Monday Blues Chapter 2

The calls had worked; The BAU was cleared to take control of the scene much to the delight of the agitated Aaron Hotchner. As the team watched their leader climb out of the driver's seat of the SUV they were all pretty certain had clearance not come through he'd have stormed the bank himself. A one man army if he needed to be.

The scene outside was well controlled; a cordon was already in place with the general public pushed back to a safe area. EMTs were on standby, just in case, and FBI snipers were arriving at the scene discussing the best vantage point. Hotch had insisted that his was the order to fire, under no circumstances was anyone to fire a shot inside while his son was in side. One hard glare at each of the men had ensured that was an order that would be followed to the letter.

"Secure line is set up inside. Ready to contact him" A voice appeared behind the BAU team and vanished just as quickly back to his post, leaving the FBI to handle negotiations.

"Aaron I think I should start talking to this guy first... You're emotionally compromised the one thing we need at first contact is a very clear head." Rossi's voice was calm, controlled, and hide the fear expertly at how this day could potentially end. He wasn't about to break, he didn't have that luxury. Their unit chief was in an emotionally vulnerable position, and he needed to be the calm head at that moment and take charge if necessary. A single glance at Morgan had confirmed that Morgan was already thinking along the same lines.

"I know." Hotch answered plainly, his head was turned to face the bank, but the dark shades hid his eyes, make his face even more unreadable than it usually was. Rossi's lips twitched into a slight smile at the tactic Hotch has used. They couldn't pin him on his emotional state if they couldn't read his reactions. The eyes were the keys to the soul and right now Aaron Hotchner had those keys firmly hidden away.

Rossi picked up the secure line and waited patiently for the armed gunman to answer, as of yet they knew nothing about him. That would start changing very quickly though for one Penelope Garcia was already working on getting CCTV access into the bank with strict orders to report anything to Morgan first if she managed to catch sight of the young Hotchner who was trapped inside. After a few minutes a voice inside snapped down the line demanding to know who was calling.

"I'm David Rossi, I'm with the FBI. Who am I speaking to?" He nodded at Reid who was all set to take copious notes. He would of course recall the entire conversation word for word at any point but the rest of them didn't have that luxury and recordings took time to skip through. Reid's task to note anything of interest, any points they needed to refer to quickly.

"That doesn't matter. Are you in charge?" The voice snapped back. Rossi noted it sounded young, and almost panicked, strained. He couldn't help feeling this was someone in over their head who had no idea what he was really doing.

"I'm leading the negotiations with you Mr...? Is there anything I can get you? Water maybe?" He kept his tone as calm as he could, relieved now that Hotch had agreed to let him handle the negotiations. They didn't this guy wound up any more than he sounded.

"Clyde." The response was a simple one word answer. Rossi assumed this was what he wanted to be called, truth or not at least it was a start.

"So Clyde can we get you anything?"

"Are you in charge of all the Feds and Cops out there?"

"No." Rossi admitted openly, he wanted to continue the dialogue, while he was talking he wasn't shooting and that was a start. "But I'm the hostage negotiator and if you want food or water I can get some sent in... In exchange for a show of faith on your part, for example the child in there. There's a young boy in there why don't you just send him out." Out of the corner of his eye he saw Hotch react slightly to the mention of the boy and he reached out putting a gentle hand on his friends arm.

"I'm in charge, I'm calling the shots. If you're not calling the shots out there then I want to speak to the organ grinder, not the monkey."

"I can get you anything you need Clyde. Just you and I will talk and see what we can arrange for me to send you in exchange for the young boy's safety."

"What's so special about him?" Clyde may have been panicking but he'd homed in on Rossi pushing for the youngster's release.

"Nothing." Rossi had to fight to keep the calm tone to his voice now, his grip tightened on Hotch's arm and he saw Morgan took a step closer to their boss. Silently grateful the other man was there to help if needed. "He's just young that's all, he doesn't need to be involved so we get him out the way and we can continue this just us adults. Right Clyde?"

"Na. You see... What I want you can't get me. Only the guy in charge can, so here's what's going to happen. You're going to send your boss in here, to me, unarmed and then maybe... maybe... I'll consider sending the kid out."

Rossi closed his eyes, as soon as the demand left the speaker and he glanced at Hotch he knew his friend had made up his mind. If it saved his son he would absolutely put himself in that bank. His side arm was already off and being handed over to JJ who looked terrified, not only at her boss going in alone but also for his son who was still inside.

"Hey monkey! Are you listening?!" Clyde's voice snapped Rossi back to the call. He contemplated asking for a minute or two to discuss this with his boss, but Hotch had now taken his shades off and had fixed Rossi with his trade mark steely hard glare. Determination written all over his face and god help the poor soul that got in the way of him now.

"Yes Clyde we're just getting sorted now. Aaron Hotchner will be going in now; he's unarmed and not wired."

The call ended, Clyde clearly having heard enough and satisfied he was getting his own way. Rossi ran a hand over the sweat forming on his brow.

"Aaron... I know we won't talk you out of this. Be careful in there."

"I'll be fine. Just look after Jack when I get him out, tell him I'll see him soon." Hotch nodded and after checking his FBI Assault vest he started towards the bank keeping his hands in plain sight and showing that he wasn't carrying a weapon. The team watched him go as he stepped up to the door and hands dragged him bodily inside before the doors slammed shut.

David Rossi unable to shaking the feeling they'd just made a very big mistake.

TBC..