Hello my friends! I really wish I would have been able to update more this week but I got busy and then I was celebrating at a wedding for one of my good friends, so I'm sorry this took a little longer!
I'm bringing in a new character, who I hope you guys will like, and who is introduced here and who will be featured in the next chapter as well! I really wanted to get Alex back to school (I know some of you miss Olivia), and I wanted Emily back home so that we can get some more family time.
Hope you all enjoy! -J
Chapter 8
Tuesday morning things were still pretty frustrating for the BAU, who were called in the early morning hours when a 5th body had been found in an alley by one of the local police, who had been driving around the area looking for any suspicious activity. Their unsub; who the team still wished they knew more about, was attacking both men and women of varying ages before shooting them in the head. With no set victimology, the team was learning everything they could about their five victims hoping that there was something that linked them together, in order to bring them closer to their unsub.
"Victomology is just all over the place," Morgan pointed out frustrated by their lack of progress. "I mean our latest victim is older than the rest and he's our second male."
"The only thing that technically links these people is that they're all white," Reid said. "Which means our unsub is also Caucasian, and given the ages of the victims I would say that he would fall somewhere between 25 and 35."
"And we're sure the unsub is a man?" JJ asked.
"Yes given that he attacks his victims first," Rossi explained. "There's no way a woman would have been able to bring down Mitchell Carter and Mark Ferri and then shoot them."
"So we're looking for a white man in his late twenties or early thirties," Emily said. "Piece of cake," she added sarcastically.
"Morgan call Garcia and have her track the movements of all the victims prior to their attack," Hotch ordered. "We need to hope that our victims' paths crossed at some point before they were attacked. I don't believe these are random attacks. Our unsub must be meeting these people at some point somewhere before he attacks them."
"How do we know they aren't random?" JJ asked.
"The attacks," Emily replies. "If the unsub had simply shot the victims it would seem to be random, but the attacks make it more personal."
"Alright while Morgan gets with Garcia I want the rest of us learning more about our victims," Hotch continued. "I have a list of friends and family in the area, JJ you'll be with me, Rossi with Prentiss and Reid with Morgan. We'll split up the list and meet back here later today," he informed the team before immediately heading out to let the chief of police know their plan.
"Guess I'll be seeing you later Pretty Girl," Emily whispered into JJ's ear, bringing a smile to the blonde's face.
"Try not to miss me too much," JJ winked before following Hotch out, hoping someone would catch the break the team needed.
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Meanwhile back in DC Alex and Sandy returned from Alex's appointment with Dr. Sullivan, the teen still having a bit of homework left to do before returning to school the next day. Setting herself up at the dining room table, the young brunette got straight to work, hoping to finish early so she could spend the rest of her day going over her lines for the play, wanting to make sure she was at her best for rehearsal the next day.
"You ready to get back to school tomorrow?" Sandy asked from where she was standing in the kitchen, having decided to bake cookies.
"Yeah I miss my friends," Alex replied. "Plus I'm really anxious to get back to rehearsals. The play is coming up pretty quickly and I'm sure my teacher isn't too thrilled that I've missed the last few."
"Well I'm sure she understands given everything that went on," Sandy assured her. "Just make sure you're ready to go tomorrow so she has nothing to complain about."
"That's the plan," Alex agreed.
"Well I can help you run lines after if you want," Sandy then said.
"That would actually be great," Alex smiled. "I just have to finish this reading and do a couple questions and then I'll be ready to go."
"Sounds good," Sandy replied. "You do that and I will have these cookies ready for you as soon as you're done."
Alex smiled before turning her attention to her textbook, to finish the last few pages so she could answer the assigned questions and be caught up on all her work. The teen had spent a lot of time the previous day also finishing up some homework, taking random breaks throughout the day to talk to Sandy whom she was loving getting to know. The pair had also taken a trip to the grocery store, Sandy putting together a great dinner while Alex did the last of her math homework.
As much as Alex enjoyed staying with the Hastings when Emily and JJ were away, she was admittedly enjoying being able to stay at home and she loved having Sandy around, as she reminded the brunette so much of JJ and her own mother.
It was half an hour later, the smell of chocolate chip cookies filling the condo as Alex began her last question, when there was a knock on the door; neither female knowing who it could be as they had not been expecting any guests. Giving Sandy a shrug, Alex headed towards the door thinking maybe it would be one of her friends. Checking the peephole, Alex had to resist a groan, seeing Elizabeth Prentiss on the other side of the door.
"Elizabeth, hi," Alex greeted, trying to sound enthusiastic, praying the older brunette wouldn't notice the now fading bruise under her eye. "What are you doing here?"
"Emily called me to change our dinner plans and she said you were at home but she wouldn't tell me why. Why aren't you at school? Are you sick?" Elizabeth asked. "What's that on your face?" She added as she made her way into the condo, seeing Sandy for the first time. "Oh hello."
"Hi there," Sandy greeted happily. "You must be Emily's mother. I'm Sandy Jareau. JJ's mother."
"Elizabeth Prentiss," the Ambassador greeted politely. "Emily mentioned you were staying with Alexandra here."
"Yes the girls got called away while they were visiting so I volunteered to bring Alex home," Sandy smiled. "Can I get you anything? A drink perhaps? I just made cookies," she added unnecessarily gesturing towards the island, which was now covered in trays of chocolate chip cookies.
"They smell wonderful," Elizabeth said with a smile. "I would love some tea if you don't mind actually."
"Of course, please come sit," Sandy insisted, ready to play the perfect hostess, getting the kettle ready. "It's great to be able to meet you Elizabeth. Alex told me so much about you."
"Hopefully she left out the part where I made a horrible first impression," Elizabeth replied.
"I did leave that part out," Alex said. "Mostly because you made a much better second impression," the teen smiled.
"Thank you Alexandra," Elizabeth replied with a smile. "Now don't think I didn't notice that you haven't answered my question young lady. Why aren't you at school?"
Glancing at Sandy who was busying herself with the teakettle, Alex heaved a sigh, knowing there was no way to get away from this conversation.
"I got suspended," Alex admitted, looking nervous, not wanting to disappoint Emily's mother. "I uh…well I slapped a girl and then she hit me back, which is what happened to my face…and then the teacher came in and we got in trouble."
"And why in the world would you slap someone?" Elizabeth said, her tone immediately making the teen feel ashamed.
"She actually has a good reason Elizabeth," Sandy interjected, placing a mug of tea in front of the Ambassador, before moving to stand behind the teen, placing a reassuring hand on her back, understanding that Alex was ashamed of her actions.
"What happened?" Elizabeth asked, her tone softening, seeing that the teen wouldn't look her in the eyes.
"This girl had been bullying me for a while," Alex explained quietly. "And then she found out about Emily….about her being gay. She said some pretty nasty things about her and JJ…and I just lost my cool."
"She was judging your mother for being gay?" Elizabeth asked, having had worried something like this would happen when she first found out about Emily's sexuality while she was in college.
"Yes," Alex replied quietly.
"Well then I don't think you did anything wrong," Elizabeth said, surprising Alex whose head immediately shot up, an incredulous look on her face.
"You don't?"
"No I don't," Elizabeth repeated. "Being willing to stick up for your family is an admirable quality Alexandra, one which I've lacked in the past. I'm proud of you."
"You are?" Alex asked, shocked as Elizabeth nodded, smiling at the disbelieving look on the young brunette's face. "I thought you would be disappointed."
"Alexandra, I know you heard me say some pretty harsh things in regards to my worries about my reputation to your mother," Elizabeth said. "But I was wrong dear. Your mother is a successful, talented, intelligent young woman and she's a wonderful mother. She's lucky to have Jennifer in her life. No one else's opinions on that matter are important. It's just important that you know that they both love you, and that you're all happy."
"Here, here," Sandy added.
"Thanks Elizabeth," Alex smiled.
"You know Elizabeth I was planning on starting dinner soon," Sandy said. "I know you were planning on having dinner with the girls today, so why don't you join Alex and I instead? You could help Alex run her lines while I cook something up," the blonde woman suggested.
"That sounds wonderful Sandy," Elizabeth replied with a smile. "I would love to."
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"You're never going to believe how I spent my day," Alex said when she answered the phone that night, seeing that it was Emily.
"How did you spend your day?" Emily asked laughing at the teen's greeting.
"Well your mother stopped by to see why I wasn't at school; thanks for that by the way," Alex began. "After telling me it was okay that I slapped a girl because I was sticking up for you, Sandy invited her to stay for dinner. So while Sandy made dinner Elizabeth helped me practice my lines for the play and then the three of us ate together."
"You're kidding right?" Emily asked.
"Not even a little," Alex replied. "And you should have seen Sandy and Elizabeth together. They're like friends now or something."
"Friends?" Emily repeated, sounding dumbstruck. "Wow she really has changed hasn't she. I mean she wasn't even a little disappointed?"
"Nope," Alex replied. "She said she was proud of me."
"I don't know how you did it kid but you definitely changed my mother for the better," Emily said.
"I didn't do anything," Alex insisted.
"You may not have meant to, but you definitely did something," Emily replied, the smile evident in her voice. "So are you happy to get back to school tomorrow?"
"Extremely," Alex said. "I miss the girls, and I really want to get back to rehearsal. I just hope no one acts weird about anything. I mean Olivia text me and told me people have been talking about what happened a lot."
"Well it's high school of course people are talking," Emily said. "The important thing is to not let it bother you. Just keep your head up and ignore it. They'll get bored eventually. But if it gets to the point where people aren't just talking but they're starting to bully you again.."
"I'll tell you. Or Dean Hackett," Alex assured her. "Trust me I learned that lesson already."
"Okay good," Emily replied. "Well I hate to say this kid but I should probably get going. I'm still at the precinct. Good luck tomorrow. And be sure to say hello to Sandy for me."
"Thanks, and I will," Alex replied. "Say hi to everyone for me and give JJ a hug. I love you."
"Love you too kid," Emily said with a smile. "Be good."
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Sandy drove Alex to school the next morning, the teen leaving earlier than normal, as she was anxious to get back. Getting there before most of the other students, Alex made her way towards her locker, figuring she would wait there for her friends who would be arriving off the bus. Busying herself with putting her things into her locker and getting her books ready for class, the brunette didn't notice anyone come up behind her.
"Hey there slugger," a blonde sophomore boy greeted, leaning next to the brunette's locker with a grin on his face.
"You know I think slugger implies that I punched someone and I definitely didn't do that," Alex replied, recognizing the boy as one of the set builders for the play.
"Right Chelsea was the one throwing punches," the boy laughed. "You were more of a bitch slap kind of girl from what I hear."
"What you heard huh?" Alex said. "So what, you just came over hear to get the scoop?"
"Nah I just wanted to welcome you back, and congratulate you on doing something pretty much all of us have wanted to do for years," the blonde replied with a smile. "I'm Logan by the way."
"I know who you are," Alex said. "I've seen you working on the set."
"Oh so you noticed me huh?" Logan grinned, a spark in his bright blue eyes.
"Yeah well you did drop that can of paint all over the stage a few weeks ago," Alex laughed. "Kind of hard not to notice that."
"Oh wow, way to make sure a guy doesn't feel special," Logan said, clutching at his chest.
"Well we wouldn't want you getting a big head would we?" Alex laughed, just as the buses began to arrive, a large group of students coming down the hallway.
"Fair enough," Logan laughed, seeing Alex's friends making their way down the hall. "Looks like your posse's on the way," he pointed out. "I'll see you at rehearsal slugger," the blonde grinned before making his way down the hallway just as Olivia, Zoe and Spencer approached Alex.
"You're back!" Zoe exclaimed, wrapping Alex in a hug.
"We missed you around here," Spencer added, also pulling her friend into a hug.
"Who was the hottie?" Olivia asked, having watched the blonde boy walk away from Alex.
"Oh just this guy who makes sets for the play," Alex replied, trying to sound casual, but feeling a little giddy about her encounter with the boy.
"Logan right?" Zoe asked, having recognized the blonde.
"Uh yeah," Alex replied.
"What were you talking about?" Olivia asked with a knowing smile.
"Oh he was just welcoming me back," Alex replied, grabbing her English books and shutting her locker. "You guys gonna fill me in on what I missed the last few days?" She then asked, desperate to change the topic.
"Changing the topic," Spencer said. "Must have been some welcome back," the tall brunette teased, laughing at the blush that instantly covered her friend's face.
"Oh shut up," Alex laughed, giving Spencer a shove before turning towards the direction of their homeroom. "Come on, I don't want to be late on my first day back," she called, already heading away from her friends.
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"I think I may have missed something important," Garcia greeted when Morgan answered the phone that afternoon, the BAU all gathered around, all feeling frustrated, having yet to discover anything to help them find their unsub.
"What is it Baby Girl?" Morgan asked.
"When I tracked the last movements of our 5 victims I traced their credit cards and I discovered that 3 of the 5 victims got gas at the same station within 24 hours of their death," Garcia explained. "Since there wasn't a similar purchase with the other 2 victims on their credit cards I assumed it wasn't relevant."
"I'm assuming that means you found something else Garcia," Hotch called out.
"I decided to check traffic cameras around the gas station and I found cars registered to the other two victims pulling into the gas station about 24 hours before they were killed as well," Garcia told the team. "They must have paid with cash."
"So all 5 of our victims went to the same gas station within 24 hours of their death," Rossi summarized.
"Which means that has to be where they're meeting our unsub," Reid pointed out.
"Garcia I need you to send us the address," Hotch ordered.
"Already done sir," Garcia replied. "You crime fighters let me know when you've caught the bad guy," the bubbly blonde said before hanging up.
"Alright we need to get to the gas station and find out who was working at all the times that our victims visited," Hotch said.
"And what if our unsub is the one working right now?" Emily asked.
"We may spook him," Rossi said.
"We go together, and we need to be careful. Vests on just in case," Hotch instructed. "JJ you'll wait here."
"Yes sir," JJ replied, turning her attention to Emily as the team began to exit the room. "Be safe," she said, stepping closer but keeping her distance, knowing it would be unprofessional to embrace her girlfriend while they were out in the open like this.
"Always," Emily smiled, reaching out and giving the blonde's hand a quick squeeze. "See you soon Agent Jareau," the brunette said. "You stay here and take care of that baby."
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Cases that end in suicide by cop are never easy, especially for the person forced to shoot. When the team had arrived at the gas station, their unsub; a 25 year old man by the name of Victor Thorn, was working the cash register. As soon as the young man saw the black SUVs pull up in front of the station, he immediately knew he was caught. Panicking, Thorn pulled out a gun, taking the 2 customers currently inside hostage while the team watched from outside, forced into a standoff.
The team, and local police surrounded the building, eventually convincing the man to come outside, dragging one of his hostages with him. As Hotch tried to negotiate with the young man, hoping to convince him to surrender, the rest of the team, kept their guns trained, watching for any sign of movement. When it became clear that Thorn wasn't going to give up, raising his gun, it was Emily who's quick shot hit the man in the head, immediately bringing him down and freeing their hostage.
Though she knew she saved a young girl, and stopped a man from killing anymore people, Emily couldn't help but feel bad, never liking being forced to take a life. When they returned to the precinct, JJ had already been informed of what had happened, immediately moving to give the brunette's hand a reassuring squeeze, knowing that her girlfriend was affected by the shooting.
After helping the locals finish up with paperwork, the team were able to head out, JJ and Emily heading for Emily's car since they had driven from JJ's parents house. Knowing Emily was still feeling pretty off, JJ took the keys, slightly surprised when the brunette didn't even bother to argue.
Emily remained relatively quiet, listening as JJ told her stories, which worked in making her feel better the further they drove. By the time they arrived home in the middle of the night, Emily felt significantly better, heading up to Alex's room while JJ stopped in the office where her mother was sleeping to let her know that they were home.
Since they had driven it was after 2am, but Emily had missed Alex, making her way into the teen's room where she was snuggled up with Sergio. Still in her work clothes, the older brunette got into bed beside her daughter, stroking her hair and putting an arm around her; the teen immediately reaching out and grabbing a fist full of Emily's shirt even in her sleep. Smiling, Emily placed a kiss on Alex's forehead, extremely happy to be home.
"I love you," Emily whispered, kissing her daughter's head once more, allowing her eyes to drift shut, exhaustion instantly hitting her.
"Love you," Alex mumbled somewhere between sleep and awake, somehow feeling her mother there.
