The Protector
A Criminal Minds Fan Fic
Disclaimer: I own no names or places of Criminal Minds. Only the story is mine
Chapter Five
A life regained
Derek was near a state of panic as he and Chrystal drove towards the Civil Rights Park. Was Jessi okay? What drove Chrystal to shoot her?
Once the truck was stopped and turned off, Derek turned to Chrystal.
"What did she do to deserve that," he signed to her.
"Relax, G-man. They were rubber bullets. She'll be sore for a while."
"I don't undrstand."
"Your team has something I want, and visa verse."
"What do you want?"
"I want the man who did this to me." She lifted up the double barrel shotgun. "These bullets aren't rubber."
THE POLICE STATION
Melinda helped Jessi up off the ground.
"Are you okay," She signed.
"I think so. Was I just shot at?"
"They're rubber bullets."
"They hurt like hell."
"That's the idea."
"Where's Derek?"
"He didn't get out."
"Melinda, we have to find him and soon! He's been fitted with a bomb by the UNSUB."
"We know who the UNSUB is. Her name is Chrystal Hood. You need to let Hotch brief you on her story. What happened to you and Derek?"
A slow blush rose in Jessi's cheeks.
"I don't want to talk about it."
Melinda saw the blush in Jessi's cheeks, however she decided not to pursue the issue.
As Jessi and Melinda walked into the station, they passed Captain Hendricks who was leading a man in handcuffs to an interview room.
Jessi looked to Melinda.
"Who's that?"
"That is James Abernathy. The man that raped our UNSUB."
"What? So, the reason she's done all this is because it was done to her."
An hour later, Jessi, with Melinda and Spencer, were interviewing James.
Jessi began.
"I know you can understand me without a translator."
"Why am I here," James spoke as he signed.
"You're here because of Chrystal Hood."
"Who?"
"Don't play stupid or coy, James. You're in no position to be either. We have evidence that you raped her, and that she was so scared to testify."
"She was easily swayed. She thought she was in love with me. However, getting her to remove her pants was the hard part. She fought till the end. Never said a word."
Jessi was so flustered and angered that she couldn't say a thing. She was thankful when Spencer chimed in.
"Did it occure to you that the reason she was deaf? You were her translator. What made you want to rape her?"
"She was easy."
"You were convicted of possessing pornographic images. Did you film her?"
Jessi remembered the room that she and Derek were forced in. It had a two way mirror. She also knew that in some cases, a suspect being interviewed would also be filmed.
"I don't know what you're talking about. So if you're done, I'll be leaving."
"You did film her. You raped her while it was being filmed. I saw the room. It's only a matter of time before she gets to you."
"What makes you think she'll kill me?"
Spencer laid out pictures of the last four crime scenes.
"She already has."
"I want protection."
Jessi shook her head. "I'm not a lawyer. I can't promise that."
Before James could say anything else, Hotch opened the door.
"I need to see you three right now."
As soon as the trio walked out of the interview room, Hotch said, "We have a problem."
"What's wrong," Spencer asked.
"We've recieved a phone call from Morgan. Chrystal wants to make a trade. Abernathy for Morgan. We normally would send in a hostage negotiator. However because the UNSUB is deaf, can you do this Clark?"
Jessi shook her head.
"If you haven't already found out, Hotch, I'm too emotional involved. I can't risk Derek's life."
"I understand that. But you are the only one who can get thru to her."
Jessi thought of the little room and how Derek did the most humilating thing to keep her alive. She had to let him know that she loved him as well.
"Fine. I'll talk to her. What about Abernathy?"
"As I said, we normally won't deal with an UNSUB. However, a agent has been taken hostage. We need to take all of the needed procautions. Now, Clark, did Chrystal say anything?"
Before Jessi could answer, Hotch's phone rang. He answered.
"Hotchner."
"Hotch, it's Morgan. I'm here with Chrystal Hood at the Civil Rights park. Hotch, she's wanting to make a trade."
"What kind of trade?"
"Me for James Abernathy."
Hotch sighed. He was afraid that this was going to happen.
"Tell her we'll be there in five minutes."
"Is Strauss going to approve of this?"
"I'll deal with the politics of this job, Morgan. Right now we need to make sure you're okay."
CIVIL RIGHTS PARK
Derek was still wearing the bomb vest, however he was seated against the largest tree in the park. Chrystal was facing him.
"Well?"
"They'll be here in five minutes."
"What made you love her?"
"Jessi? A lot of things. She's got this amazing inner strength. She can hold her own. She's got this amazing sense of humor."
"And the fact that she's deaf didn't make you pity her?"
"No. That was never a factor. I went to her to learn American sign language."
Chrystal was near tears. "Guys like you are hard to find."
"What happened between you and Abernathy?"
Chrystal sighed. This was the first time anyone had asked.
"James was my appointed trasnlator. He was so smart, funny, and sexy. I wanted to think it was love. One night he invited me to a party. I don't remember anything after that first drink."
"He slipped something in your drink?"
"I think so. I woke up with him on top of me in the same room that you and Jessi were in."
"You tried to fight him off, didn't you?"
"Yes. The next day, there were these pictures and videos circulating the school. I was the biggest slut and loser on campus. I wanted to make everyone pay for what had happened. I don't know what happened. I just snapped."
Before Derek could say anything else, He noticed the BAU team coming over the horizon, with James Abernathy in tow.
Chrystal stood up. Morgan followed suit. He didn't want Chrystal getting hurt or doing domething stupid.
"Chrystal," Jessi signed, "I know what James did to you. You wanted us to know. I swear by everthing that is holy to me, that I will get you some help."
"No. I've killed eight people. Nothing you say or do will change that."
"But you can get help."
Chrystal said nothing. She unstrapped the vest on Morgan. She motion her head for Derek to leave.
Not thinking anything about it, Derek walked towards Jessi. He saw the horrified look on her face. He turned around and saw that Chrystal had slipped on the vest.
"Chrystal," Derek signed, "What the hell are you doing?"
Chrystal never looked up from what she was doing, so she never saw Derek's question.
Jessi ran up to her, trying to grab the control out of Chrystal's hand.
"Please. Don't do this! We can get you the help need. You don't need to do this."
"Why did you leave him?"
"What? Who?"
"Derek."
"We drifted apart after our son's death. We both felt that we could do better by divorcing. Why do you ask?"
"I saw the love in his eyes when I forced the two of you to perform. He still loves you and you still love him. Now get out of here. Go be with your protector."
"No."
Chrystal grabbed the double barrelled shot gun and pointed it towards Jessi. The look she gave Jessi simply said, "I said go!"
Derek caught Jessi's attention. He'd been watching the entire conversation. Jessi still loved him? He waved her to him.
She nodded and walked to him.
"Jess, it's no use. She's made up her mind."
"But, Derek, we can help..."
A shot rang out. Derek covered Jessi. He looked around. that's when he saw James' body fall. Chrystal had killed him, point blank range, with a bullet to the head.
Before he could stop her, Chrystal pressed the red button on the control.
Derek kept Jessi under his arm as he yelled to the group, "GET DOWN!"
The blast left nothing in it's wake. There was nothing left of Chrystal with exception of bits and pieces.
Jessi stood up and looked at the spot where Chrystal had stood. She shook her head.
Derek pulled her to him in a hug and allowed Jessi to cry. He felt a sadness at Chrystal's situation. True, she'd taken him and Jessi hostage. But it had brought him and Jessi closer.
But Chrystal had gotten what she wanted. Revenge.