Hey guys! Thank you all so much for being understanding with my crazy schedules. I really appreciate it. I think the update every other Monday is gonna be the way to go for the rest of the year. I really appreciate you guys understanding. I love you all!
After several months, we were finally able to track down Ian Doyle by finding his son, Declan. Finally, after far too long, we could get some revenge for Emily.
With almost too much ease, Derek was able to apprehend Doyle and bring him into our custody. Unfortunately, his son got abducted. This created new problems. A little boy was out there, missing, and we needed to save him. Hotch and Spencer had returned once they heard we knew were Doyle was and were aiding us. But it wasn't enough. We needed more help than what we had. We needed someone who knew Declan and Ian inside and out.
All of us, except Hotch and JJ, were going over possible abductors. Although we were coming up rather empty. "Everyone." Our attention was captured as Hotch walked into the conference room with JJ right behind him. "Several months ago I made a decision that effected this team. I take full responsibility for it." He then proceeded to tell us that Emily did not die. She was saved, flown to Paris, and given multiple fake identities. Hotch and JJ were the only ones that knew about it.
I almost didn't believe what he was saying until Emily herself stepped into the room. My heart stopped. Never in a million years did I think I would see her alive again. I was happy and elated but also angry. Hotch had lied to us all. They said Emily had died but here she is standing in front of us all. What hurt the most was that JJ, my own cousin, had lied about it too.
"I'm so sorry," Emily said as she walked over to us all. "I really am. I wanted to tell you guys." She made her way over to me. "I really did." She grabbed my hands and in that moment I didn't care what had happened. My friend was back with me and I gave her the biggest hug I could muster. My feelings were still hurt, but my wish had come true. That was worth the pain.
We didn't have time for a nice reunion as we still had a lot of work to do in finding Declan. With Emily back with us, we were able to get a lot more done. We narrowed our suspects to Declan's mother. Our suspicions were confirmed by Ian. Of course, he didn't have any idea on how to stop this woman, but Spencer decided that we should do a trade: Ian for Declan. I eagerly agreed with him.
The plan did not go as smoothly as we had hoped. Ian, Declan's mother, and a few others were killed. But we were able to save Declan's life. Unfortunately for us, the Senate Committee did not appreciate our actions. We were all called into a hearing about our actions and how we handled the situation. Apparently they think we are a rogue and insubordinate team.
When I arrived for the meeting, just about everyone else was there as well. "Hey," I said walking up to the group. I was the last to arrive. "Did I miss anything?"
"Not yet, Buttercup," said Penelope, who was pacing nervously. "But I wish they would hurry up! I hate this waiting!"
"Easy, Mama." Derek put his arm around her. She still looked incredibly tense. Just like I felt. "Everything is going to be okay."
An uneasy silence fell amongst us as we waited. JJ was the first to be called in. Penelope continued to pace as JJ was being interrogated by the Committee. It felt like she was in there for hours. I was the second person to be called in. Penelope wished me luck as I walked in with my head held high. As I sat down in from of the Senate, I felt like I was on trial. Which, I kind of was, which did nothing to help my terror.
"State your name and position." I was asked right off the bat.
"Uh, Lila O'Haul. I'm the Communications Liaison." I folded my hands on the table, trying to look professional.
"You assumed the position after Agent Jennifer Jareau left, correct?" According to the name plate, Cramer was asking me the questions.
"That is correct, sir."
"Do you feel you are competent at your job or that you got your position because of your family relations to Agent Jareau?"
I was insulted. "The fact that Agent Jareau is my cousin is how I was introduced to the team but it's my qualifications that got me a job with the BAU."
"So you don't think that the fact that you and a family member both work on the same team, compromises it in anyway?"
"No, sir, not at all. In fact, I think it makes the team stronger."
"When Doyle was brought into custody, Agent Reid suggested to trade Doyle for the boy." Cramer jumped right into the Ian Doyle debacle. "You were the first person to back him up, is that correct?" He stared down at me as he asked his questions.
"I backed up, Doctor Reid, yes," I said, making sure I was sitting up as straight as I could. I didn't want him to know how intimidated I was.
"Could this be because of your romantic relationship with him?"
"Excuse me?" I was dumbfounded. There is no reason for him to think that Spencer and I are romantically involved. First of all, we're not dating. We never have been. Secondly, the only time we kissed was years ago before I started working here. Neither of which should effect my current situation.
"I'm sure you're aware of how the bureau feels about this." He kept his eyes trained on mine.
"I'm aware that there is nothing in our code of ethics of inter-bureau dating." I read over the code of ethics very thoroughly. I mostly did it to make sure there was no conflict of interest with JJ and me working together (and I'm very pleased I did since Cramer tried to trip me up with that). I didn't know how it was with family working for the same unit. It wasn't encouraged, but there was nothing saying family couldn't work together. And I might have also looked to see if there was anything in there that would forbid Spencer and me dating. Just out of curiosity of course. There is not. "Also," I continued, "there is not a romantic relationship between Doctor Reid and myself."
"Are you aware of the security cameras in the building?"
"Yes, I am."
"Then I'm sure it would come as no surprise to you that we have video footage of you and Agent Reid in a compromising position." One of the gentlemen on the end came over and placed a picture on the table in front of me. It was a picture from the night I gave Spencer a scalp massage because of his headaches. From the angle it did look like we were kissing.
"I can assure you, this is a misunderstanding. Doctor Reid was suffering from a migraine from lack of sleep. I'm sure you're aware of how tolling working in the field is and how scarce sleep is during a case. I use to get these migraines all the time in undergrad and graduate school, so I thought I could help him. If you check a different camera angle you'll be able to tell we are not kissing."
Cramer didn't seemed pleased with my answer but he let the subject drop. He continued his interrogation for another ten or so minutes. Trying to make us sound like a rogue team. It wasn't going to work. I wasn't going to condemn my team like that. These people are my family and I love them.
Finally, I was dismissed and escorted to a different room. JJ was in there, pacing just as Penelope was surely doing in the other waiting area. "Lila!" JJ ran to me and gave me a hug. "I'm glad you're out of there too."
"Same," I said as I pulled away from her. "That was terrible. He's trying so hard for us to turn on each other. I hate it."
"I know. I understand they're probably facing a lot of pressure from higher up but this is not how to handle it." JJ ran a hand through her hair. "Did they ask you about us working together?"
"Yeah. Cramer asked if I thought it compromised the team."
"He asked me that too. I told him no, we're stronger as a family."
"That's exactly what I said." I smiled, knowing my cousin thought we were better together united as one than pulled in separate directions. "They also tried to get me for dating Spencer. Which I have no doubt is something they'll bring up when he goes in as well. I just hope he holds it together as well I as pretended to."
"Oh, god, of course Cramer pulled that angle." She sounded exasperated which is exactly how I felt. "You wanna sit down?" She gestured to a nearby bench. "It's easier to sit and wait with someone than by myself."
I nodded and followed her to the brown, wooden bench. I flattened the dress I was wearing and sat, crossing my ankles. A beat of silence passed. "This has been a tough several months," I said.
She nodded. "Yeah, it has. And I'm so sorry I couldn't tell you the truth about Emily. I wanted to, I really did."
"Hey, it's fine. I understand. I'm not happy about it and I'm still a bit hurt but I'm not gonna hold your responsible for it. It was a sucky situation to be in. For all of us to be in. But you're my cousin, and I love you."
"I love you too, Li." She gave me her classic JJ smile that I couldn't help but return. She reached out and grabbed my hand. We sat in silence, holding hands, until Penelope joined us.
"Oh, my gosh, that was terrible." She raced over towards us. "I never want to go through that again."
"You and me both, Garcia," my cousin said. "They gave Lila a run for her money too."
Penelope looked between JJ and myself. "What did they say to you?" she asked.
"Oh, something along the lines of 'you're clearly fucking Reid which means the team isn't stable' or some shit like that." I tried to deepen my voice to imitate Cramer. I'm sure I did a terrible job but got my point across nonetheless.
"He did not." Penelope looked between JJ and myself.
"Oh, he sure did. Once I put my foot down on the issue he then tried to get me to turn on the team and pretty much admit that we're all wild and crazy." I rolled my eyes, getting irritate again all over again over my interrogation.
"Ugh, this is terrible." Penelope weaseled her way onto the bench with JJ and myself. We were a bit squished, but it didn't matter. We were together.
One by one, we were joined by the others else until finally everyone had gone through and done individual talks. We were then asked to come in as a group. Even though I tried to avoid him for obvious reasons, I ended up sitting next to Spencer. I was sure the Committee would take note of that.
Cramer made sure to point out how we went against protocol and almost let an international felon get away. We also put an innocent boy's life in danger. I was half expecting him to fire us all then and there. But instead all of us, save Emily, were dismissed. During her alone time, she was able to convince the Committee that we worked well together and that no one else could do the jobs that we do. We were able to all stay together, but we would be under close watch. What else is new, though?
We were all very relieved and after it was all said and done, we were able to go home. Spencer and I had both taken the train in that day so we decided to walk to the station together.
"Today has been wild and crazy," I said lightly as we reached our destination.
"Yeah, definitely not something I want to experience again," he added.
"Same." I had wanted to ask him what Cramer had brought up during his interrogation, but I didn't want to say anything in front of the others. Not everyone knew about how I almost kissed Spencer several months back and I planned on keeping in that way.
"Did, uh, did Cramer ask you about me?" Thankfully he was the one to bring it up.
"Yeah. Did he ask you about me?" Our train pulled up and people began to exit. Once the flow stopped, we got on and took our seats.
"Yeah." He didn't need to go into details for me to know what he was referring to. Obviously whatever Spencer had said didn't negatively impact us. That's all that matters.
We rode the train in a comfortable silence. After a super stressful day, it was nice to be able to relax a bit. Even if it was on a crowded train. Sitting next to Spencer just put me at ease. During the train ride, I kept glancing over at him and I know he was doing that same to me. With a causal sigh, I leaned my head over and rested it on his shoulder. He tensed then relaxed, making me smile.
As my stop approached, I straightened up, composing myself. "Oh, just in case you didn't know," I got up from my seat as the train pulled into the station by my apartment. "There's nothing in the code of ethics against dating within the bureau or working with family."
"Oh, uh, I guess I assumed so, but never read up on it myself." Spencer seemed a bit taken aback that I brought it up. Honestly, I'm not sure why I did. It just felt like something I should say to him.
"I looked it up when JJ came back. You know, to make sure I wasn't breaking any rules."
"Oh, I guess that makes sense," replied Spencer.
The train doors opened. "This is my stop. I'll see you at work tomorrow, Spencer."
"See you, Lila." He waved at me as I got off the train. I stood there for a moment, watching the train as it went off to its next destination before heading home.
Another chapter done! I'm probably gonna go through season 7 fairly quickly. There isn't a lot there that I want to work with. And season 8 we have Maeve which brings in another plot line that I'm super excited to work with.
Anyways, did you guys watch the season 13 premiere? What did you think? I really liked it and am excited to see how Spencer is going to deal with being out of prison and how I can work that into my story. Season 12 has such good material, I'm pumped for season 13. Until next time, loves!