This would NOT leave me alone today. This is not my best work (by a long shot). It's pure fluff. I hope if you read it you like it. I did my best to proof read, but I always end up missing something.
In general, I own nothing. I have borrowed characters created by other people for my own entertainment and hopefully the entertainment of anyone who reads this.
Thanks for reading!
Everyone available was on site. It was one of the largest cases the Federal Bureau of Investigation had worked. It was a lot of logistical planning and tactical movements, including Metro, Boston, Chicago and Portland police departments, Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington State, and Colorado branches of the FBI, nine members of the Behavioral Analysis Unit and every possible SWAT agent anyone could lend them.
"Hotch, here's the team layouts you needed," Penelope said as she entered the office he was preparing in, with all the other heads of the various divisions.
He studied the screen intently and then shook his head. "Who designed this?" he asked the room and a man raised his hand. "You have two profilers on each team?" he asked curiously.
"None of us are happy about this, but you are the best at what you do, so I figured putting two of you on each team would help with coordination," the man explained.
"We need to break this up. Eight smaller teams, working closer together," he said. "We appreciate that you see our value, but putting two on a team, leaves some teams short. One of us on each team, we'll all communicate with each other and then to the rest of you," he said and after a tense moment, everyone agreed. "Garcia, please work with officer Reyes to reassign the teams," he announced.
"Yes Sir," she said and then he followed after her as she went to the board to do as asked, placing photos of everyone they had in smaller teams of eight before officer Reyes got there.
"Garcia," he said kindly and then he discreetly moved Will's photo to Alex's team. "If anything goes wrong, I don't want to make Henry an orphan. We're the only office that knows about them being together," he told her.
"Yes Sir," she said and with that, she went about setting up the different teams making sure JJ and Will were not even on the same side of the building when they eventually went in. Everyone gathered together, plans were made and the team leaders were properly introduced. They were all to surround the building and then further more, four of the eight teams would surround one of the offices inside where the Unsub was.
"Agents Seaver, Reid, Blake and Morgan. Your teams will go in the building. SWAT will lead in clearing, profilers at the back, watch your six, all of you," the SWAT captain announced. "Agents Hotchner, Prentiss, Rossi, and Jareau, you'll be flanking from the outside. I need everyone to remember, this asshole is armed, dangerous, and a sneaky son of a bitch. Everyone will keep your heads on a swivel. I need to see this room, in tact, with all the faces on that board back here, before I leave, am I understood?" he bellowed and he was met with a resounding chorus of yes Sir. "Good, load out!" he called and everyone hustled into place.
The four inside teams made it into place and the remaining teams covered all the exits. Signals were called through radios, decisions were made quickly, and after a hail of bullets the suspects were caught and hauled away. "Outside BAU stay in place, inside BAU sweep the building one last time with SWAT, let's make sure we didn't miss anything," Aaron said over the radio. Everyone was finishing up and Derek and Alex were the first two teams out of the building, everything had been cleared.
"Prentiss!" Derek said once he got outside and she went over to him, not quite ready to relax yet. The entire team wasn't out yet. The two youngest agents were still inside. Once they were all out safely and everything was announced clear, then she would relax.
"East side clear!" Alex announced and she and her team left as well, running into the east outside team, which was lead by JJ.
"Half way," JJ smiled at her.
"We got them though," Alex assured her. "All of them," she said kindly and JJ nodded, but stayed quiet, something didn't feel quite right yet and Spencer and Ashley were still inside.
"South side clear," came Emily's voice over the comms unit and Penelope marked the various teams safe from the office as each one checked in.
"Hotch, something isn't right with this. It was almost too easy. We said there was a dirty bomb somewhere in this building and we still haven't found it," Morgan said, approaching him quietly.
Aaron though for a moment and then decided this was true. "You're right, head over to interrogation, take Prentiss, Blake, and JJ with you. Team up and have the others watch. Have Prentiss and Blake go in first, they'll throw Rivers off balance," he directed and with that everyone moved into place. "Reid and Seaver, check in," he said into his comms unit to get their attention.
"Last minute check on the north side," Ashley said as she continued to sweep the hallway and Spencer didn't answer.
"Agent Reid," Aaron said and again there was no answer. After four calls and no responses from any of the members on Spencer's team, Aaron had Penelope hack in to the building's security to get a live feed. "Garcia, only on the west side," he ordered and she clicked away as fast as she could, pulling up a feed that showed, two of the SWAT agents down in the hall, not moving, Reid lying completely still on the floor, and a few police officers with guns drawn on one of the targets who they didn't have a name on and the target was holding a remote. It took a few seconds of communication, but Ashley and her team were ordered out of the building, while Dave and Aaron charged in with their teams.
After a small hail of bullets, the target was placed in handcuffs and lead out of the building. Dave and Aaron quickly took care of Spencer, getting him out of the building, and the remaining SWAT agents took care of their own. Everyone was just about out, when a call went out of the comms for everyone to evacuate immediately.. "Teams, clear, NOW!" Derek said almost frantically and milliseconds later and explosion was heard. Everyone in the nearby vicinity ducked down and protected themselves as best they could. Penelope's heart leapt into her throat and she reestablished communication as fast as possible.
"Team leaders check in," she announced quickly. It didn't take long for almost everyone to be accounted for and real panic didn't set in until Aaron was heard over the comms calling for a medic.
"SSA Hotchner, I need a medic on the west side immediately. Five officers down. Repeat medic to the west side, five officers down," he said.
Everyone alternated between pacing the floor and sitting and worrying, before going back to pacing. "I know it's the job, I know we do this, but I do not want to be here," Emily said as she stood up and took her turn to pace the hospital floor.
"Prentiss, you did everything right, and you know it," Derek tried.
"Derek, two of our team members are in surgery because we couldn't figure it out fast enough. More importantly, the two youngest, I'm not okay with that," Emily scowled at him and JJ stepped in front of Derek for a minute.
"Let her be for now, please," she said and he shook his head but agreed.
"I just don't want her taking full responsibility for work the unsub did," he said softly.
"As soon as we get on update on Reid and Seaver, she will calm down," JJ assured him.
"How's Will?" Derek asked, changing the subject.
"He's fine. No concussion and only a few scrapes along his legs," JJ said kindly.
"Good, that's good," he said and a doctor appeared.
"Seaver family?" he called out and the entire team turned around. "She's out of surgery, she's resting. We stopped the bleeding in her leg, and she's got a few bruised ribs from being thrown, but other than that she seems to be doing okay. We're watching her for the level of concussion she definitely has, but you can go back and see her, two at a time for now," the doctor said.
"Any word on Spencer Reid?" Aaron asked.
"He's finishing up surgery now. His doctor will be out shortly," he said and with that he left.
"Blake, Rossi, you two can head in," Aaron said and they went off to do as asked. Will returned to the group with a number of coffees for everyone and JJ took a seat next to him, taking his hand, and holding it tight as they drank.
"What does that mean, the level of concussion she definitely has?" Penelope asked Derek, not liking all the words she'd just heard.
"She was thrown baby girl. Everyone in that blast radius was thrown a good few feet. She also caught shrapnel to her leg. Her healing is going to take a little longer than anyone would like," he sighed.
"Especially her," Emily chimed in and then took an offered coffee from Will. They were all lost in their own thoughts when the second doctor came out, and asked for the family of Spencer Reid.
"Yes!" they all answered, almost rushing her as she spoke.
"He's fine, he's sedated for now. He has some swelling on his brain that we are watching closely. He will have a concussion when he finally does wake up, and he's going to be in pain for a little while longer after that. I'm keeping him here for observation for at least forty eight hours, and then we'll take it from there," the doctor said. "Room twelve," he said kindly and let them all go to visit.
"Doctor," Aaron said grabbing his attention while the rest of the team went to sit with Spencer. "Is it possible to get my two agents in the same room?" he asked. "Or at least next door to each other?"
"I'll see what I can do," he smiled and Aaron said thank you before heading off with the rest of his team.
"I really don't want to," Ashley pouted looking at the pill in Alex's hand.
"I understand, and I also know you can call me a horrible person for forcing you to do the thing you don't want to do," Alex started.
"But?" Ashley asked.
"But there are two weeks worth of prescription in that bottle, and so while I'm glad you are feeling better, you will still finish your medicine. All of it," Alex said sternly.
"You sound like a mom," Ashley grouched.
"That's fine," Alex said kindly and she handed her the cup of water to get the pills down with. Ashley took them and then looked around, almost nervously.
"Alex?" she asked softly. "Can um, will you stay by me on the plane please?" she asked.
"Yes, I will," Alex smiled and with that she helped Ashley into the wheelchair, so she could be discharged.
"There she is," Rossi smiled when he entered the room. "Where's everyone else?"
"Derek went to make sure the discharge papers were completed and Emily is in there with Spencer," she said pointing to the bathroom.
"He okay?"
"Nausea," Alex said, "which we've been assured is normal. We do have to watch them both on the plane though. We're on the lookout for migraines and excessive vomiting," she said.
"I'm going to be optimistic and say everything is going to be fine," he said and then he looked at Ashley. "Right kid?" he smiled at her and she gave him a thumbs up and a tight smile. She had a headache already, but didn't want to say anything about it. "It's a team of profilers kiddo, just be honest with us," Dave reminded her and she nodded at him, giving a more genuine smile.
In the bathroom there was the clear sound of someone throwing up and Ashley jerked a bit in her seat. "Can you handle that?" Dave asked Alex.
"No, I'm almost as sympathetic as she is," Alex answered.
"You two go wait in the hall then," he said and he ushered them out of the room, Alex pushing Ashley while he knocked on the bathroom door and then entered. He saw Spencer hovered over the toilet, while Emily rubbed his back for him and tried to sooth him as best she could. He was covered in bruises and it didn't help his case that he was one of the two youngest agents on the team. It sometimes made it hard for the others not to dote on him when he was this injured. "Can I help?" Dave asked as Spencer carefully rolled away from the toilet and leaned against the wall.
"If you can stop the vomiting," he panted and Emily got a few paper towels wetting them and then going to wipe at Spencer's neck and brow.
"Emily," he complained, weakly pushing her hand away from his face.
"Would you like to do it yourself?" she asked him, offering him the wet towels and he scowled at her. "So then, let me help you. I've had my share of bruises and concussions. I also have had food poisoning in the past, that included a lot of time spent at my toilet, I know you're not comfortable from all that vomiting," she told him.
"What did the doctor say about that?" Dave asked.
"I'm not telling him," Spencer said.
"If you want to get on the plane without too much fuss or concern, I'd be quiet. Let Emily tend to you and I will be back after I talk to your doctor," Dave said sternly.
"Hey wait!" Emily called after him. "Ashley?" she asked.
"Headed to the exit, via wheelchair, with Blake," he said.
"Would you prefer her over me?" Emily asked Spencer seriously.
"I'm not mad at you," he said honestly.
"Yes, but you're fighting me, maybe you'll fight less with Blake," she said and before Spencer could answer, he rolled quickly toward the toilet and threw up again.
"I'll get you some electrolytes and instructions from the doctor," Dave said and he left while Spencer groaned and hurled a second time.
Emily rubbed his back and stood up. "I'm going to get you a change of clothes from your go bag," she said, but he quickly grabbed her leg as tightly as he could. "Okay, okay," she assured him and she sat back down on the shower seat, simply rubbing his back while he continued to hover and occasionally vomit.
"He really was cleared to fly right?" Penelope asked worriedly as she sat on the plane next to the window and Dave slid in next to her, sending she was nervous.
"He really was cleared to fly. I checked with the doctor myself," Dave assured her and Derek moved on board with a case of coconut water to help both Ashley and Spencer.
"Have some Mama," he said handing one to Penelope.
"I wasn't injured," she said making a face at him.
"It'll help calm your nerves. Trust me, none of us would be taking this flight if we thought it wasn't even a little bit safe. That and Blake and Prentiss are watching them like hawks," he said.
"As are you, big brother," Dave teased him.
"I can walk," they heard Ashley complain as she got on.
"No one said you couldn't," Alex said. "Hold on to the seat backs and lay down on the couch. Spencer needs to sit up," she said seriously.
"Alex I really think," Ashley started and one look from Alex, followed by a look from both JJ and Will, Ashley smartly shut up, turned around and got on the plane. She went to the seat where she could stretch out and Alex moved to sit next to her. Will tossed her a pillow, which she put on her lap and Ashley laid down. Will and JJ took the single seats across from them, simply watching Alex and Ashley carefully.
Emily was next on the plane and she wasn't moving quickly, because there was a hand on her shoulder, so she could lead Spencer slowly. Aaron was directly behind Spencer, both of them guiding him carefully. He took a seat and Derek slid in next to him, while Aaron and Emily sat across from them. "Talk to me kid," Derek encouraged.
"I really hope someone has barf bags," Spencer offered.
At the mention of that, Penelope went tense and Dave spoke gently to her. "You are worrying too much," he told her kindly and then he offered her a hand, palm up.
"Thank you sir," she smiled and she took his hand and squeezed it before leaning her head on his shoulder.
"Six hours before we get home and there are enough parental figures on this flight, that if nothing else, we're going to get an interesting show," he said kindly.
"Did you just lump me into the children section with the concussions?" she asked him, never taking her head off his shoulder, but smiling as he spoke kindly to her.
"Not at all. You are the very kind, very worried, big sister type, who wants to help and also knows when to stay out of the way," he assured her. She smiled and very quickly the plane took off.
Ashley moaned as the noise of the jet got to her and the motion wasn't helping at all. "On your back sweetheart," Alex told her lovingly and very slowly, Ashley rolled on her back and looked up at Alex, with tears in her eyes. "Shhh, you can focus on me if you want, just breathe slowly, as soon as it levels off, you'll be okay," she assured her as she pet her hairline and did what she could to help sooth Ashley's nerves. Ashley held out for most of the ascent, but then started to panic.
"Ah, ah, ah, take a breath, look at me, you're safe," JJ said moving to sit on the floor, next to her while Alex continued to pet her face and coach her in breathing, and Will went to grab one of the coconut waters Derek had brought on with him.
Across the way, Spencer was watching, and his eyes were fighting to stay awake and both Emily and Aaron did catch it. "Derek," Emily said softly and she flicked her eyes to Spencer.
"Come on pretty boy, Mom and Dad are panicked and you look ready to fall over," Derek said kindly. "We're leveled off, stand up for me," Derek said and with help from Aaron and Emily, Spencer stood up and Derek shifted. He stretched out on the seat and opened his legs, so Spencer could sit between them. He sat down, with his back against Derek's chest and then he breathed steadily and carefully while Derek wrapped his arms around Spencer's waist to keep him steady. "Now you won't fall and they'll calm down."
"I'll be calmer when you drink more coconut water," Emily mentioned.
"I have that covered," Aaron said and he carefully tipped the bottle to Spencer's lips. He took a few sips and then fully relaxed against Derek, getting ready to fall asleep for the six hour flight.
He calmed quickly and Emily looked over to see Ashley still struggling, so she gently tapped Will's shoulder and switched places with him, so that she, Alex, and JJ were all fussing over Ashley who seemed more panic stricken than she should be. "Ashley," Emily said gently, drawing her attention completely and JJ and Alex continued to play with her hair. "We are your family, you can rely on us, and you need to know, we have your back. It's okay to sleep and truly rest," Emily offered. Ashley nodded and Alex gently wiped away her small tears. "Rest. Your family has you. I promise," she said and minutes later Ashley was asleep.
"Hear that kitten?" Dave asked softly, as he and Penelope were still sitting together, her head still on his shoulder. "Family."
"Thank God," she grinned.