AN: Here's chapter 20! I'm skipping around a bit and jumping from mid season 3 to the very beginning of season 4 so things will come along faster. And thank you guys for all of the awesome reviews, they make my day and really influence my writing. Thanks so much! Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter 20
"Ugh, why can't I find anything suitable?!" I threw my song book across my room in frustration. I had spent the past two days trying to find a ballad to sing for my audition in just a matter of days. I hadn't even begun looking at monologues yet. I grabbed another book and flipped through the pages, passing musical after musical. "WAIT!" I screamed. "That's it! I'll sing A New Life from Jekyll and Hyde!" I screeched to myself in the empty apartment. The song was a mezzo-soprano range, whereas I was a soprano, but on such short notice I needed a song that I was already familiar with that I knew I could pull off. Spencer was still away on a case, so that meant I could practice as much as I needed without interruption.
I started on my monologue searching, coming up dry. It didn't have to be gender specific, which I guess was supposed to work in our favor but it did nothing for me. It only had to be close to a minute long, so that did help. After hours, and I mean hours of searching I settled on the closing monologue from V for Vendetta. It was short, heartfelt, and easy to imbed my emotion into.
It was strange not challenging myself. Usually, if I'm going to audition for a show I absolutely love, I choose pieces with more difficulty. If I had more time, I would have, but time is something that just can't be controlled no matter how hard we try.
According to Arianna, the competition for roles was ridiculously high. Maybe that's why I wasn't challenging myself, I didn't want get my hopes of getting a part, or even getting in. Out of the 200 or so kids who try out, only about fifty get in. I was new, my 'talent' was unseen, and I still didn't know the group dynamics, so getting in would be a miracle. Well, not exactly a miracle, but a pretty awesome accomplishment.
Spencer arrived home that Thursday night, looking more exhausted than usual.
"Hey, how was the case?" I asked out of half curiosity and half courtesy. He dropped his go bag next to the front door and sat down across from me on the sofa. "Nerve racking, complicated, worrisome, and flat out disastrous" Spencer repeated, running his hands over his face out of fatigue. "W-what happened?" I asked quietly. I wasn't expecting a full answer, I knew he couldn't give that, but a little is better than nothing. He sighed and paused with his elbows on his knees for a few moments before explaining.
"There were shootings in New York, followed by bombings killing the first responders. We were working with the New York field agents, one of whom Hotch had known for years. The UnSub placed a bomb under Hotch and agent Joyner's SUV and it blew up as they were approaching it"
My initially half-shut eyes burst open out of shock. No, no Hotch had to be fine. I would have gotten a phone call or an email or anything of the sort. No, no.
"What?! Is-is he okay?" I tried my best not raise my voice for the sake of Spencer's ears.
"Yeah, he's fine, he has shrapnel wounds and a punctured eardrum, but agent Joyner didn't make it. That's all I can tell you, sorry"
I wasn't sure if I should console him in some way or not, so I stayed silent for a couple of minutes. "Well, I'm glad you're home and everyone's okay" I rested my head on his shoulder, which I think came as a surprise to him.
"Me too. Hey, it's late and you have school in the morning. You should get some rest and so should I" We both lugged our bodies down the hall to our bedrooms, more than ready to sleep the night away. Just before we retreated into our rooms, Spencer spoke up with his head turned slightly in my direction.
"Oh yeah, Jenna, I almost forgot, JJ's pregnant"
Wait, what?