Ten Years Later, We Remember—The team members of the BAU remember September 11, 2001
This is my first Criminal Minds story
Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) by Alan Jackson
The seven members of the BAU were all in New York for the ten year anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. They were overlooking Ground Zero when Hotch started talking, "I was in my apartment getting ready for a job interview when all of a sudden the show I was watching was interrupted by news coverage of planes being hijacked and terrorists attacking the city. I couldn't believe what was happening and after some time of watching I turned off the TV because I couldn't take it anymore."
David Rossi sighed and started his story, "I was getting my classroom ready for a lecture when one of my colleagues came in and told my New York was under attack. I didn't believe him until I turned on the TV and saw for myself. It was two days later that I found out one of my close friends from college had been on Flight 93." His eyes watered but no tears fell as he remembered.
The team told him it was okay to cry and Derek Morgan started, "I was still in college. My professor had let us out early and when I got back to my dorm, my roommate was crying and when I asked what was wrong he just pointed at the TV and I was stunned. I was in Virginia at the time and I watched the towers go down."
He went back to looking at the memorial as JJ spoke, "I was supposed to be on flight 93 that day. It was pure luck or bad luck however you want to see it that I wasn't. I got caught in traffic on my way to the airport and missed my flight. When I got to the airport, I found out what was going on and I was shocked. If it wasn't for traffic that day, I-I-I wouldn't be here right now." Her team members gave her a group hug and the same thought was going through all their heads 'Thank God for traffic that day cause otherwise their friend, family member wouldn't be here right now'.
Prentiss took over, "I was also in college when it happened. I had just left class when I got a phone call from my best friend. She told me how much our friendship meant to her and how much she was going to miss me. I had no idea what was going on and before I could ask her what was going on, I heard the screams of the passengers and then the explosion as the plane hit one of the towers."
She had silent tears streaming down her face but made no move to wipe them away. She sighed as Reid started talking, "I was finishing up grad school when I got a call from my uncle. He told me to turn on the TV and that New York was under attack. I did as he told me and couldn't believe what was going on. I watched as the plane hit the North Tower and I watched it collapse. It seems like just yesterday it happened and not ten years ago."
Penelope Garcia went last and she sighed before starting, "I was in the Pentagon when it was attacked. I just happened to be on the other side of the building when the plane hit. I was supposed to be on the side that was attacked but had to run to the other side for my boss. So by dumb luck I survived. I remember the building being put under lock down and how hectic and scared everyone was. I will never forget that day."
The team stood there for a while longer taking in the site before leaving.
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin' against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?
Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?
[Chorus:]
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell
you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Or go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Did you stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?
[Repeat Chorus 2x]
And the greatest is love.
And the greatest is love.
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?
*Remember all the victims and their families on this ten year anniversary
Review if you feel like it
-PhoniexGirl77