Chapter 13

Three months had passed since the takedown of the Akhter sisters and the rescue of Jennifer Strauss-Jareau. Due to the ongoing senate investigation, they had all been forbidden to contact each other; those capable of work were placed around Quantico in other departments. Those under investigation had been suspended and occasionally dragged into the J. Edgar Hoover building in DC for further questioning.

"There you go, sweetheart," Erin smiled as she finished pinning up her wife's right jacket sleeve.

Jennifer refused to use the horrible mannequin-style fake hand she had been issued while waiting for her innovative hand to be fitted. Erin and Elizabeth had suggested playing on her missing hand. But JJ refused. She didn't want their sympathy.

"Ready, Jennifer?" Asked Elizabeth, who was using her senatorial privilege to attend the hearing

"Yeah," she smiled and kissed Erin.

EJ

"Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer Strauss-Jareau, I have read your statement, and this committee confirmed the validity of your claims. Do you wish to address this committee?" the chairwoman asked.

"No, Ma'am, I stand by my statement. I am aware of the ramifications of my actions, and I am willing to accept the recommendations of this committee," Answered JJ

"Very well, I am genuinely sorry for the severe injury you sustained during your ordeal, Agent Strauss-Jareau. Your actions have caused considerable damage to the FBI's reputation within the law enforcement community. We have considered your exemplary service to your country and what you achieved, making America safe from terrorist atrocities. Your actions in this matter could not be overlooked; you willingly falsified official documents and repeatedly lied to your superiors. We have considered the activities of the former Assistant Director Barnes in this matter. We understand why you did what you did to protect your family. Fidelity and Integrity encompass the core principles of the Bureau, the fundamental tenets your fellow agents proudly work toward, achieving their goals without damaging the careers of others. Your manipulation has caused damage to the reputation of the Bureau …[Sigh}. This committee finds you guilty of your actions. I have no option but to instantly terminate you from the FBI in recognition of your service to this country; you are charged with the lesser offence of misconduct in public office. With a recommendation of 15 years in USDB Leavenworth, parole in 11. due to the sensitivity of this case, it has been classified. Officer, take Mrs Strauss-Jareau into custardy," ordered the chairwoman.

Jennifer smiled at Elizabeth as she held her left hand out to the approaching officer. Looking ashamed, he fastened his cuff around the offered wrist and then his wrist, "Sorry about this, Agent Strauss-Jareau," Whispered the officer.

Elizabeth watched as she was led from the hearing room by a side door, not wishing anyone to notice a handcuffed, one-handed woman being shown from the senate hearing. She smiled as Jennifer glanced back. Elizabeth nodded at her blonde friend, understanding the look she had received from the departing woman. She would tell Erin and Yasmin that the case being classified by Jennifer Strauss-Jareau would disappear.

EJ

For the first time in three months, what was left of the team sat around the table to find out what happened at the senate hearing. The agents had been told to meet here at 11:00. The bureau had been tight-lipped about the hearing outcome.

Reid sat holding Ashley's hand, her wedding ring resplendent on her finger. Following a heated lambasting from Ashley over his recent actions, their make-up weekend left Ashley Seaver-Reid with twins growing in her womb; the future genius would be identical baby girls. They were so delighted with the news that Reid instantly asked Ashley to marry him.

"Reid, do you know you're glowing just like your wife," smirked Rossi

"Wow, fatherhood looks good on you, Reid; very scandalous," laughed Garcia as she watched the usually reticent genius lean in and kiss his new wife gently on her lips.

"Hotch! Nice to see you, man," Smiled Morgan as he watched Hotch walk through the door.

"Congratulations, Ashley, Spencer," Hotch smiled

"Do you know what is happening?" Morgan asked

"Yes, we need to wait for the others. They should be here soon," Hotch announced, taking his seat.

A few moments later, Senator Prentiss and the newly promoted Executive assistant director of the training division, Erin Strauss-Jareau, walked into the conference room. Both women walked to the front of the seated group.

"You are all fully reinstated and returned to the Behavioral Analysis Unit with immediate effect, and the Senate select committee has been concluded. The director has implemented all recommendations made by the committee. SSA Hotchner has been promoted to BAU section chief. SSA Morgan, you will take temporary charge of the team until SSA Prentiss returns from her temporary assignment." Erin told her old team of profilers.

The profilers quickly saw sadness in her eyes as she talked to them. With the bureau forbidding any contact between team members, this was the first time they had seen each other, and the noticeable absence of Jennifer combined with her wife's evident sadness. It made them a little concerned about their blonde friend. Noticing Penelope was about to ask about her friend, Hotch held his hand up to stop her from asking her question.

"Senator, Ma'am, I will continue with proceedings. I am sure you have much to do with your new position," announced Hotch, providing her with an easy way out from Garcia's probing inquiries.

"Thank you, SSA Hotchner," Smiled Erin Strauss-Jareau, thankful for the reprieve from questions about Jennifer.

Senator Prentiss nodded her thanks as she walked out of the room.

He waited for the two ladies to leave before positioning himself in front of his team.

The ordinary stoic man stood before his teammates and friends, sadness on his face, tears threatening to tumble; he took a deep breath to steady himself.

"Jennifer told the select committee that she fabricated evidence and gave misleading statements to help her manipulate FBI personnel to gain an advantage. With her admission of guilt, the FBI has cleared me of any wrongdoing. She took the blame for Emily's actions that caused her demotion; she incited the altercation." he hesitated before beginning again. " The committee accepted her confession; everything checked out. She accepted the recommendations of the committee. She was charged with misconduct in public office and sentenced to 15 years in USDB Leavenworth, parole in 11. For obvious reasons, this case has been classified. Senator Prentiss cleared you all so we could tell you what Jennifer did; she fell on her sword to save this team. I think it is her apology for what she put us all through. With Barnes escaping custody, they needed a sacrificial goat, which would have been me," he told the shocked team.

"How did Emster take this?" Garcia asked

"I would hazard a guess at not very well," Morgan announced, unsure how he felt.

"She wouldn't be stupid enough to try and break her out of Leavenworth? would she?" Asked Rossi, looking a little dumbfounded at his sudden revelation.

His comment caused the room to descend into silence as everyone present pondered Rossi's last comment. Hotch pulled out his cell phone and sent Senator Prentiss a quick text asking if she knew where Emily was TDY.

A smile appeared on his face as he read the response from the senator.

' Don't worry, she isn't in the States. I have warned her about doing anything ridiculous concerning Jennifer. She knows I will not help her if she decides to help Jennifer escape Leavenworth. Even my stubborn daughter can't be that stupid. She should be stateside next week.' read the senator's response

"What does this mean for our team?" Asked Garcia hesitantly

Hotch paused before answering, and he took a deep breath, knowing they wouldn't like his answer." The team will lose their media liaison. All team members will carry out the media duties as directed by individual team leaders. The liaison spot will be replaced by another agent who will take charge of all tactical aspects. They will not be a profiler." Hotch paused as he noticed Morgan was getting a little agitated.

"No, they can't do that." Commented an annoyed Morgan

Hotch held his hand up to stop Morgan. "It's a done deal; Derek, the Director, has signed off on it. All ten teams are losing their media liaison." Answered Hotch

Morgan stopped himself from biting Hotch's head off. He knew it wasn't his doing. He was following orders.

Hotch knew the next item would likely upset everyone. "The behavioural analysis unit has been placed under Senate oversight. They will have day-to-day oversight of each unit here at Quantico…." Hotch was interrupted mid-sentence by disapproving comments from everyone. He held his hand up to stop everyone before things started to get out of hand. "The Senate will appoint someone to oversee the behavioural analysis unit. The damage caused to the bureau by this incident has caused significant damage to the reputation of this unit. The director and president want this addressed as soon as possible. We are on a tight leash; I am the temporary acting unit chief for six months." He told the team.

"When does this overseer arrive, and what's their name?" Asked Garcia. The whole team knew Penelope wanted to look into this new troublemaker.

"The president and head of the select committee are currently interviewing for the spot. The director expects them to be in place next week: Penelope, no checking up on the shortlisted candidates." Warned Hotch

EJ

Zehira looked across at Emily as they returned from Israel after ensuring Linda Barnes successfully started her mission.

"Are you sure about this?" Asked Zehira

Emily nodded and smiled at her new friend. "Yeah, she didn't need to do that; why?" Muttered Emily, still annoyed at her blonde friend for falling on her sword to atone for her sins

"That's Zaba, selfless, and she would do anything for her family. Like, spend 15 years behind bars. Elizabeth won't be able to help you with this. You will be all alone. No one will touch you with a barge pole," She warned her friend. Scrunching up her letter and tossing it onto the empty seat

"What?" Asked Emily

Zehira smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "Looks like this will be a short job as a specialist on your BAU team." She smirked. "I want the top bunk, your my prison bitch if this all goes pair shaped. I haven't been to Kansas before." She laughed

"Time for a little detour. Last chance to say no," warned Emily.

Zahira shook her head, picked up the handset and instructed the pilot to change course.