Paranoia - s.reid

Body Count

"Superior Court of Virginia. In the matter of People of the State of Virginia versus Rosa Bundy, case number 127-cr 3381. We the jury in above-entitled action find the defendant Rosa Bundy not guilty."

Liz couldn't help the smile that etched itself on her face as Rose enveloped her in a hug. Her eyes remained on Juror number 1 as she mouthed a 'Thank you'.

Carole had arrived with Diana and Lyle once everyone exited the courtroom. The parents were reunited with their children. "Okay, I'm gonna go start the car. Stay with mommy, okay?"

"Okay, daddy." Both children chorused. Liz picked up Lyle, grunting slightly at how big her child has gotten.

"Alright, we're out to celebrate! Where should we go?"

Diana gasped. "Ice cream?" 

The woman pretended to ponder. "How about ice cream and McDonald's?" The little girl vigorously nodded, Liz's smile faltering when Mike walked over. "Hey." She cradled Lyle closer, holding Diana's hand and bringing her closer, too.

Mike held his hands up in surrender. "No more war, I'm glad you won. She doesn't deserve to be put away for something she didn't do." They exchanged smiles and thanks. "Are these your kids?"

"Yeah. This is Diana, she's turning 4 . And Lyle, he's 2." After Mike had a brief discussion about ice cream with the kids, he looked back up at Liz.

"Congratulations."

-----

Rossi's dinner party in celebration of the BAU's latest win on a case in Detroit, Michigan was in full swing. The old man stood with Liz as she observed her husband having a playful conversation with their children. "I'm quitting." She blurted.

"What?"

"Come on, David, don't act like you don't know we're being watched right now." Liz grit her teeth.

"Is that why you're quitting?"

"I don't know how much more I can take. The travelling, and the targeting. The replicator is targeting us, Marceau Boucher targeted me, the fisher king, Ian Doyle,"

Rossi was quick to interrupt. "Ian Doyle didn't target you because you were in the BAU."

"Does that make a difference? My sister was accused of murder, David. My sister. Who's next? My mother?"

"You got your sister out of that situation, didn't you?" She nodded. "I'm going to be honest with you, bella. The targeting doesn't stop even when you leave the BAU. If you leave and one of your family get targeted, you can't be there to help."

"So you're telling me the only reason the BAU is good is because I can save the day?"

"Exactly. Now come on, let's dance."

After putting the toddlers to bed, Liz and Spencer regrouped in their bedroom, each preparing themselves for bed. "Can we talk?" She shuddered.

"About?" Spencer's voice was more of a whisper.

She inhaled. "It's been 5 months since Maeve." She winced, he tried not to. "We've been okay for 2 months."

"But?"

"This isn't just the honeymoon phase, right? This isn't going to be over in a little while, and we either get bored of each other or go back to the way we were?"

He furrowed his eyebrows, taking her hand in his. "Of course, not. Why would you ask that?"

"I don't want a divorce." Liz cried, breaking down into sobs. "I'm sorry, I have no idea where all of this emotion is coming from."