Profile of the Dead 15/?
Title: Profile of the Dead 15/?
Author: tafidadarling
Fandom: Criminal Minds which belongs to CBS.
Pairing(s): Morgan/Reid
Rating: FRM
Summary: Elle was still mourning the loss of Harris who was good at his job. This girl couldn't even make her coffee right, and now Foyet wasn't answering his phone. Hotch gets to take a break while Elle has yet more work to do. Those in Chicago wait.
Warnings: Language definitely. Not really much violence in this chapter. Hints at sexual content.
Notes: This week has been so stressful yet dull. Hopefully something awesome happens today.
Cross posted to bau_fic, cm_slash and morganreid_cm.
Previous Chapters
One / Two / Three / Four / Five / Six / Seven / Eight / Nine / Ten / Eleven / Twelve / Thirteen / Fourteen
Hotchner's eyelids felt like they were made of lead as he struggled to open them. The light from the windows gave him a headache and he went to shield himself with his hand; it hurt to rise it above his head. He tried to remember what happened and then it all came flooding back.
He looked around frantically and surmised that his wounds were bandaged and he was laying on one of the couches on the plane. Several people including the man who had let him into the commune were crowded around him, whispering to each other.
Wait. That man let him in even though Foyet was waiting to kill him. Hotchner attempted to sit up and an excruciating shot of pain went throughout his abdomen.
"He's awake," said one of the people.
"I'll kill you all if you had anything to do with setting me up!"
"Look! That guy came in saying he needed to talk to Gideon just like you," Tobias said. "None of us knew he had killed Gideon until we went in after you ran out injured."
"And why should I trust you?"
"We could have killed you by now," Tobais replied quietly.
"You have a point. I guess I should thank you for helping me."
"You're welcome. Luckily that guy missed all your organs."
"Egotistical prick."
"What?"
"Nothing. Look, I don't want to seem rude, but I have to get going. My friends are in danger."
"Of course, but you should rest a little longer," Tobias explained. "Do you think you could stay for Gideon's funeral?"
Hotchner sighed. Call him calloused, but he didn't know the man and had more important things to worry about. The people all watched him anticipating his answer.
"Fine, yeah. I'll stay."
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"Answer God dammit!" Elle yelled into the receiver causing her new assistant to flinch. Elle was still mourning the loss of Harris who was good at his job. This girl couldn't even make her coffee right, and now Foyet wasn't answering his phone.
"Jess, could you please get me a coffee? Three sugars and half a creamer. Seriously. Just half of one of those fucking things."
The girl scattered off as Elle slumped in her chair. This Hotchner guy was good. She wished she could hire him.
Eventually she faced the inevitable and called Rossi. He wasn't going to be too happy.
"Rossi."
"Dave... Jesus Dave. The fucker isn't answering his phone."
"Language Elle. Now, which fucker are we talking about? The creepy guy?"
"Yes sir. Foyet. He went to the commune to interrogate those the accomplices stayed with. I gather Hotchner got to him."
"Damn, this guy is good."
"I know."
"You're positive he wasn't in special ops or something? I mean, who can kill this man?"
"I'm running out of ideas, sir," Elle replied as Jess returned with the coffee. Elle could tell it was too light. "Definitely not any more of my assistants."
"I just guess you'll have to go."
"What?! Dave, are you nuts? I'm strictly desk work now. That was the deal."
"Elle, babe. You're the best. If anyone can do it, you can."
"Who will do everything for you if I can't?"
"Eh, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Send me a postcard from the windy city."
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The sun had set and the wind was indeed blowing in Chicago. A storm was steadily approaching and Penelope was pacing.
"What if Hotch can't fly in this?" she asked no one in particular.
Reid was focusing on a crossword puzzle, his head resting on Morgan's shoulder. Morgan had drifted to sleep an hour or so before. Francis had rejoined them and was showing J.J. baby pictures now that her son couldn't protest.
"War is peace," Reid muttered.
"How... What..." Penelope sputtered as she started at Reid.
"25 down. Futuristic anomaly," he said. "I'm sorry. Did you say something?"
"He'll be fine dear," Francis said as she patted an open spot on the couch. "Come look at Derek riding his bike for the first time."
Penelope plopped on the couch. "I worry too much, don't I?"
"Yes," Reid and J.J. both said at once causing everyone to laugh and Morgan to lazily open his eyes.
"Look who's awake," Reid said. "C'mon sleepyhead. Let's go to bed."
"I just woke up," Morgan complained.
"Trust me. Your mom is showing baby pictures. You don't want to stay down here. Plus, going to bed doesn't mean we're going to sleep." He winked at Morgan as he sat the crossword puzzle aside and sauntered to the staircase.
"Could you be any more subtle, Reid?" J.J. asked.
"I never really tried," Reid replied as Morgan sprinted after him. "It works out better for me in the end."
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Hotchner watched as Gideon's body was lowered into the ground. Tobias stood next to him, tears silently running down his cheeks.
"He trusted me," he whispered suddenly. "No one else ever did. I live for this commune."
"And you'll keep it alive for him, I'm sure," Hotchner said.
"When that man said Gideon told me to show you in... I just assumed..." By now, Tobias was sobbing and other citizens hugged him as they passed. The funeral was over.
"No one could blame you."
"I am truly sorry. Can you promise me something?"
"Anything."
"You get the bastards behind this."
A couple of men took Foyet's body that had been wrapped in cloth and threw it into the incinerator that was used for trash. It was fitting, Hotchner thought.
"I will."