Summary: It was something he'd learned of late. If you truly wanted to hurt someone, you aimed for the heart. Teamfic. Warning, character death! Set pre-Cradle to Grave.

Disclaimer: Ava and Cara don't own Criminal Minds. But if they did, it'd probably be the most character-whump show in the world.

Previously on 'Aim For The Heart': The Reaper has hurt our team in unimaginable ways, but finally ended up dead at the hands of our Hotch-man. Injury list: Rossi was shot but saved by his Kevlar vest but fell down some stairs instead and has a suspected concussion. Morgan has some nasty cuts and burns but thankfully some nice people are looking after him. Emily was ultimate whumped, along with a nice little dislocated shoulder and a serious slice into her chest. Hotch just got blown up, and seems to be heading back to the fire... Darcey's been shot a few times, blown up and abandoned. Devlin's been blown up but rescued. JJ's dead, along with Haley, Officer Cameron Garvey, SWAT Officer Charlie Sierra and the big bad Boston Reaper, George Foyet. Will Reid be joining them with his body attacking itself? And where is Reid exactly. Reid on to find out.

Authors' Note: Sorry for the slow update guys, real life's a bitch. We meant to have this updated for our one year anniversary last year - that didn't work out so well. Thanks to all our reviewers for the encouragement. Particularly you guys who make guesses at what will happen next, may be right but assume otherwise. We quote - "Don't do this to him... Let him be safe! Don't let him got to that heavenly King's Cross Station... Or heavenly Jet, whatever it is." Some of you guys really hit the nail on the head - read out to find out why, but first thanks to last times reviewers - Spark Shark, the-vampire-act, nexis44, imajazzbandnerd, lolyncut, PrincessHotch, Super. Special. Awesome. Dr. Reid and I. Am. Cheese. And. Cheese. Is. Me Sorry for the long wait as per usual… but unlike the rest of the chapters this one sort of has a satisfying ending. Still more to come though, no matter how long it takes us to churn out a chapter we would never abandon this story! Happy reiding! Oh and look out for more special guest stars in this chapter…

x Cara and Ava.

Ps anything in Italics = flashbacks/fantasy

Chapter Twenty Five - Found; Lost?

"Now I'm told this is life, and pain's just a simple compromise so we can get what we want out of it." — Hayley Williams

The FBI agents turned to see what the commotion was. A gurney was being carried out from one of the houses, the body was mostly concealed by the paramedics working over it. One medic was more familiar than the others.

"Melissa!" Emily called, The young woman moved to the side, just enough for the profiler to see familiar brown curls, flayed over the gurney, oxygen masked protruding ominously.

"Morgan? I think I just found Reid."

"Melissa!" Emily cried as she attempted to limp over to the paramedic, "What's going on? What's happening to Reid?"

The scene was getting more chaotic by the minute, Rossi and Gideon were trailing behind Reid's gurney, the former with blood encrusted on his forehead. Both showed relief when they saw Morgan and Emily on their own two feet. Both felt pangs in their hearts when they saw how haunted their eyes looked.

"Melissa!" Emily cried a little more forcefully. Melissa looked at her partner as if asking for permission, who turned to her and nodded.

"I'll get him loaded into the bus, just be quick. Agent Rossi, hop in."

Rossi did what he was told, and did so while helping the young paramedic load Reid into the back of the ambulance. Melissa turned to three expectant agents, all with worry lines etched on their faces.

"Agent Reid, as I mentioned off hand earlier, has a case of Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction -"

"Transfusion?" Morgan repeated in disbelief. "Now how in the hell did that happen?"

"Agent Rossi believes that the Reaper did it to poison him. We found vials and used syringes in the basement." she explained hurriedly.

"But why is there blood on his face?" Elle asked quickly.

"He's in respiratory distress, from an underlying lung damage." Melissa explained pointedly. Elle was the only one who missed what she meant by underlying lung damage.

"Melissa!" the other paramedic called from back of the ambulance, "He's critical, we have to go now!" Melissa turned to climb in but before she had the chance to she felt someone grip her arm tightly and pull her back.

"Will he be alright?" Emily asked, losing the little composure she had left.

Melissa paused for a moment, her partner still calling her name in the background. She sighed, looked at Agent Prentiss and said all she could offer, "We'll do what we can for him. You all just take care of yourselves."

With that, the young paramedic hopped into the back of the ambulance, shutting the doors behind her. The sirens blared, and the ambulance pulled away with their, as per usual unlucky team member, and friend, critically injured. Emily simply stood and stared at it until Elle and Emily's paramedic returned and stood next to her.

"Sorry Emily," the young man said to her, "We aren't quite finished with you yet."

Rossi sat in the back of the ambulance, only focusing on some parts of the conversation the paramedics were having.

"…fever is getting dangerously high…another degrees… do something…"

Rossi was sitting next to Reid, trying to figure out what to do for him. It had been a long time since he'd been given a ticket for an ambulance ride while someone's life was hanging in the balance. He looked again at Reid, and the paramedics working frantically over him… they did have a good point. Reid was extremely pale, except for his crimson-tinged cheeks.

"…much blood can this poor guy have… soaking through the bandage… have to change it…"

Blood. Rossi had seen agents in danger before, but the amount of blood pouring out off Reid's leg would unerve even the most seasoned Agent. Even when Reid had been shot in that leg, there hadn't been as much blood. It was making Rossi panic even more.

"…rash is getting redder… more prominent…"

That was a bad sign. A very bad sign. Reid was getting worse, not better.

"…how much longer he can hold out…"

Reid had cheated death too many times, Rossi thought, and only just since Rossi had been on the team. Was this the one time that Reid wouldn't be able to escape the inevitable?

"… definitely will be a priority…"

Help… that was the one thing he needed. The one thing they all needed, but Reid first and foremost. Without realising what he was doing, Rossi accidentally gripped Reid's arm too tightly almost cutting of the young Agent's circulation. Rossi felt soft, gloved hands pulling him back and a female voice call,

"…Agent… please we're doing what we can… remain calm…"

Reid sat alone at the round table, absolutely perplexed. How did he get here? Why was he here? Why was he alone?

"Alone? What am I? Invisible?" an unfamiliar female voice asked. Reid turned to see a young woman stretched out on the couch. She was very young, a pretty woman, looking only slightly younger than Reid. She had wavy brown hair that just about reached her chin, big brown eyes looking imploringly at Reid and her long lanky frame barely even fit on the couch. She looked vaguely familiar, but Reid couldn't place her face.

"Don't remember me, huh?" she asked, a little disappointed. Reid shook his head, and the young woman clicked her fingers.

Once her flowing, white, angelic dress had changed into a ripped, blood-stained indigo cocktail dress with shopping tags still attached, Reid knew who he was looking at.

"…Georgia? Georgia Everett?" he replied eventually.

She smiled, "I would be surprised you remembered my name but you do have an eidetic memory I guess."

Reid chuckled at that remark, but his ease vanished when he remembered his thoughts prior to Georgia appearing, "Err, Miss Everett -"

"Georgia." she corrected promptly.

"- why exactly am I in the conference room at the BAU?"

Georgia's smile faded, "You don't know?"

"Don't know what?" Reid asked in response.

Georgia hesitated before asking, "What's the last thing you can remember?"

Reid frowned. What a strange question, he thought. But he obeyed, trying to recall his most recent memories. He remembered… darkness. The high feeling he knew as dilaudid. Darcey looking at him sadly. Foyet - Foyet? Foyet looking at him. Malevolently. Pain. Blood. Choices. More darkness. Rossi… wait - Rossi? For some reason Reid was overcome by images of Rossi's aging face, filled with confusion, panic and fear. His voice attempting to remain calm but with a distinct panicked edge to it. And wait… why was Reid remembering hearing Gideon's voice? He must have delusional at that stage. Than everything blended together - bright lights, more pain and snippets of conversations. Than, here he was. There was only one logical explanation.

"I'm dead?" Reid asked quietly. It was barely more than a whisper but Georgia caught it.

"Not quite," Georgia explained, "Think more along the lines of yourself as being in some sort of limbo."

"So does that make you my guardian angel?" Reid asked sarcastically. Georgia giggled.

"Not me," she replied, "I'm your receptionist… or secretary maybe. Perhaps that's a better word for it. I was the one sent to get you."

"Get me?" Reid inquired.

"Yes, get you. Collect you, bring you to your final destination, all that jazz."

"No offense," Reid began sheepishly, "but why you?"

"I volunteered. They wanted someone not very threatening, you could easily talk to and who wouldn't freak you out upon seeing them."

"Why would I freak out?" Reid asked hoping for his voice to remain neutral.

However, Georgia smiled knowingly. "Just follow me and don't stray too far. We have to go through the Bullpen to get to where we need to be, and a lot of people want to see you."

"A… a lot of people?" Reid choked out. He had no idea who in their right mind would want to see him.

Georgia grinned, "Most of them are here to thank you personally, actually. Quite pleased to finally meet one of the BAU… well, the profilers. And a lot of them bet that it'd be you, Dr. Reid."

Reid couldn't help but chuckle. With his track record, he couldn't exactly blame them.

"Don't be intimidated. One or two may not have very nice comments-"

Georgia was interrupted by another unexpected entrance, "Jeez Georgia, don't hog up the doctor."

Two new figures stood at the door. Both of whom, Reid had never seen alive.

Burning buildings were something Aaron Hotchner had experienced quite a lot in the past.

They had saved some and they had lost some. They had saved Rebecca Bryant from the second burning home she'd been trapped in - before they'd been unable to save her from Frank's hands. That burning house in Shiloh, Virginia was also one of the many times they had almost lost Reid - when Garner had tried to take Reid and the rest of the BAU present out with him as he blew himself up.

But even after all the years he'd been in this area of expertise, burning buildings would always remind him of Charlotte Cutler and Evan Abby. How he had been unable to help either of them as they died right in front of his eyes.

Darcey Miles had done wrong. She'd played them all for fools, and she was George Foyet's accomplice. Hotch, during the time the medic had been examining him, had convinced himself that it was for the best to leave her die. Was it not aiding her in a way, if she didn't have much to live for? What did she have to look forward to if she recovered? A nice stint in a women's prison? None the less, Hotch's conscience had been continuously eating away at him and guilty be damned, he couldn't leave a young woman die just because both he and his team felt betrayed by her. But mostly, he felt like he was doing this for Devlin.

Hotch nervously entered the basement and felt the smoke almost instantly enter his lungs. The basement was not actually as full of flames as Hotch had imagined - possibly from the lack of flammable objects. But the smoke was suffocating, and Hotch knew he had very limited time.

He rushed down the stairs, praying none would snap under the added pressure of his weight. Once he reached the bottom, he stepped over the two bodied and he rushed to the young officer who was surrounded by a large pool of her own blood. He knelt down next to her and asked, in as gentle a tone as he could manage, the question he prayed he would get some form of an answer to,

"Officer Miles? Where's my son? Where's Jack?"

He was blessed with a moment of lucidity as their eyes met for a fraction of a second and, her eyes drooping closed, she responded,

"Safe."

She let her eyes close, having lost the energy to stay awake any longer. Hotch panicked, he knew she was running out of time. His humanity and compassionate side was returning. Traitor or no, she needed help. He lifted her up into his strong hands as if he were lifting a child up from its crib. She was much lighter than Devlin, mercifully, and made the journey somewhat easier.

Hotch paused and stared at the two bodies as he passed. It was finally done. George Foyet was literally going to burn in hell for what he'd done to others. And Aaron Hotchner wasn't - not any time soon at least.

He carried the young woman awkwardly, coughing as he inhaled the thick smoke into his lungs. This time the journey felt even longer, with the smoke and heat. The fact that the young officer weighed half of what Detective Devlin had not making the process too much better.

When he finally reached the top of the staircase and exited the basement, he felt immensely relieved as the oxygen filled his lungs. He stumbled in the direction of the first paramedic he could see and called loudly, clearly and calmly given the circumstances, "Gurney please!"

The medic is question rushed to the closest ambulance in question and returning pushing a gurney ahead of him. Hotch ran halfway to meet him, and haphazardly dropped the limp figure on the gurney before simply stating, "She's been shot."

The paramedic nodded before taking out his pager as he pushed the gurney in the opposite direction.

Hotch watched the two figures become smaller, wondering if this was how all the UnSubs felt once they had dumped the bodies of their victims.

And for some bizarre reason, it was in that mindset, that he had a brainwave.

The two new figures, like Georgia, were clad in white. And both, like Georgia, had been killed by Foyet.

The girl on the left, Reid had only seen photos of - the majority of which was of her corpse. She had dark, curly hair which was pulled up off of her face and her ivory dress was flowed past her knees. Although she wore shoes with a slight heel, she was no where near as tall as her companion, who, like Reid was wearing converse. The only difference being that hers were pure snow white rather than grey. Her long brunette hair was neatly held in place by a bow hair band, and her likewise her white dress had a large bow on the back.

Last time Reid had seen this girl, she was a lifeless corpse wearing a bikini floating in a pool - where the water had a red tinge from her blood.

Georgia nodded at the two new arrivals, "You ready to take him from here?"

The curly haired girl replied, "I think we'll be able to hold back the hoards but I must warn you, Ava here's heard that another spirit in limbo maybe joining us momentarily."

The taller girl nodded knowingly. Georgia turned back to Reid and pointed to each of the girls in turn. First to the curly haired girl, than to the taller, slightly older girl. "Cara Casey, Ava Quinn - though I'm sure you already knew that! They'll guide you to your next destination - where you really need to be."

Both girls beamed at him, as if they couldn't have been given a better job in the world. One of them took either arm and led the young doctor out of the conference room. Reid threw one last glance over his shoulder at Georgia, who smiled sadly at him before promptly vanishing.

Reid finally asked the question again, not sure if he wanted to hear the answer this time,

"Am I… dead? Or alive?"

"What do you think?" Cara the curly haired girl asked in response.

"Well so far, I've seen three murder victims wearing white clothes and -"

"Are your clothes white?" the taller girl, Ava asked.

For the first time, Reid examined himself and two things stuck him. The first, he wasn't wearing white like the three victims. On the contrary, everything from his tie and waistcoat to his earlier noted Converse were in various shades of grey. The second thing was something he surprised not to have noticed earlier. He was standing on his own two feet for the first time since he'd been shot all those weeks ago.

This to Reid was further proof he was not as alive as he'd like to be. "But my leg, it's-"

"Georgia already told you you're sort of in limbo right?" Cara asked. Reid nodded mutely.

"We know facts and statistics mean a lot to you, but none the less you should surely know that life isn't black and white. You aren't truly dead, nor are you truly alive. You are quite literally, in a grey area." Ava grinned.

"Enough chat for now," Cara declared, "We have to get you to where you have to-"

The two girls led Reid out of the conference room only to pause just in front of the bullpen, with looks of astonishment that corresponded with Reid's. In the bullpen, were dozens of people. It was more crowded than Reid had ever seen it in life, but seemed to have stretched in order to accommodate its occupants. Most of them were wearing white, only a handful were in black. Yet Reid could recognise several faces.

Most of those in white were victims from cases past, from Foyet's most recent victims to the several families Karl Arnold, the Fox had preyed on. But to Reid, some faces stuck out more than others. One belonged to the former wife of his boss - Haley Hotchner. She smiled sadly, but said nothing. Reid wasn't surprised, they had barely exchanged words with one another when they had both been alive. Other than Reid questioning what was so adorable about her bald and wrinkly son over four years ago, not far from where they were standing.

Another face shocked Reid completely, as the white clad figure stepped away from the black clothed figure he was in the shadow of. The man came forward and embraced Reid. That was the last thing that Reid would have expected from Tobias Hankel. Almost as if he could read the young genius's mind, the formally trouble man simply stated,

"I'm free now. I'm finally me again. You freed me."

"I killed you." Reid responded ashamedly, in a low voice so the others would not hear.

Tobias looked at the young doctor with absolutely no resentment in his eyes and slowly repeated, "You freed me." He than retreated back to the crowd once again.

Reid's eyes glazed over the rest of the crowd. Particularly those in black. Charles Hankel was there, scowling at his son. Phillip Dowd, the Long Distance Serial Killer Reid had shot was there, and he didn't seem as accepting as Tobias regarding his demise at Reid's hands. Other UnSubs stood there, a man whose voice was the only thing that made sure he had been an UnSub. Reid didn't recognise the man, but recognised one of the people surrounding him. Along with a woman in her thirties, several young children there was a girl in her late teens whom Reid knew to be Rebecca Bryant, Randall Garner's daughter they'd had to participate in a 'quest' to save. Randall stood in the centre of the white-clad figures, unblemished and happier in the after life than he had ever been in life, Reid was sure.

"Doctor Reid, come on, we have to go." Cara urged, but Reid had spotted two new figures enter through the elevators. One stepped towards Reid without a moment's hesitation. Reid recognised the young man - Adam Jackson. Adam, like Reid, was decked in grey clothing.

"I'm glad you never gave up on me," he said, "I don't know if I'll ever be the same but…"

Reid nodded and Adam, seeming satisfied with himself, stepped away from him. Reid was glad to see Adam acting someway himself again - no matter where they were. The figure that had arrived with Adam remained within the elevator, as if he or she was unsure whether they belonged there or not. Reid turned to the two young girls and asked lowly, "Why are all these people here?"

Cara and Ava looked at each other, surprised and a little offended by the question.

"We," Ava stressed, "are all people who have influenced you or impacted your life in some way, and are no longer among what is classified as 'the living'. For instance, Randall Garner over there, taught you that you can't always talk everyone down from the ledge when they're ready to jump."

"I though Randall Garner blew himself up and pretty much set Dr. Reid on fire?" Cara argued. Ava closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.

"It's an expression, Cara."

"Adam Jackson," Cara continued as if she handed interrupted, "Was another lesson that you can't save everyone. And yet you persevere. You continue to visit him, hoping he'll improve."

"Tobias," Ava began, not missing Reid's discomfort, "taught you that you are stronger than you give yourself credit for. Most people saw you as the weakest member of the team and that forced them to re-evaluate that. Not a lot of people could go back to work after what you'd been through."

"And us, the… victims." Cara was clearly uncomfortable referring to herself as a victim, "We're here because we haunt your thoughts, your dreams - which we all apologise for by the way… but we just don't want to be forgotten. No one wants to be a cold case."

"We're the ones you couldn't save," Ava added, "But you guys still put all your time and effort into ensuring justice."

Reid allowed himself to process this, before asking sceptically, "Phillip Dowd?"

"Well he gave you better aim," Cara grinned.

Dowd made a very rude gesture in their general direction. Cara and Ava turned from the bullpen and Cara called over her shoulder, "The Boss is going to hear about that, don't forget you're here on probation!"

As they walked away from the bullpen, Reid asked, "The Boss?"

"We're on our way there," Ava answered, "In fact we should be -"

A grey figure stood out in their path, and the three were left speechless.

"…Spencer."

He walked calmly to the nearest SUV, thanked whatever God was on duty that the keys were in the ignition, started the engine and pulled out his cell phone, praying it would still work.

It didn't.

He slammed his fist against the steering wheel. Taking a deep breath, he rolled down his window.

"Excuse me!" he called to the EMT that was rushing past. "I need a cell phone, ASAP!"

"Sir, I'm sorry, I-" the medic looked anxious to get away, he looked almost scared.

"My son is ...missing." Hotch forced himself to say the word. "The only person who knows where he is, is currently unconscious on a gurney with three GSW's and what looks like second if not third degree burns. So she's not really up for giving helpful details of where he actually is. My only chance of finding him, is by making a phone call, and to do that: I. Need. A. Cell. Phone!"

The medic rooted around in his pocket before handing it over with shaking hands.

"Keep it. I hope you find your little boy." he said before hurrying away from Hotch.

Hotch glanced in the mirror. He look...broken. terrifying. Nothing like the composed, stoic Unit Chief he had been before this case. His face was slightly red and shiny - burns from the fire, he realised. His shirt was covered in blood and ash. He chuckled darkly, no wonder the EMT was so desperate to get away. He looked like an UnSub. If he hadn't have gone back for her, would he have been an UnSub, he wondered, or was he more of an UnSub now after saving her, leaving her alive to face the consequences of everything. It didn't matter, she knew where Jack was, alive she had a use, dead and Jack was gone. That mattered more to him than being an UnSub.

He dialed a number that had become familiar to him.

"Orlando PD. Can I help you?"

""This is Agent Hotchner, FBI. I need to know where Officer Darcey Miles lives."

"I'm sorry Sir, but I can't give you that information, it's against procedure."

"There's a boy missing and I need to know where Darcey Miles lives." Hotch repeated calmly.

"I understand your situation sir, but giving information about our officers is against procedure-"

"What part of there's a boy missing and I need to know where Darcey Miles lives, didn't properly convey that I don't give a damn about procedure right now."

"I'll need to clear it with my superior."

"Then go clear it with your superior."

Hotch heard muttering at the other end of the phone.

"Have you got paper?"

"I have a GPS."

"That works too. Ok, ready? Head south on International Drive toward Sea Harbor Drive. Turn left at Central Florida Parkway. Here's where it gets technical. Turn right at FL-600 W/US-17 S/US-441 S/US-92 W/S Orange Blossom Trail. Then take the 2nd right onto Old Harbor Road, got it so far? Take the 2nd left to stay on Old Harbor Road. She's apartment number thirteen. Good Luck."

He muttered "thanks", before hanging up. He slammed his foot down, pulled a U turn and sped off.

One more turn... nearly there...Hold on Buddy, Daddy's coming.

Seeing the the gate, it took all his self-control not to drive faster, reminding himself innocent people could be hurt if he did.

He screeched to a stop outside Number thirteen, which was conveniently on the ground floor. Pulling out his gun, he kicked open the door, and cleared the hallway. He could hear voices.

Please Jack, please be here.

"No. No, you can't. Stop! Please don't go away! Please? No one's ever stuck with me for so long before! And if you leave, if you leave... I just, I remember things better with you! I do! Look! P. Sherman, forty-two... forty-two... I remember it, I do! It's there, I know it is, because when I look at you, I can feel it. And-and I look at you, and I... I'm home! Please. I don't want that to go away. I don't want to forget. "

He would never forget the sight before him.

Packets of Reeses cups, pop tarts, chips, surrounded the small boy standing in front of the TV mouthing the words.

"Jack?" Hotch whispered.

"Daddy!"

"Jack!" he sighed in relief. He was safe. Hotch leaned down to pick up the young boy who had run headlong towards his father,

"You came!" Jack squealed. "She said you would!"

"Who did buddy?"

"Da-see." Jack said, looking at Hotch as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Thinking about it, for Jack - who was innocent to the events of the last few days - it probably was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Has Darcey been looking after you, then buddy?" he asked trying to keep his voice neutral.

Jack nodded frantically. "She makes really good mac and cheese. And she's got cartoons." He grinned. "Come watch Finding Nemo, daddy." he said taking his father's hand, "They still haven't found him." Jack said seriously.

"No time to waste. My house, finding Nemo when I left. Pop tarts. I think the supply is running low. I think I'll get chocolate next time, the strawberry is too sticky. My poor carpet."

It all made sense now. Jack was curled up at his side, arm flung over Hotch's waist hand clinging to the Kevlar, as if afraid to let go in case his dad disappeared. "I'm glad your here Daddy. Da-see doesn't tuck me in at night as well as you do."

There was a lot Hotch had to explain to the small boy. Mummy wasn't coming home, Ms. Jareau wasn't around anymore and daddy's friends were all going to be sad and not very smiley for a while, all for their own reasons. Some things Jack didn't need to know. But Hotch made sure to whisper one very important thing.

"I love you, Jack. I've really missed you."

Jack squeezed Hotch tightly in response. "Dory was right." Jack said, "she might be silly and forgetful, but she was right." Hotch waited for him to elaborate but he remained silent.

"Your right, Jack, she was." Hotch whispered, quickly pressing a kiss to Jack's head, before ruffling his hair, smiling sadly. " 'I look at you and I'm home' "

Satisfying? Sappy? Let us know! Isn't it nice to have a bittersweet ending?

Interesting fact, the kid who was Nemo in 'Finding Nemo'? He was actually in an episode of Criminal Minds! Season 3.

And don't forget... reviews are love.