Words. At this point, nobody could say any. They were all waiting for a message, a signal, any type of response from the Coast Guard. Prentiss could care less what the police find around the scene. Prentiss didn't see anything when she looked through the window of the bathroom, but by the time she figured out it was a ruse, it was too late. They've all been without Hotch before, but something about this time doesn't feel right.
Time. Funny thing, time. Prentiss remembers that short time before he was kidnapped, which feels like days ago. She begins to walk, envisioning Hotch beside her once more, smiling at her while the gentle twilit waves brush against their feet and ankles, though in reality the scene is much gloomier.
Why did the unsub have to take him? Why did they come to this beach? Why couldn't they have taken someone else on some other beach? What's so special about this beach? What's so special about Aaron Hotchner?
His voice that commands thousands of armies and just as easily tells Jack a bed time story with all the character's funny voices. His eyes that could intimidate any foe, but yet comfort those who are in need of it. His very dominant, in-control personality which is the reason why he is such a good leader, and makes him very protective of his team. His wit, which can crack the toughest criminals and also see when something is wrong with anybody by looking at their body language. His mind, which had the potential of being criminal, but with his influence, made him the man who catches criminals.
Prentiss is far away from the pavilion now. To her, the pavilion just seems like a blob of black with speckles of light throughout. She can see the faint flashing lights of the Coast Guard in the distance, which gives her a spark of hope, but also a spark of doubt. What if he's underwater? Would they be able to see him if he is? It would explain why they haven't found him yet…
Suddenly, a hand appears on her shoulder. Prentiss jumps slightly, but does not feel threatened or harmed. This hand is not communicating danger or caution, but comfort. The owner of this hand is Derek Morgan. He smiles with confidence to her that they will find him, and they continue to walk.
Words. He can't say any. He can't cry for help and he can barely open his mouth. He's trying to let the waves bring him in, but the waves are still too wild. He wishes he could just swim to shore, but he knows he doesn't have the strength. He's trying to spend most of his strength staying attached to a stray surfboard he found.
Time. How much more time does he have left? He has almost drowned a couple times already, but how much longer until he does go under for good this time? How much longer until the pain he's feeling overcomes him? How much longer until he sees Haley again?
No. It's not time to see Haley again. He shouldn't even think that question. How long until he sees Jack? Emily? The team?
He needs to stay strong. He needs to see them again.
The waves are beginning to settle down. He can see the clouds begin to drift apart. Is this just the calm before another storm, or is the storm over?
The shore isn't that far away…If he can just relax and let the tide guide him in, he'll wash up on the shore eventually…right?
But what if he loses all his blood before then?
Wait, why would he loose blood?
Because of the stab wo—stab wounds?
His wounds are gone. The pain is still there, but the wounds are gone. What did they do to him?
They? More than two people brought me to the submarine.
Submarine? He was taken to a submarine and then let out into the ocean?
Drugs. They must have drugged him, and that's why he can't remember anything. That's why he's feeling pain that isn't there. But everything's becoming clear now, just like the shore is becoming clearer in his vision.
There's something in the distance on the shore. Prentiss looks to Morgan, who also notices it. He aims his flashlight's beams at the figure, which seems to have washed up on the shore. They can't get a clear view of the figure, mainly due to the darkness caused by the clouds that are still slowly drifting apart. The sun begins to shine its rays on the figure, and something ignites a burst of adrenaline in Prentiss.
She begins to run to the figure, which seems to be half in the water and half on the shore. As she gets closer, she can see more details in the light of Morgan's flashlight. The figure seems to be human, which causes Prentiss to run faster. But what if this is just a dead body, dumped in the ocean and washed up on shore from a case that is totally unrelated to Hotch?
But this human has dark, wet hair, just as Hotch's is when it's wet. He's wearing the same white button-up shirt that Hotch was when he was taken.
She finally reaches the human and rolls him over. He begins coughing water as Prentiss smiles. When he's done coughing, Hotch smiles weakly back at her.
Sometimes, there's only silence. Words didn't have to be exchanged between the two. Time was no longer an issue in their minds. They will catch the unsub later, which Hotch is ready to talk. Right now, the only thing that matters is that they are together.
So, this is the grand finale I have finally been able to conjure up. I know it seems short, but this is only the beginning. I plan to continue this plot in another story, which will be up as soon as I can write it. I deeply apologize that this took me so long to finish, work and school have kept me very busy. I hope you all enjoyed this story, please let me know what you think with a review!
Criminal Minds belongs to CBS
