Monday Blues Chapter 5

AN - Wow thank you all for the amazing reviews, I feel really honoured. Thank you.

The FBI issue assault vest was now thrown to one side, forgotten and discarded in the moments of panic that followed the gun shot. Blood was soaking the once pristine white shirt in amounts that made Jessica Brooks worry that he was losing far too much. Clyde didn't seem to care at all; he paced away from the window clearly agitated and angry that he'd lost all control in that few seconds. Banging the butt of the gun against his head as he ran over the events in his mind, the events that had taken any hope of controlling this to the end from his meagre grip.

Jess kept her hands on her brother in laws stomach, the unfortunate angle of the shot from Clyde's gun had caught Hotch under the vest where it had ridden up with his hands cuffed above his head. It was probably a one in a million shot that he could angle the gun just in the way to catch him in a place the vest wasn't protecting. Only seconds had passed yet Aaron now looked pale, the cold sweat of shock was evident on his face. She did the only thing she could and tore at her own top ripping strips off her t-shirt to press on the wound causing a hiss of pain from the man she thought of as brother.

"Shh its' okay, It's okay. Help is coming soon Aaron just keep still."

"It's his fault! It's all his fault!" Clyde yelled waving the gun dangerously as he turned on Jess hearing her speak. "If he'd kept his mouth shut..! Damn fed!"

"It's his job!" She snapped back angrily. "To get inside your head and to use you to his advantage!"

"Shut up! Just shut up!" Clyde stalked toward her pushing the barrel of the gun against her temple before turning away and pacing back and forth again. He was losing control and his behaviour was becoming more and more dangerous as the time passed. She'd heard the phone ring out a few times and she knew he wouldn't talk to the FBI yet, not in the frame of mind he was in.

"Jess..." She glanced down at Aaron hearing his pained voice break through the near silence now that enveloped them all, aside from a few sniffs and sobs from scared hostages.

"Shh Aaron, just rest, conserve your strength. I think... I think Jack got out ok. I couldn't see well but I think so... You did good getting him out. Let your friends get you out now."

"No. Time." His voice was strained, and barely a whisper. She didn't need any medical training to know he was struggling to hold on. His blood now soaking through the make shift bandage and onto her hands. "Gotta take action. He's... losing it"

"You can't do anything Aaron, he's not gonna let me take those cuffs off and I doubt you could fight in your condition." She wanted to ease his concerns, to let him focus on rest and conserving his strength. His skin was almost grey and she couldn't bury the knot deep in her stomach that she was losing him right there.

"You." Was all he managed to get out before a wave of pain washed over him and he tensed up gritting his teeth against the mix of pain and nausea that wracked his pale body.

"I can't!" She hissed quietly voice filled with panic at the very idea she would have to... what? Fight this guy? Talk him down? Right now she didn't feel up to either one even on a good day she doubted she could.

"Gun. Left. Ankle" Aaron managed to choke out just as a coughing fit took over. She closed her eyes as blood splattered from his mouth as he coughed, internal bleeding. It had to be. Right now unless they got out of there fast he wasn't going to make it. She risked a glance at Clyde who appeared to be talking to himself, still banging the gun against his head as he argued with himself. Taking it as a good sign that she had time to look she tugged on Aarons pants leg lifting it high enough up to reveal the ankle holster with his back up weapon. Her eyes went wide and she realised what Aaron was suggesting. Yeah she'd fired a few shots off with her dad as a kid but that was a very long time ago and if she was honest her dad had done most of the work.

She didn't have much time to think though and grabbed the gun quickly from its holster and pulled his pants leg back down to hide the now empty holster not wanting to trigger any more anger from Clyde. She tucked the gun into her belt pulling her t-shirt over it and leaned over Aaron, using the act of wiping his mouth to talk to him quieter.

"Aaron I can't do this..."

"Flick safety off. Point and squeeze." He explained as best he could but it was clear that he was losing the internal war to hang on. His eyes were almost completely closed now and his skin felt cold and clammy, he was losing too much blood and he didn't have very long at all. As she wiped his mouth of blood she took a minute to listen to his breathing, it sounded ragged, and strained. She swallowed deeply trying to find courage from some were deep down. If Haley were here she'd have been better suited for this, she was always was the stronger of the two sisters.

Thoughts of her sister flashed through her mind, the sacrifice she'd made for her son, the knowledge in her final moments that at least father and son would be together. A stray tear ran down her face and brushed it away angrily. How could she sit here and let Aaron die, rob father and son of everything they'd built up. What life would Jack have with no parents and an aunt he'd probably hate? Not to mention ruining her sister's brave sacrifice for her family that she adored so much. No. She couldn't do that; she couldn't take away everything Haley had done for them just because of her own fear.

"Hold on Aaron. Help is coming." She whispered and tore another strip from her top adding more pressure to the wound. She rose to her feet and took a few shaky steps toward Clyde, her legs felt like lead, every sound seemed to echo forever and the room closed in on her. She took a very shaky breath, swallowing the bile that was making itself known, her hand shaking at her sides so she clenched her fists trying to hold them still.

"Excuse me?" Her voice squeaked out Clyde. Sounding more like her ten year old self than the grown woman she was now.

"What?! Get back there! Get away!" Clyde blasted at her, his pacing stopping as he watched her.

"He needs... More than I can do for him. Could I... Get the first aid kit?" Her voice seemed a little better but her breath was coming fast and hard, a tingle appeared on her lower lip as a panic attack threatening to boil over as she stood there. She very carefully kept one hand behind her back now clasping the handle of the gun. She tried to slow her breathing, to take a few deep breaths but the tears that ran down her cheek undid any chance she had of showing control.

"Tough! Let the fed die! I don't care!" Clyde spat as he yelled this time. "I'm gonna kill everyone any way, i'm a dead man now thanks to him!" He waved his gun at Aaron behind her and all their worst fears where confirmed, since Clyde didn't see a way out now they were all expendable. None of them mattered as hostages so he could start shooting any second. Clearly if Aaron didn't die soon he'd be on the receiving end of another shot, this time a definite fatal shot. Clyde's anger now vehemently fixated on her brother in law.

Jess glanced over her shoulder to see Aaron had managed to get his eyes open just slightly, offering a very small nod before they drifted shut again. She could barely see his chest rising now, which added to her fear that whatever she was going to do she was too late.

She closed her eyes, and turned back to Clyde. The movement was fast, and showed a confidence that she absolutely did not feel. As she opened her eyes again to stare into the eyes of their potential killer as she pulled the gun from her belt and in the split second she had to act she raised it to his face. She could see his face change from anger to shock, as he quickly pulled his own weapon from its trajectory aimed at Aaron and instead to aim at her, point blank range.

"Don't do it little lady..." He almost sneered at her, taunting that she didn't have what it took. "I'm sure I can get your man there a band aid" The snigger was back, and so was Jess's anger, raging through her body every part of her wanting to scream at the guy, to pound on his face and tell him everything she thought of him, how he could've ruined their lives because of his selfish actions.

In the blind rage that took over she heard a gunshot ring out. She couldn't help the little yelp that escaped her mouth. She dropped the gun she was holding and sank to the floor. The world was now closing down around her and the welcoming blackness finally helping her to escape.

TBC...