Chapter 9
Reid and Morgan arrived at the same time, weapons aimed at the
facedown forms of the three females.
"Check on them, Reid. I have you covered," announced Morgan as they ran across
Reid knelt down and carefully checked the neck of the fallen paramedic; pressing his finger onto her neck, he couldn't detect anything. The large exit wound in the back of her skull indicated she was dead.
"Ow, that hurt," moaned Ashley from beneath the deceased paramedic. The collapsing redhead had knocked her over.
"Clear the UnSub is dead. We need medical help now!" yelled Reid over the radio
"The ambulance has just arrived on the scene...BARF," her radio message is suddenly cut off
Arriving at the scene, Emily glimpsed JJ being sick at the side of the SUV, her gun still smoking from being fired. Suddenly feeling the need to rush over to her best friend, she had to fight the urge, showing concern. She was too close to blow it now. Hating herself for what she was about to say, she turned to face Derek, Rossi and Alex Blake as they watched their unit chief throwing up at the side of their SUV. "So much for our illustrious chief," mocked Emily. She blatantly took out her cell phone to take some snapshots of their vomiting leader.
"JJ, it's Martha. I've got you; how are you feeling?" asked the battalion chief
Martha rubbed JJ's back as she finished being sick at the side of her SUV.
"Yeah, I fired my weapon and immediately felt queasy and chucked up everything... Damn concussion," moaned the blonde agent as she dry retched.
Handing the pale agent a bottle of water, Martha noticed the other FBI agents observing their colleague, not a single concerned face amongst the group. Upon seeing Martha looking at them, they turned away.
"Did you shoot a puppy or something? Your team don't seem to like you very much. Not one of them has come over to check on you. You Protected your agents; what is their problem?" Martha asked
"They disagreed with the change in management," JJ replied glibly. "Can I go home now?" she asked.
Martha nodded, "Yeah, after a good night's sleep, Battalion Chief's orders, agent. I will drop you at your hotel. Get some rest while you're still feeling the effects of your minor concussion. I will get someone to tell your team that you have returned to the hotel.
JJ thanked her and strolled away for her lift back to the hotel.
EJ
The following morning, the team assembled at the police station at the request of the police captain. Rossi watched from afar as JJ disappeared into his office. His interest peaked once he noticed his marine friend, Officer Donaldson, called into the office.
"What do you have to say about your actions yesterday, Officer Donaldson?" asked the captain.
Donaldson looked aghast at the captain's presumption that he had done something improper. "I responded to Agent Jareau's request for assistance by the department's standard operating procedure. I issued a call for urgent assistance as requested. Unfortunately, responding units were not close, so the response time was prolonged, Sir," Donaldson replied confidently.
Shaking his head at his officer's response, Captain Babar activated a recording from his iPad and leaned back in his chair to listen.
Recording
"Officer Donaldson, 3-5 precinct, how can I help?"
"Officer Donaldson, this is Supervisory Special Agent Jareau FBI. I need urgent assistance at the corner of State Street and Howard Street. Robbery in progress, three male UnSubs," requested JJ.
"I will dispatch units immediately, agent Jareau. Be careful, ma'am," replied Officer Donaldson. He smiled and made the radio call.
"11-99 FBI agent needs assistance corner of State Street and Howard Street robbery in progress all available units in vicinity respond," he announced
End recording
Chief Babar then brought up the CCTV footage from the precinct, displaying Officer Donaldson receiving Agent Jareau's request for urgent assistance. They watched him make the radio call for help and then smirk. Chief Babar paused the picture, showing the blatant grin on his face.
"Donaldson, Agent Jareau requested urgent assistance with this department while she single-handedly assisted a woman being dragged into an alley for nefarious reasons by three armed perps. You were damn lucky that Supervisory Special Agent Jareau could handle herself; you purposely ordered an 11-99. I want your shield and gun. You're suspended until the internal affairs investigation has been completed. We don't render slow rolls for assistance to anyone anymore. That's old school and dangerous; you're damn lucky the victim and Agent Jareau didn't get severely injured or killed. You're not a marine anymore," Chief Babar told his crestfallen officer.
Donaldson glared at JJ as he stepped forward to place his weapon on his boss's desk and unfasten his shield from his blue uniform shirt. JJ channelled her wife and gave the officer her best boss bitch glare as he walked past her.
"Agent Jareau, I would like to apologise to you on behalf of the Manchester police department; Officer Donaldson's actions were inappropriate and dangerous. Thank you for your assistance, JJ. Rest assured, by the time I am finished with him, he will find it difficult to find a job anywhere in law enforcement or security. Please pass my thanks on to your team," Chief Babar smiled as he shook the blonde agent's hand.
With the team's work, JJ walked out to the team.
"Time to go back to Quantico, SSA Rossi; a word, please," she told the assembled agents.
She watched the others slowly file out to the SUV. After they had all departed, she turned to face Rossi.
"Pleased, Dave? You are going home by yourself. Your new vehicle is outside," she smirked as she handed the scowling man the keys to his new vehicle.
Laughing, she had arranged for Rossi to drive back to Quantico in a compact electric car. Being slightly spiteful, she had the fuse for the multimedia system in her pocket after removing them from the rental car.
"Enjoy your slow and boring drive home, David Rossi," she said.
EJ
Linda Barnes finished reading the transfer paperwork for Ashley Seaver and grinned as she put her copies through the shredder beside her desk. All traces would be tossed into the incinerator later today. Perfect evidence clean up. She smiled to herself as she read her incoming text message.
'Parking lot, Viking bowling alley Woodbridge 20:00 tonight.'
A delighted woman leaned back in her executive chair, her plan almost complete. Pleased she had managed to keep Dr Reid oblivious to her master plan, discovering his relationship with Seaver was exceptionally fortunate. She would use her transfer to Alaska as a dangling carrot. If he continued to play ball and do as she instructed, she would make him believe she would return her to the BAU. The naivety of the genius amazed her; with his genius IQ, he was so easily manipulated by her that she was sure he would have to be told by the others that he had been deceived. Still, by the time the brainiac finally realised she would be long gone.
Checking the time, Barnes opened her private laptop and logged onto her offshore bank to transfer some funds for the final phase of her scheme. Pleased she sent a message to her bakery message board
' Batch of deviled eggs have chilled for your consumption at your celebration. I am sure you will enjoy it and would love snapshots of your feast. The dessert will be available on request.'
Barnes checked the time calculation of how long she needed to allow her trip out to the bowling alley; she decided to have something to eat before she drove to Woodbridge.
EJ
Reid informed Emily to park next to the black Range Rover Sport in the Viking bowling alley parking lot. The journey to the meeting was made in a very uncomfortable silence, both occupants deep in thought. Reid worried about Ashley and her forced transfer to Alaska; he had done everything to protect Ashley and was furious that JJ had found out about their relationship. Her banishing Ashley to Anchorage, Alaska, was like she had ripped out his heart with her sharp claws; he now hated the woman he once loved from afar, too afraid to approach her.
Emily got into the back of the Range Rover and was greeted by a smiling Assistant Director, Linda Barnes.
"Emily Prentiss, this is assistant director Linda Barnes; she wants to help you," Reid handled the introductions.
Emily nodded at the assistant director, deciding to stay silent and allow Barnes to take the lead.
"Emily, thank you for meeting with me. I will get straight to the point, and Spencer, thank you. I want to speak to Emily alone, please. I just found out that Ashley is being transferred to Alaska tomorrow. I will help you return her to Quantico once we remove Jareau from her position." Barnes smiled as she observed Spencer leave her Range Rover. "I think what has been done to you is abhorrent, Emily. It is an absolute abuse of power. I want to help you regain your supervisory status and remove you from probation. I can help you get back at Jennifer Strauss-Jareau if you wish to?" announced Barnes, carefully observing the brunette profiler's face,
Emily must be so meticulous with her expressions that any unguarded lapses could alert Barnes to her deceit. Remembering the bombshell Erin had dropped on her in her mother's office, she channelled her inner drama queen, as JJ had labelled it after her dramatic meltdown over being dumped by her boyfriend because she was too demanding.
'Darling, I would like to introduce my best friend, Erin Strauss-Jareau and her daughter, Yasmin Strauss-Jareau.' She recalled the shocked announcement of her mother introducing Strauss as Jennifer's wife. She stopped her mind from wandering to the joy she felt meeting Yasmin. She started to picture a naked Jennifer Jareau intertwined with a nude and sweaty Erin Strauss, engaged very enthusiastically, pleasuring each other while she watched. A cold shudder descended her spine. A look of absolute horror appeared on Emily's face. Barnes noticed the shock on the brunette's face after her announcement.
"What are you talking about? Are you lying to me? There is no way Jennifer is married to Erin Strauss. She is not gay," Emily announced, shocked, going with her gut feelings.
Smirking, Barnes handed her cell phone to Emily. A picture of a bikini-clad Erin Strauss kissing JJ on the beach was displayed on the screen. Emily flicked through the photographs, all showing Erin and JJ together. Emily hid her joy from Barnes as she looked at her best friend and wife. It was apparent to Emily that the two women adored each other with the looks of unadulterated love they both had plastered on their faces.
"That was taken during a recent weekend trip to Cancun; coincidentally, I was staying nearby and noticed the two of them kissing on the beach. You see now why she was assigned as the new unit chief after the shocking removal of Hotchner. It helps your significant other be your boss," smiled Barnes as she carefully observed the shocked profiler's face
"Bitch! That two-faced Bitch!" Emily snarled, playing to her audience. "She dares to punish Ashley for breaking the rules she is flaunting with her superior. Talk about sleeping your way to the top." Announced Emily, "Why don't you take this to the director?"
"They are blackmailing me. They tried to get an asset to turn into an informant but fucked up and got him killed. They altered the parameters of the case at the last minute and framed me for the debacle. Trying to save face, I planted some evidence to make the case that they had filmed me planting the evidence. I took responsibility for the success back with my bosses. They are threatening to destroy my career. The director wouldn't believe me. I can't take the chance and could lose everything: my pension and reputation. I only have these pictures; they have me committing a felony on tape," Barnes answered.
Emily listened to a look of horror as Barnes spun her web of lies. She had to be credited for twisting the truth to suit her needs.
'Gotcha,'
Emily thought when she noticed the slight lift of Barnes's lips into a small smile. The assistant director didn't have a perfect poker face.
"What do you need me to do?" Emily asked
"Push her buttons, get her to assault you because of the cameras, and I will make sure the correct people see it. The director will have no choice but to fire her in disgrace, her reputation in tatters. I will use Jareau's predicament over her wife and make her a deal to keep her blonde wife out of prison if she resigns from the FBI. The BAU is yours, Prentiss. We both get what we want," Barnes told her.
"What time scale are we talking about?" enquired Emily
"I will leave that up to you, Emily, but I would prefer if you get it done within the next few weeks,"
"Deal," smiled Emily
EJ
Walking into the bullpen, Emily saw Ashley walking into JJ's office, looking like she was on her way to her execution. She walked over to the remaining team members and stood around Spencer's desk, carefully watching the sad figure as she trudged towards her fateful meeting with Strauss and Freya.
"It's still happening then?" Emily asked aloud to no one in particular
"Yeah, the evil hags have made sure!" announced Rossi, very irritated; he had tried calling in numerous favours that senior members of the FBI owed the old man but to no avail; Strauss and Jareau had crossed all their t's and dotted all their i's. Ashley Seaver transferred to Alaska in the morning.
Placing her hand on Spencer's shoulder, Emily gently squeezed it in support of her troubled friend.
"Bitch! Did you see the smirk she had on her face?" Derek Morgan asked in irritation as he watched JJ close the blinds on her office window, obstructing their view.
EJ
Taking a seat in front of her unit chief's desk, Ashley glared at her superior, not hiding her hate for the woman sending her to Alaska.
"You brought this on yourself, Special Agent Seaver. You contradicted the FBI fraternisation policy. You participated in a personal relationship with a fellow agent on the same team as you, and you failed to notify your immediate superior, namely me or the section chief. You have been charged with gross misconduct, and your punishment for this transgression is immediate transfer to the field office in Anchorage, Alaska. You fly out tomorrow morning at 04:55." she paused and handed over an empty cardboard box with a smirk. "Clear your desk and go home and pack your stuff. You have a lot to do in a few hours, and I'm sure Dr Reid will help when he has finished work tonight as long as he doesn't get a case. I would give him a big kiss before you clear your desk and leave; you might not get the chance again for a long time," JJ said, handing over her transfer paperwork.
"Hand your security passes in at the desk, Agent Seaver; dismissed," announced JJ. She felt horrible as she noticed her friend's tear-filled eyes. Walking to her office door, JJ opened the door and stood back to allow her upset agent to leave.
"Don't forget to arrive two hours early to ensure you pass through airport security promptly. I wouldn't want you to miss your flight, Ashley. You're a good agent; you will enjoy your time in Alaska," smiled JJ.
Walking through the door, Ashley stopped and stepped towards her now-former unit chief. She lost her fight, her tears trickling down her cheeks.
"I hope you are happy now, Ma'am, with no due respect intended; you are one manipulative woman. I feel sorry for any man that falls in love with you. You are one cold-hearted evil crone." yelled a very pissed-off agent, then stormed off to clear her desk.
She watched Ashley storm off towards the other members of the BAU. The team surrounded the upset woman, turning their backs on their unit chief as they comforted their upset friend. Emily starts to pack Ashley's box as Spencer and the other team members are consoling her.
"We will come down with you, Ash," Penelope tells her upset friend.
Drying her eyes, Ashley nods her thanks to Garcia and stands leaning against Spencer; sniffing, she takes a deep breath to help centre herself and starts walking towards the glass doors of the BAU's entrance flanked by the team. Morgan and Rossi glare at JJ as she watches them from the catwalk.
"Are all your consults complete?" asked JJ as she watched everyone accompanying Ashley
"No! We are going to see Ashley off," announced Emily
"No, Special Agent Prentiss, you are not. Agent Seaver is a grown woman and fully trained federal agent who is no longer a unit member. You will all return to your desks and carry on with your work. Analyst Garcia, I am sure you have some searches to run for the team. Might I suggest you return to your lair? I am sure Agent Seaver can carry her cardboard box to her car. Dr Reid, Agents Morgan, Prentiss and Rossi, you are going to Charlottesville to see if their case needs our team. Chief Strauss has volunteered our team to assist." Announced JJ, much to the team's disapproving glares
"Charlottesville? That's 86.8 miles away. It will take us 1hr 57min each way that's..." Spencer Reid stopped unexpectedly, realising he would most likely miss Ashley leaving for the airport. She would have to go around midnight to ensure she got through security with her service weapons promptly, as the TSA is renowned for messing with agents, which makes clearing their checks tiresome and laborious.
"You can't do that!" snapped Emily as she spun around to face her unit chief
"You are one evil troll, Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer Jareau. Is nothing sacrosanct with you? And to think I once called you my friend. What happened to you?" Garcia told her former friend in disgust as the pin-stripped analyst walked away from her, returning to her refuge
"I will take that under advisement, special agent Prentiss. Get back to work, or you can always join Agent Seaver with a matching cardboard box of your choice," smiled JJ, locking eyes with the brunette
Emily glared at her friend for an instant before turning around and returning to her desk to start work. Returning to her office with a vast smile, JJ closed her door, blocking out the noise from the bullpen.
'You are an evil bitch', she muttered to herself,
EJ
Ashley turned off the ignition of her car and burst into tears. And she didn't know how she managed to drive herself home safely without crashing, as she had no memory of the drive from Quantico. Her mind had Jareau on repeat.
'Dr Reid will help when he has finished work tonight as long as he doesn't get a case. I would kiss him before you clear your desk and leave. You might not get the chance again for a very long time,' replayed on a loop in her head with a smirking JJ ordering the team to Charlottesville.
"Bitch! You did that on purpose," she screamed into her steering wheel. "Spencer won't be back in time to see me off at the airport...Bitch!" yelled a furious profiler, trying to decide if she should return to Quantico and shoot the ice queen, a federal penitentiary seemed more inviting at the moment than Alaska.
'Tap...Tap...Tap'
Ashley flinched at the tapping on her car window.
"Hotch?... Senator Prentiss?" asked a shocked agent as she noticed who was tapping her car window.