Paranoia - s.reid

The Scissors

One by one, FBI agents began filing out of the cars. Liz stood outside, watching her boyfriend prepare to go in. "Alright, stay outside. Stay safe. Keep your gun on you. I love you."

"I love you too." They shared a kiss before parting.

5 minutes passed.

10 minutes passed.

15 minutes passed.

20 minutes passed.

Boom. An explosion went off, and Liz bounced on her heels. She debating on going in to see if her team was okay, or to stay outside like she promised. "Fuck it." She muttered, running into the house with her gun up.

She entered, coughing slightly at the smoky atmosphere as Spencer, Hotch and Morgan rushed down the stairs. "Liz, what are you doing? Go outside!"

"No, I'm going to help you get Rebecca and get the hell out of here." Spencer knew they didn't have time. Time spent protesting would be time that could be spent saving Rebecca's life wasted. He nodded, beckoning her down a flight of stairs, opening a door.

Liz was met with quite a scene. Rebecca Bryant sat, chained to her bed. Hair matted, skin dirty, tears cascading down her face as she attempted to unchain her. "He called me Sir Percival."

"Reid, we don't have time."

"Penny, the key!" Liz exclaimed, reaching into his trouser pocket and pulling out the cold metal, inserting it into the lock and releasing Rebecca. Hotch picked her up, the team running out of the room, not waiting to watch it be enveloped in fire.

Liz had a hard time sprinting as her stomach cramped. When the run to the cars had halted, a liquid trickled down her leg. A liquid she chose to ignore because she felt it was nothing bad.

-----

"Elle's out of surgery. She's okay." JJ smiled, watching Liz grin.

"Is Gideon still at the hospital? I need to apologize to him." Her smile faltered slightly at the fresh memory of her screaming at him. "Yeah, he is. How's Rebecca."

"She's in the hospital, but she should be all right. Physically."

"Thank you, everyone. All of you."

"Well, we could have only gone so far without Mrs. Reid." Penelope grinned. The group smiled, dispersing until only Spencer and Liz were left. The two made their way to Diana Reid.

"Diana, she's safe. Rebecca's safe. You helped us save her life." Liz smiled softly, watching the woman write in her journal. "Is it time for lunch, yet?"

"What?"

"I'm lecturing everyone on Tristan and Iseult. They're all gathering in my room after lunch." Liz turned to her boyfriend, watching his small smile. "Can we attend the lecture too?"

"Have you read any of the material?"

"I've had them read to me, I'm sure Ellie can catch up."

"Wonderful. That's the best way, isn't it?"

-----

Liz on a towel in Spencer Reid's apartment, her cheeks wet from tears as she waited for Spencer to return from the flight with his mother to Las Vegas. 

The keys jingled in the door as it opened, revealing a happy Spencer and the dog behind him. "I picked Teddy up from the neighbor." He smiled, his smile dropping when his eyes met hers.

She didn't want to ruin his happiness, but it seems she'd already done that when he saw her tears before his eyes traveled to the bloody towel.

"Ellie?" His voice trembled slightly.