Well, I'm stuck in an airport in France with my flight delayed so I decided to update.
Enjoy!
The plane ride to Nevada was torment. They had been faxed the case information before lift off and it took them an hour to even look at the files. Rossi was the only one able to pick one up and open it after they took off. The others could barely read the first page. JJ's eyes began to water and she nearly threw the file away. Morgan lasted a little longer but could only read in intervals. After thirty seconds he stared out the plane window his determination clearly slipping away. Prentiss read for a couple minutes then shoved the information away, staring at the folder in horror.
Hotch could barely read the first word. He flipped open the file and shoved it away. He turned towards the window, closing in on himself. His expression crushed and broken. He stared out the window, unable to face the truth or the manila folder.
That was all Rossi could take. He sighed audibly and stood up, bring all but one set of eyes on himself. "Look, I understand this is a personal case, but that's why you all have to pull yourself together. This is only another case. Granted it is Reid's case, but that's why you have to get your heads out of your asses and at least try to get through this. If we want to figure out who killed Reid then we need to get over this ridiculous sentiment and push forward." He looked straight at Hotch who had finally looked up at him after hearing the words 'killed Reid'. "Or else the bastard will get away with it."
There was a ringing silence that followed. No one was able to speak. They all stared at Rossi in shock and amazement. There was an unspoken agreement that he was right.
"All right," Morgan said, standing up as well. He nodded, taking a deep breath. "Rossi's right. We need to get over this and catch the asshole who killed Reid."
Hotch sighed and nodded. "Everyone, perk up and start reading those case files. That's an order."
They all agreed and grabbed the files closest to them, and pushed them open. Each agent took a deep breath and forced themselves into looking over the information. Rossi noted Hotch's reluctance and sighed, "That's an order for you, too," Rossi murmured, moving back to his seat.
Hotch watched him get back to work and sighed. He pulled the file towards him and tried to block out the pictures and Reid's name as he read through.
"I don't know what you want!" Reid's voice cracked as he tried to scream through the pain. He panted, tears pouring down his face and seeping through the burlap. His face was contorted in agony. His clothes were matted with his own blood. He gasped. "Please, stop!"
He felt a blunt shock run through his face. He gasped through the abrupt pain that hummed through him. He felt the imprint of the burlap on his skin. A bruise formed. He felt blood drip out of his mouth and further stain the sack over his face.
"Quit begging." The voice of his tormentor was soft, almost like a whisper. Reid did not recognize it as the other two kidnappers.
"Then what do you want?" Reid whispered, his voice broken and gurgled by blood.
"You're a profiler," the voice murmured, sliding an arm around Reid's neck kissing the bare skin just over his collar. "You figure it out."
Reid was stricken, his weaken body stiffened at the strange gesture . "W-What are you doing…?"
"Giving you a hint." The voice whispered. It sounded youthful and strangely gentle. It sent shivers running through Reid's body. "You're an intelligent man, Dr. Reid, you can figure this out."
The plane landed and the team was silent as they rode in the black SUVs to the station. Hotch stared out the window as Morgan drove. He bit his finger, wondering about Reid's last hours.
He wondered what Reid was doing in the bookstore. What book was he thinking of buying? Was he in pain when he died? Hotch bit his finger harder. His eyes burned. I hope not….
The car stopped and jerked Hotch back to reality. He stared out of his window and saw the urban constructed station and sighed, pulling himself back together. They piled out of the car and marched into station. An older man stood waiting in the entrance hallway. He wore a suit like Hotch's and his hair was gray. He walked briskly towards them, a hand extended towards Hotch. "He said you'd be here now. We're very sorry about your agent. I'm Detective Burns."
Hotch paused and glanced at JJ confused. "I'm sorry, 'he?'"
The detective blinked, confusion on his face. "The other member of your team, he's already started setting up in the conference room."
Hotch looked at the rest of his team, seeing the confused expression on all their faces. He hurried passed the detective and towards a well lit conference room on the other end of the station. He stepped inside and froze midstep.
Standing at on of the white boards was none other than Jason Gideon.
Chapter 4- End
Thank you DestinChild for the wonderful idea to bring in Jason Gideon. I always liked him better than Rossi anyways.