A/N: Sorry for the wait folks, I have more than a few stories going, plus I'm working on my own original work. Again my apologies and I hear what you all are asking for in terms of the next target…
Jane took in everyone seated around and for the first time in days, allowed herself to relax, just a fraction. Maura was right, she wasn't alone and she trusted these people with her life and Maura's. She just couldn't help feeling like the worst was still to come.
"I'm sorry what did you say?" She shook herself from her thoughts and focused on the person asking her a question.
"I said," Jordan smiled, "are you okay with my being here?" Garcia squeezed her hand at her words.
"Yes, of course…anything that keeps Ms. Penelope here on task is a positive in my book."
"Hey!" slapping Jane's arm Garcia looked at the others, "was I really that distracted."
"Baby girl you may have been here, mind and body, but your heart, that was somewhere else completely." Morgan patted her hand and smiled at the blush that crept up her face.
"I'm really sorry it was just…" she looked at Jordan for a second before continuing. They were family here and Jordan was part of that family. "I didn't realize how all of this bothered me until we got the ballistics report."
"I don't understand," Maura said, "why would that affect you and Jordan?"
Garcia looked at Jordan before speaking, "Jordan used to be in the Army and…" she didn't know what to say, looking back at Jordan she raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe I can explain." Jordan's voice took on a more serious tone as she squeezed Pen's hand reassuringly. "Penelope found some items at my apartment and I ended up telling her about my stint in the military. It was a discovery that bothered her…significantly."
"Why, what did you do there?" Reid couldn't see what the problem was.
"Doesn't matter kid." Rossi nodded with understanding. "Remember, Garcia is all about peace not war. I'm sure it came as a shock to her to find this out." Garcia's nod confirmed Rossi's guess.
"Yes it did, what bothered her most I think was what did." Seeing the questioning looks Jordan sighed. "My MOS was Military Police but, the unit I was with went on certain missions." Morgan raised his eyebrows at the comment as did Korsak.
"I'm sorry, I still don't understand." Maura looked around the table and saw comprehension dawning on some.
Jordan considered what she was about to say carefully. She didn't want to alienate them or make them uncomfortable, plus she wasn't that person anymore.
"Let's just say that in Afghanistan, anyone who is a really good marksman was…highly utilized." Understanding dawned on Maura and she looked quickly at Jane.
"Oh…so the ballistics report…"
"The same kind of weapon she used." Garcia said quietly.
"You think we're looking for a sharpshooter." Morgan said. "Or, maybe someone who trained as one with a serious beef against the police." He leaned over and patted Garcia's hand.
"You could have told us what was bothering you."
"No…no I couldn't, it wasn't my story to tell, besides, I didn't think it bothered me, I'm sorry Jordan."
"I'm sorry too querida, but I'm not that person anymore." Taking a drink she leaned over and kissed her. "You're okay now?" She smiled at Penelope's happy nod. Looking at the others she was glad to see questions, yes, but no judgment.
Jane saw the shock on Korsak's face regarding Jordan's revelation. He was old school military. Woman had different jobs back when he was in, now…
"You alright there Korsak?" Jane couldn't mask the laughter in her voice.
"Huh? Yes, yes of course." He glanced around the table, "I guess I'm not as progressive as I thought I was, that's all"
The general laughter eased everyone's spirits as they got back into why they were there. Sure they were taking a break as ordered, but that didn't mean that they didn't have a case to work, or discuss.
JJ nudged Emily in the shoulder, "Look…" Garcia was resting her head on Jordan's shoulder and looking more relaxed than they had seen her in a while. Morgan smiled at them seeing the same thing.
"So, what kind of a timeline are we looking at for this guy?" Frost brought them all back to earth. "He seems to be ramping things up and if he knows that we've called in help, won't he become more aggressive?"
Reid nodded, "It's quite possible, the issue becomes who and how he selects his initial victims and then, how he selects his targets, his police targets."
"Well I don't know about the rest of you, but I want to catch this bastard before he does anything else." Jane's fierce comment made them all blink.
"Jane you know…"
"Fuck…" running a scarred hand through her hair she slammed it on the table, "I know Morgan! I know…we may not have that option."
They continued to discuss options and theories while they ate. Jane was in more of a funk than she had been before. She had a bad feeling about this whole situation. She, they, were missing something, something important. She knew it; she felt it and she just hoped she figured it out before someone else died.
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The news trucks were scattered up and down the street in front of the precinct when they got back.
"Vultures…"Morgan said.
"They are doing their jobs Derek, you know that." Maura knew how upsetting this whole affair was and the idea of a news conference didn't sit well with her either.
"Yeah, well…" he muttered.
Jane walked into the conference room first and was immediately besieged by the press.
"Detective is it true that someone is hunting cops…"
"Detective Rizzoli, were you forced to call the FBI in?"
"Detective…"
Pushing her way past them she reached Hotch. "What the hell?"
"I know, they're a bit unruly." He was interrupted by JJ's voice over the mike.
"I'm sure everyone has questions and we wouldn't have called this conference if we weren't ready to give you some information. However, unless everyone takes a seat, we will consider this conference over." The scraping of chairs and voices drowned everything else out as the press vied for a seat close to the podium.
"Thanks JJ." Hotch's smile lit up his face. It was times like these that he missed the fact that JJ was no longer just their press liaison but also a profiler.
"Still feels natural to do that I guess." JJ caught Emily's eye and winked. Emily always loved seeing the blond in action, controlling a room full of people with her presence alone.
Hotch walked up to the podium and took a deep breath. He hated these press conferences, hated the questions, the assumptions. More than anything, he hated being forced to do it. Strauss was making a mistake. He knew it was certainty that he couldn't explain but he hadn't been given a choice. The unsub was sure to escalate his behavior after this. With a quick glance at Jane who stood stiffly beside him, he began.
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"Sonofabitch!"
"Jane please, calm down…" Maura looked worriedly at her and the others. The press conference had deteriorated into what Jane would call a "bitchfest" They actually had the nerve to jump to the conclusion that the vendetta against the Boston PD was the fault of one Detective Jane Rizzoli. That being in the public eye had made them all targets. One reporter had even had the nerve to accuse Jane of dragging her feet in the investigation to gain national exposure.
"Jane…Detective!" Hotch's voice resounded in the conference room. "Take a seat." He watched as she did and shook his head when Lt Cavanaugh decided to walk in at that moment.
"Rizzoli! What the hell were you thinking? You threatened a reporter for christs sakes." He was fuming; the commissioner's office had already called him twice demanding she be reprimanded.
"Sir…I…crap…" with her head in her hands she looked down at the table. What a cluster this was becoming. She had just gotten so pissed off at the questions they were asking and when that reporter had accused her of basically not doing her job, she had lost it. Looking up at him she kept a brave face, "so, am I suspended?"
"No and its not because they didn't want you to be. Jesus Christ Rizzoli I can't keep covering for you, you know that. You're on borrowed time. The brass wants to see results, especially since you called in the Feds." He waved a hand at them. "No offense but I was against this. I know I called you in the first time, but…" he looked over at Korsak, "we should be handling this one in house." That said he turned on his heel and walked out.
"Well" Rossi glanced at the rest of the team who seemed to be in shock by all that had happened. "That certainly could have gone better."
Emily could see how angry Jane was and how much it was costing her to hold her tongue. "Hey Hotch, we'll be right back." Grabbing Jane by the arm she forced Jane to follow her.
Once they made it to the elevators she let her go. "What the hell Em?" Jane rubbed her arm where she was sure Emily's strong grip was sure to have left bruises.
"You looked like you were going to blow in there." Emily's voice was low and steady. Jane let out the breath she had been holding.
"I was dammit." Pacing in front of the elevator she looked at her friend. "Thanks Em."
"Anytime my friend. So what now?"
"Now we hope that stupid press conference doesn't set this guy off.
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Brandon tied his classmate's hands behind him, slamming his face into the floor again as he struggled against him. Jonathan had pretended to be a friend to him and like the others; he would pay for playing with him like that. He knew just where to dump him too. There were plenty of places to set up for a good shot. Hitting Jonathan again he was glad when he finally stopped struggling. Maybe he wouldn't kill him just yet…He wanted more time to play with his targets. Staring at the rope in his hands and the unconscious young man in front of him he smiled broadly. "Oh yes, I know just what to do"…this will require a little more planning but he had a lovely surprise for Detective Rizzoli and her FBI friends.
Kneeling down he whispered into Jonathan's ear. "You have one chance, but one of them dies in your place."
I know…how can I leave it there? It really was a natural break…I've already started the next chapter and hope to post it by Monday. Next up, my Fear story…
BTW More reviews=quicker updates a simple equation that really works