Paranoia - s.reid

Back and Better Than Ever

It was the last day of school, and the Reid's had kissed their children goodbye, allowing them to carpool with JJ and Hotch along with their children instead this morning.

The couple were relishing in the slow morning they had, not having any kids to pack up considering it was JJ's job that day. "Maybe we should take your mom to Paris." Liz suggested, running her hand through her husband's hair.

"I think she'd like that."

Message from JJ to The BAU Groupchat:
Hotch has been arrested. Can't explain, with the kids.

"Oh god. Okay. I'm going to call an old colleague and get my license reactivated." She scrambled for her phone.

-----

Liz, Spencer, Rossi, Garcia and Tara had been discussing the bizarre arrest of their unit chief, Spencer and Liz's face attempting a large smile when their children walked in. "Hey, guys!"

"Hi, dad." Diana accepted her father's embrace, squealing when he picked her up, spinning her around.

Lyle kissed his mother's cheek. "We're hanging out here today." He grinned.

"That's great, baby. Hey, Jack. How are you doing?"

The boy had a deep frown etched on his face. "Can I go to my dad's office?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Will, there's a bunch of toys and coloring stuff in my office if they need it." Liz nodded at the man as he thanked her, escorting the kids out. She sighed, looking at her colleagues. "My license just got reactivated, I can be his lawyer if it goes to court. How much did they see?"

JJ pursed her lips. "All of it. Which is why I figured this is the safest place to bring them."

"Just got word. He's downtown."

Liz rushed to her office, kissing all four of her children goodbye before rapidly jumping into the nearest SUV, skidding out of the parking lot and making it downtown in no time. She parked just in time to see Aaron, two men on either side of him. With a huff, the agent opened the door, ducking her head out of the car, getting out. "Hey! That's the BAU unit chief. You've made a mistake!"

Aaron called out, a stern expression. "Elizabeth. Tell Jack I'm okay."

"Aaron, what's going on?" That's when she saw the logo on the car. The DOJ. Oh, how she hated the DOJ.

It didn't take long for her to follow them back to their offices, fuming once she got to the reception. "I need Aaron Hotchner, he's just been wrongfully arrested. Supervisory Special Agent Elizabeth Reid."

"You can't come in, ma'am."

"I'm his lawyer!" The receptionist still refused. "I swear to god, if you don't let me in, your job will be gone by tomorrow. I know a lot of people."

Seemed like threats, no matter how low they were, worked. She made her way through the halls, swinging the door open to see her unit chief and another man. "Step away from my client, Mr. Ritchie."

"Your client hasn't even asked why he's here."

Liz clenched her first. "It doesn't matter. It's either a mistake or he's being framed."

"This came in today at 7:23am."

"911. What is your emergency? Hello? 911. Is anyone there?"

It was Aaron's voice. "Today will change everything."

"I'm sorry, sir. Will you repeat that, please?"