Somebody's Watching, Somebody's Waiting - Part 13
Title: Somebody’s Watching, Somebody’s Waiting
Fandom: Criminal Minds
Pairing: Jennifer Jareau/Maggie Lowe
Disclaimer: Criminal Minds is property of CBS and I don’t own anything.
Rating: PG
Summary/Spoilers: This is a retelling of the episode ‘Somebody’s Watching’. The BAU team is on the hunt for a killer stalking an actress. Meanwhile Jennifer Jareau begins dating the actress’s best friend, unaware she’s the stalker they’re searching for. Yeah that’s right I just revealed the ending of the episode, but it’s not possible to write this story without revealing it anyway. Numerous story revelations are revealed.
A/N: This episode not only had two women I really like (A.J. Cook and Katheryn Winnick) together, but the first portrayal of gay characters on Criminal Minds, with Katheryn being one of them. It had so many things going for it, but instead it was disappointing. A.J. and Katheryn’s screen time was minimal, they never appeared onscreen together, and the gay portrayals were terrible. Ironically Maggie Lowe is probably still the best portrayed gay character on the series. So I decided to write this episode the way it should’ve gone. Oh and that “lesbian” crushing on Gideon earlier in the episode because he reminded her of her dad? That scene alone warrants her getting erased from the story.
A/N 2: Special thanks to my beta talos13
Part 13
Thursday; many days have gone by since the BAU team was assigned to help with the case. Too many days in fact, that Hotchner receives a call from Detective Owen Kim, asking if he can have a meeting with the team. So in the middle of the afternoon, all the members of the profiling team leave the studio lot and return back to the police station.
The team’s gathered at the bullpen with a number of other detectives and officers; some seated behind a desk, some sitting on a desk, some standing, all facing Owen. “Thanks for coming. I called you all in because there’s something I’m noticing,” the detective gets to the point. “When I first asked for the BAU’s help on this case, they were informing us about the stalker’s behaviour and all that. One thing that seems to have been made pretty clear was that his obsession with Lila Archer was progressing. That’s why I had to make sure with my lieutenants that my mind isn’t playing tricks on me.” Owen takes a pause, “There hasn’t been any activity from this guy in over a week now.”
“The stalker has pretty much disappeared on us. He’s doing the exact opposite of the profile given,” Owen emphasizes. “How is this possible?”
Reid thinks about it and comes up with an explanation, “Maybe not.”
“What do you mean?” questions the detective.
“Well the profile for Erotomaniac stalkers is that once they reach their peak, they’ll either take the life of their obsession or their own,” Spencer answers. “Maybe the unsub reached his peak during the period Lila was in the safe house, and being unable to find her, he took his own life.”
“That’s a possibility,” Owen responds.
“If the stalker is dead, it could take weeks before anyone notices the smell of the corpse to report in a suicide,” one of the officers comments. “And that is assuming he didn’t take his own life somewhere outside.”
“That’s the trouble with the theory,” Owen remarks. “Having to find a dead body then prove we have our man. Well assuming this guy is alive and well, what other possibilities are there?”
“Maybe he’s sticking to a pattern?” suggests Elle. “His first victim: Wally Melman was killed months ago; Natalie Ryan was killed recently. Maybe Lila’s manager Michael Ryer wasn’t an intended victim, just someone who got in the way.”
“If he’s sticking to a pattern and is in more control than we think; even considering his progression, could be weeks before he goes after another victim,” informs Hotchner.
“But then that still leaves the question why he hasn’t sent anything to Lila recently,” Gideon adds.
“Lila did say the only recurring thing she receives from him are red Anemones once every month,” reminds Elle.
Owen has a suggestion, “Miss Archer does get a lot of fan mail, is it possible the stalker is sending her letters through there?”
“Not likely,” Gideon answers. “The unsub would want to let Lila know it’s him, not remain anonymous among the crowd.”
Owen nods, “Anyone else?”
“I know another possibility,” Derek suggests. “I think it might be that paparazzo Martinez. He knows we’re watching him, so he’s staying on the down low until he thinks it’s safe enough to resurface. And considering how much he’s spied on Lila, I don’t think it would be any surprise if he saw Miss Archer purchase red Anemones and assume that’s her favourite flowers.”
“Anyone want to fill the rest of us in on Joe Martinez’s activities since we arrested the guy?” Owen says.
“Everything normal, or as normal as you can get for a photog,” instructs one of the other detectives. “He waits for long periods of time at a place he hears someone famous is at, then snaps their pictures every chance he gets. As for Lila Archer; he hasn’t been anywhere near the studios or Miss Archer’s home.”
“All of these are scenarios which could take a long time to figure out.” Owen stares at Hotch and Gideon, “You know I read your profiles and about the success of your previous cases. Your team usually solve these things in a few days, what’s taking this one so long?”
“Many of our past cases took place in smaller towns where it was easier to narrow things down,” Spencer blurts out. “The unsubs themselves either tend to be less organized and/or rather active.” He thinks to himself, “They’re surprisingly active now that I think about it.”
Owen with his head down in a defeated kind of manner thinks of other options. “And there are too many motorcycles in the area fitting the model we saw to pinpoint who it might be?”
“Thousands upon thousands sir. This is California after all,” Lieutenant Ford confirms. “That’s not even taking into consideration whether the stalker even got the motorcycle from here; if it might have been originally another colour when purchased; or that he simply didn’t borrow or rent it from somewhere else. Do you know how many vehicles the film and television industry alone rent out in a year?”
“I think we all get the picture Lieutenant Ford,” Owen cuts him off. “What about the calls we received recently? Any of them useful?”
“They didn’t seem very reliable concerning this case,” another officer tells the detective.
“Well, assign some people to go over them again,” instructs Owen. “Look for any possible details that we can use. Just because some of them sound crazy, doesn’t mean one of them can’t be on to something.” The detective sighs, “Well then, everyone continue on what you were doing previously.”
Everyone gets up and begin separating out of the bullpen. Owen rubs his forehead and lets out a moan. “I have a feeling this is going to be one of those murder cases that’s going to take many years to solve,” he says to himself.
“Hold on JJ,” Hotch calls out to the media liaison as people are leaving. “I’m wondering if you can join the others in going over the call details.”
“I can do that,” she tells him not letting her emotions show. “I left something in the car. You mind if I go get it?”
“Not at all,” the senior agent lets her know.
*****
Jennifer strolls outside on the precinct sidewalk; heading towards the FBI issued SVU. She steps inside and closes the door behind her, making sure no one outside can hear. The blonde pulls out her cell phone and dials her girlfriend’s number.
We see Maggie walking through one of the hallways in the studio with envelopes in hand when she feels her cell phone buzz. She takes out her phone and looks at the number. She then turns off and pulls down her headset around her neck before answering the call.
“What’s going on Jennifer?” Maggie answers in an enthusiastic tone.
“Hey Maggie, um look I might not be able come over tonight,” she tells her. “They have me going over a lot of paper work and recordings, and just by the looks of it I’ll be flooded all day.”
“That sucks,” she says bummed out. “After having to restrain ourselves yesterday with your teammate being there, I was hoping we could get cozy tonight.”
“I have an idea,” Jennifer suggests. “Drop by my hotel room if you really miss me. That’s where I’ll be going over the work.”
Maggie raises an eyebrow to the idea, “So which hotel are you staying at?”
“It’s the Beverly Hotel next to North Western Avenue,” she answers. “The address is 6700 Beverly Boulevard. I’m staying at room 507.”
“Should I simply knock on the door to get in?”
“Actually I prefer to give you a spare key so you can sneak on in,” Jennifer replies. “I figure if your best friend can trust you with her house keys, your girlfriend can do the same.”
Maggie smiles at the comment, “Where do I pick up the spare?”
“Ask for it at the front desk. I’ll let them know I’m expecting you. One more thing,” the agent adds.
“What’s that?”
“If you spot black SUVs parked in the front, that means my teammates are there too.”
“I’ll be careful.”
“To help you out; Hotch’s room is on floor 4, Gideon is on 10, Reid is 12, Morgan is 7, Elle should be staying with Lila, but if she decides to return; she’s on floor 9. Thought that will help you avoid contact.”
“I’ll remember that.”
“Love you sweetie,” the agent finishes.
“Love you too, bye,” she says softly.
*****
Nightfall; Maggie is in the living room with Lila, in the actress’s house; both sitting on a couch watching the big screen.
Maggie pats Lila on the arm. The actress faces her friend, “I’m going to...” Maggie gives her a wink-wink kind of look with a small head jerk to the side, “Go now.”
Lila gives a smile letting her friend know she got the message. She leans in and hugs her friend, “Have a good night Mags.”
“You too,” Maggie stands up from the couch and stretches a bit before heading out the door.
Elle soon paces into the room, “Everything alright?”
Lila gives her a smirk, “Yes it is Agent Greenaway.”
“Oh come on,” Elle remarks. “I may not be JJ, but you don’t have to act like I’m a stranger in your home. I could lighten up too.”
“I’m sure you could.”
“Look here,” Elle sits down on one of the couch. “Let’s watch something.”
Lila picks up the remote control, “What do you typically watch at this time on a Thursday?”
“I often choose Law and Order,” the brunette answers.
“Let’s not watch that,” the actress replies.
“Well what do you have in mind?”
A thought pops into her head, “Ever seen a movie called Mean Girls?”
“Heard of it, but never seen it,” the agent answers.
“Good, I have a copy of the movie, let’s watch it.” Lila moves to the front of the room. She grabs the DVD case of the film from the rack next to the DVD player and pops it in. She then returns to her seat.
“Is this film about bullying?” wonders Elle.
“You’ll have to watch and see.”
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Part 14