13X01 Wheel's Up
"So that means Hotch, and Katie can come home!"
"yes, and they'll be back in time for Katie's graduation," Rossi said. "the director has asked to see me about bringing them home."
Five years later and they were still in Seattle. It wasn't too bad but lately, her dad had become irritable and forgetful, as Grandpa Roy had. Of course, he refused to see a doctor and it was hard for her to convince him on her own. She had no one around to help her. When she was with her mom, Marshall Kassmeyer was genuinely nice and helped her with her loneliness. The Marshal who they had seemed to care less about them. He only spoke to her when he felt the need to yell at her for any dumb reason.
She jumped when the front door slammed. "Where's your father?"
"I haven't seen him. Why?"
"Because he showed up at the Seattle field office to visit his old coworkers. Doesn't he know that he's going to get you both killed?"
"No one is as painfully aware of that than us, Marshall! I don't know what you want me to do. He's sick but won't admit that he's been forgetting things. H asked where my mom was the other day. Had to tell him again that she was dead. Let me contact the director, please, or Agent Rossi!"
"No, you're just going to add more people to that killer's list!" With that, the Marshall left, and Katie sank to the floor, crying. She needed help and see if she could find the director's business cared. She knew her dad had it but finding it was another problem.
She got up when the front door open. It was her dad and he looked horrible, his hair was a mess, cheeks were red, and he had blood all over his face,"
"Dad, are you ok?"
"Katie, What the hell is going on around here?" "Why am I not an agent with the Seattle field office? they Kicked me out and they wouldn't say why."
"Dad, you haven't even lived here in 25, years, remember? We came here five years ago on witness protection."
His cell rang and he tossed it to her. "Take care of that, please."
"Hello? Yes, director Wilson." Katie went to her bedroom to talk. "Understand that, but my dad has the first stage of Alzheimer's it runs in his family his aunt and older sister had it. Can't convince him to see a doctor. I just don't know what to do. Marshall Cummings isn't helpful. Please send help."
"Don't you worry, Kathryn, help is on the way? Text me your phone number and I'll have him contact you with details."
"Thank you so much, Sir."
"So that means Hotch, and Katie can come home!"
"they'll be back in time for Katie's graduation," Rossi said. "the director has asked to see me about bringing them home."
15X10 And In the End
She recognized the number on her cell phone at once. "Uncle Deve?"
"Io Bella Katharina! Come stai ( my beautiful, Kathryn, how are you?)"
"non bene, Zio, (not well, uncle) Well, I'll be landing soon and well try to make it better."
Katie sat back to watch the episode of Forensic Files. It was a BAU case. She was watching to see her dad as his younger, sharp self. It made her miss that man so much more, but she also was able to see her family work together to capture the Butcher of Indianapolis. She hated when the media named these people. It only glorified them.
"What are you doing? Young lady?'
"watching tv."
"Did you do your training exercises?'
"Yes, dad I'm ready for the test tomorrow."
"what are you watching? This is complete nonsense, no one can do what he's claiming to do."
"But Dad, that's you!"
"No, it's not, I wouldn't go on tv and makeup lies to catch a criminal."
"Dad…"
"No, Kathryn, I've had it up to here with your lying. That's all you do anymore!"
She tried to calm him by placing a hand on his arm. "Daddy, please don't yell at me." She pleads.
He shoved her away "Don't touch me!"
O She looked up at him from the couch where she landed and was about to start crying when the front door opened. "Hotch, what the hell is going on?"
"Dave, I'm glad you're here. Can't live like this anymore, take her away."
"Not until you make an appointment to see a neurologist."
"Fine, I'll make one tomorrow. Going to bed."
Katie didn't move from her spot until Dave sat beside her and pulled her into a hug. "How long has this been going on?"
"Almost a week now. He asked me where mom was."
"What did the Marshall say?"
"Nothing, he doesn't care and wouldn't let me call the director. He called dad because he went to the Seattle field office thinking he still worked there."
"I feel like I Lost him already; I don't know what to do. It was hard enough when it was grandpa, but my Dad…. I just don't know what to do. Took a couple of weeks off, but no one knows why. Well, try to figure this out. The director said I can take as long as I need. I'm actually surprised you haven't come home yet."
"What do you mean?"
"Peter Lewis is dead."
"What? He is ? since when?"
Katie, it's been 5 years."
She just stared at him, not sure how to process this information. They could have gone back home five years ago. Does… Did Dad know? He never said anything."
"I'm sure someone would have told him it was safe to come home. I'll talk to the director, you make your father's appointment."
"Ok."
Dave was just as confused as Katie. Why wouldn't the director have told Hotch about this? "Yes, this is Agent Rossi, the director is expecting my call."
"Dave, how are things going over there?"
"Not good, sir, Agent Hotchner may have Alzheimer's. Were going to take him to a doctor soon. The Marshall assigned doesn't seem to be helpful. Katie said he only spends time yelling at her and arguing with agent Hotchner. Also, they did not know about Peter Lewis dying."
"That's not right. Called the US Marshalls myself. They mentioned that Agent Hotchner wanted to remain there for now until he was ready. He was looking forward to spending time with his daughter."
"If that's the case why is the Marshall still here protecting them? "Rossi asked.
"Contact your team to see what they can find out about Marshall Cummings. He has a wife and baby I'm sure would love to have him home ASAP."
"Yes, sir, thank you.
"And make certain Agent Hotchner receives the best care possible. He has always been an asset to the FBI."
"Garcia, I need a favor for a mutual friend of ours."
"Yes sir, may I ask who?"
"Can tell you, but you can't say a word to anyone. It's all a bit of a hot mess right now, but trust me once it's been resolved, you'll be the first to know."
"I'm on it! What do you need?"
"Anything and everything you can find on a Marshall David Cummings."
"Oh, this guy has to be the worst Marshall you could have to protect you."
"what do you mean?"
"He's been under investigation twice for leaking two family's location to the press which caused the death of a decorated NYPD detective's wife. He's been. Suspended once for an assault that put a man into a coma for 10 years… Oh, this isn't the guy with Hotch is it?"
"Not a word! I'm on this.!"
"But I can't keep this from everyone. They'll know somethings up the minute they see me!"
"Hotch had no idea about Lewis, the director was told by /cummings he decided to stay where he was, but if that's the case he never gave Katie a choice."
"Why don't you just ask him?"
"Well, I'm not sure he can remember the conversation. Hotch is sick. We have an appointment scheduled for a neurologist tomorrow."
"Okay, now you know I'm not keeping this a secret. Let's see what else I can dig up on this horrible man."
"Let me know and ill keep the director in the loop. Going to talk to Kathryn now."
Penelope could not hide that she knew something. Before they could ask, she took a deep breath and explained what she was working on for Rossi and hotch. Naturally, everyone was on board.
the BAU team was stunned by this development. Why couldn't Hotch catch a break?"
Aaron hated the way he felt lately. He tried not to yell at Katie but sometimes he just gets frustrated because he couldn't remember things like he used to, and he had trouble remembering what his job used to entail. The only thing he did know is that he understood how Roy felt.
Rossi's next item on his to-do list was to tell Katie his plan Unfortunately he couldn't bring Hotch into this due to his condition, instead, he called Morgan. He found Katie in her room listening to music and writing in a notebook. She looked up when he tapped her on the shoulder. "As soon as Morgan gets here we're going to talk to Cummings."
"Let me come, I can help."
"No way, Kathryn. Your dad needs you and you still have training to complete before I would even consider bringing you in the field."
She pouted but he didn't let her get the better of him, this was just too dangerous, and he couldn't live with himself if something happened to her.
When Morgan received the 911 message from Rossi, he had no clue it was going to take him to Seattle. He got the info from Garcia and booked his flight. He had to help Hotch. That man always drew the short straw ever since Foyet.
The two men left Katie and Hotch to spend time together. "Dad, how are you feeling sorry if I haven't been very understanding."
"no, honey I'm the one who should be sorry."
No, you can't help it if you're sick."
"That excuses nothing, Katie Kat."
The front door opened, and Cummings entered. Katie freaked out and texted Dave.
""I don't think so, Kathryn." He said, taking her phone. He typed something then chucked it into the wall."
"What was that about? 'Hotch asked, getting up.
Cummings just smirked. "You know you could have been back in Virginia five years ago; I just didn't tell you. NO, you ruined my sister's life so I'm going to ruin yours."
"What's he talking about Dad?"
"I don't know, but please go to your room.
"No, she stays here, Hotchner. This is personal so it includes her."
"your serial killer Murdered my brother-in-law. You remember him, Katie. He acted more like a father than this man ever did!"
"Who are you even talking about?"
"Wow, you used to be K squared. It hurts you don't even remember him."
"Bingo! Cummings was related to Kassmeyer by marriage, his sister's husband.
"K squared?"
"Katie, what's he saying?"
"Well, Mr. FBI Agent, Kassmeyer was the man assigned to keep your wife and daughter safe but somehow you and your team were too inept to capture the Reaper. Not only did he killed your wife, but my brother-in-law, Michael Kassmeyer. You were the last one to see him alive and you hounded him about your wife that you couldn't protect. Instead, my sister lost her husband, and my niece lost her father. Can I show you how it feels to lose a child or maybe Katie can lose her father? What do you two thinks?
Katie thought back to negotiating class. Normally she let her dad take charge but he seemed to be unaware of what was happening. So, she stood up. "Neither! Let's say you do what you want with me, but you leave him alone?"
"Really that's how you want to play it? I guess it's better than the dying man there. He's only a shadow of his former self. That's what happens when you act like some big shot."
"You mean like you are now?" Katie asked.
Cummings pulled out his gun, clearly getting impatient with her. I always thought you were spoiled. How did you survive Foyet?"
"I wasn't with my mom; I was at school."
Katie was distracted by Morgan knocking down the door. She heard a gunshot then was tackled to the floor. She felt a heavy weight on top of her. "Dad!"
""Katie," he gasped, "Are you ok?"
"Am I? yes, but you've been shot! Dad, it's a lot of blood!"
"Had worse I'm sorry, Kit Kat," he whispered then lost consciousness. "No No! no! Uncle Dave!"
Authors Note:
I have one more chapter. I hope you've enjoyed this story. please leave a review. thanks!
