Change My Mind ~ Criminal Minds (Aaron Hotchner x OC)

46.0: Before I Hit The Ground and Fall

A/N: Continuation of 6x16 Coda 

"If you want to change attitudes, start with a change in behavior."
― Katherine Hepburn

Rossi had called stating that the figured out that the "L" wasn't really an "L", it was Sammy trying to communicate with them.

"Sammy learns through symbols, he's been trying to communicate through symbols."

Sammy was trying to tell them the time he met the unsub, the "L" was actually representing 3:00 P.M which was the time that he was at his parents store.

They had went to the store where Reid figured out that the unsub was a delivery man who had shown up at 3:00 P.M on the surveillance cameras, Sammy had I.D'd the unsub and now they needed to find him. Garcia was on the other line now trying to find the man's identity, and she had found it.

"Former fisherman turned part-time deliveryman, saddled with more debt than he and his recently removed sons could sustain, including a foreclosing house and a defaulted boat loan. Why didn't you just tell me that you were looking for Bill Thomas at 1024 Elmwood Avenue?"

"What about his boat?" Crystal asked and Garcia hummed.

"Docked at the marina."

The Sheriff nodded, "We're closer to the house."

"We'll take the boat." Morgan said on the other line before hanging up, Hotch hung up as well and looked at Crystal, Seaver, and Emily. "Let's go."

___

When they arrived at the house they exited the car as officers stood by the front door, Hotch walked up to the front door. "FBI!" The officers kicked open the door after there was no answer, Crystal and Emily walked in after Hotch as the officers followed clearing each room. Crystal sighed as she shook her head, "No one."

They walked back outside and Hotch called Morgan, "Morgan, he's not here." Hotch walked to the SUV with Crystal and Emily not far behind, he turned to look at them as he hung up. "He's at the boat."

___

They sat on the jet after wrapping up the case, apparently Alison had shot Bill. She was reunited with Sammy who had given her a hug and Lizzie who mourned the loss of her brother, Charlie was dead at the scene.

Crystal had her head rested against Hotch's shoulder, "What's on your mind Archer?" Crystal hummed as she kept her eyes closed, "What do you mean Hotch?"

"I can feel you thinking."

"You can, can you?" Crystal smiled as she looked up at him, he turned to her with a small smile and moved her hair out of her face. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing really, just sad that Sammy won't be able to see his dad anymore." It was half the truth, she was also really worried about Emily. Crystal suppressed a laugh as Hotch gently booped her nose, "You okay?"

"Yeah, yeah I'm okay." Crystal answered and she was telling the truth, "Wanna have ice cream tonight?"

"Sounds like a plan, come over to my apartment?"

"What flavor ice cream do you have?" Crystal asked as she snuggled into Hotch's shoulder as he put his blazar on her, "I still have the homemade Caramel one you gave me."

"Then your house it is."

___

Crystal smiled as she and Hotch walked into his apartment, Hotch put his briefcase on the couch. "I'll be back, Jack's already asleep and Jess went home for the night."