It was a normal day. I woke up, had some breakfast, made my coffee, drove to work and got briefed on a case. Just another Wednesday. Except that it wasn't.
We were going into the UnSub's house to arrest him. Just like every other time. But, as I bet you already know, some things happen when you least expect them to. I went to search one of the rooms while the SWAT guys were taking the others. I opened the door and that's when it happened. I didn't hear some great bang. I didn't see my life flash in front of my eyes or some great white light coming to take me away. But what I felt, was pain. Everyone always says that most of gunshot pain is just psychological, but it's really not.
It's actual pain. Physical, genuine, never-been-this-bad pain.
However, I did still see the mayhem going on as I fell to the ground.
I heard some barking orders to others, probably to take down the shooter, while some were speaking into the phone, although it was just sounds. Nothing actually intelligible. What I saw, a few were frantically attempting to stop the blood pouring from my chest. Some were leading away the person that the team and I were searching for just a few hours ago. While through all the chaos, part of the crowd could only stand back and watch the scene unfold.
I guess it was my fault. I insisted that I didn't need a vest, as the UnSub wasn't known to use weapons. What harm could have come?
Well apparently, a lot.
Aaron Hotchner was the only face I was trying to concentrate on. He was begging me to keep my eyes trained on him. Telling me that I wasn't allowed to close them, and judging by his tone, it was an order. Though when I couldn't focus on his face, I was forced to see the terror on Derek Morgan and Emily Prentiss's faces as they saw me being taken away on the gurney. He was like a big brother to me, and she a sister. Two of my best friends.
When the EMT's took me into the ambulance, I saw the one face that I haven't been able to see since a few minutes ago when it happened. Has it been minutes? Seconds? Pure moments? I lost track. And yet there he was.
Spencer Reid.
He looked like he was the one who was shot. The pain on his face probably more evident than that on my own. He was screaming. The only words I manage to decipher are "this isn't happening".
He and I are been close. He's a closer friend than Derek, Emily, JJ, Garcia, or anyone else I know. He isn't a father figure, nor a brother. More like…there aren't really words. What we have is deeper than boyfriend and girlfriend. Better than best friends. But, we've never said those 3 little words that seem so big. So meaningful. So consequential. Neither of us were naïve enough to say soulmates, but some would say that's how it felt. And everyone knew it was true. I had to get shot to even admit it to myself.
So, considering it was possible that I wouldn't make it back from this, I went a few steps further. I admitted it to him.
"I love you"
I struggled to say these words, and not just because they were the most intimate I've ever shared with anyone. The most devoted thing I've ever said to anyone. Actually, whispered is more accurate. Although I couldn't hear myself, I could tell he did. He looked at me with shock and relief, happiness and sadness, hope and defeat.
And it was my last thought before the eternal darkness.
Hello my darlings! Please tell me if you want me to continue with this story. No hate please! My first story so criticism is VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!
