Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
This is my first Criminal Minds fic so play nice please! Constructive criticism on the characterization of canon or original characters, and plot points is welcomed. Read and let me know your first impressions :P
Unbeta'd so all mistakes are my own :)
"You have a jet, like an actual jet," Tabitha said awed. Her eyes were wide and surprised, scanning over every surface of the plane, taking it in, before rounding to her cousin with an accusation in her gaze, "Why was this never mentioned before?"
Aaron smirked at her. "FBI perks," he gestured towards one of the seats, "Sit."
Tabitha dropped with a huff and lifted her messenger bag from over her shoulder. Relaxing into the leather seat, she tried to relax – tried to spend a few minutes not thinking about dead bodies or the missing girl or the trouble that was sure to meet her when they landed – and let out a low breath.
Cracking her eyes open, she watched the team as they readied themselves. Aaron sat at the seat in front of her, spreading the open file on the desk between them spreading the open file on the desk between them (she averted her gaze quickly from the photographs). Gideon and Reid took the booth across from them, Gideon mimicking Aaron's actions. It was all business with these two, she'd realised. No wonder they were such good friends. Derek and Elle were chatting, generic teasing that came from familiarity, in the seats behind them, and JJ walked ahead into the cockpit, assumingly to address the pilot.
There was a routine to the movements, seemingly enough that they could be done without the full concentration. They were all comfort where they were, who they worked with. Tabitha hoped it was something she would come to understand.
"How long until take off?" she asked quietly.
"A few minutes," Reid answered for her when Aaron only responded with a low hum, his eyes never leaving the report.
Tabitha glanced at Reid and he smiled awkwardly. She wanted to make him feel more relaxed so she returned the grin.
"Thank you," she murmured.
"You're welcome," Reid responded.
Tabitha broke their locked gazes to stare out the window, waiting to leave.
"It looks like the Unsub attacks them at night, when they're on their way home," Elle spoke, her eyes scanning the file, "Carlton Fry was walking home from a friend's house. Admed Sakiel from the library and Julie Griffins from a party."
"Caroline Rogers is the difference," Tabitha admitted, "She was last seen outside an art gallery she had an exhibition at. She was waiting for her mother, a Stacey Rogers."
"Why change the MO?" Derek questioned, "What happened?"
"Those murders have got a lot of media coverage since Julie Griffin's body was discovered," JJ pointed out, "Maybe he had no option?"
"Why only since Griffins?" Derek tilted his head.
Tabitha's lips twitched upward bitterly. "She was a cheerleader."
There was a moment of shared sorrowful understanding.
Reid dropped his gaze and continued to examine the photographs of the victim's bodies, of the wounds sustained. "He restrained his victims at the hands and feet, probably with rope or cable ties. He beats them with a baseball bat mostly likely, judging by the shape of the bruises and stabs them, deep, no hesitation in the strokes. And then he strangles them. All of these are signs of aggressive, rage. These aren't just random attacks. The victims knew their killer - they were personal."
"I think this guy worked or does work at the high school. Only someone with that access could be that close to the students and be able to get the bodies into the football field," Tabitha interjected, "He probably has a history of assault. How else could he do this so efficiently? He has experience."
"But the way he kills, it suggests a lack of control," Reid argued,
"It suggests a temper," Tabitha elaborated.
"Then the strangling could be a show of remorse," Gideon pondered, "Why else would he stab them and then strangle them? He could just let them bleed out."
"He's putting them out of their misery, like mercy killings," Elle said, realisation slipping into her voice, "He doesn't want them to suffer."
"Yeah, well, they did," Tabitha's voice was emotionless and she looked away from the images.
"First murder?" JJ asked quietly, sympathy in her voice.
Tabitha breathed out and smiled awkwardly, running a hand through her hair. "First murder I was the head of, yeah."
"Was?" Aaron's gaze was sharp.
"I was given the case when the first body was found, but when Julie Griffin's was found, my supervisor decided it was…too high profile. They kept me on though, because I'm the expert so far," she admitted.
Aaron's frown deepened.
Tabitha's smiled reassuringly. She shook her head slightly. "It's fine. It happens. At least I can still help find this bastard."
Aaron and Tabitha shared a look, both silently conveying something that only the two would understand. After a moment, Aaron broke his gaze and glanced at the rest of the team.
"Landing in ten," he stated, "Be prepared for confrontation. Something tells me that our presence is more the want of the Governor than the police force. She's not exactly one for not stepping on people's toes."
Tabitha snorted. "Now that's an understatement."