"To the living, we owe respect. But to the dead, we owe only the truth." Voltaire
A/N: I don't own any of the Criminal Minds characters, plot, etc. all belong to CBS
Jade POV
Monday morning came too soon. Always does. I woke up earlier than usual for my first day back at the bureau after my doctor formally cleared me to return to my internship in full capacity in order to make sure I was awake enough to go to work with my boyfriend. My secret boyfriend. In a building full of profilers and agents trained to see secrets. Garcia and JJ are going to be so pissed when they find out we are hiding from them. I put on a pale yellow blouse with my charcoal blazer and pants suit, smoothing my hair with the straightener quickly before I leave, sure I have enough time to grab a very large vanilla latte.
Garcia greets me as I walk in the door, telling me to meet in the conference room, Hotch has a case ready. Already. No easing back into things with the BAU, I see. I drop my things on my desk, not even bothering to put them away as I am sure we will be grabbing them in a few minutes, taking my latte into the conference room and sit in my usual spot across from Rossi and next to JJ who both offer me a warm, but equally groggy smile.
Hotch clears his throat, wishing us all a good morning and then gets right into the case. It is a missing child/ child murder case in Miami, FL. A series of middle school and high school aged boys, 8 so far, all abducted. All in the same district, but they are in a range of grades (age 12-17). All were missing for exactly 4 months before the bodies turn up in various marinas at least 3 miles from the school. All emasculated with dull or blunt tools, or perhaps by hand Morgan offers after glancing briefly at the evidence. Everyone shifts uncomfortably at that information. Hotch continues on, explaining the case further, the evidence of inhumane sodomy by a large, brutal instrument.
"The evidence is in your files, I don't need to see brutal images like that twice" Garcia says, clicking through them while telling us to look away "If you know what is good for your eyes." Even Garcia seems more somber and quiet than usual. The whole team seems to take cases with children the most seriously, and I agree.
Hotch utters his catchphrase "Alright everyone, wheels up in thirty." and we disperse to gather our go bags and head for the tarmac out back in silence. Once the jet is in the air and we are cruising south, our team sorts out a rough plan of attack and delegate responsibilities. No one has any jokes or side stories about the character of anyone involved today. We are all focused 100% on saving these boys lives. After Aaron wraps up the little planning meeting, I head to the bathroom to wash my face and try to get mentally ready for what I can only imagine is going to be a tough media plea. Once I leave the tiny bathroom, I sit by JJ who has moved by herself to the front of the jet, and catch her up with the anonymous male drama.
"Well, turns out he was not the one for me. I actually started dating someone his total opposite," and then I realize this is probably not the best venue for discussing the two men I sorta have things with or have expressed interest in me. JJ's eyes widen a bit and she glows with joy, obviously trying to contain her happiness for me.
"So, did you end up getting laid? Or are you a proper lady?"
"Hahaha, well a lady doesn't even kiss and tell, does she?" I counter, taking a sip of my latte and smiling.
Since there are profilers and nosy busybodies not even 10 feet away and looking at us without looking like they are looking at us, I tell her how he spent the night on the couch once, but then change the subject. We talk about Will and Henry the rest of the flight, and when the next cycling class is. I have to keep in good shape for my new boy after all.
Too soon the jet lands and we quickly deposit our items in the hotel before making it to the Miami Metro Police Station. We are quickly updated by a very harried looking chief who would like nothing more than to catch the sicko involved. A few new details have come up since we took off 2.5 hours ago. A new boy (the 9th) has been found in a marina south of town. The police have also uncovered all 9 "missing parts" in a dumpster at this station which is also shared with 2 nearby restaurants, and a few homeless are known to hang out there, dumpster diving. There was DNA found, not belonging to the boys, matching DNA, on all 9 of the "missing parts" which belongs to a 42 year old very wealthy businessman, Hector Tomas. He is somewhat reclusive, extra private, but yet well known to all in the area due to his wealth and many businesses he owns and manages.
While in the police station, listening to the update, I have trouble trying to hide my feelings for Spencer Reid, however he seems cool as a cucumber. I keep gravitating toward him and he seems to slip away without a word. Every time I look to him, he seems uninterested and unbothered, focused on the Chief and the new reports. As we discuss the case, he continues to ignore me, rattling off different facts and oversharing like usual. Good, I try to imitate but I realize, I don't know what I usually do? Do I stand with JJ and talk things over? Do I stand with Hotch, silent and brooding? Unable to decide, I hover between Hotch and JJ, looking to her and focusing on what she does.
Maybe I missed something though, because at one point Morgan jokes to Reid "Hey Pretty Boy, you seem pretty distracted. One of these hot Miami mamas catch your eye? You got the hots for someone new?"
Reid stammers something about Maeve and "I learned my lesson", however looking anywhere but at me, and blushing very deeply.
It is just after 3pm the next day, I am sitting alone at a desk in the office suite the Miami Metro police are letting the BAU use as headquarters, pouring over the accumulated evidence and last known locations, trying to make sense of it, make any connection between the 42 year old businessman and nearly a dozen of unrelated teenage boys. Rossi enters the room and the two of us banter as if he didn't try to call me a week ago, late at night and, I didn't completely ignore him.
He moves around the room as we talk, hands in the pockets of his khaki suit jacket. Like he is unsure of where he wants to be, or if where he wants to be and where he knows he should be are in conflict. The conversation is easy and casual, we don't say anything important but yet I am captivated by every word.
"Stai benissimo*" Rossi whispers into my right ear, standing behind me, leaning his right hand onto the desk beside me. Tingles. My entire right side tingles. The traitor. I don't even breathe as I try to process what is going on.
Before I can even formulate a reply or finish processing anything at all, both Rossi and my phones ring. Reid call is calling me and Aaron is calling Rossi, both men feel its time to present what they have to the police department and meet everyone...here. In the room we are currently sitting with Rossi standing over and around me in a very intimate and uncomfortable position. Rossi stands and straightens his khaki suit. He certainly looks like a Miami native, blending in with the local PD staff. The mint green shirt underneath the khaki compliments his olive skin. In ways I'll most certainly never let him know. The Italian man is always so focused on his image. He notices my gaze and winks. I blush and look down to the photos again, waiting on the team, tucking my hair behind my right ear.
As soon as he enters the room, Reid walks over to us two, can immediately tell I am uncomfortable and gives me a shoulder massage. JJ, Hotch and Rossi all look completely confused, staring at his hands so comfortably working on my shoulders, almost protecting me. Hotch, Rossi and Morgan present the profile to the gathered Miami metro police and answer their questions about the profile, how we know what we claim and why we think this man is acting alone.
Unsub Hector Tomas is not at his loft, not in any of the businesses he owns, not at the bars and lounges he frequents. No one can say they definitely remember seeing him in the last 10 days. Not a single person we speak to has definitely seen the man in over a week and no one finds this unusual. "He's eccentric and reclusive" they all say. Not since the day before the 5th boy was found and the story finally broke on local news. Maybe he saw the coverage on the news and has decided to hide out and it will be all that much harder to track an Unsub on the run. They don't follow their typical patterns when threatened and on the run.
Garcia does her computer magic and finds a bank account with a 25k withdraw, that particular banks maximum. That particular bank branch is located in Palm Beach, a little over an hour north of Miami up interstate 95. The team and police rush into their SUVs while JJ and I stay behind to deliver a message to the media, asking if anyone knows of the location of 42 year old Hector Tomas, to please come forward as we believe he might be able to help us, due to his position in the community. He might be able to help the search for the killer of local teens, with his considerable resources. A big fat lie, but I think I pulled it off well.
After I finish, JJ is beaming, proud of me, comments on how calm I appeared, how well I did. "Chip off the old block".She congratulates me, pulling me into our last SUV and I ride with JJ driving like a madwoman to help the team in Palm Beach.
"When were you going to tell me about Spence?" She asks, glancing at me from the corner of her eye, intent on weaving through the afternoon traffic.
"What do you mean?" I ask, unsure of how to play this hand.
"DO NOT play dumb, Jade. Its clear he's smitten and you were inseparable over your medical leave. Something has changed in my absolute best friend. He adores you."
"Do you think so?"
"I know so. If he is not the mystery man who slept on your couch, he is going to be so crushed when he finds you unavailable. He massaged your shoulders. He never warms up to anyone so fast."
"Okay, okay. Yes, he is the mystery man. I just don't want to say anything because we are technically coworkers and the whole no fraternizing within the team thing."
"Don't you dare hurt my best friend or I'll have to hurt you. I can hunt you down. Seriously, he was my first friend in the BAU and he is my bff. I love Spence with my life. Do not hurt him, you understand?"
"Loud and clear, JJ. You really are the mama-bear friend. I think that's why I like you so much. I promise I won't hurt Spencer if you promise not to tell the rest of the team. He wants to keep it on the dl due to the Maeve thing, and of course the whole no-dating rule that they made to try and reign in Rossi and his wild Italian libido."
JJ giggles at that. "If you think I'm the only profiler who can figure you two out...Jade. Be careful. I won't say anything because I get the need for some private life around the BAU. I didn't tell them about Will for almost 6 months. Sure most of them knew I was with someone, always flying to New Orleans on long weekends and anytime our schedules allowed, but they didn't say anything until I was ready to share...well, until he showed up in one of our cases again."
We pinkie promise, me to not hurt Spencer and her to not tell a soul. Friendship mended within the very fast drive to Palm Beach.
Getting out of the SUV, I quickly text Spencer "JJ knows. She confronted me xx" hopefully he isn't too upset at JJ or myself.
By the time we arrive at the Palm Beach police station, we are immediately redirected, the team has tracked Mr Hector Tomas to the marina, loading his bags onto a very large motorsail style yacht. We meet up with Blake, Reid and Hotch, at the marina gates and wait. Shortly, Rossi and Morgan march Tomas into the police car and we all follow back to the station and directly into the interrogation room. I notice the man is surprisingly strong, well muscled. Morgan looks like he has a black eye forming and a busted lip, and he is struggling to control the man even in hand cuffs. I'm sure there is a very intense story to go with his capture. Rossi looks uninjured but his suit is certainly ruffled and wrinkled. If this man took two well trained and very fit agents to subdue him, these poor boys did not stand a chance against him. The team waits on the other side of the glass as we allow Tomas to settle down, get comfortable or maybe squirm a bit before they head back into begin the interrogation. Or maybe Rossi and Morgan need to compose themselves.
Blake says "I saw the broadcast, Jade. You did a great job, however it is best practice to avoid using split infinitives of negation when you want to be clear on live TV." She and Reid laugh at the grammatical joke JJ, Hotch and I barely understand.
"Thanks, I was very nervous. I guess that comes with practice. Luckily, I have the best mentor, JJ." I smile to JJ and we chat a few more minutes before JJ heads into the interrogation room to begin. She starts by reading him his Miranda rights, he waves his right to representation and counsel at this time.
The rest of the team is in the dark observation room, standing around, sipping coffee and watching the interrogation intently, not wanting to miss a single word either person says, not wanting to miss a single movement or tell indicating any of the facts. I am standing off to one side, by myself, still trying to comprehend how one man can be so vile. He looks like any rich man, well groomed, well-dressed, obviously fit. He speaks like a normal, well-educated person. He doesn't seem like he could be capable of such things, such grotesque.
Not too long into the interrogation and Rossi notices I am standing off to the side and sidles on over. He whispers something about how he noticed my gaze earlier, in Miami. Feeling his warm breath on my neck again, TINGLES. I step just ½ step away. To avoid him noticing the heat building within me. Why does he cause such a reaction in me? He is older than Dad. Nearly as old as Uncle Mike. I quietly laugh it off, "mint green is my favorite color, never thought of The Dave Rossi as a pastel type."
He returns the quiet chuckle, the deep timbre I can feel along the back of my ribs, reverberating into me. I take a full step away, pulling my light cardigan closer around me.
JJ and Morgan were able to get a full confession from this 42 year old monster over the course of the next several hours, switching tactics just often enough to draw this evil and vile man into spilling his secrets. He appears to have no remorse, he seems to believe that he was saving these young boys from some terrible fate. How can he not realize he was their terrible fate? What could be more terrible than starving and wasting away to nearly nothing and then having your genitals brutally removed. JJ was even able to coax the method out of Tomas, he says he would give them tranquilizers and then use tongs and a paring knife to carve the genitals from their bodies. I nearly lost my lunch when he said that.
By 7am, the case was wrapped up and we were filing onto the jet. I had consumed so many coffees and lattes the last few days I don't know if I will ever fall asleep. Perhaps that is a good thing, perhaps I do not want memories of this man, of this horrible case to haunt me and wake me from nightmares.
Finding a seat on the jet, I sit down on the armchair at the end of the couch. Spencer lays down on the couch, as is his custom, apparently, with his head on my lap. He is asleep nearly instantly, breathing even and slow. I look up and immediately catch JJ's eyes, what do I do? She smiles and sits by Morgan. Next, my eyes find Rossi and he is not nearly as happy to see Reid's head so comfortable on my lap. I shrug, look down at my coffee, take a sip and start to play with his wavy hair. I gaze out into the building sunrise and think about the beauty of the world. Even with all the grotesque and horrible things we see, there is still insurmountable beauty to be seen in the world.
A few minutes later, my phone buzzes underneath me, stirring me from my deep contemplation. Ishift to dig the phone out of my back hip pocket, only to see it is a text from Rossi. I roll my eyes before I even open the message to see what taunting thing he has to say.
"Seems like your study buddy has you covered." He wrote, and I notice it was the same wording as what he said when he paid me a surprise visit that Thursday.
"eye roll emoji" is all I deign to respond.
"You didn't roll your eyes in the observation room yesterday afternoon" he swiftly replies.
"You didn't reuse the same line from a week ago. Jealousy doesn't suit you. Maybe I was wrong about the green." I type out with one hand, the other continuing to play with Reid's hair.
"Jealous, tesoro*? I am sure glad you aren't here to learn how to be a profiler." He replies after a few minutes of silence.
"Then why do you seem so concerned about whose head is in my lap?" I reply starting to get truly annoyed.
More silence, it carried on so long I contemplated tucking my phone back in my pocket before he wrote "Think of it as a favor to Mike."
"Did he want you to be whispering in my ear and breathing on my neck?" I reply, toeing into dangerous waters. Perhaps this shouldn't be put into written record.
JJ interrupts your text-convo, bringing you another cup of coffee and giving you a concerned look. Saved by the belle. We talk about playing with Henry at the park and how she is hoping he is ready for T-ball or soccer teams soon, he is just so full of energy.
After the team returns to the BAU, Aaron gives us the official word, we have earned the ultra rare 4 day weekend off, fully approved by Cruz. Morgan, Garcia and JJ head to lunch...and then likely a bar, Aaron and Rossi head into their respective offices, Blake heads to Boston for some much needed time with James (her husband), while Reid invites me to his place "to show you those philosophy books we mentioned and ones in the original Latin."
We sit and read separate books on his couch, sipping tea all day long, until 2am. Eventually we both yawn at same time. Laugh. Sleepy and tired, comfortable together doing something we both enjoy.
Reid offers his bed to me and wants to take the couch. I insist, I can sleep on the couch, its ok. "Chivalry is sweet, but unnecessary in this case." I insist several times before he gives in. Such a gentleman, I am truly lucky.
I accept the blankets he offers to me and step in close for a goodnight kiss. Deep, sensual and thorough, I let the blankets fall to the floor as I get closer, pressing into his lean torso. I moan and can immediately feel Reid's reaction press into my abdomen. We nearly don't stop kissing, going much further touching than I expected Spencer to feel comfortable. I don't protest too much when he pulls away and insists on going to bed.
This time I wake first, ducking out quickly to grab our coffees from the shop on the corner before making omelets. I knock on his bedroom door and wake Reid up, and his adorably disheveled bed-head melts my heart. We make out on the edge of his bed until the eggs and the coffee have both gone cold. I take a sip anyway and make a face, I hate cold coffee which is supposed to be hot, just tastes like bitter water at that point. I must have made quite the face because Reid starts to laugh, full on belly laugh. Reid offers his shower "I know females like to shower early in the morning."
"Only if you join me" I tease, winking at my adorable boyfriend.
Reid blushes so deep, even his neck and chest turn bright red above his pj t shirt. "I've never showered with another person before. Not even in gym class." Reid admits.
"That settles it then, you have to come with me dear." I take his hand and lead him into the shower. It is a very sensual but yet super awkward ordeal.
Eventually, slowly, Spencer relaxes and lets me wash him. Explore his lean, lanky body with the soapy loofah while frequently pausing to kiss each body part after I wash him, which leads to a mutual hand job and a huge mess on my chest, that I am glad I am already in the shower to wash off most effectively. His long, lean fingers did a number to me and I am unsure if I ever came so swiftly before.
He apologizes profusely, "I am so sorry, Jade, I am sorry for ejaculating all over you. How uncomfortable and careless."
"Uh Spencer, don't apologize. That was kinda hot." I admit, going onto my toes to kiss him again, his stubble scratching my face but I ignore it.
When it is his turn to wash me, he fumbles and looks embarrassed and I remind him it was my idea, but he doesn't have to do anything he is uncomfortable with. He found my ticklish spot along my left side lower back and was unrelenting until I threatened "I don't know if my bladder will hold much more, Spencer! If you keep teasing and tickling me there, I will not be responsible for my weak bladder."
After the shower, I dry off, wrapping my hair in a towel and find him sitting on the couch. We talk about consent, sexual experiences and whatnot past relationship information while he orders an early lunch for us to share from his favorite Thai restaurant, since our breakfast I made was ruined by our extensive make out sessions. And we kiss for most of the morning, on the couch, against the kitchen counter, in the doorway before I went home.
Kissing Spencer, feeling his soft lips against me, is my new favorite feeling. Soft and tender, just like he is. I practically float home, thinking of Spencer like a lovesick teenager.
*Stai benissimo = You look great
* Tesoro = treasure, sweetheart, darling
"I have a crush on your mind. I fell for your personality. Your looks are just a bonus." The Notebook
