AN: As I am not 100% finished writing this story I am open to suggestions if you would like to see something included.
Disclaimer: While some lines are directly taken from season 9 episode 24 Demons I do not own Criminal Minds. Catherine Jareau is mine along with any other characters you don't recognize. The audiobook is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Chapter 1: Pigasus

I find a map and draw a straight line

Over rivers, farms, and state lines

The distance from here to where you'd be

- Set Fire to the Third Bar, Snow Patrol

9:45 pm EST

Cruz grimaces, "Copy that, two of ours three of theirs. Any casualties?"

Blake closes her eyes before answering, "One: Colman."

"Coleman…" Cruz exhales slowly.

Hotch frowns, "And what about Reid?"

Blake sighs, "Not good, they're taking him to the hospital." She hesitates before adding quickly, "Spencer asked for Catherine. I'll- I'll call you back." Blake says and hangs up.

Hotch sighs, "Cruz please give your phone to Garcia."

"Okay," Cruz frowns and offers her his phone.

"What do you need Hotch?" She questions anxiously.

He continues hurriedly, "Garcia, take me off speakerphone."

She presses a button and lifts the phone to her ear, "Done."

Hotch speaks slowly, "Penelope I need you to listen to me very closely and do exactly as I say."

She frowns, "Sure Hotch."

"Reid changed his paperwork; Catherine is now listed as both his emergency contact and next of kin. I don't think Reid has told her yet, so while JJ or Blake will stop the hospital from calling her. I need you to call Catherine and tell her what happened. She should be at home with Jack." He sighs, "Someone will need to call Will as well because Henry is probably there too. Actually I'll do that."

"Okay," She murmurs and slides her laptop into its protective case.

Hotch continues speaking, "Catherine has a right to be here and Reid needs her. So I don't care how the two of you get here Penelope, but you need to move fast."

She nods, "As lightening. I believe Anderson lives a few blocks away, I'll call him."
Hotch sighs, "Thank you."

"You'll call though, if you have news?" Garcia asks nervously.

"Yes," He replies.

"Thanks Hotch. Bye." She hangs up and hands Cruz back his phone.

He slips it into his pocket, "What's going on?"

Garcia pulls out her cellphone and dials a number. "Just a minute, I have to call Anderson."

Cruz crosses his arms, "Why?"

Garcia raises an eyebrow, "Because he needs to get his butt over to Catherine's house."

"Hello?" Emanates from the speaker.

Garcia raises the phone to her ear, "Anderson it's Garcia I need you to get to Agent Reid's home as fast as humanly possible."

Cruz scowls and walks out of her office.

Anderson sounds confused, "Garcia? What's going on?"

She speaks hurriedly, "Reid's been shot and Catherine is going with me to Texas but she can't leave Jack alone. You'll need to stick around until Will, you remember Will right? I mean JJ's husband, detective Lamontagne shows up. Oh and Henry might be there too. Though the boys should be asleep. Do you remember the passcode?"

Anderson sighs, "It's math one Reid chose, right?"

Garcia shakes her head, "No, that was last month's code. This time it's the Latin phrase."

Anderson nods, "Oh yeah, about flying pigs."

Garcia shoves her laptop into her purse, "That's the one. How fast can you get there? I'll need to give Catherine an ETA."

Anderson frowns and looks at the clock, "I need about 10 minutes. Do you want me to drive her to the BAU? I can put the kids in the back of the car."

Garcia sighs, "No, it's late. If we wake them up they'll know something is wrong. It'll be better for them and for Catherine if she isn't the one to break the news. Oh! If she can't drive for whatever reason you need to get her to the airport. I'll call you back and let you know if we're leaving from here or Regan or Dulles. Don't forget to use the lights."

"Okay," He replies.

When Garcia turns around Cruz is standing there with his arms crossed.

"Ms. Garcia," He says slowly and directly, "Miss. Jareau will not be coming with us to Texas. She's not an agent of the FBI, never mind part of this team. She is a civilian."

Garcia frowns, "Us, sir?"

He nods, "You and myself Ms. Garcia, we will be traveling together."

She purses her lips; "You do know that Catherine will be working at Interpol in just over two weeks, right? So she isn't a precisely civilian."

Cruz scowls, "That internship has no bearing on my decision not to allow her to accompany us."

Garcia mirrors Cruz's posture, "I don't think you understand how this team operates, sir."

Cruz raises an eyebrow; "I know that you got into some hot water over how Miss. Jareau was allowed access to important information that should have been kept classified. I know that there were restrictions placed on this team after the Doyle fiasco."

Garcia blinks, "Catherine and Reid are engaged. She is listed as Reid's next of kin. He's been shot and will probably need to have surgery. Reid asked for her. We have to let her know."
Cruz shrugs, "I am not against telling her, just not right now. Perhaps when we arrive in Texas and have more information."

Her jaw drops. "No! Absolutely not! Hotch told me to call her. Catherine needs to be there. She will find a way to get there even if she doesn't travel with you and me."

Cruz frowns, "And if I ordered you to put a hold on her credit cards and freeze her assets?"

Garcia glares, "Well it wouldn't be legal. If I don't tell her where to meet me so that we can fly down together she will be extremely upset and-"

He scoffs, "So she's run crying to Interpol? I doubt there is much Director Prentiss can do from London."

Garcia shakes her head, "No. She wouldn't go to Emily she'd-"

He frowns, "I suppose I could detain her."

Garcia growls, "You have no legal reason to detain Catherine and if you tried you would have the rest of my team up in arms. They've been shot at and are trying to catch a serial killer and you would distract them because you're feeling petty! Catherine is not stupid; she knows not to get in the way." She glares pointedly at him; "Catherine was somewhat useful in finding you and JJ back in February. We had a better idea of where to look for answers after speaking with her. Catherine has been in our lives for almost a decade and everyone on the team has taught her something. From cooking to self-defense but one of the things the Doyle fiasco, as you so aptly named it, taught all of us, Catherine included, was to always have cash on hand."

Cruz frowns, "I don't follow."

Garcia rolls her eyes, "Even if I were to illegally freeze her assets, Catherine doubtlessly has enough cash on hand to buy plane tickets. She knows where the team went. They've been there for a couple of days and she's with Jack. Hotch always tells his son where he's going so that Jack can add another pushpin to his map."

Cruz frowns, "Having a child present wouldn't be a hindrance to Miss. Jareau's hypothetical departure? She wouldn't be more likely to stay put with him and not run away?"

Garcia slings her purse over her shoulder, "First of all, Catherine wouldn't be running away she would be running towards Spencer. Second, Catherine has permission letters to travel with Jack, Henry, and Maura for all that matters. She could easily take any of them with her and-" She cuts herself off, "Look the deal we made was that if it isn't dangerous and someone has been injured Catherine is allowed, or rather expected to show up. I don't think you've ever seen anyone from our family in the hospital, but they tend to want to leave against doctor's orders as soon as they wake up. Catherine usually convinces them to stay put for at least a while longer."

Cruz sighs, "I've seen Jennifer in a hospital bed twice."

"Oh." Garcia continues awkwardly, "So you know how JJ is… Well Morgan is worse, and Reid won't listen to anyone else. I know you think she's a distraction and she is, but it's the good kind of distraction. Catherine is a reminder that we can save people, that sometimes we do win." She sighs, "Look. Not allowing Catherine to be with us, her family would be more of a distraction because everyone will be expecting her to be there. The two of us almost always go to the hospital together when one of our family members is injured. If Catherine doesn't show up with me, everybody will be wondering why not. Her absence would be a serious distraction if you did not provide a satisfactory explanation."

"Almost always?" He asks judgmentally.

Garcia replies sardonically, "Well, there was that one time when Reid was kidnapped and tortured."

Cruz's eyes widen noticeably.

Garcia's lips twitch, "Catherine was 16 at the time so I'm sure you will understand why she wasn't around for that. JJ and Catherine spent a significant amount of time taking care of Reid once he arrived home."

Cruz studies Garcia's face for a few minutes before replying, "All right, she can come, but the children absolutely cannot get onto the plane. So who is going to look after them? They're too young to be left alone."

She exhales, "Thank you! Well, there are a few other people who could watch Jack and Henry. Ones that Catherine would be comfortable leaving them with. Anderson is a good start but it'll probably end up being JJ's husband Will."

Cruz nods.

Garcia bites her lip, "So, are we leaving from here, Regan or Dulles?"

Cruz smiles slightly, "I called the pilots while you were on the phone with Agent Anderson. They aren't on base right now but they'll be ready in 45 minutes. Will that give Miss. Jareau enough time to get here?"

Garcia nods, "Yes sir."

Cruz sighs, "Ms. Garcia."

"Sir?" She blinks at him.

He looks directly into her eyes, "Before I allow Miss. Jareau to board the plane I will need to speak with her. At that time I will make my final decision."

She nods quickly, "Yes sir. Thank you sir."

Cruz closes the office door behind himself firmly.

10:05 pm EST

I can't tear my eyes away from my book when my phone rings so I hit the green button from memory and mumble into my phone, "Hey Spence, are you finished working for the night?" I yawn, "I know it's my turn to read but I'm half a page away from the end of the chapter in A Breath of Snow and Ashes. Would you mind if I finish that first? Then-"

"Catherine," Penelope's voice cuts my rambling short.

I look at my phone startled and then at the clock, "Penelope? It's after 10:00 pm, what's wrong?"

She continues as if I hadn't asked an important question, "Is Jack asleep? Is Henry with you?"

I sit up fear growing in the pit of my stomach, "Yes Jack is asleep, and so is Henry. What's going on?"

Her hesitation is palpable, "I don't want you to panic."

I frown, "You only say that when there is a good reason to panic. What's going on Penelope?"

She continues as if I hadn't spoken, "Anderson will be there in a few minutes Catherine. Are you dressed in something other than pajamas?"

I growl, ineffectively, I can hear my voice trembling, "I'm in my pj's. I've been in bed, reading for the last hour. Why is Grant Anderson coming to my house in the middle of the night? You've succeeded in making me panic Pen."

She sighs, "You're going have to panic later Catherine. I will sit and talk you down then, but I absolutely cannot do it now. We only have a few minutes to talk Kapeesh?"

"Yes," I whisper into the phone.

She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, "Okay. Catherine you need to get dressed and grab your go bag. Spencer's been shot and he's asked for you."

No, no, no! I'm holding on to the spark of hope that this is the practice run Jen's been teasing me about running. I shake my head to clear it from the fear threatening to envelope my mind and say, "Prove it."

Penelope sighs, "Pigasus."

My phone slips out of my fingers; it clatters to the floor and I stare at it in horror. Oh God No!

Penelope's voice is quiet but the tone is sharp, "This isn't a drill Catherine, pick up your damn phone!"

I can feel my eyes filling up and I wipe them quickly. My feet thump loudly when they hit the floor. I pick up my phone and hold it to my ear. "Pigasus," I echo back.

I can hear the fear in Penelope's voice, "I'm sorry Cupcake but we only have a couple of minutes to talk. I know that JJ or Hotch were supposed call if something went wrong, but JJ is on her way to the hospital with Alex and the reception is bad so Hotch asked me to call you."

Questions come pouring out of my mouth, "Which airport are we leaving from? Regan or Dulles?" There is no doubt in my mind that Penelope will be on the plane with me. "Do you have any information on where he was shot? Did it hit his vest? Does Spence need surgery? He's allergic to Beta lactams and he doesn't want opioids for pain relief. Is everyone else okay?"

She sighs, "I don't have a lot of information right now so I will tell you everything that I do know after I hug you properly." I can practically hear Penelope frown, "We're taking the jet from Quantico Catherine in under an hour so you need to let Anderson in when he shows up. He'll watch Jack and Henry until Will arrives. Are you capable of driving safely right now? If you can't, Anderson will drive you here." Her phone beeps, "Will should be there in under ten minutes."

"Will is working overtime," I mumble ignoring my tears. "That's why I have Henry."

"No, Will is on his way to you." Penelope sounds concerned, "Catherine are you paying attention?"

My mind is whirling, "Yes. No."

She sighs, "Cruz will be on the jet with us. He wants to talk to you before you're allowed to get on."

My voice cracks, "Allowed?"

"It's the BAU jet Catherine and you're not a member of the FBI," Penelope says gently. "I know you can convince Cruz that you want nothing to do with the case."

I nod but cannot bring myself to say anything.

She sighs, "If your conversation doesn't go well I will find the two of us other plane tickets. You won't have to travel alone, I promise."

The doorbell rings.

I whisper, "Anderson is here. I'll see you in a bit."

"I love you Cupcake. Everything will be okay," She reassures me.

"Love you too Pen." I hang up. In the back of my mind, the part that is still functioning I note that Penelope doesn't sound convinced.

I exit my bedroom, walk slowly down the hall before coming to a stop by the main door. I press the first button to activate the camera and sigh in relief: it's Anderson. I press the middle button and ask, "What's the new password?"

"You first," Anderson replies as anticipated.

"Ad." My voice catches in my throat so I wipe away my tears and try again, "Ad astra."

Enunciating carefully, Anderson finished the phrase: "Per alas porci."

I press the third button and the buzzer sounds, allowing Anderson into the building. I can hear someone trudging up the stairs so I look through the peephole to confirm that it is Anderson, it is. He knocks twice and I unlock the door wordlessly while stepping sideways to allow him entry.

"Hello Catherine," He looks me over and sighs. "Go get dressed I'll lock up and wait for you in the living room."

I nod silently before turning around and heading back to my bedroom.

I get dressed mechanically, pulling on jeans and a t-shirt before wrapping myself in one of Spencer's sweaters. Next I grab my go bag from under my bed and carefully tuck a book inside. Then I walk down the hall and check on Henry and Jack who are fast asleep on the pull out couch in the library. I almost envy their oblivion, but if it were mine I would not now be on my way to see Spencer and I desperately need to see him.

Will meets me halfway down the hall and gently guides me into the bathroom. "Did you remember to pack your headphones?" He asks forgoing pleasantries.

I nod.

Will turns the tap on and holds out a facecloth to me.

I scrub my face and feel marginally more put together. I smile at him in thanks though something must have been wrong with my smile because Will winces when he meets my eyes.

He exhales slowly, "You won't be able to drive, will you?"

I shake my head and allow Will to pull me into a hug. "Spencer will be okay Catherine. I talked to Aaron."

My body tenses involuntarily.

Will pulls back, holding me at arm's length. "Listen to me: Spencer wants to see you. He's not dead."

I nod and ignore the butterflies in my stomach.

Will sighs again. Then he takes my go bag, walks into the living room and holds it out to Anderson who is waiting by the door. "Are you planning to use the lights?" Will asks.

Anderson nods and glances at his watch, "We'll have to if we're going to arrive before the jet leaves."

Will gives me a little shove towards the door, "Go. I'll look after Henry and Jack. Please give JJ a hug from me and my best to Spencer."

I nod, pick up my purse and follow Anderson out of my home, down the stairs and outside to his car.

"Do you want to sit in the back and pretend I'm not the one driving or do you want to sit in the front with me and put your headphones on?" Anderson asks as he slides into the front seat.

I climb into the back and put my seatbelt on.

Anderson flips the switch on his portable light and speeds off down the road.

I pull my headphones out of my bag and plug them into my phone. I put them on, press play and close my eyes to concentrate on the voice speaking: "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, who was usually very late in the mornings, save upon those not infrequent occasions when he was up all night, was seated at the breakfast table. I stood upon the hearth-rug…"

My Valentine's Day present was a series of audio files for my iPod shuffle. Spencer had recorded himself reading half a dozen books I already knew and another half dozen that I was unfamiliar with. This was Spencer's latest idea on how to make sitting in a car or on public transportation easier for me to handle, as music isn't always enough to keep me calm. Surprisingly, it was rather useful. I'd gone through all of the books already and Spence had promised me more after Graduation on Saturday.

A thump beside me startles me out of my daze. There is box lying innocently on the seat beside me. I stare at it for a moment before my brain kicks in, Anderson has given me a box of Kleenex.

I open my mouth to say thank you but nothing comes out. I sigh and use the Kleenex to wipe my eyes and blow my nose.

10:40 pm EST

"Catherine," Anderson calls to me from the front seat, "We're almost there."

I nod.

The car comes to a stop at the gate and Anderson holds up his ID badge.

The guard waves us through.

Anderson looks at me apprehensively, "Would you like to sit up front so that you can see the plane and Garcia as we approach?"

I shake my head and put away my headphones.

My door is wrenched open as soon as the car comes to a complete stop. I jump, and start sliding away to the other side before I realize that it's Penelope standing there. I sigh in relief.

Anderson turns to look at me, "Catherine, I hope Reid will be all right."

"Thank you Grant," I whisper and climb out of his car, slinging my bag over my shoulder.

"Catherine," Penelope's voice trembles and I observe her demeanor quickly.

I step closer, "Pen-"

She throws her arms around me and hugs me tightly.

I freeze for a split second before hugging her back.

"It's okay," Penelope mumbles into my hair and I wonder if she is reassuring herself, or me. "Everything is going to be okay." Either way, it's not working.

Cruz's voice cuts though our moment of calm; "Ms. Garcia please get on the jet."

I hear his scowl before I can see it.

Penelope steps away, taking my bag with her.

I blank my face before turning my gaze on Mateo Cruz. I haven't seen him since February. He is significantly more intimidating when able to stand on his own.

Penelope taps her fingernails on the stair railing and smiles mirthlessly before entering the plane.

I swallow my fear and take a step forwards to stand directly in front of Cruz, though out of his reach. I fix my eyes on the top step up to the plane, which is just to the side of his left ear.

"Miss. Jareau," He looks me over from head to toe and frowns.

I blink up at him, impassively.

He doesn't say anything else.

I stand still, outwardly calm.

"Miss. Jareau," Cruz tries again and stops speaking to scrutinize my face.

I study him back without moving a muscle. He looks unsure of himself though that could just be a bluff, just like I am faking being calm and composed.

His brow's furrow, "I am told you look remarkably like your sister…"

I wait for him to continue.

He does after looking me over again, "And you do, except for your mannerisms. Jennifer-"

I flinch internally at his use of Jen's name; outwardly my thumb twitches. Damn.

Cruz's lips twitch, "Jennifer would never be able to just stand there silently: she would have demanded to know what I wanted by now." He smirks, "And she would also have demanded to know why we weren't already on the plane."

My eyes snap to his and Cruz takes a half step back. I wonder vaguely what he saw in them that would warrant such a reaction from a man who has hunted terrorists and serial killers.

I open my mouth and am amazed that words come out at all, never mind smoothly, "Section Chief Cruz, I have no interest in the case you and the BAU are working on. I have no intention of getting in your way, my only interest lies in seeing my fiancé."

Cruz smiles and nods, "All right." He holds up his hand.

I flinch automatically and curse internally. I shouldn't have reacted at all.

He exhales and lowers his hand, gesturing me up the stairs.

I flush and ascend the steps, desperately trying to conceal my fear as Cruz follows close behind me.

Penelope looks relieved when she sees me, though she's frowning an instant later.

As I walk towards her, I close my eyes and blank my face again.

When I open my eyes again Penelope is standing in front of me and looks even more concerned.

I blink at her.

"Cupcake," She sighs, "Sit with me?"

I nod and slide into the window seat.

Penelope sits down next to me and watches me silently.

I ignore her and watch Cruz sit down at the opposite end of the plane after speaking with the pilots.

11:05 pm EST

Penelope continues to stare at me even after the plane has taken off and reached cruising altitude.

I unbuckle my seatbelt and curl up on the seat; folding my legs to my chest and wrapping my arms around them, I rest my head on my knees.

Discreetly Penelope asks, "Do you need your headphones?"

I shrug and pretend I'm not crying.

"Catherine," She unwraps one of my arms and holds my hand.

I tighten my fingers briefly before pulling my hand back.

Penelope sighs, "I promised you more information. Do you want it now?"

I lift my head from my knees and whisper, "Please."

Penelope holds out a tissue and I wipe my eyes.

"Come closer?" It's half a question and half a command. She holds out an arm, "I did promise to talk you down if it was necessary, but I don't think it will be."

I nod and curl up against Penelope.

She drapes her arm around me and I rest my head against her shoulder.

Penelope takes a deep breath and exhales before saying, "Spencer was shot in the neck."

I stop breathing.

She notices, "Breathe Cupcake! In and out, come on you can do this."

I inhale and exhale twice before Penelope continues; "He's in surgery right now. JJ stopped the hospital from calling you."

I frown in confusion.

She stutters. "Well. Um. You see… Spencer changed his paperwork recently," She says the last bit with emphasis.

I continue to regulate my breathing. I don't know what's so special about paperwork.

Penelope resumes speaking a moment later, "Spencer listed you as his primary emergency contact. So you might need to speak with the hospital staff after we arrive."

I shrug. Talking to doctors isn't terribly difficult though I thought that Aaron was the primary and I was the secondary contact.

"And his next of kin." Penelope pulls back and waggles her eyebrows.

I can feel the heat rising to colour my cheeks.

Penelope grins at me.

I smile back shyly.

She sighs after a moment, "I don't have any more information about Spencer."

I nod solemnly. "How is everyone else? Are they okay?"

"Well," Penelope sighs, "Hotch- I mean Aaron and Dave were at the precinct when it happened. They're both fine, and will meet us at the hospital."

I nod.

She catches my eye and holds it, "Derek's arm was grazed but he'll be okay. He rode to the hospital in the ambulance with Spencer to keep an eye on him. JJ and Alex are all right. They followed the ambulance and they promised to call the instant they had any news."

I exhale slowly and when Penelope takes my hand for the second time I don't withdraw it.

I close my eyes and slow my breathing.

Penelope squeezes my hand and removes her arm from around my shoulders. "Stay put Cupcake, I'll be right back and then I'll read or talk you to sleep." She stands and stretches.

I look up at her startled; I have no desire to sleep right now.

She smile down at me, "We both need to have a short nap so that we can be awake at the hospital. I'll tell you a story. I'm certainly not going to sing you to sleep, that's Emily's job." Her grin turns wicked, "Though I suppose we ought to have Derek try again at some point."

I stifle a giggle.

AN2: Pigasus is a reference to the book Pirates if Oz by Ruth Plumly Thompson.

Ad Astra per alas porci is from John Steinbeck, it means: To the stars on the wings of a pig.