AN: Hey... So I apologize for the delay. Uni is crazy and is making it difficult to find time to type! I am not giving up on this though. I will try and update every week-ish so please be patient! To everyone who reviewed- THANK YOU! you made me happy! To everyone who has read, followed, faved, etc thank you for taking the time to read. Who is excited for the new season? Ep 200 is going to be J.J centric(YAY) so looking forward to that. Miss Prentiss more than anything though (even if J.J is my fave you can't have Jemily without Emily...). On that note everything belongs to their respective owners. Suggestions, comments, etc are welcome just review or PM me and I will respond! Oh and it's so cool that author's who's fics I love are following this story! Thanks so much! Well I'm tired and should head off to bed.
Stay hungry, stay foolish- Steve Jobs
Silence is golden, or at least that's what they say. Emily ponders this statement.
Well in this moment silence is somber, heavy, and a little awkward...
"Wait, so you mean to tell me the guy who has killed three people and a federal agent is YOUR BROTHER?" Morgan shouts angrily
"I do believe that is what I said Agent." Ace responds sardonically
"Do you know how many levels of fucked up this is? Why the hell are you telling us now? Why the hell does he have an issue with you? How do we know we can trust you? He is your brother after all. You could be leading us in circles! Or even into his trap! How dare you jeopardize us like-"
"Agent Morgan, I suggest you stop before you say something that you regret. Don't you dare think for a minute that I haven't done everything in my power to keep you and your team safe. Remember who saved your ass a couple of hours ago? I am sorry that I haven't been totally upfront with you and your team but you can understand my apprehension. You can say what you want Agent but I never put anyone in unnecessary risk if I can help it." the young assassin replies with anger,
"I will see you all at the airport. I assume our flight will be ready by then."
she then turns on her heel and heads for her car. The other agents are stunned into that awkward silence again.
"Morgan, what the hell was that for?!"
To everyone's surprise it's J.J who lashes out at the other agent.
"She has done nothing but help us and you repay her by lashing at her? Sure she kept stuff from us but you can hardly blame her for wanting more concrete evidence. You need to apologize Derek. Oh and Em you drive. I'll take shotgun. Give her the keys Morgan."
With that the blonde agent walks over to the SUV and slamming the door closed as she gets in.
Emily's eyebrows raise as she watches J.J stalk off. It seems the blonde has become quite attached to their assassin. She turns to Morgan who now looks a little sheepish. Even Reid was glaring at him.
"That was really tactless Morgan," Emily says "Ace is out of her comfort zone as much as we are, even more if you think about it. You really should apologize. I also think you should go with Hotch, Rossi, and Reid. to the airport. We will see you there."
Emily then turns towards the SUV as the men collectively head towards the other vehicle, Morgan's head hanging low.
She climbs into the driver's side and looks over at J.J, who is staring out the window lost in thought.
Emily sighs to herself and starts the SUV, heading out of the precinct and towards the airport.
Emily couldn't remember a more uncomfortable jet ride. Thank heavens it was only a two-hour journey. Morgan is listening to his music in the corner, avoiding contact with Ace and J.J, Reid is reading-something- in what looked like Russian, Rossi and Hotch are reading over case files, and Ace is staring out of the window- fidgeting. Emily stares incredulously as the young assassin actually begins picking at her nails.
"She does it too you know."
"Shit J.J you scared me!"
"Sorry Em." J.J had been making herself another cup of coffee (her third today) when she noticed Emily studying their young assassin.
"The nails thing. You do it too when you're stressed. Like now." the blonde says with a slight chuckle as she points to Emily's fingers.
The agent looks down and stops picking to fold her hands across her lap.
"Bad habit I guess." the dark-haired agent replies "I don't think we're stressed about the same thing though."
"I don't like planes." the assassin remarks suddenly, without shifting her gaze from the window, "Too many things can go wrong when you're 30 000 plus feet in the air."
She frowns as she thinks for a moment,
"Agent Hotchner, the agent's body was found in a warehouse correct?"
Hotch confirms with a nod.
"Local PD have tried securing the area but have been unsuccessful. A lot of the area is under construction. They have officers waiting for us to take us to the crime scene."
"And I am assuming you are aware that we could be walking into a trap."
"I have considered the possibility and I have notified the local SWAT team to be ready for our call."
"We cannot involve SWAT. If this is a trap, we don't want any suicide by cops. These guys are probably hired guns- mercenaries. They are loyal to their boss and their money- jail isn't an option. No rats either, they would rather die than talk to law enforcement. If they see us charging in with the big guns we won't gain anything. I have a distinct feeling that this is a trap, but what I am trying to figure out is who they are trying to trap?"
she let that question hang for a moment before continuing,
"Agents Prentiss, Jareau and Morgan will go through the front entrance with LEO. Agents Rossi, Reid, Hotchner and I will go through a side entrance."
"Side entrance?" asks Hotch,
"My people found the blueprints to the site and spotted a side door. It might be a bit tricky to find but should be clear once we actually get into the building. Kevlar on everyone, things might get interesting."
The agents and assassin arrive at a creepy abandoned warehouse. Rubble, junk and rust litter the scene just beyond the 8 ft high chain link fence that blocks off the area. The whole scene gave Emily the chills, as they approach the two officers who are waiting by the gate.
"Agents. Name is Officer Holland. Here is my partner Officer Kim. We were told to wait for your orders before heading in to see the scene."
"Why is this area abandoned?" Reid asks shoving his hands in his pockets,
"The developers found out that none of the utilities in the warehouse were up to date and that the soil was contaminated. The cost would have been ten times as much as they were willing to invest so they scrapped the project midway through demo. No one really goes around here much except for the odd gang of teens or the odd homeless man. Then some kid nearly died when some metal fell on him while he was smoking with his friends. After that they fenced this area off."
"So why was the agent in the warehouse anyhow?"
The officer shrugs, "No idea. Thought you guys would know."
He then turns to his partner, "Wait here and keep a lookout. I will radio you if I need anything."
The other officer heads back to the squad car parked just outside the gate.
"Officer, if you don't mind, half of us will take a look around the building before we head in. Agents Morgan, Prentiss and Jareau," He nods to each agent as he names them, "will go with you in the front."
"Whatever you say." he then turns to the young assassin "Where's your Kevlar little lady? Don't they teach you at the Bureau that bullets can go through leather?" he says with a snide smirk.
Ace stares at him, eyes impassive and slightly cold "You don't need Kevlar if you don't plan on getting hit, officer." she says pulling out her FN Five-Seven from a carefully concealed holster on her back.
"Lets go Hotch." and with that Ace, Hotch, Reid, and Rossi head towards a small path that goes around the bulk of the warehouse.
The officer turns to the rest of the agents "Well let's get this show on the road." with that he pulls out his Colt and leads the agents into the warehouse.
Emily pulls out her flashlight as she steps into the dimly lit entrance. J.J and Morgan take up their positions beside her, with the LEO taking point. From what Emily could see, everything was covered in a thick layer of dust and grime, sheets of metal hanging and peeling off of the walls. Nothing stood out as they slowly made their way into the heart of the building, their footsteps muffled by the dust beneath their feet. As they enter the main room they see the body laying face up in the middle of the room. Emily, Morgan and the officer approach the body with quick steps.
"He hasn't been here long has he." says Morgan noting the lack of putrefaction.
" And it looks like he was dumped here. Single gunshot wound but there is minimal amounts of blood around him."
Suddenly they hear the cocking of a gun.
The three of them turn guns raised to find J.J being roughly held by a large sleeveless man with the muzzle of his gun jammed into her temple. Her gun was sticking out of his right back pocket.
The agents and officer point their weapons at him.
"Tut-tut-tut agents that is a really bad idea, see, if you want this pretty young thing to live you had best put those down. Or else me and my friends here will have to take drastic measures."
Out of her peripheral, Emily could see three other men appear out of the shadows with their guns pointed in her direction.
She and Morgan exchange a look, both understanding that they were outmatched. She slowly begins to lower her weapon, Morgan and Officer Holland following suit.
J.J continues to struggle but stops when the gun is jammed further into her temple and his grip tightens.
"Good work agents, and officer, now firearms on the floor-slowly- and on your knees with your hands on your head. Any sudden movements and you all die. Simple."
They follow his instructions carefully placing their guns on the ground and getting on their knees.
"I really didn't think it was going to be this easy. When the boss said 'go after the agents' I expected more resistance from America's best." he says with a harsh laugh. "What a load of horseshit."
He throws J.J to the ground.
Emily sees red but is unable to help her friend as she gets up slowly.
" You join your friends. Knees and hands." J.J complies catching Emily's eye. Fear and slight pain passed by for an instant before settling on resolve. She sends a small nod as reassurance to Emily that she is alright.
The man aims his gun at Emily, "Now what to do while we wait." Just as he takes a step towards her a black blur rushes in from his left. The blur grabs his outstretched right arm with his gun pinned behind her back. Ace shifts her body so the gun is pointed at the goon standing behind Morgan as the large man fires his gun, hitting his friend square in the chest. She then wrenches the gun out of his hand from behind her back by bending and crushing his wrist under her arm. He pitches forward slightly, which she uses to twist his arm behind him and locking it in place. The thugs standing behind Emily and Officer Holland try to shoot the lightning fast agent but end up hitting their friend with their barrage of shots. As the mercenary falls to the ground, Ace grabs J.J's Glock from his back pocket and rolls smoothly to the side. With both guns she places a swift shot between the eyes on the man behind Holland and a shot into the right shoulder of the man behind Prentiss, causing him to drop his firearm. Morgan lunges at the man and takes him to the ground, swiftly cuffing him and kicking his gun away.
All of this happens in the span of seconds, which leaves Emily, J.J and Holland frozen with shock. Ace calmly walks over to J.J and kneels in front of her.
"I think you misplaced this," she says, handing J.J back her gun.
The blonde agent nods as she stared incredulous at the young assassin. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it. It looks like you're gonna need a little ice though." She says pointing to the bruise that was forming on the blonde's temple. "That sonofabitch. I should have gotten here sooner. Would have too if it wasn't for that stupid door..." she mutters.
"Agent Hotchner, everyone is secure, we have 3 mercs dead and one wounded. I shot him in the shoulder and he should be fine for us to grill. We were lucky in that aspect. We also have the dead agent in here. Oh and J.J might need a bit of ice." she says into her mic.
She waits as Emily assumes she is listening to Hotch talk back "The ass stuck his gun in her face so I made sure he paid for it. Tell the medics to meet us outside. I want to leave this place."
Emily stands up and helps J.J up, both agents brushing dust off their pants and holstering their weapons.
Ace turns to Morgan and Officer Holland, " If you two don't mind escorting our friend here out, I will be right behind you with J.J and Agent Prentiss."
Morgan nods, sending a silent apology for his earlier actions to the young assassin.
"All is forgiven Agent. You were only trying to protect your family. You just didn't realize that I am trying to protect them too."
Morgan smiles at her before grabbing the moaning merc and leading him out with Officer Holland following.
Ace turns to Emily, "Are you alright Agent?"
"A little dusty but other than that fine. Please call me Emily, I think saving someone's life is grounds to be on a first name basis."
Ace chuckles, "Well then Emily, let's get out of here before we gather any more dust."
"You really don't need Kevlar do you?" Emily says as they start heading out of the warehouse, both dark haired women keeping a close eye on J.J.
"It's not that I don't. It just inhibits movement. I sacrifice protection for a bit more mobility. Plus I don't want to give myself a false sense of security. Just because I have a vest doesn't guarantee not getting hit."
"True enough. Nice shots back there. You might even have a better shot than J.J" Emily says with a wink at the blonde. Everyone at Quantico was well aware of the blonde's skills at the firing range.
J.J turns to Em with mock indignation, "I wouldn't say that." she then smiles as she turns to Ace, "In all seriousness, you have an impressive shot. Probably better than me, especially since you weren't even using your own gun!"
"Practice makes perfect." says Ace, "I am sorry that I wasn't there sooner. That damn door was so rusted we almost had to shoot the hinges off. There happened to be a window nearby that I climbed into. I was going to go and try and open the door from the inside when I overheard that pig talking. I told Hotchner to head to the front as backup as I snuck around to try and find a vantage point." she says with slight anger, "Damn mercs, they always cause trouble. Whomever this idiot is who is organizing all of this, they have money. Those thugs may not have been top notch but they were good. Not good enough though. But enough to cost at least several million. The body set up, and ambush...this needs time and planning."
The three women reach the gate where there is an ambulance waiting for them. Hotch approaches them and frown at the bruise that has appeared in full glory J.J's right temple.
" J.J can you get that looked at please? Even just a little ice would be great." Hotch says with worry.
"I'm fine Hotch, really. Things could have been worse. I will get an ice pack though." she says before heading towards the paramedic.
Hotch turns to Emily and Ace, "Glad you are both safe. Local PD and the Bureau are sending people to process this entire scene. We will aid the investigation once they have a better idea of what is going on. I have to phone Strauss to tell her what happened. Keep an eye on J.J for me?" he turns and leaves, his phone already out and dialing.
Ace turns to Emily, onyx meeting chocolate, when Emily gets that nagging suspicion that she has seen those eyes before. The young assassin begins, "Emily, I know we don't have much time before we join the others but I have to speak with you, alone." she looks around before continuing, "I keep on seeing this look in your eye. You remember me don't you? It's kinda funny cause most people who meet me don't live to see tomorrow. Many people meet me once and then will never hear from me again. But funny enough I have met you two times before."
Emily gapes in shock at the young assassin, "How could I have met you twice but not remember either time who you were?"
"Well you see, the first time was at your mother's New Year's masquerade party several years ago- almost ten years ago if I remember correctly. I was really young and of course, masked. I remember you though. Even with a mask you were easily recognizable. We chatted next to the punch bowl, making fun of politicians who were clearly inebriated and the others who were pretending to be inebriated. I wasn't there long so I don't expect you to remember much."
Emily laughs as she conjures up that particular memory of that somewhat disastrous party. " I remember! You had that really nice suit on and I was curious about why someone so young was at my mother's ridiculous party."
"Well I had business to deal with- I didn't kill anyone there!- so I popped by for a couple of hours. I had an invite after all." she says with a smirk.
Emily raises a questioning eyebrow.
"Lets just say I know people who know people." the assassin responds.
Her face grows serious, "The second time was not as...pleasant lets say." she glances around to make sure no one was eavesdropping, "The second time I met you, your name was Lauren Reynolds."
Sorry for the slight cliffy. Any and all mistakes are mine.
