A/N: I was trying to get of these up a day, but clearly failed yesterday. Thing is, I had started it with every intention of getting it up before bed last night, then realized I wanted to do this one first then tie all those previous together a bit in the next to come. (Make any sense?) Basically, I figured Rossi should have a say before I go any further. now if only I'd thought of this before I posted Emily's... but oh well.
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies.
"Screw protocol, Reid's in trouble!"
It took a lot to surprise David Rossi, but he found himself a little taken aback by Emily's emphatic protest. He knew as well as anyone how much she cared for the brilliant young man- especially after the events in Colorado- even if she didn't quite wear it on her sleeve like the others, so it came as a surprise to him that the practical, logical, calm Emily Prentiss could even think of tossing aside the rules at a time like this.
'Screw protocol'? She can't be serious…? Just how much good do you think you're going to do the kid if you get yourself in trouble and force me to reprimand you? I'd have to tell Hotch- there's no way around it, you know that. It would get back to him no matter what. Sure, these are professionals, but that doesn't mean they won't panic like every other sane human being when they hear the word 'anthrax'. You tell them and we'll have to delegate you to the sidelines for knowingly defying a direct order. Just what do you think you're going to do for Reid, there?
We're all worried about him, kiddo, but maybe you should choose to be angry, instead. It's more productive. That's what I'm doing- I'm pissed as hell at this Dr. Nichols. He did a stupid, careless, appalling thing by having any part in hurting so many innocent people- and it's working. When I'm pissed, I'm more aggressive in my work. Aggressive is good. Aggressive gets things done, and gets them done faster.
Aggressive will give us the partner and the antidote, and that will give us Reid.
Not his body, not a funeral, not a mother's grief and some complex lie to explain away the cause of death, but our very own human computer alive and breathing and spouting off statistics faster than I can come up with my own damn Social Security number.
Think about it. Don't be stupid- I know damn well you're not. Let's just get this bastard the right way and make sure no one else gets sick. No one has to know we're doing it all for Reid.
A/N: I've always felt that when it came to focus on the job and compartmentalizing it, Emily and Dave share a similar line of thinking. Couldn't help but pounce on this idea and try to illustrate their parallels.