The entire team is kind of in a state of shock. I'm going to take this moment to runawaya, so no real disclaimer. You'll understand once you read...
I do not own Criminal Minds.
What if…
There had been two possible locations of cemeteries when the team was searching for Reid?
What if…
The team had to make a simple…
Choice
"We only have time to get to one house." Hotch strode quickly to the black SUV.
"We could split up," Morgan pointed out as he went to his own SUV.
"That's not a good idea. We don't know what Hankel has at his disposal and splitting up does not seem to be doing any good for us," Hotch pointedly looked back at the house where Gideon and JJ were walking out.
"I had Garcia forward the GPS locations of both cemeteries to all of our PDAs," Prentiss said as she trotted up. She hesitated. "Which one are we going to?"
For a few precious seconds, the team simple stood. No one wanted to make the decision that could mean the difference between life and death.
"The second one. Let's go to the second one."
Without questioning the choice, the team rushed to their respective cars and sped into the night
With a swirl of dust, the team and a handful of squad cars pulled into the front yard of the dark cabin. The blue and red lights danced on the siding.
Morgan was the first out and to the door. He had kicked it in before any back-up could join him.
Hotch, Gideon, and Prentiss jogged to the door, guns drawn and flashlights on. They were prepared to fight for their friend's life. Prepared to take a life if necessary.
"Morgan?" Hotch called ahead.
There was no answer.
"Morgan?" Hotch called again, whipping in front of the doorframe.
His flashlight fell on Morgan's back. His arms hung at his sides, and his head was bent.
"What's wrong?" Gideon asked as he reached Hotch.
"We went to the wrong house," Morgan said, not turning around. "We went to the wrong house!" Without warning, Morgan kicked a dusty chair and sent it flying into the darkness of the room. A loud bang echoed in the silence.
Another precious few seconds lost.
"Come on." Morgan whipped around and shouldered his way through the growing throng of police officers. "We're going to the other location!" Morgan yelled. No one moved. "NOW!" Immediately, the officers scrambled back to their squad cars and started their engines.
"Morgan-"
"Don't, Hotch." Morgan shook away Hotch's warning. "We're going to save him. We need to go. Now."
Hotch studied Morgan.
Another few seconds.
"Alright," he nodded.
Another cabin. Another swirl of dust. Another pattern of dancing lights.
This was the right cabin.
The chair was there. Empty. The handcuffs on the seat.
The camera and computers were set up. Were they broadcasting? Could Garcia see them right now? No time for that.
The team, followed by the officers, rushed through the woods towards the cemetery.
No talking. No yelling. Just listening.
They rounded a hedge, their flashlights bouncing off the rustling leaves, and there he was.
Someone was kneeling, someone was standing. They had made it. They were in time.
Then the gunshot sounded.
"REID!" Morgan cried as he fired his own weapon three times into the standing man.
The man staggered, dropped his weapon, pivoted toward the team, then collapsed to the ground.
The kneeler had fallen backward long ago.
Hotch sprinted toward the shapes before Morgan had the chance to lower his weapon.
It felt to Hotch as if he was moving through jelly. The cemetery elongating before him.
Finally, he reached the kneeler's side. Reid's side.
"Reid, Reid. Reid," Hotch knelt beside his team member, quickly assessing the damage done. The shot was through his chest. His sweater was covered in blood. "Reid, stay with me. We need the paramedics here!" Hotch ordered as calmly as he could. The nearest officer ran back toward the cabin and the waiting ambulance.
"Hotch?" a weak voice asked.
"Reid?" Hotch's heart skipped a beat, though nothing on his face showed.
Reid coughed up blood, then managed a smile. "I knew you'd understand."
Hotch was speechless, and he couldn't hold back the tears that formed in his eyes. His voice was steady, though. "Reid, we're going to get you help." Hotch looked up as Prentiss reached them.
She stopped, still a few feet away, mouth moving and no sound coming out.
The rest of the team wasn't far behind.
"Hotch, wha-…oh no, kid." Morgan's arms hung limply at his side.
"Where… is… everyone?" Reid managed to say, gasping for breath.
Gideon knelt on the opposite side of Hotch. "Spencer, we're all here."
"Oh." Reid's quizzical expression was morphed into one of pain.
"Don't talk, kid," Morgan said, joining Hotch on the ground.
Reid's breathing was getting harder.
"Where's the medics?" Prentiss cried, breaking her silence.
Right on cue, but perhaps too late, the paramedics ran up with a stretcher.
"All right, Reid. Help's here." Hotch, Gideon, and Morgan helped move Reid to the stretcher.
The paramedics were moving away when JJ ran to Reid's side. She had been frozen ever since the gunshot.
"Spence, I'm so sorry." Tears were running down her face.
"It's not your fault."
The last words Dr. Spencer Reid ever said. And he meant it from the bottom of his heart.
The team stood staring after their friend. They all knew he wouldn't make it. Years of experience at their job made it impossible for them to ignore the truth.
Prentiss hugged JJ and they both cried. JJ with open sobs and Prentiss silently.
Morgan ran his hands over his head and his teeth clenched as he fought back his desire to punch something and scream.
Gideon, with tear stained face, put his hands on Morgan's shoulders and forced him to look him in the eye. A silent okay to let go.
Hotch sat on the ground and put his head in his hands.
All of them were thinking of those lost seconds. Added together, would they have been enough time to save their team member and friends?
What if…
They had figured out Reid's clues sooner.
What if…
They had skipped the cabin and come straight to the cemetery.
What if…
JJ had picked the right cemetery to go to first.
Hello Reiders!
I can't help it, I've got it out for Reid even though I love him.
I hope you enjoyed this even though it was sad.
Please Please Please Reid and Review! I can't get better unless you do
~MyDarkAngel710