I have no idea where this is going. I was working on an original piece that didn't reference Blindspot episodes nearly as much. Still, Reade decided that he had something to say about their adventures last night and who am I to argue with my new favorite Hufflepuff?

I do not know if there will be more. I'm going to say "why not" and indicate that this is only the first chapter. Because I want more Blindspot fanfics. I am waiting for more Blindspot fanfics. I NEED more Blindspot fanfics (and I might as well do my very humble part).

(See the end of the work for more notes)

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Aw, hell. Reade knew exactly what Weller was doing, although it looked like Jane didn't. Weller and Zapata would lead the hunters away, effectively making his task of leading Jane and Guerrero back to civilization more possible and certainly much safer.

More than trying to protect her, though, Weller was throwing Reade and Jane together to force them to find a way to work cooperatively. Joy.

In retrospect, he should have expected something like this. He'd been vocal in his discomfort with having Jane involved in her own case. Since Weller showed no signs of backing down – no surprise there – the only choice for the lead agent to make was to force Reade into situations where he had to work with Jane or suffer the consequences.

And really, when the consequences involved potential death, Reade couldn't do anything but comply.

Damn it.

Here they were, booking it through the woods of Michigan, and Reade was shouldering a majority of the burden. By virtue of being an agent, he was the one who was in charge. If anything happened to Jane, he would answer to Weller. Worse, if Guerrero escaped, Reade would have bigger problems than an irate lead agent.

This officially sucked.

It hurt, just the slightest bit, to admit how much Jane was contributing to their little adventure. Brief moments of uncertainty notwithstanding, Jane seemed incredibly at home navigating through the woods and her faith in the trustworthiness of her tattoos was virtually unshakeable.

Well, Reade supposed, Jane didn't have many options in which to place her trust.

If Guerrero didn't shut up soon, though, Reade was going to have to take drastic action. The man was profoundly irritating. It shouldn't have been a surprise that Jane could ignore Guerrero's crass comment when she dropped her pants to access the tattoo on the back of her calf. How many weeks had she spent with everyone and their brother at the FBI looking at images of every last one of her tattoos? Even less of surprise was what ended up being the tender spot in Jane's defenses. Now Guerrero knew just how to needle her, and the attacks had become relentless. It didn't help that Reade could definitely relate to Jane's distress, for all that he was able to mask his reactions more effectively.

"I suppose it doesn't really matter since by now they're probably dead." Guerrero was taunting. A painful thought that Reade was doing his best to ignore. Weller was smart and seemed to think at light speed whenever he found himself in the tightest of spots. Zapata was no slouch either. Between the two of them, they probably could handle most of what the local militia was throwing at them.

Probably.

If only Jane could just find a way to not react! That would helpful. But, oh no. Every word Guerrero spoke clearly stung.

"They're alive." Jane was grave. Reade thought that her certainty sounded forced.

"I saw the look on your face when Kurt didn't pick you to go with him." Guerrero's mocking laughter grated even more than his incessant chatter. "Actually, I hope he's still alive. That way, you can watch while I cut off his head. I'll be sure to do it nice and slow."

Don't react, Jane. Don't do it. Just. Don't.

Hell.

The look on Jane's face could not mean anything good. In a smooth, swift move she brought the butt of her gun up and tapped Guerrero in the face.

"Jane! JANE!" Reade was trying to figure out how to talk her down. It would be no good if she killed Guerrero – no matter how much he might deserve it. Of course, the blow was restrained – all things considered – but now she was aiming her weapon at the gang lord.

"You need me alive!" Guerrero protested.

"The FBI needs you alive." Jane was not at all subtle as she implied that she had no need for Guerrero to arrive, still breathing and mostly unbroken, back at headquarters.

"Hey, hey, all right. That's enough." Reade needed to regain control of the situation. As satisfying as it had been to watch Jane hit Guerrero, Edgar had a duty to perform and allowing Jane to lose control was not a part of it. "Calm down, okay? Go take a walk. I'll pretend I didn't see anything."

In acknowledgement of his words, Jane's cold-eye glare met Reade's worried look. "He's alive." She said simply, stubbornly. Reade felt a little sick at the expression on her face as she turned and walked away. She needed to believe in Weller's continued well-being as much as Reade did. For the first time, Edgar considered what Weller meant to this woman. As much as he worried that she clearly had Weller wrapped around her little finger, could get him to bend…to compromise…in ways Reade had never seen before, Edgar wondered at their connection. She needed Weller in ways that Reade couldn't define. He'd seen her – more than once – looking at Kurt like he was her true north. What would happen to her if Weller wasn't there? If Kurt died?

Reade suspected that he wouldn't like the bloody aftermath should the unthinkable come to pass.

Weller, he thought, you sure as hell better be alive. Jane needs you. We all need you.

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If you have any suggestions as to who should speak up in the next chapter - let me know. I can't promise that the characters will cooperate, but I will try my hand at diplomacy to negotiate with them. :)