Notes: This is the last part of the Preface/Introduction. Now you've met some of the big main characters. There may be some similarities between scenes/characters from Heroes, but it wasn't really intentional. There is a main bad guy. Can you guess who?
Rating, Disclaimer, Warnings:
T; I do not own Criminal Minds; Violence, cursing, total alternate universe, grammar & spelling errors, possible OOC, POV shifts, a lot of characters, etc.
Just Life
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Summary:
Superhero theme A/U: They each made different choices in life but fate brought them together anyway.
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PREFACE II: History of Sorts
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Richmond, Virginia. 2010, Present-Time
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"Spencer, are you planning on visiting Diana this weekend?"
Spencer Reid turned to look at his mentor, Jason Gideon. The man had been much like a father to Spencer for the past ten years, since he decided to move to Virginia with him. The two had met sometime in the summer of 2000 in Spencer's hometown, by then he had already held a few PhDs and was working on his bachelors. The older man had been visiting Vegas for a personal project that he didn't enclose the full details to Spencer until just a few years ago when the man accidentally caught Spencer in his "act". Apparently, Jason was more than just a retired college professor. He had seen many other people like Spencer in his travels and had been intrigued ever since. His project included researching the DNAs and evolutions of "mutants" or "superhumans" if Spencer were to use Jason's terms.
Jason may have told him that his reason for conducting research was merely curiosity on his part, but Spencer had a suspicion there was more to it than that. Still, Jason was a very private man and Spencer respected him for it. He'd just have to wait and see where this would lead the two of them.
"Spencer?" Jason's strong voice carried through the air after a few minutes of silence. Almost immediately, Spencer snapped himself out of his thoughts. The older man was watching him in concern. He leaned over the table and sighed. "I know it's been a long week, son. I'm pretty tired myself," he said wryly.
Spencer shook his head. "Sorry, sir. I was just thinking."
"Of course, of course," Jason waved it off. He looked down at the half-eaten sandwich and grimaced. "I think it's time we get a real meal in us, don't you agree?" He casually stood up and walked over to the kitchen. He looked around the counter, trying to find his wallet and keys. Snatching them up in less than a minute, Jason hobbled his way over to the front door. "Coming, Spencer?"
Spencer nodded hurriedly and rushed over to join his mentor at the door. "Are you sure we should be going out right now?" he asked, anxiously glancing down at Jason's weak leg. He noted wearily that it was shaking slightly.
Jason waved a hand and opened the door. "It's fine, Spencer. I can manage a little trip to the car."
"You took quite a hit last time," Spencer said. His eyes shot down to the older man's leg again.
Jason only shrugged. He gripped the doorframe when he felt himself losing his balance. Gritting his teeth, he peered over his shoulder to see his wide-eyed apprentice, "Mind getting my cane for me? It should be near the table in the kitchen."
With a nod, Spencer darted off quickly to get the said item and handed it over to the man. Jason let go of the door and pressed his weight on the stick. "It'll heal. Don't worry. Now let's get some lunch."
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Tampa, Florida. 2010, Present-Time
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It was getting dark outside when Emily got back to Penelope's apartment, the sun setting overhead. She knocked on the door two times, as was their little code to each other, and waited a few minutes for her to answer. When there was no response on the other side, Emily tried again, a tad anxious. Penelope still didn't answer. Emily quickly fished out the spare key her friend had given her three birthdays ago. She wondered what was going on. It wasn't like Penelope to not answer and Emily knew for a fact that Penelope would be staying home today. She promised the brunette woman that they'd celebrate Emily's birthday when she got back.
She inserted the key into the hole and twisted it open. The door swung wide easily. "Hey PG, you there?" she asked, making her way inside. She closed the door behind her before entering the living area. The apartment was completely dark and that unnerved Emily. She called her again, "PG, hello?"
Emily stumbled along the wall, her fingers desperately trying to find the light switch. She quickly flicked it on when finally her thumb brushed over it, allowing a sigh of relief creep out from her mouth as the darkness that had previously cascaded over the room was instantaneously vanished and in its place was the brightness that casted from the florescent lights that loom on top. Still the relief didn't last too long when Emily found that the room was unusually empty save the few couches and chairs and the large screen TV that Penelope had decorated with.
Where the hell was she? Emily wondered if Penelope had gone out without her, had forgotten that this was Emily's special day and the promise the two friends made to each other had been a big deal to the brunette woman. What if Penelope just said that so that Emily would get off her back about it? She shook her head mentally. She and Penelope had been friends for years. Emily never once doubted Penelope as a friend or person before and she wasn't going to start now. Something was wrong, had to be wrong. Penelope didn't just forget.
Emily had to look for clues, for things out of place. What if Penelope had been kidnapped? She was about to start her search, moving instinctively to the black couch on the far end right beside the TV when out of the corner of her eye, she saw something move. "What," she muttered under her breath, spinning on her heels.
"Surprise, Em-Em! Happy birthday!" Penelope jumped up from behind the other couch. She grinned like no tomorrow and signaled with her hand for the others to join her. One by one, to Emily's astonishment, Penelope's friends came out from behind the same couch and some others from the kitchen. Emily noticed Penelope's boyfriend, Kevin, amongst them. He grinned sheepishly, looking slightly embarrassed and waved a little at Emily.
"It was all Pen's idea," he said weakly.
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New York City, New York. 2010 Present-Time
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"I love you, you know that, JJ?" Will planted a kiss on the back of her hand.
JJ smiled. "And I love you." She twirled her fork into the spaghetti noodles, watching as it spun around as if it were some amazing magic trick. "How did you manage to book this place?"
Will chuckled. He raised an eyebrow at her. "I thought you already knew money isn't an issue for me," he teased.
JJ frowned. "Well yeah I know that part. But this restaurant is normally always packed. You'd have to reserve it months in advanced," she stopped, her eyes widening in realization as Will's grin spread. "Will?" she asked nervously.
Will looked at her, his eyes softening. He took her hand in his and squeezed. "I have been planning this for months now," he said quietly. He rose from his chair and JJ watched as his hand went up into the front pocket on his dress shirt and took out a small box. He set it on top of the table and looked back at JJ. "JJ," he said as he slowly, gently opened the box to reveal a small, gorgeous diamond ring. JJ let out a gasp, eyes widening even further as she took in the ring. "Will you marry me?" his voice, laced with amusement, was the only thing that pulled her from her stupor.
JJ looked up at him. She was still and quiet for a minute and that must have been too long for Will because suddenly she felt him pulling on her hand, his eyes looking back at her in complete concern. "Was this too quick? Too sudden? I'm sorry; maybe today wasn't the right time. Shit. I screwed it up, didn't I?" he shut the little jewelry box closed and started to tuck it back into his pocket. "I'm sorry, JJ. I completely messed up our relationship, didn't I? I…" he faltered when JJ leaned over.
She put a finger to his lip to shush him. "It wasn't that, Will," she said, quickly recovering from her earlier shock. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to take my silence that way. I just didn't know what to say to it. I never had someone propose to me after only going out for five months," she said, grinning.
Will let out a nervous laugh. "First five and a half actually," he said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.
"Right. Five and a half," JJ said.
"So is that a yes?" he asked. He sat back down, looking at the blonde haired woman.
JJ chuckled before picking up her fork again. "Let's talk about that after dinner. This is too delicious to pass up."
Chuckling back at her nervously, Will picked up his fork and followed her lead. She didn't say yes but at least she didn't leave him. Yet. So maybe there was still hope for the two after all.
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Richmond, Virginia. 2006
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"Are you ready, Spencer?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Alright I think it's time to meet him then."
Jason Gideon made his way out the door, quickly followed by his young apprentice, Spencer Reid. They walked to the car without saying a word. Jason was anxious to meet the man that said he'd be a tremendous help toward the retired professor's personal project. Jason had been slightly hesitant at first but with one glance at the young boy, Spencer whom seemed a mixture of excitement and nervousness, he shook off his own worry and told the man back that it would be a pleasure for him to help them out.
So now, on a sunny Wednesday, they were heading over to the man's said apartment which only really took them a twenty minute drive. It was always nice to travel with the lad, even if he sometimes couldn't stop talking. Jason supposed it was better than the radio these days. He smiled faintly as they drove into the parking area and parked the car nearest the complex.
"Did the man say what kind of power he has?" Spencer asked.
Jason shrugged. "He said he had a few that would greatly help out the project."
"A few?" Spencer furrowed his brows together. "We only met people with one before. He says he has more?"
Jason pushed the car door open and stepped out. He leaned his head back in to look at Spencer. "That's what we're here to find out, Spencer. Now come on. I don't want to keep him waiting for so long."
Spencer nodded slowly and climbed out from the passenger's seat. "If he does have more than one power, what will it mean?"
Jason hesitated for a second. He wondered that too, countless times before they arrived. "It depends on if he's willing to help us," he said carefully.
The two walked to the closest apartment room. 212. Spencer looked at his mentor. "You don't trust him, do you?" he asked. He seemed to already know the answer.
Jason shook his head, a frown on his face as they knocked gently on the door. "It doesn't matter now."
The door swung open immediately. A middle aged man with short graying hair peered out at them in mild curiosity. Jason managed a smile and stuck out his hand, "You must be George Foyet. I'm Jason Gideon. We spoke on the phone a few days ago, remember? This is my colleague, Spencer Reid."
George shook his hand, a grin spreading on his face. "I remember now. Come on in. You guys must be cold standing out there."
Spencer frowned. "Actually, it's not that cold. Last I checked it was over seventy-six degrees out."
"Nevertheless, come in anyway," George replied.
The two men stepped inside and George closed the door behind them. The man walked to the kitchen as Jason and Spencer settled on the chairs in the living area. "Would you like coffee or water?" he asked.
"Neither," Jason called.
"I'll take coffee with some sugar," Spencer said.
George grunted his approval and poured Spencer a mug of coffee. He walked back to the living room and handed the cup over to the young man. "Here," he said.
"Thank you," Spencer replied.
"It's no problem," George said, smiling down at him.
"So what is that you can do exactly, George?" Jason asked eyeing the man's back warily.
George turned to face Jason, an odd glint his eyes. "Why tell you guys when I can simply show you? Tell me something, Jason; have you ever had a magician perform real magic for you?"
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Somewhere else in Richmond, Virginia
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"I know what you're thinking, Matt, but this won't help and you know it. Get down from there and we can work everything out."
"I-I…can't. I have to do this. I gotta do this."
Aaron Hotchner sighed. He hated playing this card but it seemed no other choice. "You have a daughter, don't you, Matt?" he asked softly. The man froze. That was all Aaron needed to continue. "Her name's Stephanie and she's seven years old, Matt. She loves her daddy very much. She wants him to come home."
Matt stood rigid, looking down the balcony that shadowed a few bushes. They were at least three floors high. "She doesn't want me," he said, swallowing back the ache he felt. "She has Marie and Marie is more of a mother than I was a father."
"That's not true," Aaron said. He took a step toward the man. "You know it's not true. You did everything you could and she knows that. Come back, Matt. Come back home. You know you don't want this."
"I know I don't want this," the man moaned. "But I deserve it."
Aaron took another step toward the man. Gently, he placed his hands on Matt's shoulders. Surprised, the man jerked away, nearly falling over the rails in the process. "Matt, please…don't do this," Aaron whispered. "You don't deserve this. No one does."
Matt shook his head. "No. You don't understand. I do. I really do." He leaned back over the railing. "You don't know what I did."
But Aaron did know. "I know, Matt," he said softly. "But you can't end it this way. Once you tell her, she'll forgive you. Please don't do this to yourself. Or to her. Or to Marie." God, he hated playing the family card. It felt wrong.
Matt hesitated. He looked down at the pavement. Three floors up. If he jumped, he'd splatter all over the ground. There'd be no one saving him from this one. "I deserve it," he half-muttered to himself. Then he let go of the railing and plunged head-first to his death.
Aaron saw it in slow motion. But he heard the man's thoughts in fast-forward. It was a weird mixed sensation of nausea and self-satisfaction. Those feelings weren't his own. Aaron pulled out the walkie-talkie from his belt. "Dave," he said, "this one's on you."
There was only a moment of silence before David answered back, "On my way."
Aaron looked down. The man was still in a free-fall. Any moment and he'd be as flat as pancakes, guts and bones littering the pavement. Then in the next second, there was David, holding out his arms to catch the man. They both fell to the ground with a thud.
Aaron let out a sigh of relief as David's voice came out of the walkie-talkie again. "He's safe."
"Good. Let's go hit the bars after this," Aaron said.
Davie laughed. "Okay, boss."
Aaron leaned back against the wall. He should probably give Haley another ring tonight.