriusmoon talks IT

#thesiriusmoon writes it

#thesiriusmoon IT headcanons

Other:

#thesiriusmoon loves new girl

#thesiriusmoon talks Hannibal