Paranoia - s.reid

Destined

A few hours earlier...

"Scatch has resurfaced again, this time at Jack's school. Which is why Hotch and Jack have now entered the program."

Liz gasped, hand flying to her mouth. "Witness protection?" Rossi nodded sorrowfully. She shook her head. "I can't do this." Within minutes she'd deputed to the confines of her office, tears flowing freely. Spencer emerged, immediately taking her into his arms.

"It's okay. It'll be okay." He chanted.

Present time.

Liz had left the house in a hurry when Penelope had called her, meeting her and Matt Simmons at the office before getting into a nearby SUV. The blonde had chose to sit in the back while Matt drove and she angrily yelled into the phone.

"Correct, Elizabeth Ann Reid. Supervisory Special Agent for the BAU, badge number 1104rc6. I am with the international response team Special Agent Matt Simmons and technical analyst Penelope Garcia. Yeah. I know, but SSA Spencer Reid hasn't been reinstated yet! Oh, my god, I know this is protocol, but you need to stop asking me questions and send backup to the coordinates I just gave you right now, please!" Matt slammed the brake, tired screeching before a sight. "And medical, lots of medical." Liz's mouth fell open at the two smoking SUVs.

The group of three were quick to exit their car, the brunette instantly running towards her father. "Dad, what happened?" She pulled his arm around her shoulder, supporting him.

Rossi accepted the help gratefully. "Jag-off ambushed us, didn't even see it coming."

"Alright, we need to get you off the leg." 

"I'm fine, I'm fine. I'll flag down the cavalry. You go check on the team." S

he nodded, rushing towards a distressed JJ and Alvez. "I can't see." She announced, clutching her head. 

"It's okay, Jen. I'm here, Alvez is going to help, okay?" Liz reassured, eyes landing on a certain figure in the car that hadn't moved. She cocked her head in trepidation, approaching him. "Stephen?"

The agent let out a choked sob, her attention not drifting even when Matt called her. Luke softly gripped her arm. "He's gone." After a faint nod, they made their way over to Tara and Matt, kneeling down next to her.

"I think you're going into shock, Tara." Her voice was slightly scratchy from the held back tears. 

Helping her was a blur until the ambulances came, Liz informing them of everything. "We have 6 agents who are..." She gestured to her colleagues, eyes widening. "Where's Emily?"

------

"Rose! Help!" She called out, entering the hospital with JJ and Rossi being carried on stretchers. Rose was quick, instantly tending to them while Liz swiftly greeted her husband.

"The kids are in bed, security alarm and everything's on."

They both went to sit down with JJ. "I need to call Will."

"I did, he's on the way. I've also called Monica," She cleared her throat. "to tell her about Stephen."

Luke entered the small space. "Rossi's refusing treatment until he speaks to you." He glanced between the couple.

Sharing last looks of assurance, the two of them found themselves questioning a bed ridden Rossi. "Shut up and listen, alright? First, you, go through my pants pockets and find my keys." Liz did as told, reaching for the trousers. "Second, you, you're back on the team."

"Not sure I should be. Has the director approved that?"

"I'm making the calls now. I'll take the heat, you're back on the team. There's a little key there to a file cabinet in my office. Inside, there's Chicago Bears season tickets. When you get them, you call Matt Simmons. I promised him those tickets."